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RE: Another airfoil option
I could flex my bed/cab enough just getting out of my driveway to get that bar to hit my cabover. Keep an eye out so you don't damage anything...
The airfoil itself is flexible and is sitting ~ 1" from the TC.
The cross bar (rigid) is ~ 3" from the TC...if it hits when porpoising it only takes a minute to remove the whole thing and toss it inside.
I also have some room to move it forward a bit which will increase clearance...and also decrease (?) the effectiveness of the foil as the gap will also increase.
Stay tuned.
B
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billtex
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05/21/13 12:03pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Another airfoil option
KK , I think one of our members uses an inflatable twin mattress. But i would be check to be careful about the paint rubbing off.
One other thing Bill .....if this does work and you gain MPG, then you know that DW's use this is ammo , an excuse for a less expensive trip ..... to take more girlfriend trips .
This means you stay home become the cook and housekeeper for a spell . Out come your clothes and in go hers .
I guess it doesn't matter , you still like to backpack :B
Hey Bob, to be honest I am spending more time in tents lately...the Scouts keep me busy (and sleeping on the ground)!
Have not tried it yet, will report soon.
I have used the Thule windfoil when the TC is not on and it does not whistle (if installed correctly).
I expect that it will deflect air from getting trapped under the TC/between cab of truck..as opposed to "cutting through the air".
Bugs? Oh well...that's what the 303 is for...makes them easy to clean off.
I am concerned about porpoising...I have to make a short run to the sewer station here in town and dump my black tank before we go on trip...that will be the first test.
If it looks OK we will head on longer trip soon...and I will collect more data.
As I already had the Thule...I have been curious to try it with the TC...finally got around2it.
B
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billtex
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05/21/13 09:00am |
Truck Campers
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Another airfoil option
I know many have been interested in sleepy's design, but I have another option I will be testing soon;
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-hw-dGjeJsW0/UZtmxhwECnI/AAAAAAAAFw4/ljlwR9vt_5w/s720/photo.JPG
This is a more off-the-shelf option that you may already have; Using a standard Thule cross bar and windfoil.
Our camper rides pretty close to the roof (2"?) so I put a sheet of foam insulation in the bed to raise the camper enough to fit the crossbar on the cab roof.
So the trade-off for us; will raising the camper 1" negate any potential efficiency gain of installing the airfoil?
We have a 500 + mile trip coming soon, I will check our mpg and let you know the results!
(Sorry for the dark photo...it is a foggy day here in NE...but I think you can see the Thule windscreen...)
Bill
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billtex
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05/21/13 06:29am |
Truck Campers
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RE: What Would You Do?
Does anyone else want to weigh in on the "gas" versus "diesel" discussion? This is not the first time this has been said to me - been hearing it since I bought the truck. "You'd be better off with a gasser." What do you think? Gasser over a "new" diesel?
Well...rzar is right...you don't "need" a diesel to haul 3000#-5000#...and a gas motor will leave you with more payload if that is an issue.
However, there is a lot to be said for the performance of a diesel; torque, mileage, range/tank.
We really enjoy our diesel truck...but we also tow a large TT (see sig) in addition to hauling our TC around sometimes with our Classic Whaler behind. For those that haul a TC and tow something behind (boat, bikes, snow machines, etc) well then the diesel really becomes attractive.
For a lighter TC with no towing...a gasser is fine...
So the answer is gas vs diesel? It depends...
B
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billtex
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05/15/13 06:04am |
Truck Campers
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RE: What Would You Do?
Yeah...a lot of the OP's concern has to do with his confidence in the truck after all the trouble he has had.
If it were me, I don't think any amount of aftermarket $ would give me a high enough level of confidence, with a vehicle that has been so much trouble, to take my Family on extended trips.
We tend to keep our vehicle for 10 yrs min...but when they get unreliable...it is time to replace them...no matter how old/new they are.
Right now we have one 7 yr old truck, and one 14 yr old car. Both dependable.
The PIA factor is too great when you can't trust your vehicle.
When one of these gets shaky...it is gone.
B
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billtex
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05/13/13 12:19pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: What Would You Do?
As for My take on the Things, Its been My Past Experience, All Brands, Makes, Models have their Issues.
Well...except in the case of the infamous 6.0l...these issues are wide spread and well documented...as noted by the OP.
We are not talking about a minor cosmetic problem...these motors have expensive,seriuous, catastrophic failures of the turbos, heads, etc
Does this mean all of the 6.0's will fail? Not really...but plenty have...and the OP has already been down that road.
I would go for any of the big 3 new trucks...or even an older model...but not a 6.0.
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billtex
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05/13/13 11:16am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Truck camping on othe beach
Oh boy...you do need a TC!
To answer your question; yes you can get a TC that will work with a 1/2 ton.
It will be a stripped down model, no bath, likely no holding tanks.
That is OK...if that is what you want.
The problem with that approach and beach camping is-at least here in the NorthEast-any beach that allows camping requires that you be self contained (holding tanks).
So that pretty much rules out 1/2 ton sized TC's.
So...you can do it...but you may find a 1/2 ton sized camper doesn't meet your requirements.
Going to a 3/4 or 1 ton presents many more options.
If I were starting from scratch (new truck) I would definitely get the 1 ton.
Bill
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billtex
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05/13/13 08:52am |
Truck Campers
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RE: What Would You Do?
I think you already know the answer...time to move on...
My Buddy has the same vintage 6.0l and has been through the same thing. I'll bet there are a lot of low mileage 6.0's around for that reason. His has been sitting in his yard more than he drives it...he picked up an old beater S-10 as a daily driver...he is a union carpenter and needs a truck...but he cannot trust that Ford. He has ~ $13k in repairs into it. He can't afford to sell it(too great a loss) and is afraid to drive it...he doesn't know what to do...so it sits there.
I think you'll find all the new trucks are awesome. If you don't want to deal with emmsision you are limited to pre 2007.
If you want new and a stick, I believe Dodge is your only option.
But that begs another question; why on earth would you want a manual tranny when there are autos like Allison, ect available now?
These new autos are incredible.
Any way, good luck. I know what I would do...
B
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billtex
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05/13/13 06:08am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Finally -- New Camper Batteries
Yeah...you will be limited to the power of the smaller battery (small one draws down larger one)...it may not be a linear relationship...but you will lose some of the advantage of the larger battery. Go with 2 Gr 27 if you can fit them...or just go with the 2 Gr 24.
Either way you will be better off than previous.
Are you also upgrading your charger/converter?
B
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billtex
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05/13/13 05:54am |
Truck Campers
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RE: 1997-1998 Fleetwood Caribou 11m compatibility
Thanks everyone :) It was offered to me for free so I thought it was worth checking into. To be quite honest I never even realized the they made actual campers that fit on to trucks like that. But now that I know, I'll probably be looking for one!
Yeah, IIRC Bigfoot (and maybe NL) make (made)campers to fit that truck...used to see one around here...
B
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billtex
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05/10/13 12:20pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: DIY Stable Loads?
Hockey pucks...
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billtex
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05/10/13 08:16am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Use of air bags
You want to inflate your airbags to the point just prior to lifting off the overloads. Each side may require different psi.
If you go too far off the over loads-you will be bouncy.
If you are not contacting the over loads-like the OP- then you would want over load extenders.
Shocks and swaybars may add enhanced damping/handling above and beyond this.
B
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billtex
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05/09/13 11:18am |
Truck Campers
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RE: This one or that one or the other one...
I am really looking hard at the Lance 950S, Palomino 2902 and Palomino 2910...Seems the Palomino TC's are a little less on the price tag than the Lance
Yep...but you should be looking at the value...not the price...
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billtex
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05/08/13 09:22am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Use of air bags
That is a lite camper for a 1 ton, as you found out you are not even contacting the overloads so you likely do not NEED air bags. As mentioned the over load extenders, in your case, would be the better option.
You have a couple of options;
* You do need to maintain ~ 10psi min to prevent damage to the bags (less psi = less sway also)
*install overload extenders in addition to above
If I were you, I would add the overload extenders and keep the bags as they will still be helpful side2side leveling.Usually Folks are over loaded and need suspension aids, in your case you are too light and not contacting the overloads. This, in combination with too great psi in the airbags, is likely contributing to sway. Add the overload extenders,start with min psi (10 psi one side, and more on the other if needed to level side2side. At vey least 10 psi both bags).
Good luck, Bill
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billtex
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05/08/13 06:07am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Northstar quality?
There is no particle board in northstars AT ALL. The cabinetry is not particle board. Having solid real wood cabinetry is not practical for light campers like northstars.If it's not particle board and it's not real wood, what is it?
Unkownstium...
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billtex
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05/06/13 10:54am |
Truck Campers
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RE: center of gravity question
it is probably cab and chassis they are 9 foot beds. at least my dads 550 is. unless it is a pickup.
When going to a cab/chassis...most Folks would be putting the TC on top of the bed...so length would not be an issue...
Do you have wings you need to remove?
I think we need a pic to sort this out...
B
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billtex
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05/06/13 10:50am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Refrig light
You need a dually...
Edit; I see you have a dually...time for a med duty chassis
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billtex
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05/01/13 02:00pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Refrig light
I'll say...
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billtex
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05/01/13 10:28am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Using pickup for work
Then just use the trailer for the work week.
Load up the TC only when you are going camping...don't leave it on.
What do you have for a truck? TW of a utility trailer is not very much...
You are over thinking this...
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billtex
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04/30/13 06:12am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Need assistance
Welcome JP...
We have same truck...out Adventurer is 3000# locked/loaded and is fine on our truck.
We have been x-country, etc so have done a few miles with this setup.
We also have a TT (see sig)...guess which one gets used more often?!
Love the TC!
You have plenty of options with your truck, find a floorplan you like, stay away from the cheaper brands (you get what you pay for) and you'll be fine.
When you start to narrow down your choices, get back to us with details and we'll be sure your are setup safely.
BTW; our Adventurer is 10 yrs old this year...and still lke new...it has been the best built RV we have owned yet...and there have been a few!
Good luck, Bill
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billtex
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04/29/13 08:15am |
Truck Campers
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