Coast Resorts Open Roads Forum: So what did you do to your Truck Camper today?

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Topic: So what did you do to your Truck Camper today?

Posted By: JoeChiOhki on 10/25/12 02:14am

Well, kinda for the camper, but I have forked out the money for a new Group 27 Automotive starting battery to replace the 108 month Exide that died a hard death when I left the bed light on by accident one night while camped here at Kankakee River State Park. I was able to jump start, just barely, using the deep cycle, which I discovered was also in a bad way (which annoys me as it was in great shape when I left Oregon), but it wouldn't hold a charge worth******after it got run down.

Then discovered that the housing on the group 27 deep cycle that was also under the hood had developed a small leak in the housing and had lost a half gallon of water since I got to Kankakee (likely from being jarred around on the local roads or while I was in Chicago), so it got replaced with a nice new Group 27 Interstate.

So, a couple hundred later, my rigs battery banks are all back up to snuff, as they will be tested when I start back through the mountains in another week or so, where I-80 has already been shut down once between Laramie and Cheyenne because of the current snow front moving through.

Now, I will give that the truck's onboard batteries were both likely close to end of life. The Group 27 deep cycle was brand new in 2008, and the group 27 starting battery was new in february 2007 (Bought it right after my camping trip with INSAYN up at Diamond Lake).

The camper's onboard batteries are fine, and roughly a year old, so the age separation on the batteries isn't as drastic now.

I do think, though, when it comes time to replace the two group 31s, I'm going to go with Interstates as they cost a helluva lot less than Trojans.

My Blog - The Journey of the Redneck Express
CB Channel 17 Redneck Express
'1992 Dodge W-250 "Dually" Power Wagon - Club Cab Long Bed 4x4 V8 5.9L gashog w/4.10 Geared axles
'1974 KIT Kamper 1106 - 11' Slide-in
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Posted By: Buzzcut1 on 10/25/12 07:13am

put flannel sheets and a down comforter on the bed for the winter.

2011 F350 6.7L Diesel 4x4 CrewCab longbed Dually, 2019 Lance 1062, Torqlift Talons, Fast Guns, upper and lower Stable Loads, Super Hitch, 48" Super Truss, Airlift loadlifter 5000 extreme airbags

Posted By: ggadwa on 10/25/12 10:13am

Just returned from 10 days in Yellowstone N.P.....it was so nice there with almost no Tourists. Pretty short on open campgrounds but really was an awesome late fall trip, spent most of it in Slough Creek Campground which is a NO Generators site. Solar panel and LED lighting really worked nicely. Now back home, Stanley Idaho with 6 inches of new snow and near zero temps.....sadly we have winterized the camper.
However, it won't take much to get her back on the road when we get the itch to head South for a spell.

Gary and Laurii

HAM RADIO Operator since 1964 'W7FSI'
EAGLE CAP 2011 950 CUSTOM BUILT by the great folks at LaGrande Oregon
2012 FORD 350 XLT 6.7L Diesel 4x4 Super Cab with lots of stuff

Posted By: flyguidemike on 10/25/12 03:24pm

I just put on my new Yakima cargo box on the roof of our Lance camper and I have been getting the camper ready for a 1 month trip to the oregon and California coast we can't wait to hit the road and see that part of the country. this will be our longest trip in the camper.

2016 Arctic fox 996
2006 GMC Sierra 3500 SRW
19.5 Rickson's
Toyo M608 225/70/19.5
1996 Champion 21' Bass boat
2014 Adipose Drift Boat

Posted By: Buzzcut1 on 10/27/12 11:57am

hit the road this morning for a working EMT weekend

[image]

Posted By: SpknTC on 10/27/12 12:09pm

flyguidemike wrote:

I think RV.net has a new rule, trip reports required especially with pics!! [emoticon]

Ford F450 6.7L PSD DRW 4X4
Arctic Fox 865

Posted By: Camper_Jeff_&_Kelli on 10/27/12 12:28pm

Ran out and checked where the roof was leaking and the temp fix is working. It's raining and not to stop till tomorrow when if dry, I'll try to fix it proper.

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Posted By: TwoMaineiacs on 10/27/12 03:26pm

Doubled checked that the propane tanks were full since we've been keeping the heat on at 45F. Maine's starting to get cold at night. Put few more gallons of fresh water in and checked the water level in the batteries. The TC can act as a source of power if we get clobbered by the approaching storm. Not expecting any problems with the storm but nice to know you have power and heat if needed.

2011 Chalet Double Slide on a 2013 F-450 Diesel DRW
On the Road Again from Rural Maine
Our travel blog with photos

Posted By: noxinnhoj on 10/27/12 06:16pm

went out and looked for leaks with my trusty flashlight,all is well,we are paying for our late summer with endless rain [emoticon]

1995 silverado dually,2005 lance 915 lite

Posted By: noxinnhoj on 10/27/12 06:17pm

went out and looked for leaks with my trusty flashlight,all is well,we are paying for our late summer with endless rain [emoticon]

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