Truck Campers -- A Compact RV Choice. All Northwood truck campers are built with Quality First. Still, I can usually fit it in a parking space. I’ll have to report an update then. If you are not sure how to do this, Gates has an excellent online resource to help you with this. The refrigerator manual that came with the camper was no help, but the refrigerator service manual included a simple diagnostic algorithm that let me figure out the problem in about five minutes. Here’s the Turtleback, parked on my truck in front of my RV garage. I use the wrenches to loosen a bolt, then twist the spring up or down on the screw. You may need to carry both SAE and metric size sockets for your truck and camper. Once I’ve got it parked where I want it, I remove the tie-downs. I also carry one in my 1961 Willys pickup. It easy enough to back up or park on any sort of angle in relation to a parking spot or campsite. Also, remember the above mentioned hose-repair kits and duct tape. I also greased the chassis and U-joints and checked all other fluid levels. Assuming that packing a truck camper for a vacation is easier because it is smaller is a faulty assumption. This proven system removes any undue stress from the vehicle and camper and allows full off-road axle articulation. With this article, my goal is to help you keep your stories about the great adventures you had rather than the calamities you survived. I have a cart roughly the same height as the truck bed that I’ve covered with an old saddle blanket and we lay the tailgate on that. When I’m ready to put the camper on the truck, I begin by using a remote control to crank up the camper so that its bottom is higher than the truck bed. A mini roll of their Emergency Sealing Tape (2” X 4’) is less than $12 and you can use it to make a quick permanent repair. Are any of the hoses swollen or soft to the touch? check out this loaded top of the line slide in truck camper generator, electric jacks. You don’t need to carry coolant unless you will be traveling in below-freezing weather. My rig fits into trailhead parking spots, just like any other full-sized pickup. Setting a slide-in truck camper atop a truck isn’t difficult to do, but it does require care and patience. I have made field repairs to my refrigerator, water heater, and furnace. He gave it to me when I bought the camper. Like any other RV, you need to prep the interior for travel. A cheap plastic tarp and a disposable coverall are handy if you need to work under the truck or camper in the mud. This includes your refrigerator, water heater, water pump, furnace, and battery system. Guns. Welcome to the second entry in January’s Mega Mod Contest. When I get home, I use my own compressor to inflate the air bags under the truck bed. Before the trip, I checked my preventative maintenance schedule and changed the transmission fluid, transfer case fluid, fuel filter, air filter, and serpentine belt. A truck camper is an RV that sits inside the bed of your truck. From small pickups like Ford Ranger to 1 – ton rating truck, you can easily find a suitable truck camper and dpf deletekits for your vehicle. Above: The fuel filter on a GM Duramax engine is much easier to change in your driveway at home. Due to the weight, I can’t do it by myself. Since the camper (supposedly) weighs about 3500 pounds, I figure three should support it comfortably. September 26, 2015. This was a huge step down in size from the fifth wheel I bought back in 2010, the Mobile Mansion, which I sold in September of this year. Travel Interactions. I left it parked that way overnight. Drive moderately and watch your temperature gauge until you can repair the system properly. You may want to consider bringing Slime tire sealant and a tire plug repair kit. I just shut off and lock the truck and move into the camper. For example, our camper came with Group 24 batteries. Not exactly true… I’ve seen quite a few people that have 5th wheels setup with hitches and pulling another trailer, typically a boat, behind the RV. Unlike caustic cleaners, these don’t pose any hazard of chemical burns, but they will help keep your camper drains running clear. There is an old saying that goes, “When you go on a trip; you either have great times or great stories”. Crawl under the truck and check every single nut and bolt you can reach. Hunting. That means making sure all cabinets are securely latched, all loose items are secured, all windows and vents are closed, the antenna is cranked down, and the slide has been slid in. I haven’t carried these with my newer trucks, but I went across the country with a 15-year-old Bronco once and brought one with me then. Arctic Fox Truck Campers include the 811, 990, 992, 996, 1140, and 1150. As with preparing your truck, it is much easier to fix things at home than on the road. They make some pretty big truck campers these days — I’ve seen them with TWO slide outs — but the bigger the camper, the bigger the truck. I check these regularly while we are traveling. While you are under your truck, take a look at the location of your filters – are they in a vulnerable spot where they might be punctured by a rock? Visit us or call us at (603) 256-6655. To adjust them, I use two 3/4 inch wrenches that I keep in a special bin with other tools related to the tie-downs in a compartment on the outside of the camper. There are too many important variables with selecting wheels and tires for this article, but carefully consider what will fit your truck, and what type of travel you’re interested in. I didn’t need the space and like the 500+ pound weight reduction. Leaving a Parked Helicopter with the Engine Running. I have been fortunate to not lose a hose in the backcountry, but I have changed them on the roadside a few times. You are ready. View Rayzr Truck Campers Once I put these on, they stay on until the camper is put away after a trip. (You can find a blog post about my “poor man’s backup camera” here.). Lance Camper builds America's favorite truck camper and ultra light weight travel trailers all DSI award winning and eco green friendly. We teach and learn by sharing what we know with others. The Lance truck camper offers a comfortable place to sleep. I then recommend bringing the old serpentine belt (or a new replacement) with you. Little by little, the truck takes the full weight of the camper. 5 Cures for an Inaccurate Rifle. So far, so good. Start by looking at your preventative maintenance schedule including engine oil and filters, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, tire wear, tire pressure, tire rotations, and brake system inspection (hoses, pads, fluids). I had to watch it carefully, but the damaged tire held enough pressure to last through the drive. But because my truck has somewhat bulging taillights, if I backed up that far, the camper’s overhang would rub on my taillight lenses, scratching or breaking them. Steven Merrill reveals his extensive preparations for a long-term, off-road, and off-the-grid truck camping experience. If you don’t have radiator hose repair tape, duct tape will work in a pinch. Even if you personally can’t do all of the repairs outlined in the manual, it might serve as a reference for a mechanic, especially if you have an older truck. How to Build a Lightweight Truck Camper: Follow the Instructions. Spam-free; unsubscribe anytime. When I’m done, I can put the remote away in a little pocket I installed inside the camper door. I leave the handle attached to the front driver’s side tie-down so it’s easy to disconnect when I refuel. I’ve been thinking of taking m family of 3 on an extended USA road trip (12-18 months) and trying to figure out which type of RV suits us best. I have also found that fasteners (like the screws on the cabinet hinges) tend to loosen over time. Be sure to pick up your #PTC stickers, shirts, and swag! Once the camper is in position, I shut down the truck, get out again, and use the remote to retract the camper’s legs. More than once, I’ve stopped for a hike or a rest and used the bathroom or made a meal in the kitchen. Next, I need to install the four support bars on the truck. As you can see, it’s pretty convenient for traveling. If I’m parking for the night and plan to leave in the morning, I don’t need to offload the camper. In the half-century since Steinbeck’s trip, truck campers and travel trailers have increased in size, quality and choice of amenities. There’s a wireless remote control for the four jacks right inside the door. Parts can come loose or crack. With the Mobile Mansion, I was kept out of far too many places because I wouldn’t be able to fit in, park, or even turn around. And the inside of each one is just as impressive as the outside, with all the comfort, technology, and convenience that makes travelers and campers anywhere feel like home. The Gun that Won the West. At this point, everything is done and I’m ready to roll. If you have something to add to this post, please use the Comments form to speak your mind. Essentially, if I use a tool for camper maintenance or repair, it goes in the toolbox. In the end, I decided against it, mostly because I didn’t want the bother of having a difficult to park rig. That is how small and convenient it is! 2017-02-14T19:55:09Z The letter F. A ghost. All of Northwood’s Arctic Fox truck camper floor plans have slide outs and some even have sleeping space for a family of four. My truck, for example, is a 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 with the Duramax engine. It symobilizes a website link url. The most difficult part is getting the truck tailgate off. You want the wheels you select to offer right traction for where you are going. First unplug the cable for the backup camera in the tailgate, then disconnect the cables that hold it up when it’s dropped, then angle it out of its pin hinges. Another benefit of the setup is having easy access to my living space any time I’m stopped. First, upgrade your wheels and tires for durability and traction. It prevents the camper from damaging the taillight lenses. “Second, you can’t really tow something behind a pull trailer.”. Some pop-top lightweight models fit into smaller trucks, but the typical hard-sided truck camper is … The trick is to position them properly and adjust them to the proper height on ground that might not be level. The serpentine belt drives your water pump and alternator and you will not get far without one. You can use the camper when it still attached to the truck or standing on it own legs and jacks. I check the air springs weekly. Expect to pay about $100 for this inspection in addition to any service or repairs that you might need. I usually park with the best view out the back. Rather it is categorized as cargo. Here are the saw horses I bought at Home Depot. The previous owner’s truck was a 2013 Ford F350 nearly identical to mine. For example, my Chevrolet pickup requires a special wrench to change the fuel filter. If I plan to park for more than just one night, I’ll likely want to be able to drive the truck without the camper loaded. No problem. I must remove them from the truck but can leave them dangling from the camper if I like. This means off-loading the camper. Fellow travelers seem to be a bit more approachable at campgrounds than in … On the one hand, you don’t want to carry something you don’t need and won’t ever use, but on the other hand you don’t want to be missing an essential item when you need it most. And you’re right — I’ve seen it done. My oil filter is similarly protected, so is unlikely to be pierced by an errant boulder. Find your nuCamp dealer today and begin your adventure. Here’s what the tie-downs on the driver’s side look like when installed. I have also seen a new pickup break a serpentine belt in the Arizona desert 90 miles from any kind of service. I bought these at Home Depot for about $50 each. Here’s the camper on its sawhorses while parked in my friend’s backyard. While towing a trailer might be easier for hooking up or unhooking when parked, having a pull trailer has two drawbacks. This cranks up the back of the truck a bit, but the weight of the camper will bring it back to level once installed. A broken coolant hose will strand you as surely as a broken serpentine belt. Radiator hoses seem to break most often near the junction with the radiator or engine. Then put these items on your standard packing list, and use it. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. His eyes are more trained than mine and he works on many similar trucks, so he knows trouble spots to check. Knowing how to replace your serpentine belt and having a spare serpentine belt ready is a simple and essential way to be prepared to take your pickup into the backcountry. Then I slowly and carefully back the truck under the camper. But before you do, be sure to read this site's Comment Policy. Again, that tool went in the toolbox. That’s why I keep the wrenches handy. Enter the world of the truck camper. These have a predictable service life and are readily available in parts stores and most big box stores. Even worse, when I have checked about service when traveling, the usual answer seems to be, “We are booked up until next week.”  Therefore, you will want to be able to diagnose and fix common problems yourself whenever possible. This is one truly robust extreme expedition vehicle designed from the ground up, specifically to suit the Iveco Daily 4x4. The tarp also helps to prevent the loss of small tools or parts that might otherwise disappear into the dirt and leaves on the ground. As you travel, adjust and pare the list. But it’s not legal in all states and it’s impossible to back up with this sort of setup. I also carry a rechargeable drill and seem to find some use for it during every trip. I watch my progress through the back window — I have to put down the rear seat to see clearly. I use the same cart to store the hardware needed to secure the camper to the truck. Due to the weight, I can’t do it by myself. * These are general guidelines to use when matching a Lance camper to your truck. In my experience, the service manuals are essential because the manuals that come with the camper are very limited in the information that they provide. Above: Regular use of an enzyme-based drain cleaner keeps our drains clear without needing to use a caustic product. Latest: Camper Nose Rebuild and Crossword Puzzle. 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