kstills

JimK, have you made the run up to the Arctic Circle? I'm reading how beautiful Canada and Alaska are, and I'm really looking forward to that trip. 

14 hours ago, Kirk W said:

Thanks for the complement. Keep in mind though that it is getting to be dated because we left the fulltime lifestyle back in late 2011. Things have been changing and I need to do some serious editing of parts of it. 

Noted, but the clarity of the writing and addressing a lot of issues that other people gloss over, I can't say enough about how well done that website is.  

I just spoke to Host today, and boy are they going all in with their off grid systems. 

1, 2 or 3 360AH Li batteries, with up to 5 190 watt solar panels! 

Good grief, that's an S ton of power! 

I also got them thinking of possibly offering an option for a composting toilet instead of the flush model. They'd have to delete the bathroom sink (which could be a deal breaker because of resale), my argument was that there was a sink less then 10 feet away that people could use. 

They can't retrofit the diesel/gas heaters because of priming issues when you drop the camper, but they do offer a residential fridge which would go great with the off grid package and leave all your propane for hot water and the furnace, if needed. 

Really nice people up there, it was a great conversation. 

On 10/15/2020 at 8:05 PM, Kirk W said:

On my website, I have reprinted by permission, a column about the cost of RV living that even though it was written back in 2001, it is as true today as it ever was and is still the best answer to the question of cost that I have ever read. I strongly suggest reading it.

Fulltime... How much does it take?

Kirk, you have one of the best websites for full timers that I've come across, and I've read lots. 

Excellent work. 

33 minutes ago, noteven said:

Those are cool. One of my main complaints with TC’s is the overhead messes up the aerodynamics of the truck - a cornering cross wind can set up some annoying whistles. In the 70’s you could buy inflatable donuts to go between the roof and overhead to fair out the area, stop bug smashes on the front of the camper, reduce the camper jiggle for and aft etc. Some people that have designed fairings report 2mpg economy increases. 
 

This company could likely put out a 2020 version.

I've been giving that fairing some thought myself. I'm wondering if the truck body companies that specialize in camper bodies could come with something like that? Would increase fuel economy and provide better insulation for the bottom of the bedroom which would help reduce condensation in colder weather. 

https://www.airskirts.com/

Now that's pretty cool. 

Wondering if you all think they could be used between the truck cab roof and bottom of the TC? Would certainly improve winter camping ability if they could. 

50 minutes ago, kb0zke said:

Just to add to the confusion, SD full-timers cannot legally buy a new handgun. SD requires a 30-day stay at a permanent address, NOT a State Park, mail forwarding service, etc. We're SD residents, and no go. (Of course, there is a shortage of suitable handguns and ammo now, but that's a different issue.) We're in WY right now, and talked to a retired LEO who works in a sporting goods store.We can legally buy a long gun here as long as we also buy a one-day hunting permit! I guess the State has to make some money somehow.

Welp, sounds like Texas will be home base. 

39 minutes ago, sandsys said:

We like Mountain House brand freeze-dried food because they cook the meals first then freeze-dry them so they taste great! We bought a lot of entrees and desserts (some from Backpackers Pantry) then we would make one entree and one dessert to feed the two of us. When it's just me, I eat the whole entree without a desert. It doesn't take a LOT of water to make these. I once brought a double batch of freeze-dried blueberry cheesecake to a potluck and it was very popular.

Linda

That's good to hear, as I haven't tried any of these yet and considering they are pretty expensive. Weight will always be an issue, so anything I can do to reduce it is appreciated. 

29 minutes ago, JimK said:

There is very little I would have done differently.  I got lucky with the initial purchase.  By luck I visited a truck camper expert, Bill Penney, at East End Campers, now Truck Camper Warehouse.  He sold me on  a relatively uncommon brand that he believed in as well built - Northstar.  I also bought a relatively new unit that was on consignment.  That also worked out well because the seller agreed to fix anything that was not like new and Bill did the inspection and made the couple of minor repairs he could find.  The Northstar Igloo also came with some features I would not want to do without.  First a full sized Queen bed.  We did immediately replace the mattress.  Second, there are no slides.  That greatly reduces weight, allows stealth mode and allows total use of the camper without extending slides.  Next it came with a wet bath.  We use a squeegee to dry down the walls after a shower and that works remarkably well and is quick.  That is a minor nuisance to gain that huge amount of space for storage and other use.  Finally it came with a cassette toilet.  I can empty it virtually anywhere including outhouses, a flush toilet if no one else is around to be bothered with the odor, a dump station and even once in an emergency, I dug a hole.  The only issue was a huge oversized compressor refrigerator.  I replaced that with a more reasonable sized Nova Kool and added a second solar panel and 2 x 150 AH AGM batteries.  My other mods have been pretty simple such as wardrobe dividers/shelves and a half dozen 12v charging ports.  I also put in a piece of indoor/outdoor carpeting which turned out to be a better choice than I imagined.  

The TC lifestyle is a  significant notch up from most conversion vans in terms of comfort and space but otherwise is similar.  It is a really good choice for those who are going to travel as opposed to those who spend long times in one area and are more concerned about TV, recliners, floor space and hook ups.  I have no set up/breakdown time except for the possible need to use leveling blocks or those very rare occasions when I need to unplug from 110v service. 

The pros and cons of a TC is the necessity of going everywhere with the full rig.   A quick story of my visits to Yellowstone might highlight this attribute.  Yellowstone campgrounds are always crowded but with a TC I can fit in virtually any campsite.  When I leave the campground during the day, I need to travel with my 13000# rig.  So when I drive over to the Lamar Valley it takes me longer to get there.  I can also avoid using some of the world's worst outhouses.  I can set up a lawn chair watching the wildlife, eat a hot meal and then take an afternoon nap.  Most of the visitors in their toads are worn out and leave by late afternoon.  Instead I have my dinner there and return usually well after sunset.  I see more wildlife in that last hour of daylight than I saw all during the daylight hours.

I hope that helps.     

 

Small world. 

IF it's the Truck Camper Warehouse in NH, we're headed there next weekend. 

You never feel cramped in the Igloo? I'm looking more at the double slide Host models because of the lack of room in the slide less models. Unfortunately, Host integrates the black tank and toilet, so I can't get them to replace both with a composting unit. One of the things going into the trailer. With the smaller fridge you don't run into issues running out of food boondocking? I'm aiming for being out 3 weeks at a time, and part of that will be buying dried food in bulk, lol. 

How much mobility do you have going off the beaten path? I'm really interested in getting further out than the motorhomes and vans, but size and weight will determine the distance that I'm able to travel, I'll bet. 4WD will help, but from what I've read anything short of a pop up is a challenge getting into the back country unless the roads are pretty good. 

Regarding going everywhere with the full rig, you don't drop your rig? Seems that some folks think it's a piece of cake, while others avoid it like the plague. Personally, I'd like a thicker jack system, especially for the larger units. Once these things are on the ground they look pretty 'spindly' and can be moved around a lot unless they are at the bottom range of the jacks. 

And yes, it helps tremendously.  

41 minutes ago, Kirk W said:

That does seem to be the way things are moving. I suppose that it is my age showing that I wish to see the forums continue and prefer them to tech discussions. 

While I really appreciate the forums, there is no way I'll participate on Facebook or any other social media platform. 

14 hours ago, Chad Heiser said:

That off grid package is very nice for a TC.  I have more than double that set up on my current 5th wheel and it allows me to basically be power independent as long as the sun is shining during the day.  As for running the air conditioner with that set up, it will probably be possible but the length of run time will still be limited.  The desired time to run the AC is usually early afternoon when it is hottest and there may not be enough solar harvest time left in the day to replenish the battery bank for overnight use after that.  It will depend on how you use the system and how much sun is available.  My TC use was over 15 years ago, so systems like that were nonexistent then.  I look at a serious boondocking rig as requiring solar, batteries, inverters, etc and it is nice to know they offer that from the factory.  I also want lots of water capacity for boondocking.  If you plan to haul additional water in the trailer you should be pretty good.  The composting toilet will also help.  Good luck with your plans.

The TX is going to be quite a bit smaller than the 5th wheel, so I'm hoping that it's enough to keep things cool on the occasions we need it without draining the batteries. I expect to be chasing the weather quite a bit of the time, hopefully not spending a great deal of time in hot and humid conditions. 

Plus, they have the extreme plus package with an additional 2 panels and two batteries, but I think you need a large dog to strap those onto. 

6 hours ago, JimK said:

 

Anyway I will be happy to answer any questions about full time TC camping.    

Oh boy, you may come to regret those words.  

First off, what would you personally have done differently? 

What are you personal pros and cons of the lifestyle? 

Did you have any other experience with RV living that directed you to TCs? 

Those are the starter questions, I have more.  

19 hours ago, Kirk W said:

I don't think that they are very common, but I have known 2 couples who were full-time in truck campers and another who, though now back to travel for a few months a year, they were full-time in theres for more than 5 years. They chose the truck in order to tow a cargo trailer full of tools and such. I would think that with the current availability of slides for truck campers that there will be more full-time use of them. 

 

I am definitely not giving up my tools.  

5 hours ago, Rich&Sylvia said:

There are very few.  I've met one couple from England who landed in the US, bought a TC and had been on the road full time for eight years. 
Our experience has led us cross country and back for a few months - faster than mail can catch up.
The problem with towing is that you lose a lot of the flexibility of a truck camper.  Like when a guy in front of you at a gas station leaves his vehicle and runs across the street to order not-so-fast-food.  Or a dead end dirt road on a dark and cold night.
It happens.
Laundromats - always an adventure.  Prescription forwarding - another concern.  We tow a Jeep which is a blessing and a curse at the same time.  The TC is so much enjoyable to drive without the tow - but the toad permits a greater range of opportunities.
Try it for a while, there are other choices.

 

Dead end dirt roads on a dark and cold night are called campsites.  

17 hours ago, noteven said:

Take a scout around “Truck Camper Magazine” they have featured articles on full time TC people.

 

I'm all over truck camper magazine. 

In fact, I'm all over everywhere, lol. The more information I get, the happier I am.  

13 hours ago, Chad Heiser said:

I used to own a TC and enjoyed it quite a bit, although I was not full time in it.  When it was just me, I really liked the TC for its amenities and ease of use.  The biggest draw back, even when I was single in the TC, was storage.  Storage of personal items and storage of fresh and waste water.  Truck campers do not have the space to offer much of either.  My TC had a slide out and when it was deployed, it was very nice inside for me and even for me and my wife.  When my step son came along, the space did get pretty small pretty quickly.

I towed a cargo trailer behind the truck to haul the gear we needed; like chairs, a BBQ, ground mat, cooler (because the fridge was so small), generator and fuel, etc.   As a part time RVer at the time, it was a big hassle to have to load the cargo trailer every time we wanted to go camping and unload the cargo trailer every time we got home (I used the cargo trailer for other purposes when not using it with the TC).  As a full timer, this wouldn't be as much of an issue because the gear would just live in the cargo trailer all the time for travel. 

The biggest advantage of the TC was being able to get into remote locations because of its size and agility.  The biggest disadvantage was not being able to stay in those locations as long as I would have liked because of the lack of storage for fresh and waste water and properly sized batteries for long term use (although lithium batteries can mitigate this somewhat now).

As an aside, I ran into one issue with my TC at a park that perplexed me as well.  I wanted to head off for an outing one day while staying in this particular RV park.  I went to drop the TC so I could just take the PU.  A park employee told me I could not do that as there was a state law preventing the TC being on its own in the RV park.  I called BS on that and eventually got them to admit it was just a policy their park had, but it still prevented me from doing the outing I had planned that day.

Chad, 

The ones I'm looking at have about 65 gallons of fresh water. That's on par with a lot of the TTs that I've looked at. I will be using the trailer for a composting toilet (fair weather) and also to carry extra water and propane which should allow me to extend boondocking into the three week range. 

Agreed on the lack of storage, I watched a video of someone in one of the units I like, and they were crowing about the storage they had, when in fact they would have to turn a small box of cereal sideways in order to fit it into the 'pantry'.  So for me, the trailer is a must have item to go along with the TC. 

Host has come out with three off grid packages using solar, lithium and inverters. The Extreme has ~600 watts solar, 480AH of lithium, and a 3000 watt inverter. I'm thinking you could probably run the AC with a setup like that. 

I've been all over the place with potential RVs here and on other forums, but our first plan was a TC and now were back seriously considering this option. I know they are smaller, I know that storage will be an issue, what i want to know is your personal experience in one. 

The advantage to me is access to more remote areas. A good off road trailer with the right setup takes care of a lot of the negatives of storage associated with these rigs, and the costs, while higher per square foot than TT or 5Ws isn't a real concern. 

Thanks in advance for your thoughts, though since there isn't a section on these forums for TCs I'm not hopeful that many here are using them in this capacity.  

28 minutes ago, mptjelgin said:

Excel made a very nice RV, so I'm curious as to why the RVCG rated it down. Another brand in this quality class was NuWa (Hitchiker). They folded in 2013 or 2014 but made very high quality RV's. We've been full-time in ours for almost 9 years now and it is holding up great. 

They didn't rate it badly, and it did get 4 stars, however the reliability score was sub 80 (just under) which is a personal cutoff .I understand all of these things are subjective.  They have floor plans that I really like, so their not out of consideration. 

I was looking at Excel, but the RVCG didn't rate that as high as I would have liked. 

Leaning towards Northwood at this point, but I'll check out the Teton and Carriage. 👍

Oof. 

Seems we getting a lot of perspective here. 

One appeal of the F350-450 variant is the ability to scout ahead when boondocking. Are the HDT variants able to do that successfully, or are you more at the mercy of a need for decent road surfaces? 

Leaning more towards a 4 season 5th wheel at this point with 'some' off road capability, so this does become an issue. Expect the max weight to be in the 17k range. 

I also believe you can never have too much truck, as long as it serves dual purposes. 

And what is this about wearing out the tranny on a F450? Are you saying a new truck towing a rig will chew up a transmission in 20-40k miles? Not much of a tow package if it does...

13 minutes ago, Star Dreamer said:

We had a 1ton Chevy Diesel Dually pulling an 18k trailer. It pulled it great, stopping was a problem. We had someone cut across in front of us to do a left hand turn and there was no way we were stopping in time, luckily they moved out of the way in time. This was with good trailer brakes. That truck also beat us to death and you were wore out after 6-8 hours of driving. We went to an HDT over 8 years ago. The HDT stopped the same trailer better and even one time when we only had one brake out of 6 working. We could drive easily 10  hours and still felt like we could go longer. The air ride is 100% better. 

And this issue is killing me atm, as there are some really nice used 5ers from Excel Peterson I would love to have, except that they all weigh a proverbial 8 tons....

11 minutes ago, Star Dreamer said:

We had a 1ton Chevy Diesel Dually pulling an 18k trailer. It pulled it great, stopping was a problem. We had someone cut across in front of us to do a left hand turn and there was no way we were stopping in time, luckily they moved out of the way in time. This was with good trailer brakes. That truck also beat us to death and you were wore out after 6-8 hours of driving. We went to an HDT over 8 years ago. The HDT stopped the same trailer better and even one time when we only had one brake out of 6 working. We could drive easily 10  hours and still felt like we could go longer. The air ride is 100% better. 

My issue is needing a get around vehicle if I go with a 5er. I don't think the HDT would be a very good 'drive to town' vehicle for the most part. 

What would you suggest would be the heaviest 5er to pull with a MDT? 

19 minutes ago, noteven said:

Trailer - 3 axle 39ft weighs 18,000lbs approx 3500 on the pin depending on garage load.

Truck - 160" wheelbase 2 axle Kenworth dually. 11R22.5 tires, air brakes. Truck by itself weighs 7100lbs on the steer axle and 7600lbs on the drive axle.

It has an economical 8.3 Cummins engine with only 950lbs/ft of torques and 280ish HP (2100 rpm) so it does not win any Tow Your Big Fiver To The Top Of The Hill Trophy Dashes.  

If fact, it is so slow climbing grades the awards ceremony and podium is always packed up and gone when I get to the top of the hill. I'd like to see the awards ceremony once .... 

Complete rig is 56ft long overall and handles nice.  Lots of brakes. 

My truck #2 that can pull this trailer is a 2006 Dodge diesel 168" wheelbase - kind of irrelevant in today's pickup world. This truck handles the trailer ok. It has a bigger turn radius than the Kenworth.  It burns more fuel / mile than the Kenworth. It's 4x4 so you can be braver where you want to camp. 

Pickups are kind of floppy under heavy trailers compared to fully grown trucks. 

Today's super pickups are pretty capable. For what they cost they should be. 

Would you consider a fully setup F450 as a suitable tow vehicle for your rig? 

What would be the dates that the quality really started to decline? 

Better to buy used and recondition, or are the new rigs built just as well? All opinions welcome