Truck Campers 10 years from now?
Being close to the new year, was just wondering what kind of camper our children might be driving .... I can see them being much more " Off Grid ", than what we have now. Using newer designed phot...
Forum Discussion
I have a 1988 molded fiberglass TC. I bought it in 2004 in stock condition. I modified/upgraded it with the things I wanted.
My TC is about 26 years old, 1988. In its day, it was among the top of the line. Today's TCs have quite a few improvements over my OEM 1988 Bigfoot. The biggest single improvement is one or more batteries, chargers, and related. There are more changes and technology, but I think it could be argued as to their being an improvement. I think maybe more convenience for some folks.Todays TC if much different than a +25yrs old TC.
I have upgraded my +25yrs old TC with those things you listed, that I am interested in. My TC total cost (TC & plus upgrades)
is $10,000.
I am the second owner of my TC. I was the first to reseal the entire TC. I did so in 2004 and it is a 1988 TC that has never been under a cover. I have checked the seal joints since, and only re-caulked the windows. They were not properly caulked at time of manufacture. I have argued, and will argue, that this is only possible with a molded TC. Mine is molded fiberglass.
The molded fiberglass TCs have little to no wood that needs to be replaced. There is a little wood in the construction, but seldom proves to be a problem.
I think this could be an improvement. I considered upgrading to that, but the cost was more than I was willing to pay. It is not simply the cost of the refrigerator, but the added batteries and solar to support it. It is available in most TCs today, if you are willing to pay the price.
Nothing complicated here, all of my lights are L.E.D., inside and out. Cost about $12 per fixture to replace the OEM bulbs. My outside lights were $12 each, and $50 for the tail lights.
It is much cheaper today, but I installed two panels (130 watts total) and a Bluesky MPPT controller. Cost was just under $800. I also had to install a battery (AGM) and a Smart 3-stage charger. My +25 year old TC had none of this.
I installed a Trimetric. Pretty inexpensive, and simple to install.
I added about four +12V outlets, and installed them where I wanted them. A very simple project.
Personally, I have never needed one, and it would be adding cost to the TC that I did not need. My bet is that if you bought a new TC, they would install one at your request.
It would be an added cost to me, for something I do not need. I can light the pilot and leave it on, or simply light the oven. This is done inside the TC. I see no reason to add this to the cost of the TC.
My OEM water heater was propane/pilot lite only. When it failed, I replaced it with a DSI and no AC. I do not see the AC as being worth what it cost. To make this standard in a TC would be a unnecessary cost to me. DSI is great, and better as an option for the overall TC market.
Honestly, I chuckled at this. For less than $20 and a few minutes, you can add these. I did. The manufacture has no idea where I want mine, and after labor cost would probably increase the TC cost by $50 to $100. I prefer to install them myself.
There is probably no end to what could bee added for a sound system. My TC does not even have a radio. My preference is not to spend a nickle on a sound system for my TC. If I were so inclined, I would go to a shop that installs sound systems. I bet they could install a better system than the manufacture for far less cost.
I installed the TV, generator, microwave, water pump, accumulator, Wave heater, backup camera, TC jack system, and A/C of my choice. I have no parasitic loads on my battery.
In my opinion, too many people know to little about the overall TC construction. I do not mean this statement to be critical of others. If it shines and the sales pitch sounds good, it is a great product. Unfortunately, this is not unique to TCs. Fact is, we all have our own idea as to what is best.
Wayne
mbloof wrote:
Humm... what does the future bring for TC's??
Hopefully not more of the same crud! The industry moves at such a snails pace that (as others have pointed out) a modern model might not be much different than one +25yrs old!
My TC is about 26 years old, 1988. In its day, it was among the top of the line. Today's TCs have quite a few improvements over my OEM 1988 Bigfoot. The biggest single improvement is one or more batteries, chargers, and related. There are more changes and technology, but I think it could be argued as to their being an improvement. I think maybe more convenience for some folks.Todays TC if much different than a +25yrs old TC.
mbloof wrote:
I'd like to see:
I have upgraded my +25yrs old TC with those things you listed, that I am interested in. My TC total cost (TC & plus upgrades)
is $10,000.
mbloof wrote:
- true water proof - the entire idea/concept that every 6mo-year or 2-3 years you have to reseal the entire darn thing has to go the way of the doodoo bird!
I am the second owner of my TC. I was the first to reseal the entire TC. I did so in 2004 and it is a 1988 TC that has never been under a cover. I have checked the seal joints since, and only re-caulked the windows. They were not properly caulked at time of manufacture. I have argued, and will argue, that this is only possible with a molded TC. Mine is molded fiberglass.
mbloof wrote:
- lighter with composets, any remaining wood skin or structure needs to be replaced. (inside cabinet faces and doors are fine to be wood)
The molded fiberglass TCs have little to no wood that needs to be replaced. There is a little wood in the construction, but seldom proves to be a problem.
mbloof wrote:
- Hibread Compressor/ammonia refridge's
I think this could be an improvement. I considered upgrading to that, but the cost was more than I was willing to pay. It is not simply the cost of the refrigerator, but the added batteries and solar to support it. It is available in most TCs today, if you are willing to pay the price.
mbloof wrote:
- Led lighting throughout
Nothing complicated here, all of my lights are L.E.D., inside and out. Cost about $12 per fixture to replace the OEM bulbs. My outside lights were $12 each, and $50 for the tail lights.
mbloof wrote:
- Factory solar+MPPT controller
It is much cheaper today, but I installed two panels (130 watts total) and a Bluesky MPPT controller. Cost was just under $800. I also had to install a battery (AGM) and a Smart 3-stage charger. My +25 year old TC had none of this.
mbloof wrote:
- True Amp Hour battery monitoring system
I installed a Trimetric. Pretty inexpensive, and simple to install.
mbloof wrote:
- More +12V outlets and a few USB ones as well
I added about four +12V outlets, and installed them where I wanted them. A very simple project.
mbloof wrote:
- Lots of folks end up adding one later - why not INCLUDE a quality SINE WAVE inverter?
Personally, I have never needed one, and it would be adding cost to the TC that I did not need. My bet is that if you bought a new TC, they would install one at your request.
mbloof wrote:
- Are they EVER going to give us a DSI button to light the oven?
It would be an added cost to me, for something I do not need. I can light the pilot and leave it on, or simply light the oven. This is done inside the TC. I see no reason to add this to the cost of the TC.
mbloof wrote:
- Are they every going to just give us a DSI/AC Hot water heater as STANDARD?
My OEM water heater was propane/pilot lite only. When it failed, I replaced it with a DSI and no AC. I do not see the AC as being worth what it cost. To make this standard in a TC would be a unnecessary cost to me. DSI is great, and better as an option for the overall TC market.
mbloof wrote:
- Why don't TC's come with outside (and inside) bubble levels?
Honestly, I chuckled at this. For less than $20 and a few minutes, you can add these. I did. The manufacture has no idea where I want mine, and after labor cost would probably increase the TC cost by $50 to $100. I prefer to install them myself.
mbloof wrote:
- Don't get me started about the joke they call a sound system - seems the industry and the Jensen stuff they put into these rigs sounds worse than factory Automobile audio systems from the 1970's!
Just a few ideas...
There is probably no end to what could bee added for a sound system. My TC does not even have a radio. My preference is not to spend a nickle on a sound system for my TC. If I were so inclined, I would go to a shop that installs sound systems. I bet they could install a better system than the manufacture for far less cost.
I installed the TV, generator, microwave, water pump, accumulator, Wave heater, backup camera, TC jack system, and A/C of my choice. I have no parasitic loads on my battery.
In my opinion, too many people know to little about the overall TC construction. I do not mean this statement to be critical of others. If it shines and the sales pitch sounds good, it is a great product. Unfortunately, this is not unique to TCs. Fact is, we all have our own idea as to what is best.
Wayne
