Newbie Lurker - TC Arctic Fox for Year round Living

[fpoole]

Howdy all.

I'm looking, at the end of this year, 2015, to start gearing up for the following, but was looking for FAQ for year round living in it.

Planning to get: (please post a short simple note for advice so I can understand it.)

- Cab-Chassis RAM 5500 Diesel Dually Crew 4x4 with 9.7' long bed with Silver Lake Mfg 10' alum flatbed. from Dave Smith's in Idaho.

Front bumper to come later;
Fab Four bumper and Warn 16.5 winch

- Camper will be the Arctic fox 990.

- Towing a small 6 x12 open trailer for just the ACE
then an apx 7-20'Aluma enclosed trailer (to carry ORV ACE & XP1k)

I'm up in Seattle, WA now but looking at the possibility of going full time with the AF. I was looking for threads that might have a general overview of doing that. The plus & minus of year round living.

Probably be in AZ/UT for winters and moving around as the mood hits.

thoughts?

Ps. I read the thread on the "Cost of outfitting truck" so I'm figuring a little under $5k which includes tires etc.

Here's the final goal heheh, and lotto time eh?



fun..

Currently have a Tear Drop and midsized chev Colorado that I'll sell/trade. I can't tow both Buggy and TD and tent camping sucks, Too old, ground to hard and mattresses getting thinner each time.

[fpoole]

Yep, by landing gear I assume those little adjustable things at the base. And the boot brush. .Yep that's the bling I'm going for. Hehehe fun. .

[Bedlam]

8" GlowSteps with the GlowGuide make it easy to get in or out. Adding Landing Gear and SafeSteps will bling out your setup.

[fpoole]

Hehe, yah, I hear that, but? still stocking up.. steps, hitch, misc stuff...
a work in progress to be sure... fun.
Thanks Dak...

Heading into Torklift tomorrow...

[dakonthemountai]

Congratulations on your new rig!! After the steps it's all fun from there!

Cheers!
Dak

[fpoole]

Thanks..

Vinsal:
Yes, I had them ordered but in testing another load, did look like the landing would quite work so dealer suggested the Torklift ones as they can add more steps... so, we'll see...

Jim:
Yes, several inline on each side, but will be heavy duty plastic bins as I need to be able to lift them off and on as needed to make room for a buggy up there when needed. Metal/Alum ones, several in row, while safer, would just add weight, to me, which I don't need, heheh..

Side rails fold down for acess and I can lock them... which might help.

[fpoole]

Thanks,

2B- steps, I didn't think they'd be low enough and Torklift has some newer that appear to be pretty steady, so going with those... sigh, for now.. I need steps for the propane tanks (heheh, which after 2 days of trying to light the stove, discovered they're empty) and the other stuff, so got
Little Giant Ladder



as a back up but more for moving around on the sides, and, A-hem, climbing up onto the flatbed.hehehh, getting old sucks...

b -yah, so far so good, i'm sure we'll cross trails sometime... I would look forward to it...

Now, where do I plug it in? hehheh, learning curve to be sure...

thanks...

[jimh406]

Congrats, are you adding more storage under the sides?

[Vinsil]

Awesome setup Frank!!!!

I have the Fox Landing and I must say...was leery at first, seems stupid expensive for it is, now I wouldn't go without it, especially towing a trailer.

[bka0721]

Congrats Frank! Looks like everything came together, very well.

Hope our paths cross one day down the road. Safe travels, always.

b

[2BLAZERS]

Very nice! Congrats! Why did you not get the Arctic Fox, Fox Landing steps?

[fpoole]

Ok, update - got the camper finally...

Previous questions, it's sitting at apx 12'6" so I round it to 13'

Truck drives like it isn't there, slight wind wobble when gusts hit, but other than that, climbing is not a problem.

Ride is smoother now that it's got some weight on it. No mods at this time, just the tie downs, fast guns and mat.. oh, heheh and some stairs coming up shortly... real soon, need a climbing harness to get into it. I have to watch coming out, that 2nd step is a Lulu....



(Gawd I hate this reply setup, quick doesn't have the image option and you loose all you've typed when you switch. Coopy/paste is a pain, wish there was some "Default Setting" to the Advanced posting box... whine, whine, whine) heheh..

Buggy next and then I'll be OTRA (On The Road Again).. fun..



if you see this on the front/side of camper, T'is me, send a wave..
or come over for a beer if that suits ya..



It's all fun...

[fpoole]

Heheh, no offense of course, and acutally? not really bald, just staying a head of the game by cutting (.5 clips) it short to get used to it.
"Fight Fire with Fire" I say...

Meanwhile, back in the "Way Back Machine"..

[travisc]

I know frank wouldn't be too offended by that- I've known him since he was still in his fifty's and had a little more hair.

And yeah sooner or later my head will look like his.

[fpoole]

Yo "T"...

Already got the Gen, 2000i or whatever it is. Had it for about 2 yrs now? used once, getting SeaFoam for the gas in it... Planning on the 320w solor panels for most of it outside of the AC, and keeping in mind the Wind turbines, Sailors use. but? with all this "New Space"... heck, I can fill that up, right quick like...

Heading to Moab first week in Oct, buggy riding...

I'm hearing 2 gens needed for full time a/c with a dual gas tank set up...

Will email back at ya..

ps. Bald is in... as you'll find out sooner or later.. I need a climbing harness to get into "The Beast" and keep looking around for a Co-pilot/Nav.. fun..