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

[gmoon]

Deaver did my full suspension setup on my 2005 E350 Sportsmobile about 15 years ago. I was one of the first E350's they did and were fantastic to work with with great results. For the F250, due to time constraints, I estimated my loaded weight. I'm remounting the camper tomorrow and will probably go get weighed next week to see how close I was. If I'm close, I'll just leave it. If not, I'll live with whatever it is for my 3 months in Mexico then fine tune when I return. Jeff is absolutely great to work with at Deaver. I ordered early December (or late November) and arranged a January 3 install. He was actually ready weeks ahead of schedule but I wasn't. Carli has a 2000 lb and 3000 (or 3500 lb) spring pack and I'm guessing I'm going to be around 2500 lbs. I gave him the Carli part number for the 2000 lb pack and he upsized it for another 500 lbs. It was also a bit less expensive going direct to Deaver and I just had them do the install. These spring packs are really heavy and I'm the proverbial 140 lb weakling so didn't want to do it myself.

I'm looking forward to not hearing everything get thrown around like I have in my van for 17 years, but there will definitely be a lot of things I'll miss about the van.

All great info. Once I have my weight Ill ring them for an ETA. I remeber during covid it got up to something wild like 8 or 10 months and I was REALLY hoping that was a fluke. Did you opt for the carli leaf spring shackles or running with factory?

Yes there is nothing worse than installing leaf springs. Its more of a wrestling match than a install...

Yes the van has so many "pros" that will be missed.. My mercedes has been in the shop for 4 months. That ridiculousness will not!

 

[PJPVI]

All great info. Once I have my weight Ill ring them for an ETA. I remeber during covid it got up to something wild like 8 or 10 months and I was REALLY hoping that was a fluke. Did you opt for the carli leaf spring shackles or running with factory?

Yes there is nothing worse than installing leaf springs. Its more of a wrestling match than a install...

Yes the van has so many "pros" that will be missed.. My mercedes has been in the shop for 4 months. That ridiculousness will not!

I ended up getting the Carli shackles last minute before heading down. In theory the design of them should make a difference. They look strong and well built. Since I don't have much to compare, I'll say that while the ride home from SoCal was stiff, it was a smooth stiff if that makes sense. I had already installed the King shocks tuned for a 2500 lb rate on the rear with stock springs on the ride down. I think the ride with the Deaver springs and Kings unloaded was smoother (although stiff) than the ride (also stiff and a bit harsh) with stock springs and King shocks unloaded.

It was interesting to me that after the Deaver springs were installed and the truck sat about 2.5" higher in the rear it appears to have brought my caster out of spec as the steering isn't as nice as before. My steering wheel was also slightly out of alignment (that one I don't understand unless the lift in the rear happened to raise or lower the front??). I think when the rear drops back down with the weight of my camper the caster should come back in to where it should be and I'll wait to re-align the steering wheel until then to see if it miraculously returns to center.

This has been an interesting evolution. I look forward to all the moving parts settling down with a "final" configuration. I've done a few things out of order as I have a hard departure date for my trip. I fully expect to have a list of things to fine tune when I return.

While the van has provided miles of smiles (and some frowns), I'm ready to move on. If all goes well, the buyers should be completing their payments next Friday and the van will be off to new adventures.

 

[gmoon]

This has been an interesting evolution. I look forward to all the moving parts settling down with a "final" configuration. I've done a few things out of order as I have a hard departure date for my trip. I fully expect to have a list of things to fine tune when I return.

Boy do I know the feeling.. All for the sake of getting on the road!

When youre sitting on a beach in Baja with Ceviche and a Modelo I doubt you will be thinking of any of this!

 

[PJPVI]

Now that I have the camper mated back with the truck I guess I need to make sure I have insurance on the camper. When I pinged AAA a while ago on it (who I have my house and cars insured at) they wanted to treat the camper like a car which made no sense to me. AAA was really good about the flatbed modification though. Curious who you all are using, your thoughts on the carrier, and any detail you care to share. I'm in California which normally makes everything more difficult and expensive of course. TIA

 

[TRAMPER]

Now that I have the camper mated back with the truck I guess I need to make sure I have insurance on the camper. When I pinged AAA a while ago on it (who I have my house and cars insured at) they wanted to treat the camper like a car which made no sense to me. AAA was really good about the flatbed modification though. Curious who you all are using, your thoughts on the carrier, and any detail you care to share. I'm in California which normally makes everything more difficult and expensive of course. TIA

So the day after I had my new Supertramp installed I contacted my insurance agent (that’s the key here). She got back to me with a few quotes. One from Progressive that was $504 and a second from my current insurance company that was $642 (company is NY based only though so I won’t bother you with the details). I actually opted for the $642 while $140 more expensive kept things simpler for me as my home, 4 vehicles, tractor, and now camper can all be with the same company. This is for $84,000 in coverage with a $500 deductible, comprehensive and collision.

I just looked at my insurance documents and it’s listed as “trailer” but they have all a picture of it installed on my truck and I gave them a copy of the original bill of sale.

My main point is if you do a lot of business or have a lot of vehicles a good agent is priceless. Like literally I couldn’t imagine getting along with out them. I’m sure Cali is even more pricey than NY but this will at least give you a baseline to judge.

 

[TRAMPER]

Now that I have the camper mated back with the truck I guess I need to make sure I have insurance on the camper. When I pinged AAA a while ago on it (who I have my house and cars insured at) they wanted to treat the camper like a car which made no sense to me. AAA was really good about the flatbed modification though. Curious who you all are using, your thoughts on the carrier, and any detail you care to share. I'm in California which normally makes everything more difficult and expensive of course. TIA

I also think you owe us a picture of this baby put back together!!! Is she sitting level how you wanted??

 

[gmoon]

I know the nonserialized campers that are non RVIA certified can be more difficult.Vans have always been easy because conversion is not removable from the chassis.

FWC, OEV, and Supertramps should simple because they are both removable and serialized.

The custom or small batch stuff (including mine) can be tricky.. Havent dealt with this yet.

 

[Chadx]

Now that I have the camper mated back with the truck I guess I need to make sure I have insurance on the camper. When I pinged AAA a while ago on it (who I have my house and cars insured at) they wanted to treat the camper like a car which made no sense to me. AAA was really good about the flatbed modification though. Curious who you all are using, your thoughts on the carrier, and any detail you care to share. I'm in California which normally makes everything more difficult and expensive of course. TIA

State Farm full coverage insures a pickup camper for free while it is loaded on the pickup. Value of pickup and value of camper doesn't matter. Seems crazy, but they do. Only risk is when it is off the truck and stored or if you take it off and leave it at camp or somewhere to have work done on it. I've done that with my last two campers (FWC and OEV) and they did it even though the value of the OEV was double that of the pickup itself. They said they would do the same thing Supertramp when it arrives, but I'll likely put individual coverage on that since we remove it and store it for 5 months out of the year. Blows me away that State Farm will do that. They have done the same thing for my last 3 snowbikes. The kits cost the same, or more, than the dirtbike itself, but their annual full coverage rate is based only on the value of the dirtbike. One of my snowbikes was a new $8,000 kit on an old $2,000 dirtbike and the full coverage insurance premium was based only on the value of the dirtbike; snowbike kit coverage was free. They take the details like the camper or snowbike kit, like VIN, make/model, and documented cost/value and cover the entire thing with now extra cost.

We have everything with State Farm except our ATVs because if you put a license plate on an ATV, they then charge automobile rates rather than ATV rates. In Montana, we plate all our ATV, UTV and dirtbikes to be legal on the forest service roads (though they usually don't ticket if you don't, as long as you have your offroad registration and pay your annual trail permit). Still, having a plate lets you drive them around town and on paved roads if you really want to. None of the other insurers increase premium if your ATV, UTV or dirtbike has a plate and road registration in addition to your offroad registration, but State Farm does. So ATV is insured with a different company because we were not going to pay literally six times as much for insuring it at State Farm.

 

[PJPVI]

So the day after I had my new Supertramp installed I contacted my insurance agent (that’s the key here). She got back to me with a few quotes. One from Progressive that was $504 and a second from my current insurance company that was $642 (company is NY based only though so I won’t bother you with the details). I actually opted for the $642 while $140 more expensive kept things simpler for me as my home, 4 vehicles, tractor, and now camper can all be with the same company. This is for $84,000 in coverage with a $500 deductible, comprehensive and collision.

I just looked at my insurance documents and it’s listed as “trailer” but they have all a picture of it installed on my truck and I gave them a copy of the original bill of sale.

My main point is if you do a lot of business or have a lot of vehicles a good agent is priceless. Like literally I couldn’t imagine getting along with out them. I’m sure Cali is even more pricey than NY but this will at least give you a baseline to judge.

That's very helpful as a baseline. Thanks for taking the time to pass it along!

 

[PJPVI]

State Farm full coverage insures a pickup camper for free while it is loaded on the pickup. Value of pickup and value of camper doesn't matter. Seems crazy, but they do. Only risk is when it is off the truck and stored or if you take it off and leave it at camp or somewhere to have work done on it. I've done that with my last two campers (FWC and OEV) and they did it even though the value of the OEV was double that of the pickup itself. They said they would do the same thing Supertramp when it arrives, but I'll likely put individual coverage on that since we remove it and store it for 5 months out of the year. Blows me away that State Farm will do that. They have done the same thing for my last 3 snowbikes. The kits cost the same, or more, than the dirtbike itself, but their annual full coverage rate is based only on the value of the dirtbike. One of my snowbikes was a new $8,000 kit on an old $2,000 dirtbike and the full coverage insurance premium was based only on the value of the dirtbike; snowbike kit coverage was free. They take the details like the camper or snowbike kit, like VIN, make/model, and documented cost/value and cover the entire thing with now extra cost.

We have everything with State Farm except our ATVs because if you put a license plate on an ATV, they then charge automobile rates rather than ATV rates. In Montana, we plate all our ATV, UTV and dirtbikes to be legal on the forest service roads (though they usually don't ticket if you don't, as long as you have your offroad registration and pay your annual trail permit). Still, having a plate lets you drive them around town and on paved roads if you really want to. None of the other insurers increase premium if your ATV, UTV or dirtbike has a plate and road registration in addition to your offroad registration, but State Farm does. So ATV is insured with a different company because we were not going to pay literally six times as much for insuring it at State Farm.

More good info. Funny that I almost switched everything to State Farm end of 2022 but they would not insure my truck with a flatbed, period! AAA could have cared less that I put a flatbed on the truck and as long as I send them pics and receipts they will cover all the truck modifications at no extra charge. So, I stayed with AAA.

 

[PJPVI]

I also think you owe us a picture of this baby put back together!!! Is she sitting level how you wanted??

I guess I do! And, yes, it is nearly perfectly level. My first drive back to my house and again back to the shed (my work shop) I still had the rear adjustable King shocks on full soft. It was REALLY soft with the camper on. Adjusted them to full firm setting and it is really nice now. I do get suspension "bucking" at slower speeds that I do not like and not sure what is causing it. Does anyone have any thoughts on that?

I took a couple pics today of the awning deployed.

 

[Creekwood Resort]

Didn't have time to read though 29 pages of posts.....

Who has the 7.3, and what type of MPG do you get with your Slide in Camper loaded. Interested more in those with a Northern Lite or Arctic Fox setup. Thinking about buying one soon.

Cirrus 820, traveling in the Smoky mountains 10.7 mpg, Never in a hurry 60-65.

 

[TRAMPER]

I guess I do! And, yes, it is nearly perfectly level. My first drive back to my house and again back to the shed (my work shop) I still had the rear adjustable King shocks on full soft. It was REALLY soft with the camper on. Adjusted them to full firm setting and it is really nice now. I do get suspension "bucking" at slower speeds that I do not like and not sure what is causing it. Does anyone have any thoughts on that?

I took a couple pics today of the awning deployed.

View attachment 139985View attachment 139986View attachment 139990

Oh damn!!!! That looks good!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Like really good!

Also @gmoon would this ladder solution work for you???? Idk what it is but it looks great!

 

[Chadx]

...I do get suspension "bucking" at slower speeds that I do not like and not sure what is causing it. Does anyone have any thoughts on that?

Bucking usually means the shock rebound is inadequate to slow the rebound for a given spring and payload. Spring compresses then rebounds and if shock can't slow that rebound, the weight rebounds too fast and too high and unweights the axle a bit. In extreme cases, it rebounds all the way up until suspension is at full droop, but it's noticeable at much less of an extreme than that.

 

[Chadx]

Also @gmoon would this ladder solution work for you???? Idk what it is but it looks great!

That's a fairly modified Little Giant step stool, by the looks of it

 

[TRAMPER]

That's a fairly modified Little Giant step stool, by the looks of it

Ah yeah zooming in on the steps I bet you’re right. I watched a few videos on YouTube about doing this before ordering my steps. Does look like a good option.

 

[PJPVI]

That's a fairly modified Little Giant step stool, by the looks of it

Yes it is. Not ideal but seems to work pretty well so far.

 

[PJPVI]

Bucking usually means the shock rebound is inadequate to slow the rebound for a given spring and payload. Spring compresses then rebounds and if shock can't slow that rebound, the weight rebounds too fast and too high and unweights the axle a bit. In extreme cases, it rebounds all the way up until suspension is at full droop, but it's noticeable at much less of an extreme than that.

I'll have to think on that and maybe call the folks at Acutune that I bought the custom tuned King shocks from. Thanks for the insight.

 

[Chris-DTA]

Now that I have the camper mated back with the truck I guess I need to make sure I have insurance on the camper. When I pinged AAA a while ago on it (who I have my house and cars insured at) they wanted to treat the camper like a car which made no sense to me. AAA was really good about the flatbed modification though. Curious who you all are using, your thoughts on the carrier, and any detail you care to share. I'm in California which normally makes everything more difficult and expensive of course. TIA

Interesting. I am with Travelers and all I could add is $10K for modifications to my truck. The quote I got from them for the camper was outrageous and I went with Good Sam for the camper. Full (new) replacement value for the camper - not current value.

I still have my teenage son on my policy and he had an accident in February 2022. It is very difficult for me to change insurance at the moment due to that. I would love to get my entire vehicle insured lol

 

[Chris-DTA]

I guess I do! And, yes, it is nearly perfectly level. My first drive back to my house and again back to the shed (my work shop) I still had the rear adjustable King shocks on full soft. It was REALLY soft with the camper on. Adjusted them to full firm setting and it is really nice now. I do get suspension "bucking" at slower speeds that I do not like and not sure what is causing it. Does anyone have any thoughts on that?

I took a couple pics today of the awning deployed.

View attachment 139985View attachment 139986View attachment 139990

Not sure if you mentioned it - is that the OEV HBE?