Securing small camper with short bed ‘09 Tacoma
Hey everyone. Tom in Portland, Oregon here. New small truck camper and novice with most things involved but figuring it out as we work on our recently purchased 1983 Perris Valley truck camper. Getting new shocks and airbags installed in my truck this week but I’m wondering if anyone has a 2009 Tacoma four door short bed recommendations for securing the camper properly in the back. We drive it home with heavy duty tie downs but it did shift a little bit in transport, and looking for other options, as it will stay in my truck all summer for some family adventures. Thanks so much!
Do NOT use Flex Seal on your camper roof!
Figured I’d post this since I had a troubling conversation with my repair guy a couple weeks back when I picked up my camper after it was repaired following a minor collision last fall. We were discussing my long battle with a skylight leak in the bathroom and I mentioned that at one point I used flex seal spray as an emergency measure until I could do a proper repair with new butyl tape and Dicor and eternabond. He got all exited and told me that the “flex seal is great stuff! That’s the way to go!” And he used it on his parents’ leaky shed roof and its holding just fine. I nodded and told him it’s great for an emergency but from my firsthand experience, it becomes brittle, cracks, and eventually peels off when it’s been exposed to ultraviolet light for more than a few weeks. He apparently wasn’t aware of that. Ive been thinking about that conversation for a few weeks now and figured I’d post a thread about it to inform others who might be tempted to use flex seal as a permanent solution on camper roofs. DON’T! Even though the tv commercial shows a guy sealing a skylight, Even though your repair guy or dealer might tell you it’s great, Even though a website or blog extols it’s virtues, It is NOT a permanent solution!!!!! Emergency patch? Sure. But it WILL become brittle, crack, and peel off in a few weeks under UV light (sunlight). So please, PLEASE, don’t even think about using this stuff I place of lap sealant or eternabond. This has been a public service announcement. We now return to your regularly scheduled program.
Help! 2004 Bigfoot 2500 TC Advice
Hi everyone! My husband and I just purchased a 2004 Bigfoot2500 10.5E truck camper and we’ve spent hours upon hours trying to source parts for it. It’s certainly harder then anticipated but we really want to make sure we’re doing right by our old school Bigfooot. Theres a few things we’ve haven’t been able to find and we’d would love any information/insight. 1. Kitchen sink plastic drain stoppers. We have a split acrylic (I think?) sink. Theres a beige plastic stopper in each drain that seem screw down into the drain in order to plug it. Ours our deteriorating and for now we’re trying to find replacements if anyone knows where to get them. We’re debating replacing the entire sink as well at some point so if anyone has some insight with links to replacement sinks or how big of a job that would be. The more info the better 2. Exterior range hooded vent cover. Ours is cracking and discolored on the outside and we can’t find a similar one that fits. Apparently the only one we can order from Bigfoot is too large and we’d have to cut the hole in the fiberglass bigger (certainly trying to avoid that lol). 3. Replacing the mattress. We ordered a new foam mattress from Amazon (6 inches like the original). Although, I really like the quality of the mattress cover on the original and was wondering if anyone ever replaced the original insert with a foam mattress to keep the cover? Also, are the cushion upholstery and mattress cover that come in these older Bigfoots machine washable? 4. Monitor panel on power range hood. All of the connections, lights for tank levels and switches function properly but the rubber boarder on panel itself seems to be pulling away from the metal hood. Is there a way to replace the entire strip/mount around the switches? I know that panel itself is delicate so before we go taking it apart is this a “dont fix what’s not broken” situation? 5. Exterior door metal lock. It’s always sticking and hard to close without using force. Any links to a good replacement would be helpful. 6. Wet bath shower curtain track. Looking the replace the entire track since the little clasps attached to it are rusty and one on the end is stuck in place. I can’t seem to find the replacement anywhere. Or is there a product to apply to get the rust off without compromising the fiberglass? 7. Replacement exterior little door locks. A lot of them are a pain to unlock with the key and they stick. Has anyone ever bought them in bulk and replaced them all? Or is there a way to clean them out or a specific lubricant to get them to function better? I know the list is long but if anyone has any tips, links to replacement products, ideas just any insight at all it would be so so so helpful. My Bigfoot did come with an owners manual but it’s a bit vague and a lot of the individual manuals they reference for more information we don’t have. I added a picture of the information inside of the closet incase anyone happens to be familiar with our model or own the same one. Thanks everyone!ISO 2005 Bigfoot 9-6 wiring diagram
Hello All I am looking for a wiring diagram for my 2005 Bigfoot Truck camper. Years and years and years ago someone provided picture of one that I kept but it was very blurry. At this present time it would be very helpful. If someone has one I can provide my email address and possibly you could send me a PDF. Thank you all very much!!!Steepness
I have a 2019 GMC Sierra 2500HD 4WD standard bed lifted 6"and a 2025 wolf Creek 850 installed. I will be pulling my Maravia raft on a trailer with a 36" hitch extension. My question is how steep is "too steep " for me to back my truck in to launch my raft? Main concern being if there is a tippage risk. Most of my rivers do have concrete launches. New to slide in camper game, so thanks for your patience.
How to rig tie downs on a flatbed.
I am trying to figure out the best way to anchor a lance 1040 on a flatbed. I have had the Lance anchored on a flatbed before, but this bed will be different. I am not going to cut holes in the boxes to anchor at the normal manner. Angle the front tiedown forward and the rear tiedown to the back. I have no options for the rear tie down to pull to the rear. It most be straight but angled inward to the bed. Should I put the spring loaded tie down on the front or the back? Or have all 4 spring loaded?3D Printing Success Story
The jack covers on our 2014 Lance 865 had gotten very brittle and I broke one of them when I was washing the camper. After an exhaustive search, I was not able to find any OEM replacement covers for the Atwood jacks. I found someone on Etsy that offered 3d printing services and I was able to have him print/create an entire set of new jack covers for not much more than one OEM replacement cover. OEM: 3D printed: There is a crack in the bottom part of the 3D part. I tried to stretch it around the jack when it was very cold, I am certain if I had warmed up the plastic it would not have split.