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

[TRAMPER]

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?

Same for me, sorta. We generally move around a lot and I spoke with Supertramp about doubling up on the DC/DC power apparently you can run two Victon 30A chargers in parallel and get 60A. I hadn’t considered 100A!!!!!!!!!! But generally we move often enough that even 60A would be huge. The 30A it came with may be enough…. But only time will tell!

 

[Jj33bb]

Tremor + Hawk + Summer in Colorado. Can't beat it.

 

[Chadx]

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.

The primary reason I jumped ship on our FWC was the condensation, but moving to an OEV was also driven by the components used. The Truma Aquago and Varioheat were exceptional and I like the REDARC battery manager 30. LiFePO4 battery as well. And aluminum and starboard cabinets (no wood or wood look). Components that I would have installed if I built a camper from scratch.

Fast forward to the Supertramp order and amongst other things we liked for our use, the electric actuators were attractive; partly for no manual lifting, but also to eliminate the folding brackets at front and back of the camper which I banged my head on more than once but also because that allowed for front and rear pop-top windows rather than only side pop-top windows. Of note, when I was pricing out OEV Hudson Bay flatbed camper in 2022, the optional actuators added $9,300. In 2023, that option price jumped up to $9,700.

I do appreciate there are so many manufacturers now and most with multiple models. Between the flatbed and slide-ins (both pop-up and hard sided) and the bed-mounted topper-style campers, and the folding tent-type toppers, there is something in every weight, size and options. Just pick the one that works for you. Nowadays, I'll take any of them over a ground tent and love the heck out of whatever one I had. Ha.

 

[cs0430]

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.

I have a Hawk shell on order with the new Truma furnace, lithium battery with Redarc BCDC and some other odds and ends. No dinette or couch, I’m just going to build an 80/20 sleeping platform for our kid and put the Dometic fridge in it. Really for us it was the only pop-up camper that could provide a heated sleeping solution and the price started with a 2 - mid 2’s at that all in with tax, install, etc. I love the composite guys but by contrast the OEV Cross Country is $35k as a base price before tax, install, etc.

 

[TRAMPER]

I have a Hawk shell on order with the new Truma furnace, lithium battery with Redarc BCDC and some other odds and ends. No dinette or couch, I’m just going to build an 80/20 sleeping platform for our kid and put the Dometic fridge in it. Really for us it was the only pop-up camper that could provide a heated sleeping solution and the price started with a 2 - mid 2’s at that all in with tax, install, etc. I love the composite guys but by contrast the OEV Cross Country is $35k as a base price before any of that stuff.

Agreed. The base model/ shells for 4WH are actually a decent deal and really you can probably build yourself a nicer interior anyway.

I have a good friend who was hot for an OEV or Supertramp but after a long drawn out discussion and changing his mind 20X has a Project M on order.

They’re MASSIVE inside, with an M you get all the way to the truck bed and very cost and weight efficient.

I think the new upgrades you’re getting will make a really nice camper. His thinking was similar to yours, he has a 12y/o son so he needs a second full size sleeping space down in the bed.

Again this is what’s so awesome about truck campers, something for everyone!!!!

What are you going to be mounting your Shell to? His is going on a Ram 2500 Cummins that’s already on AEV suspension and has all the goodies on it. I’m looking forward to seeing in this spring when it’s built out.

 

[cs0430]

Agreed. The base model/ shells for 4WH are actually a decent deal and really you can probably build yourself a nicer interior anyway.

I have a good friend who was hot for an OEV or Supertramp but after a long drawn out discussion and changing his mind 20X has a Project M on order.

They’re MASSIVE inside, with an M you get all the way to the truck bed and very cost and weight efficient.

I think the new upgrades you’re getting will make a really nice camper. His thinking was similar to yours, he has a 12y/o son so he needs a second full size sleeping space down in the bed.

Again this is what’s so awesome about truck campers, something for everyone!!!!

What are you going to be mounting your Shell to? His is going on a Ram 2500 Cummins that’s already on AEV suspension and has all the goodies on it. I’m looking forward to seeing in this spring when it’s built out.

I like the M, likely what my wife and I would have done pre-kiddo. We have a 2.5 year old so a little heated creature comfort is good for him. He loves camping and we’re really excited about being able to stay out longer and more remote with him with the FWC.

If the FWC came right now I’d be mounting it to…the floor of my garage. I have an XLT Tremor on order but despite ordering it 3 months ago it still hasn’t been scheduled for production yet while some people here ordered later and are already driving their trucks around. No, I’m not bitter haha. FWC agreed to push the camper out to end of April at the latest so hopefully I have a new rig before then or I’m going to have to make some tough decisions.

 

[Chris-DTA]

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?

My use case is mixed. I am planning to be stationary most of the week days as I have to work and then either move to a new campsite in the middle of the week or go into a town anyway on a weekend to do laundry, dump trash, and buy fresh groceries. Starlink and my computer setup require a decent amount of power. Ideally, I want to be solar-powered as much as possible so that I do not have to run the truck. In the end I do not care if I end up at 10% battery on a Friday afternoon. Driving on the next day + solar will get me back to 100% quickly.

I have the 7.3 L gasser - single 397A alternator.

 

[Chadx]

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.
...

As I found out, alternator options get interesting when you start talking pro power onboard. My 7.3L pickup has pro power onboard, two alternators and two batteries, but only one of those alternators is 12v and attached to the two main 12v batteries I have two batteries because they were required option to get the Ford-optioned Warn winch. The second alternator is dedicated to the propower onboard system and consists of a 150amp 24v alternator. It powers two additional, tiny 12v batteries, wired in series, under the rear seat and those are located beside a 24v-to-120v 2kw inverter.

I would have much preferred two 12v alternators and wired my own 12v inverter. Wouldn't have had the slick in-bed outlets, but I would have eliminated two extra batteries (those under the rear seat). I assume the tiny batteries are AGM and will last a very long time, but eventually they will need replacement plus, more weight to drag around. It also means that my two main 12v pickup batteries are powered by only one 250amp 12v. That is a fair bit less 12v amps than the optional twin 12v alternators of 250amp and 160amps (total of 410amps). Yes the total potential system output, of a pro power onboard pickup, is more (12v 250amps and 24v 150amps) but 12v and 24v isn't cross compatible so only useful for their own circuits.

If I could do it over, I'd have unchecked the pro power onboard box and put that $985 towards the $115 dual 12v alternators (410amps) and bought my own 12v inverter, wiring, fuse and outlet and run it off the 12v system. Would have cost more and taken me time, but would have allowed for much more 12v power when not using the inverter.

I can confirm, however, that the two 12v batteries, with my 7.3L, are thankfully AGM this year. Rumor was it was only diesels that would get the AGM. And then the rumor was it was on any dual battery setup. That I can confirm. Not sure if the single battery 7.3L pickups ended up being standard flooded lead acid or AGM lead acid. Anyone know? Would make sense for them to change everything over to AGM rather than continue using non-AGM (which have questionable track record) for some pickups and not others.

 

[Dos Hijas Ranch]

This thread got me thinking again about the rear Sumos. Did anyone give them a shot on the Tremor?

 

[Chadx]

I have the 7.3 L gasser - single 397A alternator.

You may have mentioned it in our direct email exchanges, but is that an aftermarket alternator? As far as I know, Ford only offers up to 250amps in a single alternator and 410amps (250amp and 165amp) in dual alternators (at least for 2024 model year). Base alternator is 190amps on gas and 250amps on diesel.

 

[Chris-DTA]

Same for me, sorta. We generally move around a lot and I spoke with Supertramp about doubling up on the DC/DC power apparently you can run two Victon 30A chargers in parallel and get 60A. I hadn’t considered 100A!!!!!!!!!! But generally we move often enough that even 60A would be huge. The 30A it came with may be enough…. But only time will tell!

I talked to STC as well before doing this and I got the same answer as you did. It is not really a good solution in my opinion. Of course it would address the problem a bit, but keep in mind the entire electrical setup was originally designed around one 100A battery. Not two batteries, one battery. They should have upgraded the components AND the wiring for the larger battery bank. Even the wiring is not good enough when you upgrade to more voltage/Watts/AMPs. It's a learning curve for them as well. Each customer is different and they seem to listen. For buyers down the road I think things will be a bit more dialed in. I think I have done my part "pioneering" ... now handing the torch down to others. But wait - one more thing ... Yep, I have one more thing up my sleeve for the Supertramp that nobody has seen yet. That is all I am saying now ...

In my case, I do not want to experiment until I find the right mix. Go big or go home. Do it once and do it right and then move on. I knew that I would have to spend some money after the delivery of the camper, but I want to be done now lol . I am close. My testing yesterday and today really makes me feel confident that I can go now and do what I have planned to do. I'll do a trial run between the holidays and then see. First half of January may be tough to go for me, but then it is go-time

 

[Chris-DTA]

You may have mentioned it in our direct email exchanges, but is that an aftermarket alternator? As far as I know, Ford only offers up to 250amps in a single alternator and 410amps (250amp and 165amp) in dual alternators (at least for 2024 model year).

The 397A alternator came from the factory and was part of the dual-battery upgrade if I am not mistaken. It was also a requirement in case one would order the factory winch. My truck came without the winch initially, but I knew I would install one and so it was a requirement for me to find a truck that has the 397A alternator and dual-batteries. My truck is a 2022.

 

[rwalk]

The 397A alternator came from the factory and was part of the dual-battery upgrade if I am not mistaken. It was also a requirement in case one would order the factory winch. My truck came without the winch initially, but I knew I would install one and so it was a requirement for me to find a truck that has the 397A alternator and dual-batteries. My truck is a 2022.

I'll have to look into this further. You very well could be right, I just thought from my searching that our 22s had the option of 240A single or 397A dual alternators. I believe I have the 240A, as there is no alternator upgrade listed on my window sticker. I looked for hours to try to find the best upgrade solution, and could only find aftermarket options unless I went all out and added the second battery and second alt. Do you have a copy of your window sticker you can share?

 

[MTSD]

The 397A alternator came from the factory and was part of the dual-battery upgrade if I am not mistaken. It was also a requirement in case one would order the factory winch. My truck came without the winch initially, but I knew I would install one and so it was a requirement for me to find a truck that has the 397A alternator and dual-batteries. My truck is a 2022.

You have 2 alternators. A 240 and a 157 but they don't make that clear when you build it out.

 

[TRAMPER]

I'll have to look into this further. You very well could be right, I just thought from my searching that our 22s had the option of 240A single or 397A dual alternators. I believe I have the 240A, as there is no alternator upgrade listed on my window sticker. I looked for hours to try to find the best upgrade solution, and could only find aftermarket options unless I went all out and added the second battery and second alt. Do you have a copy of your window sticker you can share?

I think you’re right. It’s definitely duals. My truck has 410As worth of alternators and it was only $115 up charge. Of course when you select that it automatically adds dual batteries too. That’s was another $210.

 

[Chris-DTA]

You have 2 alternators. A 240 and a 157 but they don't make that clear when you build it out.

Well, had to Google it and a certain online forum answered that question hahaha

397 amp alternator. Is it 2?

So I was nosing around under the hood looking stuff over and trying to find my stupid block heater cord and noticed I have dual alternators. My build sticker says it's the 397 amp one but theirs clearly 2 alternators in their. Is that correct? Oh and where do they hide the block heater cord?

www.fordtremor.com

 

[Chris-DTA]

I'll have to look into this further. You very well could be right, I just thought from my searching that our 22s had the option of 240A single or 397A dual alternators. I believe I have the 240A, as there is no alternator upgrade listed on my window sticker. I looked for hours to try to find the best upgrade solution, and could only find aftermarket options unless I went all out and added the second battery and second alt. Do you have a copy of your window sticker you can share?

Window sticker only shows 397

 

[MTSD]

Window sticker only shows 397

View attachment 137543

Same thing on my sticker but if you look there are 2 on the right side up front that bolt together. And if you look up the parts there's an upper(157) and lower(240). Supposedly the small one only kicks in when you draw over 240. If that's the case I guess it's all the same in the end.

 

[MileHigh]

BLM land is exactly the point!!!! Hahaha. Tbh I used to really want to buy land out west, or by a river, or with a Mountain View, or…. And the more I thought about it the more I decided I’d just buy a truck and camper to take me to those places hahaha. I can’t and won’t ever be able to afford a cabin with a view of the Tetons, or property on a stream full of native Cutthroats, but I can park my truck and camper on any of the 10’s of millions of acres of public land and have all those things and when I get tired of it I can go see the next view. Most of these Western states have millions of acres available…. I won’t lie owning would be cool too! But for now as a “Public Land Owner” it’s already mine to use. FWIW I do have 10 acres at home in NY, which isn’t a lot but plenty to shoot guns on and not have to see my neighbors. Just my thoughts but it’s really what pushed me into “Overlanding” to start with.

Oh yeah, and no one sends you a tax bill for it!

TRAMPER, thanks for this great thread. I read all of the posts but this is the one I wanted to reply to because you hit on my reasons for buying a truck camper. In 2009 I went snowboarding at Aspen and the hotel room was $150/night, for nothing fancy. I can't afford to live or even stay the night at places like Aspen, but I want to live that life, even for just a few days. That summer I bought a used truck and a used 2002 Lance 815 then modded it out to be a luxury ski hut and mobile man cave that I can take to any mountain ready to tailgate any occasion. Granted not all ski resorts allow you to park in their lot overnight but it don't matter, because you're in a truck camper you can "stealth" camp nearly anywhere a truck can go. Preferably directly in front of the bar in town, if it was allowed. There were nights where the after party was in the camper.

The second reason, I did not discover until after I owned a truck camper. Freedom. The great feeling of freedom to, as you stated "park my truck and camper on any of the 10’s of millions of acres of public land and have all those things and when I get tired of it I can go see the next view." I live in CO so the west is my backyard. I bought a Tremor in 2020, put on some Torklifts mounted the old camper and already we have been to CO, NM, WY, TX, CA, SD, ND, MT, UT and NV.
The night before this picture was taken at Sequoia NP, we slept in a Costco parking lot. Afterwards we drove to Huntington Beach and valet parked it at a fancy hotel that I paid for with points. It wouldn't fit in their parking garage so they parked it right in front of the hotel next to the sports cars. Which was great for us because we had easy access to our luggage, our ebikes and beach toys in the camper. Which is the third reason to own a truck camper: the mobile home-base. This is my wife's favorite part of having the truck camper so that she does not have to use the bathroom at a truck stop, camp ground, or rest area.

 

[Turnem]

TRAMPER, thanks for this great thread. I read all of the posts but this is the one I wanted to reply to because you hit it on my number one and two reasons for buying a truck camper. Back in 2009 I went snowboarding at Aspen and the hotel room was $150/night. That summer I bought a used truck and a used 2002 Lance 815 then modded it out to be a mountain chalet that I can take to any mountain. That's the first reason to reduce/eliminate lodging costs. Granted not all ski resorts allow you to park in their lot overnight but it don't matter, because your in a truck camper you can "stealth" camp nearly anywhere a truck can go.
The second reason, I did not discover until after I owned a truck camper. Freedom. The great feeling of freedom to, as you stated "park my truck and camper on any of the 10’s of millions of acres of public land and have all those things and when I get tired of it I can go see the next view." I live in CO so the west is my backyard. I bought a Tremor in 2020, put on some Torklifts mounted the old camper and already we have been to CO, NM, WY, TX, CA, SD, ND, MT, and NV. This pic was taken at Sequoia NP.