3 replies to this topic

[pvbc]

Hi all,

long time lurker, first time poster.

 

I have been looking to start a slide-in camper build for our small family.

It has been difficult to find something in the weight and size that we need so I have started looking at some build/mod projects.

 

Currently one of the best options is taking a good condition Callen Camper topper and adding a floor and side to create a slide in.

 

Here is the kicker, with Callen being out of business I have found it almost impossible to find an estimate on the weight of the callen topper. Internet throws up guesses from 300-900#...

 

Does anyone here own or previously owned a Callen topper (steel framed, finished inside) that knows roughly what they weigh? 

Or does someone want to help with some educated guesses?

 

Thanks! Ive included pictures of the topper in question, its 44" tall, 8'on the base.

 

[Beach]

I have a 6.5' cab over that's all aluminum and not finished out inside and much more tapered(less boxy) that's about 250Lbs . So I can tell you 300 lbs is not correct, especially if the frame is steel.

[Old Crow]

Welcome, pvbc!

 

You may have seen these but I thought I'd go ahead and link them to this thread....

 

Callen Camper Weight post in Expedition Portal (see especially post #4)

 

2000 Tacoma w Callen camper in American Adventurist.  (That one doesn't list a weight but there's interesting discussion about what he did about camper damage to his truck.  He also had a fabricator add removable support legs outside the camper to transfer some of the weight of the camper to his rock rails (!!!).   Post #8 in that thread also has an interesting video tour of the rig.  Those support legs are visible at around 5:50 in the video.  The video may also be good for outfitting ideas on this type of camper.

 

[pvbc]

Thanks, Ive been finding lots of little threads that allude to different numbers wthout anyone actually having checked.

The seller says it can be lifted by 4 guys, so I am assuming it cant be much more than 500lbs.

 

Id also love to see how they are framed. In my mind its not much more than a lumberrack with siding.