Survey on new technology for truck campers

Our camper is our second home. We have no problem having a fireplace or big screen TV in our second home and comfortable seating that reclines. Our camper is used all year regardless of weather and there are times when we spend more time inside than outside, but our view changes frequently.

I carry a CC Crane Global Observer radio. Runs on batteries, has it's own solar panel, has all the NOAA weather channels and am/fm. Cost 59 bucks at Cabelas. All the 'entertainment' I need or want.

Not onto TV at home and especially when camping. I go camping to get away from things like the boob tube, people and unwanted noise.

I like serene quite solitude myself. Probably why I enjoy hunting so much as well.

I'm not against technology but I am for simplicity and ruggedness. analog toggle switches, they almost never fail. Manual awnings, no slide. I do have 200 watts of solar and AGM batteries. I can't see any need for touch screen LED based controls. Nothing in a tc is more than a few feet from anything else. I never use the TV or radio. As far as usb goes heck they have these little two prong adapters that plug into the existing wall sockets that cost $5 no need to rewire. KISS

Exactly. Me, no AC (70 pounds), one propane bottle (30 pounds), no slide out (500 pounds), small portable microwave (+15 pounds versus 60 pounds), small inverter genny, 2000 watts 60 pounds versus a big Honda 150 pounds, 1 deep cycle battery, 40 pounds versus 2 or more.... No oven, just a 2 burner cook top. If I want to cook in an oven, I use a campfire and a Dutch oven....

A SRW 4x4 Ford F350 Diesel, way under capacity, less component wear and better fuel mileage. I actually average 19 with the camper in the bed, 16 pulling my trailer and the camper and 21 empty with no camper.

If I wanted luxury appointments, I'll go stay in a motel or hotel and let housekeeping change the sheets and make the bed....

Somehow, the word 'camping' got lost in the RV industry. Now it's take all the luxuries you have at home with you, but at a price in both cost and accessability.

I don't ascribe to that school of thought. If I was younger, I'd still be tenting. I'm to old to sleep on the ground so I have a truck camper but that don't mean I want to bring my home with me camping.

I require the basic stuff. It is supposed to be camping isn't it?

I remember years ago, I was tenting (on my motorcycle) and had to camp in a campground because there was no primitive areas available where I was. I set up my Eureka Timberline, got out mu alcohol stove and made a pit of freeze dried soup, ate, washed up and snuggled in my mummy bag and about 11pm, this huge motorhome pulled in beside me, fired up their noisy generator and I didn't get any sleep that night.

I made up my mind right there that, that type of 'camping' wasn't for me. Still isn't. Nothing has changed for me in 50 years.

SidecarFlip wrote:
Weight saving materials?????
Options equal weight, least in mu book they do.

Only if you choose them. Of course that's the point of an option right? If it's not to your standard or desire, no obligation vs. included but on the lower end or not meeting what you want/need.

Weight saving materials?????

Options equal weight, least in mu book they do.

Never been a fan of a Honda generator. Way too expensive. Much better options out there and lighter too.

1. Less mandatory options (i.e. Arctic fox 1150 base package + mandatory fox value package). How can you have a base price of a unit if there is a "mandatory" "package"? Add to this the base weight is not the "base" weight for said unit when you are required to have said "package".

2. Expand the limited options. Power awning... where's the manual awning? Microwave + oven... how about no microwave, no oven or both? Why is removing an over and making it a cabinet an upgrade?

3. How about propane tank level meter, even if you have to go out and check it manually?

4. Water filtration option?

5. Power filtration option?

6. Wave 3/6 vs. big furnace option?

7. Recliner option instead of dinette? Empty nester doesn't need extra sleeping room for others.

8. Option to actually see the TV from the dining / sitting area? Most I've see maybe one side could see the TV.

9. Better window and door security?

10. Better integrated generator option? Honda seems to be the preference I've seen. Maybe some of us are ok with going outside and pulling the cord vs. a push button.

11. Integrated safe?

12. Weight saving material?

Bedlam wrote:
I would like to see these campers more serviceable and upgradeable:

1. Wires should run in guides that go between compartments and be properly labeled
2. Appliances and fixtures should be able to be swapped out without having to remove a window or skylight
3. Circuits should be isolated better to allow easier troubleshooting
4. Wiring and connection standards should conform to marine/boating rather than stick and brick
5. Critical systems like slides and jacks should always have a mechanical backup
6. Access to batteries, cutoffs and fuses should be available whether slides are in or out and whether the camper is loaded or not

I can see it now. "Bedlam Truck Campers". I'd buy one!

.... one thing that I keep forgetting out would be wiring pre-installed for the Sirius/whatever radio antennas on the roof for reception. Eliminating the signal losses when on the road.

The thought being they would do the wiring/option and run it along side of the umbilical cord to the truck. If the Sirius was in the truck then it would just wiring the antenna to whatever the internal connection spot would be... (as you can see, I'm not an Electrician)...

But would be nice.

free radical wrote:

Hemi Joel wrote:
Truck Camper magazine asked for input on new technology for truck campers. The answer was a resounding NO! I don't want any high tech, ready to fail at the wrong time gizmos on my camper. How about you?


tech article

Now that hemp is legal to grow Id like to see someone make campers from hemp plastic,,light and strong,,instead of those flimsy aluminum panels..
Hemp car
https://youtu.be/srgE6Tzi3Lg

Sounds like a Cheech and Chong movie sequel... Up, in Smoke 2...lol

The closest you'll get is a Northstar...it's fiberglass