All ActivityMost RecentMost LikesSolutionsRe: Truck camper and tow barsA picture is worth a thousand words, thanks! I also have the Stow-n-go steps, but unless we are going to be stationary for a while, usually take a folding step stool. How do you like the Maximus3/Falcon AT set-up?Re: What do you guys use for communication in your truck camper?As many have said, there are several options for sending and receiving messages via satellite. Most require a monthly fee and can be used in an emergency to request help. We use a similar device called a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), it doesn't require a fee but can only be used to send a signal for help, along with your gps coordinates. For closer communication with others in our group, we use GMRS radios. With all the fancy devices, one of the best ways to help with safety is to let someone know where you will be and when you expect to be back on the grid. When we do this, I provide the emergency services contact info for where we are and a drop dead time on when they should make a call. Regarding the PLB, it gets registered and my adult daughter is one of the contacts on file. In the event of an activation, she will be contacted and will know our approximate location and what we are doing. This will help the rescue teams if needed.Re: Truck camper and tow barsThank you for all the responses. I'll try to answer the follow up questions. Currently, I have a Northstar TC650 truck camper and it sits about even with the rear bumper. No hitch extension needed at this point. I may switch to a Lance 825 in the future so I am trying to plan ahead. The Northstar door is centered above the hitch and the Lance is offset to the driver's side. I'm glad to hear that some have the hitch mounted tow bars and they do not interfere with accessing the camper door. Leaving it on the truck and folding it out of the way seems to be a plus. I purchased the Maximus3 tow loops for the front of the JL. Currently they sit close to level with the truck hitch. that would change with larger Jeep tires... The tow loops are compatible with various tow bars with the correct adapter. The tow loops sit just under the front bumper of the Jeep and won't affect the approach angle much. I like the looks better than having a traditional base plate. For a braking system, I was thinking of the Rvi Brake 3 system (for simplicity), but the NSA stuff looks promising too. The tow bars I was leaning toward are BlueOx and Roadmaster. For lighting, I am a little hesitant to tap into the Jeeps's wiring and may go with a separate system similar to what the tow trucks use. Thanks again and keep the suggestions coming.Truck camper and tow barsHello all, I am looking to tow a Jeep and would like your experience and thoughts regarding tow bars. I'm trying to decide on the best set up. It seems a tow vehicle mounted tow bar would be the most convenient for storage when the Jeep is detached but I'm not sure if it will interfere with getting in and out of the camper. The second option (and potentially cheaper) would be using a standard ball on the truck and a tow bar that connects to the Jeep. This may allow quick disconnects but I would want to remove the whole contraption before really using the Jeep. Storage of the tow bar at a campsite is something to consider. My current camper has the door directly above the hitch (the camper does not hang over the bed. Another consideration is my next camper may be a Lance 825. That camper would extend beyond the bed and need a hitch extension but the camper door is offset to the driver's side, giving a little more room to store a truck mounted tow bar. What have you found works best? Thank you in advanceRe: Ford 6.2 gas vs 7.3 gas highway gas milageI have a 2016 F250 with the 6.2 gasser with 3:73 and hall a Northstar TC650 pop up truck camper. On the highway at reasonable speeds, I get between 11-12mpg. In town, it is less. The performance is fine but mileage with truck campers is never good!Re: Dometic Compressor Fridge IssueThanks for the replies. I tried another test and the temps were inconstant at best and the fridge never got below 40 degrees. My plan is to wait for a cooler day to try it again. I encourage everyone to use a quality thermometer to check their fridge and freezer temps. I am losing confidence in mine Still haven't heard back from Dometic. If it matter to anyone, it looks like these units no longer use the Danfoss compressor and are being produced overseas.Re: Dometic Compressor Fridge IssueThank you for that Info. Were you able to deal directly with Dometic or did they have you work through a service center? So far my calls to Dometic have been frustrating. First call, waited 30 mins to speak with a Rep. Seemed to be going well until they put me on hold to check on something and then I got disconnected. Second call, waited 40 mins to speak with a different Rep who basically told me my fridge is for trucks and I should seek out a "Peterbuilt" service center. They sensed my frustration and said the only thing I could do is speak to a supervisor. Once transferred I had to leave a message and no call back yet. I really want to like this fridge and Dometic but they are making it difficult!Re: Dometic Compressor Fridge IssueThank you to all for taking time to help me out. My warranty paperwork says two years so I may have to replace it at my own cost.Re: Dometic Compressor Fridge IssueThe picture shown above is accurate. The freezer is a separate compartment within the fridge box. I checked the temperatures of each area with two separate thermometers. I placed about a dozen of various bottles and cans and a cup of water (in the center of the fridge) that were pre-cooled in the house fridge and then let the truck camper fridge run for 24 hours. I checked the temperature of the water in the cup and the air within the fridge. For the freezer, I just left the thermometers inside. My previous fridge thermometer must have got bounced around too much and was no longer accurate so I cannot compare the previous temps with the current temps. I know we never had spoiled food or got sick, but anything is possible! Secondly, during previous uses of the fridge, the compressor would cycle on and off as needed to stay cold. It currently runs non-stop which I believe is why the freezer gets so cold. It baffles me why the fridge is not getting cold enough. The gasket is good and I made sure the door was closed properly. The ambient temp has been warm but no where as hot as previous uses. Based on all the great responses and other reading I have been doing, I'm starting to wonder if something got blocked in the cooling system and the flow of the refrigerant is not reaching the fridge area.Re: Dometic Compressor Fridge IssueKohidad, since my freezer gets to -13 degrees (which I think is well below what it should be)do you think it would still be a problem with the fan and outside coils? Everything looks clean (I keep the coils clear with compressed air) and warm air is being moved by the fan when the compressor is on. It seems the ability to cool gets stopped somewhere between the freezer and fridge. Jim, Thank you for your recommendation of Nova Kool. If I can't figure out a fix for this unit, the next one will NOT be a Dometic! Northstar now has a lower and upper external vent similar to what is required for an absorption fridge. There isn't a lot of extra space on the sides of the fridge within the cabinet. Certainly not to the specs shown in the install manual. I believe these units can be mounted without any external venting (on a boat for example) if there is sufficient airflow on all sides. I'm guessing the upper and lower external vents on my unit probably allow enough airflow. Thanks again for everyone's thoughts and suggestions. I really like many aspects of the compressor fridges, but service and knowledge about them has been challenging.
GroupsTravel Trailer Group Prefer to camp in a travel trailer? You're not alone.Jan 19, 202544,029 Posts