Like most things survival related, there's more reasons than some EOTWAWKI event to buy something.  

We have three little dogs and when you own more than one dog, you just as well be tied down on a farm.  Hotels are reluctant to take them and your friends and family don't want them.  The wife and I are a little over tent camping but neither are we keen about or even call camping being in a commercial trailer park.  Living in the Smoky Mountains, we're way more of a boondocking type and always have been.  We have a couple bucket list trips in mind.  Last but not least, 30 years of boating, we're use to off the grid camping and actually about the same amount of space a small truck camper has.  

What we have is a 2008 Ram 2500 offroad trx 6'.4" short bed with Cummins Diesel.  Yes, it will tow anything but another big reason for the truck bed camper, is I can tow something else.  You tow a trailer camper, you aren't towing a second trailer.  I can not only trailer our usual camp gear but a motorcycle or ATV or heck even a second car.  

Another big thing about truck campers is they're way more off the grid capable than most towed campers.  There's a lot more than just can go on more technical roads.  Smaller they're way more mizerly on propane and electricity, more like a boat, and wired correctly can charge of the vehicle while moving.  

I was wondering if you all knew anything about these things?  

We're looking at one of the Travelites with a bed dry weight of 1,700 lbs and my trucks payload is 2,800 lbs.  

Here's the questions that I'm dealing with.  

The campers I want, best deal is 8.5 hours away.  Air lift bag or not?  Will those Brophy tie down systems they give with the campers work on a truck with a factor bed liner?  It is one of those with access so you can bolt down toppers etc.  I hope to get it home and then can address things better but then 8.5 hour drive time is a hard way to learn.  Can the camper power cord be run off my trailer plugs, I have both types.  

Our general plan to travel is mostly one or two nights and when on a long haul most boondocking two nights then one in a campground with facilities, water, electricity, etc.  

Tj

Yes, the Travel Lites are cab over hard wall.  I kind of figured any two with a 300# plus tongue weight, I'd be in trouble.  Fortunately most of what I want it for is much less than that, little open single axles.  

Any suggestions on who to look at to install bags?

Thanks, yes I figure my truck lifted as it is from the factory, I'm looking at a 12' clearance.  I figure even some under passes will be an issue.  I was looking at the Palominos.  They're actually one of the better priced options out there but the wife want's nothing to do with soft sides and we're hoping to minimize setup kind of pull in here, stealth.  

That said, we're not thinking primitive roads more established camp grounds, spots.  Although there was a time, I'm getting a tad too old to get into something I can't get out of. BTDT too many times.  We're thinking 2-3 weeks at most long hauling and the rest of the time local.

Yep, you all are/were thinking just like us.  There is a difference.  Other than solar panels, I already have all that stuff including gens.  We could literally do the nomad full time stuff you seen on the net but we have absolutely zero plans of doing that.