I'm looking for information from anyone with experience or opinions on slide on campers. I've searched and read some threads on slide ons. I would appreciate any information including fuel usage increase, how they ride, experience getting them off and more importantly back on the ute, like them or hate them.
Thanks
-- Edited by jetj on Monday 6th of May 2013 03:49:51 PM
bill12 said
04:04 PM May 6, 2013
I have a 97 ford courier diesel with a freeway slide on,.Its great now I have helpers on the springs, and have reinforced the tie downs on the ute.My advice is to buy a ute with a low tray, such as a styleside type , as they are much lower than the 4wd I have , and easier to load .BT50 2.5LTR models have good fuel economy, and with the helpers on the back springs, are reasonably stable. The ones I use are Ironman load plus, and are about $120 a pair.If you want some pics. I will post them. By the way, mine will be for sale when I sell the house later in the year .Bill
-- Edited by bill12 on Monday 6th of May 2013 04:06:37 PM
jetj said
11:29 PM May 6, 2013
Thanks Bill very helpful information.
Sylva said
12:49 AM May 7, 2013
hi
we have purchased a ute pod - camper from utepod.com.au
it has a roof top tent on the top, full kitchen, water tank, electrics including anderson plug, fridge on sildeout and lots of storage. they are custom made for your style of ute.
we collect ours this week. we have just picked up the new holden colorado. the new van comes within a week
the idea is that we travel with the lot, and when we want to go more off road we leave the van behind but still have the abillity to camp independintly for 1-2 weeks. i am not a fan of sleeping on the ground, no telling whom/what will pay a night time visit!!!!!
we are about to spend the next 2 plus years on the road
Wombat 280 said
02:43 AM May 7, 2013
Some Pics would be good to get a handle on whats what
GaryKelly said
03:18 AM May 7, 2013
I have a similar setup to the one Bill12 has, with a lower tray than his. I followed his advice with the helper springs and the reinforced tie downs. I thought long and hard about the options - caravan, campervan, trailer, etc - and finally settled on a slide-on. Suits me, especially since I'm travelling solo.
herbie said
04:00 AM May 7, 2013
This set up you anout toget sounds a grate idea,they only question i have is, what is the weight of this set up ? as was just thinking would it reduce what your van weighs loaded. .. Maybe i am off track in thinking this ,but would still be interested know from you.
Sylva said
05:23 AM May 7, 2013
not sure of total weight so far but the pod is made from alaminum, we have total of 3.5 T towing and van should come in fully loaded under 3
pete (my partner), the sales guy, and the car salesmen all asure me we are with weight restrictions
when we have the total set up i'll post some photos
should be within the next two weeks
syl
herbie said
05:52 AM May 7, 2013
Thanks for that Sylvia,as i recon i might go that way myself after i wear out this setup i have at moment .I was thinking of going to a 5th wheeler set up, but mate has one and he finds it not such a good idea in a lot of different ways.He wan'ts to go back to tug and van.
Regards Herbie.
bill12 said
01:45 PM May 7, 2013
My slide on weighs 720kgs, and a bit more with all my gear. The helper springs make a big difference .Mine is, also , 2.7m high, so you have to watch your height. If you don,t want to go off road, Get a 2wd.its simpler, and easier to load the camper.Bill
-- Edited by GaryKelly on Tuesday 7th of May 2013 04:56:06 PM
jetj said
05:47 PM May 7, 2013
Bill,
From what I have picked up on, is that it is possible to have your ute inspected by an engineer to allow a higher GVM. If the 720kg is dry weight you may be over the allowed GVM for the vehicle and the fear to me is illegality and not covered by insurance. There seems to be more to it than just placing a slide on a vehicle as I'm finding out. Appreciate everyones comments.
bill12 said
06:13 PM May 7, 2013
I have a one ton ute, and when I weighed it on a weighbridge, it was 890kgs , loaded. So it doesn,t go over the limit. The loadplus helper springs make a big difference to the ride and stability. I did 15000klms in Feb and March with no problems, and no breakdowns. I am insured with API, for about $20 a month, Including the camper. Just the same, I am looking at an off road c/van as I want a tinnie and my postiebike, which fit on the ute when the camper is not loaded. It all depends on what you want. Bill
jetj said
06:35 PM May 7, 2013
Bill,
Horses for courses. I guessed you were going to something different with your comment about selling the helper springs. Gee 15,000 was a lot of klms, great that you had no problems with the outfit.
bill12 said
07:49 PM May 7, 2013
I am going to sell the lot, car, camper, house, boat , soul, whoops, after I sell the house, I am going to upgrade(a lot of things).I hope I have helped you. Bill
milo said
07:58 PM May 7, 2013
i too like all this info , If i ever have the money a slide on would be great, and also would like to see a video of some one taking one on and putting it back on the ute, by the way do you have any trouble with height for low bridges etc?
GaryKelly said
07:58 PM May 7, 2013
BTW, Bill forgot to mention that those Loadplus helper springs are for the existing carrying capacity of the ute, not for extra weight. As Bill pointed out, they're designed for ride and stablity, not extra carrying capacity. A standard one-tonne ute will carry most slide ons without going over the GVM limit. In fact, the difference between my Courier's tare and GVM is about 1200kgs.
jetj said
08:24 PM May 7, 2013
Good luck with the sales Bill. Gary thanks, so much to take in that didn't occur to me initially.
milo said
05:05 AM May 8, 2013
interesting Gary, thanks would like to see some videos of people taking it on and off the ute
I'm looking for information from anyone with experience or opinions on slide on campers. I've searched and read some threads on slide ons. I would appreciate any information including fuel usage increase, how they ride, experience getting them off and more importantly back on the ute, like them or hate them.
Thanks
-- Edited by jetj on Monday 6th of May 2013 03:49:51 PM
I have a 97 ford courier diesel with a freeway slide on,.Its great now I have helpers on the springs, and have reinforced the tie downs on the ute.My advice is to buy a ute with a low tray, such as a styleside type , as they are much lower than the 4wd I have , and easier to load .BT50 2.5LTR models have good fuel economy, and with the helpers on the back springs, are reasonably stable. The ones I use are Ironman load plus, and are about $120 a pair.If you want some pics. I will post them. By the way, mine will be for sale when I sell the house later in the year .Bill
-- Edited by bill12 on Monday 6th of May 2013 04:06:37 PM
Thanks Bill very helpful information.
we have purchased a ute pod - camper from utepod.com.au
it has a roof top tent on the top, full kitchen, water tank, electrics including anderson plug, fridge on sildeout and lots of storage. they are custom made for your style of ute.
we collect ours this week. we have just picked up the new holden colorado. the new van comes within a week
the idea is that we travel with the lot, and when we want to go more off road we leave the van behind but still have the abillity to camp independintly for 1-2 weeks. i am not a fan of sleeping on the ground, no telling whom/what will pay a night time visit!!!!!
we are about to spend the next 2 plus years on the road
This set up you anout toget sounds a grate idea,they only question i have is, what is the weight of this set up ? as was just thinking would it reduce what your van weighs loaded. .. Maybe i am off track in thinking this ,but would still be interested know from you.
pete (my partner), the sales guy, and the car salesmen all asure me we are with weight restrictions
when we have the total set up i'll post some photos
should be within the next two weeks
syl
Thanks for that Sylvia,as i recon i might go that way myself after i wear out this setup i have at moment .I was thinking of going to a 5th wheeler set up, but mate has one and he finds it not such a good idea in a lot of different ways.He wan'ts to go back to tug and van.
Regards Herbie.
As to your question about heights, Milo, check out this link to the techie forum thread about shop awning heights.
-- Edited by GaryKelly on Tuesday 7th of May 2013 04:56:06 PM
Bill,
From what I have picked up on, is that it is possible to have your ute inspected by an engineer to allow a higher GVM. If the 720kg is dry weight you may be over the allowed GVM for the vehicle and the fear to me is illegality and not covered by insurance. There seems to be more to it than just placing a slide on a vehicle as I'm finding out. Appreciate everyones comments.
Bill,
Horses for courses. I guessed you were going to something different with your comment about selling the helper springs. Gee 15,000 was a lot of klms, great that you had no problems with the outfit.
one on and putting it back on the ute, by the way do you have any trouble with height for low bridges etc?
Good luck with the sales Bill. Gary thanks, so much to take in that didn't occur to me initially.