The End All/Be All of Non-Slide Rigs - Or No?
Hi folks. New to the truck camper world. Will be retiring late next year and have a very specific question regarding truck campers. Here's the setup to the question: I need the most rugged, inde...
Forum Discussion
Thought that I could help a little.
Couple disclaimers first: my rig isn't set up for off road use, and was also bought on a budget. So, not my ideal setup, but after use, I now know what I'd want for a new, long term rig.
On the generators, I have the setup with two Honda 2000s. They advertise them as light, and I guess for what they are, they are pretty light. But they aren't easy to carry. They may only weigh 50-60 lbs, but they are awkward. I believe it's still better than trying to move and store one 3000 watt. I also believe that for my uses, the two portable generators work better for me than a built in, propane powered unit. That is going to totally be based on your own pros and cons list. My generator setup works well for me and fires the AC up excellently. I bring gas cans in the camper, or throw them into the boat or whatever I'm towing if I am towing. Never had a problem with that. But I have to deal with it and get everything outside and lock it up when we get to our spot. Still better than setting up a tent, so I can't complain too much.
Now, on the AC, if that option is something you're worried about leaking, then a new device has recently come out. I believe it's called a zero breeze. It's a personal air conditioner that is portable. It's new, I don't know the durability of it, but looking at its advertising, I am thinking that it would work great for a truck camper. Check it out, I don't have a link. Seems pretty cool though. For sure changed my views on the possibility of my next setup to not have AC. But something is needed for sure.
On the truck, I hate duallys. Don't like the way they look, and I feel like they are really impractical to drive while not hauling big. But I bought the camper before the truck and that's the size truck I needed. Glad I bought it. Went from white knuckling it at 55mph to one hand on the steering wheel and a cup of coffee in the other at 70. So I believe you're making a smart choice there. I'm a diesel guy. The power is unbelievable and it's very nice to know you've got more on tap if a bad situation comes and it's needed to get out of the way. But these new emissions controls and smog equipment have me wondering if my next truck will have a gas motor in it. Be interesting to see what changes with the new political situation as far as diesel goes. I still have a hard time with a heavy duty truck getting as poor of mileage as they do. It's 2016, and the combuston engine has been around for more than a century. Fuel ads up on a long trip. I'm okay with 11.5 mpg hauling a camper and towing a boat, but I still believe there's no reason not to get 15 in the mountains while hauling and towing. I'm just a truck driver, not an engineer, and maybe I'm dreaming.
On the propane. The tanks last quite a while. If you are active about conserving, then I wouldn't worry too much about it. At worst, you'll have two tanks. Be frivolous your first times out and see how long one of those tanks lasts. When it finally goes empty, switch over to the other and when you go into town, have the first one filled. If you feel like you used propane too quickly, then it's simple, start to conserve. I think you'll be very surprised at how long one tank will last. It's not like a tank of water. But it can potentially be expensive.
Im sure I have more to say, but I took so long typing this out that I forgot if there were other things I could weigh in on.
Couple disclaimers first: my rig isn't set up for off road use, and was also bought on a budget. So, not my ideal setup, but after use, I now know what I'd want for a new, long term rig.
On the generators, I have the setup with two Honda 2000s. They advertise them as light, and I guess for what they are, they are pretty light. But they aren't easy to carry. They may only weigh 50-60 lbs, but they are awkward. I believe it's still better than trying to move and store one 3000 watt. I also believe that for my uses, the two portable generators work better for me than a built in, propane powered unit. That is going to totally be based on your own pros and cons list. My generator setup works well for me and fires the AC up excellently. I bring gas cans in the camper, or throw them into the boat or whatever I'm towing if I am towing. Never had a problem with that. But I have to deal with it and get everything outside and lock it up when we get to our spot. Still better than setting up a tent, so I can't complain too much.
Now, on the AC, if that option is something you're worried about leaking, then a new device has recently come out. I believe it's called a zero breeze. It's a personal air conditioner that is portable. It's new, I don't know the durability of it, but looking at its advertising, I am thinking that it would work great for a truck camper. Check it out, I don't have a link. Seems pretty cool though. For sure changed my views on the possibility of my next setup to not have AC. But something is needed for sure.
On the truck, I hate duallys. Don't like the way they look, and I feel like they are really impractical to drive while not hauling big. But I bought the camper before the truck and that's the size truck I needed. Glad I bought it. Went from white knuckling it at 55mph to one hand on the steering wheel and a cup of coffee in the other at 70. So I believe you're making a smart choice there. I'm a diesel guy. The power is unbelievable and it's very nice to know you've got more on tap if a bad situation comes and it's needed to get out of the way. But these new emissions controls and smog equipment have me wondering if my next truck will have a gas motor in it. Be interesting to see what changes with the new political situation as far as diesel goes. I still have a hard time with a heavy duty truck getting as poor of mileage as they do. It's 2016, and the combuston engine has been around for more than a century. Fuel ads up on a long trip. I'm okay with 11.5 mpg hauling a camper and towing a boat, but I still believe there's no reason not to get 15 in the mountains while hauling and towing. I'm just a truck driver, not an engineer, and maybe I'm dreaming.
On the propane. The tanks last quite a while. If you are active about conserving, then I wouldn't worry too much about it. At worst, you'll have two tanks. Be frivolous your first times out and see how long one of those tanks lasts. When it finally goes empty, switch over to the other and when you go into town, have the first one filled. If you feel like you used propane too quickly, then it's simple, start to conserve. I think you'll be very surprised at how long one tank will last. It's not like a tank of water. But it can potentially be expensive.
Im sure I have more to say, but I took so long typing this out that I forgot if there were other things I could weigh in on.
