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Date Posted |
Forum
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RE: Tie down question
Thank you all. I thought that to be the case, but wanted no surprises lol. Figured if I installed the tie downs now, I'd be ready when I found the right camper.
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seraphim
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05/06/12 10:12am |
Truck Campers
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Tie down question
We just purchased a truck, but have not chosen the camper yet. Are there any potential problems with me buying a set of heavy duty Torklift tie downs before identifying the camper I intend to use? The truck is a 3500 diesel dually, and it appears the only two factors in choosing the system are truck characteristics and weight of the camper.
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seraphim
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05/05/12 06:54pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Class B bedding
We roll out a foam pad, then a sleeping bag, on the sofa bed. Over that, a sheet, blanket, quilt as necessary. Takes only a few minutes to fold everything up and toss in the overhead.
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seraphim
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05/04/12 08:27am |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Resurrecting a Class B
Similar to our '95 Intervec Falcon, except we have a bathroom and shower in back where you have a dinette. Enjoy it - the old B's are fun.
Unfortunately, we'll be selling ours, as we just bought a GMC3500 4x4 diesel PU, and we're putting a TC on back. Retiring, and want to spend long periods on the road in places we need 4x4 to get to lol.
Post photos of your progress, as you resurrect it.
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seraphim
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05/04/12 08:24am |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Stupid, stupid, stupid...
I'm an amateur mechanic. I photgraph as I disassemble lol. A quick photo explains a lot...
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seraphim
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05/04/12 05:31am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: What Did You Do To Your Class B Today ?
Today, the GyrFalcon is getting new front brake sensors. It is being put on the market (regrettably) as we are changing to a truck camper. Personally, I hope it doesn't sell *grin*. DW thinks we shouldn't have two campers *sigh*
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seraphim
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05/01/12 09:47am |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Vehicle Choice
...What is the best vehicle option?
The first question I would ask is if you plan to be a camper or a traveller? The second question is what types of areas do you plan to stay at - resort campsites, state parks or remote boondocking?
We love our Class B for mobility. We now want something slightly larger, but still want to hit areas we can't take a trailer. In 5-10 years we may slow down and want a fifth wheel.
Our solution was to buy a GMC 3500 extended cab diesel. For now, we're getting a slide in camper. Later, probably the fifth wheel. We can still pull a 'toad' if we wish, at the moment.
With a bunch of kids, the question still becomes how many hours a day will you drive? Only a couple, a crew cab truck and trialer is very doable. For 8 hour travel days, not so much. A motor coach offers more room and freedom of movement during travel. They can't ride in a trailer enroute. While a toad may increase gas consumption, if you're going to camp in one spot a week at a time, the toad will be more convenient and cheaper for local travel.
Decide honestly on your travelling style, then choose the best option.
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seraphim
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05/01/12 05:57am |
Full-time RVing
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RE: Okay, I was wrong....bought a dually
1) Initial cost - drw truck is more expensive than an srw
2) Fuel mileage - drw trucks get less mpg than srw trucks
3) Beaches - drw trucks are not allowed on some beaches
4) Home - drw trucks cannot be parked overnight in some neighborhoods
5) Garage - drw trucks will not fit through some garage doors
6) Air - more tires to air up / air down
7) Lights - more light bulbs to burn out
8) Rocks - rocks may get stuck between the tires
9) Jack clearance - drw trucks require swing-out jack brackets
10) Ride - drw trucks ride rougher than srw trucks
11) Fenders - drw rear fenders can easily be damaged by rocks
12) Snow - snow can build up between rear tires
13) Replacement cost - more tires to replace
14) Rotation - difficult to nearly impossible to properly rotate tires
15) PSI - much more difficult to check the tire pressure on a drw
16) Flats - more difficult to change a rear flat on a drw truck
17) Flats - more difficult to know when you have a rear flat on a drw
18) Vision - can't see my bassboat when towing
19) Vibration - more difficult to keep 6 tires round and balanced
20) Self-esteem - duallys are ugly
21) Width - drw trucks can't fit through my local ATM drive through
22) Walmart - drw trucks can't park within a half mile of the entrance
23) Offroad - offroad use limited
For the most part, no one's disagreeing with you. So what's the point? Mostly, my answer to your claims are, "yep. So what? Doesn't bother me.". Except that I don't have a bass boat, and I happen to LIKE the way a dually looks. Despite your claim of 'fact', the appearance comment isn't. That's personal opinion.
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seraphim
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04/26/12 09:24am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Okay, I was wrong....bought a dually
1) Initial cost - drw truck is more expensive than an srw
2) Fuel mileage - drw trucks get less mpg than srw trucks
3) Beaches - drw trucks are not allowed on some beaches
4) Home - drw trucks cannot be parked overnight in some neighborhoods
5) Garage - drw trucks will not fit through some garage doors
6) Air - more tires to air up / air down
7) Lights - more light bulbs to burn out
8) Rocks - rocks may get stuck between the tires
9) Jack clearance - drw trucks require swing-out jack brackets
10) Ride - drw trucks ride rougher than srw trucks
11) Fenders - drw rear fenders can easily be damaged by rocks
12) Snow - snow can build up between rear tires
13) Replacement cost - more tires to replace
14) Rotation - difficult to nearly impossible to properly rotate tires
15) PSI - much more difficult to check the tire pressure on a drw
16) Flats - more difficult to change a rear flat on a drw truck
17) Flats - more difficult to know when you have a rear flat on a drw
18) Vision - can't see my bassboat when towing
19) Vibration - more difficult to keep 6 tires round and balanced
20) Self-esteem - duallys are ugly
21) Width - drw trucks can't fit through my local ATM drive through
22) Walmart - drw trucks can't park within a half mile of the entrance
23) Offroad - offroad use limited
For the most part, no one's disagreeing with you. So what's the point? Mostly, my answer to your claims are, "yep. So what? Doesn't bother me.". Except that I don't have a bass boat, and I happen to LIKE the way a dually looks. Despite your claim of 'fact', the appearance comment isn't. That's personal opinion.
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seraphim
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04/26/12 09:17am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Okay, I was wrong....bought a dually
Wow - cant believe the arguments. How about "to each his own"?
I like the inherent safety increase of the dually, plus the added CC. IIts not parked in a garage, I realize it will be less economical fuel wise, there may be a road I can't take where a SRW will fit, mey be more of a hassle and expense maintenance- wise, but it works for me. Should I decide to tow something, it will haul anything I want ( Duramax/Allison).
I am entirely happy that there are people who prefer a SRW. Doesn't bother me in the least.
As to the 23 reasons, I say "yea, so what?"
But I don't have a bass boat and dual lies aren't ugly.
Get off the computer and go camping.... *grin*
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seraphim
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04/26/12 09:08am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Crew Cabs are apparently not for carrying Truck Campers
TOO BAD THERE ARE NO 1 TON CREW CAB DUALLY TRUCKS TO LEGALLY CARRY ITS WEIGHT!
GMC WT 1 ton CC 4wd DWR rated 5133 lbs. 2WD DWR CC about 300 pounds more.
Wet weight of AF1150 (+ 500 lbs "stuff") is 5097. Pushing it a bit.
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seraphim
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04/25/12 05:32am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Okay, I was wrong....bought a dually
Because I can't get here in a motorhome. . . . . . .
Yep. Three weeks ago we drove four hours to test drive a Lexington 283TS my wife wanted. It was just what we were looking for, good price, and as the salesman went in to start the paperwork, she turned to me and said
"I don't want it. It wont go all the places we like to go."
Felt sorry for the salesman.
Nice photo.
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seraphim
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04/24/12 03:46am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Okay, I was wrong....bought a dually
This thread makes me feel better lol.
DW and I decided to make the move from a B to a TC. We decided to go heavy on the truck, figuring later in retirement we'd want a 5er. The truck we found just happened to be a dually; wasn't convinced we needed DWR, but last Saturday we bought a '12 GMC 3500 deisel: dually. Since then, I've found all the articles praising DRW.
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seraphim
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04/24/12 03:42am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Moving from a B to aTC
Look at B+
We've looked at everything the past year lol - even the Super Bs. We are basic people, and most have just too much extra stuff at too large a price tag. We almost laid down $80k for a Lexington 283GTS, but wanted something smaller. We like our old B better than the new ones, so no reason to do a lateral trade.
We're convinced the TC is the way to go, especially as we'll want something bigger down the line; so we're looking at diesels.
Considering a particular 2012 Sierra 3500 crew cab WT dually (Duramax/Allison). Got just what we need - no more no less - with less than 20 miles (and we put 13 of those on the test drive lol). It will take any TC, and pull a fifth wheel later on down the road should we desire.
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seraphim
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04/18/12 07:02am |
Truck Campers
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RE: tips on loading a tc...found this
We're looking at TC's now, and I think I've decided to never ever remove it from the truck. Just flat tow my '79 Super Beetle Cabriolet.
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seraphim
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04/17/12 12:19pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Moving from a B to aTC
Our B does have a cabover sleeping area, but its too difficult for us to get into, as its not a tall space. It's great for storage though, which is all we use it for.
As for small, we call it 'cozy' lol.
Thanks - you both are covering all the reasons we've been considering the transition. Our B is just a bit too small, and a C is way too big. The TC should cover our needs nicely.
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seraphim
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04/16/12 11:57am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Moving from a B to aTC
You mean unloading the camper? Said trailer. Don't know what class b you had, but the camper will be bigger and you will probably have worse gas mileage. I have been told the dual rear tires make the turning radius a little greater. We have both and are getting rid of the truck camper. We have been retired 10 years and climbing in and out of the camper and up and down from the bed getting uncomfortable for us.
Correction noted lol. We've test driven two with dual tires, and there didn't seem to be an issue. We're test driving a single tonight.
We want a little more space than we have in our B, and the TC seems to give us that without losing the mobility aspect. I don't expect to keep the TC forever: once we hit the point it becomes difficult, we'll move to a trailer/5th wheel. For now, we like to wake up by the mountain lakes which are difficult to get to, at times.
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seraphim
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04/16/12 03:51am |
Truck Campers
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Moving from a B to aTC
Retirement looms, and DW and I plan to spend much more time on the road. While we are comfortable in the B for up to a month, we decided something with a bit more space would make multi-month trips more bearable. We also like to be mobile and hit the places that require 4x4 in the mountains.
Looked at a Palimino Maverick 2902 and a GMC 3500HD extended cab with diesel engine and dual rear tires. Going overboard because we figure in five or ten years we'll move to a 5th wheel.
Other than the hassle of loading and unloading the trailer, what other considerations might a new TC owner be overlooking?
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seraphim
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04/15/12 05:56pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: What Did You Do To Your Class B Today ?
New automotive battery.
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seraphim
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12/06/11 03:46am |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Class B Campsite Photos - Let's See Them!
Huh. A goat and a hog...
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seraphim
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11/18/11 07:02am |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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