Camper For a Ranger?
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Senior User
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From: Everywhere, USA
Camper For a Ranger?
My neighbor wants to sell me his 250,000 mile Ranger. It still runs and drives great. I was just thinking, has anyone ever made a small camper for a Ranger? I was thinking something that could sleep 1 or 2 people, have a small kitchenet, and maybe storage over the cab. If no one makes something like this I might just draw up some plans for it and see what I could do.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Eastern WA
Look into a Roman Chariot. They are a pop up. I'm pretty sure that if you look in the owners manual they tell you not to put a camper on Rangers. This likely has to do with raising the CG up high and making things tippy.
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yeah i saw the problems with that where someone came around the cornner with his ranger and camper top and rolled a few times before hitting the tree at the bottom of the hill
(well it atleast looked cool when it happend). I recomend not doing it but if you want camping get a truckbed tent or put a topper/camper shell/ big shell thing that sits leveled with the top of your truck and bed, and carping it and throughing in a heater and one of those tents that connect to the open back of a truck so you can have room for you stuff and kitch in the tent and you can enjoy sleeping off the ground in the truck. sry to burst your bubble about the camper but you can always tow a pop up thats what i do.
(well it atleast looked cool when it happend). I recomend not doing it but if you want camping get a truckbed tent or put a topper/camper shell/ big shell thing that sits leveled with the top of your truck and bed, and carping it and throughing in a heater and one of those tents that connect to the open back of a truck so you can have room for you stuff and kitch in the tent and you can enjoy sleeping off the ground in the truck. sry to burst your bubble about the camper but you can always tow a pop up thats what i do.
New User
Joined: Nov 2005
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Two recomendations: POP-Up Camper, there are a couple real nice ones out there, check E-bay I've seen some go for as little as $500. Next replace your rear springs, factory springs have only about a 1000 lb limit, there are replcement springs with 1700 GVW available, I've got them on my 89 Ranger, What a lift, they ride a little rougher when empty, but hold up well under a load. Good Luck!
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Here are a few pop-up camper companies for compact 1/2 ton truck.
http://www.fourwheelcampers.com
http://www.northstarcampers.com/mc600.asp
I own a Northstar pop-up MC600 camper which I have on my 2003 Ranger 4.0L 4WD. I had to do some minor suspension work, like get both rear air bags and stiffer shocks installed. The truck handles the load extremely well.
It's a great camper, too! Nice to have a small home away from home with all the ammenities built-in.
http://www.fourwheelcampers.com
http://www.northstarcampers.com/mc600.asp
I own a Northstar pop-up MC600 camper which I have on my 2003 Ranger 4.0L 4WD. I had to do some minor suspension work, like get both rear air bags and stiffer shocks installed. The truck handles the load extremely well.
It's a great camper, too! Nice to have a small home away from home with all the ammenities built-in.
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Joined: Jan 2005
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From: West Concord, MN
rangerman9000,
I am seriously looking into getting the same camper you have and moving it with my Ranger. Could I PM or email you with some specific questions about your experiences with that camper on your truck?
I am seriously looking into getting the same camper you have and moving it with my Ranger. Could I PM or email you with some specific questions about your experiences with that camper on your truck?
New User
Joined: Dec 2005
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Ranger camper
If there is a motor home/camper show near you go and see what they have. If not go to a few camper sales places in your area to get some ideas of what's available and how much they are new. Then start watching the papers, ebay, some of the web sites that sell. Being a camper ourselves, we have seen several Rangers in the campsites with all kinds of camping arrangements--from strap on to 5th wheel.
One of the neatest was a guy in Canada who had a small--maybe 15 foot 5th wheel. He and his wife traveled all over in it and he said the truck did great.
good luck and enjoy
One of the neatest was a guy in Canada who had a small--maybe 15 foot 5th wheel. He and his wife traveled all over in it and he said the truck did great.
good luck and enjoy
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Joined: Sep 2003
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Originally Posted by TurboTuna
rangerman9000,
I am seriously looking into getting the same camper you have and moving it with my Ranger. Could I PM or email you with some specific questions about your experiences with that camper on your truck?
I am seriously looking into getting the same camper you have and moving it with my Ranger. Could I PM or email you with some specific questions about your experiences with that camper on your truck?
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: West Concord, MN
Originally Posted by SNAIL
If there is a motor home/camper show near you go and see what they have. If not go to a few camper sales places in your area to get some ideas of what's available and how much they are new. Then start watching the papers, ebay, some of the web sites that sell. Being a camper ourselves, we have seen several Rangers in the campsites with all kinds of camping arrangements--from strap on to 5th wheel.
One of the neatest was a guy in Canada who had a small--maybe 15 foot 5th wheel. He and his wife traveled all over in it and he said the truck did great.
good luck and enjoy
One of the neatest was a guy in Canada who had a small--maybe 15 foot 5th wheel. He and his wife traveled all over in it and he said the truck did great.
good luck and enjoy
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: pacific northwest
I have been thinking the same thing. We have a 2005 Ranger XL with the 2.3 automatic. I know that it is a little on the light side but was thinking of a light weight popup style camper that I could use to visit our daughter at college. 99% of the time it will just be for me....my wife's idea of camping is a Motel 6 with a black and white television. I like the idea of a little extra room with the tent feature. All I would need is a pooper stool and something to heat up a little chow and protect me from the weather. I will do some research too and will post here what I find.
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From: West Concord, MN
Originally Posted by rangerman9000
Please do. PM'ing is the best way to reach me, as my email is inundated with clutter and whatnot. I'd be happy to answer any questions.
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Joined: Sep 2003
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Originally Posted by TurboTuna
Tried to PM you but either your box is full or you don't have the private messaging option turned on in your preferences.
toddjasonreplogle @ yahoo.com
(remove the two spaces between the @ symbol.)
Feel free to ask. I'm happy to share any information I've obtained while using these functional campers, including the pros and cons.