Truck Camping in a State Forest, The Truck and Camper have Issues 

Sorry to hear about that. Hopefully everything works out for you. In the mean time I'll keep talking you on these adventures. I was gonna do a repair video this weekend, but the temps are looking good. So I might bring you along to check out a State Forest I haven't recorded at yet. You will have to tune in Tuesday evening to see what we do. Thanks for watching and following along. Stay positive!

Awesome! Its a beautiful forest. The price of Fuel has me staying at places closer to home. Thankfully we have quite a few options around here. I'll be exploring the Chippewa Forest again soon. There so many trails I have been down.

Thanks, Very true, life to short to sweat the small stuff. This camper has showen me tons of adventures, so doing a little fixing isn't a big problem.

Do you live in a rolling home? I looked for videos of yours but didn't see any.

Thanks Bryan, I appreciate the comment. Great choice on the bike!

Thanks! CampinG options feel endless here in MN. I've been making these videos every weekend for a year and a half, I stay in MN for the most part. I work a regular Monday through Friday job and film on the weekends. Even though the popularity of camping has increased the last few years I still find some great dispersed sights where I'm all alone. I love it!! Thanks for checking out the channel.

Thanks Tony, I'm hoping it will be all easy fixes. I have a list to go through.

Thanks!

THANKS!

Thanks Eric, Minnesota is a great state for recreation.

Thanks Steven!

Thanks. I'm glad you enjoy the history too. Often times there a story revolving around these forests. It's cool to learn about it while being out there. The old Froest Ranger sounded like an awesome guy! He realy wantec a campground on Rock Lake, he realized that the State would drag there feet with permits and impact studies, and most likely the funds would not get approved.. so he took it upon himself to borrow a dump truck and loader and carve out a campground....thats awesome! I did a video from the campground last year, check it out. It's all about how I camp in the cold. Thanks for watching! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-35WJi_PAops.html

Agreed, I thought about taking the ice spoon and rake. The only things of value.....but I'll leave them for the people that have to pick it all up. Maybe it will be me!

WHAT! I was gonna drive through there Sunday! I was at that campground last year around this time. It's my highest viewed video so far. It would have been awesome to met you. Was the campground empty? This is my video from up there. I went on a bike ride through the campground. It was a nice quiet place. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-35WJi_PAops.html

And yes the wind sucked on Sunday and Monday

@@KennyOfAllTrades only 2 other sites had people. One guy had a tent, feel sorry for him in that wind 😂 another site had a ice castle but never saw anyone outside of it. My video should be out tomorrow or Thursday.

I'll be checking it out!

That's great to know. Maybe it's something to do with hunting season. I'll have to look that up. Thanks for the information.

Thanks Guys! I think it shows how much pride we have in our units. I find myself admiring the truck camper everytime I walk up to it. I was short on time while editing so I didn't get to all my issues. My on-board generator stopped working from the inside with the push button. I found a leak between my wet bath floor and toilet. It only leaks after taking a shower. I lost a fast gun somewhere over the last 3 videos. That one really sucks, those things are expensive. And the mirror on the medicine cabinet in the bathroom needs to be replaced. The backer board to the mirror has been waterlogged to many times in the past. I got a little bit of work ahead of me. It's ok though, I get so much fun and enjoyment out of this camper.

​@@KennyOfAllTrades Wow, when it rains it pours. That is a lot to have to work through and some really big/ expensive issues. It is a good thing that you are able to do your own work on the camper as that saves so much money. People really like seeing you fix things on your camper in the videos and work through your issues as you go. We really appreciate you sharing that with us as we were feeling a bit overwhelmed with getting parts for our camper due to the supply issue. We just received our parts after trying to get them since July. We have a pop up and we just had to replace our actuators (the parts that took us so long to get) on our camper and now we have to fix our black tank vent hose because it just popped off but you have to take the bathroom counter off to fix it. Like you though we get a lot of enjoyment from our camper. We have faith that you will get all these items fixed over time and as you can afford them. Fred and I both really love your camper and wish you a smooth journey through your repairs.

@@KennyOfAllTrades how did a fast gun just fall off? Not sure on the design of yours but for mine, the handle would have to be lifted up, to do that the pin would have to be removed, i have locks for pins instead so can’t be stolen while parked on the street. 🍻

I unfortunately did not have the handles locked. I think it was the rocks and ruts that's caused the handle to lift, or I had that much movement. There has been many times the camper has about jumped out of the bed from the trails i go down. I will go lock the other three handles down tonight.

Thanks. It's funny you mentioned the drone, that was a struggle. There was a time where I was bucking the wind and not making any headway, but thankfully i made it back home. I've lost a mini 3 pro over a swamp because of the wind and a fast draining battery. I only owned that one for 20 minutes, it was my first flight with it.

Thanks, I was just thing to myself that I hadn't seen your name for a bit. I still remember the group of people that commented on my first few videos, I know you've been around since the beginning and I appreciate that!

@@KennyOfAllTrades Yes, I was away for a while, with the usual ups and downs of life so I need to catch up probably this weekend on some of your previous videos I haven't seen. Glad to see you are still enjoying the best life has to offer, your truck/camper/family all doing good 😊.

Thanks, hope all the same for you!

Thanks Mike. It was one heck of a weekend. I didn't get all the issues on camera but I have a few things to work on. The on-board generator won't start from inside the camper and I also found the wet bath is leaking around the toilet after taking a shower. And....i lost a fast gun tie-down somewhere along the way.....

@@KennyOfAllTrades Eeesh, a bucketful of challenges ya got there. Didn’t you have problems with the remote shutoff on your Predator (I think it’s a Predator) last week? Just don’t take a shower! There ya go leak solved! Lol. Hopefully you just need a new seal for the toilet. Ok, now how and the hell do you lose a Fastgun tiedown? I mean I know they can work themselves lose, but for the top to unhook from the camper and the bottom to unhook from the truck seems like a one in a million scenario. Wonder if someone stole it 🤔 Well if anyone can figure out and fix these challenges…it’d be you! You’re Kenny of the Trades 😃

@@mikegupguthrie-futurenomad7866 I think it was the logging road from last week or the week before with Mandi. Every once in awhile I'll hit a rock or rutt that will make the camper just about jump out of the bed. I love the trails I get on...but dang it can get ruff..... And yes, I still haven't figured out the remote issue with the Predator.

@@KennyOfAllTrades I thought there was like some sort of cotter pin like locking system on the tie downs so they wouldn’t unclasp. Still a bummer you need to by a new one though Yeah, you sure do venture beyond off the beaten path on some rough roads. They say just like an earthquake in camper just driving down a normal road, can’t imagine how much stress is put on it all when on forest service or back country roads

Thanks. It was a beautiful forest. This place had a real laid back feeling too.

Thanks! The forest had a real laid back and welcoming feeling...compared to last week's camp there was a big difference.

Velkommen/ yes theirs something about a grey october day that feels welcoming,

That's awesome William. I'm glad you guys liked the Chilli!

That’s awesome you tried the Chili! Glad your boy liked it also. I love me some beans chili and I really wanted to figure out how to make it less carbs. Some will argue you can’t. But I thought it was delicious… 😊

Agreed Gary, LE has changed over the years. I love hearing stories from the ol'timers working the road. Today guys and gals working the position have there hands tied, damed-if- you- do....damed- if-you-dont. The world looks to be going down the crapper some days...I just have to keep telling Myself that the majority of us are good people.

It might be. I'll do some repairs after work everyday. Maybe I'll be ready for an adventure by the weekend...no promises though.

@@KennyOfAllTrades do you also winterize your RV get it ready for the winter

I do winterize. Last year I was able to hold off untill January. But then it started to cost to much keep the heater on during the week.

You are 💯 right Doug. This camper has shown me a lot of awesome weekends, definitely worth it!

Great suggestion! I like the food there as well. Everything from breakfast to burgers. I don't live to far away from there myself.

Thanks Bill!

Hey Harry I was thinking about you while shooting the video. I remembered our conversation last year around this time. I was hopping you would see the video! Thanks for the offer. Its is a great idea. We could head out from your place with an ATV pulling a trailer and and hit a number of spots. That way I wouldn't even need to get permission to bring the Jeep on the ATV trails.This Spring when it dries up we will have to make it happen!

@@KennyOfAllTrades Pilsbury is a closed area to ATV traffic but we might get the CO in this area to clear something for us. I have had some contact with him on poachers in the past and he's a good guy. I have a UTV and 14 foot trailer - and a couple of pickups to do whatever we need to do. I might even be able to enlist a neighbor or two for the effort. (I emailed you a pic of my location again.) I have seen a number of trash piles in the forest all of which can be reached easily off existing trails and would love to put something together. I sent you my cell number when you are ready to talk.

@@harryburns9397 Awesome!

Minnesota is full of recreational options. Now is the best time of year to explore in my opinion. You have to keep an eye out for hunters, but the travel season is pretty much done.

Thanks for the tip, I'll remember that next time. Mandi is adamant washing vegetables....I never thought twice about, never rinsed anything off. But she domesticated me....almost...not really. Hope you are doing well, are you staying in Montana this winter or headed for warmer temps.

@@KennyOfAllTrades that’s a good question! I have a couple large job prospects that will take me down to the desert SW more than likely. Hopefully they go through too. Parents just moved down there and I’d love to spend some time with em if Im in the area. Really enjoying your videos man. Just goes to show how dedication pays off with channels! You’re kickin ass and the vids are so well put together. Don’t know how you do it. When I’m working full time, I just don’t have the energy most times to film, let alone edit videos. That and I’ve been in a bit of a creative hump. Also, breaking the gimbal mount on the drone really bummed me out. Especially considering I broke it just before I headed to colorado; an area where drone shots are necessity!

@@KennyOfAllTrades also, doing really well, thanks! Just work work working away, saving up so hopefully I have enough money to take a nice extended vacation again unless my job prospects continue to be profitable enough to justify grinding away. Diet is going great too. Down 45 lbs as of this morning! Back pain greatly reduced, feeling much more chipper and healthy. Really enjoying eating healthy foods more because of how I feel after eating them. That being said….I miss potato chips, pizza, and beer.

That's to bad about the gimbal. I know how you feel, I get in the same creative slump. I have to remind myself why im doing it. Making videos is expensive, and super time consuming. WIth that being said I still love doing it. I hope one day to make enough money off RU-vid to create content fulltime. It's hard, but I hope it will payoff. I appreciate your comment. It's nice to hear a comment like that from someone who knows what it's like to create travel content. A lot of people think it looks like a vacation, but its hard work when everything is captured through a lens.

@@KennyOfAllTrades of course buddy. Glad to give credit where credit’s due!

I think you will see the repairs on a video soon...I was thinking about doing the repairs while parked out on a forestry road. Kill two birds with one stone! Thanks for leaving a comment Doodles. I always appreciate the core viewers chiming in to help with the algorithm.

I agree. I think its a great idea. This spring I'll have to set it up.

See the conversation between KOAT and I above.... something might come together

Your right..I got nothing to worry about. My Silverado was made out of thunderstorms and Bruce Lee movies..thats a throwback to an old RU-vid video

It was....so a little secret.....I like next day steak in the microwave just as much as fresh off the grill....maybe even more...dont judge lol

I am former law enforcement, thats my badge. I keep it there as a reminder. In the back seat of the truck I have my uniform and carrier badges velcrode to the back wall. I cover them up with the hats because it's something that I've never really talked about.

@@KennyOfAllTrades that's cool Kenny. Doesn't change a thing here. I understand completely and appreciate your honesty a thank you for your service. Your personalty reflected your past profession in your very first video. My wife and I both commented together on it. I used to run like the wind, look at me now!😂

I had to put a new cap on the front of the camper a couple years ago (Water damage). I had a gallon West System marine grade wood Epoxy left over so I painted all the exposed wood with it. So now everything looks like it's stained. But it's all smooth as glass and water cannot penetrate into it. But I'm sure water has been in there before. I have some delam on that rear wall. I pulled the siding back at tried to epoxy it all back in place. I would agree that most....if not ALL campers leak at some point. Hopefully the leaks are found quickly. This camper is almost 20 years old and I take it down crazy trails. I try to keep up on the maintenance, it's never-ending, but completely worth it! Thanks for watching!

Thanks! It is a 3500 watt. I really like it. I was running the Honda 2000. The reason I went with the Predator is because 2000 watts wasn't enough. During the summer months It could run the AC, but nothing else. If the house batteries would call for a charge while the AC was running the Honda trip out. I have not overloaded the Predator yet. I think the Predator is advertised as the same sound level as the Honda. It really is quiet.

You are right! The forest road seperated the leaves. You can see in the drone shots of the camper being parked. One angle the the leaves are beautiful brown / orange, the other angle the leaves are gone. Almost all the drone footage was taken from the campsite, other then the driving parts. I was maybe 5 miles away from the camper at the furthest point on bike (as the crow Flys). I put on a lot more then that following the trails. It's definitely past peak. A few more windy days and they will all be gone. It may have something to do with tree species as well. Plus looking out the camper door the view was an area that was logged more recent maybe 10 years ago. A lot of new growth. The other side of the road was old growth.

I've got a story about a situation just like that from back when I was a cop. Maybe one day ill share that part of my life on the channel.

Funny you ask. Yesterday I had to take out my blower fan out of my truck because an acorn found its way in there. I don't have a lot of issues with mice but it happens from time to time. My best defense is out door cats. They help keep the mice population down around home. Have fun on the trip and be safe!

Now I got to back and watch the video to find it!

Ground scrap 8:58....im looking at my phone and its hard to see the trees. Is that the one your talking about. Back in the day I was really into hunting. Rifle opener was huge in my family, I preferred archery because there wasn't as much pressure. I even hunted black powder for a few years....then, one year there was a big disagreement about who's tag was going on a deer...after that I lost interest....I wish I could find the spark to get back out there.

@@KennyOfAllTrades yes that what it looks like in the video Love archery deer Have not hunted archery season for a while one reason or the other but still love archery recurves and longbows used to be my passion.

Recurve and longbow? That is awesome! I see what the crossbows are capable of today....its insane....almost questionable if its still considered archery, or maybe should be in a category of its own. Dont get me wrong though, my dad used a crossbow after a shoulder injury and thats the only way he could continue to enjoy the sport. I think it's awesome people are still out there with the time tested Recurve. Very cool!

@@KennyOfAllTrades Pick up a copy of Traditional Bowhunter Magazine,it will re-light your bowhunting flame. Many hunt successfully with trad equipment, its just as lethal today as it was years ago. Greater rewards, you will know what I mean when you harvest a deer. The areas you camp in and bowhunting would be a match made in heaven.

Yes, I did not get the house setup last winter. This winter it is going out for sure. I made it from scraps while doing home reno projects. It's an awesome little shack. I'll overnight in the camper and do some early morning ice fishing. The drone shots will be epic!

Yes, I'd love that. I think I could get so much more footage with a boat or kayak. Hopefully, next year, I'll be able to afford one.

I will look into those. I watched Nomadic Fanatic use shark bite fittings. They look real simple to use. Enjoy the bike!

Very cool, I'll check out the channel. I use Gopro's 99% of the time. I have a love hate relationship with them. The make vlogging super easy....when they work and hopefully the SD card dosent become corrupt....rant over. I bought a cheep head and chest mount off Amazon. They lasted a few months then the elastic bands where out. So I did step up to an actual GoPro chest mount. Otherwise all the clips and plastic mounts are from large bundle packs off Amazon. The mount on my drivers side mirror is the old worn out head band zip tied in place. I found Ulanzi tripods off Amazon to be decent quality for the price. Most of my mounts are cheep knock off Amazon pieces that get the job done.

Well you might be from Missouri buddy...that sounds like stuff we would do🤣 zip ties and gray tape will solve any problem🤣thank you for your info.

I had a few choice words for sure! The case is made out of megnesium to save weigh. It's a pipe thread plug. It's my fault....I wrapped the plug twice with pipe tape. The tape was to much. I read a bunch of forums that say the Megnesium cases will crack if you use tape.....I have done it that way a hundred times in the past. I changed the transfer case fluid in this truck probably half a dozen times. This was the day it decided enough was enough. I'll drain the case and clean it up well. I thought I would drill a small hole at the end of the Crack to stop it from spreading, then use a dremel to cut into the crack a little. Ill finish it off with JB weld. I'm sure a new transfer case cover is in my future.

@@KennyOfAllTrades I had aluminum on the brain but yes you are right those cases are made out of magnesium and why they would match that material up to a pipe thread plug is beyond me, they should have designed it with an oring plug. Let me guess, they knew this would happen .. its good for parts sales !. Oh yes, pipe tape can really cause a tapered thread plug to turn easy and not feel tight because it isn't as per a turning torque but is actually applying a lot of outward force and I have known guys to crack cast steel housings on engines for example by using teflon tape. Find out what GM actually recommends for a sealant as I am speculating its not teflon tape but either a silicone product or possibly the liquid teflon. As long as you don't loose your oil down the road literally with a repair like you suggest, perhaps that might work. Perhaps we will see a "How to Remove a Duramax Transfer Case" in a future video 🙂

Spot on!

Yes, it's normal. This year we have had a really nice fall. Hopefully we get some cold temps before the snowl. It would be nice to get good clear ice.

The truck is a 3500 HD. The GWVR is 11, 500 pounds. The payload capacity sticker says 3862 pounds. That number is calculated by the factory load index 124 tires. I have upgraded the ties and the suspension. That's on another video. I do mention there's nothing a person can do to change the factory GVRW. However, there are suspension upgrades that can help with handing. I've hauled this camper in a 2500 for 3 years before I bought the truck seen in this video. So far, I've put 94,000 miles in this setup. I'm feeling very comfortable with it. Here is my rear suspension upgrades. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Msqnosna8N8.html

@@KennyOfAllTrades you had me at 3500! Safe travels.

I really tried to show the difference in suspension upgrades with that video. It took me all weekend to shoot. I don't talk about the front of the truck, only the rear. My truck came with the snow slow package. The owners manual says the difference is larger torsion bars up front for a stiffer suspension. I think that might help with the truck camper as well. I can not confirm that. Up front, I added PPE tierods. Kryptonite control alarms. Bilstein steering stabilizer. And a suspension max leveling kit in order to fit load index 129 tires. I'm running 295/70/18. The max load carring capacity is 4080 pounds per tire. That's compared to the factory 124 load index with max carrying capacity of 3527 pounds. I've also upgraded the wheels to Method NV 305. The rated capacity of that rim is 4600 pounds. I had a hard time finding the weight rating on the factory wheels. I found a few sites that said Chevy rated the steel wheels at 3750 pounds.

I agree. Unfortunately, this forest gets it worse than others I've noticed. I was there again this summer. I came upon a beautiful spot to disperse camp......but it was completely trashed. I brought in a helper, and we cleaned house! I'll drop the link to that video. It was so sad to see the condition of this site. I'll let you see the transformation after a day of cleaning. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-wiObsWdKx1g.htmlsi=DsRntpRDNgLqw9cT

Minnesota legislation has determined classes 1 and 2 ebikes to be in the same category as a regular bike. It's nice that they ruled on the question, can I ride my ebike on trails designed for bicycles. The Department of Natrual Resources agrees. Class 1 and 2 ebikes are not considered motorized vehicles and allowed on the trails.

@@KennyOfAllTrades WOW KENNY..... THAT WAS A QUICK RESPONSE... THANK YOU. CLEAR TO ME NOW... KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. I'M GLAD YOU ARE STARTING A PATREON PAGE. JUST KEEP YOUR CHANNEL FREE. !! PEOPLE WILL CONTRIBUTE OF THEIR OWN FREE WILL. AND KNOWING YOU AND YOUR CHANNEL, I THINK YOU WOULD AGREE. PUT A LINK TO DONATE ON EVERY TUESDAY VIDEO. I KNOW THAT I WOULD CONTRIBUTE,,,, BUT I WILL NOT BECOME A MEMBERS ONLY VIEWER . JUST A LITTLE FOOD FOR THOUGHT WHILE MAKING YOUR DECISION. AS ALWAYS.,,, ITS JUST MY OPINION. I LOOK FORWARD TO WATCHING EVERY TUESDAY BE KIND BE HONORABLE AND I'LL SEE YOU DOWN THE ROAD. IDAHO HERE. TAKE CARE.

@mikeglasgow9618 Thanks! We are on the same page. I don't want to have content that's limited to only peole donating. It will be free for everyone. The only thing changing will be the option to donate. Thanks for checking out the older videos!

I don't. I'll go check them out now.

@@KennyOfAllTrades You might also like MAV'video's - he is out of Duluth and does a lot of truck (bed) camping, plus he has a JDM camper, a hold hummer, a converted VW bug camper and now a frankensteined Airstream he just got.

I do like Mavs videos. I have been watching him for a number of years. I started watching him back when he was primarily a fishing channel. I still remember when him and Hanna did his first truck bed build. He has come along way. I'm in two Harbors often and in all the years I've never run into him. He seems to be an approachable guy. I know we have had multiple videos where we overnight at the same rest stops on 61. His channel is crazy big! I just checked out Joe and Zach. They seem like pretty down to earth people. I'll have to check out more of their videos. Thanks for the heads up.

@@KennyOfAllTrades Mav worked in Blaine for a while at Thorne Bros - I drive by there fairly frequently. I'm headed to McGregor at the end of Feb - really looking forward to getting up North for at least a few days.

No kidding you'll be driving pretty close to my house headed to McGregor. Check out a little Cafe called the school house Cafe. They serve an awesome breakfast! If you happen to see the Arctic Fox at the gas station becsurecto stop and say hi.