New camper hunt

[StirCrazy]

so we went looking at a bunch of campers on the weekend, and I ruled a bunch out for various reasons like, to expensive, bad floor plan, bathroon in the back making the main area feel closed in and so on.  one of the toughest ones I had to eliminate though was the Palomino HS-2912.  that rear deck just increased the living space so much and added so much useage senarios I was willing to overlook the rear bath and the fact it had a couch instead of a dinette.  it has so much usable storage and was at the max if not a little over the weight I can carry leagaly.  what finaly got it eliminated was two things,

1)           the on demand hot water...    I almost excluivly boondock with the truck camper and I am not a fan abote the water waist from a on demand system, and

2)           the non ducted furnace.  really, in this day and age you can have a ducted furnace and heat the bathroom ? its right beside the furnace. 

the narrowing continues but so far the bang for your buck leaders are the Adventurer 901SB, and the 910DB.  what I am looking for is under 3500 dry weight (the 910 is right around that and the 901 is about 3000 depending on which options it came with) north south bed, bathroom with leg room when yout sitting on the toilet and heated and a good layout with a forward bathroom.  I like how the forward bath opens up the back end and with windows makes it seem much larger and gives you a wrap around view.  good thought out storage is a must also.  

[Grit_dog]

Wow, as they say, theirs an @SS for every chair and that one would be mine!  Thats about the coolest layout/features I’ve seen for a TC!  Agree on the no on demand hot water though and it would be 100% better with a slide out. 
kool camper. And not out of line for your srw 350 although you’re right, it’s close. Need some burly tires and wheelz. 

[c_traveler2]

Hello StirCrazy, I suggest checking out BundutecUSA  they are a small builder of truck campers and will do custom work with in reason.I have their Bunduvry model since 2020 which is a hardside, before that we've hada Lance 815 since 2003. Royie is a great guy to deal with!

[StirCrazy]

I checked them out and nope, not  what I want or even closein  a few ways, small, bad layout for me, won't fit on a longbox (deal killer) casett toilet, no way in heck am I dumping casetts when a perfectly good tank system is availble..  haha.    they look like a minimalist design and that just not what I am after, I want the opposit, lots of storage, lots of water I have 35 gal now I want more, forward bath, the rear ones just make the camper feel closed in.  Can't find any mention on how insulated they are and what kind of insulation, I camp in the winter so that is important.  

[c_traveler2]

Well good luck in your search and by the way Bundutec does build them for long beds, I have one.

[StirCrazy]

realy, they don't list one on their website, what model is yours?

[StirCrazy]

so the new leade is the Adventurer 901SB.  we still have to go to the dealership and spend some time just sitting and moving around in it but I don't think there will be a issue as the layout has a bit more flow than we have now..  why is this the leader, that kitchen...  so in combanation with the front bath making the dining/cooking area open and bright.  the kitchen layout is the best I have seen in a truck camper hands down.  lots of counter space deicent size double sink and a fair bit of storage.  some of the other features are, 100% full alumium fully welded frame (not a mix of alumium and wood like the smaller models and other brands) the R13 in the walls and roof, and r22 in the basment and heated tanks. I camp in the early winter and spring where it is atill dropping well below 0 (32F) at night so this is a bonus. 

the only strike against it is the battery compartment isn't condusive to easy access while loaded.  so there will have to be a modification there so I can access the battery from inside and have it in the conditioned space.  should be fairly easy, close of the vents and insulate, cut the top off the abs compartment enclosure and then you can access it from under the bedroom step.  

oh another is it will have to have the solar controler replaced.. it has a pwm go power thats only good to 300 watts but I will be putting about 6 to 700 watts on there and I want a MPPT, but that would be with any camper we buy.  

[MORSNOW]

Good luck on your search!  I know there are a few manufacturers without large distribution centers that I'd like to look at some day, Rugged Moutain is one of them.  

[StirCrazy]

I have looked at thoes ones, I realy like the fact they are making a flat deck model, but like all these smaller companies your paying for their small size and lack of market clout with more dollars for the same or lower level features, thats one good thing about the larger companies, leep the price down a bit.  

[buckhorn_cortez]

The on-demand heater wastes no more water than a tank water heater if you get the correct model.  You can get a tankless heater which has a "warm water" mode that keeps the water inside the heater at 105F.   When the water flows the heater automatically turns on and heats the water going through it to the full hot water temperature.  In use, you stop to set up camp, turn the water heater "on" in the 105F mode,  and within a couple of minutes there is hot water.  The only water that is "wasted" is the ambient temperature water being flushed out of the line that precedes the heated water - which is exactly how a tank water heater operates.

[StirCrazy]

thats not realy accurate, and it has been showen.  the ondemand are not instant hot ewater heaters, they are fast but not instant.  so when you open the tap there is a lag time before the burner erven turns on as the flow sencer has to pick up the flow then it does a purge cycle, ignition cycle and then starts heating the water.  all that time the water has been flowing.  with a hot water tank you also have heat creap up the lines so a lot of time the water is warm a few feet from the hot water and, and with the tank system it is pretty much instant.. you open the tap and full temp water starts leaving the tank, no waiting for sensors and cycles.  now for the normal person that is just doing dishes and has a double sink so one for washing one for rincing, or that person that puts water in the bathroom sink to wash up for bed it probably isnt that big of a deal as we are probably talking 1/2 a L difference that can be used to temper the water temp in the sink.  but for some one who uses the shower frequently and pauses the water several times during it (ie for soaping up, for washing hair, etc) then it starts to add up.  now if you have hookups then its all a mute point as you have unlimited water and sewer capacity..  for me the other bonus is the extra 6 to 10 gal of water you get with the tank heater also..  might not sound like a big deal but when your trying to streach how long you can boon dock for....  water is my limiting factor now so every bit helps.

[buckhorn_cortez]

You must be right.  I've owned three campers two with tank water heaters and one with a tankless.  I guess the tankless isn't working the way I experience it, so you're theoretical mode of operation trumps my experience.

[StirCrazy]

oh man, are you realy going to act like a 3 year old.  everyone elese who have them including my family members are either living with how much more water they waist and either living with it or concidering putting a conventional water heater in..  do a search on the internet and all you read about is how much more they use.. maybe yours is powered by unicorns and rainbows, and is special.

at any rate I have decided I am not buying a truck camper or trailer or 5th wheel with hot water on demand, because as per my friends and family who have it they all agree they were shocked at how much more water it uses.  and the countless you tube comparisons of water use (using stopwatches and measuring cups, thats a big no for me.  Now your going to tell me they are falking the results probably....  anyways be happy with yours it seams to be a one off magical unit.  

[buckhorn_cortez]

Mmmm....impressive and very mature, aided by creative grammar and spelling.  Disappointed, however, that you didn't use all caps...no doubt...you win the Internet for the day...< slow clap >

One question.  Where does the "purge water" go for the tankless water heater?

[StirCrazy]

there we go, when theres nothing inteligent to add always go to spelling and grammer, thats the internet way. 

what purge water would you be talking about?  the purge I was talking about was air for the ignition cycle.  so while it is blowing air to ensure your hot water heater doesnt explode when it goes to ignight, just like a furnace, the water is still running to maintain the flow requirment.