Newbie Question:Advice on used AllWeather TC for work travel

[PipeRunner]

I'm new to the forum and have really enjoyed all the real world experiences from all of the folks on the forum. I'm starting a new topic, because I haven't seen any posts pertaining to my specific interest.
I'm looking into a truck camper to be used for semi-full time use while traversing a maintenance job on the US section of pipeline stretching from the Canadian Border in North Dakota all the way down to Oklahoma City. The job is year round, regardless of weather,(snow/blizzard,rain, wind, tornadoes, blizzard, sub-zero overnight temps, etc), and I would be required to stay on site or nearby until the job is complete before moving on. With that said, I need to be able to cool it in the summers and keep it warm and functional in the Northern winters.
I have no preference, other than the ability to "boondock", (dry camp) for long periods of time when a campground can't be found reasonably close, and stay warm at night.
I do not have a truck yet, and my intent is to find the camper and then tailor the truck purchase to support it with a margin of safety.
Let me state this upfront, I know I will have to make modifications to achieve my needs, but I would like help to identify the camper that will require the least modifications.
Thanks in advance for any advice or help.

[Geewizard]

Lots of diesel owners in Fairbanks had the engine heater option which would start the engine when a low temp was reached and run until things were up to temp. I'd think that would eliminate the need for 110AC for engine block, oil pan, and battery heater pads. People up there swore by them.
Might be an option when you're away from AC but it might also wake you up at night.

I agree....no slides, heated tanks. And go with double pane windows.

Good luck.

[nycsteve]

Sparky87k5 remarks on a diesel bear repeating............


Diesels hate cold weather and "other than the ability to "boondock", (dry camp) for long periods of time" will require some sort of 120volt power for block heaters in either a diesel or gas engine.

[PipeRunner]

Sparky87k5, I read you and Homefor2 loud and clear. I will start the project in September, leading into Fall. I have already resigned myself to a diesel dually 4x4 crew cab. I just wanted to settle on the camper type before committing to the specific vehicle. My idea involves a utility bed and an auxiliary truck mounted LP tank. I've seen members on this forum with vehicle mounted 100# LP tanks housed in the bed with the camper for long term boondocking. I recognize I will have to improvise a bit to get what I want, but I need to get as closed to a good foundation as I can because I may be customizing on the fly while working and living in it.
What I really need are the negatives of particular campers so I can steer myself towards units that will reduce the amount of customization in the field.

[PipeRunner]

Wheelholder,
It will be just me during work rotations, but I have to keep in mind that it will also need to be comfortable for occasional family of three outings. I have looked at Bigfoot and Northern lite fiberglass hill campers without slides online, but never in person. I went to a local dealer here and walked through a new Arctic Fox 990 with a dinette slide. Quite roomy, but as you pointed out...potentially drafting in North Dakota winters.

[wcjeep]

I have an Arctic Fox. It works great. If you want a non slide highly recommend S&S in Montana. They are well built non slide units.

[PipeRunner]

Thank you all for the quick and informative responses. I am trolling through all the choices available. I'm looking forward to interacting with y'all more as I narrow my choices. I'm most concerned about the winters and being able live and work in the camper.

[Sparky87k5]

Having worked for 22 years in mining in Montana, Wyoming and North Dakota I know very well what winters are like. Cold, high winds, drifting snow, and worse. I spent an evening in Big Timber, MT in my Eagle Cap 850 in temps of 11* and blowing wind last April 2013. Not one problem occurred.

homefor2 wrote:
Pay attention to type of insulation, double glazed windows, and very important, tank capacities. You may want to look at alternate heating such as "Platinum Cat" Heater for long term boondocking. Normal furnaces will kill your batteries in no time in cold weather. Also make sure there is warm air circulated around your water and waste tanks. Check out the seals around any slides to make sure you can stand cold winds or pull your slides in. Large propane and battery capacities are important.

The above quote is some very good advice. Pay attention to it.

Along with Northern Lite, Host, Bigfoot, Lance, Snow Bird, Snowy River, Arctic Fox, I would add an Eagle Cap all season to the list. I personally would not have a slide in a TC I was planning on spending winters in. More space to heat, poor sealing around slides for winter temps and winds and possible problems with opening and closing in sub zero temps. Not at all usual to see -30 degrees in the mid-west. I would also consider a long box truck so you can haul the biggest non-slide all season camper available. 99% of all campers are going to be heated by propane and that could be a problem in sub zero temperatures. Heated basement would be manditory as well as large heated water tanks, black, grey and fresh. With that much camper, I would also consider a 4x4 dually with good all season tires. Diesels hate cold weather and "other than the ability to "boondock", (dry camp) for long periods of time" will require some sort of 120volt power for block heaters in either a diesel or gas engine. Look into a generator option too for the TC. Lots of things to consider here, won't be easy and it will be a learning curve to say the least. You need room to carry additional supplies, food, propane, tools and spare parts. Consider a flatbed with side tool boxes for all this. Good luck.

[Wheelholder]

You might want to look at non-slide campers. That would help with the cold I would think. Is it just going to be yourself, or will you have company? That might make a difference in your choice also.

I would make sure they are set up as a 4 season camper. Heated tanks would be a must.

[homefor2]

You're going to get a lot of opinions so check out as many as you can and take a hard look at how they are built. Some brands worth looking at in no particular order are Northern Lite, Host, Bigfoot, Lance, Snow Bird, Snowy River, Arctic Fox and others I can't think of.

Pay attention to type of insulation, double glazed windows, and very important, tank capacities. You may want to look at alternate heating such as "Platinum Cat" Heater for long term boondocking. Normal furnaces will kill your batteries in no time in cold weather. Also make sure there is warm air circulated around your water and waste tanks. Check out the seals around any slides to make sure you can stand cold winds or pull your slides in. Large propane and battery capacities are important.

Good luck with your search. Keep us posted on your progress and visit back here as this website has a lot of helpful experienced people.

[cewillis]

Sounds like an interesting job. No shortage of campers that will fit your requirements. I'd just suggest that for off-road or boondocking, it would be best to have a shorter wheelbase, SRW truck. And there are MANY campers made for shortbed (6.5') trucks.