Truck Camper Trip Reports – V2.0

[sabconsulting]

Introduction

This sticky thread is designed to capture a selection of trip reports members have created over the years. There is a lot of great stuff out there and it would be a real pity for it to be lost because people could no longer find it.

Really I am standing on the shoulders of giants by taking over the running of this sticky, specifically Silversand, and must thank him for his great work over the years compiling this reference. Of course I must not forget to whole heartedly thank those who have spent time compiling these reports which I merely reference here.

If you would like your trip report added then please send me a private message. I also want to start tagging the reports in this reference with details of states visited, etc. so readers can use the search facility in their browser to quickly find related reports; so if you can include that information in the message that would help me a lot.

Please bear with me if your report doesn’t appear immediately. You may have noticed this also happened under Silversand’s watch. This is to cope with technical restrictions that mean there are only a finite number of edits possible before a post stops working; grouping edits into batches and spreading the reference over a number of posts both help avoid reaching this limit.

Enjoy.

Steve (Sabconsulting).

Index

• South West
  
• North West
  
• Central
  
• North East
  
• South East
  
• Alaska
  
• Canada
  
• Cross-country and Full-time
  
• Mexico, Central & South America
  
• Europe & Asia
  
• Africa, Australia and the rest of the world
  
• Meet-ups, Rallys & RV shows
  
• Other great stuff
  

Notes

Amongst the location tags XTC = extreme truck camping – i.e. offroad / wilderness. You can use your browser’s search function to find this and other tags

[Admin]

test

[kohldad]

Big THANKS to Steve (Sabconsulting) for maintaining the TR sticky for almost 4 years. He did a great job and made the turn-over very easy, well, as easy as it could be.

The new Trip Report Sticky V3.0 is up and running for your reference and enjoyment.

[south-of-the-bo]

EX-MILITARY - Especially those who served in PANAMA. 100th Anniversary of the PANAMA CANAL is being celebrated this year, and this is just one of the events, I will be seeing on my trip traveling from McAllen, Texas to the tip of Argentina!

Traveling the Pan American Highway to the southernmost city in the world, Ushuaia, Argentina. Will be starting on the 25th of July and may have up to 9 other truck campers and smaller RVs going on the route of the trekoftheamericas.

I have photos of my Lance : http://trekamerica.wix.com/photos-of-my-campers

Panama is VERY SPECIAL, you know if you lived or been stationed here, and the visit will surely bring back some very good memories. I have stayed both on Rodman Naval Station and Howard and Allbrook AFB. I hope to make a short trip back to Panama within the next month or two, to look for some retirement location in Panama...lots of ex pats there too!!!

I assisted 3 friends move to Panama last August, we traveled from Texas to Panama in about 3 weeks via RVs, enjoying the different cultures. One of the friends was from Hawaii and decided Panama was his choice (he had visited before), another served at the base there and had several friends living in Panama. Panama offers retired persons more special treatment than any other country. For example "any person over 50 yrs old" get a 20% discount in all restaurants - this is not a courtesy - it is the law!

I have traveled via truck camper to South America several times, this is a story I am working on about traveling the world's LONGEST highway:

TRAVELING AND GIVING ON THE PAN AM HIGHWAY

The reason I am going once again on the RV trip of a lifetime, it may seem repetitive, but it is not, one lady traveled three times with the group, and then flew down again.

The RV expedition groups have traveled the Pan American Highway for 14 years, and this next expedition is the 15th Anniversary. The trips focus on really seeing the countries realistically, as they truly are. The people, the communities, the cultures, the schools, and the nature are seen from the RV window in REAL LIFE! just as it is!, not a “show” put on for cruise ship tourists!

We also saw everything the “fly-in” tourist would also.

Living the trip is everyday! One day we may start out and the destination might be the famous Machu Picchu the pre-Columbian 15th-century Inca site l, and another day it may be Pozo Almonte, a little known town of 1500 persons! But, in those little known, off-the-beaten-path places and towns, you may find the most rewarding observations and experiences – by “living” the trip.

These are the times you must, take a breath, sometimes close your eyes, and maybe even pinch yourself, to realize where you actually are! You are living next to “new neighbors” who have accepted you, not as a “tourist”, but as a person (with also your home with you) who has the interest to visit their small town, and interact with them.

They really want to “show” you everything, again not as a tourist, but a friend from a far away place. We were often asked from other foreign tourist we met enroute – “have you had any problems?” The response usually was, the main problem we had encountered was: saying NO! No we can’t stay any longer, NO, we can’t eat anymore of the homemade bread, NO, we could not take that shirt off your back! And on and on. The people were so friendly, and most of all SINCERE!

THE GIVING BACK – We were advised to bring some children’s clothes, some school supplies, and photographs from home, of our home, town, and family to show enroute. These items all “broke the ice” with our new neighbors.

Some of our people showed the children (and the adults also) what their areas have to offer, especially the birds and nature, they were so surprised to see we had the birds in our materials, and they appreciated this learning of birds and also flowers. They taught us about many plants used for medicines, and new fruits that we never knew existed!

Besides the tourist attractions, we visit small country schools, community halls, coffee plantations, sugar factories, handicraft areas, farms and grain elevators, and many other offbeat places. At the schools, we visit with the permission of the staff, and see the everyday school life. Afterwards, we leave some school supplies, and share photos with the children and teachers. Also maybe send an old computer from home afterwards to them.

The trek staff has a emt or paramedic present, and many times there is an opportunity to do a community blood pressure check, and this is also done in the rural areas, while the groups sees the points of interest. The people are so grateful that we show an interest. Most of the time there are some retired nurses, who also participate in this. - This is part of the GIVING BACK! This is enjoying the tourism, the countries, and the people, and leaving with a great feeling of the experience! Nothing against the Cruise Ship Tourist, but only the RV tourist can do this!

THIS TRAVEL EXPERIENCE REALLY GIVES YOU A GOOD FEELING – NOT ALL TAKING, BUT ALSO GIVING!

[rwj146]

Thank you for arranging these trip reports. I no longer have my T.C. ( Health reasons) but these trip reports were my inspiration for buying mine. Nice to read while housebound for awhile. Travel Safe Bob J.

[Lovedays]

I may have missed it, but may I ask where you stayed when you visited York Beach?
My family vacationed there when I was young - too young to remember anything about it. I'm planning a trip for next summer. Any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Eric

[RobertRyan]

Steve,
I did a writeup on TC/Slideon Manufacturers in Australia and later Europe. You have done a great job on the trip reports.

[Scott16]

Thank You Steve, for all the hard work.
Like the way you sectioned off the Different Regions
of the US, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia.
Scott

[The_Mad_Norsky]

There was an extremely humorous write up by I believe our esteemed former moderator BradW on his adventures loading his camper that should be bookmarked here.

It was classic!

Well done on the re-organization, and kudos for all the work that was needed to do it this way.

[JoeChiOhki]

Awesome work 🙂

[Buzzcut1]

I like it. lots of work went into that. Thank you

[USAFBILL]

WOW....Thanks

[sabconsulting]

Other great stuff

An Ode to Fellow Expeditionists, by Whazoo:

Twas the night before Christmas, all through rv.net
Not a person was camping, maybe Seldom I bet.
The stockings were hung byTwoMainieacs with care
In hopes that St.Silver soon would be there.
There was Lots of Stuff nestled all snug in the bed
While Sleepy ate sugar plums, he was out of his head.
And CTraveler in his kerchief, Camper Jeff in a cap,
Had just settled down for a long billtex nap.
When out on the lawn there arose Mr. Clatter,
Nemo sprang from the bed, he was mad as a hatter.
Away to the window bka flew like the Flash,
He tore open Spott’s shutters and threw out DJ’s trash.
The moon on the breast of Weymard in snow
Gave the lustre of SheepCamp to kohldad below.
When what to sirdrakejr’s eyes did appear,
But a miniature Tiger, and rvnetter reindeer.
With a little BradW so lively and quick,
Skipbee knew in a moment it wasn’t Farc-tic.
More rapid than rexford his Windwalkers they came,
And he whistled a BlueStilly and called them by name.
“Now Magic, RenoAl, luv2skyski and flaxi,
You boys all look spent, guess I’ll call a taxi.
On Clarryhill, cewillis, Mad Norsky you bull,
Put er in tow mode, this sleigh is so full.
From the top of RickW, to the top of sstan,
Now dash away dash away, like the Labman.”
As dry leaves that before a wild Reddog fly,
When they meet Oldtymeflyer, mount to the sky,
So to Bird Song Place the rvnetters they flew
With a bigfootchevy full of toys, and a Bent Arrow too.
Then in quite a Tizi, twas heard from the roof
The rhymes of FishPoet, he sounded aloof.
If one listened closely, you could hear from RRUGG,
"I've heard that while camping, Jefe sips from the jug.”
As btg graphics was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Silver came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, and did look quite spiffy,
He proclaimed to Eugarps, “I’ll be back in a jiffy.”
A bundle of toys he placed on his Blueboat,
Saying “this is too much for St. Silver to tote.”
His eyes how they twinkled, his dimples Travelinglane
Oh cheese and rice, this is sounding insane.
With a nose like Geewizard's, and cheeks red as cherries,
From drinking spiked eggnog down at St. Mary’s.
His Jacinto Kid mouth was drawn up like a bow,
He looked just like Matho I want you to know.
The stump of a pipe trails held in his teeth,
And the smoke he blew out, well it came from beneath.
He had a broad Virgil Diesel and a little jmtandem,
When asked about campgrounds he said "I can't standem."
He looked at the table and said “Oh MyBlueHeaven”
“I can’t eat this kids cookies, they are unleven.”
With a tunafisher eye and a crick in his neck,
Soon gave the impression that he was a wreck.
He sprang to his fuelhauler, ArtumSnowbird gave a whistle,
They were GoinThisWay, flyin high as a missile.
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,
a Whazoo Christmas to all, and to rvnet a goodnight.

The Great Whazoo’s otherworldly adventures

Mere mortals like most of us have to restrain our TCing endeavours to the surface of the planet. Of course the Whazn8r has extreme features our normal TCs don’t have and is not bound by these limitations:

• 2011: 20,000 Outfitters beneath the sea
  
• 2009 Sea Of Tranquility RV Site 9
  
• 2008 GMC/Outfitter to the Moon, Illustrated Future Trip Report!
  
• 2008 Outfitter to The Center of The Earth, Illustrated Future Trip Report
  

(Undersea, Underground, Moon)


In Memoriam: A special star gazing write-up from the late Don Curley .
In his article are several pics of mobile/RV-based star-gazing rigs. This is perfectly apropos for those truck campers who wish to get into the hobby as an amateur, or serious practitioner.

• Don Curley's star gazing write-up, February 2011
  
• Mobile observatories easily towed behind truck camper
  

Other interesting things

America’s Wildflowers, On the Road in a Truck Camper, by bka0721, 2015

My thoughts on boondocking, by Whazoo, 2010

2010 Five years later... by Mr Phelps. Acquiring a truck camper: decision making process & outcome.

DHackney’s ‘Hackney Exhibition Vehicle’

• Hackney Expedition Vehicle & TC Build
  
• Building & testing a Fuso-based 4x4 ‘Hackney Expedition Vehicle’
  

6WD military truck conversion deuce-and-a-half M35A2 to camper by JesusGatos

Balloon Festival pictures by various members

4x4 - 4-wheeling pictures by various members

Spot Scott: The Last Ride, memorial travel retrospective of friend by Spott

[sabconsulting]

Meet-ups, rallys and RV shows

2015 England: Adventure Overland show by SABConsulting
(England)

Overland Expo East 2015

• Mud and more mud by RickW
  
• 2015 Overland Expo West by Xpd77
  

(Arizona, Utah, Colorado)

2014 Overland Expo East by OBXcamper
(North Carolina)

2014 Adventure Overland show in England by SABConsulting
(England)

Overland Expo 2014

• 2014 Overland Expo by 67avion
  
• 2014 Overland Expo – the official TC magazine report by 67avion – a great write-up.
  

(Arizona, Utah, texas)

2014 Texas TC rally by jumbojet and 67avion
(Texas)

2013 Montana TC rally by the tc life
(Montana)

2013 Adventure Overland show in England by SABConsulting
(England)

Overland Expo 2013

• Expo 2013, with a stealth TC , by sabconsulting
  
• The 2013 Overland Expo Proclamation , by the venerable Whazoo
  
• Part I by Jefe 4x4
  
• Part II by Jefe 4x4
  
• Part III (rigs with owners) by Jefe 4x4
  

(Arizona)

2013 PNW spring rally by Camper_Jeff_&_Kelli
(Washington)

2012 Abenteuer Allrad show in Germany: Europe’s largest adventure travel expo by SABConsulting – including meet ups with Flaxi, Joerg68 and other German truck camper enthusiasts.
(Germany)

2011 Fall Colors Rally: Cider, Fake Germans, and Leavenworth

• RVnet spread - a nicely designed blog piece by JoeChiOhki
  
• Matt's blog site version by JoeChiOhki
  

2011 Southern Motor Caravan Show by SABConsulting
(England)

2011 North East TC jamboree

• 2011 92-vehicle Northeast PA / Ohio Valley Fall Truck Camper Rally by LanceCamper845
  
• 2011 North-East Truck Camping Jamboree by TwoMaineiacs
  

(New York, Pennsylvania)

2010 German Truck Camper Get-together: Mosel Wine Region by Flaxi

2010 North East TC jamboree and lead-up

• 2010 Many photos of this search for the perfect north east Rally locale by Spott
  
• 2010 Wandering through PA & NY States (excellent photos here!) by TwoMaineiacs
  

(New York, Pennsylvania)

2010 North East truck camper members caravanning through the Canadian Maritime Provinces by TwoMaineiacs
(Maine)

2010 Fall Recompence Cmpg, Freeport, ME by TwoMaineiacs
(Maine)

2010 Mid-Atlantic Spring Rally: another successful one! by TwoMaineiacs
(Maryland)

2010 Outfitter Trip Report: Overland Expo, Arizona by Whazoo
(Overland Expo)

2010 Scusset Beach Canal, Cape Cod: March get-together by TwoMaineiacs
(Massachusetts)

2009 Carolina Beach, NC Get-together (gotta see this!) by AISURFFISH
(North Carolina)

2009 North East TC rally

• 2009 Fall NE Truck Camper Jamboree Pix
  
• 2009 After the PA TC rally: Wandering Through PA & VA: 911 memorials & Frank L. Wright 1 by Two Maineiacs
  (Pennsylvania, Virginia)
  

2009 Fall Ohio Valley TC Weekend: East Harbor by Spott
(Ohio)

2009 North East Truck Camper Spring Jamboree by TwoMaineiacs
(Massachusetts)

2009 Spring Ohio Truck Camper Rally by Spott
(Ohio)

2009 German TC meet-up video
(Germany)

2009 Spring Mid-Atlantic TC rally

• Rally + trip there and back by Spott
  
• Photos by VetteOpel
  

(Virginia)

2008 Fog & TC Friends on the Maine Coast: Wolfe's Neck Woods SP by TwoMaineiacs
(Maine)

2008 RVIA Trade Show, Louisville by BradW
(Kentucky)

2008 North-East Truck Camper Haunted Jamboree: Salem, Mass by TwoMaineiacs
(Massachusetts)

2008 Fall North-East TC Jamboree Photos by Attendees
(New York)

2008 Northwest Colors Caravan by Beddows
(Washington)

2008 Southwest Spring TC Rally by Matho

2008 Spring Ohio Valley TC Weekend V

• Rally pictures by Spott
  
• Rally pictures by cdl2 and joe_jeep
  

(Ohio)

2008 Mid Atlantic TC rally

• Photo Section 1 by AISURFFISH
  
• More photos by TwoMaineiacs
  
• Photo Section 3 by Myrtle
  
• Photo Section 4 by JJohnson1179
  
• Photo Section 5 by Ogrer
  
• Photo Collective 1 by AiSurfFish
  
• Link to Video Section 1 by BradW
  

2008 Spring Northeast TC Jamboree by TwoMaineiacs
(Vermont)

2007 A small meet-up, dry Camping, Maine Coast by TwoMaineiacs
(Maine)

2006 German TC meet-up video
(Germany)

Several meet-ups are covered in this impressive blog by TwoMaineiacs
(Maine)

[sabconsulting]

Africa, Australia and the rest of the world

Collected reports by contributor

SABConsulting’s African trips

• 2015 South Africa and Lesotho in a Land Cruiser camper
  
• 2015 South Africa and Lesotho - Video
  
• 2012 The Sahara Expedition (solo) – Trip report – including the drive from England and back.
  
• 2012 The Sahara Expedition – Video
  
• 2007 Touring Namibia in a pop-up 4x4 camper – Trip report – Including the Namib Desert, Skeleton Coast and Etosha Wildlife Park
  
• 2007 Touring Namibia in a pop-up 4x4 camper – Video
  

(Morocco, Namibia, Spain, England, France)

Sheriffdoug’s Australian trips

• 2013 Cross-continent journey to pick up a new truck
  
• 2011 1st Trip Away: pix & MAP
  

(Australia)

See the African travel sections of this blog - may not directly involve his truck camper, but they are fascinating and the photography is great (his pictures of Morocco are better than mine) by AKblack10
( Equatorial Guinea, Morocco)

Other reports by date

2010 Australia & New Zealand RV rental resources by Robert Ryan
(Australia, New Zealand)

1967 Hippo encounter, Awash NP by 5percent
(Ethiopia)