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
Hi RangerCV61! Welcome to the TC Forum. As you have experienced there are a lot of well-informed individuals here to help answer questions. What makes them unique, is that they all have a variety of experiences in a variety of TCs and Trucks.
Reviewing the comments, so far, I have no concerns with the comments already made but would add a few comments of my own, or expand on some already shared. First, thanks for providing feedback to help us focus on your needs and direction, as many come here to hear only what they want to hear.
These are my thoughts
1. Do avoid a built in Generator, whether an Onan or other makes. The manufacturers provide these at an extreme cost over one that would be added later. Personally, I would just use a stand-alone generator, like a Honda/Yamaha/Hitachi. Just remember to be kind to those around you and purchase one that is quiet.
2. While EarthRoamer are beautiful and well appointed, they do create quite a sensation wherever they go. Sadly, I see many in campgrounds than I do in the backcountry areas I frequent. At a beginning price of $250k, they are for just a select group. Also, because of their design they are not truly useful for full-timing. Basically a rig, like a backpack, you need the ability to “hang” stuff off of your rig as your needs, seasons change.
3. Charging Stations ~ Be careful with these in your truck. It is easy to overuse these stations and run down your battery. With that, you don’t want to impact your truck’s batteries by discharging them severely and or often. Use these stations only when going down the road. *Life Lesson~Develop a plan on how to self-jump your truck, when needed, as this will happen someday if you full-time. (Having a generator, extension cord and stand-alone battery charger works.)
4. Internal Shades ~ There is not an internal shade (shades inside a thermal pane glass window) made that does not eventually fail, or deteriorate. In some environments, sooner than others.) If you are referring to shades within the frame of the window, remember it is easier to block out light when you cover the opening, not just the glass. Better for stealth camping, by the way. Rocking, of shades, down the road is a minor issue, which is solved easy by either pulling them up or clipping them down.
5. Sliding Window vs. Hinged Windows. This really comes down to a personal choice. The hinged windows allow windows to be open during rain events. But are a problem when you are driving down the road or down tree lined paths. Sliding windows are the opposite.
6. Solar? With full-timing you are in a completely different world than the weekender and vacationer/hunter/fishing trips. Your plan should be for the period of the year you can harvest the least amount of sun. This is mostly due to length of daylight, elevation above the southern horizon (winter), as well as Marine Inversion, Shade from buildings/mountains/trees with leaves or not. This topic is a whole thread in itself. My experience and research for TC owners (full-time) you will need at least 200 watts, or 300 watts if you don’t plan to tilt them to gain optimum Solar Amp Harvesting.
7. Manufacturer Solar Option ~ Personally I would not have the manufacturer install solar, as the $$$$ is excessive on this option and man options, I would do it myself or have someone like AM Solar, in Springfield Oregon do it for you. Plus the manufacturer installation is often designed in a way it won’t allow expansion due to wire gauge and charge controller. There are some great DIY articles specifically for Truck Campers in this forum and Truck Camper Magazine.
8. Portable Solar ~ It has been discussed often here and the most important portion is that they need to be set up, taken down, stored while going down the road or secured so they don’t run away from home, all factors negated if they are permanently installed on the roof of your TC.
9. Slides ~ Eh! I have a camper, with a slide, and with over 2,700 continuous nights my slide is still working like a dream. In fact my Lance Camper has everything working wonderfully since the day I loaded the truck camper onto the truck. 70% of my road travel is on dirt and gravel roads and having a slide has not been an issue.
10. Internet Availability ~ Well, I will just say you are greatly misinformed, as internet is available in surprisingly beautiful remote areas. You will find internet in the backcountry of Yellowstone, the deserts of southern Utah and the Northern Rocky Mountains. Simply having a Hot Spot or Tethered Smartphone and you are set.
11. Dually ~ You are already on the right path here. Again, there will be compromises and I will say with all the backroad travel I do, having a dually has not been an issue. In all the years I have been full timing, I have only pulled rocks out from between my tires, twice. But, choice of the right tire for the right use is going to be important factor, down the road.
?
12. 65 MPH ~ Seriously? You stated you are not going to be in a hurry. O.K., yeah lots of people drive fast, I can hear them grumbling now at me, but by keeping your speed 60 and below you will be safer (top heavy vehicle) and you fuel mileage will be better too.
13. Freezer Size ~ This is going to be one of the big issues during Full-Timing. (Me? I have an auxiliary Freezer.) Learn what will work, like removing frozen items from their boxes (retain instructions) or freeze packets in your TC Fridge so they take the shape of the items around them. This will be something you will need to learn as you go, practice, practice, practice. Hint ~ by smaller items and condiments than you do in a residential fridge.
14. Storage ~ If you are already a person that does not mind chaos and unorganized closets and cabinets, you will do well. If not, you are going to need to medicate yourself before your gain this talent. The rule is, if there is a hole/space stuff something in it.
15. Condensation ~ Is a serious issue for full-timers. Weekenders and Short Trippers have the luxury of their TCs drying out between uses. You won’t. It is only an issue in the winter in cold climates and the TC is buttoned up and your heating sources are running. In cold season, just plan on opening up your TC at least a few hours a day, or like me head south.
16. Heating Source ~ Furnaces are the greatest way to go, but be ready to have them leave you stranded, by using up propane and batteries. These two factors are two areas you need a plan to expand upon, when full-timing. Using Wave/Catalytic Heaters will save Battery capacity and propane, but will create condensation issues. So again, with everything there are compromises but solutions too.
17. Clamshell Camper ~ Perfect choice, IMHO. But with these there are issues too. None that would preclude me from having one too. But, to categorically state that others don’t compare or last, you are again, mis-informed. My Lance Camper has been problem free during continuous use in extreme conditions for more than 8 years.
18. Off Road ~ Don’t hesitate in going down the path least traveled. But start out slow and learn your limitations, height, width, weight and suspension capabilities. As for a Chain saw? Waste of space. You will learn quickly, space is an important part of TC life. Get yourself a good Bow Saw. Choose your tires carefully, sidewall protection is important to me due to weight capacity and debris strikes. Again compromises in how your intended use will steer you. ?
19. Propane Use ~ One of the important factors for everyone and more so for full-timers. You will grow tired of lifting and filling propane bottles. Having the ability to conserve propane and carry more than the weekender and long tripper is important. Shop for a TC that has at least the capacity of two 30# Propane Bottles, minimum. No matter what someone tells you in how long they can go on their capacities, your own use will dictate your capabilities. For me, the longest I have gone is 5 ½ months with temperatures never above 90 degrees, or below 10 degrees. More so in the 30 to 70 degree use. But then again, I carry 114 gallons of Propane with me. My average yearly use is 245 gallons. But, that is a story for another day. I keep spreadsheets on all my uses and have for over 8 years now.
20. Parking your TC ~ As a full-timer your use is going to be different than a weekender, or long tripper. One important factors is, shade. With solar your attitude is going to be very different, as is what side the sun is shining on your TC. In the summer time Propane Refrigerators struggle in warm weather (it is all in the physics in how they cool), so the side the Fridge is on, should be the shady side of the TC. Life Lesson * - Propane will keep your fridge colder than plugging into Electric, but a compressor fridge will outperform both.
21. Microwave Use ~ While you have not mentioned this appliance, but you have mentioned warming things up on the stove and or oven. You are going to use more propane and introduce moisture into your TC by this method. Using a generator, for a few minutes at a time, will use less propane and impact your living situation less. Life Lesson * - Give consideration to the components of TC life and how they impact you and your living conditions.
22. Water Use and Conservation ~ This is one of the very important components of Full-Time life in a TC. How are you going to store, gather and dispose of water? All important factors and limiting factors. Since you said you are going to visit locations with water available/disposal, you have this solved. But not if you plan on being a remote/boondocking camper. Using conservation in the use of your water, composting toilets, learning to conserve in shower use, cooking, washing dishes and outside showers will be a big boost. This is a topic all into itself.
23. Campgrounds ~ Who needs them? I am the wrong person to advise you on this subject as I shun them. As I do Wal-Marts and other various locations where you find people and telephone poles and sidewalks. By some simple practice you will soon develop a talent in choosing locations to avoid the aforementioned points. The real way to learn is to just tell yourself, no campgrounds!
24. Returning to Base ~ Well, this is the choice for many, not mine. But there is some luxury in recharging the laundry, battery, socialization and shopping in going to town/campgrounds, for some. But my life is set to minimize these trips to a couple of times a month or once every couple of months. By developing the plans for extending your;
A. Water
B. Fuel
C. Power
D. Food
you will be able to stay out in the middle of the action and nowhere for extended periods of time.
25. Final Life Lesson for this Session * ~ Don’t invest in expensive items that are going to be abused as your learning curve increases. Such as expensive AGM batteries that are going to be hammered often by excessive charge depletions, as well as discounted/quality of solar equipment. Use the batteries that come with your camper, until you kill them while learning the ropes. Dictate to the manufacturer to have a prewire for solar in the gauge you choose to originate and terminate in the area you choose.
Again, welcome to the group and good luck in your plan. Just don’t try to plan too much, but stay fluid with your plan. Meet with people that have TCs at upcoming TC rallies and or in your area. Visit some RV shows or areas that have an abundance of TC manufacturers, like Denver. But by all means, just ask us questions, there are many here to help.
b
Reviewing the comments, so far, I have no concerns with the comments already made but would add a few comments of my own, or expand on some already shared. First, thanks for providing feedback to help us focus on your needs and direction, as many come here to hear only what they want to hear.
These are my thoughts
1. Do avoid a built in Generator, whether an Onan or other makes. The manufacturers provide these at an extreme cost over one that would be added later. Personally, I would just use a stand-alone generator, like a Honda/Yamaha/Hitachi. Just remember to be kind to those around you and purchase one that is quiet.
2. While EarthRoamer are beautiful and well appointed, they do create quite a sensation wherever they go. Sadly, I see many in campgrounds than I do in the backcountry areas I frequent. At a beginning price of $250k, they are for just a select group. Also, because of their design they are not truly useful for full-timing. Basically a rig, like a backpack, you need the ability to “hang” stuff off of your rig as your needs, seasons change.
3. Charging Stations ~ Be careful with these in your truck. It is easy to overuse these stations and run down your battery. With that, you don’t want to impact your truck’s batteries by discharging them severely and or often. Use these stations only when going down the road. *Life Lesson~Develop a plan on how to self-jump your truck, when needed, as this will happen someday if you full-time. (Having a generator, extension cord and stand-alone battery charger works.)
4. Internal Shades ~ There is not an internal shade (shades inside a thermal pane glass window) made that does not eventually fail, or deteriorate. In some environments, sooner than others.) If you are referring to shades within the frame of the window, remember it is easier to block out light when you cover the opening, not just the glass. Better for stealth camping, by the way. Rocking, of shades, down the road is a minor issue, which is solved easy by either pulling them up or clipping them down.
5. Sliding Window vs. Hinged Windows. This really comes down to a personal choice. The hinged windows allow windows to be open during rain events. But are a problem when you are driving down the road or down tree lined paths. Sliding windows are the opposite.
6. Solar? With full-timing you are in a completely different world than the weekender and vacationer/hunter/fishing trips. Your plan should be for the period of the year you can harvest the least amount of sun. This is mostly due to length of daylight, elevation above the southern horizon (winter), as well as Marine Inversion, Shade from buildings/mountains/trees with leaves or not. This topic is a whole thread in itself. My experience and research for TC owners (full-time) you will need at least 200 watts, or 300 watts if you don’t plan to tilt them to gain optimum Solar Amp Harvesting.
7. Manufacturer Solar Option ~ Personally I would not have the manufacturer install solar, as the $$$$ is excessive on this option and man options, I would do it myself or have someone like AM Solar, in Springfield Oregon do it for you. Plus the manufacturer installation is often designed in a way it won’t allow expansion due to wire gauge and charge controller. There are some great DIY articles specifically for Truck Campers in this forum and Truck Camper Magazine.
8. Portable Solar ~ It has been discussed often here and the most important portion is that they need to be set up, taken down, stored while going down the road or secured so they don’t run away from home, all factors negated if they are permanently installed on the roof of your TC.
9. Slides ~ Eh! I have a camper, with a slide, and with over 2,700 continuous nights my slide is still working like a dream. In fact my Lance Camper has everything working wonderfully since the day I loaded the truck camper onto the truck. 70% of my road travel is on dirt and gravel roads and having a slide has not been an issue.
10. Internet Availability ~ Well, I will just say you are greatly misinformed, as internet is available in surprisingly beautiful remote areas. You will find internet in the backcountry of Yellowstone, the deserts of southern Utah and the Northern Rocky Mountains. Simply having a Hot Spot or Tethered Smartphone and you are set.
11. Dually ~ You are already on the right path here. Again, there will be compromises and I will say with all the backroad travel I do, having a dually has not been an issue. In all the years I have been full timing, I have only pulled rocks out from between my tires, twice. But, choice of the right tire for the right use is going to be important factor, down the road.
?
12. 65 MPH ~ Seriously? You stated you are not going to be in a hurry. O.K., yeah lots of people drive fast, I can hear them grumbling now at me, but by keeping your speed 60 and below you will be safer (top heavy vehicle) and you fuel mileage will be better too.
13. Freezer Size ~ This is going to be one of the big issues during Full-Timing. (Me? I have an auxiliary Freezer.) Learn what will work, like removing frozen items from their boxes (retain instructions) or freeze packets in your TC Fridge so they take the shape of the items around them. This will be something you will need to learn as you go, practice, practice, practice. Hint ~ by smaller items and condiments than you do in a residential fridge.
14. Storage ~ If you are already a person that does not mind chaos and unorganized closets and cabinets, you will do well. If not, you are going to need to medicate yourself before your gain this talent. The rule is, if there is a hole/space stuff something in it.
15. Condensation ~ Is a serious issue for full-timers. Weekenders and Short Trippers have the luxury of their TCs drying out between uses. You won’t. It is only an issue in the winter in cold climates and the TC is buttoned up and your heating sources are running. In cold season, just plan on opening up your TC at least a few hours a day, or like me head south.
16. Heating Source ~ Furnaces are the greatest way to go, but be ready to have them leave you stranded, by using up propane and batteries. These two factors are two areas you need a plan to expand upon, when full-timing. Using Wave/Catalytic Heaters will save Battery capacity and propane, but will create condensation issues. So again, with everything there are compromises but solutions too.
17. Clamshell Camper ~ Perfect choice, IMHO. But with these there are issues too. None that would preclude me from having one too. But, to categorically state that others don’t compare or last, you are again, mis-informed. My Lance Camper has been problem free during continuous use in extreme conditions for more than 8 years.
18. Off Road ~ Don’t hesitate in going down the path least traveled. But start out slow and learn your limitations, height, width, weight and suspension capabilities. As for a Chain saw? Waste of space. You will learn quickly, space is an important part of TC life. Get yourself a good Bow Saw. Choose your tires carefully, sidewall protection is important to me due to weight capacity and debris strikes. Again compromises in how your intended use will steer you. ?
19. Propane Use ~ One of the important factors for everyone and more so for full-timers. You will grow tired of lifting and filling propane bottles. Having the ability to conserve propane and carry more than the weekender and long tripper is important. Shop for a TC that has at least the capacity of two 30# Propane Bottles, minimum. No matter what someone tells you in how long they can go on their capacities, your own use will dictate your capabilities. For me, the longest I have gone is 5 ½ months with temperatures never above 90 degrees, or below 10 degrees. More so in the 30 to 70 degree use. But then again, I carry 114 gallons of Propane with me. My average yearly use is 245 gallons. But, that is a story for another day. I keep spreadsheets on all my uses and have for over 8 years now.
20. Parking your TC ~ As a full-timer your use is going to be different than a weekender, or long tripper. One important factors is, shade. With solar your attitude is going to be very different, as is what side the sun is shining on your TC. In the summer time Propane Refrigerators struggle in warm weather (it is all in the physics in how they cool), so the side the Fridge is on, should be the shady side of the TC. Life Lesson * - Propane will keep your fridge colder than plugging into Electric, but a compressor fridge will outperform both.
21. Microwave Use ~ While you have not mentioned this appliance, but you have mentioned warming things up on the stove and or oven. You are going to use more propane and introduce moisture into your TC by this method. Using a generator, for a few minutes at a time, will use less propane and impact your living situation less. Life Lesson * - Give consideration to the components of TC life and how they impact you and your living conditions.
22. Water Use and Conservation ~ This is one of the very important components of Full-Time life in a TC. How are you going to store, gather and dispose of water? All important factors and limiting factors. Since you said you are going to visit locations with water available/disposal, you have this solved. But not if you plan on being a remote/boondocking camper. Using conservation in the use of your water, composting toilets, learning to conserve in shower use, cooking, washing dishes and outside showers will be a big boost. This is a topic all into itself.
23. Campgrounds ~ Who needs them? I am the wrong person to advise you on this subject as I shun them. As I do Wal-Marts and other various locations where you find people and telephone poles and sidewalks. By some simple practice you will soon develop a talent in choosing locations to avoid the aforementioned points. The real way to learn is to just tell yourself, no campgrounds!
24. Returning to Base ~ Well, this is the choice for many, not mine. But there is some luxury in recharging the laundry, battery, socialization and shopping in going to town/campgrounds, for some. But my life is set to minimize these trips to a couple of times a month or once every couple of months. By developing the plans for extending your;
A. Water
B. Fuel
C. Power
D. Food
you will be able to stay out in the middle of the action and nowhere for extended periods of time.
25. Final Life Lesson for this Session * ~ Don’t invest in expensive items that are going to be abused as your learning curve increases. Such as expensive AGM batteries that are going to be hammered often by excessive charge depletions, as well as discounted/quality of solar equipment. Use the batteries that come with your camper, until you kill them while learning the ropes. Dictate to the manufacturer to have a prewire for solar in the gauge you choose to originate and terminate in the area you choose.
Again, welcome to the group and good luck in your plan. Just don’t try to plan too much, but stay fluid with your plan. Meet with people that have TCs at upcoming TC rallies and or in your area. Visit some RV shows or areas that have an abundance of TC manufacturers, like Denver. But by all means, just ask us questions, there are many here to help.
b
