Full-timing in truck campers?

Thanks, everyone! We just returned from camping at Pictured Rocks in the upper peninsula of Michigan. Gorgeous! And the right time of year: no crowds and beautiful fall colors. (Cold & windy, though.)

Our RV? A Honda Fit, our means of transportation and our "tent" for four nights.

spacedoutbob wrote:
There was a guy on the forum who had an Arctic Fox 1150 that he lived in full time, I remember that he got rid of it and bought a Northern Lite, I forgot his name though, maybe someone on the forum might remember. I think it was Insp1505 or something like that.

Bob in Calif.

I think you are talking about INSP 1505. If I remember correctly he was living in a AF 1150 in Idaho (had a great post on how to improve the cold weather capacity of the 1150). He then quit living in it and had lots of pretty good posts of some pretty extreme off roading in his 1150. The main limitation he found was the departure angle limitation due to the overhang of the 1150 (In one post he had to dig "trenches" for the rear jacks). As he wasn't living in it he decided to trade in for a camper with less overhang and the choice was between an AF 990 and a Northern Light. Got the deal he wanted on the Northern Light and took it. Then circumstances arose and he ended up in living in the new camper in Oregon. I think I have the events about right but go ahead and search for his posts. They are a very good read and include helpful insights. He certainly helped me in selecting and modifying my camper. I haven't seen him posting lately.

Doing laundry is my least favorite think when full timing.
Laundromats especially.
An apartment can offer a degree of comfort in that area.

If someone remembers, let me know. I'd like to ask him why he traded an Arctic Fox for a Northern Lite. (But I may not see it for a couple of days. We're taking the Fit and a tent and going camping at Pictured Rocks in the upper peninsula of Michigan. No internet or phone service.)

There was a guy on the forum who had an Arctic Fox 1150 that he lived in full time, I remember that he got rid of it and bought a Northern Lite, I forgot his name though, maybe someone on the forum might remember. I think it was Insp1505 or something like that.

Bob in Calif.

Used to, though it was just me during that time, upgraded to a 40' long 5th wheel for when the misses moved in with me :).

Kept the camper for traveling (5th wheel doesn't move).

Bighatnohorse:

This says it all: "How you use the camper will determine it's suitability for you."

We have to work that out.

If we stay in Chicago we'll be in an apartment. If we take the camper out in January, it will be to go somewhere warm.

Still not sure how I'll take the Chicago winter after 25 years in Houston. I'm originally from New York, but I don't think that ever got as cold as Chicago gets!

Harry

Jfet:

Thanks for the info. I'd really like to know how it goes for you!

Harry

harrysteven wrote:

. . .So, if we stay in Chicago it seems the TC would be more convenient than the combination we have now. Thus it might make sense to sell the trailer and get a truck camper. But I’d lose the “insurance” of a place to live, unless it’s possible to full-time in one. That’s why I asked.
. . .

Okay, got it. . .
The travel trailer is probably a better standby back up shelter.
We've spent months at a stretch living in our truck camper. Bear in mind that we follow the sun. . .and spend most of our time out of doors.
Our truck camper's seating is the standard bench type seating - not the sort of seating one can enjoy for a length of time - like a week of snowy Chicago weather.

Recliner seats are available in the newer Eagle Cap campers but those campers are HUGE and really require a truck with a minimum 14K GVWR

The TC on average can go 3 to 5 days without service for water and sewer.
Can your current TT exceed that?
The TC is more convenient to "pick up and go".

How you use the camper will determine it's suitability for you.

We will be full timing in our home built camper. We pull a 17 foot sailboat and haul two snowmachines + two motorcycles + canoe, kayak, bikes, so a fifth wheel or TT is out of the question.

I think we have more storage than most TT (60+ cu-ft just in under the truck storage) but probably not as much as a fifth wheel).

We solved the mentioned uncomfortable dinette issue by going with a 2 seat wall hugger recliner sofa instead. Figured that the sofa is where we eat and spend 90% of our indoor time in our current house so why not have similar comfort in the truck camper?