I've lived OTR now for nineteen years and am currently living in an Artic Fox 811 with a built in generator, solar, DC to DC charge controller and a Dodge 4X4. Of all the rigs I've had over the years, this is the best and most versitile set up I've had. You guys are on the right track for mobil living or living on the move. Your small enough to get around and big enough to park for a while. It's nice to be able to take the camper off during a seasonal job and reload it and move on. I love this life style.
My wife and I have had a truck campers for about 12 yrs now, and as retirement has arrived are doing more extended trips. The game changer for us and off grid was a simple DC to DC charger. A few hundred dollars will keep you charging whenever the truck is running. I thought about adding solar panels, but with the DC charger there is no need in the type of travel we do. Combined with 200 Ah of Lithium batteries takes care of our power needs quite well. That would be the first upgrade I would recommend. You won't regret it. Happy travels....
We just installed one about a month ago, it’s the best investment we’ve made! Showing up with a full battery after just a couple hours driving is perfect
You guys are so great together. Very professional in your presentation of information and you can clearly see you are honestly giving advice. Good for you both!!
You guys are adorable. I'm a full timer from 30 years ago. If I ever reenter the life style again it will definitely be with a slide in camper. You will never regret your current life choices. Keep the faith in your current choices. Screw the detractors. I love you two.❤
I was born and have lived in the same city all my life. I would dearly love to move around more and explore the USA. I'm encouraged to make plans and JUST DO IT. Thanks for your videos.
This is such a great tour! I hadn't considered a truck camper as an option for me to live in full time, and your setup is so cozy and practical I have to add it to my short list of homes on wheels!!
We have traveled extensively (49 states and most of Canada) in our 2005 Lance 1010. I built a set of 3 doors for the overhead compartment with 3" vertical stiles at the ends and 2" between the doors. It is a real game changer for accessability plus a shelf across half of the former bed space. We run 300 watts solar into 2 100 watt LION batteries. Enough power to run the refrigerator on 12v daytime and a 1500 watt inverter to run small AC appliances. Check your power from the truck. Lance power systems are designed to input 40 amps from the vehicle. Most have a power separator so as to preserve the chassis battery when the engine is not running. The power cord needs to be wired with the 12 volt lead through a #8 or #10 wire direct from the truck battery (fused). There is a special recepticle for Lance campers which is designed to utilize the 40 amp power. This uses the truck alternator to charge while driving and if sitting in cloudy weather an hour or two of idling will bring the batteries back up. Easier than adding a second alternator just for the camper. Quite often even the dealers will not do this and wire to the 12v trailer feed which is usually only capable of providing 6 or 8 amps and not enough to support the needs of a camper. We considered switching to a "residential" style refrigerator which is only 12 volt input but then found out the door to the camper is not big enough to remove the old unit or bring in the new one. You might also find an additional storage space in the platform under the table. I removed the carpet and cut the plywood off 1 1/2 inches out from the table pedastal then attached a piano hinge and re-installed the carpet. Great little space for shoe storage. I also installed a temperature control in the shower plumbing which sets the hot water temperature to around 110 degrees. Saves a lot of fiddling trying to regulate and waste water when taking a Navy shower. Outside shower also conserves waste water space. Hope these experiences help. Enough for now, happy motoring and thanks for sharing your adventures.
Hey guys thanks glad you took the time to share the ups and downs of your lifestyle I bet you wouldn't trade it for the world. You two definitely seemed to have figured it out. Hopefully in the not too distant future I'll be doing it too. But for now it's weekend truck campering, keep up the good work and enjoy the times. As always stay safe and healthy till next time.
Hi Mark, thanks for checking in! We're hoping you'll be able to swing it full time as well. Always love seeing other truck campers on the road! Hope you have a great week
@LivingLargeCamping If you remove & build the bunk bed into bigger cabinets, it's gonna make your camper that much smaller. Almost making you feel claustrophobic.
Good job! You two are personable, informative, and fun! My husband and I are sometimers in a 2018 Ford Transit van, with a Quigley 4x4 conversion, that we built out ourselves. We have all the things, composting toilet, solar, too. We are retired and usually take one long trip out west in the fall of every year and then we camp a lot locally, in the southeast, in the fall and winter. We did the northeast in the early summer of 2022. We love it! Truck campers seem to be taking over!:) Enjoy!!
Thank you for sticking with it. The youtube thing. This was by far your best production! I've got 2 vids out and I will be the first to say it is very very emotional to create content. I knew if you pushed through youd come out on top! your lives are so parallel to ours in sooo many ways (that I wont get into) so its fun keeping up with you. Would love getting together with you at some point. we will be somewhere between columbia, SC and montana throughout the year and cracking a beer with you two would be nice. Still in Columbia for probably another 2 weeks or so.
A thumbs up and a comment from me in support of you! Growing up we had both, a truck camper then moved to a small RV. I see why you love the truck camper but there are two pets in our family so when we get on the road, an RV it is. P.S. I like that you used notes to hit all of your points.
I am picking up a northern lite camper in December. I’ll start at campgrounds to get use to it but eventually I will try dispersed camping. Great to see how well you two get along:)
I outfitted our 865 with a 150ah lifepo4 battery, replaced the original battery with another 100ah lifepo4 battery (make sure the camper's charger can handle lithium), 200 watts of solar on the roof and 3x100 watt portable panels, a 2000 watt inverter, a renogy 20a DC to DC charger and carried a Champion dual fuel inverter generator. I stored most of it in two storage containers straddling a center mounted porch on the rear. When we boondocked, I plugged the camper into the inverter like shore power. This recharged the main battery and powered the 120ac plugs (our camper had a microwave). We used the portable panels when parked in the shade or wanted extra charging power. We could place them out in the sunshine. Also, they are more efficient because they can be aimed towards the sun. The generator was used on rainy days when the batteries got too low. We chose a dual fuel for more flexibility. On the dc to dc charger, be careful not to over heat the alternator (it needs air flow to stay cool). Even though our camper had two propane tanks, I could have carried a spare in one of the rear containers. In regards to extending the small black and gray tanks, I used a maserator pump to fill dedicated 5 gallon jerry cans (again stored in the rear containers). It simulates the European style of handling waste. I hope this gives you some ideas and hope it all works out. GOOD LUCK!
Thank you for all of the information! We have about 250ah of battery in our goal zero and with an alternator charger I think we’ll always be close to topped off. We appreciate the support and thanks for watching!
Awesome! We moved to mexico full time but mis the BC Canada pacidic north west so we plan to buy a truck camper set up for 6 months living and 6 months in Mexico travelling the country and renting our home out. Its important to have options.
Well done lots of good tips! I just bought a 08 Lance 825 and went west with the dog (Steve) from denver. No camper experience whatsover. It was rough at first but coming together after maaany youtube vids. This one is really good because we have a very similar setup. Finially got the torklift installed, almost setup with solar/batteries, and a ton of little upgrades. Not sure how people lived this life before amazon pickup. I 100% agree with sweating the parking at night situation! Currently roaming through Marin and Sonoma county 🙏
You two are adorable! I found you while looking for truck camper renovations, which I’ll be starting soon on our 1997 Slumber Queen. I love your style and learned a lot. Great work!
Awesome video! Really well put together and insightful. I’m right there with you in regard to the blender… and electric coffee grinder! Both I had decided not to take, but ended up picking them up later, and have absolutely no regrets. I’m 9 months into “vanlife” and loving it! Picking up my fiancé from London tomorrow, and then we’ll both be on this adventure together traveling through Canada and the states. Perhaps we’ll see you on the road! Cheers… and new sub 😁👊🏼👍🏼
Great video. Next month will be my first full year in my sunlite skyhawk pop up camper. Had some good times and some crappy times but it’s all part of the adventure. Coldest my Shepherd and I went through was -43 here in Maine. Definitely go with the alternator charging. I have 200ah of lithium self heating batteries and when the truck is running it charges at 30amps. Haven’t added any solar yet but it’s a dual Input controller so I just need to wire in a panel. Also recently added a 2000 watt inverter to run an air fryer. Definitely an upgrade from only having the stovetop to cook on
Another great video guys! My husband and I have been enjoying following along your journey. We’re just about to downsize from a 2021 18’ bumper pull to a 1996 Lance Legend truck camper. It looks very similar to yours! Definitely picked up some great tips from y’all. ☺️ Thank you for sharing!! ✨
Enjoyed the video. I also have a 2004 Lance 815 that is completely stock so your videos have given me some ideas about making some changes similar to your Lance.
There's an alternator converter charger to battery. I remember the video, but not the name the name of the product. It should keep your battery charged for quite some time.
I hear you I'm living in my truck camper too I'm out in Colorado was my first winner staying around Grand Junction High Desert area where they don't get much snow so far it's been a piece of cake there's not really anything to it fat having a truck camper you got a tear down if you want to go to town not supposed to leave your camper set out on the jack stands cuz it's hard on the frame so it kind of leaves you stranded unless you have another vehicle
Put the Elastamere (hope I said this right) on top...it is a silicon membrane, application like paint. You roof will last for ever....I reapply ever 5 years (10 year warranty).
I love Harvest Hosts! It was so worth the $80 annual fee and I had so much fun visiting the farms! When I hit the road again in my truck camper I'm def doing that :)
this is the first video i’ve seen from this channel - nicely done. if you don’t have an instant pot, you should get the mini duo. if you’re okay running the blow dryer, you should be okay running the IP :-).
FUN video, you appeared more natural more relaxed NOT scripted, keep up the good work. As an electrical engineer and long time dry camper I can advise you YES get a DC to DC Charger maybe 40 to 60 Amp that can be set for Wet Flooded, AGM or LiFePo4 batteries, I chose Renogy. If not already done, install a house/coach LiFePo4 at least 100 Amp Hours or 200 if you can find the space. I chose SOK, they make a single unit 206 Amp Hour. Next a 2000 Watt PSW Inverter will power your AC devices, I chose a Renogy. Of course when plugged to shore power a Charger suitable for your chosen battery chemistry or a combination Inverter/Charger does BOTH the two above, it's easier to wire and requires less space. An Oxygenics shower head can save water. Finally to extend dry camp time you need more fresh water, consider maybe a 20 to 30 gallon extra tank with a 12 VDC pump somewhere in the rear of the truck cab ???? FWIW I enjoy some video of the road while driving, parks, scenery, hikes, destinations, dry camping, all while delivering descriptive narrative. John T Electrical Engineer and 50 year RV owner
With our lance 992 we only used it a couple of times before we ordered and traded up to our lance 1172. We liked the slide outs for the extra room. The couch in the 1172 is nice for relaxing and not have to sit at the dinette. Our first trip with the 1172 was this summer. We loved it. We are newbie and have a lot to learn. Learning all of the systems and appliances takes time. But it’s good to know how everything works.you’re right about campers. They’re so versatile you can go almost everywhere. That’s why we didn’t get a fifth wheel or trailer. I safe travels 👍🇨🇦
Thanks you guys this was really helpful I’ve been looking into RV life and keep coming back to truck campers. Thanks for reminding me this is the way I want to go! By the way The video came across very honest and genuine and didn’t seem scripted at all (since you mentioned that at the end). 😊😊 thank you again! Just subscribed and looking forward to more.
Our friends had the same problem with small tanks. They replaced the toilet with a camp/composting toilet and and ran the two tanks together. They said it’s the best decision they made with their camper.
Hey..full timer with a 22 2500 Silverado and a 22 Capri camper. Your finances are really none of my business but I would like to ask why you have a lot of truck$$ but didnt go for a little more on the camper ,especially for full timing. Lance is good but 2004 model would scare me. Subbed and liked!
Thanks for the comment and subscribing! I think our mindset going in was buy a newer truck that would be reliable, and save the money on the camper part until we know we'll be doing this for the extended future. There is no perfect setup in our opinion, but the one ton truck and truck camper sure is a great one! Love the capri campers also
Also if you ever make it up to LOW area in minnesota you are welcome to stay here at our Boondockers welcome area for as long as you want , discount on electric for you ;)
Hey guys just a suggestion I've used Santan solar for my panels you might wanna check them out. They have very good pricing and are knowledgeable..Gilbert Arizona and Savannah Georgia locations. Living the dream 🤙
I have noticed in yhis video you were more casual and easy going. Not like you were making a robot video. Congrats I thing your number will increase. Just have fun...
Wood frame is not a bad thing. If I look at the Aluminum framed truck campers and how they build it. Every aluminum stud they screw into, which is a good many of them, they put wood in the aluminum for stronger connection using screws. So they are just adding weight with the aluminum in my book. Now, if there was a leak that wood is protected, but if you take care and do maint. that shouldn’t be a game changer. I prefer wood frame myself. The new Denali 3S by Rugged Mountain RV is wood frame. Plus wood is an insulator, aluminum is not and will cause condensation on the inside walls.
Great points! I think our hesitation with the wood framing is the age and the fact we’ve already seen some water damage. If it were a new camper and I could control the maintenance it wouldn’t be an issue
I don't think I could do a truck camper because of the bed. I would have a hard time grtting in and out with my bad back, and I'm a bit too claustrophobic to be able to handle being so close to the ceiling.
