As was foretold, we've added advertisements to the forums! If you have questions, or if you encounter any bugs, please visit this thread: https://forums.penny-arcade.com/discussion/240191/forum-advertisement-faq-and-reports-thread/
Options
I bought a truck and a camper.
That_Guy
I don't wanna be that guyRegistered User regular
I don't wanna be that guyRegistered User regular
This past year in lockdown has actually been pretty good to me. I stayed working full time and have been saving a ton of money by not going out. I was saving up last year to take a vacation. That never happened so I just kept saving. I have nearly $20k saved up. I decided I want to spent most of it to buy a truck or SUV and a nice camper. I want to take some time off work to drive across the country. Initially I want to say at RV parks until I get comfortable enough with the setup that I can go off-grid for a while. I'm planning on taking my gaming rig with me so I'll need a generator. I did some napkin math and want to get something in the 5-6kw range so it can run at less than 45% duty cycle. I really want to get StarLink before I actually take my trip so I can still have good internet on the go.
I have my eye on a few different tow vehicles and campers but these are at the top of my list.
https://charlotte.craigslist.org/cto/d/charlotte-08-ford-explorer-eddie-bauer/7303360526.html
https://chattanooga.craigslist.org/rvd/d/graysville-2018-kz-sportsmen-classic/7302128683.html
I figure I can prob get them to knock at least 1k off the price of each. Hopefully more.
So I'm looking for advice from anyone who's done this. Anecdotes, advice, tips, and further questions are all welcome.
I have my eye on a few different tow vehicles and campers but these are at the top of my list.
https://charlotte.craigslist.org/cto/d/charlotte-08-ford-explorer-eddie-bauer/7303360526.html
https://chattanooga.craigslist.org/rvd/d/graysville-2018-kz-sportsmen-classic/7302128683.html
I figure I can prob get them to knock at least 1k off the price of each. Hopefully more.
So I'm looking for advice from anyone who's done this. Anecdotes, advice, tips, and further questions are all welcome.
https://www.youtube.com/hesthatguy | https://www.patreon.com/hesthatguy | https://steamcommunity.com/id/ThatGuy3141/
That_Guy on
0
Posts
You can't give someone a pirate ship in one game, and then take it back in the next game. It's rude.
Some general guidelines worth considering:
- NEVER ride your brakes going down a hill. You will quickly overheat the pads and fluid, and can rapidly lose all braking power. Slow down when approaching downhill grades and shift the transmission to a lower gear. Depending on your vehicle, this might be done by hitting an "overdrive off" button on the shifter, or you may be able to manually select gears. Experiment with this before you have a trailer behind you so you know how to do it.
- Towing will primarily stress the vehicle's transmission and brakes, so make sure these systems are up to snuff. Check your pads and rotors before going on a trip; if the vehicle is more than 5 years old, I would strongly recommend flushing the brake system with fresh fluid. Brake fluid absorbs water over time, reducing its effectiveness. Many vehicles with a tow package include a factory transmission cooler - if yours doesn't, I would recommend having a shop install one.
- Trailer wheel bearings should be regreased at least every 10,000 miles. If you're buying used and don't know when this service was done last, make sure it gets taken care of before going on a trip.
- The trailer has a bathroom, but I don't really recommend using it unless you really need to. They are not fun to empty. Shower/sink water ("gray water") is fine.
I'm sure I'll come up with more stuff as I think of it.
You can't give someone a pirate ship in one game, and then take it back in the next game. It's rude.
I was hoping to make extensive use of the back water tank in my travels. When staying at a campground I was hoping to get a sewer hookup. I'll do some research into handling the black water tank.
(I have no clue at all)
For some reason, when a factory adds a camper to a truck chassis, it costs a LOT more. Motorhomes similar to what I want start at around 25k for 20+ year old models and go up from there. In the price range I'm looking at, a camper trailer and a truck will be about half the price of a motorhome.
I think this part at least won't be viable right away. At least right now Starlink is locking people's service to the cells that contain their service address, so they aren't useable moving around to different locations outside that. They're working on hardware and regulatory approval for true mobile use I believe, but that could take awhile.
Every thread like this I've seen around the internet has tried to steer people away from RVs. A lot of reasons being:
Basically RVs seem like a rich person's game
This camp-across-America trip sounds like a lot of fun, looking forward to hearing more as this plan evolves!
I looked up the owners manual for several different Jayco trailers and watched a bunch of videos on the dumping the black water tank. All my research agrees with you. I ran across some really good advice like, even if you have a sewer hookup, keep the valves closed until the tanks are at least half full so there's plenty of liquid backpressure to push all the solids out. I also read about additive products that you can add to both tanks to keep the smell down and to keep everything clean during storage.
Yea, for the best mobile internet you are going to want to get a Cellular hotspot (or set your phone up for it) and then also leach off of RV Park Wifi. As a new Starlink user, it aint up to twitch gaming yet. Still lots little microdrops.
Origin ID: Discgolfer27
Untappd ID: Discgolfer1981
I don't really play online games anymore. I mostly want it for streaming and remote working. I've read accounts of people who are taking Starlink on the road with them. No one indicated it was geofenced to a certain area.
Ive seen a couple redditors say that they got locked out. Its currently supposed to be "stationary". They don't have FCC approval for mobile yet.
Origin ID: Discgolfer27
Untappd ID: Discgolfer1981
He did go in for the cell based hotspot. Verizon I think was the way to go, because they have a larger footprint for cell tower coverage. Though that was like 4 years ago, so who knows what things are like now.
Once I actually have everything I'm going to install some upgrades. My first upgrade will a a 3-5 camera monitoring system for the entire perimeter of the truck and camper. I'm planning on getting a VESA mount for a 24in monitor the truck so I can keep a live view of the cameras up at all times. Next I want to get ~6kw generator for off-grid excursions. FInally I will want to rejigger the seating a little so I can get my dual 27in arm mounted monitors and gaming rig mounted somewhere. I'm definitely going to need straps and brackets to hold everything in place. I'm going to need a GPU retention bracket too. I am debating getting one of those portable countertop dishwashers too.
I'm planning on doing a trial run when I have everything. Maybe in a month or 2. I'll take a week off from work and see how far I can get before I have to turn around. I'll be sticking to RV campgrounds at first but hope to go off grid at least 1 night during my trial run. Once I'm happy with my setup, I plan on taking a longer trip sometime in September when my vacation time renews.
You can't give someone a pirate ship in one game, and then take it back in the next game. It's rude.
I mean, you could use it to watch to make sure there isn't a tire failing while you're driving, or that something hasn't fallen off the back, but this seems to be such a niche use case that I wouldn't spend the money on that many cameras, screens, mounts, etc... I guess you might use it for watching your corners while parking as well maybe? For how infrequently you'll run into issues I'd keep that budget for something else...
I want to be able to see in any direction all around my truck and camper, especially when I have to back up. I have only ever driven small hatchback cars my entire life. Every time I am forced to drive a moving truck I wish I had better visibility all around me. For the last year I have driven a Bolt EV that has surround cameras and absolutely LOVE it. If I can see forward and backward along the passenger side of my rig, I will feel MUCH more comfortable. Plus for parking and backing up, I want to be able to see the hitch and what is behind me. The last thing I want is to end up at a bad angle in the middle of nowhere and break something.
I can do a monitoring system on the cheap too. If I have to, I will get some cheap POE Axis dome cameras off ebay. I can get a lot of 4 for less than $100. At work I can scrounge up a PC and a small POE switch. I'm already planning on adding a beefy inverter if the truck doesn't have one already. I could get away with a 4+ camera system for less than $200 if I go totally DIY. That's a worthy investment if I ever saw one.
Although come to think of it, adding tow mirrors to a truck would be a useful suggestion if your truck doesn’t have them. I know HD truck mirrors fit half ton Silverados and Tahoes easily, not sure about other brands.
You can't give someone a pirate ship in one game, and then take it back in the next game. It's rude.
I know that's not true because my Bolt EV's rear view mirror is literally a camera feed from the back of my vehicle. It's one thing to know the size and handling characteristics of a vehicle. It's another to have massive blind spots. I can't speak for you personally but I have gotten more than used to having the extra information that comes with a surround camera system. I am actually a better judge of how large my car is because I can see all around me. At least for me, I have more trouble judging depth perception in mirrors than on a screen. I've spent the last couple decades of my life looking at a flat screen to judge depth in computer games. This is no different. Plus, adding more mirrors is not mutually exclusive from having a camera system.
I've weighed over the pros and cons and the pros win it for me.
This is from the Starlink official FAQ (https://www.starlink.com/faq):
It's also a violation of their terms of service for now at least, as it indicates it is for providing internet service to the service address only. The Starlink reddit FAQ has a link to a youtube video of someone that tried it, was initially able to connect briefly, but then wasn't ever able to get it working again at that location or other locations.
They've applied for whatever license they need to provide mobile service, so it's likely coming eventually, just not right now.
Oh well. I may just have to either root my phone or just pick up a hotspot. I bet I could also mount up a UBI Nanobeam to pull in wifi from a longer range.
*shrug* I’m not a human factors engineer, but I’m familiar with both the rear view camera used in the GM vehicles and the 360 degree vision system. They have their uses, but I can say from personal experience that there's a refocusing delay when looking from the road to the camera feed and back that doesn't exist with a tradition mirror. The jury is still out on whether camera systems are able to replace mirrors safely, but there’s plenty of evidence that they change how drivers perceive the road around them. Here’s one study as an example.
There might be advantages to using cameras to back up a trailer in tight spaces, but to put it bluntly, I am very concerned about an inexperienced driver in a 10,000+ lb vehicle staring at a retrofitted screen on a dashboard instead of keeping his attention on the road.
You can't give someone a pirate ship in one game, and then take it back in the next game. It's rude.
They can be pretty nice and have some advantages to size when towing.
There's the full canvas/soft side kind and also ones that have hard collapseable sides and ones that are a mix.
Edit: general RVing had been covered, but of course keep your cell phone handy, have food & water & emergency kits in your car and camper. Don't rely blindly on GPS, especially if hauling a big trailer.
Check out local attractions as appropriate but don't follow any well dressed children into the corn.
Thanks! I guess I'll be sticking to 5g for now.
Edit: Fucking hell 5g hotspot service is expensive. IDK if I'm into paying $10+ per GB for mobile data.
They are pushing for FCC clearance for mobile, so I'm betting by this time next year you'll be able to get Starlink on your trailer no problem. Possibly sooner, so this shouldn't be more than a temporary hiccup.
Origin ID: Discgolfer27
Untappd ID: Discgolfer1981
Nice! While I can't address much about taking the game rig and that power consumtion, I can offer some advice. You will probably find everything varies on your particular needs, listen learn and adjust, it really is fun to get and offer advice. Battery banks run dry FAST if you go full 120V too long without being plugged in, as you mentioned you are getting a generator but fuel obviously needs to be easily replenished. Do not run your house batteries down past 30 percent too may times, it will cut their lifespan drastically. Have spare essentials of everything! Make sure you have a long extension cord, and have any needed 15, 30, 50 amp conversion connectors. Water pressure in parks can be problematic, get a pressure regulator, super cheap but worth it. When you fill your fresh water tank use a filter, something like the Camco 40043 RV/Marine Water Filter. I would suggest getting a small chest cooler in addition to your fridge, sometimes the fridge stops working or you can't plug in for a few days. Be super vigilant monitoring of your black and grey tanks if dry camping.
Tomorrow I think I'm going to drive a few towns over to check out an RV dealership that has a used camper I really like. I still need to get a trailer brake and 7 pin harness installed. I'm going to see how much the dealer would charge. It looks like I could get all the parts off ebay for under $100 and do it myself if I'm not happy with the price.
If you didn't have the hitch on the Durango installed make sure a mechanic or trailer shop inspects it as well. Make sure its rated for what you're towing and that it is still securely fastened to the frame. If you're having the hitch installed right now then adding a trailer brake is negligible as far as extra labor. It would be all in the trailer brake itself.
Origin ID: Discgolfer27
Untappd ID: Discgolfer1981
I keep thinking of stuff, LED!, replace as many of your lights with LED as you can, the power draw reduction is amazing. I cook inside only when I have to, yes your rig will be bigger than my van but the smells and humidity can be a huge issue in an enclosed space. I pretty much only boil water on the cook top (with vents open) for coffee or ramen, and use the microwave to reheat something if I have leftovers, everything else is done outside on a camp stove or firepit. Also being outside your rig cooking means some people will come over and say hi, I am normally a huge introvert, but when out on the road nobody knows me and it seems to change my personality. It is nice hearing peoples stories and sharing a limited amount of yours, you learn a ton of stuff initially and then can offer the same in return to people in the future. Having a few acquaintances in a park/campground can be huge, they can offer advice on places to go, where good deals are, or even simply offer help, give you an extra AA battery you need, a hose connector that you forgot or broke, offer an extra hand to help fix something.
Tools - Have a tool kit, really any all in one kit like you would get from an automotive or hardware store is a great start (DEWALT Mechanics Tools Kit and Socket Set, 168-Piece (DWMT73803) add a hammer, cordless drill, hack saw.
Again may not apply to you but always be aware of your limiting factors, all of the fuels (gas/diesel and propane), fresh water in your tanks and or water jugs, waste tank levels and where you can dump, food both fresh and shelf stable, maintenance of the vehicle and trailer/camper/motorhome/van.
The truck has a class 4 hitch and 4 pole power connector but not the 7 pole I'd need for a camper. I was watching a YouTube video on the process and it looks pretty straight forward if a bit complex. I went under the truck and it's secured quite well. Despite the age of the truck, there was hardly any rust on the hitch. I'm going to need to get the ball connector though.
Thats great advice, regardless.
That is also awesome advice. Thanks!
I have a nice little modular tool kit with a set of sockets that I'll bring with me. I can borrow a hammer drill and sawzall from work for my first trip but in the future I'll get my own. That's a good point about cooking inside. I'll keep that in mind. I plan on doing a full inspection of the truck and trailer each tine before setting out. After my trip I plan on giving everything a good washing. I'll pour some chems in the gray and black tanks to keep them fresh. I imagine I should bleed all the water lines dry before storing too. I'll make a point to have plenty of emergency supplies on hand in case I get stranded somewhere. Over I. The cooking thread I was talking about these instant soups I have been making from dried ingredients. That sort of stuff will feature heavily in my camper pantry.
About how long does water in the fresh tank stay good for? Assume I have cleaned and flushed the tank and the water is filtered? Water in jugs at home tend to get kind of funky after a week but that could also be from cheap plastic.
If they say they're at capacity or anything I can refer you.
Wife and I both do work from home with zoom/webex, stream at the same time, and do light (but not online) gaming.
Also if you need advice about any outdoor stuff in TN or AL or FL I might be able to help.
Also Also if you need any solar or AC or generator tips down the road I can help as well. I've got my current house set to run off a generator