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

[TRAMPER]

100 posts on this thread in barely 6 days!!!!

Has anyone considered something like this? An external door deadbolt to reduce/ prevent theft? Obviously not really for a daily driver but for a vehicle that might be left at a trailhead or parked in a remote area, my thought was something like this and window tints that are fairly “smash proof” to secure the vehicle. It seems like smash and grabs and theft is out of control in some parts of the southwest right now.

Also something like what Earthroamer offers standard which uses a hitch pin to lock it. Basically I’m looking to make my truck as difficult to steal as possible. Knowing nothing can prevent theft these things just slow it down. Thoughts?

 

[Chadx]

... Basically I’m looking to make my truck as difficult to steal as possible. Knowing nothing can prevent theft these things just slow it down. Thoughts?

Difficult to steal the truck? or steel from the truck? The latter is touch because there are so many easy ways to get in. Glass or locks are not going to stop people from getting in that want to. Kind of goes back to the Jeep guys and soft tops. They leave them unlocked to prevent people from cutting them open to look for a few bucks in change or look for other unattached things to steal. Saved them money in the long run. There are the different add on to prevent theft of quick and easy truck parts, like the tailgates, tail lights and shields to block the catalytic converters to make them harder to cut off.

I think theft of the entire truck is actually easier to prevent than break ins. The Ravelco system is pretty much undefeatable unless the entire thing is uninstalled. I inquired and they won't even send you installation instructions until you buy the unit. So it's hard to get info on exactly how they are installed...which is a good thing. There is no installer in my area, hence why they will do direct sale for self-install or to take to a local shop to install. It's basically a cap with a bunch of jumpers and each cap is specific to your Ravelco wiring harness. It comes with two caps and you can order some extra. If you lose your only cap you have with you, you are dead in the water, of course. Situations to be aware of since you have a physical cap that needs to be plugged in: everyone in your group should be aware of it. If someone needs to move/drive your rig in an emergency and they don't know about it, it will be really confusing. Such as you are hurt and the other person grab your keys from your unconscious, or otherwise discombobulated, self and goes back to truck to drive for help but can't start your truck.

A similar one is the IGLA device. Thread on that here in the Tremor forums: https://www.fordtremor.com/threads/igla-anti-theft-device.16331/
It has no cap to carry and is disarmed by pressing a owner-defined sequence of pretty much any buttons in the pickup. Something like: right turn signal, passenger heated seat button, cellphone talk button on steering wheel, etc. Correct sequence, and you can start. Also has a Carjack mode so if someone carjacks you, it will let them drive away, but the next time they drop to a near stop, the car will disable. Haven't read through the entire thread, but did watch a couple videos. Interesting tech. Same situation as before in that anyone else must know this sequence of codes before they can drive your truck. But once they know, they know, so you'll have to change the sequence to block their access in the future since it is not dependent on a physical cap like the Ravelco.

Not sure if I'll do either, but I might lean more towards the Ravelco just because the physical cap seems a bit simpler than the sequenced series of button pushes.

With either of these, you'll get damage from the usual car theft acts as they break in (cut horn wires, break the door lock, break the keyed ignition (if you have one), etc.) but the vehicle will not start and will still be there when you get back. The attempt-damage would make you mad, but is easy to repair compared to a total loss from you entire rig. OK, now I'm talking myself into getting one myself.

 

[TRAMPER]

Both, steal the whole thing and slow down a smash and grab…

My thought was deadbolt the doors closed and add window tint that is shatterproof, more robust basically stop a smash and grab AND add one of the two systems you mentioned. I’ve read through threads on both. No installers really near me though but I’ll get to it eventually.

Really no issue where I live way out in the country but as we travel in the SW I don’t want to lose my truck or stuff. Also thinking about an alarm that is loud enough to cause physical pain to someone trying to steal it, that or a large capacitor that will cause real pain to them (I’m kidding about that one but I’d really love to lol).

I understand that damage can and will be inflicted if someone attempts a break in but that’s better than a loss of the vehicle.

 

[kj92648]

Hey sorry. I don’t know how i missed this and it’s late on Friday now. If/when you get a chance I’d love to see how this mounts into your Tremor! Thank you

Hi, @TRAMPER here you go. I had the fec hawk on weighing about 1500 and had to put the jack stands on to get an 1/8 - 1/4 of more height to get them in. After that install was only 20 mins.

The below is how it is with the camper on and load applied.

Really helped with the side the side rocking.

Timbren FR250SDJ they are 6 7/8" tall.

 

[TRAMPER]

Hi, @TRAMPER here you go. I had the fec hawk on weighing about 1500 and had to put the jack stands on to get an 1/8 - 1/4 of more height to get them in. After that install was only 20 mins.

The below is how it is with the camper on and load applied.

Really helped with the side the side rocking.
View attachment 134205View attachment 134206

Awesome thank you so much! I really appreciate it. Yes that looks like the perfect solution. Good to know it offered some added stability

 

[kj92648]

No problem. Added the model and height of the timbren for ref.

 

[TRAMPER]

No problem. Added the model and height of the timbren for ref.

Thank you!

 

[Bluzharp]

Although, I mean this is a Tremor Superduty forum, talk about a truck made for a truck camper!!

Yes, until you find the paper in the glove box that says "not recommended for truck camper"!

 

[TRAMPER]

Yes, until you find the paper in the glove box that says "not recommended for truck camper"!

WTF, what kinda shit is that lol. I get it though Tremor is Offroad focused. Add a rear sway bar back on and it’s pretty much a standard Superduty though.. maybe

 

[19mystic96]

Agreed. Shows how much interest there is in truck campers! Although, I mean this is a Tremor Superduty forum, talk about a truck made for a truck camper!!

i had one of the first GFC campers it really got me started in truck camping it was great!

I also have a buddy who has a project M on order. Kind of a step in between a spartan setup like the GFC and a larger truck camper. One of his main reasons for going Project M (he had a GFC already too) was the ability to remove it with jackstands if needed. Really can’t miss either way. There are so many great campers out there now!

I've seen 1 project M and really liked it. Like you said, they found a special spot in between the 2 different styles and have been able to take advantage of that.

For the price of a them, I'd rather have one of those over a GFC brand new. It's kind of a trip how quickly the prices of GFC have jumped since they launched. Which is why I considered just building my own. I've followed a few threads on Tacomaworld where they've made their own, and figured I'd be able to replicate one with my own dimensions and modifications to fit my use better.

 

[TX03RUBI]

Someone has other plans for me. I was supposed to leave West TX tomorrow morning to head north for my camper install. Tuesday I dropped off my F250 for a relay warranty issue. Swung by this AM to grab the truck since I still hadn’t heard from the dealer. They had nothing good to tell me besides it being covered under warranty. The relay and 7.3 motor need replacing. Needless to say they won’t release the truck to me. So scratch the install idea, and decided I’ll just take another truck and trailer to go pick it up then install myself. Now I’ve got 101.9 fever. May not be going anywhere tomorrow Someone doesn’t want me to get my damn camper

 

[TRAMPER]

Someone has other plans for me. I was supposed to leave West TX tomorrow morning to head north for my camper install. Tuesday I dropped off my F250 for a relay warranty issue. Swung by this AM to grab the truck since I still hadn’t heard from the dealer. They had nothing good to tell me besides it being covered under warranty. The relay and 7.3 motor need replacing. Needless to say they won’t release the truck to me. So scratch the install idea, and decided I’ll just take another truck and trailer to go pick it up then install myself. Now I’ve got 101.9 fever. May not be going anywhere tomorrow Someone doesn’t want me to get my damn camper

Very sorry to hear all of that. Get well soon!!!

 

[TRAMPER]

I've seen 1 project M and really liked it. Like you said, they found a special spot in between the 2 different styles and have been able to take advantage of that.

For the price of a them, I'd rather have one of those over a GFC brand new. It's kind of a trip how quickly the prices of GFC have jumped since they launched. Which is why I considered just building my own. I've followed a few threads on Tacomaworld where they've made their own, and figured I'd be able to replicate one with my own dimensions and modifications to fit my use better.

Yep, my first GFC was $5000 delivered to my door in NY! Of course that was one of the ones with hinges that were “rated for like a million cycles” that all ended up breaking lol the new ones are WAY nicer than the originals

 

[TRAMPER]

To further help the TRAMPER be our home on wheels I added a RAM laptop mount to the passenger side for my wife to work from while on the Rd. Quality seems very good and it is SUPER sturdy. Basically infinite adjustability but won’t really know how workable it is until we’re on the road.

 

[Briski]

What mods did you do to accommodate your camper?

I already have:

1. Tie down brackets off existing truck mount locations
2. Blocks to engage the over load leaf springs with the camper weight (1600 lbs dry). Disengaged without
3. Bed mat to spare the stock bed lining.
4. Upfitter switch power to camper from truck. Truck can now be a generator
5. Hellwig rear sway bar. It made a big difference cornering with the camper

I’m looking at starlink for off the grid internet. I have solar power and Honda 1000w generator already.

p.s. I go were there is cell service

Cheers

 

[TRAMPER]

Supertramp got back to me about a Lagun mount only, so I guess I don’t have to beg for pictures anymore.

The mount only is on a request only basis and is $150 installed. I went ahead and ordered it.

 

[Chadx]

Supertramp got back to me about a Lagun mount only, so I guess I don’t have to beg for pictures anymore.

The mount only is on a request only basis and is $150 installed. I went ahead and ordered it.

Kelsey gave me the same quote. I'd priced out the second mounting bracket, with bolts, shims and backer board and delivered, it was $70 to $75, so I'm with you and will likely just have them do the second bracket for that price. She said they could give me specs for mounting/drilling and it wasn't that big of a deal to drill through the composites. Most of my previous campers I've tackled everything without much thought, but the composite is giving me pause. Sounds like I'm being overly cautious, though. Just know some materials, like fiberglass and gelcoats, have considerations when drilling, but these composites sound fairly stable.

I was trying to get you a picture, for my info too, but hadn't yet. Someone reported there was a wood backerboard on the Supertramp factory mount, so assume that is the Lagun backerboard kit.

 

[avocadofarmer]

Here ya go!

 

[savin yours]

Here is our F250 Tremor with the 2022 OEV Camp-x. 400w of solar, Redarc manager 30, maxxair fans x2, Dometic RTX1000 12v A/C, 270 awning, shower cube, weboost, molle panels on the rear, truma water heater, truma heater, 20 gallons fresh water and Dometic 57 fridge/freezer. I'm enjoying our A/C! But mine is mounted in the rear of the camper, so the noise doesn't bother me at all. Im sure some of yall have seen my pics in another thread....but what the heck. My wife and I flew to Denver and looked at the 4WC, supertramp and OEV. 4WC is a well known and has a long history in the truck bed camper market. They make a great product, but I could tell right away that the quality wasn't on par with OEV and ST. I really liked the ST when we toured their shop, but we decided on the OEV and we are very happy with our choice!

 

[TRAMPER]

Here is our F250 Tremor with the 2022 OEV Camp-x. 400w of solar, Redarc manager 30, maxxair fans x2, Dometic RTX1000 12v A/C, 270 awning, shower cube, weboost, molle panels on the rear, truma water heater, truma heater, 20 gallons fresh water and Dometic 57 fridge/freezer. I'm enjoying our A/C! But mine is mounted in the rear of the camper, so the noise doesn't bother me at all. Im sure some of yall have seen my pics in another thread....but what the heck. My wife and I flew to Denver and looked at the 4WC, supertramp and OEV. 4WC is a well known and has a long history in the truck bed camper market. They make a great product, but I could tell right away that the quality wasn't on par with OEV and ST. I really liked the ST when we toured their shop, but we decided on the OEV and we are very happy with our choice!

YEAH!!!!!! That’s what I’m talking about what a beautiful rig!!!! Congrats it looks perfect!!!