New to Truck Camping

[Rettrooper]

Hello all! My wife and I are new to truck camping and thought we'd give you a little background on ourselves. Both recently retired.

In May, my wife and I took my father in our 29ft. Winnie class-C from NH to Wa to visit my sister in Tacoma. While there we wound up selling our m/h and out of the blue bought a new Eagle Cap 1160 from Apache Camping Center...thanks Leroy, Kevin, Bill, JD, Dan, and Jose. It was great doing business with them. The deal was so good we had to do it! My wife and I flew back to NH and then drove back out to Wa in our Ford F-350 4x4 CC diesel dually and picked up the EC. We then drove home via I-70. The whole trip excluding the flight was about 10K miles. The refrigerator died (faulty wire) in Kansas and was repaired. Other than that our truck handled the heavy camper without a problem. Cannot believe how excited we are with the purchase. Oh, while in Wa. we went to Yakima to Eagle Cap's factory for a very informative tour (Thanks Jim!).

Just wanted to say hello and introduce ourselves. We had been lurking here for several years and finally pulled the trigger and couldn't be happier! Been sleeping in the driveway that last couple of nights. Were really impressed with how we could park the rig in smaller spaces which we couldn't do with the m/h.

Looking forward to comparing notes with the rest of the community here...see you out there!

[KKELLER14K]

You now have a new family...there is no place like home in an RV/TC and you are now one of us... I slept in the driveway...just did it last night...just because the animals in the main house wake me up at first light and I needed to take a break..You can use it whenever you need it!! Give that a tryout..LOL!! I want to welcome you and you other as we are here to assist you in all you adventures.

[spacedoutbob]

Congratulations on your New Camper, May You and Your Family, Have Many Happy Adventures with it.

Bob in Calif.

[Bedlam]

Rettrooper wrote:
Thank you all that responded! The camper has 75 gallons of fresh water, not 81 gallons. We haven't filled it due to the weight. We stealth camped coming across country and was amazed at how well the camper handled. We were running 80 lbs in the air bags and the Stableloads (I think) took a lot of sway out of the truck. We drove at between 62-65 mph and averaged between 9.5 mpg (through the Rockies) to 11.5 mpg (through Kansas and most of I-70.) Our truck is an 06 Ford CC Dually 4X4 6.0 Diesel (88K mileage) and runs like a clock.

I'm not sure you need that much pressure in your bags. Try letting a little out and see if stability increases. I know we only run that much in our 3/4t when we have the trailer in tow. Maybe when you test a trip with the fresh tank filled...

That seems to be typical mileage of the 6.0. We had similar numbers towing 7K lb behind our Arctic Fox 811: 8-9 mpg through the Rockies and 10-11 mpg on the flats. Keeping under 60 mph, you may see up to 13 mpg on the flats. We have no tuners or modifications to our engine and it always surprises me how well it pulls our 19K lb load.

[Nautique200]

Congrats on the great camper, we have a 1050. Post some pics, please!

[Rettrooper]

We think it's a quality camper. While we were out in Wa. we went to Yakima where Eagle Cap is made by Adventurer. We toured the factory and was that impressive. If your out there in that neck of the woods, take the time to go see them. Very friendly folks and very accommodating. Thanks Chris and Dave. Great crew!

[EfonFred]

Congrats and welcome from another newbie! Quality unit you got there.

[Rettrooper]

idaho_camper wrote:

Rettrooper wrote:
Thank you all that responded! The camper has 75 gallons of fresh water, not 81 gallons.

Regarding my 81 gallon quote, I was counting the water heater. 75 gal fresh water tank plus the 6 in the heater. Any way you look at it, that's a LOT of fresh water for a TC. I've got 46 total in mine. You've nearly got me doubled!

My apologies, I wasn't thinking of the hot water capacity as you were. Yes, it's a lot of water and a lot of weight. We don't haul it with the tank full. It's a big camper and we really like it. Our F-350 seems to haul it well.

[idaho_camper]

Rettrooper wrote:
Thank you all that responded! The camper has 75 gallons of fresh water, not 81 gallons.

Regarding my 81 gallon quote, I was counting the water heater. 75 gal fresh water tank plus the 6 in the heater. Any way you look at it, that's a LOT of fresh water for a TC. I've got 46 total in mine. You've nearly got me doubled!

[travelinglane]

You should join us: http://truckcamping.net/content/jamborees

Our next Jamboree is July 25th at Goose Hollow CG, Thornton, NH. Get in touch with Mike Tassinari through the above link.

Congrats!

[Rettrooper]

Thank you all that responded! The camper has 75 gallons of fresh water, not 81 gallons. We haven't filled it due to the weight. We stealth camped coming across country and was amazed at how well the camper handled. We were running 80 lbs in the air bags and the Stableloads (I think) took a lot of sway out of the truck. We drove at between 62-65 mph and averaged between 9.5 mpg (through the Rockies) to 11.5 mpg (through Kansas and most of I-70.) Our truck is an 06 Ford CC Dually 4X4 6.0 Diesel (88K mileage) and runs like a clock.

We couldn't be happier with our set up and look to meeting and comparing notes with other TC users. Happy trails to you all and Thanks for making this this a great site!

[SugarHillCTD]

Rettrooper,

Retired from N.H. State Troopers? If so, thanks for your years of service.

We live in northern N.H.- just above the Franconia Notch.

Welcome to the truck camper section of the forum.

Just last night Cathy and I were sitting by the fire (we are on Mt Desert Island/Acadia N.P. for 4 days) in the KOA looking at lots of RVs of all sizes here. But for the last 3 days we have taken out TC into places where not many other types of campers could fit.

Early yesterday we drove to the "Seawall" picnic area and parked our TC & truck backed up to the ocean. We spent the day sitting under the awning, then cooked some burgers for lunch and walked the dogs. Where we were others drove their tow vehicles but we were able to have our home on wheels with us.

Great choice for your new RV! Hope you have many happy roads with your TC.

[U_F_O_]

Congrats on your new ec .

[Reddog1]

Well said jefe. The TC is very unique when compared to other RV type vehicles.

Wayne

[jefe_4x4]

Congratulations on the buy. Beware that you have opened a pandora's box of possibilities while traveling. A new set of concepts will magically appear like:
Stealth Camp
Camping in plain sight
Dry camp
Parking in the city in a regular parking place.
Never worried about a dead end road.
Camping in ANY camp spot in N.F. and N.P. campgrounds
More than just summer camping.
No worries about rain, or snow or sand storms
jefe