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Camper Chat 1.0
Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2019 10:45 am
by Johnny_P
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
Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2019 10:49 am
by goIftdibrad
I have a tent
Camper Chat 1.0
Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2019 11:11 am
by Johnny_P
Camper Chat 1.0
Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2019 11:40 am
by Acid666
I have a bivy sack. All you need in airboat land. Just keep the mosquitoes out and your boom stick handy, and you're good to go baw.
Camper Chat 1.0
Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2019 12:07 pm
by Desertbreh
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.
Camper Chat 1.0
Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2019 12:57 pm
by ChrisoftheNorth
Man...those Sprinter-based RVs are outstanding. Huge fan.
Re: Camper Chat 1.0
Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2019 12:58 pm
by troyguitar
Detroit wrote:
Man...those Sprinter-based RVs are outstanding. Huge fan.
Supposedly rust is a big problem with sprinters in general. Not that any of us are actually going to buy one.
Camper Chat 1.0
Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2019 12:59 pm
by ChrisoftheNorth
troyguitar wrote: ↑Thu Jun 06, 2019 12:58 pm
Detroit wrote:
Man...those Sprinter-based RVs are outstanding. Huge fan.
Supposedly rust is a big problem with sprinters in general. Not that any of us are actually going to buy one.
I don't see them often, but when I do, they're rusty.
Camper Chat 1.0
Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2019 1:12 pm
by Johnny_P
troyguitar wrote: ↑Thu Jun 06, 2019 12:58 pm
Detroit wrote:
Man...those Sprinter-based RVs are outstanding. Huge fan.
Supposedly rust is a big problem with sprinters in general. Not that any of us are actually going to buy one.
That, among other things. Supposedly a lot of engine problems with the diesels too.
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.
Camper Chat 1.0
Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2019 1:13 pm
by Desertbreh
troyguitar wrote: ↑Thu Jun 06, 2019 12:58 pm
Detroit wrote:
Man...those Sprinter-based RVs are outstanding. Huge fan.
Supposedly rust is a big problem with sprinters in general. Not that any of us are actually going to buy one.
Interesting. I would be driving my RV in salt free zones but good protip.
Camper Chat 1.0
Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2019 1:13 pm
by Johnny_P
I saw so many vanlyfers out west it was nuts. Most were in Sprinters. The new Winnebago Revels were out in full force.
That would be dope to tour the continent with.
Camper Chat 1.0
Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2019 1:17 pm
by goIftdibrad
I do
I plan to try some camping on the mooterbike when it cools off again.
Camper Chat 1.0
Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2019 1:22 pm
by Desertbreh
Johnny_P wrote: ↑Thu Jun 06, 2019 1:13 pm
I saw so many vanlyfers out west it was nuts. Most were in Sprinters. The new Winnebago Revels were out in full force.
That would be dope to tour the continent with.
Outstanding!
Camper Chat 1.0
Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2019 1:31 pm
by Johnny_P
Desertbreh wrote: ↑Thu Jun 06, 2019 1:22 pm
Johnny_P wrote: ↑Thu Jun 06, 2019 1:13 pm
I saw so many vanlyfers out west it was nuts. Most were in Sprinters. The new Winnebago Revels were out in full force.
That would be dope to tour the continent with.
Outstanding!
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.
Camper Chat 1.0
Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2019 1:39 pm
by Johnny_P
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.
Camper Chat 1.0
Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2019 1:40 pm
by Desertbreh
Johnny_P wrote: ↑Thu Jun 06, 2019 1:31 pm
Desertbreh wrote: ↑Thu Jun 06, 2019 1:22 pm
Outstanding!
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.
Yeah, I think I'd just bring a "placeholder tent" that set up quickly for this purpose.
Camper Chat 1.0
Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2019 1:53 pm
by ChrisoftheNorth
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.
Camper Chat 1.0
Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2019 1:56 pm
by ChrisoftheNorth
Camper Chat 1.0
Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2019 2:42 pm
by wap
Camper Chat 1.0
Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2019 2:48 pm
by Johnny_P
Detroit wrote: ↑Thu Jun 06, 2019 1:53 pm
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.
Find a spot that's as level as possible and park it on blocks. At least that's what all the overlanders were doing
Camper Chat 1.0
Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2019 2:50 pm
by Johnny_P
You're paying a lot for the name there. Trailers with similar features can be had for around $20k.
Camper Chat 1.0
Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2019 2:54 pm
by ChrisoftheNorth
Johnny_P wrote: ↑Thu Jun 06, 2019 2:48 pm
Detroit wrote: ↑Thu Jun 06, 2019 1:53 pm
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.
Find a spot that's as level as possible and park it on blocks. At least that's what all the overlanders were doing
Ah, makes sense.
Camper Chat 1.0
Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2019 2:56 pm
by ChrisoftheNorth
Johnny_P wrote: ↑Thu Jun 06, 2019 2:50 pm
You're paying a lot for the name there. Trailers with similar features can be had for around $20k.
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.
Camper Chat 1.0
Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2019 4:15 pm
by Johnny_P
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.
Camper Chat 1.0
Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2019 4:27 pm
by ChrisoftheNorth
Johnny_P wrote: ↑Thu Jun 06, 2019 4:15 pm
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.
Taxa is doing some really neat stuff, but also stupid price for what they are.
Got lost this last trip and dragged the popup down a forest road. Did fine, other than being a bit wide.
inside. Dat window.