Enough hijacking of Detroit's glorified tent on wheels thread. Here we talk about campers in general. Seems a few of us are interested in them, and at least one of us is actively looking at them?
What you gots mang?
Camper Chat 1.0
- goIftdibrad
- Chief Master Soft Brain
- Posts: 16746
- Joined: Thu Nov 03, 2016 9:01 am
- Drives: straight past the apex
I have a tent
brain go brrrrrr
- Desertbreh
- Command Chief Master Sirloin
- Posts: 17070
- Joined: Thu Nov 03, 2016 11:31 am
- Location: Beyond Thunderdome
I have Marriott Bonvoy gold status. I would, however, strongly consider something built on the Mercedes Sprinter chassis.
https://www.airstream.com/touring-coach ... -tour-ext/ but used/depreciated.
https://www.airstream.com/touring-coach ... -tour-ext/ but used/depreciated.
- ChrisoftheNorth
- Moderator
- Posts: 47112
- Joined: Thu Nov 03, 2016 6:10 am
- Drives: 4R
Man...those Sprinter-based RVs are outstanding. Huge fan.Desertbreh wrote: ↑Thu Jun 06, 2019 12:07 pm I have Marriott Bonvoy gold status. I would, however, strongly consider something built on the Mercedes Sprinter chassis.
https://www.airstream.com/touring-coach ... -tour-ext/ but used/depreciated.
Desertbreh wrote: ↑Tue Oct 10, 2017 6:40 pm My guess would be that Chris took some time off because he has read the dialogue on this page 1,345 times and decided to spend some of his free time doing something besides beating a horse to death.
- troyguitar
- Command Chief Master Sirloin
- Posts: 20088
- Joined: Wed Nov 02, 2016 11:15 pm
- Drives: Trek Domane
- Location: Swamp
Supposedly rust is a big problem with sprinters in general. Not that any of us are actually going to buy one.Detroit wrote:Man...those Sprinter-based RVs are outstanding. Huge fan.Desertbreh wrote: ↑Thu Jun 06, 2019 12:07 pm I have Marriott Bonvoy gold status. I would, however, strongly consider something built on the Mercedes Sprinter chassis.
https://www.airstream.com/touring-coach ... -tour-ext/ but used/depreciated.
- ChrisoftheNorth
- Moderator
- Posts: 47112
- Joined: Thu Nov 03, 2016 6:10 am
- Drives: 4R
I don't see them often, but when I do, they're rusty.troyguitar wrote: ↑Thu Jun 06, 2019 12:58 pmSupposedly rust is a big problem with sprinters in general. Not that any of us are actually going to buy one.Detroit wrote: Man...those Sprinter-based RVs are outstanding. Huge fan.
Desertbreh wrote: ↑Tue Oct 10, 2017 6:40 pm My guess would be that Chris took some time off because he has read the dialogue on this page 1,345 times and decided to spend some of his free time doing something besides beating a horse to death.
- Johnny_P
- Chief Master Sirloin of the Wasteful Steak
- Posts: 40554
- Joined: Thu Nov 03, 2016 9:52 am
- Drives: Blue short bus
- Location: Philly
That, among other things. Supposedly a lot of engine problems with the diesels too.troyguitar wrote: ↑Thu Jun 06, 2019 12:58 pmSupposedly rust is a big problem with sprinters in general. Not that any of us are actually going to buy one.Detroit wrote: Man...those Sprinter-based RVs are outstanding. Huge fan.
I actually think the Ford Transit might be the best van out right now. But if you need 4WD you're going aftermarket to someone like Quigley or holding out for an AWD 2020 model. The Chevy Express is a great platform but aging. They're smaller inside, but dependable.
- Desertbreh
- Command Chief Master Sirloin
- Posts: 17070
- Joined: Thu Nov 03, 2016 11:31 am
- Location: Beyond Thunderdome
Interesting. I would be driving my RV in salt free zones but good protip.troyguitar wrote: ↑Thu Jun 06, 2019 12:58 pmSupposedly rust is a big problem with sprinters in general. Not that any of us are actually going to buy one.Detroit wrote: Man...those Sprinter-based RVs are outstanding. Huge fan.
- Johnny_P
- Chief Master Sirloin of the Wasteful Steak
- Posts: 40554
- Joined: Thu Nov 03, 2016 9:52 am
- Drives: Blue short bus
- Location: Philly
I saw so many vanlyfers out west it was nuts. Most were in Sprinters. The new Winnebago Revels were out in full force.Desertbreh wrote: ↑Thu Jun 06, 2019 12:07 pm I have Marriott Bonvoy gold status. I would, however, strongly consider something built on the Mercedes Sprinter chassis.
https://www.airstream.com/touring-coach ... -tour-ext/ but used/depreciated.
That would be dope to tour the continent with.
- goIftdibrad
- Chief Master Soft Brain
- Posts: 16746
- Joined: Thu Nov 03, 2016 9:01 am
- Drives: straight past the apex
- Desertbreh
- Command Chief Master Sirloin
- Posts: 17070
- Joined: Thu Nov 03, 2016 11:31 am
- Location: Beyond Thunderdome
Outstanding!Johnny_P wrote: ↑Thu Jun 06, 2019 1:13 pmI saw so many vanlyfers out west it was nuts. Most were in Sprinters. The new Winnebago Revels were out in full force.Desertbreh wrote: ↑Thu Jun 06, 2019 12:07 pm I have Marriott Bonvoy gold status. I would, however, strongly consider something built on the Mercedes Sprinter chassis.
https://www.airstream.com/touring-coach ... -tour-ext/ but used/depreciated.
That would be dope to tour the continent with.
- Johnny_P
- Chief Master Sirloin of the Wasteful Steak
- Posts: 40554
- Joined: Thu Nov 03, 2016 9:52 am
- Drives: Blue short bus
- Location: Philly
So the drawback on these is I don't think they can carry 4 people in comfort while driving, and certainly not while camping (you'd need a tent for more than 2 people). Most vanlyfe things are really 2 person vehicles.
The other drawback is, at least where I was camping, all the sites were first come first serve. So if your entire camp drives away for the day you could come back to no campsite at night. The RTT overland crowd just loaded the picnic table with tons of camp kitchen stuff and put up some foldy chairs to claim their land. YMMV.
- Johnny_P
- Chief Master Sirloin of the Wasteful Steak
- Posts: 40554
- Joined: Thu Nov 03, 2016 9:52 am
- Drives: Blue short bus
- Location: Philly
FWIW, here's my camping setup:
3 person tent is super roomy when you're by yourself and I can sit up in it. Fine for 2 people. 15 minute setup, 30 minute tear down, ish.
3 person tent is super roomy when you're by yourself and I can sit up in it. Fine for 2 people. 15 minute setup, 30 minute tear down, ish.
- Desertbreh
- Command Chief Master Sirloin
- Posts: 17070
- Joined: Thu Nov 03, 2016 11:31 am
- Location: Beyond Thunderdome
Yeah, I think I'd just bring a "placeholder tent" that set up quickly for this purpose.Johnny_P wrote: ↑Thu Jun 06, 2019 1:31 pmSo the drawback on these is I don't think they can carry 4 people in comfort while driving, and certainly not while camping (you'd need a tent for more than 2 people). Most vanlyfe things are really 2 person vehicles.
The other drawback is, at least where I was camping, all the sites were first come first serve. So if your entire camp drives away for the day you could come back to no campsite at night. The RTT overland crowd just loaded the picnic table with tons of camp kitchen stuff and put up some foldy chairs to claim their land. YMMV.
- ChrisoftheNorth
- Moderator
- Posts: 47112
- Joined: Thu Nov 03, 2016 6:10 am
- Drives: 4R
Can you level those vans, or are you forced to just park on a spot that's as level as possible?
I still like the idea of a trailer to setup a basecamp with. As neat as the van is, like JP said, you're really limited on who you can take with you.
I still like the idea of a trailer to setup a basecamp with. As neat as the van is, like JP said, you're really limited on who you can take with you.
Desertbreh wrote: ↑Tue Oct 10, 2017 6:40 pm My guess would be that Chris took some time off because he has read the dialogue on this page 1,345 times and decided to spend some of his free time doing something besides beating a horse to death.
- ChrisoftheNorth
- Moderator
- Posts: 47112
- Joined: Thu Nov 03, 2016 6:10 am
- Drives: 4R
Speaking of Basecamp, I want an Airstream Basecamp so badly...
Too bad it's like $40k. Yea, no.
Too bad it's like $40k. Yea, no.
Desertbreh wrote: ↑Tue Oct 10, 2017 6:40 pm My guess would be that Chris took some time off because he has read the dialogue on this page 1,345 times and decided to spend some of his free time doing something besides beating a horse to death.
- wap
- Chief Master Sirloin of the Wasteful Steak
- Posts: 45300
- Joined: Wed Nov 02, 2016 11:52 pm
- Drives: Blue Meanie
- Location: Pepperland
Desertbreh wrote: ↑Thu Jun 06, 2019 12:07 pm I have Marriott Bonvoy gold status. I would, however, strongly consider something built on the Mercedes Sprinter chassis.
https://www.airstream.com/touring-coach ... -tour-ext/ but used/depreciated.
- ChrisoftheNorth
- Moderator
- Posts: 47112
- Joined: Thu Nov 03, 2016 6:10 am
- Drives: 4R
Ah, makes sense.
Desertbreh wrote: ↑Tue Oct 10, 2017 6:40 pm My guess would be that Chris took some time off because he has read the dialogue on this page 1,345 times and decided to spend some of his free time doing something besides beating a horse to death.
- ChrisoftheNorth
- Moderator
- Posts: 47112
- Joined: Thu Nov 03, 2016 6:10 am
- Drives: 4R
Totally. I just love the style and all the windows. It's pretty great.
A lot of trailers are slab sided and lacking much natural light. Just a few standard windows here and there. That's a big thing I like about the popup is all the natural light it lets in.
Desertbreh wrote: ↑Tue Oct 10, 2017 6:40 pm My guess would be that Chris took some time off because he has read the dialogue on this page 1,345 times and decided to spend some of his free time doing something besides beating a horse to death.
- Johnny_P
- Chief Master Sirloin of the Wasteful Steak
- Posts: 40554
- Joined: Thu Nov 03, 2016 9:52 am
- Drives: Blue short bus
- Location: Philly
Agreed it's very nice. Pretty right-sized and not a lardass like a lot of trailers are. Also premium inside instead of builder grade cabinets and shower panels.
Aside from price, the only issue I see is I'd have a hard time convincing myself to pull that along a forest road, whereas with something like a Taxa Tigermoth I'd go for it. But that's an entirely different camping style so ignore me, lol.
- ChrisoftheNorth
- Moderator
- Posts: 47112
- Joined: Thu Nov 03, 2016 6:10 am
- Drives: 4R
Taxa is doing some really neat stuff, but also stupid price for what they are.Johnny_P wrote: ↑Thu Jun 06, 2019 4:15 pmAgreed it's very nice. Pretty right-sized and not a lardass like a lot of trailers are. Also premium inside instead of builder grade cabinets and shower panels.
Aside from price, the only issue I see is I'd have a hard time convincing myself to pull that along a forest road, whereas with something like a Taxa Tigermoth I'd go for it. But that's an entirely different camping style so ignore me, lol.
Got lost this last trip and dragged the popup down a forest road. Did fine, other than being a bit wide.
Desertbreh wrote: ↑Tue Oct 10, 2017 6:40 pm My guess would be that Chris took some time off because he has read the dialogue on this page 1,345 times and decided to spend some of his free time doing something besides beating a horse to death.