Just ordered.......

[TwinStick]

one of these: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFiewi2MjZ8 5" lift, 15" tires & rims, Arctic pkg underbelly insulation w/1 piece plastic stone guard covering entire underbelly. We also opted for the 13,500 btu rooftop a/c unit ( think southern states during summer temps) instead of the 8000 btu side mount unit, as height is not an issue for us.

8-12 weeks for delivery. Now, I know this is not a real off-road camper. It will allow us to get a little off the beaten path though & not worry so much at unimproved campgrouds/areas (about ripping the plumbing off).

Also going in 4 days to look at the XVenture X-2 Severe Duty Trailer, from Schutt Industries. I plan on getting either one of those or a Manley ORV Explore. Leaning heavily towards the XVenture though. Just flat out made for severe duty.

Looking forward to retirement !

[FirerescuePW]

Nice. Great little camper. Good luck with it!

Are you still headed to PA this week?

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[TwinStick]

Yes we are. Does not hurt to look.

Thanks

I have no smart phone or laptop. Just a dumb phone. So, no posting while on the road. I can call if i have a phone # though.

Will update where & when tomorrow.

[TwinStick]

OK4WD in Stewartsville NJ---Wed ----Noon-3ish

Fritz RV ---Thursday---Noon-ish. Prolly only be there an hour, seeing as how we already bought that camper.

Main Line Overland----- Thursday---- 1pm ish prolly only an hour.

Manley ORV Trailers in Ohio on Friday.

[azracer]

one of these: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFiewi2MjZ8 5" lift, 15" tires & rims, Arctic pkg underbelly insulation w/1 piece plastic stone guard covering entire underbelly. We also opted for the 13,500 btu rooftop a/c unit ( think southern states during summer temps) instead of the 8000 btu side mount unit, as height is not an issue for us.

I looked at those and really liked them. I too would put a bigger roof mounted AC on it instead of the smaller side mounted one. Too bad they don't offer a side slide out to improve the spaciousness. I looked at the 18FB and liked the fact that it can be used with the pop out bed in the stowed position with zero compromises. Just pull the drapes shut and your done. Great choice for what your doing


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[TwinStick]

Thanks. My F-I-Law has had 3 camper with slides. Every single one leaked when a storm hit the slide out side & had driving rain. Many find this out too late. I personally did not want slides. First, for the reason above & second is, I want to be able to access everything quickly if i have to pull over to get something in the camper. Many of them, you can't access the fridge or bathroom or kitchen or bedroom if slide/s are in. My friend has a 40' fifth wheel like that. 4 slides. 90k & Can't access the kitchen or fridge with slides in. I want to be able to pull over, get out & into camper & sleep. Open & close 2 doors & done. Important for us while traveling.

Everyone has their lists of wants & needs. I hope this will work for us for many years to come.

[Cactus Red]

That's one of the reasons we liked the RPod 178 - complete access with the slide in.

Dennis Miller "You can't order black coffee anymore. It's un-creamed..."

[TwinStick]

E-mail from dealer today. Build order is confirmed. Sooner than thought. Ship date is 5/29/15. It is considered a 2016. Don't know why, but it is. Like cars & trucks i guess. Also of note (to me at least): Shipping method-low boy trailer. That means it won't be towed from Mfg to selling dealer !!! Yeah !!! Less chance of damage.....i hope.

[azracer]

I was curious about your trailer and went to a local dealer to give it a look. We liked it very well except for the A/C unit in the wall, the smaller shorter frige and their asking price of $22,995

We looked at the R-Pod and liked it with the exception of the limitations of a awning and the price. We have not been shopping for a while and really had to gasp for air when we saw the sticker on the table that said MSRP $18,995 with a sale price of $15,995.

We really liked the Starcraft unit we looked at (model 21FBS) until we saw $31,000 sale price for a 22' trailer with one slide. They are nuts asking these prices.

We also liked the AR One 18QB but didn't see a price and didn't dare ask. That 5" lift really lifts it up quite a bit and would work real well on poorly or unmaintained forestry service roads and such.

We looked at used units and they were all marked $22,000 and up. We aren't even close enough to think about it much less try to haggle on one. We just wanted to take a look at some of the stuff out there for off the beaten path use.


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[verdesardog]

We just wanted to take a look at some of the stuff out there for off the beaten path use.

If you have the time and skill you could make your own. Here's my off road base camp, it wouldn't work very well if you have young'uns though. You can make the inside any way you want to fit what you want to use it for:

http://americanadventurist.com/Forum/sh ... -tear-drop!

I just got back from three days camping while attending the AZ State Search and Rescue Coordinator's conference. I might get a 12 volt fridge if I ever get enough disposable cash.

A cargo trailer conversion would be easier......

[azracer]

Yea verdesardog while I like yours it won't be allowed in some of the camp grounds we go to, Like the Camp Verde Thousand trails and other camp grounds like AOR that we can use for free 2>4 weeks a year. If it weren't for that little problem and my wife's desire for creature comforts I would be all over making one similar to yours but a bit bigger.

The Photo below is how we rolled back in the day! We either towed the cabin boat or the Jeep XJ and used our Avon tender boat. Those were the days I tell ya... 160 gallon tank and 0.99 cent diesel. We got 13>15 mpg out of the transverse mounted 8V71 with a 4 speed manual transmission. Took some getting use to with all that shift linkage, no tachometer and the engine so far behind that you just could not hear it. I got very good at jamming the gears and was very proud of how good I got at it LOL. They call it an intercity Greyhound buffalo bus.

[2wagons1driveway]

That's a sweet camper twin! Seriously heavy duty for exploration I like it!


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[TwinStick]

Thanks. Looking forward to getting it. Am Soooooooooo looking forward to retirement. Can't wait.

[RustyPW]

Once you start thinking about retirement. You're done. I told them at work that I have one foot out the gate, and dragging the other one with a forward lean.

[TwinStick]

Had to have my son upload these pics ! LOL


Well, this is our new camper. Picked it up yesterday in the pouring rain, so it already has had its "leak test" & it passed. 235/75/15 tires, & around 28" tall. Sleeps 2, in a queen (short) bed. Awesome. Just right for us. They were able to reuse my old hitch, weight distribution bars & anti-sway bars (it was rated at 14,000 lbs) on this light-weight 3200 lb camper---AWESOME !!! Trailer tows AWESOME, don't even know it is there. Tracks almost exactly where truck does when turning. No more "Give me 40 acres & i'll turn this thing around" . LOL

I already have found things i want to change & am going to change. Typical idiots designing them & assembling them. Propane tank mount---FAIL-no brackets or hold down, just sits on 2 pieces of angle with 2 bolts through the lip on bottom of tank (wobbles all over the place), Propane tank regulator mount location in direct interference with battery---FAIL.

I can now travel all over with no worries about "how it tows" empty vs loaded. Truck does not even know it is there (i think i heard it laugh once) LOL

Future plans: ARE cap for the truck: http://www.4are.com/product/mx/ with my Yakima roof rack on top (w/spare tire for camper mounted up there), home made bed slide for the bed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jd1Sx_tldHs , chairs & folding table underneath, 3 spare propane tanks up front, 2-82qt ARB fridges w/batteries, & my cook stove on the slide. Custom (both wheels on) 2 bike rack on rear bumper of trailer

[Graveltravels]

I went with a slide bed for mine, with a undercover tonneau cover. Dumb. I need a good topper, as I have no height inside now!


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[TwinStick]

Another big piece of my retirement puzzle is now complete. Love this camper so far.

Going in on June 25th to "get my numbers" for retirement.

I think i can, i think i can..........

Shooting for no later than the end of April of next year.

My life should be better then. Less money, but better quality. Much less , , & hopefully a lot less moments.

Hell, it's gotta be soon, i still owe Rusty dinner, a beer, or both for notching & welding my steering gearbox brace !!!

[RustyPW]

Congrats on getting a little camper. Have fun finding bed sheets for that queen short bed. The only place I could find them was through Camping World.
One of these days we will meet up. Like at Rausch Creek. That better be on your bucket list!