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RE: Make line on driveway for camper loading?
Ramblin Ralph, It's not like I have the experience or travel you have under your belt but I've been loading and unloading my camper the same way for some time.
I use spray paint, I simply out line the dually tires and the front tires. I use a strait line of paint from the outside of the dually set to the outside of the front set. It works very well. My driveway is gravel so it only holds up for so long but that's a good thing cause I don't always park in the same place. I'm talking about one of those upside down spray-paint cans you see used on the highway some times.
Good luck, joe
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notsobigjoe
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03/30/23 05:33pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Stable Lift on a 2006 Arctic Fox 1150
^What he said.
And I’ll add, from the pics and descriptions of the first 2 gents that posted, conquering a Stable Lift seems to be out of your wheelhouse. Stick with the jacks.
I agree with both of you. The stable lift was something I had to have. No one could talk me out of it. For the most part it was a disaster of monumental proportions. I chose not to add my opinion because the op wanted info on cog. I have got pics galore of the damage the stable lift and the installer "me" did to my truck camper.
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notsobigjoe
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03/26/23 05:41am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Stable Lift on a 2006 Arctic Fox 1150
6 inches each side.
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notsobigjoe
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03/24/23 06:39pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Stable Lift on a 2006 Arctic Fox 1150
Here is the stable lift on my lance 1181. Pretty much the same size and weight as yours.
This pic with the install complete and completely off center. The front jacks would just sort of lean back as I was lifting the rear. Hard to explain. This was where someone at stable lift told me to install it.
https://i.imgur.com/sFNi6Okl.jpg
After talking to Mont peters I completely removed it, drilled new holes and re installed all the way to the rear.
https://i.imgur.com/6G9uZlSl.jpg
I believe my SOG is 59 inches not 100% sure of that it's been a while.
I will be glad to answer Any other questions.
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notsobigjoe
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03/24/23 03:00pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: New to truck camping ...
For a different kind of camping at farms, wineries, museums, attractions, etc. You want to try Harvest Hosts. https://harvesthosts.com/?utm_source=HH-Newsletter&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=HHI-Members-MemberBenefitsHighlight030923
I never saw this before and this is pretty cool.
Thanks, Jim
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notsobigjoe
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03/19/23 03:17pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: New to truck camping ...
I live in central Florida and travel and camp in the keys pretty regularly. The Keys can be a tricky place. Most people love it or hate it.
https://jrtp.com/ - Nice park all around, especially if your a boater which we are. The seven mile bridge pilons are tremendous fishing spots and if the weather is rough on one side of the island you can launch on the other side of the island. You can catch 50 pounders around those pilons. all deep water.
https://newbook.rvonthego.com/search/?search_type=region&show_parks_near=Florida+Keys+-+Key+West - Fiesta Key is the best water I've seen, but a little too touristy for my likes. Sunshine is my usual go to in Marathon. Not touristy but very, very Hispanic which means they all go home to Miami during the week and you have the place to yourself.
I don't go south of Marathon because I don't like to camp and resort in the southern keys. Personal preference. But if you are interested...
There is one place a little further south called Big pine key campground and Marina. No pets because of the key deer and although beautiful the water it is rough.
If drinking and partying is your thing then go to Geiger key marina campground and local bar in key west. Beautiful water but little access to calmer seas.
Beverly Beach campground in Flagler beach up here by me is the nicest ocean view you'll get in the state of Florida.
If your into bass fishing and camping any lake and river will do at 5 am. the water is really nasty inland.
I know it's a little more than you asked for but that's where I usually go.
Any state campground in Florida is a year out unless your the luckiest person on earth.
I lived in Binghamton NY for half my life and the finger lakes have tremendous opportunity for camping. 1000 Islands up by you is gorgeous summer and winter. Also have you considered a small tow behind? they are cheap super light these days and you can leave them and travel around. All the storage you'll ever need. Not trying to talk you out of a truck camper.
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notsobigjoe
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03/18/23 04:34pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: part three of the broken frame saga.
It is obvious all us camp differently. Some are happy wiith 500 lbs of gear while other campers are pushing 7000 lbs.
I have a 10.5 foot camper that weighs 2600lbs wet, and loard for camping I am right at 3000lbs.. I have a hard time understanding what people take to make it weight that much haha.. now my 5th wheel I probably do have 1500lbs of "stuff" but where would you put all that in a truck camper.
How much does a case of Beer weigh? ~1 per day per person over X days... :) :)
- Mark0.
Bahaha, I drink whisky mostly, I usaly have a case of beer and a few cases of pop and then a selection of whisky/scotch. but that weight goes down fast and you cant count it haha
I used to have easily 100+ pounds of beer wine soda, mostly beer. Now I carry that much weight in toilet paper...:W
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notsobigjoe
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03/16/23 10:05am |
Truck Campers
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RE: part three of the broken frame saga.
IMHO - for Northwood,....it is hard to argue with that. Not too many people I know are ready to upgrade to a F550 or F650.
I agree, My 1181 is heavy enough. My wife and I looked at a cirrus this last weekend. The 820 model. I don't remember the numbers off the top of my head but it would be a perfect match for my dually. Fully loaded, water and everything else. I would certainly miss the slide out but having something lighter is starting to appeal to us. As many of you know I talked about looking at TT's and such. They are beautiful and unbelievably cheap compared to a TC and with my dually I could tow a palace. I towed for 25 years and I think I would hate it. I think there certainly is a market for the big ones and there are many super duty trucks out there but the price tag is unbelievable.
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notsobigjoe
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03/13/23 05:21pm |
Truck Campers
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part three of the broken frame saga.
A nice finish to the over weighted broken axle saga. Not really about the broken framed truck but informative as heck. It's a good read.
https://www.truckcamperadventure.com/is-the-eagle-cap-1165-too-big-and-heavy-for-a-one-ton-dually/
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notsobigjoe
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03/13/23 03:41pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Is this the biggest/heaviest TC on the market?
I wonder how this will ride on a Tacoma??
Mike I spit my coffee... LOL
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notsobigjoe
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03/12/23 04:06pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: It looks like my truck camper days are over.
I read the schedule, I know some of you guys are friends with Specta. Just curious if anyone heard anything?
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notsobigjoe
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03/09/23 11:07am |
Truck Campers
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RE: It looks like my truck camper days are over.
I concur with all the sentiments that have been expressed already. Sure glad you're here w us.
Me too!
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notsobigjoe
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03/07/23 02:55pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Bathroom door
A heavy door in a TC. One has to wonder about the design and the idea of keeping weight minimal for the job. I would throw away the door and hang a nice looking shower curtain.
That's what we did years ago and me or my wife have never missed the door.
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notsobigjoe
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02/27/23 02:37pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Queen Mine Tour in Bisbee Arizona
That was just Awesome Jeff, Thanks for posting.
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notsobigjoe
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02/24/23 03:39pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Furnace on while moving
And no I do not turn off the refrigerator when fueling. Finally, someone willing to admit this online. I don't either.
I don't have occasion to run my furnace often, but I did going through Flagstaff at 23° to keep the cat warm...and the pipes from freezing.
I don't either...
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notsobigjoe
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02/23/23 10:09am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Furnace on while moving
Been running with fridge and heat on for years. Never a problem. Fridge is run on 12 volt and heat is ignited by a glow plug. If I may suggest putting all of your bedding in the overhead stuffed up against the front wall to use to better insulate. And definitely use the overhead vent insulation of your choice.
I have never run the temp above the lowest setting of 50 degrees.
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notsobigjoe
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02/22/23 05:14pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: OKanagan interior panel needed
A little off topic but I always liked the that camper and the beautiful warm comfy interior. Always one of my favorites.
It's been a big part of our family's history, as we purchased it many years ago when the kids were young and I had the opportunity to work remotely (before it was ubiquitous like it is now) in the 2000s. We didn't get everywhere, but there were lots of memorable lengthy trips before they got older and could not get away as much.
We're in a new phase of life, with the kids gone/off to college, and we had considered selling the unit, but a recent trip to NC from IA showed us how often we visit or traverse areas that would be tough with a large 5th wheel and also how much we would need to consider in towing something (one of the largest reasons for the TC was neither of us wanted to tow). So, selling it is off the table. We then considered replacing it with a newer unit designed for just the two of us, but there's too many memories in this unit.
We also decided not to sell because it's just too useful. We've actually used it to live in full time between jobs, and we used it as a emergency home during times when the power was out, etc.
We *might* add a 5er down the road if the kids' destinations warrant a longer term "stay in one place" home far away from home and a desire not to impose on their hospitality, but the TC is staying. Still, since I need to make the IA->NC/SC trip every few months and there's no kids' schedules to work around, it's time to redo the unit to focus on amenities for 2 people, both of whom do computer work.
The only main gripe I have with the unit is the frig, which arguably is not the RV's fault. It is just so picky about leveling, and our older Class C dometic was absolutely unconcerned. There's many more options in this space now than in 2006, so it might get the boot at some point.
You can search my username for all of my trials and tribulations on vehicle setup, slide issues back in the day, etc. It's been a ride...
I feel the same way about my lance 1181. But for me a decision is in the near future as the camper and truck have both seen a better day. I bought the camper from a bank repo when I lived in Binghamton NY. It was in Martha's vineyard and was not in the greatest of shape. It is still sound as most lances are but I just replaced the booth and the shower stall. I'm doing the entire floor rip-out and install plus I'm putting a bit to much effort and money into this old truck. My wife keeps asking but I can't answer her just yet. Maybe next year???? Cheers
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notsobigjoe
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02/20/23 05:15pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: OKanagan interior panel needed
A little off topic but I always liked the that camper and the beautiful warm comfy interior. Always one of my favorites.
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notsobigjoe
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02/19/23 02:34pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: A happy ending?
TCA did an outstanding job of explaining, what I feel, is the primary reason this guy's frame failed---improper COG. If the COG had been located directly over the rear axle, and not a number of feet behind, this particular failure would have never occurred---even overloaded as he was.
If the owner of this truck would have taken the time to visit a scale (unloaded and loaded), yes, he would have discovered his truck was overloaded. However, he would have also discovered his front-axle was being off-loaded hundreds and hundreds of pounds---indicating a COG far behind the rear axle.
IMO, it's not a simple case of calculating GVWR and payload and calling it safe. *Where* you place the payload (COG) is a critical consideration, too.
Bingo!!!!
Not putting words in your mouth but I think the whole dam thing was his fault. The dealers told him it was OK and he believed them. That camper is heavy on a 550 much less a 3500. There has to be some kind of responsibility to the owner driver when doing something like this. It is the cornerstone of our weight police argument on many occasions. This man got in it and drove down the road to disaster. My god what if he was doing 60 or 70 forget it, they would have been killed and others too.
"Quote"
“First of all, Mike, I want to let you know that your assessment of the payload capacity is correct,” Michael Pavel told Truck Camper Adventure. “Yes, I was unaware of it when I bought the truck and camper and should have done more research on the payload.
"Quote"
But overloading the truck was only part of the couple’s problem. The triple-slide truck camper’s massive rear overhang plus two 72-pound bikes placed an inordinate amount of weight behind the rear axle. Coupled with the weight from the 1,100-pound 6.7L diesel engine and a 300-pound aftermarket front bumper, this fulcrum affect created a “bowing” affect in the center of the frame, exactly where Pavel’s Ram 3500 frame split in two. The arched and cracked frame shown in the photographs provide additional evidence that an excessive amount of weight was located behind the rear axle.
We have gone back and forth about this very topic "COG" tons of times. Not only is it more common than not but it most assuredly is the driver owner responsibility to be aware of such an easy mistake.
I am still solidly in the corner of being over weighted by a few hundred pounds but with my decades of TC owning experience this an acceptable place for me to be. I can certainly appreciate the every ouncers a little bit better with this article.
Cheers, Joe
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notsobigjoe
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02/16/23 10:22am |
Truck Campers
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A happy ending?
There are two articles about this much talked about topic on TCA. The first is literally almost word for word of all of the comments on this forum. I think someone posted this already...
https://www.truckcamperadventure.com/overloaded-ram-3500-dually-results-in-truck-camper-disaster/
The second article explains more of what actually happened. Sorry if someone already posted this. But all in all a good ending to a disaster.
https://www.truckcamperadventure.com/insurance-covers-repair-to-pavels-overloaded-and-broken-ram-3500-frame/
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notsobigjoe
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02/08/23 06:21am |
Truck Campers
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