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Subject |
Author |
Date Posted |
Forum
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RE: After market rear bumper?
Try Top Gun
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kylekai
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09/27/08 08:29pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: My hat's off to Outfitter Mfg!
Bob is almost a Neanderthal when it comes to computers (as are many from his generation)...
His generation? What, is Bob over 60? 70? Or is he a youngster like me, in his mid-50s?;)
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kylekai
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07/12/08 10:46am |
Truck Campers
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RE: My hat's off to Outfitter Mfg!
.I'd just chill, and deal with whatever form of communication whatever particular supplier prefers to deal with.
If I were a business owner, trying to sell a product to a customer, I think I'd try and cater to what the customer wants, not the other way around. That is unless of course I have more business and money than I need so I can pick and choose how to communicate to my customers.
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kylekai
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07/12/08 10:37am |
Truck Campers
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RE: My hat's off to Outfitter Mfg!
However, I believe it's a mistake to solely judge a company's product or even their operation by their how they handle their email.
Don,
Thanks for your comments. Yes, to base a decision solely on how a company handles email would be a mistake, but it will influence my decision on which TC to purchase. That's because I plan on using email for support after the purchase as well.
When I was looking for my first TC, it was between a NorthStar and a SunLite. NorthStar replied to my email queries almost as well as Hallmark does. SunLite replies as well as Outfitter does. I bought the Northstar.
Kyle
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kylekai
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07/11/08 02:47pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: My hat's off to Outfitter Mfg!
I guess I'd have to say that I don't think you should judge the quality of a camper on how fast or how detailed the email reply. Some people aren't as comfortable with email as others?
Actually I was judging the quality of customer support as it pertains to my preferred means of communication, which (for me) is an important aspect when purchasing a camper.
One of the reasons I prefer email to phone is because with email I have a written reply I can refer to later. That's a lot easier than trying to remember the details of a phone conversation.
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kylekai
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07/11/08 12:06pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: My hat's off to Outfitter Mfg!
I've been looking at both Outfitter and Hallmark truck campers closely, as they both seem like great campers and companies. However, for various reasons I prefer using email to the phone, and whenever I send email to Hallmark, I get an immediate reply, usually with detailed information. When I send Outfitter email, usually I get a reply, sometimes not.
For example, I recently asked Hallmark about bolting the camper to my truck. Matt at Hallmark (the owner?) replied with his recommendations and information on how they would accomplish the task. Becky (the secretary?) from Outfitter eventually replied with "yes we can do that."
Replying to email inquiries should be an important part of customer service, shouldn't it?
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kylekai
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07/11/08 10:37am |
Truck Campers
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RE: No camper jacks = better mileage
I considered removing my jacks when I first got the camper for weight, mpg, and clearance but then I had a situation where I used the jacks (and Torklifts) to help change a rear tire. That was so handy that I decided to leave them on.
I never thought of that. Would it have been possible to change the tire without the jacks, or did the jacks just make the task easier?
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kylekai
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06/04/08 07:43pm |
Truck Campers
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No camper jacks = better mileage
I was thinking about how I can get better gas mileage, and one way is to carry less weight and another is to improve the aerodynamics. Since I keep my TC on the truck 99% of the time, I did both by removing the camper jacks.
It took about 15 minutes to unscrew the 3 bolts that fasten each jack to the camper. The jacks seem to weigh about 50 pounds each, and have the aerodynamics of a brick, so it's bound to help in better mileage. Plus they rattle whenever I go on any non-paved road.
So what's the downside? I suppose if and when I need to take the TC off the truck, it'll take an extra 15 minutes reattaching the jacks to the camper. Plus I guess there could be an emergency situation where I would need to remove the camper from the truck when away from home, but that's probably a remote possibility at best.
So far it seems like a good idea.
http://www.modesittsoftware.com/NS650/NoJacks.jpg
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kylekai
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06/03/08 05:43pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: 2009 F150 Heavy Duty Payload Package
I found more info on slide-in campers from Ford here. For the F-150, it states:
F-150 HEAVY DUTY PAYLOAD PACKAGE (Option Code 627)
Increases GVWR to 8,200 pounds.
• 50-state emissions system
• LT245/70x17D BSW A/T tires (5)
• High-capacity 17" 7-lug steel wheels
• Heavy-duty shock absorbers, frame and 72-amp battery
• Upgraded springs, radiator and auxiliary transmission oil cooler
• 10.5" gear set with 4.10 axle (Limited Slip optional)
Available on XL and XLT Regular Cab and SuperCab models with 8' box or Mid-Box Prep Package. Requires 5.4L gas engine and (on 4x4) 35.7-gallon fuel tank.
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kylekai
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05/28/08 03:19pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Request to manufacters: I want a true off-road TC
An interesting subject but really, the original concept of a modular slide in camper is not generally compatable with off road use. For use on really rugged terrain you need something that is integral to the vehicle or completely seperate.
Something like a Tiger?
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kylekai
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05/18/08 11:54am |
Truck Campers
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How to best fix holes in popup material?
I have a 2006 Northstar 650 popup camper, and I've noticed a few small holes appearing in the popup material, mostly near the corners where the popup material bends a lot when lowering the roof. I asked Northstar, and they sent me a small container of liquid similar to nail polish, but it doesn't quite do the job of sealing the holes. After a month or so the sealant wears off. Anyone have any suggestions on the best way to seal these small holes before they become big holes?
Thanks.
Here's a picture of one such hole:
http://www.modesittsoftware.com/NS650/hole.JPG
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kylekai
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05/17/08 11:34pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Request to manufacters: I want a true off-road TC
The perfect camper:
....
Did I miss anything? :-)
Affordability and availability. :)
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kylekai
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05/17/08 04:20pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Request to manufacters: I want a true off-road TC
Am I the only one here who dreams of a camper that goes WAY beyond the hard sided popup idea to a point where the camper looks like just a rectangular piece of cargo sitting in the bed of the truck, no higher than the cab of the truck? You hop out of the truck and hit a button, and pieces raise up and slide out and tilt and slide and scoot and raise...and about 30 seconds later you've got something the size of a Class A land yacht standing before you with acres of space inside?
It just really seems to me that a popup camper and/or a TC with some slide-outs only scratches the surface of what could be done to make a compact and very portable piece of "cargo" transform itself into a really full featured large living space.
Call me a dreamer, but I say this can be done to an extent that anything we've seen so far would be laughable by comparison. Some day when I retire...
jp
Sounds like you're thinking of the XPCamper. But I've been informed it will cost about $60K, not including the truck.
-K
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kylekai
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05/16/08 03:41pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Request to manufacters: I want a true off-road TC
I'm the one who posted that list of questions. Forgot to put the washboard issue on the list. That can really beat up a rig.
I didn't answer your questions because they were really too specific. For the same reasons I'd buy a Toyota 4Runner instead of a Toyota Highlander, I'd rather buy a camper made for the more serious off-road adventures than the occasional dirt road. I'm surprised to hear that manufactures would think it's an esoteric group of people that would want such a camper, but I guess that's the reality of the business.
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kylekai
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05/16/08 01:32pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Request to manufacters: I want a true off-road TC
There are a couple of other possibilities for the OP. One is a 4wd van such as the ones made by Sportsmobile (www. Sportsmobile.com - see the 4by4 section.) or the tiger 4by4 setups which are actually a very small class C on a pickup body. (http://www.tigermotorhomes.com/overview.htm)
These may be somewhat pricey, however.
I've looked into both quite a bit, and I visited the Sportsmobile factory. The Sportsmobile is really too small for our family (2 adults and a child), and while the Tiger is pricy, it's still a lot less than the Earth Roamer. But I can't help but wonder if the Tiger's frame can handle as much off-road use as a truck with a TC can. Plus there's the height of the Tiger compared to a popup TC. Decisions, decisions. ;)
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kylekai
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05/16/08 10:01am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Request to manufacters: I want a true off-road TC
YThe weakness you note about the HJ system is totally due to the truck manufacturers and not the TC or tie-down maker.
Except in my case one time it was the tie-down maker. Both universal rear tiedowns bent after going across a railroad crossing on a major highway. This is the part:
http://www.happijac.com/store/components/com_virtuemart/shop_image/product/e8f807c062e564afef06a0d0bf76b3a6.jpg.
It's one of the weak links I'd like to get rid of.
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kylekai
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05/15/08 11:33pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: 2009 F150 Heavy Duty Payload Package
The only change I've heard of from the 3,050 lb. payload they've had since 2004 is that they will be including the payload option to the crew cab models starting on 09. With a payload of 3,050 lb. the F-150 has a larger payload than many 3/4 ton diesel trucks so THAT is probably why someone would consider one. Good luck / Skip
That's more than my Ford F250 has, and I still have payload to spare with my Northstar 650. Given that, why would Crumm say he'd would "not even attempt hauling the camper on the F150?" Maybe he means for a double-slide humungous camper?
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kylekai
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05/15/08 09:04pm |
Truck Campers
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2009 F150 Heavy Duty Payload Package
According to Ford and other sources, the new 2009 Ford F150 will have increased payload capacity in the form of a Heavy Duty Payload Package. Good news for TC owners!
Here's what I could find to-date:
• Heavy Duty Payload Package(1)—Includes:
– GVWR— To be provided at a later date
– Axle, rear— To be provided at a later date
– GAWR/springs, front—To be provided at a later date
– GAWR/springs, rear— To be provided at a later date.
– Frame upgrade (.150" rail thickness)
– Super Engine Cooling
– 72 amp-hr./650 CCA battery
– 6-channel (18-plate) oil-to-water auxiliary transmission oil cooler
– LT245/70Rx17D BSW all-terrain tires (five)
– 17" x 7.5" J 7-lug steel wheels
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kylekai
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05/15/08 04:14pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Request to manufacters: I want a true off-road TC
By the way, if you're interested, I can share with you what I have been doing to make my truck & camper more off-road worthy, so just let me know.
Don,
I've read a lot of your posts, here and on the Outfitter forum, and they came to mind when I started this thread. I remember a lot the mods you did to your Outfitter, and that's partly why I mentioned Outfitter. I like them, and I'd really like to see an Outfitter OR (for Off Road) version that encompasses most if not all of your mods. I realize it would be a small market, but it could be an on-demand type of modification that would be incorporated into the camper by the manufacture, much like you'd add 4WD when purchasing a truck. Just some thoughts....
Thanks,
K
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kylekai
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05/15/08 04:10pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Request to manufacters: I want a true off-road TC
kylekai,
Oh, and by the way, you misspelled the name of our fair city in your profile. Sandy Eggo has two g's in it. :)
Well, OK, except I tend to think of my ego that's all sandy. ;-)
BTW, I'm a software engineer also (self employed). Maybe I should have been a hardware engineer. Then maybe I'd be more apt to do more TC mods myself.
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kylekai
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05/15/08 02:31pm |
Truck Campers
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