Combi-Camp Plus

1993 Ford Ranger XLT (with the Lima 4 and standard 5 speed transmission, and basic axle

Was looking for a camper that my little toy truck could haul around. Checked with the manual, and Ford listed the total towing capacity with this drivetrain using the installed step bumper hitch at (drumroll please) ...

0

Yup ... ZERO! That obviously limited my options ... <G>

Even a 10 foot popup was a problem. I tried a test drive on a nice little Coleman unit, and the Ranger wasn't at all happy. Add to that, neither was I. Get inside, and there was just about enough room to spin in place, and the bed was really cramped for my 6 foot plus frame. All this in addition to the fact that even a small one would be pushing the limits of a Ranger even after switching out the axle and suspension. Back to the drawing board, and looking for a large tent, I stumbled across the Combi Camp Plus.

Doesn't look like much, does it? But wait ... there's more!

Like Doctor Who's Tardas, it's MUCH bigger on the inside!

Here it is from the back. The picture window is fully screened, as are the porthole windows on the bumpout. Those also have flaps inside to close them off when it cools down.

The only modifications to the truck itself were to add a real receiver hitch (U-Haul 2 ton). The standard step bumper hitch worked OK, but left the trailer at a pretty steep angle. U-Haul was able to provide a setup that puts it perfectly level. The truck was already wired for a standard four wire connection. The receiver hitch still allows easy access to the spare tire mounted underneath. Oh, and the trailer also has a spare underneath.