Truck campers

So I have been shopping for a truck camper and was looking for some info from pnw truck camping pros -
I had visions of getting another tundra and slapping one in there, until my research brought me to the conclusion that the only thing I could put in one of them is a pop up or super light model.
I am leaning towards a bigfoot or similar that is set up better for winter usage and they tend to be quite heavy it seems.
I have never had one and I wondered how easy they are to take on and off the truck?
When camper is not on truck is it feasible to utilize off the stands to take just the truck for travel elsewhere?  Seems like it could move around quite a bit.
Which models with basement storage fit a few pairs of skis well?
What is a good truck for a heavy truck camper?  chevy 2500 series enough?
Any truck camper owners that could share some wisdom would be much appreciated.

There's a long (and rather rambly) thread on TGR re- skiing RV setups...you might find some good info there:
www.tetongravity.com/forums/showthread.p...ping-in-parking-lots

I don't own a truck with a slide-in camper, but I've been looking in to it for a while (rented one for a two-week ski trip in Alaska a few years back and have been wanting to buy one ever since).   

From the limited info I've read, you can put a light hard-sided slide-in camper on a 3/4 ton, but you'll still be close to max weight with people, gear, and water/gas all in, so if you're looking for a fancy/heavy slide-in, you may be better off shopping for a 1-ton truck.   And expect that whatever you get, unless it was used to carry a camper before it'll need suspension upgrades  to handle the load better- helper springs, air bags, anti-sway bars,  but none of that will change the truck's GVWR.

I don't personally own a truck-camper combo but my folks have had one my entire life and as an adult I've borrowed it....

First System: 1973 Ford F250 'camper special' with a 460 V8, hard side longer camper
Second System: 1993 Dodge 4x4 1 ton, Cummins (? single rear wheels), same camper
Third System: 2003 GMC 4x4 Sierra 3500, Duramax Diesel (Dual Rear Wheels), new camper (BigFoot 25C10.6)

My Take:
- The Truck: Buy a dually, the body sway with a single rear wheels on mountain highways is a bit un-nerving
- Taking On & Off: I wouldn't say it's 'hard' but it takes some practice. My dad and I have it down to a system.
- Use on the Stands: When we have ours off at home we have it on a heavy duty dolly that we had made. Use w/o the dolly will be have a fair amount of sway / wobble. Also, if you don't have a power hook up you loose the power from the truck.
- Ski Storage: The BigFoot we have has a long storage place under it, I assume it's long enough for skis.

My $0.02, happy to provide more information if you want

I own a 990 Arctic Fox camper w/ slide out on a 99' F-350 Dually.
Love the set up for winter camping! If I had to do it over, I wouldn't purchase a Dually... my buddy has same camper on a new Chevy 2500 w/ airbags and it rides great.
Loading the camper is a synch, what with the remote jacks these days. I can have the camper lifted and loaded on the truck in less than 10 minutes. I recommend buying the Fastgun tie downs, as they save quite a bit of time.
Good luck and feel free to PM with any questions in regards to my set up.
-Jeff

Pete A - thanks for link....thought about posting on tgr as well, but figured only about 10% of the replies would be useful - although some might be funny

Snow troll - will pm you with some questions...I am looking at that same exact model circa '04

Shred - will pm with questions....arctic fox is high on the list as well

thanks for the replies

Anyone have any opinions, good or bad on Okanagon campers vs Bigfoot or Northern Lite. Found one for sale at a real good price and they seem quality made - plus it has a basement for skis!