These last 9 months have been so fun traveling around in our truck camper. We've really narrowed down what works best for us and we hope you find this helpful if you have a truck camper or are looking at getting one. Per usual... all the links to the items I mention are in the description. Thanks for watching!
Regarding the stairs: I use a hitch carrier cargo basket which serves as a step, and has the additional benefit of holding cargo. I did put some anti-slip tape on it.
Great upgrades, crazy that the factory left the nose cap uninsulated! Propane sensor is terrific! A note of caution, your paper towel rack over the stove looks like a fire hazard, suggest moving it. Thanks.
I've got a 2902 and also had zero front cap insulation. I ended up stuffing mine with Havelock Wool (way less itchy) and could not be happier with the results...
I have almost the same camper. We did the same thing to that darn window up front! Sometimes i wish it wasnt there even with the insulation its not great for temperature regulation
I have the same camper but a 2022 with badlands package. The propane sensor is a great idea, definitely buying. I also replaced my tap with a bigger one. I put the camper one in my bathroom in my house, looks great there 😊. And yes the insulation at the front, definitely gonna fix that.
I loved hearing from Vince more in this one! 🎉 great video, guys! We aren’t truck campers and it was still interesting to hear how you all make it work for you!
I'm trying so hard to get him to talk on camera more. He does such a good job, but he's so camera shy. I keep telling him practice makes perfect 😉 thanks so much for watching, we've definitely perfected all the things in our camper to make it fit us.
Great information 👍 definitely going to check out that insulation. Looking at replacing the interior lights on mine. Found some warmer tones angel eyes on amazon
Very nice upgrades. You might consider a CAN alternator that will charge your battery while going down the road. It will communicate with the battery to give the correct charge unlike a standard alternator.
Nice list! My wife of 52 years and I have been camping in one form or another since the wedding. I won't go into all of the ways, but we are on TC#5. Another thing to add on #10, cover that window! On our latest I made a wood frame, 2 layers or the silver mylar bubble insulation and covered in a 'leather/vinyl material, looks like a headboaed. We like it dark in the bedroom, so also added 2 hinged insulated covers for the side windows, same construction, the hinge up and have a catch when we want the windows open. Your kitchen faucet is just as I have done to the TC, but also to the previous camper (travel trailer). We also removed the microwave, and made a door to cover, our toasrter, elec perk and stove type coffee pot go in there along with a few other items. Here is one for you, and you may have it there, but a ratcheting paper towel holder. No more finding a pile of paper towel on the counter! We did that in 2 campers and the house. I haven't gone to the extent you guys did with batteries, I still have lead acid, but added aux battery to the truck, isolator for charging, and battery monitors on both it and the house batt. Solar suitcase to set up on site with its own MPPT controller. No BT with it, but the monitors have it. We have the scissor stairs, didn't think I would like them but they are fine, we have the hitch extension because we tow our fun car on a dolly. LED lights throughout replacing all the incandescent bulbs for low battery draw. We do carry a generator for 110v when needed. Anyway, long post on my part, but you guys did a great job on this. Oh, the Thule pod, had one on our first TC 27 years ago, had to weld up some Thule bars to get across the roof. Nice way of getting some extra storage.
Great mods! I would love to see an in-depth vid on how you installed your lithium battery with Victron accessories and dc to dc charger. I plan on tackling a similar project on our truck camper. We currently have 2 6 volt Lifeline AGM’s that have been great but heavy and can only use 50% so lithium would about double our useable amps for half the weight.
Excellent suggestions. Im definitely gonna check my bed area insulation, and the sink faucet looks like a winner. I also have a heated BBB and love it for winter camping. Im considering removal of my microwave, too. I don’t use the one I have at home except for heating hot drinks and reheating leftovers. Do I need one while camping? Probably not, so I expect it will soon be removed. And you’re right about the benefit of extra storage. That’s always a good thing.
Just starting to dip my toes into this world, came across a short of yours, your seven reasons why you prefer a truck over a van. Great job here too. I'm looking for something smaller than what you have, probably. I have an old Ranger now, but I'm just beginning to look for a more recent Tundra or a Nissan. Both of these have rear window pass-throughs. I'll be looking out for a shell that accommodates a pass-through window, if one exists. It's not especially fun crawling between the two spaces, but it's a feature that I just feel I need to have. Fortunately I'm flexible. Wish me luck in finding that specific setup!
Hi great Video. I just bought a hs750 truck camper and I have a 2017 chevy 2500hd. How did you run the cable from the truck battery to the plug on the camper?
He ran a fused 60amp anl fuse on a 6 guage copper wire from the battery on the right side of the truck. Then fished the wire to the left side of the truck followed the existing cabling under the truck to the area between the cab and the box.
Great tips folks and thanks for sharing! If all of us truck camper owners and alsobrv owners started having a blower door and infrared gun energy test on our rigs we could show the manufacturers how many issues they have to address with thermal performance. European rigs appear to be so much better engineered than u.s. campers with a few exceptions
Regarding your dc to dc charger. How did route cable from engine bay battery to the camper Andersen style connector. How long was the cable. Thank you, BTW great video!
So after watching your video I ended up insulating around the window and bed, very surprised there's basically nothing in there. I went ice fishing and it got down to -15c and there was ice on the inside of the walls around the bed, but nowhere else in the camper, so im assuming there's some sort of foam insulation in the rest of the camper. Also bought a mopeka propane sensor which seems to work great! Thanks for the tips !
This was super useful! First build I’ve seen to have a dc to dc charger 👍🏼 Is the AC unit ac or dc power? Looking to do the same thing and was wondering if I’d have to swap the air conditioner to be more efficient here in Florida 🔥
Thanks for watching! The air conditioner runs of ac power, so we have to plug into shore power or run our generator. We would need a much larger battery amp hour configuration to run the air conditioner off dc.
Could that hose carrier be mounted side to side above the cab to help "cut" the wind from going between the top of the cab and the underside of the camper overhang ? I am thinking if it was positioned a few inches back from the wind shield it may decrease the wind drag a bit. Any thoughts or solutions? I know there needs to be a bit of clearance so the camper doesnt hit the cab of the truck as the frame torques. My Palomino camper has about 7 inches of clearance from the roof of the cab on my Silverado and I think that gap is dropping my MPGs.
These last 9 months have been so fun traveling around in our truck camper. We've really narrowed down what works best for us and we hope you find this helpful if you have a truck camper or are looking at getting one. Per usual... all the links to the items I mention are in the description. Thanks for watching!
Regarding the stairs: I use a hitch carrier cargo basket which serves as a step, and has the additional benefit of holding cargo. I did put some anti-slip tape on it.
How were you able to access the bottom of faucet to change it?
We had to take the sink out! Bit of a process, but worth it!
Great upgrades, crazy that the factory left the nose cap uninsulated! Propane sensor is terrific! A note of caution, your paper towel rack over the stove looks like a fire hazard, suggest moving it. Thanks.
Yeah, that was a red flag for me too.
Battle Born is the way to go. Top notch as well as victron. Good job
Definitely! It's a great setup!
Thanks!
Thank you so much for the Super Thanks!! 🤗 Glad you enjoyed it!!
The electrical s upgrades would be a great couple of short how to videos.
🤔 Ummmmm I guess that it's a little bit to LATE!
Thank you so much for sharing all your great modifications! We recently purchased the same camper and have found the things you’ve done very helpful.
Wonderful!! So glad to hear that! You're going to love this truck camper...we sure do!! Safe travels!
I've got a 2902 and also had zero front cap insulation. I ended up stuffing mine with Havelock Wool (way less itchy) and could not be happier with the results...
I have almost the same camper. We did the same thing to that darn window up front! Sometimes i wish it wasnt there even with the insulation its not great for temperature regulation
I have the same camper but a 2022 with badlands package. The propane sensor is a great idea, definitely buying. I also replaced my tap with a bigger one. I put the camper one in my bathroom in my house, looks great there 😊. And yes the insulation at the front, definitely gonna fix that.
Yes, such great upgrades we are so happy with & money well spent.
it's pretty amazing to me that it didn't come fully insulated in the front (and everywhere). Did you not know that when you bought it?
@@Yowzoe no way to know unless you pull the frame off around the window
@@Elflopadoor Crazy. The manufacturer dropped the ball.
Thank you- great video I just ordered the Mopeka deal for my new truck camper! Badass!
Good job! I hope you sent these to the manufacturer of your camper. They could learn a lot about the practical things you have done.
Looks like a great set up. Safe travels!
Thank you very much!
I loved hearing from Vince more in this one! 🎉 great video, guys! We aren’t truck campers and it was still interesting to hear how you all make it work for you!
I'm trying so hard to get him to talk on camera more. He does such a good job, but he's so camera shy. I keep telling him practice makes perfect 😉 thanks so much for watching, we've definitely perfected all the things in our camper to make it fit us.
How tall is your rig with the storage box on top
Just under 11ft 5in.
@@JeanieMariewow! I thought mine at 10’6” was high!! How heavy is the rig fully loaded?
Great information 👍 definitely going to check out that insulation. Looking at replacing the interior lights on mine. Found some warmer tones angel eyes on amazon
Thanks for very practical tips
According to the rv world the foil “insulation “ you had in the front cap is an r-40! 😂🤣 great video
Yea, I don't know what the heck they are doing with that... they might as well have left it out. 😅 thanks for watching!
Very nice upgrades. You might consider a CAN alternator that will charge your battery while going down the road. It will communicate with the battery to give the correct charge unlike a standard alternator.
Nice list! My wife of 52 years and I have been camping in one form or another since the wedding. I won't go into all of the ways, but we are on TC#5. Another thing to add on #10, cover that window! On our latest I made a wood frame, 2 layers or the silver mylar bubble insulation and covered in a 'leather/vinyl material, looks like a headboaed. We like it dark in the bedroom, so also added 2 hinged insulated covers for the side windows, same construction, the hinge up and have a catch when we want the windows open.
Your kitchen faucet is just as I have done to the TC, but also to the previous camper (travel trailer). We also removed the microwave, and made a door to cover, our toasrter, elec perk and stove type coffee pot go in there along with a few other items.
Here is one for you, and you may have it there, but a ratcheting paper towel holder. No more finding a pile of paper towel on the counter! We did that in 2 campers and the house.
I haven't gone to the extent you guys did with batteries, I still have lead acid, but added aux battery to the truck, isolator for charging, and battery monitors on both it and the house batt. Solar suitcase to set up on site with its own MPPT controller. No BT with it, but the monitors have it.
We have the scissor stairs, didn't think I would like them but they are fine, we have the hitch extension because we tow our fun car on a dolly.
LED lights throughout replacing all the incandescent bulbs for low battery draw. We do carry a generator for 110v when needed.
Anyway, long post on my part, but you guys did a great job on this. Oh, the Thule pod, had one on our first TC 27 years ago, had to weld up some Thule bars to get across the roof. Nice way of getting some extra storage.
Great mods! I would love to see an in-depth vid on how you installed your lithium battery with Victron accessories and dc to dc charger. I plan on tackling a similar project on our truck camper. We currently have 2 6 volt Lifeline AGM’s that have been great but heavy and can only use 50% so lithium would about double our useable amps for half the weight.
Excellent suggestions. Im definitely gonna check my bed area insulation, and the sink faucet looks like a winner. I also have a heated BBB and love it for winter camping. Im considering removal of my microwave, too. I don’t use the one I have at home except for heating hot drinks and reheating leftovers. Do I need one while camping? Probably not, so I expect it will soon be removed. And you’re right about the benefit of extra storage. That’s always a good thing.
Thanks so much for watching! Glad you found this helpful...happy camping!!
Love the new steps!
They are a game changer! The best set up!
Just starting to dip my toes into this world, came across a short of yours, your seven reasons why you prefer a truck over a van. Great job here too.
I'm looking for something smaller than what you have, probably. I have an old Ranger now, but I'm just beginning to look for a more recent Tundra or a Nissan. Both of these have rear window pass-throughs.
I'll be looking out for a shell that accommodates a pass-through window, if one exists. It's not especially fun crawling between the two spaces, but it's a feature that I just feel I need to have. Fortunately I'm flexible.
Wish me luck in finding that specific setup!
i have the same truck and camper. Can you show how you ran the cable from the truck battery to the camper. thanks for all you do.
Hi great Video. I just bought a hs750 truck camper and I have a 2017 chevy 2500hd. How did you run the cable from the truck battery to the plug on the camper?
He ran a fused 60amp anl fuse on a 6 guage copper wire from the battery on the right side of the truck. Then fished the wire to the left side of the truck followed the existing cabling under the truck to the area between the cab and the box.
Great tips folks and thanks for sharing! If all of us truck camper owners and alsobrv owners started having a blower door and infrared gun energy test on our rigs we could show the manufacturers how many issues they have to address with thermal performance. European rigs appear to be so much better engineered than u.s. campers with a few exceptions
And also tiny with few comforts
I would’ve kept the microwave for that late night pizza slice 😂
Regarding your dc to dc charger. How did route cable from engine bay battery to the camper Andersen style connector. How long was the cable. Thank you, BTW great video!
Well, I have a Palomino to and it seems like I have the same problems as you guys did. Thank you for the advice.
So after watching your video I ended up insulating around the window and bed, very surprised there's basically nothing in there. I went ice fishing and it got down to -15c and there was ice on the inside of the walls around the bed, but nowhere else in the camper, so im assuming there's some sort of foam insulation in the rest of the camper. Also bought a mopeka propane sensor which seems to work great! Thanks for the tips !
Awesome, so glad you got it insulated! It's definitely a game changer. The mopeka sensor is fantastic!! Happy Camping 🤗
This was super useful! First build I’ve seen to have a dc to dc charger 👍🏼
Is the AC unit ac or dc power? Looking to do the same thing and was wondering if I’d have to swap the air conditioner to be more efficient here in Florida 🔥
Thanks for watching! The air conditioner runs of ac power, so we have to plug into shore power or run our generator. We would need a much larger battery amp hour configuration to run the air conditioner off dc.
What size is the Thule cargo box?
What year is that camper
Could that hose carrier be mounted side to side above the cab to help "cut" the wind from going between the top of the cab and the underside of the camper overhang ? I am thinking if it was positioned a few inches back from the wind shield it may decrease the wind drag a bit. Any thoughts or solutions? I know there needs to be a bit of clearance so the camper doesnt hit the cab of the truck as the frame torques. My Palomino camper has about 7 inches of clearance from the roof of the cab on my Silverado and I think that gap is dropping my MPGs.
You can mount it anywhere that works best for you! It's versatile!
Is your camper a long bed camper in a short bed truck?
Nucamp Cirrus 820
$ 2114 is really gud omg
😎
😎😎
What truck is this
Chevy Silverado 2500hd
Should’ve just bought a Bigfoot or northern light fiberglass camper…..lol
I probably would of mounted the sewer hose in the back driver side to the passenger side. Just my opinion 😊
The dump area of the camper is on the driver side.
East west as opposed to north south. Just in case any toxic liquid might find its way to the hose access point.
No microwave?!?.... I guess that you don't shop a TJ's. I don't think that I'd be alive if I didn't have TJ'S & a microwave!