The fiance and I might be looking at picking up a camper trailer in the next year or two.

Since it will be just the two of us for the foreseeable future, we are looking at something that is appropriate for a ranger. We would most likely buy something used, and the specifics would probably depend on what sort of deal we could get at the time.

I don't think we want a pop up, but it might be something to consider.

If you pull or have pulled campers with a ranger, or have any advice for an RVing novice, I'd like to hear it.

Favorite RVing stories and pics are welcome too.

First of all make sure you have a hitch on the back not one of those bolt together multi- fit hitches you buy at Walmart or some parts stores. Next you will probably need a brake controller and at least make sure there is brakes on the camper. Depending on the year/make rear end gear and engine and stuff depends on how much of a camper you can pull.

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1999 Ranger 4.0 and extreme Snap-on tool fetish

I pull a Coleman pop up a few times a year with my truck. It does pretty well.


I think pop ups are worth looking at, especially when working with limited towing capacity (ranger). They're pretty light for the space they offer, and they have a lower air resistance than a comparable travel trailer.
They come in a wide variety of sizes and you can option them out pretty nicely. Ours is a pretty basic model (single axle, no slide/extension, king/Queen bed, kitchenette, no A/C) but you can get them pretty decked out. (tandem axle pop up with a slide out, bathroom/shower, bigger kitchen/appliances, heat/A/C, etc.) Just depends on your budget.

My $.2

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My truck has the factory tow package, and I intend on installing a brake box. It's also a 4.0 super cab with an automatic, so it's pretty well equipped by ranger standards.

My issue with the pop ups is that they seem to combine the worst parts of RVing with the worst parts of tent camping. You have to pull it to the site, and then you have to set it up when you get there. That said I have neither set up nor slept in a pop up, so I may not have a clue.

they are pretty straight forward, crank it up, pull out the beds, pop in the canvas

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2001 f250 7.3 zf-6
1979 f150 400/c6
Ranger free since December 2015
quote of the day:
The round flowing fenders of this vehicle have been lovingly reconstructed by a Dutch craftsman out of, what could be considered the most precious material on earth, bondo

if you don't want a pop up, you should probably look into a "featherlight" type of trailer. they make use of much more aluminum in the framework and usually have a more aerodynamic nose, and are designed to be pulled by smaller trucks, SUV's and even minivans. you get a nice sized interior with the same features as a fullsize camper.

however they usually cost more than a comparable sized standard weight camper, mostly due to the cost of materials used. featherlights have been around for a decade or more so you should be able to find a used one on a lot.

you could also look into a micro trailer like a teardrop or similar, they can be had new fairly affordably, and they weigh next to nothing. but all you get is basically a bed in a box on wheels.

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2000 XLT 4X4, 3.0, Auto, regular cab - throttle cable mod, K&N drop in filter, taylor thundervolt 8.2 plug wires, autolite sparkplugs, Accel coil pack, AVS Ventshades, Rampage LED tailgate light bar, BFGoodrich All Terrain T/A tires, Trail F/X toolbox, cruse control pod light fix, Cobra 19 ultra II CB, lil wil antenna, pioneer door speakers, expo woodgrain radio bezal, 06+ mirrors & tails, powerdome hood

2000 XLT 4X4 Offroad, 4.0 / auto, supercab - the project truck!

Pretty much. I can have ours from highway ready to ready-to-live-in in 5-10 minutes.

But, they definitely have some draw backs over a regular travel trailer (like setting up in the rain can be a real PITA)

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I've actually toyed with the idea of building a teardrop, but that was when I didn't have a truck.

I may still do it, but now we are looking at larger options.


I appreciate all the input. This may turn out to be an interesting conversation.

pop up is the way to go. ez pull ez setup, ez storage... and you can see over it when you tow.