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Tighten up your Hitch Extension < $5
My hitch extension was always slightly loose in my trucks hitch reciever and my spare tire hitch was always loose in my add-on front hitch reciever.
I added cables and turnbuckles... then chain and turnbuckles... they stopped sideways waggle... but not up and down bounce.
I tried wedges, etc... even saw an add for a fairly expensive fix.
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c35/glasscrew/DSC07532.jpg
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sleepy
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05/19/13 01:26pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Device for Alignment and Centering of TC when loading
I like that concept but struggle with the idea that the jacks would suffer a degree of twisting.
Have you used it yet?
How far out of alignment can it be?
Good question... I should have explained better.
Yes... I have used it and it works very well... now the hardest part of loading is remembering to switch the lic plate and to plug up the TC to the trucks 12VDC system before I finish loading.
I have never been 1/2" out of alignment when loading in the 10 years we have owned our T/TC...
I have a little more than 1" clearence to my extended jacks on each side of my duallys. It sounds scary but after a few time it won't bother you, The jacks turn out to be good centering guides.
I use my side mirrors... I watch the outside of the camper under the overhangs and keep them even with the inside rear of the bed sides........ and, at the same time maintain the space evenly between the jacks.
This project started to keep the TC from sliding around on long trips... you know the times when you check the tie downs and one side is loose... the other sides tie downs are tighter than banjo strimgs.
The slope guides are really for when the camper is almost on the trucks bed... I didn't want the camper to sit on top of a low bracket, but wanted close tolarances... now it would be impossible. I'm sure that you noticed I didn't bother to cut the risers off, they aren't in the way.
Thanks again,
Sleepy
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sleepy
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05/19/13 10:40am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Device for Alignment and Centering of TC when loading
Very nice with A LOT of detail. A sure sign you've spent too much time in "recovery" Sleepy. LOL!
Thanks for reading and responding to my little post.
I think that the "build" was part of my recovery... but as simple as it was... after the day of work measuring, calculating, cutting, fitting, notching, etc... I was relieved just knowing I could do anything and more than little proud of myself for trying...
I was too tired to mooove fooor abouttt threeee daaaysss. translation: I was too tired to move for 3 days :B
I must still be gaining... been lurking on the TC forum after a year of being too beat down.
And the camper is loaded, filled with water... ready to go...
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sleepy
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05/19/13 09:44am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Device for Alignment and Centering of TC when loading
All of these pieces are made from one 12' pressure treated 4"x4" post and aboyt 8 feet of scrap pressure treated deckining.
Be sure to notch around truck parts... they stay in place because there is no room to move with the camper in place.
And I did some "trick" cutting :h... held together by deck screws.
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c35/glasscrew/DSC07535.jpg
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sleepy
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05/19/13 09:31am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Device for Alignment and Centering of TC when loading
The rear side guides are notched to hug the walls of the truck bed.
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c35/glasscrew/DSC07534.jpg
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sleepy
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05/19/13 09:27am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Device for Alignment and Centering of TC when loading
assembly
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c35/glasscrew/DSC07533.jpg
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sleepy
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05/19/13 09:24am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Device for Alignment and Centering of TC when loading
A look across the front... to see the angle of the front guide and the width of the forward stop.
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c35/glasscrew/DSC07526.jpg
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sleepy
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05/19/13 09:21am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Device for Alignment and Centering of TC when loading
The second picture shows here the "guide" is slide back under the existing happijack guide
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c35/glasscrew/DSC07524.jpg
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c35/glasscrew/DSC07525.jpg
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sleepy
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05/19/13 09:16am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Device for Alignment and Centering of TC when loading
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c35/glasscrew/DSC07522.jpg
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c35/glasscrew/DSC07523.jpg
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sleepy
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05/19/13 09:14am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Device for Alignment and Centering of TC when loading
The units aren't attached.. just wedge fit into protrusions in the truck bed.
The second picture is the part flipped on its back like I did on some earlier pictures.
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c35/glasscrew/DSC07520.jpg
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c35/glasscrew/DSC07521.jpg
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sleepy
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05/19/13 09:10am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Device for Alignment and Centering of TC when loading
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c35/glasscrew/DSC07518.jpg
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c35/glasscrew/DSC07519.jpg
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sleepy
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05/19/13 09:08am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Device for Alignment and Centering of TC when loading
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c35/glasscrew/DSC07516.jpg
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c35/glasscrew/DSC07517.jpg
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sleepy
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05/19/13 09:06am |
Truck Campers
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Device for Alignment and Centering of TC when loading
I recently made some simple, easily removable, parts for inside our trucks bed... to load, align, and keep the TC centered... I'd like to share them with you.
With these easily removeable blocks we just back our truck under the camper until the front of the camper touchs the two front slopeing guides, lower the camper and everything is aligned and perfectly centered. As the camper is lowered the front bump guides moves the front of the camper away from the front bed rail... to stop the rubbing that nost of us want to avoid.
Why is this important to me now after all of these years? Janet and I have been under the surgeons knife, physical therpy, and healing for the last 10 months... it made me realize that there might be a point when I'd need someone else to help me load (Janet has been watching recently for safety reasons)
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c35/glasscrew/DSC07515.jpg
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sleepy
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05/19/13 09:02am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Chalet's TC Washer and Dryer pictures
This morning Janet and I were looking at new TC's on the internet... mainly Sheriff Dougs new Eagle Cap 1160. I remembered this thread and told her about it... pulled it up to show her the link.
Janet pointed out that the total cost all of our quick trips to the laundry mats over the last 1007 boondocking days and nights wouldn't have made a down payment on the little washer dryer combo.
She remembered us seeing one of the miniature washer/dryer combo's before.... We had looked at a 110VAC combo W/D years ago when visiting a friend in a MH... the owner admitted that she could only wash a single pair of blue jeans and then dry them but didn't like it, it took several hours.
The little W/D unit was an expensive status symbol... the owner said that she no longer told people she had it... because she would still be seeing them when she was using the coin operated washers and dryers at campgrounds and and laundry mats in order to do her weekly wash and dry. She didn't want people to think she was foolish for buying it.
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sleepy
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05/18/13 10:37am |
Truck Campers
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RE: It's been fun, but going to the "dark side"
best of luck to you....
We are all getting older and our needs are changing... like it or not
keep in touch
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sleepy
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05/17/13 07:44pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Chalet's TC Washer and Dryer pictures
Boondocking... when I saw that statement I began to question everything... there is a credibility issue here.
lets see
they have 66 gallons of fresh water
and use up 38 gallons to wash one very small load of clothes
leaving only 28 gallons for toilets, showers, hand and dish washing
Well, there isn't enough for another load... the grey water tank is limited...
Maybe a 2 day boondock.....
a combo washer dryer in a TC isn't a luxury... it's an almost useless load or a silly extravagance.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
We have used laundry mats while boondocking for 1007 nights since 2005. We Save up our dirty clothes just like at home...
When we find a laundry mat that is acceptable to us we use anywhere from 5 to 7 machines... we wash towels from each days showers, two sets of sheets and pillow cases, and 10 -14 days dirty clothes... all at the same time.
One hour and 45 minutes later everything is back in the cabinates, closets, and the bed is freshly made.
And we resume boondocking.
I've always felt that really rich people probibly have a room with 6 washers and 6 dryers.... thats my goal ;-) Now that is luxury!
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sleepy
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05/17/13 11:50am |
Truck Campers
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RE: What Are The Upsides & Downsides To Driving A DRW Truck?
Sleepy, I will read you post again, and digest the information, carefully. I AM listening!
It wasn't meant for you as much as it was remembering for me.
I hope that it makes sense.
Last words..... (well you can hope)
I love to spend money, even give it away... but I hate to waste it.
I was frugal in my approach to buying and outfitting my truck and camper but I wanted the best I could afford (and I did that on my first T/TC in 1970)
At the end of 2002 the cost of my truck, camper, taxes, and interest made my total expedature $110,000 (interest paid or interest lost on saved money turns out to be about the same.)
I did take my new truck and camper "investment" off road a few times in the early years... but the truth is fancy campers with slide rooms, and GMC SLT trucks aren't meant to go rock climbing.
There are trucks that are set up for off roading and....
... there are hard topped canvas campers that are built for and meant to do "Rugged or Extreme Truck Camping". When we see the trip reports that their owners share with us we know in our hearts that our T/TC's shouldn't attempt it.
I added many modifications to our TC to avoid campgrounds including PVSolar panels to suppliment the built in generator, just to be totally self sufficiant... mods that are expensive to install, frugal forever...as I added weight and money my desire to bounce over boulders diminished.
You already know how you intend to use your T/TC investment... have you figured out where your limits are?
I like BTGraphics approach for off-roading... he drives as far as reasonable with his big truck and camper... then gets out the motor bikes.
Others do their final assults by mountain bikes, back packs, kayaks, four wheeler ATV's, "jeeps" and even motor cycles.
Blush! We have fold-up Dahon bicycles... and got to using them so infrequently we quit hauling them in the back seat of the truck.
Have you considered any of these... or already do them?
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sleepy
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05/17/13 09:59am |
Truck Campers
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RE: What Are The Upsides & Downsides To Driving A DRW Truck?
Your need for a dually is obvious when you consider the width and height of your truck camper.
Call the duallys outside wheels training wheels or a tricycle if you will.
Think about riding a unicycle... the fat kid can learn to ride it. (Amd your new camper is a very fat kid) There is no equipment stability when you truck is too small
A bicycle is better... the long wheel base isn't quite as nimble... but your new camper is quite long... a crewcab will minimize "bucking" better than anything you can add under a short truck.
Now imagine the fat boy hanging off the bicycle seat on both sides and how much effort it takes him to keep his bicycle balanced. Sure he can do it... but it takes all of the fun out of riding it. He can add props or a wider seat on his bicycle... he can add stronger brakes... he can "soup up" his bike with tassels on his handle bars, a piece of card board held by a clothes pin near his spokes so that his bike will sound like it has a motor... but nothing he can add on will really make a difference in his scary ride.
That's sort of what I see when people try to make the wrong truck do the right job.
Driving your truck with the camper on should be a luxuray that you look forward to... you should be able to get in, start the engine and drive away... never feeling that top heavy sway, of bucking forward and backward that little trucks do, the wind from buses and trucks shouldnt push your TC around.
You can add all of the stuff you want under the truck but if the stuff you add makes your truck stiffer it will cause your cargo (you and your camper) to have a rough ride. (Think about all of the over the road commercial vehicles that use air to balance and soften the ride/load.) A rough ride causes vibration or even damage to your very expensive camper. A stiffer truck actually makes the sensation of being top heavy worse... as the wind pushes on your side your wheels on the windward side try to lift... and the seat of your pants feels it.
Like about everyone I was confused by all of the aftermaket add-ons being marketed when I bought my truck. I'm one of those people that doesn't do anything when I'm confused until I see the problem clearly... it might take a second or two or a long time. I never make but one change until I see what the result is... then I can make another decision if needed.
I research.. and listen, evaluate, calculate. I have the finished project in my minds eye before I start the project.
I special ordered my Lance 1161 for delivery in late November 2002... then bought the truck that would best haul it. It was a special order too. It arrived in October, just in time.
Using information that I'd aquired over months of researh and the manufacturers data I decided to add air instead of steel. Air compresses... steal doesn't. Air expands, steel doesn't. I liked the idea of being able to adjust the air (the steel is just what it is)
My add-ons: And I have never needed more.
1) Airbags and a high quality bicycle pump...the bags are quite small, 20 strokes will do the job... and I'm outside to inspect the balance of the load (TC).The airbags are independent from each other.
2) Lance has some shock absorbers that minimize "fly-back" movements if any ouside force would cause the cabover to move quickly (like a gust of wind or even a speed bump) I have tried them on and off... prefer having them.
In sumation...
I recommend...
Chose your camper first.
Get the right truck to haul that truck camper (you really can't make a silk purse out of a sows ear.)
this means, the longest and the widest wheel base possible under the load both are for stability. (The crew cab is handy too... it is our storage on months long trips... and allows a guest on short trips)
Consider using air instead of steel to assist suspension or load balance and a good ride.
Buy the best engine/transmission possible... cheap is just that and will cost you dearly in the future.
Learn to do your own camper maintainence... and be vigilant... dealers don't have skilled people to do it. Don't believe what the add says, or what the salesman promises... they might fib.
sleepy
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sleepy
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05/17/13 05:27am |
Truck Campers
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RE: What Are The Upsides & Downsides To Driving A DRW Truck?
Sleepy, you have a point, it's a load, on a Truck, so I'm going to investigate today with the department of transport. May need what we call here an "Oversize Permit", which you can only drive from sunset to dawn at 100kph/65mph limit. Interesting!
You might consider asking for a variance first... instead of using the word "permit". The subtile difference in words might make it easier... and eliminate costly fees.
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sleepy
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05/17/13 03:57am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Snowriver 810
If it's a Snowriver it will be a quality truck camper... none better.
Your 3/4 ton should handleit well... I would tell you to wait until you load it before you make any modifications to the truck... if they aren't needed it's money wasted... I see it all the time.
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sleepy
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05/16/13 04:09pm |
Truck Campers
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