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Truck camper

100K views 73 replies 39 participants last post by  bgordon  
#1 ·
Just a heads up for you guys considering a truck camper. Don't! :roll:

Found this info while browsing the 2015 Colorado owners manual.

Truck-Camper Loading
Information
The vehicle was neither
designed nor intended to carry a
slide-in type camper.
{ Caution
Adding a slide-in camper or
similar equipment to the vehicle
can damage it, and the repairs
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. Do not install a
slide-in camper or similar
equipment on the vehicle.
 
#14 ·
Going to pick up my Phoenix Pop Up end of March

I have a Phoenix Pop Up camper being special built for my 2015 Canyon SLT 4X4:

Phoenix Pop Up - Custom Truck Campers, Camper Manufacturer

It should weight less than 900 lbs., and, since it is a pop up, not be as top heavy as a hard-side truck camper. We went for a wet head, queen bed over the cab, and two single bunks (convertible dinette and an overlying fold-down). AC, catalytic heater, in-line hot water, solar panel, and lithium battery, along with a stove/sink combo and 2-way fridge (propane and battery). Should be able to boondock off the grid for 4-5 days.

I'm also installing an AirLift rear suspension and compressor to help mitigate any squatting when fully loaded, along with adding some leveling capability when camped.

I will be picking it up at the end of this month and will post pictures here from the subsequent shake-down cruise my son and I will be taking her on, hopefully with some snow-capped peaks in view!
 
#15 ·
I have a Phoenix Pop Up camper being special built for my 2015 Canyon SLT 4X4:

Phoenix Pop Up - Custom Truck Campers, Camper Manufacturer

It should weight less than 900 lbs., and, since it is a pop up, not be as top heavy as a hard-side truck camper. We went for a wet head, queen bed over the cab, and two single bunks (convertible dinette and an overlying fold-down). AC, catalytic heater, in-line hot water, solar panel, and lithium battery, along with a stove/sink combo and 2-way fridge (propane and battery). Should be able to boondock off the grid for 4-5 days.

I'm also installing an AirLift rear suspension and compressor to help mitigate any squatting when fully loaded, along with adding some leveling capability when camped.

I will be picking it up at the end of this month and will post pictures here from the subsequent shake-down cruise my son and I will be taking her on, hopefully with some snow-capped peaks in view!
That sounds like a great set up you are having built. Please post a bunch of both exterior and interior pics when you have it set up. Very neat!
 
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#18 ·
The box on these trucks seems different to me than any truck I remember. The two seams running down each side where the sides join the bottom with the "caulk" line seems odd.

I have never had or been involved with a camper for a bed, but this may be inline with what you are suggesting.

I am not sure I see these trucks as a good platform for a camper in the bed, and an over the cab version is going to really destroy the aerodynamics. I think the diesel engine would be a much better powertrain to try this modification on.

Be interesting to see how it works out. Some of you guys (and gals) are pretty brave to be the first to go where no man (or woman) has gone before.
 
#19 ·
Here in Vancouver I have seen a Colorado xtream with a northern lite camper on it. And another one with what looked like a older Toyota style camper.

Even though both looked ok for set up I am still not sure about it. I thing the folks at GM might be right on this. And if my thoughts are correct on how the box is bolted down this could be a big issue with side winds or in a accident situation.
 
#20 ·
I would like to hear what GM has to say about this. When I asked the tech staff of my Colorado dealer they just shook their heads like they were stumped. How do we get GM to respond about this. If you can't put a light weight camper in the bed then what else can't you put back there.
 
#22 · (Edited)
Custom Camper for 2015 Canyon

As promised, here are some pictures from the shake-down cruise of our new Phoenix Pop Up camper built especially for my 2015 GMC Canyon. There are exterior shots first of the pop up stowed, and then, popped up!

I'll post some interior shots in another post.
 

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#25 ·
I wanted to be able to 4X4 boondock, and even when camping in a civilized campground, take up only a tent site if I needed too.

With only this trip under my belt, I can say that my 2015 Canyon 4X4 handles the camper like a champ! I averaged 18.5 mpg on a trip over the Rockies twice and then back to south TX. My unladen mileage on my daily commute is 19.5 mpg!
 
#24 ·
Custom Camper for 2015 Canyon part 2

Here are some interior shots of the camper. Note the haute cuisine.
 

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#33 · (Edited)
How was the ride with the air suspension?
It rides very well. I lost about 3" with the camper on and only 5 psi in the air bags. I gained back 2" with them aired up to 50 psi. Airing up over 50 psi made the ride stiffer, but I could not gain the last inch of clearance back. You can see in the pictures I posted that the truck is level and not squatting at all (that's what that rake is designed for!). Only problem was a pin hole in one of the bags that kept my compressor running every once in a while. I took it back to the dealer and they, and the manufacturer, decided it was a manufacturing defect (a bubble in the cast rubber). They are replacing it.

There is a bit more sway with the camper on, but much less than I was expecting, and it never felt dangerous or like you could lose control. We hit some lively wind gusts in the Texas Panhandle on the drive back and felt no sway; instead there was a bit of steer downwind, probably a bit more than I would have felt without the camper on.

I've been thinking about a lift, and the Rancho kit with the replacement leaf springs is looking like a good fit with the air bag suspension when the camper is on.