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TCjeff's avatar
TCjeff
Explorer
Jun 20, 2020

Northern Lite 10-2 maiden voyage

So we just returned from our first trip in our brand new rig - 2020 Northern Lite 10-2 + 2019 Ram 3500 diesel dually. It was fantastic!

However, a few issues did arise such as:

1. Although the ride was generally quite smooth, we did experience a fair bit of front to back rocking when passing over bigger bumps (porpoising?). Our truck is suspension stock. After reading many posts on the topic I am totally confused as to what might be the best option for us. Note - This is our first truck and first truck camper. Recommendations?

2. Although the stove in the camper worked great we'd rather be cooking our meals outdoors. As such, we are looking to purchase an outdoor gas stove that would connect to the propane gas hose in the generator bay. Any recommendations?

3. Our cell phone reception was spotty. So we are thinking of adding a cell phone signal booster. Are they effective? If so, any recommendations?

4. Our camper came with a boat rack that we mount our canoe on bringing our total height to approximately 12ft (I will be measuring it more accurately prior to our next trip). Are there iPhone gps apps that include clearance heights or will we need a separate gps?

5. Our first bottle of propane ran out after dry camping for 5 days. Is this normal? We had the furnace going for two of the nights as the temperature dipped down into the low 40's. We were also using the fridge and hot water.

Thanks in advance for the help!
Truck Campers

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  • Kayteg1's avatar
    Kayteg1
    Explorer II
    Jun 20, 2020
    When my Ford dually carries my 6000 lb TC just fine, on 1 trip when I had 200-300lb of waste water in rear tank, it was prone to porpoising. Nothing really major, but now I avoid carrying waste water and pay attention to loading heavy items in front, or truck cabin, while only light stuff goes to the rear.
    For my summer camping 5 gallons of propane is like 60 days, so I guess your furnace used a lot?
    When you can buy special valve to tap into RV propane line, those bring maintenance and reliability issues. I have small BBQ that uses small propane cylinders right on it and small bottle last for several times, when buying dual pack cylinders at Walmart come to like $3 a piece.
    My friend is having 2.5 gallons propane cylinder, where he bought a mast with T-s on it. Mast bolts to the cylinder. So top holds propane light, very efficient and then he hooks up BBQ to lower outlets.
    This way he has light and propane without hose limitation.
  • cptqueeg's avatar
    cptqueeg
    Explorer II
    Jun 20, 2020
    Partner Steel Stoves

    https://partnersteel.com/cook-partner

    I have the 22" 2 burner. These are used by river rafting companies and are bullet proof.
  • MORSNOW's avatar
    MORSNOW
    Navigator III
    Jun 20, 2020
    Geo*Boy wrote:
    The short run time out of the propane tank maybe because the tanks weren’t properly purged of air.


    My thought as well. I live in Alaska and use my furnace almost every night while camping, refer on propane, and water heater only on as necessary and go most of the summer on one 20lb tank.
  • Geo_Boy's avatar
    Geo_Boy
    Explorer II
    Jun 20, 2020
    The short run time out of the propane tank maybe because the tanks weren’t properly purged of air.
  • bigfootgrey's avatar
    bigfootgrey
    Explorer
    Jun 20, 2020
    Hi Jeff and congratulations on the NL!
    I use our dually as a daily driver as well. I installed upper stable loads,air bags and Rancho 9000 xl shocks when we first got the Bigfoot. I found the best unloaded ride without lowering tire pressure was to remove the rear upper stable loads, lower the air bag pressure to 5 lbs and set the rear shocks to #1 setting. When loaded the air bags are set to 20 lbs.

    We use a Weber Q grill. If you want to connect to your propane from the camper you will have to remove the regulator from the grill.
    You should definitely measure your camper height and write it down!
    Enjoy!
  • TCjeff's avatar
    TCjeff
    Explorer
    Jun 20, 2020
    I should add that when not using camper truck will be used regularly as daily driver
  • billtex's avatar
    billtex
    Explorer II
    Jun 20, 2020
    TCjeff wrote:
    So we just returned from our first trip in our brand new rig - 2020 Northern Lite 10-2 + 2019 Ram 3500 diesel dually. It was fantastic!

    However, a few issues did arise such as:

    1. Although the ride was generally quite smooth, we did experience a fair bit of front to back rocking when passing over bigger bumps (porpoising?). Our truck is suspension stock. After reading many posts on the topic I am totally confused as to what might be the best option for us. Note - This is our first truck and first truck camper. Recommendations?
    Stableloads

    2. Although the stove in the camper worked great we'd rather be cooking our meals outdoors. As such, we are looking to purchase an outdoor gas stove that would connect to the propane gas hose in the generator bay. Any recommendations?
    I would rather not use the TC propane for cooking. Save it for heat, hot water, fridge. I also would rather have my grill/stove away from the camper. We use a Coleman Road Trip and 1 lb bottles. They last us quite a few days...

    3. Our cell phone reception was spotty. So we are thinking of adding a cell phone signal booster. Are they effective? If so, any recommendations?
    No cell=perfect!

    4. Our camper came with a boat rack that we mount our canoe on bringing our total height to approximately 12ft (I will be measuring it more accurately prior to our next trip). Are there iPhone gps apps that include clearance heights or will we need a separate gps?

    5. Our first bottle of propane ran out after dry camping for 5 days. Is this normal? We had the furnace going for two of the nights as the temperature dipped down into the low 40's. We were also using the fridge and hot water.
    Sounds good.

    Thanks in advance for the help!
  • Fishhunter's avatar
    Fishhunter
    Explorer
    Jun 20, 2020
    Hellwig Bigwig sway bar would help side to side roll or airbags. I think Roadmaster also makes a sway bar. I used Torklift Stable Loads on my last truck, but didnt like having to jack the rear up to engage them. Thinking Im going with air bags on new truck.

    We also cook outside and use a weber gas grill and/or a coleman stove.

    Think there are Apps out there for overpass..We dont have one..just careful

    5 days on a bottle sounds about right in cool temps while boondocking
  • NVR2L82AV8's avatar
    NVR2L82AV8
    Explorer
    Jun 20, 2020
    Outstanding! Sounds like you all had a great trip! I'll take a moment and answer Question 1.

    I too have a dually (F350). On my first few camping outings fully loaded I noticed some left and right rocking too. I researched the issue and I ended up installing four "supersprings" on the frame/suspension back in 2013. When loaded, and they have some weight on them, they provide some good cushion and stability. I've been quite happy with them and would say it corrected 90% of the problem. There might be some even better options out there now - I don't know. Happy Camping!!

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