Full-timing in a camper + TT

Instead of asking small bits and pieces which could be taken with wrong contexts, I've decided to post our potential plan. Hopefully you guys can tell me if this will work or not.

I'll get the budget out of the way first. We plan to spend around US$200-$250k total. May be US$300k if absolutely necessary. Our current plan is to get a used 40-43ft Diesel MH and a toad.

I operate a business on internet. As long as I have an internet connection, I can work. Doesn't even need to be fast. My wife will be retired by the time we start full-timing. When we do work, we will use lots of power.

My wife wants this kind of lifestyle (I'm happy when she is happy! :)

- We love hiking. We plan to visit as many national parks as we can.
- We will travel across USA and Canada often. This setup needs to be comfortable to drive and living in.
- She likes the quietness. Sleeping within the park is preferable to RV parks but we understand that most of the national park camp grounds are small and primitive. A TT won't fit there, but a truck camper might.
- We do need internet at least once every few days. We cannot park within parks for weeks with no internet.
- We will probably move TT once a month or so. Lots of little traveling with the camper, possibly sleeping there one or two days at a time before coming back "home" to the TT.

This is the setup I'm thinking as an alternative to DMH + toad:

- a new 1t diesel pickup. May be slightly used. NOT dually. No current preference towards Ford/GM/Ram. Probably will end up taking one with the best payload/towing capacity. It will be fully optioned out.
- a camper that is 1ft+ shorter than the bed of the truck.
- aux tank in the bed of the truck, with a pump.
- lithium battery bank (going to be quite large), probably in bed, somehow secured.
- solar panels, as much as we can fit on top of the camper.
- when the truck is moving, I'd like to have the alternator charge these lithium batteries.
- probably a 12v fridge. Don't need huge capacity here.
- must be able to sit comfortably for hours at a time when we do need to work.

- a TT to be built by Space Craft Mft. I talked to them already during the RV show so I know this is feasible. Will probably weigh around 6klb dry.
- around 27-28ft. light but not to the point of compromising strength.
- 3 slides. diesel based heating and generator. Smaller lithium battery bank and some solar here as well to top off those batteries when we are away from the TT.
- big TV, sat receiver, mobile internet/WiFi amp.
- washer/dryer in one. residential fridge.

When the two are connected and when we are in the TT, the battery system will be shared. The TT will be parked often in RV parks where the full service is available.

Truck Campers

kohldad
Explorer III
Feb 17, 2016
My wife and I have considered something similar. A TT so we have the space when we stop for a while and then the TC to go out and explore for a couple days at a time. Does mean I may end up paying for two camp spots for the same night, but can afford that and usually will be boondocking so shouldn't happen all that much.

We would have the need to keep two laptops charged, DC compressor fridge, phones, and cameras. We don't watch TV, use a microwave, and have LED lights. With this 12V, we figure we can get by with two batteries and 200 watts of solar. Would probably have a small 2000 watt generator also to cover those places and days where sunshine isn't available.

Would probably just stick with propane in the camper for heat as it doesn't use that much even in single digits. I currently only have a single 20# tank and that will last for two weeks in a poorly insulated camper. So twin 30# tanks would easily last a month, probably more with a well insulated camper. However, if you want to go diesel for heat and cooking, you could easily add a 20 gal tank in place of the propane tanks. Therefor, no need to add larger tank on the truck yet would still be able to use the camper for truck emergency reserve.

Unless you plan on taking this rig south of Mexico, the stock 34 gallon tank will more than do in states and Canada. I pulled a 35' FW at one time and always could get fuel before 1/2 tank. Trick is to take it on when you have the chance and you are near 1/2 tank. Even with the TC and TT, you should still have a 300-400 mile range. I have that much with my TC and a gas engine.

On my 3500 SRW, I have an 8'6" camper which weighs 2,400 pounds leaving about 1,600 pound payload capacity. This would allow me to easily pull a 30' TT weighing 7,000 pounds or more.

The problem with NP are they usually don't have hookups. You need to look into COE and State Parks as a lot of them have electric hookups. The other issue is a lot of NP because of the remoteness don't have phone access and such no internet. The others usually do.

I also think you budget is extremely generous. Truck shoud run 50k + 5K for fuel tank mod and camper setup. A nice TC should only run 40k at max. And then the 28' Custom camper had better be under 50k or you are wasting money. For the trailer, since you want small and diesel, it may actually be cheaper to buy a European camper, have it shipped to the States, and then modded as necessary to meet the us requirement.

Have fun and keep us posted. Sound like a very interesting story unfolding.
Photomike
Explorer III
Feb 17, 2016
A few things I came up with:

- Extra fuel - I have carried extra fuel but honestly have found that stopping when you are around half, or higher if this is the last stop for a while you do not need a lot of extra fuel. I have a policy that I fill up when it is convenient or close to stopping for the night and I have yet to get low.

- Batteries - carrying too many batteries is a waste of weight and space. Get a couple good solar panels, a direct line from the alternator or even a small generator for those really big draw times. Heavy battery packs cost in lower MPG and less weight available. If you are also having a TT then you have two roofs to use to gather solar and unless you are a real power user you will be topped up in no time.

I understand you idea and have thought of it myself One thing to think about is you do not necessarily need two fridges, bathrooms, showers, etc, etc. You could shed some weight by not doubling up on everything. Load the TCer with what you need for a day or two and unload when you come back.
Grit_dog
Navigator
Feb 17, 2016
Yes!!! Another Acei thread!! You're awesome dude! Totally making the day go by in this boring conference I'm in!
So you got a half mil large in looneys (or $300kusd) and need to know how to spend it.
Listen to Bedlam. He's smart and won't steer you wrong.
Idk what your infatuation with the overland diesel powered micro mini survival camper is, but it sounds like throwing good $ after bad.
Regardless of what your dream of the day is, unless you got a lot more $ stashed away, I mean a lot, think about resale. Buncha custom stuff that no one else wants will just be expensive and not worth much when if you need to sell.
Get the DP and a toad, or Super C and a toad. You could actually get a super C toyhauler and put a little toad inside it. That would be cool and practical! And yo could launch it like Knighr Rider out th back!
Or a dually and a big TC, or a pickup and fiver. Could do toy hauler with this combo too and have a 2nd vehicle.
Steve_in_29
Explorer
Feb 17, 2016
Instead of the in-bed fuel tank you should consider one of the larger tanks that replace the stock unit from a company such as TransferFlow.

Almost every camper Outfitter builds is semi-custom and hardly any two are alike. They can accommodate pretty much anything that doesn't compromise the structural integrity of the shell but such work doesn't come cheap.

They have built two for me.

My 2007 F350 SRW/4WD/Diesel carries my fully loaded Outfitter Apex 9.5 and still sits slightly tail high (with no suspension mods) and while I have no idea what my buddy's 22ish foot TT weighs my truck towed it just fine at the same time as I was carrying my camper. Truck sat right at level without the use of a weight-distribution hitch. I believe I was at my GVWR but under my GCWR.
Bedlam
Moderator
Feb 17, 2016
What you are asking for is Super C RV capacity out of SRW truck and this will be your compromise. You need at least a DRW Class 3 truck so you have sufficient payload to carry a camper, your desired add-on's plus the tongue weight. Rear overhang is not an issue if you use Torklift's SuperHitch and SuperTruss since those are rated for 12K lb trailers on up to 4' extensions.

You could do the same as what I originally did. I already had a capable SRW that I was not willing to replace at the time and upgraded it so I could carry a 2T camper and tow a 4T enclosed trailer. You will be over GVWR but can upgrade the weakest components to make this work if you must have a SRW truck. We put 30K miles safely on our combination and would have put more, but decided we wanted more living space. The only way to upgrade to a larger camper was to upgrade the truck first. We are looking to replace our 2T single slide camper with a 3T triple slide model next year. Unlike you, we do not full time in the camper but we make short trips twice a month and typically two long ones each year. All of our living space is on the truck so we can take toys and other distractions with us in the enclosed trailer. Having the toys also allows us to bring "run around" vehicles that are small and nimble (although open air) which reduces the amount we need to use the truck.

You may want to rethink why you would drag around two living quarters and rely only on the truck as transportation if you are full timing. If you think you will also have a car, realize that anytime you want to move somewhere both of you will be driving vehicles and now you will be looking for three spots to hold them when ever you make a stop.

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Full-timing in a camper + TT

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