Lookin' For a Used, Clean Pop Up Camper For my 3500. Which Are The Best Ones?

[Goose55]

I hemmed and hawed for a long time, but finally my senses came to me. My 3500 dually is over built for them but I finally decided I do not need a self contained, 5th Wheel or large slide in camper to do what I want to to in Arizona's summers. For stream and lake fishing, a simple, clean used pop up camper will do just fine. I won't be facing hot or cold temps, so I prefer a soft sided pop up--not the pricey Alaskan brand.

I had a little, tiny Skamper (cramper) pop up for my old club cab Tacoma, but the 3500 has an 8 foot bed, so this will be a huge improvement over that. And, NO more swaying side to side as my rig has a 7,500 pound payload! I won't even know it's on the truck.

There are many made now. Which brand, decent quality pop-ups should I look for? I'd prefer not a wood framed one, but steel or aluminum framed, for durability.

THANKS MUCH!

 

[OC455]

Palomino campers look like they would fit the bill.

Real-Lite Truck Campers - Palomino RV

Details, images, videos, and more about the Real-Lite Truck Campers line up.

palominorv.com

 

[quickster2]

I would look at Northstar truck campers. We've had two. Currently have a heavily optioned 850SC with the Sub-Zero package. They have both pop-up & hardside options. Great company built in Iowa. northstarcampers.com

 

[Chukbacca]

If you’re looking for all aluminum… you might look at the Livin’lite Quicksilver. Alternatively, If you are tall, like I am… you may want to hunt around for a “high wall “ a few manufacturers have made them over the years. I had a Fleetwood Niagara that I could stand up in with no problem at all and I am 6‘5“.
There is also a forum called pop up portal that you might look around in for ideas. I will also share that the pop up princess has a fantastic buyers checklist.

Best of luck… I enjoyed my time with a pop-up, and look forward to doing it again in the future

 

[aces-n-eights]

We had an Outfitter - https://outfittermfg.com/ - liked it a lot. They're built up in Colorado.

 

[bcbouy]

second the Northstar.i looked at every pop up and the Northstar was a perfect fit for us.and the resale is really good.

 

[Bearcatrp]

Here is a real good site for RV information. Great forum.

The RV Forum Community By RV LIFE

Forum software by XenForo

www.rvforum.net

 

[Mike Wenrich]

I had a Northstar SC850on my previously owned 3500 with the Cummins and it was excellent. But...one thing I did not like was that it extended so far over the front it blocked my nav/radio when going two of the four directions. I got around that by adding a hood mounted receiver which pigtailed into the passenger post side wiring when the camper was on the truck. The only other thing I did not like was when the top is down, you cannot access the toilet. Found that out during the pandemic when you could not use a public restroom anywhere. Carry a pee bottle. Also the door is a bit tight (for a tall person) and I bumped my head a few times before I added some extra padding. The Palamino has a larger door but is not built as well. Lastly, if you are not 6' feet tall or above you might need a small step ladder to get to the roof tie downs on a 3500.