[Vandozer]

Does anyone know first hand if a slide in camper will fit the 5x5 bed of the 2005 CC? The frontier manual says crew cab models should not carry slide in camper.

 

[LoopOut]

They can carry slide-ins. You are just limited in options. There are midsize truck slide in campers made for 5' box. I was just browsing the net last week on this subject as I was kinda interested in the idea. I was actually kinda surprised to find there are some made, being it is such a small box. Im sorry I don't have any names I can even remember to give you to search. But I did find them kinda easily. And maybe some kind of air assist suspension wouldn't hurt (firestone ride rite???). Hope this helps.

 

[Vandozer]

Ya I did find like 2 out there, but i will not pay 11g for a brand new base camper. If only used ones were out there more. Oh well thanks for the reply

 

[blitzburghnut]

If you wouldn't mind, post some links to what you find in your search that fit our trucks.
I think there will be alot of us interested in what you find.

Thanks

 

[zluke13]

I found this in a google search.
http://www.clubfrontier.org/forums/f47/slide-camper-38675/

 

[Leatherface]

Does anyone actually own one? I am really interested in picking one up, but I thought my bed was too small.

Thanks for any information!

 

[upflying]

Here's a bad photo of my first test fit of my '87 Starcraft Sportstar.
It's a popup camper made for an 8' Ford Ranger. Found it cheap on eBay.
I installed Firestone air bags and Torklift frame tie downs.
A shortbed Frontier should be able to carry a "compact truck" 6' camper with the tailgate down.

 

[Mike r]

fourwheelcamprers

 

[Mike r]

Coyote RV

 

[Clint]

Coyote RV

How can they justify the cost of that? Go look at ultra lite travel trailers. For $18,000 you get a toilet and shower as well as can sleep 4-6 depending on layout. There is on board freshwater, cabinets etc. too. And they both cost the same. At least in the trailer you could actually live in it if need be.
Thanks for posting the link, I've wondered about a slide in for a long while.

Clint

 

[Mike r]

The travelite are starting to get into off road trailers too, the coyote and fourwheelcampers are expensive but ive seen the be taken anywhere the truck can get.

 

[Clint]

The slide ins that I like have fixed roofs and offer more amenities. The link you posted is a nice product but think the unit shoud be a third or less than their actual price. $18,000 is a brand new Sentra to put things in perspective.

Clint

 

[Leatherface]

Here's a bad photo of my first test fit of my '87 Starcraft Sportstar.
It's a popup camper made for an 8' Ford Ranger. Found it cheap on eBay.
I installed Firestone air bags and Torklift frame tie downs.
A shortbed Frontier should be able to carry a "compact truck" 6' camper with the tailgate down.

Thanks! Looks good! I would love to know more about how you made it fit? Is it just a matter of taking measurements and making sure it can slide in? How about the distance between the wheel wells in the bed? I would assume these only work on trucks without the roof rack?

Found this one too:

Six Pac Campers: Follow your path

 

[upflying]

Yep, no roof rack and it does fit between the wheelwells.
I had three places where fit was an issue. Old school small trucks like a Ranger have short bed sidewalls. I had to place two flat 8' 2X4 lumber on the floor of the bed to raise the camper a bit to clear the higher sidewalls of the Frontier. You can see the lumber on the tailgate below the rear door.
Another fit issue involved the tailgate. My truck has the factory bedliner which includes a plastic panel to protect the inside of the tailgate. This panel is slightly above the floor of the bed when the tailgate is down. I was concerned that much of the weight of the camper would be resting on the tailgate and damage it. I solved the problem by removing the plastic panel and replacing it with an insertpanel from an XE model Frontier. You can also see the access openings on the tailgate in the photo.
The final fit issue had to do with the corner jacks. While backing under the camper, I discovered the Frontier fender flares and tires would not clear the front corner jacks. I solved that problem by installing jack extensions made for a dually pickup.

 

[Clint]

Thanks! Looks good! I would love to know more about how you made it fit? Is it just a matter of taking measurements and making sure it can slide in? How about the distance between the wheel wells in the bed? I would assume these only work on trucks without the roof rack?

Found this one too:

Six Pac Campers: Follow your path

You had a clever way to get around the obstacles you faced.

Clint

 

[Leatherface]

You had a clever way to get around the obstacles you faced.

Clint

What obstacles?

Yep, no roof rack and it does fit between the wheelwells.
I had three places where fit was an issue. Old school small trucks like a Ranger have short bed sidewalls. I had to place two flat 8' 2X4 lumber on the floor of the bed to raise the camper a bit to clear the higher sidewalls of the Frontier. You can see the lumber on the tailgate below the rear door.
Another fit issue involved the tailgate. My truck has the factory bedliner which includes a plastic panel to protect the inside of the tailgate. This panel is slightly above the floor of the bed when the tailgate is down. I was concerned that much of the weight of the camper would be resting on the tailgate and damage it. I solved the problem by removing the plastic panel and replacing it with an insertpanel from an XE model Frontier. You can also see the access openings on the tailgate in the photo.
The final fit issue had to do with the corner jacks. While backing under the camper, I discovered the Frontier fender flares and tires would not clear the front corner jacks. I solved that problem by installing jack extensions made for a dually pickup.

I am seriously going to make this my project for next spring. Glad I have the removable Thule rack on my roof! One more question for now. How does it mount to the truck?

Thanks,
Bob

 

[Clint]

What obstacles?

The tailgate cover being too thick and the body flaring out over the wheels.

Clint

 

[upflying]

"How does it mount to the truck?"

On the front, I am using Torklft frame mounted tie downs. I also mounted two Happijac model CA-UR tie downs on the outside of the rear bumper. This ties down the rear of the camper.
http://www.rvstuffusa.com/camperanchortiedownsbyhappijac.html
Torklift.com | Home of Torklift International
They bolt to existing holes in the frame, photos of what it looks like.

 

[upflying]

More info here on pop-up truck campers.
Pop-up Truck Campers

 

[Leatherface]

The tailgate cover being too thick and the body flaring out over the wheels.

Clint

But they are not my obstacles yet.
I don't even own a camper yet.