Slide On Campers

jetj · Guru

Slide On Campers

bill12 · Guru

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 · Guru

Thanks Bill very helpful information.

Sylva · Veteran Member

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 · Guru

Some Pics would be good to get a handle on whats what

GaryKelly · Guru

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 · Guru

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 · Veteran Member

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 · Guru

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 · Guru

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

GaryKelly · Guru

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

jetj · Guru

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 · Guru

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 · Guru

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 · Guru

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 · Guru

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 · Guru

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 · Guru

Good luck with the sales Bill. Gary thanks, so much to take in that didn't occur to me initially.

milo · Guru

interesting Gary, thanks would like to see some videos of people taking it on and off the ute