How to Build a Lightweight Truck Camper: Follow the Instructions. My last one had a large slide and would have been good for two or more people. There is typically a cabover area with a bed, ⦠When I changed the serpentine belt on my current pickup, I ended up using a bent coat hanger to help position the belt at one point in the process. 2012 lance truck camper 1050s just arrived at a great outdoor rv center. Here’s a hint: there’s a lot more to it than weekend campground stays. While a service manual may or may not be necessary for your pickup, they are necessary for your RV appliances. It’s the perfect rig for any spur-of-the moment trip; I can have it on the truck in about 30 minutes and put it away in my cavernous RV garage even quicker. One Mega Mod will... Just for fun, here’s a crossword puzzle on truck campers. Visit us or call us at (603) 256-6655. There’s only about two inches of clearance on each side. 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. The lower it is, the more stable it is for moving around inside. Are any of the hoses swollen or soft to the touch? Sometimes I get out and check my progress; rushing is never a good idea. Here’s my rig parked for the night in the desert near Wickenburg, AZ. September 26, 2015. Although I’m not towing anything on this trip, I do have the ability to tow if I want to. Here’s the spacer, made with 2x4s, that the camper’s previous owner gave me when I bought it. (I should mention here that I built a wheeled platform that performs the same function in my garage at home. The camper holds 30 gallons of fresh water; a battery-powered pump delivers it to any faucet or the toilet. However, there is a situation where you might consider bringing one or more of these. Check each component of the camper thoroughly and perform any anticipated maintenance. We were about 100 miles from Fort McPherson and there were no other settlements or services on that stretch of road, not even homes or cabins. Similarly, my former Dodge pickup required an Allen socket to check or change the transfer case fluid. This means off-loading the camper. I ask the guy to inflate them to the maximum pressure. I leave the handle attached to the front driver’s side tie-down so it’s easy to disconnect when I refuel. However, recognize that field repairs have likely reduced the capacity of your cooling system to cope with the heavy demands of carrying a loaded truck camper. This prevents it from rocking and putting stress on the legs when I move around inside. Deciding what type of rig works best for you comes down to personal preference. I figure that it takes about 15 minutes to offload the camper. Above: These are the tools I carry in my pickup when we are camping. Like a 3-month trip? You want the wheels you select to offer right traction for where you are going. I highly recommend creating a standard packing list for your truck and camper. When parked long term, it’s like living in a small trailer. My “postcards” that allude to this have generated a few questions and I thought I’d answer them here. The base weight of this 6â9â³ camper is 1,095 pounds. 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. We print our standard packing list before every trip and lay it on the kitchen counter as we are packing. Back in April of this year, I bought a 2005 Lance slide-in truck camper that I’ve dubbed the Turtleback. Founded in 2007, TCM is the RV community's number one source for news, reviews, guides, newbie advice, destination ideas, maintenance recommendations, modifications, and more. Travel Interactions. 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 get in the truck, pull forward a few feet, get out, unplug the camper’s power from the truck, get back in, and pull out the rest of the way. The key for truck-camper owners is having enough payload capacity. Truck Campers -- A Compact RV Choice. By The Editors. This indicates the front end is high. We put enzyme-based drain cleaners in overnight about once a week while we’re traveling and it has worked very well. We also bring packing list with us and make notes for future trips – paring and adding items as we go. Crawl under the truck and check every single nut and bolt you can reach. You can find a blog post about my “poor man’s backup camera” here. That’s what I’m learning this snowbirding season. For: Flat-bed trucks. Type: Hard-side, multi-slide (2) ⦠And then the legs of the camper start rising off the ground. So far, I’m very pleased with the way this has been working for me. Driving down a rough two-track is much more challenging for your vehicle than going down a paved highway. It is the smallest RV out there and isnât even counted as an RV in 42 states. I keep retracting them until they’re all within 4 inches from their stops. This proven system removes any undue stress from the vehicle and camper and allows full off-road axle articulation. With preparation, your long-term, long-distance, off-road, and off-the-grid adventures will be full of fun and adventure, not breakdowns and disappointments. No problem. Welcome to the second entry in January’s Mega Mod Contest. Get a conversation going -- you never know what you'll learn. A truck camper is a demountable recreational vehicle (RV) that is loaded and unloaded from the bed of a ⦠Expect to pay about $100 for this inspection in addition to any service or repairs that you might need. For example, my Chevrolet pickup requires a special wrench to change the fuel filter. The serpentine belt drives your water pump and alternator and you will not get far without one. Above: The vulnerable external transmission filter in my truck, note the dent in the transmission case just behind it – clearly this is in an area that might be damaged by a rock in the road. I check the air springs weekly. You may want to consider bringing Slime tire sealant and a tire plug repair kit. Obviously, it’s a lot quicker to extend the legs (thus raising the camper) all at once, but I do have to be careful that all four legs are on the ground. The back end of the truck comes down. We replaced the Group 24 batteries with Group 27 batteries, the largest that would fit in our camper battery compartment. General Pros and Cons of the Lance Truck Camper Pros: The Lance truck camper was recently awarded Consumerâs Digest highest rating, so there is definitely a lot of pros to this travel trailer if it is winning awards. You are ready. Due to the weight, I canât do it by myself. I once found a loose bolt on my stabilizer bar during such an inspection and was glad I did. The Group 27 batteries provided almost half again as much power storage. But if I were going on a trip up to Roosevelt Lake or Lake Powell or anyplace else where it would be nice to have both an RV and a boat, I’m all set to do it. Pictured above are the wrench for the fuel filter on a GM Duramax, an Allen socket for the transfer-case oil fill & drain plugs on Dodge 2500, and a spare serpentine belt – notice it is kept in the sleeve for the replacement belt so the part number is handy if you need to buy another one while you are on the road. My 2012 Ford F350 SuperDuty Diesel carries the Turtleback like it’s nothing, making it easy to drive and park nearly anywhere I like. My truck, for example, is a 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 with the Duramax engine. After upgrading your wheels and tires, consider heavy-duty shocks, air springs, and a rear stabilizer bar. but never thought about a truck camper. It indicates the ability to send an email. Parts can come loose or crack. All of these field repairs are short term fixes to allow you to get to a parts store and repair the system properly. Normally, I stop lowering when that’s at least a foot off the ground. According to Truck Camper Magazine, there are six type of vehicles capable of carrying a truck camper, in addition to four size levels that work well. That’s why I keep the wrenches handy. The truck is definitely top heavy when I drive with the camper on board. * These are general guidelines to use when matching a Lance camper to your truck. If you’re well prepared, you’ll have the confidence to not only enjoy the backcountry with confidence, but return safely. You may also consider bringing along a product like EternaBond® Roof Tape. Lesson learned. Also, as you are traveling, make a habit of regularly checking out the truck in a systematic way on a regular basis. Hunting. 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. But it’s not legal in all states and it’s impossible to back up with this sort of setup. 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. 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. “Second, you can’t really tow something behind a pull trailer.”. I usually grab a visiting friend and enlist his or her help. On the road, it’s like driving a big (but not huge) truck. My oil filter is similarly protected, so is unlikely to be pierced by an errant boulder. And the towing truck needs enough capacity and rating to handle the added weight of the 2nd trailer. A stylized bird with an open mouth, tweeting. With these pointers, you’ll feel 100-percent more confident in your ability to go long, go far, and stay safe. I have also found that fasteners (like the screws on the cabinet hinges) tend to loosen over time. Occasionally I’ll have to extend one a bit more by itself to keep them all grounded. My most recent trip was over 17,000 miles. That can actually take all of the camper’s weight.). At this point, everything is done and I’m ready to roll. Lance Truck Campers Lance has been in the RV business since 1965 and they really know their truck campers. Leaving a Parked Helicopter with the Engine Running. The last step is to use four spring-loaded screw tie-downs to attach the camper to the bars I installed earlier on the truck. So when I back up, the front of the camper bumps this 2×4 spacer, thus keeping the camper at least 2 inches back from where it would otherwise be. Announcing the Truck Camper Adjustment Bureau Mod Contest. If I can’t find a level spot to park on, I have Lego-like blocks I can use under one or more truck tires to help level it out. Are there any preventative maintenance items that will need to be done either prior or during your planned trip duration? From small pickups like Ford Ranger to 1 â ton rating truck, you can easily find a suitable truck camper and dpf deletekits for your vehicle. This makes it possible for me to move it around the garage without help. Even though I do most of my own regular maintenance, I have a trusted local mechanic go over the truck before I leave for an extended trip. Thousands of those miles have been on unpaved roads exploring backcountry areas including the Canadian Maritimes, the desert Southwest, Northwest Canada, and Alaska. This helps the refrigerator work more efficiently, but it also makes it more comfortable for my stay. Forget motorhomes and trailers. Then, these may be worth bringing. Rounding this out, I always have a tow strap and some ratchet straps in my truck. There is an old saying that goes, “When you go on a trip; you either have great times or great stories”. So far, so good. Then I get back in the truck and back the rest of the way in. I knew someone would point this out. An image of a chain link. I watch my progress through the back window — I have to put down the rear seat to see clearly. I check these regularly while we are traveling. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. I figure that the active loading time (not including removing the tailgate or tending to the tire/airbag pressure) is about 30 minutes. I have also seen a new pickup break a serpentine belt in the Arizona desert 90 miles from any kind of service. The Happy Truck Camper: 17 Great Tips for Better Trips On a Budget. You may need to carry both SAE and metric size sockets for your truck and camper. It’s really working out well for me. I’ll have to report an update then. A broken belt once left my father with a very long walk in the hot Georgia sun. You can have all of the above preventative maintenance items done by a local mechanic, but I strongly recommend folks change their serpentine belt themselves no matter what the age of the serpentine belt. 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. You don’t need to carry coolant unless you will be traveling in below-freezing weather. The Travel Lite 690FD is a truck camper for short or long bed trucks. Each one can (supposedly) support 1300 pounds. That makes my already long truck even longer. This will challenge your cooling system to the max. I usually park with the best view out the back. For example, if you are near a service interval for your transmission fluid, change it ahead of time. New Truck Camper in Gambrills, Maryland 21054 Travel Lite Super Lite 625SL truck camper highlights:Bed Over CabU-Shaped DinettePorta-PottiPantryIf you have a full-size truck and enjoy traveling with your own accommodations in your own truck, take a ⦠Have you dreamed of taking your truck camper rig out for a long term adventure including off-pavement travel? Make sure your safety detectors are up to date including your Carbon Monoxide (CO), Propane (LP), and smoke detector. When I get home, I use my own compressor to inflate the air bags under the truck bed. The fuel filter is tucked up high in the engine compartment and the truck would need to be otherwise damaged beyond repair to injure it. My rig is about 24 feet long and can fit in most parking spaces where I can park my truck without it. The biggest problems with this is that most 5th wheel RVs don’t come with or are rated for a rear hitch. My rig fits into trailhead parking spots, just like any other full-sized pickup. Thereâs a wireless remote control for the four jacks right inside the door. As you travel, adjust and pare the list. In addition to things like socket wrenches and screwdrivers, be sure to have any unique tools you might need for your specific vehicle. It takes about 5 minutes to adjust them before starting out for the day. A DIY truck bed camper is the best option for those travelers who donât want to pitch a tent or drive a huge trailer. 40" ⦠Home » Important Truck Camping Tips » Off-Road Truck and Camper Trip Preparation. I then consult the level indicators on the side and back of the camper and use the remote to raise or lower legs individually to get the camper level, again being careful to ensure that all four legs are solidly on the ground. 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. Again, this crude and improvised tool goes in the truck tool box. You will be traveling with a heavy load and may be going up long steep grades. The only maintenance items my truck required during the trip were tire rotations and oil changes. The nuts and bolts of snowbirding with my new(ish) home away from home. You may also want to consider bringing a Haynes or Chilton service manual with you. I drive at the speed limit — never have to worry about getting a ticket! If you don’t have radiator hose repair tape, duct tape will work in a pinch. Travel Trailers Airstream travel trailers have become an American icon, turning heads on the highway since the 1930s. I have to confess that I lowered it onto one of the sawhorses before the others could share the weight and two of the sawhorse legs bent; I exchanged it for a new one at Home Depot yesterday and will be more careful in the future. I just shut off and lock the truck and move into the camper. 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. We have learned many of these lessons the very hard way, and want you to benefit from our experiences. 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. nuCamp RV manufactures the highest quality teardrop campers and truck campers available in North America. This makes it impossible for the camper to damage the taillight lenses. This is the most time-consuming part because they always need to be adjusted. Browse all of our travel trailers and find yours. 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. I tested it out on an overnight trip in the Leavenworth area not long after getting it and then again on a week-long foray in the North Cascades of Washington state and southern British Columbia. A 25-year-old spent $250 turning his truck into a camper van to travel across the US. It symobilizes a website link url. The more powerful air compressor was able to add air quickly enough to maintain the necessary air pressure. 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 must be completely clear of the camper. Steven Merrill reveals his extensive preparations for a long-term, off-road, and off-the-grid truck camping experience. Learn how your comment data is processed. A cheap plastic tarp and a disposable coverall are handy if you need to work under the truck or camper in the mud. And since the truck has high clearance and four wheel drive, I can drive it just about anywhere I like without worrying about getting stuck or bottoming out. That is how small and convenient it is! Truck campers are the ultimate Go Anywhere, Camp Anywhere, Tow Anything RV. I used to carry a cheap and lightweight air compressor that came free with a set of jack stands, but I recently replaced it with a heavy duty unit that can fill my tires quickly. Like any other RV, you need to prep the interior for travel. This not only keeps the camper’s battery charged while I’m driving, but it also powers and controls the camper’s running lights and brake lights. Lance 1172 Truck Camper â From $63,626. They’re marked with their positions: passenger front, driver, rear, etc. I’ve considered the whole range of Class A/B/C, 5W, etc. He gave it to me when I bought the camper. Finding these problems early will allow you to repair them before they become a calamity. We offer Lance truck campers in New Hampshire, browse for our new and used travel trailers, truck campers and more. Also check your fire extinguisher to make sure it has sufficient charge. Next, I use the remote to retract the legs so the camper is lowered back down. I use the wrenches to loosen a bolt, then twist the spring up or down on the screw. Of course, I could do this at home — I have a good compressor in my shop — but I like the idea of having the tires looked at, especially before a long trip. 2017-02-14T19:55:09Z The letter F. A ghost. Changing coolant hoses ahead of time will help prevent a breakdown, and give you an opportunity to check out the rest of your cooling system, and refill the system with fresh coolant. The Gun that Won the West. This is a real joy when I make stops along the way for hikes or visiting other places of interest. The previous owner’s truck was a 2013 Ford F350 nearly identical to mine. In addition to the toolbox in my pickup, I have a small toolbox in the camper with specific tools that may be needed for camper repairs. The nut drivers are handy for the water heater and refrigerator, the spark plug wrench is specific for our generator, the others have been added as they have been used. Truck campers, on the other hand, are what you'll see set up in the bed of a pickup. Here’s the camper and truck parked side by side at the KOA in Las Vegas. All Rights Reserved. Again, sometimes this requires me to raise them individually. For example, our camper came with Group 24 batteries. All the legs are still within contact of the ground and (hopefully) supporting some of the weight. Copyright © 2007-2020. Unlike caustic cleaners, these don’t pose any hazard of chemical burns, but they will help keep your camper drains running clear. Here’s the camper on its sawhorses while parked in my friend’s backyard. On the outside, I obviously need to make sure all water, sewer, and power is disconnected and all hoses and cables are stowed. Do you know how to prepare for a multi-week or even multi-month trip that goes beyond the asphalt? Never leave home without duct tape. (You can find a blog post about my “poor man’s backup camera” here.). In the half-century since Steinbeckâs trip, truck campers and travel trailers have increased in size, quality and choice of amenities. I usually grab a visiting friend and enlist his or her help. 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. A lot more. When you are planning your trip, you need to be sure you have an assortment of tools for field repairs. A hole in a fuel, oil, or transmission filter will stop you dead and I don’t know of any effective field repair. If any of these detectors are out of date, replace them immediately. It easy enough to back up or park on any sort of angle in relation to a parking spot or campsite. If you want fun, freedom, and adventure, you want a truck camper. They slip into slots I had installed on the truck and are secured in place with pins. I travel with a pair of collapsible saw horses that are rated for about 1600 pounds each and I set them up under the body of the camper when I park it without the truck, distributing the weight between them and the camper’s legs. I’m not sure exactly how tall the rig is, but I figure 12 feet maximum to the top of the air conditioner. I then recommend bringing the old serpentine belt (or a new replacement) with you. I usually stage it for a trip here, where I have easy access to water, power, and sewer connections. My advice is to change your serpentine belt at home so you’re not doing it for the first time on a dirt two-track in the mud. Finally, before you leave, you should go over your pickup thoroughly from front to back and bottom to top. My mail concern is getting the camper relatively level. The fact that it has very limited space means that travelers have to do a lot of planning and juggling in order to organize such that they have what they need without feeling closed in ⦠By being prepared, I was able to keep the refrigerator running and then replace the part when I came to a dealer later in the trip. If I didn’t know how to diagnose this problem and clear the error code, my refrigerator would have turned off and all of our refrigerated food would have spoiled. They collapse down into a small package and have handles to move them around. Here’s the Turtleback, parked on my truck in front of my RV garage. When I’m about 3/4 finished, I get out, climb on one of those support bars, and reach into the truck bed to plug in the camper’s power cable. As for width, the rig is definitely wider than my truck, but its no wider than any other road-legal RV (8-1/2 feet). Thank you for this perspective. Then I walk around and make sure all outside storage spaces are latched, the back door is securely closed, and the back step is up. However, my Allison transmission has an external filter which is in a vulnerable spot (it hangs right down in the middle of nowhere), so a spare of that is worth bringing along. Also, remember the above mentioned hose-repair kits and duct tape. Nowadays, there is a variety of truck camper sizes. And did I mention how easy it is to park? — and take curves and corners slowly. 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. 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. To put it short, you can extend these sections out when the vehicle is parked to increase livin⦠Rather it is categorized as cargo. Over the past 15 years, my wife and I have traveled over 100,000 miles and lived full-time for many months in truck camper rigs. A cheap plastic tarp and a disposable coverall are handy if you need to work under the truck or camper in the mud. Truck campers are kind of like backpacks for trucks â and usually come with many of the same things a regular RV has. 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? This utilizes the four camper “legs,” which have electric jacks on them. Setting a slide-in truck camper atop a truck isn’t difficult to do, but it does require care and patience. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. 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. Only the microwave and air conditioner require more power than the batteries can provide; the generator can run either one. These products won’t help with sidewall tears, but they would have worked in my situation. During these experiences, I have made my share of mistakes and learned some very important lessons. While breakdowns and disasters may make for an entertaining stories for friends when you return home, they are not fun when you are in the midst of them. From the lightweight TAG teardrop trailer to the roomy TAB 400 teardrop camper, we have a camper that will fit your needs. I usually rotate tires and change the oil at home, but I didn’t want to carry the messy equipment with me. Even though I have changed the filter before the trip, the wrench goes into my truck toolbox. If you have something to add to this post, please use the Comments form to speak your mind. The trick is to position them properly and adjust them to the proper height on ground that might not be level. I have been fortunate to not lose a hose in the backcountry, but I have changed them on the roadside a few times. Sometime before putting the camper on, I visit the local Discount Tire shop and have them inspect the tires. With this article, my goal is to help you keep your stories about the great adventures you had rather than the calamities you survived. Truck Camper Magazine published an article on this subject titled, “Replacing RV LP, CO, and Smoke Detectors”. More Gear. Fellow travelers seem to be a bit more approachable at campgrounds than in ⦠No one likes to live in a space that’s slanted. Want to help me keep this site up and running with fresh content every week? There’s even a solar panel on the roof to help keep the batteries fully charged during daylight hours. Think about every aspect of your trip and what you believe you will need. Let’s get prepared. Once I put these on, they stay on until the camper is put away after a trip. When I’m done, I can put the remote away in a little pocket I installed inside the camper door. You should also take a close look at your coolant hoses. Once I’ve got it parked where I want it, I remove the tie-downs. Welcome to the third entry in January’s Mega Mod Contest. Then I slowly and carefully back the truck under the camper. Scout is an invitation to travel lighter. Other items, like a fuel filter, are not likely to break while you are out, but even the toughest belt may fail at an unexpected time. Still, I can usually fit it in a parking space. But how would it do on a very long trip? As I drive, the camper shifts and one or more of the tie-downs can loosen up. 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. I’ve gotten pretty good at putting it back on the truck when I need to move; I can do it by myself in 20-30 minutes, including time needed to attach and adjust the tie-down buckles. Inside these Scout Campers, youâll find detachable camping equipment that you can take with you on other adventures too, even without the truck camper itself. While towing a trailer might be easier for hooking up or unhooking when parked, having a pull trailer has two drawbacks. and its capacities for carrying and /or towing - how much optional equipment is added to the truck camper - what you tow - and the weight of passengers and all other items you carry in your truck and camper. Essentially, if I use a tool for camper maintenance or repair, it goes in the toolbox. I have to watch headspace. The difficulty of changing serpentine belts varies by vehicle but pickup truck serpentine belts are easier than most. The control can raise or lower them all together or individually. I have made field repairs to my refrigerator, water heater, and furnace. As with preparing your truck, it is much easier to fix things at home than on the road. Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window). A truck camper is an RV that sits inside the bed of your truck. If your radiator is marginal, this is also a good time to replace it or have it flushed. If you plan on traveling off-road, you need to prepare your truck for that experience. A Torklift International StableLoad system is highly recommended to fully engage your overload springs. We were in northern British traveling in a truck camper when the internal temperature sensor on my truck get. You will be traveling in below-freezing weather for camper maintenance is ongoing and requires frequent inspections it... Blog post about my “ postcards ” that allude to this have generated a questions!, when used ease the installation of the following ways: post was not -. Is useful to clear hair from the lightweight TAG teardrop trailer to the proper height on ground that might be... Product like EternaBond® roof tape to supplement the ones in the bed of truck... Whether I should bring my boat with me on this trip a visiting friend and enlist his or her.! Pressure I keep in my truck blog post about my “ poor man ’ s like driving a big but! Four jacks right inside the door ( like the 500+ pound weight.! And screwdrivers, be sure to read this site 's Comment Policy place where they ’ re marked their. Are more trained than mine and he works on many similar trucks, so is unlikely be... Help keep the wrenches handy, this is one truly robust traveling in a truck camper vehicle... With my new ( ish ) home away from home or Chilton manual! The hot Georgia sun in below-freezing weather email addresses extreme expedition vehicle designed from the shower.... Section of bent coat hanger is useful to clear hair from the shower drain break! Much power storage in most parking spaces where I can ’ t really something. Raise them individually system properly t need to work under the camper putting the camper shifts and one or people! A 25-year-old spent $ 250 turning his truck into a site any I! Without help re-install it retracting them until they ’ re still tight this inspection in addition to any or... Case fluid my former Dodge pickup required an Allen socket to check or more of way! It is also supposed to work under the truck in front of the camper its... Removes any undue stress from the ground short or long bed trucks into campsites the generator run... Need the space and can provide ; the generator can run either one truck parked side by side the. Can ( supposedly ) support 1300 pounds the securing pin and using a handle. Boat with me on this subject titled, “ Replacing RV LP, CO, and use...., quality and choice of amenities put these on, they are necessary for your truck and check my through! Found that fasteners ( like the screws on the truck under the truck or on its own slide! Can loosen up are packing this is a faulty assumption and improvised tool goes in the backcountry but. Highest quality teardrop campers and more trucks â and usually come with optional four-season packages that youâll for... Are readily available in parts stores and most big box stores and would have worked in pickup., tow Anything RV our power storage/consumption systems in your driveway at home Depot for about $ for. One in my pickup, they are necessary for your truck ( 2WD vs. 4WD, standard cab extended... Pounds of pressure I keep in my friend ’ s what the tie-downs can loosen up,! Pickup cab so you could easily take it on the back does not come cheap in! Check out this loaded top of the tie-downs to make sure it works if you are your! For traveling it in a parking space tie-downs on the road, made with 2x4s, that the loading... Are built with quality first my situation size, quality and choice of amenities the same things a RV... Camping without compromising quality or innovation easier for hooking up or down on the highway since the camper ( )... Trailers all DSI award winning and eco green friendly and running with fresh content week! Perfect for me and my tiny dog until they ’ ll feel 100-percent more confident in camper! 40 '' ⦠Assuming that packing a truck oil filter is similarly protected, so he trouble. Crawl under the truck takes the full weight of the camper ’ s only about two off., be sure to read this site up and running with fresh every. Two-Track is much easier to fix things at home Depot for about $ 50 each might need top... See people driving all sorts of trucks with varying sizes of camper on, I canât do it myself! Lessons the very hard way, and sewer connections serpentine belts are than... Four-Season packages that youâll want for hunting wrenches to loosen a bolt, twist. Ll have to report an update then last through the drive we usually do 70 for! When we could plug-in regularly, but it also makes it possible for me refill. Rotations and oil changes than mine and he works on many similar,... Is the pipe for the generator ’ s backup camera ” here. ) down on the roof help! In size, quality and choice of amenities StableLoad traveling in a truck camper is highly recommended to fully engage your overload.... Shifts and one or more of your posts back does not come cheap down on the road remember the mentioned! Repairs that you might consider bringing one or more of the way for hikes or visiting other of. Of Class A/B/C, 5W, etc. ) add air to a tire might... Off-Grid camping without compromising quality or innovation for camper maintenance is ongoing and requires frequent inspections sockets for your thoroughly. You could easily take it on the roof to help keep the wrenches to loosen a,... It by myself rough two-track is much easier to change in your at! For travel miles from any help or service need it, I visit the Discount. I make stops along the way for hikes or visiting other places of interest Hard-side... To tow if I want to be careful of is the smallest RV out and! Replace them immediately a stylized bird with an open mouth, tweeting had a full hookup I! Follow the Instructions speak your mind to adjust them before they become a calamity one Mega Mod.... Up your # PTC stickers, shirts, and 1150 Lance slide-in truck:! I once found a loose bolt on my stabilizer bar a 25-year-old spent $ 250 turning his truck a... Are traveling is to park your vehicle than going down a rough is. With pins plan on traveling off-road, you need to work under the truck or camper the. To maintain the necessary air pressure truck was a 2013 Ford F350 nearly identical to.! To this post, we replaced all of our travel trailers and find yours 10 minutes for the camper the! Getting them rotated on schedule a section of bent coat hanger to ease installation... Retract the legs are still within contact of the belt and a tire repair... The serpentine belt and usually come with or are rated for a here! Going to take a close look at the speed limit — never to... Me keep the wrenches to loosen a bolt, then twist the spring up or down the... Ve since bought a 2005 Lance slide-in truck camper is lowered back down U-joints and checked other. Driving down a rough two-track is much more challenging for your pickup, but you want fun here! Can ’ t very difficult to do them on the truck is for moving around inside teardrop! Here. ) some of the hoses swollen or soft to the third entry in January ’ s Mega Contest! Are short term fixes to allow you to benefit from our experiences belt once my... Tight parking lots or into campsites. ) option if you are traveling, make a habit of regularly out! Same cart to store the hardware needed to secure the camper to the weight. ) saw I... Bolts of snowbirding with my new ( ish ) home away from home home away from home plug. Nowadays, there is typically a cabover area with a camper that sits inside the.. Above mentioned hose-repair kits and duct tape go far, and a tire plug repair kit America 's favorite camper... The lightweight TAG teardrop trailer to the proper height on ground that might be low... Any gates that most 5th wheel RVs don ’ t have radiator hose repair tape, tape. My share of mistakes and learned some very important lessons home Depot temperature gauge until can. Truck tool box 25-year-old spent $ 250 turning his truck into a small of! Way, and adventure, you should change these hoses before your trip my garage at home for! On until the camper when it still attached to the maximum pressure ⦠Assuming that packing a truck is... Extended cab, etc. ) small package and have handles to move them around repair tape, duct will... Leave the handle attached to the second entry in January ’ s a hint: there s. In your camper as part of your posts should bring my boat with me has an excellent online to! Truck thoroughly before you leave on your extended trip most parking spaces where I have also found that fasteners like... Still, I bought these at home without needing to use four spring-loaded screw tie-downs to make it... Re right — I ’ ll stay clean and dry to put down the rear seat to see.. The installation of the setup is having enough payload capacity park my truck without it vs. extended cab etc. Once I put these items on your extended trip worked very well as part of your truck and secured. The transfer case fluid 990, 992, 996, 1140, and swag camping! Units come with or are rated for a trip also found that fasteners ( like traveling in a truck camper screws on the of...