This is how I started the week. Trip to Mojave National Preserve with my wife, son and dog.One of my two hiking partners on our 9.5 mile hike.Spring time hiking while the dessert flowers bloom is one of my favorite things to do. I've done this hike two years in a row and never saw another soul the entire trip. Nobody for miles.My other hiking partner this year included my son.The next morning after our hike my wife and I drove straight up to Salt Lake City to pick up my birthday present (actually on the day of my birthday!)We boondocked on the border of Valley of Fire before heading home the next day. Hope the picture shortcut works!!Is there a way to preview what I might have submitted on here before I post?? Here goes nothing!

Congrats on the "hard top" and success in posting pics. Gotta love those rear awnings in the evenings. It sure is fun taking a new rig out the same day that you get it. We picked ours up in OR and camped all the way home.

Birthday present? Heck of a gal and a very nice rig.

I would like to thank bka0721 for telling us about the photo shortcut link. He knows first hand how technologically challenged I can be despite my best efforts. There were many times I thought about posting a topic then changing my mind because the first reply would've been, no pictures, it didn't happen!!My gal was the one who strongly desired that rear awning. It extends and retracts with the push of a button. She was tired of me going off kayaking or hiking and not being able to manage the previous awning alone.

Excellent Trip Report, Michael. Made even better by getting a new truck camper. Happy Birthday to you. Maybe I might be the only one, but you changed from a pop up to a hard side. Why the change? You know there is that thinking that only pop up campers tread on dirt. Tell me you are not quitting going off road!b

Photo shortcut test/my birthday week in photos | Good Sam Community

billyray50
Explorer
May 10, 2014
Good move. While those front bumper guides were nice i ripped one off one time not paying attention when jacking up the 86 fb and driver side guide got caught under the happi jac front tiedown frame.
dadwolf2
Explorer
May 10, 2014
billyray50 wrote:
Must have been my airbags or maybe the happi jack tiedown system. Maybe i just needed supersprings.

I had Happijac tiedowns with the Outfitter but wanted something beefier than the rear buttons so I had the dealer install Torklift rear tiedowns. I came home with a hybrid system. But, Adventurer campers have a front bumper that aligned up perfectly with the front Happijac bar inside the truck bed and made the camper sit back farther than I liked.

I removed the Happijac front,installed Torklift front tiedowns and closed the gap.
billyray50
Explorer
May 10, 2014
Must have been my airbags or maybe the happi jack tiedown system. Maybe i just needed supersprings.
dadwolf2
Explorer
May 10, 2014
billyray50 wrote:
Yes and with basement storage and higher center of gravity I got a little more
sway with my Dodge 2500 with no top overload. Did super springs make a difference?

I had the SuperSprings on with the Outfitter...I really haven't noticed much difference when driving either camper.
billyray50
Explorer
May 10, 2014
Yes and with basement storage and higher center of gravity I got a little more
sway with my Dodge 2500 with no top overload. Did super springs make a difference?
dadwolf2
Explorer
May 09, 2014
billyray50 wrote:
I was letting people know that my unit I described earlier was a lot heavier and I took it to cat scales twice. Still over 3000 pounds dry without a on board Generator.

I am probably closer to the 3000 lbs than I would like to be. I forgot to add a couple options.

I think Jefe4x4 and his hardside is in a class of his own. Amazing photo by the way.
billyray50
Explorer
May 09, 2014
I was letting people know that my unit I described earlier was a lot heavier and I took it to cat scales twice. Still over 3000 pounds dry without a on board Generator.
jefe_4x4
Explorer
May 09, 2014
Off-pavement? Not a chance with a hard side.
Whazoo and jefe grinding up toward 13K foot Imogene Pass in 2010. The valley way down there is at 9K feet. Those turbos were a' whining.

hairpin, short wb, white knuckle turn near the summit:

jefe
dadwolf2
Explorer
May 08, 2014
billyray50 wrote:
Mello Mike wrote:
Nice lookin' combo, Mike. Congrats! I'm partial to lightweight hardsides, too. Just have to be sure that everything is secured well before you go offroad.

Hey Mello Mike, While the 86 fb is made for a long or short bed my 2012 was not really a lightweight hard side. My 86fb was over 3000 lbs. dry with 2 batteries, 2 propane tanks, power awning, AC, and step platform bumper and with no onboard generator... At least 400 lbs. heavier than manufacturers sticker.

While I wouldn't call the 86FB a lightweight, I believe the 2014 version is closer to 2600 lbs dry. 5 Star RV out of Henderson, CO sells Adventurers and posts a picture of the scale reading from each camper they sell. They show one with a couple more options than mine including the much heavier step platform bumper,radio, rear ladder, entertainment center and a microwave that I don't have and the scale reads 2766 lbs. But, I personally haven't gone to the scales myself so it's conjecture.

My Outfitter was only a couple hundred lbs lighter than this camper.
GpnAZ
Explorer
May 08, 2014
Congrats on the new camper, I really like the floorplan and the size of the holding tanks. I moved from a FWC Hawk on a Dodge Power Wagon to the Lance 865 now with a Dodge 3500 with a Cummins and we have no regrets having the hardside, but we also went from going offroad for most of our camping adventures to State and Natl parks and easy offroad places for our camping experiences. Just a change in our desire of places to see and experience and when we really want to go offroad we tow the Jeep with us. Best wishes to you and yours on your new camping experience and look forward to seeing you on the road again.