RE: Bear bell for dog?
Hey Buddy. Sorry for what happened.
I have had a couple of scares with my buddy too. But that is life. Those that don't live out in the open spaces of the west, don't really understand this issue as well. My buddy has lost his ability to hear and at night, he stays really close, no doubt his own concern with Coyotes, bears and other things. I have always used bells, way back to the 60s with my bird dogs, and use one of my Bear Bells all the time, now. As old and slow as he is, I can be looking at the stars and he just stumbles away. One of the things I started using, a number of years ago, in conjunction with the Bear Bell, is one of those flashing lights. I first got two of them (at REI) to put on my pack and jacket when I was was out walking in the snow, late at night. As you know, I have been hit by cars before, and am trying to cut down it happening again. It works great at night, on the dog. I have had a few people talk to me about it, when all they saw is this blinking red light moving around in the distance, not knowing it was my dog.
To be honest, one of the reasons I have the Bear Bell, on the pup too, is if a wild animal does grab him, I know which way he was taken and for me to go the opposite way. Now you know why people don't go hiking with me, in bear country! :-)
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RE: Newbie to solar question
Those big house panels are cheaper $ per watt, but for portable use, they are big and heavy.
I elected to go w/ 2 smaller lighter, easier to store panels And a $10 15 amp controller works fine w/ them too..I agree here. Larger panels work well in a fixed position, except in heavy wind and snow load locations.
A smaller panel will be much better when handling them in and out of your TT and setting up. One only has to watch, once, a person wrangling a solar panel when the wind comes up, to understand what I am sharing. Imagine turning around in a wind with a large sheet of plywood in your hands as opposed to a small sheet of plywood.
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RE: Truck camper meet-up at Overland Expo, Flagstaff, May
Steve/Bryan,
We are really looking forward to this event. I've heard that 16 TCers are confirmed for the event. I'd love to see that confirmed list posted here on this thread.Hi Mike!
While Steve is able to speak for himself, on whom is on the EXPO list, I would think anyone could share, on this forum, their plans or desire to attend the EXPO. What I do know is that a large portion of the people attending have requested that their attendance not published on a public forum. As I have written many times, on this forum too, one tenet of personal security is not to publicise their coming and going from their homes. I suspect this is one of many reasons some have requested this privacy. While someone may ask you a question, about anything, you have the right to decline to answer if you choose and no meaning should be derived by that, other than the question; "Why would you ask?"
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Thanks, Bryan. I guess I should've stated why I was asking. I could go back through this thread to see who intends on going and compile a list myself. My reason for asking was to see if the 16 confirmed includes those from the TCM group as well.As you are referring to the Truck Camper Magazine group, we have only heard from one person. We did hear from TCM themselves (Angela) and there is no plan, by TCM, to organise any gathering, just an effort to share with the readers of the event. .
I do believe the number, RV.net members attending, to be 16. It was planned for a staging of 25 Truck Campers. This total has decreased due to some bringing trailers, as I am one of these. We just wanted to make sure that there is generous room around the individual campers.
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RE: Truck camper meet-up at Overland Expo, Flagstaff, May
Steve/Bryan,
We are really looking forward to this event. I've heard that 16 TCers are confirmed for the event. I'd love to see that confirmed list posted here on this thread.Hi Mike!
While Steve is able to speak for himself, on whom is on the EXPO list, I would think anyone could share, on this forum, their plans or desire to attend the EXPO. What I do know is that a large portion of the people attending have requested that their attendance not published on a public forum. As I have written many times, on this forum too, one tenet of personal security is not to publicise their coming and going from their homes. I suspect this is one of many reasons some have requested this privacy. While someone may ask you a question, about anything, you have the right to decline to answer if you choose and no meaning should be derived by that, other than the question; "Why would you ask?"
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RE: Truck camper meet-up at Overland Expo, Flagstaff, May
We live in Phx but during the Expo DH will be hiking the AZ trail in the area, I'll be hanging out. We will get up there Thursday afternoon and plan to hang around til Sunday sometime.Sorry, we were unable to send you information, on the EXPO, due to your RV.net account does not accept PM, nor do we have an email for you.
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RE: Modding an F-350 up or an F-550 down for TC
Hi Jeff. Welcome to the forum.
Many of the points have been addressed, already and I will confirm that there is a world of difference between a F350 & a F550. Mounting points, frame size, axle, brakes, insurance, registration and the list goes on. But then, what do I know.
Personally, I feel you really need to focus on the use of the vehicle and recognize that there is going to be compromises. As an example, you talk about the tires for off road use. Well, with these you are going to lose capacity that going to a heavier truck would provide, so that is going to be a limiter. Size of the camper and connecting the bed, camper, as well as a hitch (F550 does not come with a spare tire or mounting location (remember it is a different frame and the fuel tank takes the place of the spare tire). The type of frame on an F350 is prohibitive for welding on.
Wasting money on a "pretty" service body,from Douglas Truck Bodies, when there is cheaper and better service bodies locally,not 1800 miles away from you, makes me wonder why you are spending money here and not on the truck?
Good luck.
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RE: Our custom true flatbed truck camper build thread
Steam and pre bend?
Yes, thinking about it...but I am going to try kerfing today on a scrap section to see what it might look like. I really don't want to have to build a 4'x8' steam box just for these 4 remaining pieces. Also I worry that the plywood would swell and warp in other ways.
But steam and pre-bend is definately on the table. I could also go with three or four layers of 3mm instead of the two layers of 5mm...but the 3mm is $57 a sheet and I already have a lot of the 5mm from an old project.
Cross fingers on kerfing...I will post results soon.a few ways I have done this work, on furniture.
1. Find a clothing supplier that has a hand steamer that is used for pressing pants and jackets. Slowly moving the steamer across the surface will slowly allow the wood cells to warp (bend).
2. Find thinner sheets bend them and glue them together. (This is how I have done stair banisters.
3. Find a small bathroom. Place the sheets vertically over a bathtub, or toilet (closer to ceiling the better), and run the shower repeatedly as hot of water you can (turn up the water heater temp), keep sheets away from the water stream and the bathroom door and windows closed so the air in the room is saturated with humidity. Keep this sealed and every couple of hours run s the shower often to keep room humidity up. (The surface wood cells will swell, but after a few weeks the will reduce and sand for smooth surface.) Immediately take a sheet one at a time to frame and slowly bend. Also, use weights at the end of the sheets, don't place pressure at bend location and don't attach anything until bend is achieved. Wood needs to spread like dough. Just like bendin a sheet around a large pipe. I have used this technique in building floor to ceiling bookcases and skinning canoes.
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RE: Do you like your cabover bed?
There are two long time, well known TC Forum members that are changing from a TC to something that does not require all of the climbing. This is just a product of getting older or joints just don't work the same. Neither of these two is abandoning the outdoor world, just getting something that will still allow them to get out and enjoy the outdoors. That is it, find something that works for you and if things change, change.
I still prefer to sleep out in the backcountry, in a tent, but my NS bed sure is nice too. I had a Park Ranger swear that I was sleeping in my TC camper once, until he checked the tent, to find me asleep in there. He was just amazed why someone would not sleep in their camper. Having the camper is nice, but it will never be my true calling.
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RE: #0 gauge cables
I am on the road, full time, and often need supplies for my solar/battery, and other, projects. I just google a welding supply shop location, like AirGas, and get everything I need there. (Shipping creates a whole different issue, when you don't have physical address to ship to.) These welding shops sell lug ends, cut cable, to length, as well as crimp on the lugs too. Also, every welding shop I have visited, has both black and red cable. I also use duplex cable, too. It saves needing to wire tie two cables for a cable run. Like mentioned before, I use clothes line cord to fab my cable run lengths, making sure I balance the lengths too.
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RE: We lost another memeber..
49, forty-nine, 4 9, no matter how you see it or read it, it is much too young to pass away. I will miss jponder's posts and his humor. We, as a group, are getting a bit, long in tooth and the fact we are losing some of our members, is a fact that that is difficult to accept.
Travel well, John, and keep that lasso close.
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RE: Lance 9000 Project
It is nice seeing things coming together. Glad you made adjustments, after my concerns about the knots were mentioned to you. It can be heartbreaking after working so hard, on a wood project, only to learn later the impact of something so trivial as a knot or moisture content at the time of assembly.
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RE: satellite dish vs. antenna
Both.
I have a HD Slimline Dish mounted on my camper. Once you are out of your area, you will not be able to get Network Channels, unless you subscribe to the LA/NY feeds. To do the latter, you would need a RV account. The Batwing antennas work well where there are local channels available. Many rural areas, as well as most of the west you will have trouble with getting any reception.
The “Tailgater” provides a great option and Costco sells a package.
I am like you, I have vintage raced for almost 20 years and racing is an important priority in my TV watching, especially F1 racing.
Either way, you are going to compromise. Dish provides the only option of using the service for short periods of time. Direct TV does not know if you remove a receiver out of your home, to use in the RV. But, you will lose your local channels as you leave that specific area. Some call in and change their zip codes, but that creates problems too.
Do take notice that extended periods of TV and Sat Receiver use require considerable battery reserve. My initial usesage survey showed 3.2 AmpH for my Direct TV and for my LED TV 3.3 AmpH, without any consideration for AmpH loss, due to inverter and other losses.
Good luck.
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RE: Best Truck Camper - Opinions and Advice Wanted
Thanks you very much for the great input people ... I knew I'd get the straight goods here. Gotta love rv.net!
Sounds like any truck camper with slide is out due to the GVWR on a 3/4 ton truck. Too bad but we can live without a slide so that won't be a game stopper. Agree that the right floor plan and layout are critical.
F.Y.I. - we don't have a choice on the F250 truck. It definitely stays (just bought it) so the camper will need to fit it ... not the other way around.
And just to answer the question if it happens to be on someones mind, we did not buy the truck with the intention of outfitting it with a truck camper. We're just trying to make the most usage out of it and thinking perhaps we can transition from the Class C without too much pain and thin the herd of one big, (great) thirsty engine.
I also appreciate you posting a few of the manufacturers' names you felt comfortable in recommending. This helps establish a direction for our search and that's very helpful.
Thanks again ... any other thoughts you might have just post them up as I'll be checking to see what ya'll experts say. Actually in my neck of the woods they say "youse guys".
Cheers, ~ sonuvabug ~Another thing you should consider, your MPG will not be better, carrying a truck camper. You might even see the Class C did not have that bad of MPG.
If you are putting a priority on MPG, you would see it better towing, such as a travel trailer. The two things that creates issues for TCs are rolling resistance and sail area (wind resistance). The height and shape of a TC creates issues pushing through the air, as well as inefficient air deflection. That is solved by the profile of Class C,B and As. TT people solve this by "drafting" their trailers behind TVs with toppers. As for rolling resistance, this is compounded by the weight being carried by the truck. This increases the tire patch in contact with the road. The bigger the contact the more resistance, resulting in poor MPG. (A good example of this is your carrying axle's tires will wear at a faster rate that your steering axle's tires). This is why the world breaking solar/hybrid cars have super skinny tires.
Pick your needs, identify what compromises you can live with and focus on that..
I love having a TC and recognised the issues and planned for that. I didn't want to shoe horn something to attempt to make my foot fit. I learned it would only hurt, in the long run.
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RE: Samlex Solar 130W RV charging kit
Honestly the deal is what it is value to you and your family. Being one of 6 kids growing up camping our entire lives, I can tell you that to the kids, that Visa commercial comes to mind - PRICELESS!
The solar system in the US runs between $870 and $1100 USD - so not much price difference there and I would expect the $300 install to be comparable (some lower/some higher) to what a US dealer/service place would charge.
You didn't want/need the hitch (the ProPride I hear is a very good choice) and you bargained so you didn't loose the value.. Think overall you did a good job and you should move on with the family and enjoy camping.
That said - make sure you print/write/etc a checklist of items you want to check before you finalize payment for the rig. Check all major systems including fridge, A/C, water (fresh and tank), electrical, etc to make sure you don't have warranty work needed before you leave the dealer lot.
Safe Travels and Happy Family Memories!This guy is giving you great advice.
Yes, you can get a better solar system/kit, for a cheaper price, but many posters, in this forum, fail to realize that not everyone wants to have a DIY project, or have the time to assemble all of the parts, get the shipping right and delivered and then reserve the time and driveway space to do something that they have never done before. Being a parent and a grandparent, I would imagine you have better things to do and that is to make memories with those kids and spend time with the husband.
The factor of negotiations is always a factor that does not really involve money, but tradesmanship. Everyone should be a winner in a negotiation. Sure, a dealer will have a markup, but they are in business to stay in business. Your objective should be to have value and get out the door. In this case, you can get out the door, use the solar to put you a couple of years down the road and learn more about solar or decide that maybe having a small generator, or moving your Tow Vehicle (charging batteries) would suit your goals better.
Go get the TT, seal the Solar Deal and forget about the issues that it took to get your family camping and enjoying the time together.
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RE: Flat Bed/Ride Quality on a 4500/5500
I am curious as to what is gained with a monster camper on a 5500 class flatbed truck as compared to buying a Class A motorhome that will provide more interior space, more storage space, easier access to storage space, and better fuel economy.
you can use the truck for other things than hauling the camper.. like making a livingWhen your truck miles out, after 10 or 15 years of lots dirt roads and driving over rocks,curbs and sand beaches, you just jack up the camper/flatbed and drive a new truck under them, and you are good to go.
Plus, other Truck Campers owners will talk to you and not many Class A owners will. Often because they don't camp where I do. At least I have never had a Class A MH park around me, except in Death Valley. Even then they were a little bummed when I accidentally kicked dirt on their outdoor carpet they set out, beside their coach, when I set the kickstand of my motorcycle.
Each person has their own priorities and we see that often here, in the choices that are made by each and everyone of us. Some people buy a small house or a large house even when they have the finances to have either. Having lots of extra room in my camper is my least priority. My wish? A bigger freezer and fridge, to hold more bratwurst, Coke and Beer!
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RE: Bass Pro Shop..
Yes.
I have stayed there on two separate occasions. They have a specific location they ask you to stay, when visiting. Check at the customer service counter and they can direct you. The location is behind the building on the southwest corner of the building. This is along the residential property line, with Bass Pro Shop.
Two of their Vice Presidents came out to talk to me, about Truck Campers and my setup. Bass Pro Shop is very interested in Truck Campers and RVs, and appreciates feedback. I still communicate with them.
Have fun, and that part of Missouri is a beautiful area.
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RE: Mini-Split AC for TC
You might want to check on how effective a heat pump will be, in climates with dry humidity. Many areas of the west have very low humidity. Be sure to buy a stick of Chapstick, when you travel west.
RE: New tire time! Spare, or no spare?
I carry a spare, for the truck, and carry two spares, for the trailer.
To really answer your question/s, it is like many answers dealing with Truck Campers; It all depends on what your use is going to be.
If you are going to be going to places where there are towns nearby, the roads are paved and it is easy to get to a place, to have a tire repaired or find a replacement, why carry one? But, if you travel to remote locations, where the possibility of someone driving by, that day or that week, is slim, you better do like most of us do, in the remote places, be ready to rescue/repair yourself, or have an escape plan.
Trucks like mine, don't come with a spare from the factory, or even a mounting location. So it does become a question you need to ask yourself do you need one. There is one person, on this forum, that goes to these remote places and he does not even own a spare. But he has told me he is thinking more about carrying one, now.
Like many have said previously, I carry the tools, ratchets, sockets, torque wrench, cheater bar, tire repair kit, compressor, in addition to my spare.
One thing I highly recommend, that I have not seen recommended yet, a bottle jack. I don't know of too many, if any, factory jacks that will lift your rear axle, with the Truck Camper loaded. Don't scrimp on a low tonnage jack either and like a battery, check it on occasion to make sure it still works smoothly. A square of plywood, for those locations where it might sink into the ground, is a cheap investment to have. A good Wonder Bar (Stanley Crowbar) is a worthwhile tool to throw into your tool bag too. They work wonders when you are trying to shift one of those heavy tires when lining up the lug holes.
Yeah, I carry a spare, plus a few other tools too. Now, the two spares for the trailer? That is for another post, as the boonies really eat up the trailer tires on those darn spiky things in the desert.
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RE: Campfires: Love them or hate them?
The forestry campground where we are at allows campers to collect any downed wood they can use. I think most of the campground that forbid it do so because they, the campground collect, cut up and sell the wood themselves.
You are prohibited from taking any standing timber - even dead ones!So often, campers bring their own knowledge and experience into an environment, not understanding the needs and function of that environment. Often what works fine in an urban area is oftentimes in conflict in a natural environment.
While the poster did not specify the different campgrounds in their post, I would presume that the campgrounds, being discussed, are in government control and or managment. There is a distinct difference between Forest Service and National Park Campgrounds. Many years ago, I would often talk about the difference between these two Agencies in a way that explained further than their difference as the Department of the Interior or Agriculture. I would describe, in my campfire talks, the difference between the Park Service and the Forest Service was the difference between a Supermarket and a Museum. The Forest Service is there to manage the Forest in the manner best for the health of that forest. If that managment is determined to need thinning of the trees, for the survival of future trees, then they are harvested/thinned. If the Park Service looks at a forest, their decision is based on managing that forest in the manner that will preserve the forest for future generations as in the conditions that previous generations would have viewed it. That means allowing a tree to flourish, die, fall naturally, and return to the soil, without intervention.
Last Fall I was visiting Yellowstone, as I have for many decades. Many of the places I stay, I have for many years, if not for decades. In this particular camp, I have watched one particular tree diminish in life and then finally die, leaving the branches bare for many years. A number of other trees followed and became sentinels along this river. During these years, after the death of this gallant tree, I watched the area come alive with perching Bald Eagles, Osprey using the branches for launching platforms, for fishing in the pools below. The other trees falling to the ground, developed grubs and other delicacies. I watched two different times, bears rooting within these downed trees. I watched porcupines climbing these dead trees, as well as Owls seeking out nesting locations. I did not see the "Live" trees with as much activity around them.
I left this camp for 10 days to backpack and kayak at another lake, within Yellowstone, only to return to this camp. I was greeted by one of the people that I often meet this time of year here, he was visibly upset and began to tell about a guy cutting trees down. I pulled in and immediately noticed the change. The brave tree was no longer above the river bank and the 10 to 12 dead standing trees were now gone. In their places were numerous piles of saw dust, stumps and drag marks, to the camp to my north. I walked over to this camp and there were two stacked piles of "cordwood," that were split and stacked. Next to it was a man, in his 40's, feeding the fire with these new cut logs. Asking about the cut wood, non-judgementally, he answered; Oh yeah, good thing I cut those trees down for you, as you could have been in danger with any of them falling! My wife gave me this Stihl Chainsaw for my birthday and it sure does come in handy, on trips like this!!"
The point is that this gentleman was not aware of how important a tree is, these trees, even when it is dead. Many people are not, but they can be educated in why this is. Yes, there are times and places for cutting and using trees as a resource. Then there are times they're not to be. To the casual observer, it is confusing and often people ignore the rules and feel that they should do what they feel is right, as this person did. He wasn't malicious, but excited to use his new chainsaw and not have to go buy or hunt for firewood. "Heck, it was just there. People should really bring chainsaws with them as they are a big help!!" He continued to tell me. I understood what he was saying, but privately I mourned the loss of those trees. Many do not realise how important the Antiquities Act is, in places like National Parks and other protected areas of the Department of Interior.
Yes, some campgrounds allow cutting of dead trees, standing or fallen. It is better to understand that sometimes the rules and regulations were created for reasons you might be aware of, understand and or support.
I like campfires, but tend to avoid them now. After 40+ years of backpacking, in areas that campfires were prohibited, I grew to use backpacking stoves and appreciate their convenience and cleanliness. I don't miss the campfires as much, now.
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