Hi All I have just purchased a Slide on Camper and I am seeking information from experienced owners about a range of questions including attaching it to my alloy tray followed by any tips or tricks Grey Nomad members out there have regarding this type of setup. I am about to go and pick it up from Victoria ( from Kangaroo Valley NSW ) and will have a long drive with a temporary attachment only.
Too late to try to talk me out of it ( LOL) or recommend the a little fold out light weight unit as I have already purchased a fairly big hardwall Beyond over cab bed side access door camper.
My also already purchased base vehicle is a little ISUZU AWD NLS aluminum trayback single cab truck ( car license 4500KG GVM ) and I am also seeking advice around these vehicles but I have already started a separate thread around that which isn't drawing much activity or eyeballs just yet.
Looking at other threads it looks like not much has been happening regarding Slide on Campers (Truck Campers in the US) and I just thought I might try to get some discussion going around these with the hope of learning some tips and tricks from current owners.
I have had motor homes, caravans and trailable yachts previously so I am not a complete novice but I have never owned a slide on previously and have researched as much as I can without that much enlightenment to date. Every vehicle and portable accommodation format has its niche tips and tricks and I am seeking these.
bgt said
04:27 PM Jan 25, 2021
Never had one so just observations.
In the USA we looked a number of times at a Lance slide on. Their slide ons had slide outs!
We considered bringing one back to Australia and putting on the back of a Hino. Long story and design.
But what put me off them was the stories about them 'wallowing' going up the highways. Brother Inlaw hired one in Canada on a Ford F250. Said it drove like a dolphin.
I would look hard at any suspension modifications.
Good luck. Slide ons are a great concept and aren't popular in Australia because we don't have the big pickups.
Possum3 said
04:40 PM Jan 25, 2021
Graeme, You will most likely obtain some pertinent technical information and checklists for free at www.caravancouncil.com.au/
Peter_n_Margaret said
05:23 PM Jan 25, 2021
The first thing to check it that what you attach it to is properly attached. Do not assume that the tray can take that load.
Not pretty if it all falls off.
Cheers,
Peter
Trailer Sailer said
06:20 PM Jan 25, 2021
Hi Peter_N_Margaret I am listening as you have actually owned a Slide On which most have not whilst still appreciating their thoughts and advice. I have owned two motorhomes myself and on experience whilst accepting comments about wallowing I feel most slide ons are fitted to Aussie tradie aimed utes with much lighter carrying capacity, axles, springs and overly long rear axle overhangs versus fitting them on a fairly long bed commercial truck chassis. I have trawled through the recommended above caravan council site without getting that much further forward than my existing knowledge base. Having driven F150, 250 and 350s myself they wallowed a fair bit unloaded so I feel could really lean with a big high load although may have got better with more recent models than those I have driven.
The same commercial truck chassis I have chosen is sometimes fitted with very high removal van bodies which also carry perhaps even more weight up high on many occasions but dont have a reputation for turning turtle on corners. Caution on tight ones is always warranted however.
Is it wise to fit a slide on on for instance a very hard foam base rather than straight on the tray to generate a bit more twist give. Are spring equiped quick release tie downs desirable for the same reason of allowing a slight amount of chassis twist?
From several caravan and trailable yacht ownerships I am very aware of too heavy high loads but whilst driving in a high position set over the front wheels you already get more seat of the pants warning of tilt than in something like an F series truck or similar. I had a front wheel drive Ducato A class 575 Knaus motorhome with very high overcab bed in Europe which was about the same height as my new rig and drove it through the Spanish Pyrenees on incredibly twisty roads without experiencing significant problems as again it was built on a truck chassis designed in part for high position load carrying.
Any further specifics that add to my limited knowledge from anyone would be really appreciated.
Peter_n_Margaret said
06:42 PM Jan 25, 2021
Ours was initially fitted to a WB Holden 1 ton tray top. It was significantly overloaded so we changed to a Ford F350 4WD. That was "fully loaded".
It was attached to the aluminium tray. The tray was attached to the chassis. The chassis twists and that twist is transferred to the slide-on. After some years, that destroyed the slide-on. The floor separated from the walls.
Long bed truck chassis are all going to twist. Aluminium trays are always going to twist. Accommodating that twist with a motorhome body with its own stiff sub chassis is commonly done with spring mounts direct to the chassis. Doing that via a tray is possibly somewhat more problematic.
Do you really want to be able to take it off?
Cheers,
Peter
Trailer Sailer said
07:04 PM Jan 25, 2021
Hi Peter Absolutely and as quickly as possible so I am already planning a camera with line up lines rearward facing on the front of the tray as the ISUZU already has a sophisticated infra red and microphone reversing camera on the rear and 4 more camera ports available allowing one on the front of the tray rear facing, one on top of the slide on front facing ( low tree and overhang monitoring) the and one remote mounted on the stern of my yacht as a behind the yacht rear view mirror. Might rig the last to monitor overtaking vehicles around any potential blind spot I find with my yacht on the back. My ISUZU is fitted with a big touch screen monitor above the dash with split screen capability and lots of fancy other capabilities. It didnt seem to be standard on all these great value Trayback NLS AWD specials as I certainly wasnt anticipating it being there when Clare and I flew up to Inverell to pick the truck up but you win some sometimes.:) We hope to unload the Slide on whilst travelling for some more extreme area access for walking, mountain biking and canoe camping and also use the truck here around home for a variety of heavy load Ute roles including carrying my tiny classic race car to events. I did consider your fixed accommadation style of 4x4 motorhome but expense (most secondhand good ones were dear and I am not a home builder like you) A 5 year 250,000klms factory warranty on the truck with Australia wide dealer network and factory recovery plan and the variety of alternative both business and in future private uses had me chose the slide on route. My likely total cost including the almost unused 2015 Beyond slide on and mods is likely to be under $100,000 with a new truck underneath. I am interested however in ways to stop chassis twist destroying the slide on over time.
-- Edited by Trailer Sailer on Monday 25th of January 2021 07:06:39 PM
-- Edited by Trailer Sailer on Monday 25th of January 2021 07:07:37 PM
Jaahn said
08:58 AM Jan 26, 2021
Hi
A long time ago I had a sllde-on. I first put it on a Dodge small truck 1.5-2T, and after some time put put it on a Jeep 4x4 small truck same size. It was a steel frame with caravan aluminium not too heavy but cab over and full height to stand. I removed half the leaves from the jeep rear springs to soften them as they were so ridiculously stiff. We had to drive sensibly with regard to the high center of gravity but never had a silly moment. The Dodge with a big six cyl petrol could go well but was very thirsty at speed. The Jeep had a six cyl Falcon motor fitted but was a dog to drive and we got sick of it after a while !
The slide-on was steel tube with caravan al sheeting, I bought it half built and finished it and mounted it. I decided originally to just ditch the tray and put the unit direct on the chassis rails with some timber between for some give. That was OK but did mean it was a bigger job to change back to the tray but lowered it quite a bit. There is a lot of twisting of the chassis even on a light truck. I cannot say I remember a lot of the details as it was 40+ years ago. But after looking at some other units I think I decided on using just two points at about the center to attach it to the chassis rails and leave the ends to move a bit with a rubber pad to bear on. You do need a bit of clearance on the cab too.
I have since then looked at some big MAN 4x4 trucks with an adventure unit on the back and they do use a central pair of rails to the chassis and the ends are flexible. Hard to see the details. This may not be useful but all I can say. Certainly true that trays on light trucks can be 'lightly' attached and I would be looking at that point if I was using it to hold a big slide-on and going on challenging terrain. I was driving down the highway one time and a semi clipped the back of a ute as it went past it on a corner and the tray just came off, spinning around, sliding down the road towards us. No one hurt and the truck did not even notice what happened. The ute driver was shocked of course but the fastenings were very poor, just aluminum angle and small bolts.
Jaahn
-- Edited by Jaahn on Tuesday 26th of January 2021 09:13:53 AM
Trailer Sailer said
10:02 AM Jan 26, 2021
Hi Jaahn Thanks for your input it is appreciated. Not sure about the central 2 point attachment rather than providing some give at each corner but will now look into it. Thanks
Like with Peters comment above I am fairly determined to at least initially try to create a system where loading and unloading the slide on is quick and easy. Part of that theory is ultimately not pushing the vehicle with the slide on mounted into serious 4x4 territory at all just using it for gravel roads, slippery grass and other low traction surfaces like some poor surface boat ramps. The idea is if wanting to drive into more challenging spots ( still not really intending to do any serious 4x4 ) to demount the camper and drive in without the camper for tent camping, backpacking and similar. It is after all too high for most serious 4x4 tracks with the slide on camper mounted at around 3.3 meters high. It has 2.2 meters truck only clearance which most serious 4x4 match.
I do plan to mount some water tanks under the tray along with the extra fuel tanks to keep the mass as low as possible and have a narrow lock up storage box between the camper and the cab again permanently mounted to the truck. (backpacks, tent camping gear and generator).
The rear springs on the truck are pretty stiff being designed for a 2 ton load but I wont consider derating them and may even look at the feasibility of adding a sway bar to help with any potential lean. I will try it all out first but have fitted many sway bars to various vehicles previously for a variety of reasons.
Thanks again for your input.
Jaahn said
01:23 PM Jan 26, 2021
Hi Graeme
You sound like you have a good idea of what you want so go for it. I like your choice of truck.
Just a couple of comments from my experience. The load carrying end of all trucks is the back and it has duals(not duels !) so that is where you put the weight. Often trucks have very little traction because the weight is mostly on the front and often any load is against the head board so just hopeless in slippery conditions. In your case at least you drive the front wheels also. So consider all this in your design. Just as an aside often camper conversions on a Coaster have a bed at the back and all the heavy wooden cupboards and tanks etc are toward the front, and poor traction is the result !
Be aware that a anti roll bar may make the roll stiffness better for cornering angles but less comfortable in all other situations. And it lifts wheels in bad roads etc. Just drive to the situation is a better solution. The stiff rear suspension might be cured by shifting the weight onto it. Boat launching without the camper could be interesting.
Good luck keep us posted. Good to see a person looking outside the square, eg twin cab ute and over weight caravan.
Jaahn
Peter_n_Margaret said
02:00 PM Jan 26, 2021
If you want better off road traction performance from a 2WD, add a rear diff lock. That will take it from an effective 1 wheel drive to a 2 wheel drive.
The next mod is to carry a set of chains for the rear.
Cheers,
Peter
yobarr said
03:16 PM Jan 26, 2021
Peter_n_Margaret wrote:
If you want better off road traction performance from a 2WD, add a rear diff lock. That will take it from an effective 1 wheel drive to a 2 wheel drive. The next mod is to carry a set of chains for the rear. Cheers, Peter
Hi Peter...that's exactly what I did,way back in the early 1980s,with a V8 F100.That car would easily go where 4wd vehicles could not.Cheers
Trailer Sailer said
04:09 PM Jan 26, 2021
Hi Guys Thanks for all the feedback. However I dont think I will have that big a traction problem as the Isuzu NLS AWD has locking front hubs and then selectable engagement of the drive to the front wheels along with a limited slip diff at the rear. I have already tested this out on very steep very loose hill climbing and the rear lsd without the front wheels engaged does very controllable power slides and then with the front wheels engaged dragged its way up a very steep very loose gravel hill without any issue despite no load in the back at all. PS Hi Yobarr I think you might find the world of 4x4 has moved on from back then as I am ex racing and rallying, ex emergency services recovery vehicle experienced and have done some fairly extreme 4x4 driving and hill climbing events and I will call you out on that claim. Even back then I just think the 4x4 drivers you were competing against were pussys or driving some of the woefully underpowered rigs that were around back then and you perhaps had some balls and skill.
-- Edited by Trailer Sailer on Tuesday 26th of January 2021 04:17:19 PM
-- Edited by Trailer Sailer on Tuesday 26th of January 2021 04:17:59 PM
Tony LEE said
06:52 PM Jan 26, 2021
We drove a F350 dually with a large Bigfoot camper all over south America and there is no doubt they are big and heavy and wallow.
It sat on a wooden pallet and was held down with spring loaded over centre toggles whivh connected to special outriggers mounted to the chassis.
On rough roads there was a lot of movement between the camper and the truck - quite alarming at times - but didn't seem to matter.
Extra weight and size was worth it for the relative luxury of the accommodation
Trailer Sailer said
08:02 PM Jan 26, 2021
Hi Tony That sounds like a really great trip, congratulations. I have driven the F250 and F350s myself and did find them enormous and pretty wallowy. I dont think however the F350 Slide Ons I have seen provided that much more accommodation than the 2.9meter base length x2.2m width with under 1.5meter over cab length Australian built Beyond slide on I have purchased whilst needing a hell of a lot more truck to carry them. My overall length is under 5.6 meters and turning Circle is 10.1 meters meaning regular length car bays and normal width road Uturns are just achievable. I have yet to entirely asses my it with my huge yacht in tow but I also hope fuel consumption and front visability will also be vastly better than those monster trucks. Fuel consumption empty whilst running it in was about 10 liters per 100klms but appeared to be getting better as the brand new engine is loosening up. Its only done 1,200klms so far.
Most of the F350 Slide ons I have seen look pretty awkward to get off mainly because of the huge size of the truck needs lots of space to line them up and then the visibility is constrained. What was your experience? The unit I am putting together whist fairly high at around 3.3 meters is pretty short and compact without the huge high bonnet hiding the monster engine. This latest model Isuzu NLS AWD also has some of the modern car features like a huge touch screen navigation and multifunction entertainment unit, airbags, hill holder, cruise control, engine exhaust braking, stability control, remote central locking and the like. I have attached some pictures of the three components of my travelling package below and look forward to seeing how the all integrate and then drive and function together.
-- Edited by Trailer Sailer on Wednesday 27th of January 2021 07:07:27 AM
Your side door will be a hell of an improvement on the rear door on mine which was very difficult to keep the dust out no matter how many layers of foam tape I usedThe dually wheels made it very hard to line up as the front swing-out jacks were barely wider than the wheels, so it was only taken off when absolutely necessary - like when all the rear springs on one side broke and we had to drive it a long way for repairs with straps holding it all in place
Yes fuel consumption wasn't all that brilliant but when I put my foot down, the big v8 certainly responded even up over 4000 metres. Diesel was US$1.02 per Gallon in Ecuador and well under a dollar a litre in Bolivia if we could talk them into giving us the locals price, so that eased the pain a bit.
Have fun in your new rig.
-- Edited by Tony LEE on Tuesday 26th of January 2021 08:34:18 PM
-- Edited by Tony LEE on Tuesday 26th of January 2021 08:37:01 PM
Hi Tony Very envious as that sounds like a fabulous trip. Yes it was definitely one of my goals to have the slide on package be easy to load and unload and given about 150mm clearance each side to the happijack remote control legs and excellent visibility and manoeuvrability this may be possible especially with camera assistance. The tray back instead of the F350 tub also means better visibility and side door access not interfering with the towing arrangements. Still the F350s looks the part so I am surprised you managed to break the springs but perhaps that monstrous amount of power led to the occasional lead foot moment ( probably would with me) or was it just ithe mpossibly bad South American ( normal) roads?
bgt said
08:49 PM Jan 26, 2021
Question if I may?
What are the current legal widths for slide ons. Including awnings etc? In Australia.
USA built go to 102 inches plus awnings etc. That was one of the stumbling blocks that stopped bringing a Lance back to Australia.
yobarr said
09:30 PM Jan 26, 2021
bgt wrote:
Question if I may? What are the current legal widths for slide ons. Including awnings etc? In Australia. USA built go to 102 inches plus awnings etc. That was one of the stumbling blocks that stopped bringing a Lance back to Australia.
Hi Bruce...2500mm excluding mirrors,lights etc.Cheers
Peter_n_Margaret said
10:53 PM Jan 26, 2021
2500 including awning, not plus.
Cheers,
Peter
Trailer Sailer said
06:58 AM Jan 27, 2021
Hi Tony. Thats a great shot of your F350 with Slide On ( Truck camper in the US). I can see with the extended guards over the dual rear tyres how little clearance the camper legs would have making it a bit of a nightmare to get it on and off. Tony were your legs manual wind up or electric or hydraulic? Upon research I didnt like the rear tub style utes for slide on mounting as they severely constrain access to many important areas of the accommodation unit like underseat storage areas, gas bottles, toilet and waste water, battery access and the like. They also are more likely to trap gas, rain, dirt and debris. The tray style body also gives better access to the vehicle frame and opens up areas to mount water and fuel tanks and the like. They do have the advantage of generally sitting the camper lower as they generally go down between the wheels but this also constrains floor area and low down storage. Another plus is the lower door entry height is however balanced somewhat by both access being over any tow hitch or attached trailer and outside awning covered seating or enclosed room areas being either more disassociated from the accommodation or being located at the rear again interfering with towing.
Just a comment I feel some may echo about enclosed awning rooms. After living in a motorhome for 4 months whilst travelling in Europe many years ago I found using the wind out awning was fabulous but then installing the entire enclosed room really wasnt warranted with my preferred mobile style of touring. I think many motorhomes are perhaps more suited to those who like to keep on the move whilst camper trailers and most caravans perhaps more suited to those who like to stay insitu longer and explore one place or just relax. The slide on camper can do both but I wont be bothering to carry a full room enclosure myself. This is the KNAUS 575 on FIAT Ducato left hand drive I owned at time. Bought and sold rather than rented.
-- Edited by Trailer Sailer on Wednesday 27th of January 2021 07:10:06 AM
-- Edited by Trailer Sailer on Wednesday 27th of January 2021 07:11:22 AM
-- Edited by Trailer Sailer on Wednesday 27th of January 2021 07:14:34 AM
-- Edited by Trailer Sailer on Wednesday 27th of January 2021 07:15:12 AM
We lived in the USA for about 8 years. Two motorhomes. 35ft and 40ft. In all those years I could count the annexes I seen on half of one hand! I'm not sure of the situation in Europe but annexes do seem to be an Australian thing.
We were going to bring a Lance slide on into Australia about 15 years ago. We looked at a Freightliner FL50-60. Then a Hino. Slideon on the back with the cab overhang area filled in with extra water storage etc. We kept hitting the overall width issue. At that time I couldn't find an acceptable Australian built alternative. But in the back of my mind I still think what Trailer Sailer is doing is a top idea. Half your luck.
Trailer Sailer said
09:14 AM Jan 27, 2021
Hi bgt Thanks for your well wishes. Re width issues I had to shave my yachts rubbing strip by a small margin as the European maximum width is 2.55 instead or our 2.5 and the Imexus 28 is built in Poland to max out their towing without special conditions regulations. Maybe Clare and I might run into you out there in the big beyond somewhere. Best Wishes
HunnyBunny said
10:35 AM Jan 30, 2021
I also have a slide on camper, I love mine & have no desire to change any time soon. Mine is a full size camper with shower, it does sit high but it sits on my 7.3 ltr V8 F250 on a 13 ft tray. Mine is attached directly onto the frame of the tray using turn buckles. Because my tray is so wide, the camper has been modified to fit, however it is narrower then the tray. which makes it sit very sturdily on the tray. I can't attach it down the sides like most do.
-- Edited by HunnyBunny on Saturday 30th of January 2021 10:38:59 AM
Trailer Sailer said
02:14 PM Jan 30, 2021
Hi Any photos of your unit or specific tips? I looked at those F250 and F350 solutions but just felt they were both out of my price range to buy and a bit of a huge unit to drive around in. What do you generally achieve for fuel consumption and is your vehicle 4x4? Is yours a trayback or style side type more conventional type ute body? Do you tow anything as well as carry the slide on? I dont think I will be getting any height savings with mine in fact it may be even higher at around 3.3-3.4 height clearance. It also has a shower/toilet and around 2 meters headroom under the airconditioner and more elsewhere. My Fiat Ducato KNAUS in Europe was 5.8meters long and the Isuzu NLS AWD fitted with the slide on will be a little shorter than this again. I found this very convenient as if not constrained by height restrictions I could park just about anywhere a car can park. (Just) My NLS tray is 3.45m x 1.95m and the base of he Beyond Slide on is 2.9m x 2.2m leaving just the right size overhang for mounting and backing in under and out. I will have enough room for a narrow but tall fixed alloy lockable storage area between the front of the tray and the slide on for securely storing stuff when leaving the slide on behind whilst keeping the rear of the slide on still on the tray. Its all a bit of an experiment at present so I will report back how it all goes but potentially it might be the compromise between an often overloaded 1 ton ute with slide on and needing a US build truck to carry a decent sized hard wall slide on.
KJB said
02:37 PM Jan 30, 2021
Did you look at an NPS with ~ 4m. tray......? Nice engine too - 5.2 litre.
Trailer Sailer said
04:08 PM Jan 30, 2021
Hi Thanks for the thought. Yes I examined the choice quite extensively. Higher off the ground to get up into. Higher fuel consumption, heaps more expensive to purchase, lower cruising speeds, even more truck like to drive for my fairly slight partner, higher over cab clearance needed, massively bigger turning circle and no ability to park in regular car bays , if down rated to a car license then actually much lower carrying capacity than the NLS AWD and otherwise requiring a light ridged truck license to drive and a variety of other disadvantages as well. Yes they are potentially much more capable in 4x4 mode but not worth all the other sacrifices to get that extra capability in my judgment. When mounted with a Hardwall slide on camper they are both too high for many serious 4x4 trails and areas anyway.
Trailer Sailer said
06:52 AM Feb 8, 2021
Hi All Clare and I picked up our Beyond slide on camper from Loch Victoria last weekend via a 2000klms round trip from Kangaroo Valley NSW. It fitted perfectly on the back of our new Isuzu NLS AWD alloy tray back 4500gvm truck which we weighed on the way down at 2,740kgs with 180kgs of us on board 70 kg of fuel and 60kgs of tools, mounting hardware, clothes and stuff. It fitted very well though took some time to load first time as whoever originally fitted the happijack legs screwed up the wiring meaning none of the buttons on the remote related to the correct legs making first time fitment fun! Thanks hugely to the prior owners Jerry and Christine for their assistance and especially to Jerry for fitting the two extra timber rails to the existing ones underneath our mutual measurements had calculated was needed to allow the overcab bed to clear the truck cabin. Such a lovely couple and very sad they had never had a trip with the camper but looking at it on our truck I feel it would have dramatically overloaded the it single cab Ute despite its suspension uprating. Ultimately I will mount the camper a little further back after fitting a tray width 50Cm deep X 1 meter high alloy storage box to the front of the tray. We returned via the Princes Highway around the coast giving us a variety of surface conditions, twisty roads and gradients and it drove superbly without much body roll at all despite my enthusiastic driving. The ( very quiet ) exhaust braking was just enough to take away the need to brake at all down most hills and we were able to maintain the speed limit at most times. Despite this moderately enthusiastic driving it returned just under 14liters per 100klms. Clare also drove it for about 2 hours despite no previous truck experience apart from her few hours driving the unloaded truck on our Inverell to Kangaroo Valley purchase / pick up trip back a few weeks ago. I have temporarily strapped the camper on with 3x 2.5 tone rated ratchet tie down straps and I am researching the best solution to this requirement. Any thoughts out there? On first impressions I think our travelling solution may be perfect for our wide variety of proposed adventures ranging from some extreme stuff like hoping to kayak sail Lake Eyre, trailer sailing the Kimberleys and camping in Cape York to all the more regular slightly off the beaten track destinations.
PS Yes I know its _ _ _ _ _ _ tall at 3.7 meters clearance to the top of the aircond unit! ( previously I didnt allow for the aircond and tv ariel , a common mistake I would guess) It does however have huge headroom inside due to the extra height for the truck overcab clearance but at 188cms myself I can live with this compromise for the other advantages also including very big storage cupboards. I have already purchased an electric pole mounted chainsaw for dealing with overhanging branches!
-- Edited by Trailer Sailer on Monday 8th of February 2021 07:01:00 AM
-- Edited by Trailer Sailer on Monday 8th of February 2021 07:02:10 AM
-- Edited by Trailer Sailer on Monday 8th of February 2021 07:19:27 AM
-- Edited by Trailer Sailer on Monday 8th of February 2021 11:51:06 AM
-- Edited by Trailer Sailer on Monday 8th of February 2021 11:58:59 AM
Neat setup. We always thought along the same lines but with an over width US built unit.
If it was mine!!!!! I would move the unit back as far as it can safely go. Then between the slide on and cab install extra water and holding tanks plus generator.
Have fun.
Trailer Sailer said
11:45 AM Feb 8, 2021
Hi bgt Thanks and I am actually already in the planning stage though I was planning an about 50Cm wide Alloy box ( end openings on both sides on the tray ) between the slide on and cab barrier for the generator and stuff so the rear mounted alloy box still sat partially on the tray and with bikes on top and that this still didnt interfere with towing my yacht or other trailers. There is room under the alloy tray I feel for a shallow but potentially 200 litre water tank as well as increasing the diesel tank capacity and fitting a grey water holding tank for National Parks and environmentally sensitive areas. I should be able to bring the entire package in around $100,000k on a brand new truck with a 5 years 250,000 klms warranty which I feel makes it a very effectively priced touring package with huge versatility. I know that seems a lot of money for many but its way cheaper than most alternative rigs I have seen when everything is new or like new.
I am open to suggestions hence my original post seeking these but felt going all the way to the back of the tray with the slide on might start to overload the rear when my 300kg ball download yacht trailer was also attached.
Hi All I have just purchased a Slide on Camper and I am seeking information from experienced owners about a range of questions including attaching it to my alloy tray followed by any tips or tricks Grey Nomad members out there have regarding this type of setup. I am about to go and pick it up from Victoria ( from Kangaroo Valley NSW ) and will have a long drive with a temporary attachment only.
Too late to try to talk me out of it ( LOL) or recommend the a little fold out light weight unit as I have already purchased a fairly big hardwall Beyond over cab bed side access door camper.
My also already purchased base vehicle is a little ISUZU AWD NLS aluminum trayback single cab truck ( car license 4500KG GVM ) and I am also seeking advice around these vehicles but I have already started a separate thread around that which isn't drawing much activity or eyeballs just yet.
Looking at other threads it looks like not much has been happening regarding Slide on Campers (Truck Campers in the US) and I just thought I might try to get some discussion going around these with the hope of learning some tips and tricks from current owners.
I have had motor homes, caravans and trailable yachts previously so I am not a complete novice but I have never owned a slide on previously and have researched as much as I can without that much enlightenment to date. Every vehicle and portable accommodation format has its niche tips and tricks and I am seeking these.
In the USA we looked a number of times at a Lance slide on. Their slide ons had slide outs!
We considered bringing one back to Australia and putting on the back of a Hino. Long story and design.
But what put me off them was the stories about them 'wallowing' going up the highways. Brother Inlaw hired one in Canada on a Ford F250. Said it drove like a dolphin.
I would look hard at any suspension modifications.
Good luck. Slide ons are a great concept and aren't popular in Australia because we don't have the big pickups.
Not pretty if it all falls off.
Cheers,
Peter
The same commercial truck chassis I have chosen is sometimes fitted with very high removal van bodies which also carry perhaps even more weight up high on many occasions but dont have a reputation for turning turtle on corners. Caution on tight ones is always warranted however.
Is it wise to fit a slide on on for instance a very hard foam base rather than straight on the tray to generate a bit more twist give. Are spring equiped quick release tie downs desirable for the same reason of allowing a slight amount of chassis twist?
From several caravan and trailable yacht ownerships I am very aware of too heavy high loads but whilst driving in a high position set over the front wheels you already get more seat of the pants warning of tilt than in something like an F series truck or similar. I had a front wheel drive Ducato A class 575 Knaus motorhome with very high overcab bed in Europe which was about the same height as my new rig and drove it through the Spanish Pyrenees on incredibly twisty roads without experiencing significant problems as again it was built on a truck chassis designed in part for high position load carrying.
Any further specifics that add to my limited knowledge from anyone would be really appreciated.
It was attached to the aluminium tray. The tray was attached to the chassis. The chassis twists and that twist is transferred to the slide-on. After some years, that destroyed the slide-on. The floor separated from the walls.
Long bed truck chassis are all going to twist. Aluminium trays are always going to twist. Accommodating that twist with a motorhome body with its own stiff sub chassis is commonly done with spring mounts direct to the chassis. Doing that via a tray is possibly somewhat more problematic.
Do you really want to be able to take it off?
Cheers,
Peter
Hi Peter Absolutely and as quickly as possible so I am already planning a camera with line up lines rearward facing on the front of the tray as the ISUZU already has a sophisticated infra red and microphone reversing camera on the rear and 4 more camera ports available allowing one on the front of the tray rear facing, one on top of the slide on front facing ( low tree and overhang monitoring) the and one remote mounted on the stern of my yacht as a behind the yacht rear view mirror. Might rig the last to monitor overtaking vehicles around any potential blind spot I find with my yacht on the back. My ISUZU is fitted with a big touch screen monitor above the dash with split screen capability and lots of fancy other capabilities. It didnt seem to be standard on all these great value Trayback NLS AWD specials as I certainly wasnt anticipating it being there when Clare and I flew up to Inverell to pick the truck up but you win some sometimes.:)
We hope to unload the Slide on whilst travelling for some more extreme area access for walking, mountain biking and canoe camping and also use the truck here around home for a variety of heavy load Ute roles including carrying my tiny classic race car to events.
I did consider your fixed accommadation style of 4x4 motorhome but expense (most secondhand good ones were dear and I am not a home builder like you) A 5 year 250,000klms factory warranty on the truck with Australia wide dealer network and factory recovery plan and the variety of alternative both business and in future private uses had me chose the slide on route. My likely total cost including the almost unused 2015 Beyond slide on and mods is likely to be under $100,000 with a new truck underneath.
I am interested however in ways to stop chassis twist destroying the slide on over time.
-- Edited by Trailer Sailer on Monday 25th of January 2021 07:06:39 PM
-- Edited by Trailer Sailer on Monday 25th of January 2021 07:07:37 PM
Hi
A long time ago I had a sllde-on. I first put it on a Dodge small truck 1.5-2T, and after some time put put it on a Jeep 4x4 small truck same size. It was a steel frame with caravan aluminium not too heavy but cab over and full height to stand. I removed half the leaves from the jeep rear springs to soften them as they were so ridiculously stiff. We had to drive sensibly with regard to the high center of gravity but never had a silly moment. The Dodge with a big six cyl petrol could go well but was very thirsty at speed. The Jeep had a six cyl Falcon motor fitted but was a dog to drive and we got sick of it after a while !
The slide-on was steel tube with caravan al sheeting, I bought it half built and finished it and mounted it. I decided originally to just ditch the tray and put the unit direct on the chassis rails with some timber between for some give. That was OK but did mean it was a bigger job to change back to the tray but lowered it quite a bit. There is a lot of twisting of the chassis even on a light truck. I cannot say I remember a lot of the details as it was 40+ years ago. But after looking at some other units I think I decided on using just two points at about the center to attach it to the chassis rails and leave the ends to move a bit with a rubber pad to bear on. You do need a bit of clearance on the cab too.
I have since then looked at some big MAN 4x4 trucks with an adventure unit on the back and they do use a central pair of rails to the chassis and the ends are flexible. Hard to see the details. This may not be useful but all I can say. Certainly true that trays on light trucks can be 'lightly' attached and I would be looking at that point if I was using it to hold a big slide-on and going on challenging terrain. I was driving down the highway one time and a semi clipped the back of a ute as it went past it on a corner and the tray just came off, spinning around, sliding down the road towards us. No one hurt and the truck did not even notice what happened. The ute driver was shocked of course but the fastenings were very poor, just aluminum angle and small bolts.
Jaahn
-- Edited by Jaahn on Tuesday 26th of January 2021 09:13:53 AM
Like with Peters comment above I am fairly determined to at least initially try to create a system where loading and unloading the slide on is quick and easy. Part of that theory is ultimately not pushing the vehicle with the slide on mounted into serious 4x4 territory at all just using it for gravel roads, slippery grass and other low traction surfaces like some poor surface boat ramps. The idea is if wanting to drive into more challenging spots ( still not really intending to do any serious 4x4 ) to demount the camper and drive in without the camper for tent camping, backpacking and similar. It is after all too high for most serious 4x4 tracks with the slide on camper mounted at around 3.3 meters high. It has 2.2 meters truck only clearance which most serious 4x4 match.
I do plan to mount some water tanks under the tray along with the extra fuel tanks to keep the mass as low as possible and have a narrow lock up storage box between the camper and the cab again permanently mounted to the truck. (backpacks, tent camping gear and generator).
The rear springs on the truck are pretty stiff being designed for a 2 ton load but I wont consider derating them and may even look at the feasibility of adding a sway bar to help with any potential lean. I will try it all out first but have fitted many sway bars to various vehicles previously for a variety of reasons.
Thanks again for your input.
Hi Graeme
You sound like you have a good idea of what you want so go for it. I like your choice of truck.
Just a couple of comments from my experience. The load carrying end of all trucks is the back and it has duals(not duels !) so that is where you put the weight. Often trucks have very little traction because the weight is mostly on the front and often any load is against the head board so just hopeless in slippery conditions. In your case at least you drive the front wheels also. So consider all this in your design. Just as an aside often camper conversions on a Coaster have a bed at the back and all the heavy wooden cupboards and tanks etc are toward the front, and poor traction is the result !
Be aware that a anti roll bar may make the roll stiffness better for cornering angles but less comfortable in all other situations. And it lifts wheels in bad roads etc. Just drive to the situation is a better solution. The stiff rear suspension might be cured by shifting the weight onto it. Boat launching without the camper could be interesting.
Good luck keep us posted. Good to see a person looking outside the square, eg twin cab ute and over weight caravan.
Jaahn
The next mod is to carry a set of chains for the rear.
Cheers,
Peter
Hi Peter...that's exactly what I did,way back in the early 1980s,with a V8 F100.That car would easily go where 4wd vehicles could not.Cheers
Hi Guys Thanks for all the feedback. However I dont think I will have that big a traction problem as the Isuzu NLS AWD has locking front hubs and then selectable engagement of the drive to the front wheels along with a limited slip diff at the rear. I have already tested this out on very steep very loose hill climbing and the rear lsd without the front wheels engaged does very controllable power slides and then with the front wheels engaged dragged its way up a very steep very loose gravel hill without any issue despite no load in the back at all.
PS Hi Yobarr I think you might find the world of 4x4 has moved on from back then as I am ex racing and rallying, ex emergency services recovery vehicle experienced and have done some fairly extreme 4x4 driving and hill climbing events and I will call you out on that claim. Even back then I just think the 4x4 drivers you were competing against were pussys or driving some of the woefully underpowered rigs that were around back then and you perhaps had some balls and skill.
-- Edited by Trailer Sailer on Tuesday 26th of January 2021 04:17:19 PM
-- Edited by Trailer Sailer on Tuesday 26th of January 2021 04:17:59 PM
Hi Tony That sounds like a really great trip, congratulations. I have driven the F250 and F350s myself and did find them enormous and pretty wallowy. I dont think however the F350 Slide Ons I have seen provided that much more accommodation than the 2.9meter base length x2.2m width with under 1.5meter over cab length Australian built Beyond slide on I have purchased whilst needing a hell of a lot more truck to carry them. My overall length is under 5.6 meters and turning Circle is 10.1 meters meaning regular length car bays and normal width road Uturns are just achievable. I have yet to entirely asses my it with my huge yacht in tow but I also hope fuel consumption and front visability will also be vastly better than those monster trucks. Fuel consumption empty whilst running it in was about 10 liters per 100klms but appeared to be getting better as the brand new engine is loosening up. Its only done 1,200klms so far.
Most of the F350 Slide ons I have seen look pretty awkward to get off mainly because of the huge size of the truck needs lots of space to line them up and then the visibility is constrained. What was your experience?
The unit I am putting together whist fairly high at around 3.3 meters is pretty short and compact without the huge high bonnet hiding the monster engine. This latest model Isuzu NLS AWD also has some of the modern car features like a huge touch screen navigation and multifunction entertainment unit, airbags, hill holder, cruise control, engine exhaust braking, stability control, remote central locking and the like.
I have attached some pictures of the three components of my travelling package below and look forward to seeing how the all integrate and then drive and function together.
-- Edited by Trailer Sailer on Wednesday 27th of January 2021 07:07:27 AM
Your side door will be a hell of an improvement on the rear door on mine which was very difficult to keep the dust out no matter how many layers of foam tape I used
The dually wheels made it very hard to line up as the front swing-out jacks were barely wider than the wheels, so it was only taken off when absolutely necessary - like when all the rear springs on one side broke and we had to drive it a long way for repairs with straps holding it all in place
Yes fuel consumption wasn't all that brilliant but when I put my foot down, the big v8 certainly responded even up over 4000 metres. Diesel was US$1.02 per Gallon in Ecuador and well under a dollar a litre in Bolivia if we could talk them into giving us the locals price, so that eased the pain a bit.
Have fun in your new rig.
-- Edited by Tony LEE on Tuesday 26th of January 2021 08:34:18 PM
-- Edited by Tony LEE on Tuesday 26th of January 2021 08:37:01 PM
Hi Bruce...2500mm excluding mirrors,lights etc.Cheers
Cheers,
Peter
Hi Tony. Thats a great shot of your F350 with Slide On ( Truck camper in the US). I can see with the extended guards over the dual rear tyres how little clearance the camper legs would have making it a bit of a nightmare to get it on and off. Tony were your legs manual wind up or electric or hydraulic? Upon research I didnt like the rear tub style utes for slide on mounting as they severely constrain access to many important areas of the accommodation unit like underseat storage areas, gas bottles, toilet and waste water, battery access and the like. They also are more likely to trap gas, rain, dirt and debris. The tray style body also gives better access to the vehicle frame and opens up areas to mount water and fuel tanks and the like. They do have the advantage of generally sitting the camper lower as they generally go down between the wheels but this also constrains floor area and low down storage. Another plus is the lower door entry height is however balanced somewhat by both access being over any tow hitch or attached trailer and outside awning covered seating or enclosed room areas being either more disassociated from the accommodation or being located at the rear again interfering with towing.
Just a comment I feel some may echo about enclosed awning rooms.
After living in a motorhome for 4 months whilst travelling in Europe many years ago I found using the wind out awning was fabulous but then installing the entire enclosed room really wasnt warranted with my preferred mobile style of touring. I think many motorhomes are perhaps more suited to those who like to keep on the move whilst camper trailers and most caravans perhaps more suited to those who like to stay insitu longer and explore one place or just relax. The slide on camper can do both but I wont be bothering to carry a full room enclosure myself. This is the KNAUS 575 on FIAT Ducato left hand drive I owned at time. Bought and sold rather than rented.
-- Edited by Trailer Sailer on Wednesday 27th of January 2021 07:10:06 AM
-- Edited by Trailer Sailer on Wednesday 27th of January 2021 07:11:22 AM
-- Edited by Trailer Sailer on Wednesday 27th of January 2021 07:14:34 AM
-- Edited by Trailer Sailer on Wednesday 27th of January 2021 07:15:12 AM
We were going to bring a Lance slide on into Australia about 15 years ago. We looked at a Freightliner FL50-60. Then a Hino. Slideon on the back with the cab overhang area filled in with extra water storage etc. We kept hitting the overall width issue. At that time I couldn't find an acceptable Australian built alternative. But in the back of my mind I still think what Trailer Sailer is doing is a top idea. Half your luck.
I also have a slide on camper, I love mine & have no desire to change any time soon. Mine is a full size camper with shower, it does sit high but it sits on my 7.3 ltr V8 F250 on a 13 ft tray. Mine is attached directly onto the frame of the tray using turn buckles. Because my tray is so wide, the camper has been modified to fit, however it is narrower then the tray. which makes it sit very sturdily on the tray. I can't attach it down the sides like most do.
-- Edited by HunnyBunny on Saturday 30th of January 2021 10:38:59 AM
Did you look at an NPS with ~ 4m. tray......? Nice engine too - 5.2 litre.
Hi All Clare and I picked up our Beyond slide on camper from Loch Victoria last weekend via a 2000klms round trip from Kangaroo Valley NSW. It fitted perfectly on the back of our new Isuzu NLS AWD alloy tray back 4500gvm truck which we weighed on the way down at 2,740kgs with 180kgs of us on board 70 kg of fuel and 60kgs of tools, mounting hardware, clothes and stuff. It fitted very well though took some time to load first time as whoever originally fitted the happijack legs screwed up the wiring meaning none of the buttons on the remote related to the correct legs making first time fitment fun!
Thanks hugely to the prior owners Jerry and Christine for their assistance and especially to Jerry for fitting the two extra timber rails to the existing ones underneath our mutual measurements had calculated was needed to allow the overcab bed to clear the truck cabin. Such a lovely couple and very sad they had never had a trip with the camper but looking at it on our truck I feel it would have dramatically overloaded the it single cab Ute despite its suspension uprating.
Ultimately I will mount the camper a little further back after fitting a tray width 50Cm deep X 1 meter high alloy storage box to the front of the tray.
We returned via the Princes Highway around the coast giving us a variety of surface conditions, twisty roads and gradients and it drove superbly without much body roll at all despite my enthusiastic driving. The ( very quiet ) exhaust braking was just enough to take away the need to brake at all down most hills and we were able to maintain the speed limit at most times. Despite this moderately enthusiastic driving it returned just under 14liters per 100klms. Clare also drove it for about 2 hours despite no previous truck experience apart from her few hours driving the unloaded truck on our Inverell to Kangaroo Valley purchase / pick up trip back a few weeks ago.
I have temporarily strapped the camper on with 3x 2.5 tone rated ratchet tie down straps and I am researching the best solution to this requirement. Any thoughts out there?
On first impressions I think our travelling solution may be perfect for our wide variety of proposed adventures ranging from some extreme stuff like hoping to kayak sail Lake Eyre, trailer sailing the Kimberleys and camping in Cape York to all the more regular slightly off the beaten track destinations.
PS Yes I know its _ _ _ _ _ _ tall at 3.7 meters clearance to the top of the aircond unit! ( previously I didnt allow for the aircond and tv ariel , a common mistake I would guess) It does however have huge headroom inside due to the extra height for the truck overcab clearance but at 188cms myself I can live with this compromise for the other advantages also including very big storage cupboards. I have already purchased an electric pole mounted chainsaw for dealing with overhanging branches!
-- Edited by Trailer Sailer on Monday 8th of February 2021 07:01:00 AM
-- Edited by Trailer Sailer on Monday 8th of February 2021 07:02:10 AM
-- Edited by Trailer Sailer on Monday 8th of February 2021 07:19:27 AM
-- Edited by Trailer Sailer on Monday 8th of February 2021 11:51:06 AM
-- Edited by Trailer Sailer on Monday 8th of February 2021 11:58:59 AM
If it was mine!!!!! I would move the unit back as far as it can safely go. Then between the slide on and cab install extra water and holding tanks plus generator.
Have fun.
I am open to suggestions hence my original post seeking these but felt going all the way to the back of the tray with the slide on might start to overload the rear when my 300kg ball download yacht trailer was also attached.