Truck Camper University-Projects/Repairs/Replacements & Tips

[AnEv942]

The purpose of the TCU thread is to capture some of the informative threads on repairs, replacements, modifications, additions and general projects to our campers & trucks. It’s a great resource for ideas, information and procedures.

Though the intent is to keep them from drifting into obscurity, obviously we can’t add them all and there are a lot of good ones. If you feel a thread warrants being added to this thread, send the address of the thread to me in a PM and it will be considered. Just remember, every thread can't be added, so every nominated thread may not make it. But the goal here is to capture links to the really helpful & informative threads before they fade away into cyberspace.

This thread, Truck Camper University, was originally started by BradW in July of 2005 per Joe’s (growler67) suggestion. It has grown to include a lot of helpful information over the years. As current volunteer maintaining this thread the plan is to continue growing this resource.

Thanks to all who have contributed!

Note; though several included links are quite old and may have dead links within or missing pictures, good info still to be had. A few threads relying totally on missing pictures eventually will be culled where information can no longer be gleaned.


Also, don't forget the Frequently Asked Truck Camper Questions Thread - See Section 24

NOTE: AS OF 06/2017 PhotoBucket no longer allows free accounts to link pictures. Many of the threads listed, users pictures were hosted on P/B, hence pictures replaced with P/B upgrade/watermarked picture.
Many picture host sites have closed or no longer host free pictures: Tinypic.com, snapfish, flicker to name a few.

Truck & Camper, papers please:


Camper & Vehicle Acronyms

Truck Camper Title

Truck Camper Insurance

Printable RV.net Window Sign (woodworker414)

Lance Owners Manuals On-Line 93'current (page moved-again)



Safety: Detectors LP (propane), CO (carbon monoxide) detectors & smoke alarms.
ALWAYS react to an alarm as though it were real, never ignore, never assume false alarm- hesitation kills....
That said, detectors can be troublesome-do not last forever.


Carbon Monoxide Detector (discussion)

Smoke Detector & Carbon Monoxide Detector (discussion)

Alarms going off when water pump runs, even with shore power (discussion)

Basic First Aid Kits (Buzzcut1)



Camper at Camp:


Getting level, Best way? (Synergy_58)

How serious are you leveling fridge? (dave17352)

Truck Leveling Ramps (BradW)

General mistakes you've made that might help others (d3500ram)

Lessons Learned for Newbie Truck Camper Owners (orourkmw)


Camper Interior:

General:

Privacy Curtain Installation (Spott)

Shower Curtain/Door Mod (Spott)

Homemade Sky Light (Spott)

Pass Thru Window (playj9)


Storage:

Bigfoot Pantry Mod For Canned Food Storage (tightline_101)

Pantry mod /wire rack to wood shelf conversion (mrblaine)

Pantry mod /wire rack to wood shelf conversion w/drawer (southerlytide2)

AF990 Seat Mod for More Interior Storage (FF1063)

Carpet and New Drawer for Northern Lite (Spott)

Hold-Opens For Camper Storage Doors & Lids (Spott)

Wardrobe Rebuild for Better Storage 1 & Part2 (msiminoff)

Closet Rod mod (luv2skyski)

Maglite Storage (DakotaCamper)

Sliding Dinette Table Lock (Spott)

Piano in Dinette Table (msiminoff)


Seating:

Dinette Replacement with Sofa (gsutton)

Replace Dinette Cushions with Office Chairs (mpike)

LivinLite table/seating mod (delosholly)



Camper Plumbing fresh water / lines, fixtures, tanks :


7 Gallon Water Jug With 12 Volt Pump (BradW)

Water Jug 12v Transfer Pump Revisited (Geewizard)

Add Shower Valve (fast.5)

Add Shower Valve (pjay9)

Outside Shower Mod (Spott)

Shower Hose Extension (75Scoutman)

Water Heater Drain Mod and Bathroom Soap Holder

Add water tank access port (Netboy)

BigFoot pedestal sink 'access' (DnC)

Replace faucet add seperate shower valve (AnEv942)



Camper Plumbing black & grey / waste lines, tanks:


Auxiliary "blue boy" waste tank modification for dumping (billtex)

Rinsing the Black Tank (Spott)

Dump Valve Replacement (BradW)



Camper Plumbing propane /lines, tanks:


20 lb Horizontal Propane Tanks

Convert Propane Box to use Vertical verse Horizontal Tanks (cewillis)

refer also to related appliance under 'Camper appliances'



Camper Maintenance/ caulks, sealants-Roof replacements repairs


Lance Sealant / Caulk (Wasatch Lance)

Lance Caulk (wsdepa)

Camper Sealants (sleepy)

Recaulking Your Camper and Removing Old Caulk (traxtermax)

Replace Rubber Roof with Aluminum (sabconsulting)



Camper Structural: Repairs


Low Pressure Camper Leak Test (joec)

2002 Lance 811 Rebuild (Burbman)

Lance 1161 complete rebuild (pjay9)

Open up bottom Lance for upgrades/repairs (Dave1131)

Basement Mods 1 & Basement Mods 2 (btggraphix)

Lance Cabover Nose Rebuild - Part 1
. . . Lance Rebuild- Part 2- (88lover)
. . . Lance Rebuild- Part 3-(88lover)
. . . Lance Rebuild conclusion, (88lover)

Camper Structural Wall Repair (2nakiller)

01 Lance 1121 Rear jack mount structure repair (NRALIFR)

2001 Lance 1121 (skirt) Rot Repair (NRALIFR)

Camper Skirt Repair (AnEv942)

Lance Camper Wing Dry Rot (Eric)

Rotted Camper Wing Repair (Lance Noob)

Another good Wing Rebuild (pbrooks101)

Rear Wall/Jack Corner rebuild (starcraft69)

Front Wall/Jack corner rebuild (KMLsquared)



Camper Exterior:


Camper nose Airfoil Project (sleepy)

TC Entry Door Window Update (KKELLER14K)

Clear Door Window Glass Retrofit (Spott)

Entrance Window Repair (c.traveler2)

Cabover Window Replacement (AnEv942)

Cabover Window, Alternatives to Glass (portscanner)

Storage Compartment Mod (Spott)

Compartment Drain (ogrer)

Compartment Door Vent Cover project (Spott)

Home made screens for refer, water heater vents (Kerry4951)

NL - Battery Box Leak Repair, door upgrade & sliding trays (Spott)

Insulating Exterior Camper Compartment Doors (Spott)

Insulation Project 1 & Insulation Project 2 (playj9)

Winter Mods (hoondoog)

Ladder Repair (Spott)

Side Awning Project (Stretch67)

Replacement Rubber Camper Bumpers (luv2skyski)

Camper Struts (saileyboy)



Camper Slides Outs:


Lance 1161 Slide-Out/Structure Sag Repair (paperclip)

Lance 1161 Slide Sag Fix $17 (sleepy)

Slide wall support (AnEv942)

H/J Slide Out Transmission Gears (sleepy)

H/J Side Out Clutch Mechanism-FIXED (Boundertom)

H/J Slide Doesn't Move- (Sue Bee)

H/J Slide Fuse & Board '01 (AnEv942)

AF996 Slide Out Verses Sink Drain Hose (CAJW)



Camper Electrical / TV, Radios, Lights, other goodies:


12V Air Compressors (discussion)

LED Lights (sleepy)

Interior Led Upgrade (trail-explorer)

Another Meter Panel Project (Spott)

Add 12v Outlet (& USB charging ports) Installation (Mello Mike)

Back-Up Camera Install (BlueBehemoth)

CB Antenna Mounted on Camper (infamousterry2)

Another CB Antenna Thread (Spott)

LCD TV Installation (Spott)

See level tank monitor install (AnEv942)



Camper Electrical / Generator, Shore:


A/C Units and Generator Combinations That Work

Honda EU2000i Carb Job (AISURFFISH)

Honda EU2000i Starting Problems (discussion)

Honda Generator Hour Meter (Spott)

Northern Lite Shore Power Cord Upgrade (Spott)

Generac hard starting (regulator discussion) Also Thread and

thread



Camper Electrical Solar:


Solar Panel Install on Camper Luggage Rack (sleepy)

Solar Panel Install (Dave1131)

Solar install on F/G (bigfootford)

Solar Panel Install (sabconsulting)

Topic linking solar threads across all forums (renoman69)



Camper Electrical, inverter/converters/components/:


12V Converter Replacement (JoeChiOhki)

Inverter PSW system installation (sleepy)

Magnetek 12V Converter Replacement with PD9140 and Charge Wizard 1 (discussion)

Magnetek Converter Bolt-In Replacement from Progressive Dynamics 2 (discussion)

Magnetek 6345 upgrade to Progressive Dynamics 4645 (starcraft69)



Camper Electrical, 12v batteries/charging/wiring/bed plug:


Camper Batteries (discussion)

Dual Battery Mod (SoCalDesertRider)

Homebuilt Sliding Dual Battery Tray (INSAYN)

No Battery/where to add?(scubieman)

Move batteries to basement, Part 1 Part2 Part 3 (msiminoff)

Basement battery tray (HMS Beagle)

F350 Camper battery Isolator? (Artum Snowbird)

Heavy Gauge Charging System (Mathew_B)

Truck& Camper 4 AWG wire upgrade (Camper_Jeff_&_Kelli)

Lance Camper/Truck Bed Plug Wiring (discussion)

Bed Plug Wiring (BradW)

Square 8 pin plug (MikieD)

Palamino 4 pin plug wiring (Deb and Ed M)



Camper Appliances:


Replace Absorption with Compressor Refrigerator (sabconsulting)

Replace Absorption with Compressor Refrigerator (c.traveler2)

Refrigerator Repair and Fan Upgrade (bbnate804)

Refrigerator Interior & Exterior Fans, w/links to others (nycsteve)

Interior Stove Vent Closure & Bath Pump Switch (Wjjj)

Range Hood Vent Mod (Inside Open/Close) (KKELLER14K)

Water Heater, White Particles in Water/Flushing (MERC225)

Water Heater Relief Valve Leak (discussion)

Water Heater, convert fixed temp. T-stat to adjustable (Boatycall)



Camper Heating:


Fans to Circulate Heat to Basement (Spott)

Basement Circulation Fan Mod (sky_free)

Change manual thermostat to electronic (deltabravo)

Bathroom Heat (playj9)

HVAC Duct Issues (btggraphix)

Cabover Air Circulating Fans (Spott)

Disscusion on Plumbing Catalytic Heaters

Wave3 Install (bigfootford)

Discussion on Electric Heaters



Camper Air Conditioning:


How to Remove a Camper A/C Unit (Spott)

Camper A/C 1 (discussion)

Camper A/C 2 (Windwalker55)

Camper A/C 3 (Windwalker55)

A/C Units and Generator Combinations That Work (discussion)

Polar Cub and EU2000i Honda Generator (msiminoff)

Polar Cub and Honda EU2000i (discussion)

A/C and Honda EU2000i Generator (xp8103)



Camper Steps, Porches, Racks and Bumpers:


Built stairs on Bigfoot (HMS Beagle)

GlowSteps on Bigfoot, How to Install? (adamis)

Anyone carry a ladder? (work2much)

Dog Ramp / Steps (armpics)

Pet Ramps for Your TC (misskate)

Camper Entrance Ramp (Ibeme)

Northernlite Bumper Mod (Spott)

Bumper Steps (AKSledhead)

Adding Scissor Steps/options (disscusion)

Truck Camper Porch/Deck/Steps (BigFootFord)

Truck Camper / Trailer Steps (discussion)

Combination Porch, Steps and Generator (Steve Curet)

Back Porches & Steps 1 (racingfarmer)

Back Porches & Steps 3 (discussion)

Back Porches & Steps 4 (discussion lots of pics)

Expanded Rear Bumper and Steps 5 (Surfrat)

More Porches and Steps 6 (discussion lots of pics)

Hitch-Haul / Extension and Custom Steps 7 (Stretch67)

Free Standing TC Porch (BradW)

Generator Reciever Hitch Mount (SoCalDesertRider)

Motorcycle Carrier (SoCalDesertRider)

Under Rear Bumper Storage Rack (CAJW)



Camper Loading, Hauling, Tiedowns:


Truck Camper Center of Gravity (CG)

Approximating Truck/TC Vertical CG (dhackney)

Tork Lift Tie Down Install on 2007 Dodge (CumminsDriver)

Happijac Tie-Down Install on 2006 F-350 (BradW)

Adjusting Happijac Tiedowns (Hoko)

Self Built Tie Downs (SoCalDesertRider)

Self Built Tie Downs (Spott)

Self Built Tie Downs (MN Ben)

Fifth Wheel Hitch Rails & Truck Camper (NRALIFR)

Truck bed w/ 5er rails for TC use (Western Sky Ranch)

Camper Loading String Alignment Guide (Heavy_Hauler)

Camper Centering Guides 1 (Spott)

Camper Centering Guides 2 (ogrer)

Camper Centering Guides 3 (radarcody)

Camper Centering Guides 4 (Crumm)

Tips on Loading a Truck Camper (discussion)

Camper Loading on a Slope 1 (discussion)

Camper Loading on a Slope 2 (discussion)

SuperDuty Cab Lights Clearance (Not4Hwy)



Camper Jacks:


OEM Camper Jacks list

Dually swingout front jack stabilizers (Terrick down Under)
Duex

Wobble (jack) stoppers (ab257)

Happijac Lubrication (KKELLER14K)

Happijac Parts list/Repair Instruction (WestCoast1969)

Atwood jack disassembly, pics (kohldad)

Happijac Drill Adapter (discussion)

Camper Jack Spacers - SRW (discussion)

Convert StableLift SRW kit to fit DRW Truck (4xMike)

Removing/Storing Jacks in Truck (Bubtoofat)

Atwood leg extensions (not dually swingout bracket)..
Happi Jack leg extensions (not dually swingout bracket)..



Storing Camper / stands, dollies, carports:


Supporting Your Camper While Off the Truck (discussion)

Camper stands 2

Off-Truck Camper Storage Trailer (Prominion)

Camper Dolly 1 (Eric&Lisa)

Camper Dolly 2 (discussion)

Camper Carports (kerry4951)

30 Amp docking station and TC carport installation (sleepy)



Truck Camper Considerations:


Camper w/slideout pros&cons discussion (deltabravo)

Benefits of owning a truck camper (Mello Mike)

Aluminum or Wood Camper Frames (discussion)

Hard Side TC vs SoftSide TC - Pros and Cons (discussion)

Accepting the Advice of a TC Salesman? (northernbnd)

Real World Truck/Camper Weights (Left_Coast*9)

Low Overhead Clearance Obstructions to Look Out For (discussion)

Dodge Trucks and Truck Campers (discussion)

RV Service Reviews (dalej)



On the Road: Who you gonna call:


Check that Spare! (KKELLER14K)

Changing a Flat (famousperson)

Puncture precautions, away from Roadside assistance-(sabconsulting)

Accessing the Spare. Can you? (Rawhyde)

Jacking with Camper on/Changing a Flat (Big Whitney)

Tools/Solutions for Accessing Spare Tire (Windwalker55)

Tools/Solutions for Accessing Spare Tire II (Discussion)

Towing Your Broke Truck and Camper (BradW)

Getting Towed-Discussion



Member's Project Pages:


Off site:
Camper Project Page (Netboy)host closed can be seen on the interent archive WaybackMachine internet archive site
Netboys camper projects

AnEv942's Camper Projects

JoeChiOhki's Truck Camper Projects
'74 KIT 1106 Kamper:2006-2014, '75 Amerigo 11'6" Snap-N-Nap:2015-current

Forum links:
Mathew_B's Truck Camper Projects 1

Mathew_B's Truck Camper Projects 2

Rexford's Projects (rexford)

Camper Mods (mjgcamper)

Misc camper mods (Spott)



Camper restoration threads:


Avion camper restorations-many contributors (67avion)

'75 Red Dale camper restoration (philclouse)

'65 Red Dale camper restoration (novaop)

S&S camper restoration (mountainkowboy)

Amerigo Camper Rebuild (2cknights)

'77 Sunline Truck Camper FULL BUILD (Kxracer704)

Travel Queen Camper Rebuild (DavePete)

2006 Hallmark popup structure rebuild (UpNorthMN)



Towing / Extended Hitches:


Hitch Extension Effect on Axle Load (kereams)

Extended Hitch Calculation Program (bjbear)

Truck Camper Hitch Survey (woodrow)

Towing a Vehicle Behind a Truck Camper (jgorm)

Reese 2-1/2" Tow Beast Hitch Install 2006 Ford Dually (BradW)

Hitch Extension - Added Rear Axle Load (discussion)

Hitch Extensions loads 2 (discussion)

Towing Another Vehicle (discussion)

Hitch Extension Photos

Super Hitch Extension Mod (Spott)

F-350 Front Hitch Install (Spott)



Truck Suspension:


Weight Calculator Spreadsheet (kohldad)

Truck/Truck Camper Suspension Terms (dalej)

Super Springs Brand Overload Springs

Dodge Overload Springs (discussion)

Helwig Big Wig install on 06 Dodge 3500 SRW (76Scoutman)

Roadmaster Sway Bar Install on a Ford (Moomba2002)

Roadmaster Sway Bar Install on a Dodge (pjay9)

GM Stable Lift Install (woodrow)

TorkLift Stable Loads (C TRAM)

Ford Factory Overload Spring Bumper Extension (Crumm)

Timbrens Overload Springs/Bumpers (2)(discussion)

Timbren Install on a 2006 F-350 DRW 4X4 (3)(BradW)

Stable loads or DIY overload bumpers? (discussion)

Rancho 9000 Shock Settings 1 (leighc)

Rancho 9000 Shocks 2 (Surferkim)

Rancho 9000 Install on a 2006 F-350 DRW 4X4 (3) (BradW)

Rancho 9000 Adjuster Knob Problems (littlebigbar)

Rancho 9000 Adjuster Disassembly/Knob Photos

Airbag Install (Sabconsulting)

Air Bag Pressure (discussion)

Airbag Pressure (tri5ron)

Ride-Rite Airbags (2Gordons)

Air Bag Valve Location 1 (discussion)

Air Bag Valve Location 2(discussion)

Airlift Airbag Failure (brain)

Fixing Leaking Firestone Airbag Fittings (jgorm)

Broken Air Bag Frame Bracket Bolts (EdFil)

Airbag Issues (Kober)



Tires & Wheels:


Wide Rims vs Narrow Rims (discussion)

F-350 - 33" E-Rated Tire Upgrade (SoCalDesertRider)

Tire Pressure (HaulinFun)

Toyo Tires (ScottCO)

285/75R16E & 70R17E Tires - 3,750 lb (SlideInDad)

Airing Up Dually Tires 1(discussion)

Airing Up Dually Tires 2(discussion)

Goodyear Tire Inflation Chart "OFF SITE link pdf file"

19.5" Wheels - Pros & Cons 1(discussion)

19.5" Wheels & Tires 2(discussion)

19.5" Wheels & Tires 3 (luv2skyski)

19.5" Wheels & Tires 4 (tahoe2006)



Truck - SRW or DRW:


SRW or DRW? 1 (woodhog)

SRW or DRW? 2 (DmaxCamper)

SRW or DRW? 3 (BradW)

SRW or DRW? 4 (ktmrdr85)

SRW or DRW 5 (TCJohn)

F-250 vs F-350 SRW Trucks (Seedog)(discussion)



Truck -Mods & Other:


The Cost of Outfitting a TC Hauling Truck (discussion)

GPS Bracket (Spott)

TC Hauling Trucks - 2WD or 4WD (discussion)

Truck Mud Flaps (Spott)

Torklift Based Mud Flaps (Adub)

Ford Heated Seat Switch Location (Spott)

Lifted Trucks and TC's (discussion)

Real World Ford V10 w/TC Mileage (jgaylor)

Dodge Headlight Adjustment (discussion)

Ordering a New Truck (discussion)

Sprayed In Bed Liners (discussion)

Truck Cab Storage Mods W/Dog Ramp (BradW)

Truck Rear Seat Storage box ideas & links to vendors (MacHof)

General members Truck addtions and modifications thread (AKSuperDually)



General:(unsorted)


Truck Campers on Flatbed Trucks 1 (downrivers)

Truck Campers on Flatbed Trucks 2 (usmcshepherd)

Truck Campers on Goose Neck Trailers 1 (BradW)

Truck Campers on Goose Neck Trailers 2 (Stouttrout)

Truck Campers on Goose Neck Trailers - Tie Downs (discussion)

Truck Campers on Half-Ton Trucks (gbutala)

Shell Camper Top One-Man Lift (Not4Hwy)

Truck Camper Forum Old Timers (Dually)

End TCU Reference thread
If you feel a thread warrants being added to this thread, send the address of the thread in a PM and it will be considered. Just remember, every thread can't be added, so every suggested thread may not make it.

[ZenMartian]

Hi, thanks a lot for your post, it was pretty informative but like one person mentioned above if you could add a date we would appreciate it!

[Shr3k]

Awesome info! Does anyone know how to fix the missing pictures on some of the posts?

[NVR2L82AV8]

I think we need a section in here on sealants. Between EPDM and rubber roofs to outside seams and basement sealants we all should be able to populate a section on the minimum or best sealant to use.

[MN_Ben]

delete

[Amigo81]

how do I find my post. when I type in my handle, it can't be found

[duane124]

now this is an AWESOME reference page... thanks to aal who put it together

[BradW]

Bigfeets wrote:
AnEv,

Could you please reply to my above post? Maybe a date next to new additions or some sort of indication would be nice so we know what's been added. Maybe you could just post a reply as to what's been added when you add it. Thank you!

Having "worked" this thread for many years myself; it is a lot of damn work. AnEv is doing a great job with it as it is and I don't think we should be adding any work for him to do. I'm just glad someone was willing to take on the responsibility of organizing and overseeing the thread so it didn't go away all together. Thanks AnEv for your unpaid volunteer efforts!

Brad

[Bigfeets]

AnEv,

Could you please reply to my above post? Maybe a date next to new additions or some sort of indication would be nice so we know what's been added. Maybe you could just post a reply as to what's been added when you add it. Thank you!

[JohnJM]

Any threads about trouble shooting the heater? I didn't see any threads like that here. I cant get mine to come on at all.

[Bigfeets]

I'd still like to see a date next to each one so we know when one has been added. THANK YOU!!

[hotrod_32]

How about a which campers can be loaded with tailgate down and which can't. I looked at 115+ pages of pictures here. Some with campers on short beds with gate down yet everyone recommends NOT doing it. Is there any guide anywhere?

[6pac]

Oops!

[Bigfeets]

This is the best Thread of them all! Great work here, thank you very much for that.

One suggestion: Maybe we could put a date next to the link so we know when new ones are added. Just a thought!

[BradW]

AnEv942,

Thanks for taking on this thread. I see you have already made many improvements.

Thanks,
Brad