Survey on new technology for truck campers

mkirsch wrote:
The question is purposely vague, and purposely worded (i.e. the "more and more" part) to elicit this response. I'm not surprised that they got the precise outcome they were looking for.

Nothing was said in the question about "gadgets" yet everyone immediately "went there."

Technology could mean a lightweight honeycomb structure that is virtually rot-proof and knocks several hundred pounds off the weight of the camper. You gonna scream "NO! NO! NO!" to that?

That's what I was thinking. More gadgets I don't really need, but technology also includes manufacturing techniques and there I do believe the industry could adopt new technologies.

I can't say that it's worth installing receptacles for charging USB. You still need either hookups or an inverter. Most devices also charge better with their own adapters. Some won't charge at the fastest rate unless they use their adapters or at least one with the same circuitry.

BTW, several of the newer inverters also have USB ports if that's what you want to do. One example, it's less than $25 and works pretty well and quiet.

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B018E1MC5W/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

mkirsch wrote:


.... Technology could mean a lightweight honeycomb structure that is virtually rot-proof and knocks several hundred pounds off the weight of the camper. ....

2x this. Foam filled, fiberglass faced, aramid honeycomb to replace all plywood and other structures. Stronger, lighter and no possibility of rotting or corroding. Glassed or carbon fiber joints. My trimaran is built this way, I wish my TC was as well.

A less drastic change is to substitute USB Charger duplex receptacles or add a 4 plex USB charger shown below for some of the internal 120 VAC duplex receptacles.



Blue Sea systems also makes a 9-32 VDC input Fast Charge - Dual USB Charger Socket Mount

SidecarFlip wrote:
First off, all my utensils, dutch oven included do double or triple duty, everything serves more than one purpose. The only reason I have a genny (and it's small) is I have onboard medical equipment that requires my house battery to maintain a charge, when I do an extended camp. I camp in the woods so available sunlight is fleeting so solar isn't a consideration. I don'r need or want ac, the woods is my ac. Finally, my dutch oven is cast aluminum, not cast iron. It's not heavy. Makes a dam good stew pot for squirrel stew too. Blacks are best. Reds don't have much meat on their bones.

Like I said a while back, I'd prefer to tent camp but I'm too old to sleep on the ground anymore. Basic necessities are all I need and that includes a roll of TP and a convenient bush.

Hey man, not trying to cause a fight but your coming off as a bit of a "I'm better than you" in your replies. Everyone does it different and more power to you if you like simple (I do too, I don't have a genset, oven or AC....my Dutch oven stays home after I learned to cook without it) and I get pretty far off-road as I hate camp grounds. But just because someone has a 5500 series truck and multi slide TC doesn't mean they can't afford a class A...I could be in a pusher for my toys costs and I'm not in a new 5 series truck or A 60k TC...settle down.

Bedlam wrote:
My 5500 gets my second home where I want. It would be nice to have better flotation in sand, but I have toys along that get me to places I do not want to take my home. I look at my TC as a home base and my truck has to be capable enough to go across country with my second home and garage full of toys.

Not many motor homes have 12K lbs of towing capacity, 4wd, under 25' of overall length and high chassis clearance. This combination of Class 5 and TC with enclosed trailer in tow does what I want.

BTW: I'm pretty sure my 60" CA chassis cab with crew turns better than a leaf spring front end narrow axle crew with long bed.

I know it does, have owned both. :C

My 5500 gets my second home where I want. It would be nice to have better flotation in sand, but I have toys along that get me to places I do not want to take my home. I look at my TC as a home base and my truck has to be capable enough to go across country with my second home and garage full of toys.

Not many motor homes have 12K lbs of towing capacity, 4wd, under 25' of overall length and high chassis clearance. This combination of Class 5 and TC with enclosed trailer in tow does what I want.

BTW: I'm pretty sure my 60" CA chassis cab with crew turns better than a leaf spring front end narrow axle crew with long bed.

First off, all my utensils, dutch oven included do double or triple duty, everything serves more than one purpose. The only reason I have a genny (and it's small) is I have onboard medical equipment that requires my house battery to maintain a charge, when I do an extended camp. I camp in the woods so available sunlight is fleeting so solar isn't a consideration. I don'r need or want ac, the woods is my ac. Finally, my dutch oven is cast aluminum, not cast iron. It's not heavy. Makes a dam good stew pot for squirrel stew too. Blacks are best. Reds don't have much meat on their bones.

Like I said a while back, I'd prefer to tent camp but I'm too old to sleep on the ground anymore. Basic necessities are all I need and that includes a roll of TP and a convenient bush.

jimh425 wrote:

SidecarFlip wrote:
Sounds like what you have is a motor home mentality on a TC budget.

Has nothing to do with price. But, I'm not sure what motor home mentality is supposed to mean.

Lol coming from someone who thinks an oven in a TC is heavy and overkill but carries a 20 pound Dutch oven. FYI I do not have have a oven in my TC but I bet money they weigh less than a cast iron Dutch oven! Oh and a 2000 watt gen when you don't have AC, TV or any other need for the extra weight or fuel usage. And I had that exact same truck and "offroad" the turn radius sucks and it's long enough that he doesn't really go places you wouldn't take a DRW or modern 4x4 that turns better than a school bus. Lol

SidecarFlip wrote:
Sounds like what you have is a motor home mentality on a TC budget.

Has nothing to do with price. But, I'm not sure what motor home mentality is supposed to mean.

My camper is the means to get to my 'second home' which is the great wilderness that surrounds us all.

Nothing beats the woods and being in a remote unpopulated place. The TC is merely a bastion of convenience for me. Nothing else.

I want to spend as little time inside a TC as possible and as much time outside a TC as I can.

Consequently, I only want and need the least amount of conveniences. I can exist, be comfortable and enjoy myself without a bunch of extraneous conveniences that might break or fail at any time.

Been there and done that with my last TC. I learned from my mistakes and this time around got a TC that is simplistic and reliable.... and light weight too.

I can go places where your dually Ram will rip off the outside tires or you'll get axle deep in goo and have to get a huge wrecker with a huge bill to yank you out

Thanks, but no thanks.

Sounds like what you have is a motor home mentality on a TC budget.

Different strokes for different folks I guess.