Appreciated your wife’s honesty and your willingness to “keep it real” in this video. Too often a lot of you tubers make it seem like everything is all butterflies and rainbows no matter what, especially when that’s how they make a living. I liked her skottle comments and the realities of what she didn’t like in the camper. My wife can definitely relate. Glad I’m not alone lol
I've always tried to keep it real and my wife is no different. Her criticism were minor and honestly she could have went on and on about the things she loved.
@@TrailRecon Hey Brad, has your wife been introduced as I can't think of her name? I'm happy for you both spending more time outdoors, and enjoy your videos. Thanks Brad and wife.
Your wife's comment about the wind blowing the Skottle heat zones around was the first time I've ever heard that. It makes sense, and doesn't mean Skottle's are bad, but is a refreshing observation. Also if the Skottle was on the other side of the table, more tucked in on the side of the truck it might not have been so affected by the wind. But again it was a refreshing observation.
This really is one big thing I love about TrailRecon. Brad consistently tells it like it is. I've seen a lot of other channels start of trying to do that and inevitably declining into "everything is great". It speaks a lot to his character and consistency that he can keep it real year after year.
Being a married guy myself, I’m glad to see your wife coming along too. It’s more enjoyable to share adventures with someone especially if you get along well :)
Ok, ok, after watching a dozen or more videos with a pop-up camper, you have convinced me that this is the set up I’ll want going forward. I’m a 58 single female who tent camps, backpacks and prefers dispersed to over crowded campgrounds with often no space left. With more people on the road and out in The forests by choice or not so much, I feel it is time to get something besides a car and a tent. I love the little bathroom as it is often not convenience for a female whether traveling or at camp to do her business and if there is a weather, lack of sites or any other situation, I would know that I could hop in the back and be comfortable and safe. And I too like living and camping mostly outside. I live near Yosemite and just travel camped to Oregon and Mt Rainier. Though enjoyable, it was smoky :( and fond it somewhat exhausting this year to set up tent, pad, bag, etc. etc, each night. I do this almost every year. Guess I’m getting older. Thanks for the videos.
Asking for honest criticism and seeing it as an opportunity to do better and make your wife feel more of the same joy you get to feel just be being out there, instead of receiving it as a personal attack, speaks volumes about your relationship. Kudos
Win-Win. My wife is the same type of camper and I’d dearly love for her to join me on trips like this. Neither of us are interested in driving around in a huge rig, i.e. trailer or motor home so I’ve zeroed in on a pop-up. With a small trailer at times for our side x side, it’s our ideal system.
I have a travel trailer with a full kitchen. The only thing we've used in it is the microwave for reheating meals that I cooked on the camp chef the previous day. We don't go camping to sit inside, even if we have a full trailer.
It is so sweet that you want your wife to go on your adventures with you! My husband and I are long time campers and they are some of our best memories together.
It delights me to see you and Mrs Brad out on the road and enjoying life together! Thoughts about the camper. I bought an inexpensive floor mat at Lowe's and cut it to shape to fit the floor. The rubber backing keeps it from slipping around, and it's easy to take out and shake the dirt out...but I also have small mats at the bottom of the ladder and just inside the door. I know you spent 26 years in the Navy, Brad, so you must be comfortable with routines and protocols; it's essential that you unlatch all of the 6 latches without being interrupted. I've seen several FWC that they forgot to unlatch one before pushing up from the inside, and it buckles the aluminum roof skin. Start at the same corner every time and go all the way around. Then double check before going in to lift. Good to see you bringing outdoor cooking gear! You're absolutely right that cooking outside is a big part of the experience! And...it's good to be able to escape bad weather or clouds of mosquitos when you need to!
Also own a FWC Hawk. 2 comments on your wife's concerns. Buy 2 fridge thermometers for fridge & freezer. Check them at least daily if not more often, adjust temp as required. Floor cleanliness, use a chunk of indoor/outdoor carpet under the steps outside. For the floor inside we use 2 carpet door mats cut to fit. Pull them out to shake daily. With a small hand broom you can sweep the sand & pine needles from the corners.
It’s all about family. My favorite past videos were always when you had your son along but I think this one may be the new favorite. Nothing like spending time with your wife. Great job Brad!
I drive a 2016 ram 1500 Laramie and I had never owned a truck before this one. I had driven friends chevys and fords and I always seemed to miss drive and go down into neutral or low or whatever but with the shift u can crank it right from park to drive and never miss it. It makes for a cleaner steering wheel area two only have one for the blinker
@@rossyrocks5952 I appreciate the perspective. I could probably get used to it, but I test drove one and within 5 minutes my teen was playing with the radio and all the buttons and things and shifted the truck to neutral. That really turned me off to it. Also my one friend who has one seems to struggle when we go camping shifting back and forth when parking the RV. It might be driver error. Haha 😂
@@MrJamesLuz I got my ram back in April. It takes about 2-3 weeks to get used to the dial. I did hit the volume once or twice or thrice lol. Muscle memory will eventually kick in. Love the ram
Thanks for the review of the camper and the honest review by your wife is very helpful. It does remind me of me and my wife's first RV. Back in 1991 we bought a small 8 foot camper and a 1969 F250 Camper Special 2WD. We made good many trips with that rig. I hope that the two of you have many more great adventures with your rig.
Brad,was you wife on active duty with you?Is that where you met? I met my wife and she stuck by me through 7 deployments and never wavered.She is what got me through Afghanistan on my last 4 times to the sandbox.
This is, like, almost utopian.! I mean, BEAUTIFUL scenery, beautiful vehicles, hanging out with close friends, DELICIOUS looking food.!! Just, WOW..!! LOVE IT.!! Keep your videos coming.!
We agree, we very seldom use the kitchen in our trailer as we want to be outside! However, like you we do dishes inside. There is nothing better than enjoying a cup of coffee with a stream in the background! I can tell you that after the second night when you guys were tired, my wife would have said we are spending another night in the same spot!
"Roughing it... been there, done that." This is EXACTLY where my wife and I are now (we are both 67)... we love long road-camping trips, we own a very comfy 5th wheel, just finishing 4 months around US and Canada in a Rav4 with backpacking tent... yikes. We are upsizing from tent, downsizing from 5thWhl... Four Wheel Grandby is our choice of next (hopefully last) adventure rig. This video and all of your commentary are helpful for my wife... thank you!
A small recommendation if I may? Can you include ‘My Wife’ in your next video together by referring to her by name? You were nice enough to tell us that you were there with your friend Josh and ‘My Wife’.
"Happy life comes with Happy wife" that's absolutely true for all Truckcampers include me all of those who try to be a part of mother nautre and very Glad to watch your adventure stories.
As a guy with a similarly reluctant wife for overlanding, its nice to see this perspective. Standard overlanding experiences you have with a ton of guys that also camp is unfortunately less realistic for this household, so glad to see i'm not alone in my search for a way to make her comfortable enough to go camping.
Brad it's fantastic to to see you again. I'm at home with a left knee injury unfortunately. But catching your video makes my day!!!. You and your wife make a cute couple!!!!!. The scenery is beautiful. Olive for those videos you share with us. And having a good friends help make those journeys well worth it..
Brad, you understand exactly what I understand. I am 67 and my wife is 64. One of the reasons that I went from a fiberglass shell and carpet kit to the FWC Hawk was my wife. We are way past the time in our lives where sleeping on the ground was fun. Those nights when the 16,000 BTU furnace kicked on made a difference in the quality of our camping experience. I bought our 2007 Hawk new and today, everything still works. I have customized and modernized our camper over the years to keep it current. As a side note, our rig fits in our garage so it is protected from the elements.
Brad the husband, love it. Might of been just a little snippet of your relationship but, watching your interaction as a "Father" and now a "Husband", so awesome. Can't wait for your next adventure.
Loved seeing your wife and hearing her feedback. She seems like such a great companion and I can see why you would want to have her along adventuring together! Hope to see more content with her!
Good stuff Brad! Great that you are able to enjoy adventures with your wife… I much prefer to travel with my wife than without her… it makes the trips so much more meaningful and memorable. Take care and look forward to seeing y’all more in the future.
Hey Brad , really liked your camper. You have left no stone unturned to ensure your wife enjoys the trip & that is so amazing. Overall I love the chemistry between you too & think you are a really good husband & a great companion for adventures. All the best & have a great time
That shot of you having coffee early in the morning standing next to the creek. Shade and water flowing before the sun gets high. I love that. Can't worry about anything when that is going on.
No point in roughing it just because. If you are enjoying yourself, it is worth it. Always drove me crazy in the Army when we would rough it "just to get used to it." Not hard to get used to sparse living arrangements when you have no other choice.
Brad, you dodged a bullet! Your wife is a real trooper. Kudos for selecting the Power Wagon as the platform for your truck bed camper. Too bad you can't get it in a diesel. Hope to see more videos with the two of you and this rig. Nice job!
Unless you’re towing something heavy there’s no benefit to the diesel. Maintenance costs are more than double. Keep synthetic oil in them (6.4 requires it anyway) and don’t go more than 6k on changes and it’ll last 200k or more. I’m a 25 yr Mopar parts guy, owned both.
Brad this was an awesome video, I'm glad that your wife will be going along with you more often. Very inspiring, looking forward to my wife and I heading out!!!
Nice to see the two of you adventuring together. Certainly looking forward to hearing more reviews/comments on how the Four Wheel camper is working out as well as mods. Liked hearing about the temperature control in the fridge.
Brad as much as I have enjoyed the videos with you and your good friends, I really enjoyed the on camera chemistry with you and your wife. I will show this video to my wife and hope to get her on board on my adventures. Thanks so much to the both of you.
Even when I'm tent camping, I don't pee in the woods at night, as the mosquitos follow you back into the tent/camper. Then the next hour is spent eliminating them. So I hear you there!
Cool to see you two having fun. My wife and I are retiring and we have been looking at 22ft campers to tow behind our 2021 Ford ranger 4x4 can’t wait to get started we have worked hard over the years to be at this place.
For the dirt and stuff tracking in put a rug out in front of your back door. For lighting you can buy lighting strips that used batteries that that you can put anywhere. See if you can add a thermostat to that furnace.
Hello MCHM! Thank you for your service. And thanks for these informative videos about Four Wheel Campers. I'm currently finalizing my action plan for getting my own "rig". I was a FMF HM with all three USMC divisions back in the 1970's. Maybe see you all out on the road. Cheers
We're in the same mode with a pop top (NorthStar 650 on a Tundra with suspension/ 35's). 30 years together camping/ offroading and we found the pop top idea to be SUCH a game changer. I'm with the Mrs. on the Scottle....there are some pros and cons there. We use a small hand brush to sweep maybe a couple times a day, a grass (plastic) mat outside in front of the ladder before getting in really helps keep the debris down. We removed the larger back seat to put a Dometic 65L chest fridge for cans of fizzy waters, and lots of frozen meat (over a weeks worth), and it's perfect in conjunction with the fridge in the camper. We fashioned some velcro to hold the pad to the interior roof to watch movies at night (usually 20 min. max before we're done, lol). At 60, we find climbing up still worth it. 4.5 years with the camper. Trying for 500 miles? whoa! I would have stayed at the first OR the second place for a couple days...those were BEAUTIFUL spots...God's Speed you guys! Long time sub, and LOVE your channel.
Install a small computer fan (1 1/2 x 1 1/2) to the inside of the fridge. Drill a tiny hole thru the insulation foam fill port on the side to wire the fan. This will keep the fridge the same temp front to back, top to bottom. The fan draws an almost immeasurable amount of power and the fridge will use many less amps (about 30%) than stock. We lived many years on a boat and it was our fridge and freezer cure.
As a fold-down truck camper guy, my wife really, really likes the toilet and the "Gazelle" gazebo! It's great and keeps the misquotes out and more room to eat and prep if you want.
I laterally was just at the first camp site last weekend for two days. Great spot! The ironic thing about it is I just got my Four Wheel Camper as well and this was our first trip to the Sierras. We love our camper, best thing we have done about camping so far. Coming from a regular truck she’ll on my F250 to the FWC is awesome! A little advice on camp set up, get a CS Gear sand mat, we have two, keeps the dust down, takes up little room. The wife and would love to go camping one day with you guys, we are local, OC. Take care ! Mike & Holly
enjoyed you and the bride camping trip. good to see you all having a great time together. nice to go with guys as we get all get a little older its nice to have momma along. good job
Keeping the wife comfortable is important. I learned that a long time ago. We have traveled to 49 states and most of Canada. Many 5 weeks trips. i also have to make sure I let her shop a little every few days and hit some decent food places. We are on our 11th RV .
You're such a nice guy and your efforts to make camping comfortable for your wife are awesome! I'm glad it all worked out. I look forward to many new adventure videos with you and your lovely wife!
Great to get your second half into the production of the content. She did great 👍 Looking forward to see the rest of the trip. From what Nate already shared it looks great. Be safe 👋🇸🇪
Watching you try to make it work for your wife so aligns with where I am in my overlanding evolution. It is nuts to hear you talk about, especially the nervousness of hoping your investments and setup work for her. It is a ton of pressure and glad to see you get after it. Awesome dude, I am taking notes.
FINALLY!!!!! We get to meet your wife and put a name to her, Regina?, instead of "my wife". I'm curious what fire pit that was. I don't think I've seen one like that before. "Red roads" are just as fun as trails. You get to see some very interesting things. I want to thank you for something small but big too. I noticed that your ham antenna is fender mounted, mine is corner hood mounted, and in filming you dont' let it bother you. Now the other day we did a trail and some road camera filming, and my antenna was bouncing all over the place and it bothered me while editing. I noticed that you don't let it bother you at all, I guess you treat it as just part of the shot or you ignore it. Thanks for the new perspective. Tip from an old time camper, I assume your fridge has cooling fins on the back wall(?) and possibly a light inside, well two small 12 volt cpu fans from an old computer wired across the light switch and mounted on the cooling fins will circulate the air and help with temperature. When the door is opened the fans stop, when closed the fans run. Keeping clean.... an 8x8 piece of fake grass rug outside will catch a BUNCH of dirt and help keep the interior much cleaner. Catch you later. Travel safe!
Good video! I like the honest comments from the Mrs., especially if you two are planning more adventures. I guess the 27-years you've spent married to each other has built that communication, and I think it's great. I am looking forward to the adventures, and hope you two take us along!
This is great! I got a pop up camper specifically so me and my fiancé can get outdoors with our kids. She will NOT ground tent again so I get it, do what you have to do to get out there with your loved ones! I would love to get a set up like this in the future!
Tortillas are always a must. After getting tired of MRE/s in the field I perfected the art of the tortilla PB&J. Still my go-to for quick sustenance outdoors lol great video!
So cool to see you guys adventuring together. I always thought it odd that some many Jeepers/4x4ers wheel alone. My wife and I love hitting the trails together (she does admit to some white knuckle time). Our retirement plan includes getting a self contained camper trailer we can pull behind our 2016 JKU for some travel/off roading. Finding one light enough that checks the boxes is challenging, but a few things we won't compromise on- full size bed with a comfortable mattress, dry toilet/show, and decent fridge/freezer. May change to 4.11 gears to handle the towing. Glad to see you made a stop at Deschutes in Bend. During our last trip to Oregon about 5 years ago we ate there also, neat place with good beer. Safe Travels and God Bless!
