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Comments
One more must have item is the bag of metric nuts that I had on my list. You need two for the relay and one for the starter. The metric size is the main reason of course but also they are made out of brass or something so I assume they won't rust.
I have mounted the relay to the rear side of the battery support. Fits nice there. Now all I need is a truck to mount the battery support into.
My guess is Friday I'll pick it up.
BTW Vince, you have plenty of room in a popup. You just have be mentally roughing it. You can't bring it all with you, so you rough it. My wife and I have done 6 weeks on a motorcycle/sidecar camping trip and 6 weeks in the truck/popup. The biggest difference is we tend to eat in (90%) the camper and to eat out (90%) with the sidecar. That and it is much faster to set up camp with the popup. Of course, with the sidecar we can setup camp and the drive into town without closing up camp.
The beggest benefit of the camper is the ability to level the sleeping area. The tent is always at the mercy of the ground and we spent a lot of time trying to find the right spot for the tent. The truck we just park, maybe add a big rock or piece of wood under one or two tires, or dig a hole under one tire and onto the raised(lowered) spot to level. I can leave the jacks on the back to bring the back up, but usually don't.
I'm rambling......must need my morning caffiene fix.
Later,
Mike L
Just like Alaska.
So, where are you going to be camping this season? I imagine you try avoid the tourist crowds. Our favorites were Homer and the Dalton Highway. Least favorites were Seward, Anchorage and the area around Denali - all too crowded.
At any rate, Alaska is on our list of places to visit again when we retire (about 5 more years, depending on the state lottery and the other lottery (stock market)).
Enjoyed the pictures of your camper even if it is not our style of camper.
Enjoy the sun,
Mike L
Finally getting a truck to replace my '89 F350 CC. My 1999 1/2ton 4.8L reg cab longbed will be for sale once I get allocated.
Only bummer was couldn't get a 3.73 nor the new orange paint. GCWR is 16,000 lbs for my engine/ rear end combo, figure this will tow my 5,000 lb trailer and three dirtbikes in the bed no problem. GVWR is 9200 lbs for the 3/4 tons. All one tons come with dually and a gvwr of 11,400 lbs.
Got the tow package with the manual and the camper wiring.
Any guesses when I see this thing? This year I hope. Getting 16mpg with the 1/2 ton 4.8L running empty. Figure about 11 to 12 mpg with the new vehicle....you think?
I went to Seward this past weekend. It's not very crowded yet, but that will change Memorial Day weekend. I went to Homer and Seward a lot last year. I also have access to a private bluff lot near Anchor River that overlooks Cook Inlet with an awesome view of Mt. Redoubt and Mt. Illiamna. It's a nice get away from the crowds and you're still only about 25 miles from Homer. Homer is about as far as it makes sense to go for a standard weekend trip. It's about 4 1/2 hours one way depending on traffic. I'm not going out this weekend, but will likely head to Homer after work on Friday, 5/19. I miss the three 10s I worked last year that gave me three day weekends every weekend. I was able to justify trips to Valdez (about six hours from Anchorage) when I had the extra day.
As far as storage, I've had no problem tossing sleeping bags and other gear in the bed area, usually for friends. The camper actually has plenty of storage. Those cabinets along the side of the bed are bigger than they look. There are also two other storage areas in the bed area. One is actually for a tv, but I don't have one in the camper. The other is pretty decent size on the wall between the bed area and bathroom. I've got the regular closet for hanging clothes in the hall area, plus there are drawers under that, plus there are the kitchen cabinets. My camper also has a basement storage that runs under the camper the entire length of the floor area. The lawn chairs, coleman stove, lantern, fishing gear etc. go there. Skis can fit in there also.
Certainly you are welcome to some metric nuts when the time comes.
Are you sure about the weight rating? It's good news. How did you determine this, you must have gone to manufacturer's web pages because the retailers don't give that kind of detail.
One more question, is that an All Terrain tire? Many M/S tires are street tires with a bit wider grooves.
http://members.home.net/vofm/compressor.jpg
http://members.home.net/vofm/gauges.jpg
I bought my camper with winter in mind in Alaska and towing toys. Alot of the weight is in the insulation and windows. The camper is rated to 40 below (I'll never test that.....on purpose). The set up I have is certainly not the best for alot of people. I can only emphasize that everyone look and drive before they buy. And....as with anything, if it don't feel right at first, it's not likely to feel right later. That love at first sight is USUALLAY for the birds. Give it a good test run before you MARRY into a commitment.......just my opinion.
I found the information on the BF Goodrich website:
http://www.bfgoodrichtires.com/
Select site map (at the bottom), Light Truck/SUV tires, and the All Terrain T/A's.
The 265/285's in LRD carry the same as or more than a 245 LRE.
It does open up your choices.
Brutus,
I wasn't saying anything bad about your choice, it's just not my choice. Whatever works for you is fine for you. I don't understand 45' motorhomes either, but alot of people like them. My dad has a 28' trailer that he lives in half the summer. 1 week away, 1 week home, repeat as long as the weather permits. Not my style.
40 below. Let's see --- we'd be dead for about the last 30 degrees. We've been comfortable down into the 20's in our popup. Any colder and we will have to run the furnace. If we get caught in really cold weather we will leave the top down and we should be ok in that really small space with 1" insulation all around.
I've thought about a small trailer as a good alternative. But, if I really want to go off-road or on really bad dirt/gravel roads then the trailer is a problem. But for the rest of the time, leave the trailer at a base camp and go exploring. That litlle 'Bambi' Airstream looks really nice, but I've never checked the price.
Later,
Mike L
Hope my 2500 shows up today.
I'm curious to see what has changed by the end of the model year and to feel the firm ride suspension. I don't think you and your wife will feel this one is too soft. If it's too firm I can sell you a set of standard stock shocks for $5. What a deal.
Going to be a busy couple of weeks.
I do have a digital camera, not the greatest resolution (640x480). But you can stop by if you are in the south bay and you want to see the newest addition to our used car lot (2 convertibles, VW Vanagon, El Camino and 2 Silverado's). The neighbors are starting to talk.
Today I work 1/2 day and then off to spend big bucks on a Dark Carmine Red truck.
Later,
Mike L
What does the sticker in the glove box say is the maximum camper weight? Just curious....figure my HD version will be similar or a couple hundred lbs higher.
It's quieter, smoother and seems stronger than the 1500. The ride is not bad for an empty truck with firm ride suspension. Could be just right when we get the camper on.
Markbuck, the glove box label says 2702lbs. Max capacity is 3334lbs, minus 300 for two people minus 200 for a tank of gas and minus 100 for the added options and we are right at the 2700lb limit. With our popup and fully loaded we should have about 1300lbs of margin. Plenty to keep my wife from worrying about that.
They are currently selling 2500s for 2500 over list. We got ours with the GMS deal for $400 under invoice. Not bad! Out the door was $900 under MSRP. California tax and DMV was $2500.
We have a nice 99 Silverado 4x4 Reg Cab, Longbed, 1500, 4.8L, 5spd, AC, CC, PDL, Posi, Camper Mirrors, Fog Lights, Rear Slider, Aluminum Wheels, Fender Flares and more for sale. Charcoal Metallic with Satin Black flares and side moldings. 25,000 miles. Kelly Blue Book $21,000.
Later, I have to go driving.
Mike L
00 Silverado 2500 LS 4x4 6.0L 5spd
Seemed like a great song to start with, especially since the 99 has never had the radio on while piling up 25,000 miles.
Later,
Mike L
Vince, didn't you buy new Edelbrock shocks, & if so, how do you like them, or have you had a chance to test them with the camper? If you have posted before, I missed them. Do you bring your caper with you when you visit family in Grass Valley? Would like to see it next time your up this way. Could meet you in the Raley's parking lot. Easy in & out. Let me know.
Gary-
Sometimes I bring the camper up north visiting and sometimes not. It depends how long I'm staying and how cold it is. My mom is allergic to dogs so Dusty and I stay in a screen room when I visit. It's too cold in the winter so then I stay in the camper. This last trip I didn't bring it because I didn't need it and also my sister needed me to haul some hay for her horses. She just bought two horses but doesn't own a truck, or a saddle for that matter! Anyone know of a decent (running) sub-thousand dollar truck? Anyway only my brother is in Grass Valley and I don't usually bring the camper there. He lives in Alta Sierra, are you in that vast maze by any chance?
So far I've used 10-30 regular oil. I have 7500 miles now and will switch to synthetic on the next change. I guess I'll stick with the base AC Delco filter, at least until they come out with a premium version. I'm due for a new CD/radio and a maybe a rear differential pinion seal. How about you, anything on your go-to-the-dealer list?
John
I will change the oil and filter at 5-600 miles with petroleum oil. Synthetic at the next oil change and change when the oil minder light comes on. I'll use 5W30 Mobil 1.
There is a premium version of the AC Delco filter. I think it is PF59G. The G is for Gold. I have seen other Delco filters in the premium version, but not the 59. Last time through Fresno I stopped at Wally-World and they had PF59s for $2.00. Got 6 for the truck and 6 more for my little Mercury Capri Converible.
I still can't believe how much smoother and quieter the 2500 is compared to the 1500. The ride is a little choppy on certain concrete highways, but that should improve with the camper. I actually think the 'Firm Ride' suspension will be adequate with the camper on. I had to try Z-71 and Bilsteins to get something strong enough for the 1500 with the camper.
Later,
Mike L
I'm just down the hill from Alta Sierra in Penn Valley, about 20/25 min. away. You can get real lost in Alta Sierra. Nice place though.
I use at this time, the 5-30 oil, but Costco only carries the 10-30 Castrol oil, so on my next change, I'm either going with the 10-30, Amsoil, or Mobil 1. Did your radio go out, or are you just upgrading? At 1,050mi, GM had to replace the oil adapter that the filter attaches to. I happen to notice a spot on my driveway under the truck, so when I investigated, I could see where the drip was coming from, so got it fixed. Has been fine since then.
Mike, I also quit smoking in 1980, & sometimes I can smell toooo much. Speaking of the oil minder light, I think mine is due to come on. My first change was at 1,000, & now I have about 4,500mi. How much air do you have in your tires? I usually run around 50psi empty, & of course, 80psi with the camper on. Very smooth with the weight, & not bad without the weight. My brother has a 2k Ford diesel, 4x4,LB, extra cab, & it rides much rougher than the Silverado. It will carry more weight though. I'll stay with the smoother ride.
Gary-
No kidding the truck is quieter, that's the difference between the stripo and the LS package. I'll trade dollars for road noise any day, I wish they offered more insulation as an option.
If you're comfortable with the handling as is then that's okay. But think about the improvement the bags made, well the bar will make it even better. Actually if the rear isn't sagging, I think the bar is more important. With the camper on, jerk the wheel out and back quickly and note the side to side rocking. The bar will reduce that by 50% or so. Of course shocks help with that too and you probably have good ones already. I forget what I paid for the aftermarket bar, I think $130. That's not too much for a driveability and safety improvement.
After playing around I've settled on tire pressure of:
Empty - front 45, rear 40
Loaded - front 50, rear 80
I may loose a little gas mileage but it's a surprisingly noticeable ride improvement to lower the pressure. I think the load vs. pressure is still fine from a wear point of view. I haven't rotated the tires yet (7500 miles) but will do it soon. I typically do that about every 10k.
All this air in, air out, activity was the final straw in my justification for an air compressor. I bought the Coleman upright model they sell at Costco. So now I can fill up the tires in my driveway when I load the camper. Plus I get the neat air tools. They are fun but loud.
I will probably run 50/50 empty and 50/65 loaded.
I have to stop and get an aftermarket sliding rear window and a bed mat, then this weekend I can install the camper mounts, and next weekend the camper, and the weekend after that we start vacation.
Later,
Mike L
00 Silverado 2500 LS 4x4 6.0L 5spd
Vince, I also bought a compressor at Costco a few years back. It sure is handy to have around the house. Can find many uses other than just putting air in the tires. Looks like a warm rest of the week. Might have to head up to the Sierra Buttes & do some fishing. A COLD BEER, well, maybe.
Gary-
The bed mat is mostly to protect the bed from the uneven bottom of the camper. It's only 1/8" bumps for the screws and moldings, but the mat can't hurt.
A nice warm weekend for working on the fence and the truck. I better get some more pickets painted during the week while it is still cool.
Mike L
Gary-
Mike why do you need a new rubber mat, don't you have one in the old truck?
Just a little piece of mind. I'm also going to put shims on the sides of the camper bottom so it fits snugly (1/8"-1/4" clearance) between the wheel wells. Then it is always centered.
Got my pickets painted last night. Tonight I will drill all the mounting holes and then tomorrow I can start to put them up. Hopefully I'll finish and have the whole weekend to work on the truck and to drive it some more. 156 miles and counting.
And Vince, I will check the air pressure this weekend.
Mike L
The new trucks come with a 4.3L V6 or a 4.8L, 5.3L or 6.0L V8. The three V8s are the same family. The 4.8L and 5.3L are only available in the 1500 and the 6.0L is only available in the 2500 and 2500HD(new for 2001) trucks.
The 6.0L is a strong engine, with 300HP and 90% of its peak torque at 1000 rpm. I don't think you will describe this engine as powerless. The new GM engines have more power than the one they replaced.
Nobody I know has complained about the 6.0L not having enough power. I have a 99 Silverado with the new 4.8L and it has plenty of power to push my truck (with PopUp camper) through the Sierra's and Rocky's without difficulty.
My dad has a new Silverado 1500 with the 5.3L (325 ci) (same as 6.0L but smaller) and it will pull his trailer up his test hill faster than the 98 Chevy 350 he traded for it. It has more power and gets better mileage to boot.
Depending on the dealers in your area, you might also look at the GMC (same truck, different grill).
Good luck,
Mike L
99 Silverado 1500 4x4 4.8L 5spd
00 Silverado 2500 LS 4x4 6.0L 5spd
Deadhorse, Alaska 6-6-99
Monday I take the truck in to have the rear slider installed ($200 installed). I guess I'll have a spare rear window.
Mike L
If you're moving to a bigger camper, make sure to do some research into the weight and the GVWR of the truck you plan to buy. The advertised dry weight of a camper is the base model with no options. Options added about 1,000 pounds to my camper. The windows for the arctic package make up a good chunk of that, but the AC is over 100 pounds, the microwave is about 100, the awning is 50. The generator is over 100. You may not get any of these options, but keep it in mind. Also, don't forget to add the weight of the water, propane, and gasoline. Then there is the weight of your gear and you and your passengers. Add all of this up, subtract it from the GVWR for the truck and chances are that anything bigger than a 8.5' hardside camper will exceed the GVWR of a 3/4 ton truck.
If you decide to consider a 1 ton, I'm pretty sure that Chevy is coming out with their new heavy duty line this fall. The photos I've seen look pretty sharp.
FYI, the advertised dry weight of my camper is 2,900 pounds. With options, it weighs 3,900 pounds. The truck weighs a little over 7,000 pounds with 38 gallons of gasoline. Loaded for a trip, including 30 gallons of freshwater, two full propane tanks, one passenger, me, and our gear, I tip the scales around 11,700, which is 500 over my GVWR of 11,200. It handles it great.
Last year, I ran without airbags and it didn't sit back too much. I put Ride-Rite airbags on a few weeks ago and it raised the rear a couple of inches. I'm running 80 psi with the camper on. Since I have the duallys, I didn't see too dramatic of a difference in the side to side motion. However, I do notice a difference in the up and down movement. A lot less bounce on the bumps and we've got some good size frost heaves on most of our hwys up here in Anchorage. I think I will see improvement in the side to side when I put the Ranchos on.
I put the camper back on this evening. I'm going to try my luck at catching an early King Salmon this weekend. The fish don't really start running for a couple of weeks. The camper will likely stay on through Labor Day since I try to get out just about every weekend in the summer. This is my second trip out this month.
The truck handles the load fine except the "soft ride" shocks are a little overwhelmed. I put air bags on the rear but could live without. So I'd add a foot to Brutus' limit on 3/4 ton trucks. The factory sticker rates my truck for 2800lbs of camper (still more GVWR left), the ext cab version is a bit lower. Gary has that exact truck, are you out there Gary? In fact he had a 10.5' Lance on his for awhile.
The new GM 1 tons are dually only so you would have to want that. A 3/4 is just fine up to medium size cabovers. If you want a 11.5' with all the goodies then get a 1 ton. Whatever you get, if you can order a rear stabilizer bar and heavy shocks, do it.
Vince's rig
http://members.home.net/vofm/camper1.jpg
Brutus' rig
http://members.home.net/vofm/frontright1.jpg
Mike's old rig
http://members.home.net/vofm/LFUP.JPG
Have you looked at any more cameras? I haven't used mine too much yet but I like it so far. I found it at an on-line store for $280. Olympus D-360L.
http://www.newcoenterprise.com/camper.htm
I is the size of a camper shell, the sides fold out and down, the top goes up and tent material fills the space in between. The door and frame must slide up and down because it can be opened in the up or down position. It has a furnace, sink, stove, portapotti, etc. No cost listed.
And at only 750lbs it is adaptable to most any pickup.
Mike L
Gary-
John
vince4 - I actually exchanged a few words with you last year when I first got my rig. I was trying to find the original jack system for my camper. Still no luck.
mledtje- you said that the new Chevy would be "big like the Ford SD". Did you mean big engine, or big as in tall? One of the things I like about the Chevy's is the shorter height.
I just got this months issue of Trailer Boats magazine. They reviewed the 2001 Chevy 3500. What a head turner! In their test, they tested the Duramax 6.0L diesel by Isuzu that will be out next year. Looks great but I am more of a gas man than diesel although they did say that Isuzu seems to have solved the diesel clack issue. They did review the trannies that will be available for the 8.1L and the 6.0L and both performed well under extremely heavy loads.
I have no problems with the dual rear axles if other than the added cost. My first choice would be a 3500 Crew Cab but George Washington and his greenback gang say an ex-cab 3/4 ton is it. (Unless my company does even better than expected this year.)
Sorry to be so long winded, keep sending in the stories, and I like the photos.
P.S. Duracozy-It's about time someone figured out that a tent trailer would fit in a longbed......
http://www.webpak.net/~bnt/camping/camping.html
I hope I got the link set up right.
John
Mike - it's funny but just this weekend I was wondering if it would be possible to have a shell with limited camper goodies, and there it is. I wish they would show the inside, I wonder if you can put any cargo in the bed with the tent down.
I meant the new (for 2001) 2500HD/3500HD trucks will be larger. Don't know for sure, because I haven't seen any dimensions but I suspect they will be both physically larger, and will have larger engines available.
I like my new 2500 Silverado. It has a bigger frame, axles, suspension, brakes, engine, and transmission than the 1500. The body and interior is the same as the 1500. With the 8600 GVWR and 3334 payload it is rated at a 2700lb camper.
Mike L
99 Silverado 1500 4x4 4.8L 5spd
00 Silverado 2500 LS 4x4 6.0L 5sd
Deadhorse, Alaska 6-6-99
Gary-