Truck Campers Only, w/ an Overland & Off-roading theme

[Chris-DTA]

I updated my build thread with details about the work that was done by Basil's Garage this week. In short, added 330W of solar to the roof, removed the Victron MPPT solar controller and the Victron DC/DC charger and replaced them with two (2) REDARC BCDC1250D. Pulled 2-gauge wiring from the truck battery/alternator to the camper for improved charging performance when driving.

Very happy with the outcome

 

[savin yours]

Also posted this in the OEV thread on Expo, but this thread seems a lot more active, so hoping to get some feedback here as well:

Anyone put a Trasharoo style bag on their rear molle? Preferably the smaller driver side panel.

I ordered a Napa version as it was cheaper and had great reviews - turns out its huge and will be tough to make work on that panel. Saw a non-camper related post about this model stating that it is a nice compact size. Seems like it could work well, but thought I'd get some ideas from others before I waste more money.

I understand the concerns about carrying trash on the outside of a vehicle with bears, critters, etc - for me, this would be used much more frequently for firewood, so also open to better options for carrying wood on the outside of the camper.

Separately, looking for storage bag ideas for the 3 step Little Giant. I measured the ladder out to be roughly 44x22x4, so seems like 48x24x6 or so would be the ideal bag. So far I've found that 48x24 is the standard size of a cornhole set bag and seems like a good solution, but again want to get some other ideas, especially something more durable and weatherproof for putting the ladder away wet and dirty.

I ran mine like this for a while. Removed the panel and ran the straps behind it, but it rubbed the camper. I'll attach it to the outside of the panel next time.

 

[TRAMPER]

I updated my build thread with details about the work that was done by Basil's Garage this week. In short, added 330W of solar to the roof, removed the Victron MPPT solar controller and the Victron DC/DC charger and replaced them with two (2) REDARC BCDC1250D. Pulled 2-gauge wiring from the truck battery/alternator to the camper for improved charging performance when driving.

Very happy with the outcome

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AWESOME!!!!

I’m not familiar with RedArc nomenclature.

How large are those chargers? Like what’s the difference from the Victron.

It came with max of 15A of solar at 12V and 30a of DC/DC.


What are you expecting now? I’m obviously super curious about the new DC charger. Did you change the rear plug?

 

[TRAMPER]

AWESOME!!!!

I’m not familiar with RedArc nomenclature.

How large are those chargers? Like what’s the difference from the Victron.

It came with max of 15A of solar at 75v and 30a of DC/DC.


What are you expecting now? I’m obviously super curious about the new DC charger. Did you change the rear plug?

NVM jumped over to your build thread.

 

[savin yours]

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This is grabbed off the expo thread. Seems like L-track would be a good way to spread the load over a much larger area/ more bolts for something heavy like wood.

What is this expo thread yall are talking about?

 

[Chris-DTA]

The 15A of the solar controller translate to about ~209W of max input - but you have 330W on the roof. Ok, you will never get 100%, but 270W/280W should be possible and that is left on the table due to the solar controller not capable of delivering more.

 

[TRAMPER]

What is this expo thread yall are talking about?

@Chadx Expo thread on the OEV, he had one previously.

2020 Overland Explorer Vehicles (OEV) CAMP-X pop-up slide-in pickup camper (renamed "Back Country" as of 2023)

Note: Similar to all OEV campers for 2023, the "CAMP-X" has been renamed and will now be known as the "Back Country". There is also now a shell version known as the "Cross Country". 2020 Overland Explorer Vehicles (OEV) CAMP-X pop-up slide-in pickup camper Overview: Overland Explorer is a...

forum.expeditionportal.com

Its a big thread lots of good info.

 

[rwalk]

I just read basically that entire OEV thread over in Expo. Idk why stuff like this just fascinates me.

Anyway I was looking at your campers and brainstorming. Looks like some super interesting ideas over there for the OEV stuff.

Anyway @rwalk after talking about your little giant steps your other option would be to set those aside and use them around the house and switch to something like the Easy Hitch Step that I detailed a few pages back.

I was originally going to use a little giant at the recommendation of lots of people and even the Supertramp builders but after researching and think I just didn’t want to carry bulky dirty steps around.

View attachment 137425

I ordered these for my camper/ Tremor. They fold up small are super stable and you don’t need to carry them.

I had to add the 4th step to mine which aside from cost has no real negatives. I don’t think the OEV has the same basement so you might not need them.

Anyway just a thought for a different path. Unless I end up towing or crawling with my camper I can’t see these ever coming off.

I followed your posts on those steps before buying the Little Giant, they seem very practical and I like that they don't need to be stored most of the time. A few reasons I decided not to go with them:
-I do plan to do some crawling/harder trails, and felt that they would be awkward to store during those times and likely end up damaging the inside of the camper from sliding/bouncing around (plan to keep the cab pretty full with various gear, so that wouldn't be an option either). The flatter profile of the Little Giant seemed much better for storage.
-The awning and shower cube on the OEV are mounted high enough where anyone under 6', or taller depending on the parking situation, has a very hard time reaching to set up/take down, so I need to be able to use it in multiple places around the camper. The bed and bumper steps on the 23's would probably solve that issue.

I ran mine like this for a while. Removed the panel and ran the straps behind it, but it rubbed the camper. I'll attach it to the outside of the panel next time.

Great example, seems like the size of the Trasharoo works well on that panel. I guess I got what I deserved for going with the biggest bag I could find and ordering before I picked up the camper so I couldn't take measurements. Black Friday had me getting a bit carried away..

 

[TRAMPER]

I followed your posts on those steps before buying the Little Giant, they seem very practical and I like that they don't need to be stored most of the time. A few reasons I decided not to go with them:
-I do plan to do some crawling/harder trails, and felt that they would be awkward to store during those times and likely end up damaging the inside of the camper from sliding/bouncing around (plan to keep the cab pretty full with various gear, so that wouldn't be an option either). The flatter profile of the Little Giant seemed much better for storage.
-The awning and shower cube on the OEV are mounted high enough where anyone under 6', or taller depending on the parking situation, has a very hard time reaching to set up/take down, so I need to be able to use it in multiple places around the camper. The bed and bumper steps on the 23's would probably solve that issue.



Great example, seems like the size of the Trasharoo works well on that panel. I guess I got what I deserved for going with the biggest bag I could find and ordering before I picked up the camper so I couldn't take measurements. Black Friday had me getting a bit carried away..

True that’s a good call, especially about the extra uses. We had some previous discussions about the height of some of the items mounted to OEV campers. They put that awning like 9ft in the air lol.

I’m not sure what I’ll end up doing if/ when I encounter a trail that they will need to be removed on. I carry the tools to do it so it’s not a problem per se but they’re pretty heavy and definitely bulky to store. I guess everything is a compromise.

Truth be told this is a 10k pound rig that’s 21ft long and cost as much as some houses. I probably won’t be wheeling it too hard. Fire roads and trails that can handle a rig this size are likely my limit going forward.

There’s just no perfect solution and no matter how much I read and plan vehicles like this are always evolving.

 

[rwalk]

True that’s a good call, especially about the extra uses. We had some previous discussions about the height of some of the items mounted to OEV campers. They put that awning like 9ft in the air lol.

I’m not sure what I’ll end up doing if/ when I encounter a trail that they will need to be removed on. I carry the tools to do it so it’s not a problem per se but they’re pretty heavy and definitely bulky to store. I guess everything is a compromise.

Truth be told this is a 10k pound rig that’s 21ft long and cost as much as some houses. I probably won’t be wheeling it too hard. Fire roads and trails that can handle a rig this size are likely my limit going forward.

There’s just no perfect solution and no matter how much I read and plan vehicles like this are always evolving.

Definitely a lot of compromises - not in a bad way, but it's impossible to be set up perfectly for every situation.

I'm a rock crawling Jeep guy at heart, been doing that long before I got into "overlanding", so I know I'll get into some situations no matter how much I tell myself I shouldn't! Plus with the length of these trucks and the departure angles, it doesn't take too much to get into a spot where those steps might drag. But, for 95+% of the places most of us will go, I'm sure they'll be the perfect choice.

 

[rwalk]

Circling back to the subject of Sumo's - is the general consensus that these are the best option to add some support for the camper weight while still maintaining as much suspension travel as possible for off-road use? I suppose some of Carli's custom Deaver springs designed for added weight would really be the best choice, but trying not to go that far down the suspension rabbit hole.

Also curious others opinions on a rear sway bar like the Hellwig. I'm not usually picky when it comes to ride quality, but the one trip I did with my OEV from Phoenix to SLC I felt like there was a lot of sway/body roll even with a dry camper. I'd like to avoid a sway bar for the previously mentioned off-road capability, so hoping the Sumo's might be a good middle ground?

 

[TRAMPER]

Circling back to the subject of Sumo's - is the general consensus that these are the best option to add some support for the camper weight while still maintaining as much suspension travel as possible for off-road use? I suppose some of Carli's custom Deaver springs designed for added weight would really be the best choice, but trying not to go that far down the suspension rabbit hole.

Also curious others opinions on a rear sway bar like the Hellwig. I'm not usually picky when it comes to ride quality, but the one trip I did with my OEV from Phoenix to SLC I felt like there was a lot of sway/body roll even with a dry camper. I'd like to avoid a sway bar for the previously mentioned off-road capability, so hoping the Sumo's might be a good middle ground?

So, yes…. At least in my mind the way they function they should offer not only added support but also stability….

That did I haven’t really been able to pin if they’ll work on a Tremor. I did a “chat” online with Sumo and they said no…. But I’ve seen a few people on here that have them but Sumo is pretty adamant they won’t. I started a thread or two on here about it but those pics we just got of the front are the first pictures I’ve gotten. I’d like to get the rear too to compare length.

In my mind the truck has more than enough spring to hold up these campers and like you i don’t really want to add a sway bar for the reasons you stated. Sumo’s at least in theory will offer added height by offering some additional support and should 100% stabilize the load because they are engaged all the time so they should/ will limit body roll.

I guess I need to just pull the trigger and see if they work I had just hoped to take a better look at them before ordering.

 

[rwalk]

So, yes…. At least in my mind the way they function they should offer not only added support but also stability….

That did I haven’t really been able to pin if they’ll work on a Tremor. I did a “chat” online with Sumo and they said no…. But I’ve seen a few people on here that have them but Sumo is pretty adamant they won’t. I started a thread or two on here about it but those pics we just got of the front are the first pictures I’ve gotten. I’d like to get the rear too to compare length.

In my mind the truck has more than enough spring to hold up these campers and like you i don’t really want to add a sway bar for the reasons you stated. Sumo’s at least in theory will offer added height by offering some additional support and should 100% stabilize the load because they are engaged all the time so they should/ will limit body roll.

I guess I need to just pull the trigger and see if they work I had just hoped to take a better look at them before ordering.

Interesting that Sumo says they won't work. I read through all 319 pages of the "What did you do to your Tremor today" thread over the last week or so, and it seemed to be a very popular choice. I'll have to take a deeper dive in the suspension forum to hear other opinions on all the systems out there. I think I'd leave the front alone and just add something in the rear. The Hellwig helper springs or similar also seemed worth consideration, but probably more for support and less for stabilization?

 

[TRAMPER]

Looks like Four Wheel Camper dropped an update for their campers today.

Electronic linear actuators and Air Conditioning from Nomadic Cooling. $5000 for each of those options and only available for Slide In’s and FlatBeds. (Not Model M)

 

[Chris-DTA]

Some interesting stuff. They have been too comfortable with what they had in my opinion. Not sure if these upgrades will make a big impact. Very pricey and therefore a smaller group of people being able to afford them. But overall, it is a step in the right direction to close the gap between FWC and other brands that are more innovative.

In general, I love the competition to be a bit more visible and heated up. In the end it means more innovations coming online.

 

[rwalk]

Looks like Four Wheel Camper dropped an update for their campers today.

Electronic linear actuators and Air Conditioning from Nomadic Cooling. $5000 for each of those options and only available for Slide In’s and FlatBeds. (Not Model M)

Looks like a few other changes as well
-Lithium batteries standard (No more AGM option)
-Flush mount sink/stove standard (No more basic sink/stove option)
-No more 3-way fridge (That may not be new, but I remember seeing a 3 way option fairly recently)
-Larger cabover option (Not sure the exact dimensions to compare) and underbed storage
-Switching to Truma furnace and water heater

I priced out a Hawk with a similar build to my OEV and it landed just under 50k. I'd take a Camp-X/Backcountry any day over a Hawk at that price.

 

[TRAMPER]

Home

Four Wheel Campers, Inc. has toppers, flatbeds, and slide-ins for a custom pop-up truck camper you design yourself.

fourwheelcampers.com

Videos on here. Won’t let me post a working video directly.

Yeah I just got to watching the videos.

Truma heaters, Air Conditioning, flush mount sink and stove, linear actuators, LiFePo batteries and some Victron components.

Thanks for showing up 4WHCampers

Really a shame they didn’t pioneer all this stuff 10 years ago. Sadly it looks like they’re still made with plywood. Important upgrades for sure but long overdue.


***edit***

Oh and under bed storage!

 

[Chris-DTA]

In case anyone wonders what the alternator charging of my camper batteries now looks like after I have 2 REDARC BCDC1250D installed. Here you go.

1400W/100A - it seems very consistent. And by the way, this is idling the truck. Not driving. When driving it goes down a little bit.

 

[TRAMPER]

In case anyone wonders what the alternator charging of my camper batteries now looks like after I have 2 REDARC BCDC1250D installed. Here you go.

1400W/100A - it seems very consistent. And by the way, this is idling the truck. Not driving. When driving it goes down a little bit.

View attachment 137504

NICE!!! Now that’s an upgrade!!! Thanks for sharing that Chris.

 

[rwalk]

That should charge the batteries quickly! I'd be interested to see what the output of the factory dual alternators are at idle and typical driving RPMs. I know they are rated for 397A, but I'm assuming that is at some ridiculous RPM number. Also curious what the draw on them is just to run the truck. Dual alternators are the only option I didn't end up with when I found the truck I ultimately ended up purchasing.

Out of curiosity, did you consider relying more heavily on the DC/DC charger as opposed to going with the extra solar and generator option? My style of camping involves quite a bit of moving around, so DC/DC will be utilized pretty heavily. At 100A charge rate it seems like even for a base camp situation the combo of 330W solar and occasional idling of the truck may work pretty well?