Forum Discussion

seuadr's avatar
seuadr
Explorer
Aug 26, 2013

Introduction and Questions

Hi,

I'm new to truck campers and found this forum at the suggestion of several other forums i'm a member of. they pointed me this way to get answers and find some community to discuss with.

I have, what i believe to be an 1978 wolverine M-8 SD truck camper. the shell was purchased, gutted and re-done (although using a lot of the existing equipment, it looks like)

i'm going to have lots of questions, as what i am taking on i believe is going to be a pretty large project. This camper has had seam leaks for what appears to be a VERY long time. most of the bottom end of the camper is rotted out. I am pulling the skin, replacing the framing, replacing the wiring (it is mostly lamp cord?) replacing/upgrading the inverter and then sealing the whole deal. at the moment i'm toying with the idea of pulling the paneling, putting up a poly sheet plastic under it, insulating the walls (after rewiring ;) ) with rigid closed cell foam, putting some refletex or similar (that bubble wrap stuff) on the outside of the foam and then affixing darco or tyvek layered like you would for a house on the outside of that, then re-affixing the skin, sealing it with that pliable stuff and taking care to seal up each hole in the skin. I figure that'll keep it tight, but without trapping moisture around the framing. it may trap moisture around the paneling, so i may abandon the poly.

boy thats a long list eh? i'm sure i will find a lot of information on that as the project goes along. I'm also not sure how to properly pull, seal and replace the roof. i would think i'd want to take a similar approach as that of the walls and layer that tyvek lapped over the edge of the walls (like siding?) and then. :shrugs: i dunno i haven't gotten that far. As far as i've gotten is finding a lot of rotten wood and going "uh oh". :)

we will also be looking for a new hauler vehicle, as we have little one(s) that will be riding and the current truck (85 f250 XLT) isn't up to the task of fitting us all (or terribly comfy in comparison)

so i guess, one of the first questions that i have is - i've been searching EVERYWHERE about the weight of the camper - i didn't get to weigh it before we found the rotten wood, and i wanna know where i am at with it before i bother to assess what upgrades i might want.

using the website http://www.rvvaluesonline.com/ i think i've found what might be the dry weight - 990 lbs

here is the specific camper i believe i have

has anyone had one of these or a similar size i can compare to? looks like any of the "HD" half tons would probably do for assuming another 5-600 lbs wet i should be in the ballpark of most of them.

i'm looking at the ford f150 supercab 8 foot bed with the HD and max tow package - because according to ford that would put my payload at 2700 and, well, hey i like having a lot of extra capacity if i want it, and i'm going to be hauling a lot of wood, etc and i'd like to know that i've got more than enough truck for that.

thoughts on any or all of this? reviews on the f150 specifically? personal aspirations or motivational quotes?

Thanks for your time,

Jared
Truck Campers
  • niftypkg's avatar
    niftypkg
    Explorer
    Aug 27, 2013
    Better think long and hard on this one. If you are overly skilled and have the tools; yes anything can done. Do you have a warm place to work? A garage? Have you done similar work like this before. These truck campers seem to be made to be put together NOT taken apart. I bought a pop-up truck camper not realizing how much work was needed to put it in usable condition. Wish I hadn't. Sentimental value or night better think of your self.
  • cpres's avatar
    cpres
    Explorer
    Aug 27, 2013
    I am a half ton owner and even with the impressive numbers ford gives I will suggest that you look at 250 or 350 class trucks. You will be surprised how heavy clothes, drinks and food get, don't forget the weight of the family in the cab comes off of you cargo allowance. I have found myself wanting to tow a trailer with toys and I can't because I don't have enough truck.

    I have done some repairs on most of my toys and think it is up to you and the family on time and money vs money and go camping.
  • seuadr's avatar
    seuadr
    Explorer
    Aug 26, 2013
    Bedlam wrote:
    Just a thought on this camper renovation: Tally up what needs to replaced and consider buying a second used camper as a donor for parts if you find much of the appliances or infrastructure faulty. You may find that it is easier to save the the skin and build fresh structure from the dimensions of the original one. I can understand the sentimental value because I am dealing with a potential project of my own from my late FIL.

    You will run up against weight limitations of a 1/2t truck quickly if you plan to add any modern amenities to the camper. You are better off finding a 1t with large enough cab for your family. It will also give you the capacity to tow something behind the camper in the future.


    thanks for the response. fortunately, we have discussed our intended use for this camper, and have no plans on adding much. Currently, there is a furnace that is AC/DC/LP that works well, a 2 burner gas stove, a toilet with holding tanks and a 16 gallon water tank. we do not want to add anything to the existing system short of probably a couple small fans, swapping the existing lighting for LED lighting and possibly adding a few batteries to the camper. originally the batteries were stored in the truck engine bay but for multiple reasons i am uninterested in that sort of a set up for dedicated batteries.

    i am hoping to make the compromise on this camper (if the dry weight really is around 1000 pounds). ford's proclaimed 2013 f150 with max tow and HD package payload is 2700 pounds. i'm trying to vet that out, because i'm a little skeptical ;)
  • Bedlam's avatar
    Bedlam
    Moderator
    Aug 26, 2013
    Just a thought on this camper renovation: Tally up what needs to replaced and consider buying a second used camper as a donor for parts if you find much of the appliances or infrastructure faulty. You may find that it is easier to save the the skin and build fresh structure from the dimensions of the original one. I can understand the sentimental value because I am dealing with a potential project of my own from my late FIL.

    You will run up against weight limitations of a 1/2t truck quickly if you plan to add any modern amenities to the camper. You are better off finding a 1t with large enough cab for your family. It will also give you the capacity to tow something behind the camper in the future.
  • Eycom's avatar
    Eycom
    Explorer
    Aug 26, 2013
    Obviously not pertinent to you, but the only negative I see in such a project is... at my age, patience is virtually nil and time, too short to be pushing a rope.:B Wish you the best, tho.:)
  • popeyemth's avatar
    popeyemth
    Explorer
    Aug 26, 2013
    Got kids?
    Set her up in the backyard as a playhouse.
    I'd bet 99% of immense projects like this end up in despair
    Your life is too short for that
  • 67avion's avatar
    67avion
    Explorer II
    Aug 26, 2013
    Seuadr. You're right. Keep your camper and fix it - IF POSSIBLE. But, you have to know what you're getting into. Take a look at the Avion string and the Amerigo string where we are restoring classic campers. You'll see a lot of ideas, as well as a lot of heartache. Knowing what is wrong is very, very important. From your description thus far, it sounds ominous. Send along photos of the camper including the seams, interior and exterior. You'll get a lot of good advice.
  • seuadr's avatar
    seuadr
    Explorer
    Aug 26, 2013
    popeyemth wrote:
    Welcome!
    Since you asked, here are my thoughts:
    Scrap this camper and buy one for less than the considerable cost in material you are contemplating
    Get one you can use and GO CAMPING


    i thought this too - but my wife's grandfather built this camper, and she is unwilling to let it go (at least for the moment) because she has a TON of attachment to it (camping in it a lot as a kid) i'm trying to figure out what it will cost - as an argument to abandon it. if that doesn't work - well, if i am going to be doing work to it, i'm going to make sure that the problems i am fixing are NOT going to be a problem again. >:)
  • popeyemth's avatar
    popeyemth
    Explorer
    Aug 26, 2013
    Welcome!
    Since you asked, here are my thoughts:
    Scrap this camper and buy one for less than the considerable cost in material you are contemplating
    Get one you can use and GO CAMPING

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