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RE: Can't people read?
I really don't get this. I know that any of us can potentially let our minds wander and lose our focus from time to time, but even without the 8 foot clearance warning sign, that is one visibly short in height underpass by anyone's standards. I mean, if you were to approach an 8 foot high garage opening with your full-sized pickup, would you have any doubt whatsoever in your gut or your head that your camper or 5th wheel wouldn't even remotely fit inside without big time damage?? :h Unreal!
I wonder if he'll sue the city/county/railroad/whomever for his inability.....like the guy who cut his fingers off with a table saw
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Geewizard
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09/07/10 05:04pm |
Truck Campers
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Can't people read?
Remember that truck camper about a year ago that was stripped off the back of a pickup truck in Billings?
Happened again in the same spot to a travel trailer:
http://billingsgazette.com/news/local/article_929b8994-bac7-11df-9bf9-001cc4c03286.html
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Geewizard
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09/07/10 04:02pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Truck Camper Steps
I use the same Tork lift Glow steps and mounted them semi-permanent. I can remove the Z brackets and lock nuts if I want to remove them.
They ride perfect resting on my reciever hitch.
http://i313.photobucket.com/albums/ll385/WI4C2TS/FoldingSteps2.jpg
Ditto....except mine aren't TorkLift brand. And mine is a receiver hitch, not a reciever hitch. :W
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Geewizard
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09/01/10 10:08am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Heco power lift conversion
Not sure what you're referring to when you say "climbing in and out". My Heco is easier to operate closing up than opening up and I do it by myself.
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Geewizard
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08/30/10 08:34am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Hitch theft?
Ok, I think I can conclude that a locking pin is the best idea. I do like the setscrew idea!
Thanks for all the input.
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Geewizard
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08/29/10 07:31pm |
Truck Campers
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Hitch theft?
Has anyone ever had a hitch-attached item (ball, extension, rack, etc) stolen?
I'm asking because a 5/8" bolt, lockwasher, and nut are about $2. And a locking hitch pin is about $25. And don't look all that secure anyway.
I can't imagine someone crawling under my TC with a socket and wrench and making off with my bike rack or ball hitch or boat or anything. Unless I left them unattended in the Wal-Mart parking lot for a week or two.....in which case I'd expect NOTHING to be there when I came back.
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Geewizard
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08/29/10 10:06am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Truck camper for 2007 Tundra?
I've had an Outfitter Apex 8 on my 2004 Tundra since.....2004. We bought both the truck and the TC at the same time.
And, "we" were three people with lots of "Stuff" too. Yes, I'm exceeding the published cargo capacity of the Tundra. I've done so for about 5-6000 miles, the estimated mileage I've driven with the camper on the truck. More than half of those miles have been on the crappy roads in Alaska...washboards, potholes, frost heaves, etc. As well as LOTS of gravel and mud. The only suspension mods I've made on the Tundra are Firestone Ride-Rite air bags. And E-range tires.
Keep in mind that my Outfitter Apex 8 was custom built to fit my 2004 Tundra. This means it's a few inches narrower than the "regular" Apex 8 model. While this reduces the empty weight a bit, I've more than made up for that gain by adding other modifications.
The real toilet and shower in the Apex 8 are one of the many great features of the Outfitter TC.
I haul my own water, 1600 pound about twice a week, all year long, in the same Tundra, at temperatures from +90F to -45F. This, in addition to hauling the TC, says a lot with respect to the overbuilding and under-rating of the load capacity of the Tundra in my opinion.
We all have to decide for ourselves what we're comfortable with. I've been driving Toyota vehicles for a long time and I'm very comfortable with the loads I carry in my Tundra.
Hope this helps.
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Geewizard
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08/27/10 09:14am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Your best TC "mod"
My best mod is replacing the 3-way fridge with a Tundra 12v compressor fridge!
There are other mods:
-LED interior lights
-120W solar system
-sinewave inverter
-additional battery
-battery monitor
-cabinet door springs
-5 gal. gas cans and holders
-plumbing winterizing valves, etc.
-permanent mount folding steps
-removing dinette table
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Geewizard
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08/16/10 12:08pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: spare tire carrier
I bought a Draw Tite front mount receiver with a spare tire carrier. You can see them here. And eTrailer has them as well as many others. I did this so I could have two spare tires. And there's no issues with blocking cooling air at all.
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Geewizard
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08/13/10 09:33am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Let's be truthful about Honda gennys
My Honda 2000i sits all winter with fresh fuel and Sta-Bil. And starts on the second or third pull.....since 2004.
....and, oh yeah, the switch! Remember the switch!
:R
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Geewizard
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08/12/10 07:21pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Bilstein "Camper Special" rear shocks?
DonCurly, you ain't never done me wrong with advice in the past. I'm hot for a pair of Rancho RS9000XL shocks for my Tundra!
Are you double-d*mned sure you like them? :W
Mr. Wizard,
Yes, I am truly double-damned sure I like my Rancho RS9000XL shocks. :)
I should also mention that:
- In addition to adjustable Ranchos, I have used Bilstein's, but not KYB's for a truck/TC application (and I did not care for the Bilstein's, especially in an unloaded condition).
- I am not an engineer nor a suspension expert (although, I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night). ;)
- I do not work for nor do I own stock in any shock company.
- Due to the weight of the 6.7L Cummins turbo diesel engine over my front axle (in addition to a heavy front Buckstop bumper & Warn 16.5ti winch), I run my Rancho's at the max 9 setting even with the bed unloaded.
- I run the rears at 9 with my camper on board and unloaded I run between 1 and 3 (the latter of which makes a world of difference in terms of rear end ride and control).
- I don't care what shock, what truck, or what camper someone else runs or prefers ... it's a free country and their choice.
- I don't need no stinking shock dyno to convince me what shock works and works well for my set-up, as I have taken my rig to hell and back several times and that's all the empirical evidence I require. And yes, I like that little adjustment knob and use it to good effect.
As before, YMMV.
Don :C
Dear Mr. Curly,
I now have on order Rancho shocks. Funny how there's only one place in the entire state of Alaska that deals in them....and they don't answer their phone. No wonder UPS/FEDEX/USPS make money up here.
For the rest of you: I sure can see the utility of dialing up the shock when loaded, er, when the TC is loaded. And dialing it down when not. Heck, I reach in past the tires to fondle my air bags so I think I can sure reach in there and twiddle a knob....without laying in the dirt.
Yours, Mr. Wizard
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Geewizard
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08/12/10 07:17pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Bilstein "Camper Special" rear shocks?
I believe this is yet another classic "Ford versus Chevy" argument that will never be settled. Those that love the adjustability of Ranchos will no doubt continue to support their use, and those who think that non-adjustable Bilsteins (or KYB's or whatever else) are better will likely stay with and defend their brand choices.
I have a feeling that the adjustable Ranchos are perhaps not the most advanced or best built shock out there (although they surely beat the heck out of factory shocks as most aftermarket shocks typically do). However, for TC use where the owner takes the camper on and off the truck, I just don't think you can beat their adjustability capability (and it's a function that DOES work independent of the exact mode or sophistication of operation). As I have said before, if Bilstein would come out with an adjustable shock, I might well switch at some point. Until then, I am sticking with my Rancho RS9000XL adjustable shocks that have a good price point, a lifetime warranty, and are ADJUSTABLE. YMMV
DonCurly, you ain't never done me wrong with advice in the past. I'm hot for a pair of Rancho RS9000XL shocks for my Tundra!
Are you double-d*mned sure you like them? :W
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Geewizard
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08/11/10 07:14pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Pop-up TC?
Anyone out there with a pop-up TC that can tell me if there's any issues with the wind with the top up, i.e., while camping. I've got a pop-up camper now that has a considerable "wind" issue which is one reason I'm considering a TC. Like the price and weight of a pop-up TC but will I have a similar problem with wind as the camper? Wanabe TC
I've had my 2004 Outfitter Apex 8 in some nasty winds with rain, sleet, snow, and hail. And, as a newbie, I drove off with the top up once and wondered why the truck was buffeting at 60! I've had no issues with wind or water getting in. I suggest you look at Outfitter's pop-up TCs because IMHO they are outstanding, before and after the sale.
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Geewizard
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08/09/10 09:17am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Convert Fridge to Electric ???'s
I think it was Sure Marine
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Geewizard
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08/05/10 01:58pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Battery life?
Well, I did it. Replaced the Trojan with a new Lifeline AGM battery that matches the existing Lifeline.
Thanks for all the input.
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Geewizard
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08/03/10 09:15am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Convert Fridge to Electric ???'s
I replaced my 3-way fridge with a Tundra 12v only fridge. In my case, I had to remove the door and frame to get things in or out and only slightly enlarge the existing cutout to make the Tundra fit.
I am REALLY happy with the Tundra fridge. It maintains temperatures so much better than the old one. And my propane consumption went way down which means more time boondocking.
It's all Steve-in-29's fault that I did this. And I'm glad he's a bad influence! :B
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Geewizard
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08/03/10 09:01am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Xantrex Prowatt SW 2000
The Prowatt is indeed a modified sine wave inverter but what trails2004 is really referring to is the PROwatt SW and it is indeed a true sine wave inverter.
There's the Xantrex PROwatt SW (sine wave) and the Xantrex Prowatt modified sine wave.
Funny how spelling makes a difference: notice the PRO versus the Pro.
And FWIW, my Prosine 1000 doesn't have any fancy features like Steve lists, it's just a good solid inverter.
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Geewizard
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08/01/10 08:05pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Battery life?
Considering where you live, I would put a new one in before any winter camping. Six years is a good run for a battery.
That's what I'm thinking too.
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Geewizard
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08/01/10 07:58pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Battery life?
Gee--
What kind and brand of battery did you get 6 years out of? I would say that is unheard of! How many batteries? Solar charge? Assume there are in your t/c.
I do check water and charge but only get 4 years on average with a pickup. The initial t/c batteries with my new unit died within 10 months. Very cheap worthless batteries. My tractor batteries rarely last 3 years. I now have big two 12 volt big Interstate batteries in my t/c and they seem to be working fine after 2 years. I know two 6 volt would be better. Even more 6 volt if I had the room, but as you know room in a t/c is somewhat of a concern.
Preston
The original battery is a Trojan deep cycle 12v, a 27TMX, I think. I'll know for sure when I pull it out and can read the side! I have two batteries, the Trojan and a Lifeline GPL27T. I have 120W of solar and yes, they're in my TC.
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Geewizard
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08/01/10 07:57pm |
Truck Campers
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Battery life?
I've got the original battery in my TC which makes it 6 years old. It's still working fine, I think, but when should I replace it? After it fails the load test?
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Geewizard
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08/01/10 01:22pm |
Truck Campers
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