Boondock / off-grid option package

[laknox]

Why can't manufacturers offer a package of options for those of us who like to get off the beaten track with our campers? Stuff like extra clearance, pre-installed solar (not just prep) and LARGER damn holding tanks, would be a great start. Really; how long could a young family of 4 boondock with a 28 gal. black tank? Cougar High Country had them. I'm seriously considering a Jayco Eagle HT, but it has a 32.5 gal. black tank. My trusty old Komfort has 45/45/45 gal. tanks and I came close to filling the black tank one year as DW decided to let all the wimmin-folk use our bathroom on our annual boondocker with her family. According to Jayco, there's no room to increase tank size, but I'd have to see it to believe it. Hell, 1" increase in depth on a 4x4x0.5' tank gives you right at NINE gallons more capacity. In reverse calc'ing this, I'm figuring that the 32.5 gal. tank on the Jayco is only about 2.5 x 3.5 x 0.5' in size, yet they say there's no room. Increasing the depth from 6" to 8" would make that tank over 46 gal. capacity.

Lyle

[eichacsj]

Ah, I see

[laknox]

eichacsj wrote:

laknox wrote:

eichacsj wrote:

goducks10 wrote:
Artic Fox trailers meet most of those demands. You need to stay away from the 'lite' versions of trailers.

Some Jaycos do have large tanks. From the Eagle on up they have large tanks.

X2, Arctic Fox is made by Northwood Mfg. They sell Nash and Snow river also. Nash being the most rugged for off roading. Though we off orad with our AF 30u. Very tough, we off road in 4wd so no light paved RV park use.

I'd seriously consider them, but I can't afford both a FW =and= a truck. My '02 just doesn't have the payload for them.

Lyle

Hum your signature says you had a 2500 diesel. I pull a AF 30U with a 2500 gas with no problem. I would think you could pull a <20 footer with your TV.

(sigh) It's not what I can TOW, it's what I can CARRY. The smallest AF FW that I'd consider has 2,000+ lb =dry= pin wt and a 15,700 GVW. WAY more than my truck can handle. The smallest Fox Mountain has a near-2,200 lb pin at GVW, or about 400 lbs more than my Komfort at GVW. It's also 200 lbs heavier at GVW than my Komfort. You're towing a TRAILER, I want a FIFTH WHEEL.

Lyle

[eichacsj]

laknox wrote:

eichacsj wrote:

goducks10 wrote:
Artic Fox trailers meet most of those demands. You need to stay away from the 'lite' versions of trailers.

Some Jaycos do have large tanks. From the Eagle on up they have large tanks.

X2, Arctic Fox is made by Northwood Mfg. They sell Nash and Snow river also. Nash being the most rugged for off roading. Though we off orad with our AF 30u. Very tough, we off road in 4wd so no light paved RV park use.

I'd seriously consider them, but I can't afford both a FW =and= a truck. My '02 just doesn't have the payload for them.

Lyle

Hum your signature says you had a 2500 diesel. I pull a AF 30U with a 2500 gas with no problem. I would think you could pull a <20 footer with your TV.

[goducks10]

They do make off road, solar equipped, 4 season TT's as well.

[laknox]

eichacsj wrote:

goducks10 wrote:
Artic Fox trailers meet most of those demands. You need to stay away from the 'lite' versions of trailers.

Some Jaycos do have large tanks. From the Eagle on up they have large tanks.

X2, Arctic Fox is made by Northwood Mfg. They sell Nash and Snow river also. Nash being the most rugged for off roading. Though we off orad with our AF 30u. Very tough, we off road in 4wd so no light paved RV park use.

I'd seriously consider them, but I can't afford both a FW =and= a truck. My '02 just doesn't have the payload for them.

Lyle

[laknox]

Jim-Linda wrote:
New Horizons will build anything you want.

Jim

Sorry, don't have $100k burning a hole in my pocket. 🙂

Lyle

[laknox]

goducks10 wrote:
I think all brands have some form of a trailer that would meet thse needs. To make options like the Boondock package would take more changes on the line. The frames for these trailers are what they are. You get one set of springs and one set of tires on frame X. To add the option of more tank capacity you have to increase the springs, tires and possibly the frame. That would be expensive and since the frames come pre made all put together then they would have to disassemble everything and add the option items. The cost would be too much IMO. So that's why they offer a more boondock worthy trailer in other models.

Then factor in all brands offering this and all the work involved in ordering a trailer with it. The manufacture then needs to decide which models they're going to offer it on. Some trailers are maxed out as is with 30/30/30. Then add in 70/70/50 tanks. That would increase the weight by 850lbs. So now that trailer that rides on 205/75/15 tires on 3500lb axles needs 4400lb axles and 225/75/15 tires. Plus the extra support welded in for the heavier tanks. Too much work for a simple assembly line product.

So, what's the cost to upgrade from a 5k to a 5.2k, or even 6k, axle? The lighter ones would likely have D-rated tires anyway, whether 9k GVW or 11.5 GVW, like my Komfort and the 6k might still have D-rated tires. Tires a wash, axles =cheap=. Larger tank by 2-6" in any direction, with upgraded support straps. Not a lot, I'd bet. Longer, heavier shackles on flipped axles, maybe with cross-bracing. Yeah, a bit more, but still not that expensive, especially when you see guys doing a full 4" sub-frame lift for $500-700. The single most expensive option would be an installed solar system, and maybe that's just not practical for a factory install, I admit, but why not offer it?

Lyle

[eichacsj]

goducks10 wrote:
Artic Fox trailers meet most of those demands. You need to stay away from the 'lite' versions of trailers.

Some Jaycos do have large tanks. From the Eagle on up they have large tanks.

X2, Arctic Fox is made by Northwood Mfg. They sell Nash and Snow river also. Nash being the most rugged for off roading. Though we off orad with our AF 30u. Very tough, we off road in 4wd so no light paved RV park use.

[discovery4us]

Have you considered a toy hauler? Just because there is a back door you don't have to use it. Most have large water tanks, ground clearance, more beds, and are designed to be taken off the beaten path. Stay away from the lite models and it sounds like it would be very close to what you are looking for.

[rjsurfer]

12thgenusa wrote:
One of many reasons I'll hang on to my 26' 5er with 60, 38, 38, 38 tanks. The majority of much larger 5ers don't even have tanks of that size.

Couldn't agree more, my 08 245RKS has the same tank setup. I have gone almost 2 weeks without dumping many times. I added another gate valve so I could equalize all the tanks that helps as well.

Ron W.

[goducks10]

I think all brands have some form of a trailer that would meet thse needs. To make options like the Boondock package would take more changes on the line. The frames for these trailers are what they are. You get one set of springs and one set of tires on frame X. To add the option of more tank capacity you have to increase the springs, tires and possibly the frame. That would be expensive and since the frames come pre made all put together then they would have to disassemble everything and add the option items. The cost would be too much IMO. So that's why they offer a more boondock worthy trailer in other models.

Then factor in all brands offering this and all the work involved in ordering a trailer with it. The manufacture then needs to decide which models they're going to offer it on. Some trailers are maxed out as is with 30/30/30. Then add in 70/70/50 tanks. That would increase the weight by 850lbs. So now that trailer that rides on 205/75/15 tires on 3500lb axles needs 4400lb axles and 225/75/15 tires. Plus the extra support welded in for the heavier tanks. Too much work for a simple assembly line product.

[bpounds]

I hear ya. When we were shopping, tank size was a primary consideration. Our Cougar has 60,38,38,38. There weren't many other choices that had that, and those tanks aren't huge. For two of us they are just right for going a week at a time.

I found that if you want big tanks, the toyhaulers have the advantage. That market segment values off-grid capability. But if you don't like the Spartan features of toyhaulers, you're stuck with smaller tanks.

You've been around here long enough to know that few folks here place any value on boondocking features. And that represents the market place. You and I are the exception.

Personally I am kind of disgusted with what folks call camping these days, but it is what it is.

[laknox]

Couple points about the tank size. First, where we like to go is about 30 miles to the nearest dump. A 60-mile round trip, plus pumping time into a tote, plus dump time. So, figure 3 hours out of a limited time on-site. Second, how do the manufacturers =know= there's no demand. Have they ever offered an option package like this to even find out? I've never received a survey in the mail, email, Facebook or phone to ask. I agree it's not something that would be real practical on a 40-footer, but in the smaller rigs, why not? I do get weight reduction, but how many of us tow with full tanks, other than fresh? =I= certainly don't, and dump as soon as I can find a station. I =do= understand water conservation, but a couple of those 7 gal cube jugs add a =lot= of time. Grey I have zero problem dumping, if needed; hell, our forests here in AZ can use all the water they can get, so that's a non-issue. We do use wipes and usually don't shower for the 3-4 days we're usually out. Hell, even in a campground on a hook-up, I take Navy showers. My main point is, and always will be, give the buyer the option and see what the reaction is.

Lyle

[goducks10]

Artic Fox trailers meet most of those demands. You need to stay away from the 'lite' versions of trailers.

Some Jaycos do have large tanks. From the Eagle on up they have large tanks.