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RE: Replacing Emergency Exit Cover

I needed a Hinges old style hinge which was just curled metal that slipped into similarly curled metal. There may be a small retaining tab on one of the hinges to bend to allow the hatch cover to slide out to the side. Open all the way, release the red hatch lever and lift the whole screen and cover up 90 or more degrees to slide past the frame.
There was no replacement hatch cover available for my 22x22 hatch opening so I had to purchase aluminium angle, plexiglass, aluminium rivets, marine sealant, and fabricated my own cover. Works better than the original and since it's double pane and clear, I can stargaze while laying in bed.
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Camper_Jeff_&_Kelli
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03/23/23 09:38pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Is this the biggest/heaviest TC on the market?

I know early on, S&S tried to make a slide out TC, Dinette only, and it had structural issues with the wood framing. They stopped making it after a couple years. Since this beast is going to be on a flatbed, it should be fully supported and not be subject to the same issues as a standard TC. With the weight and size of this model, I would think it to be prudent to install a few Simpson Z-MAX steel connector brackets in the most stressed points of the framing like corner walls and the cabover. It looks like it has decent solar, I would prefer about 600 AH LIFEPO, 3x200AH batteries in there and a 3000 watt Victron or Xantrex inverter charger to run electrical appliances and AC possibly in the form of a mini split. In our case, I could do without the rear couch bed area and convert it into a wardrobe, shelves, and pantry. Everybody has different needs. I'd also consider installing windows in the side wall of the slides. Something else I treasure on my current setup is the cab/TC passthrough. The cats love it and I can squeeze up into the truck in case of an emergency. It's not a friendly design for OffRoad and rougher terrain with the length of the rear overhang sticking out the back. For someone who's going to stick to the main roads and well maintained gravel roads, it's going to be a great home or home away from home.
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Camper_Jeff_&_Kelli
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03/13/23 06:58pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Had to cut my roadtrip short, sewer problems at home

I came home early this year. The south was not particularly warm.
Winter definitely we t south for the winter term. I don't recall if I mentioned it was 5 degrees F when I first checked the weather app.
It'll be nice to be home again with my kitties and what's her name...
Kelli,kidding....
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Camper_Jeff_&_Kelli
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03/01/23 07:12pm |
Truck Campers
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Had to cut my roadtrip short, sewer problems at home

Video short, driving the blizzard
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Camper_Jeff_&_Kelli
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03/01/23 09:45am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Queen Mine Tour in Bisbee Arizona

That was just Awesome Jeff, Thanks for posting.
Glad you enjoyed it.
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Camper_Jeff_&_Kelli
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02/24/23 07:41pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Queen Mine Tour in Bisbee Arizona

Camper Jeff, last week Thursday and Friday we were at the nearby Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area and the weather was chilly, windy and dusty, and I see it didn't get any better...
JK
Now near Big Bend NP in the 80s
I'm leaving the Whitewater Draw this morning. Spent 3 days here in the wind and rain. Very enjoyable place. Coyotes were very active and loud last night.
Going to Indian Bread Hills to meet friends for a couple days. May go from there to the Grand Canyon of Texas afterwards. Big Bend could be next. 80's sounds like a nice change. I hope you're enjoying your trip as much as I am mine. Take care.
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Camper_Jeff_&_Kelli
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02/24/23 09:59am |
Truck Campers
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Queen Mine Tour in Bisbee Arizona

Queen Mine Tour Bisbee Arizona
I was enjoying some BLM camping on a mountaintop just outside the town of Bisbee, when the winds and rains came, never ceasing. Being on top where I was enjoying the view, the location offered no protection from the expected high winds. It's been 5 days since then and the wind and rain has never stopped. So far, this is the coldest, wettest winter roadtrip I've ever taken. Fortunately, I've been blessed with interesting places the whole way on this roadtrip. History buffs will enjoy this video. For time sake, I've cut a lot out but I admit it's still a long video. Fast forward where you must and I hope you'll enjoy this abbreviated Queen Mine Tour.
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Camper_Jeff_&_Kelli
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02/24/23 04:35am |
Truck Campers
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What Happens In Quartzsite 3 F35 Refueling From A KC135

What Happens In Quartzsite USAF F35 KC135
A couple days happenings around Quartzsite.
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Camper_Jeff_&_Kelli
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02/17/23 01:43pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: I Am At The Quartzsite Truck Camper Rally One Minute Video

The TC Rally was a lot of fun. I showed up with a group of five other TCers and 1 Vanner. I have a few videos from the rally waiting to be edited. Some walk throughs and a couple walk arounds looking at various rigs. I did not attend any seminars but a couple of the others in my group did, I think the Diesel one. Four of us did manage to attend the dessert social. Very tasty! The concert was good. We were close enough to enjoy it from our camp. I spent a good amount of time walking about and meeting folks. I'm terrible with names but we did have a great time meeting Phil, 3 tons and others. There is one couple who came by to say hi and I apologize I was distracted by others when you came by and wasn't able to give you my full attention you deserved. I have already posted other videos during my stay in the Quartzsite area but have not posted them here. When I get the Rally videos ready, I'll share them here. So again, my group agrees, the rally was a great success and a lot of fun, we all plan to attend again next year. I highly recommend and thank Mike for putting it on.
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Camper_Jeff_&_Kelli
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02/17/23 01:34pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: I Am At The Quartzsite Truck Camper Rally One Minute Video

We finish packing today and plan to be there tomorrow. Looking forward to the event. This will be our first time attending a rally. Guess you would call us "Rally Rookies" even though we have over 20 years of truck camping experience :) Camped throughout Canada and have several trips up and down the Alaska Highway.
The rally should be fun!
My guess, this'll be a cinch for you. Prepare to enjoy, bring your smiles.
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Camper_Jeff_&_Kelli
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02/07/23 09:51am |
Truck Campers
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I Am At The Quartzsite Truck Camper Rally One Minute Video

Quartzsite Truck Camper Rally One Minute 360 View
Currently enjoying 30 mph winds + gusts. Daytime temps are very comfortable, 70ish +/-
Official kickoff is the 8th.
Say hi if you notice me.
Jeff
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Camper_Jeff_&_Kelli
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02/06/23 06:49pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Wiring 4 awg charging wire to upgrade 8 awg factory wire.

I believe Ford is still the only one with switched power at the trailer plug.
I was just thinking, there could be a condition where you're sitting in the Truck, key on, engine off, and the DC DC charger is pumping 30 amps from the truck battery back to the TC batteries. That could be a recipe for a dead battery. Quartzite has been a lot of fun. Truck Camper rally starts next week. Hope to see some RV.netters there.
not if you hook up the trigger wire properly to a source that is only hot when the engine is running like the altanator.
Steve
The battery a d alternator are connected so I believe the alternator will always look to be live at minimum battery voltage. If that is enough to trigger the Orion harder to activate, I'll have to test for that. I'll make a point t to do that at the rally this co.i g week.
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Camper_Jeff_&_Kelli
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01/28/23 01:30pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Installing a new Thetford Toilet and water supply line

Yes, I'm going to find a piece of plastic to act as a stop to the pedal. The inside e valve to the toilet or for that matter any location is a good idea. May swi g by the RV store in the AM and get one. I have an end cap that will go over the barb fitting assets in the video to cap the line and use the rest of the water system. It's something that would rarely be used. In my case, I could use it to extend the pipe which would allow me to cut off the scratched damaged that has a tiny leak. The valve would let me cut off enough that I would have unmolested pipe to attach to the fitting.
I'm also going to fit a piece of plastic under the seat at the back. There is toilet rim therethat can support the seat. I'm not certain a residential toilet seat can be altered to work since there is a big notched area preventing or making that option difficult. The support block should be fine.
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Camper_Jeff_&_Kelli
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01/27/23 05:59pm |
Truck Campers
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Things I've been doing around Quartzite, AZ.

VIDEO Things I've been doing around Quartzite, AZ. VIDEO
VW's and Avion's and Gonagain OH My!
Some things I've been doing in Quartzite, AZ.
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Camper_Jeff_&_Kelli
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01/26/23 01:53am |
Truck Campers
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Installing a new Thetford Toilet and water supply line

New Toilet For The Truck Camper. OLD Toilet Flush Valve Broke. New Water Supply Line Too.
VIDEO Installing A New Thetford Toilet VIDEO
Several issues to overcome. Rant about quality at end.
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Camper_Jeff_&_Kelli
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01/25/23 11:57pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Wiring 4 awg charging wire to upgrade 8 awg factory wire.

I believe Ford is still the only one with switched power at the trailer plug.
I was just thinking, there could be a condition where you're sitting in the Truck, key on, engine off, and the DC DC charger is pumping 30 amps from the truck battery back to the TC batteries. That could be a recipe for a dead battery. Quartzite has been a lot of fun. Truck Camper rally starts next week. Hope to see some RV.netters there.
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Camper_Jeff_&_Kelli
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01/24/23 09:14am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Wiring 4 awg charging wire to upgrade 8 awg factory wire.

Well gosh darn. There were several good threads on this topic in the Truck Camper University section but many pictures have lost connection making it tough to use.
I used a 4 awg battery cable off the alternator and Negative off the Battery. I routed the wires down under the body along the frame rails inside split loom and zip tied to various points along the frame. I came up through between the inner and outer bed box panels and installed a 100 amp lift gate plug in the front left corner of the bed. I drilled a hole next to my 7 pin plug, converted from S&S 6 pin rectangle. I plug the lift gate for the connection and it works very well, mounts solidly. When you connect the DC DC charger, you don't want any other truck battery connection to the camper batteries. Charge with the DC DC only and nothing else. If you connect the stock wire to the TC batteries, you will be confusing the system with a different voltage and you don't want that. You can use the old wire for a trigger wire to the DC DC unit since it comes live with the key and will activate the DC DC charger.
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Camper_Jeff_&_Kelli
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01/23/23 11:01pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Broken Frame on a RAM 3500

It is not a motorcycle rack or motorcycle off the rear. The owner had two e-bikes which weigh 60-80 lbs each. Verify your information before posting or I will delete posts or lock this thread. This failure was on a 2020 Ram 3500 DRW crew cab long bed.
What makes me scratch my head is, the center of gravity is supposed to be within a few inches of center over the rear wheels. Is it known whether the cabover was loaded down with heavy items? I carry a few hundred pounds of cameras, computers, clothes up there myself. I've also hit some pretty hard air worthy dips in the road with no consequence coming down out of the mountains.
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Camper_Jeff_&_Kelli
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01/02/23 12:11pm |
Truck Campers
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I found a wonderfully detailed video rebuilding of an S&S TC

Video Playlist rebuilding a S&S wood frame truck camper. Anybody wondering how to repair their wood frame truck camper could learn a lot from this series. This is definately going to help me with upcoming repairs to my S&S.
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Camper_Jeff_&_Kelli
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01/02/23 08:21am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Broken Frame on a RAM 3500

Those really big truck campers should be on the bigger 550-5500 trucks. Bigger brakes too that way. I know my F250 is probably a little overloaded but not severely. I have the higher rated 3400 pound each load range E tires, heavy sway bars front and rear, Larger 5500-pound leaf springs in the rear and soon, 3 leaf heavier springs in the front, Firestone airbags which provide a third center support point to the frame directly above the axle and halfway between the front and rear shackles. No signs of frame stress at the usual break point between the bed and cab. I would really hate to have it do something to me when I'm on one of those middle of nowhere back roads like at Alamo Reservoir, AZ last year, (Alamo Rd.) when I sank into the deep road gravel. there were several bouncy parts to that road for which I'm glad nothing happened.
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Camper_Jeff_&_Kelli
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12/29/22 10:45pm |
Truck Campers
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