Intro

twomountainlions · Nov 28, 2024

Yep, clearance > 4wd in most places. Unless you love deep sand and muddy stuff. Otherwise, 4wd just gets you stuck a bit further away from help than 4wd LOL. Still I'd go for both 4x4 and clearance in a truck, I mean if you are sacrificing bigger living space for mobility of a truck camper might as well get 4x4 for more freedom and less worry about some rain getting you stuck

rruff · Nov 28, 2024

Deep sand isn't a problem with 2wd... just air down. Have a good pump and a spare. Don't think 4wd will fix mud either, you need actual mud tires. I just avoid mud if at all possible.

Having a locker on your 2wd can be very helpful also.

twomountainlions · Nov 29, 2024

rruff said:
Deep sand isn't a problem with 2wd... just air down. Have a good pump and a spare. Don't think 4wd will fix mud either, you need actual mud tires. I just avoid mud if at all possible.

Having a locker on your 2wd can be very helpful also.

Depends on mud....Im from very muddy kind of place originally every one had 4wd, another thing is nasty roads when you have to go steep uphill at the same time. I avoid mud with my 2wd (and mostly avoid entire moonsoon season where it happens) but when I end up in potentially muddy area I just rely on my big food and water supplues that can carry me "until it all dries out" in case. With camping getting overrun its nice to have extra capacity due to 4wd to go beyond.
Regarding airing down tires, sure can be done but Id rather not deal with reinflating my dually's 6 tires, it takes long time as pump has to cool for 20 mins after each 10 mins of pumping so it takes a lot of time for this typical pump to inflate big tires back to 80 psi, I had a couple of pumps melt down on me reinflating those, luckily I had two pumps on hand. So it's 4 inches sand max or no go. For most stick truck campers duallies are going to be advisable

rruff · Nov 29, 2024

twomountainlions said:
Regarding airing down tires, sure can be done but Id rather not deal with reinflating my dually's 6 tires, it takes long time as pump has to cool for 20 mins after each 10 mins of pumping so it takes a lot of time for this typical pump to inflate big tires back to 80 psi

When I had a little 2wd truck I'd go fast in sand and rarely get stuck. I'd keep the tires on the low end of ok for driving on the highway, and leave them there, unless I was taking a long highway trip. Airing down was how I'd get out of being stuck in sand, and it never failed to work.

I don't think my current pump is that great, but it's the best I've had. It will inflate a fat 35" tire from 5 to 30 psi in a few minutes. I've done them all without it overheating.

$53... many Chinese clones.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0946RWVF...utomotive&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9kZXRhaWwy

twomountainlions · Nov 29, 2024

rruff said:
When I had a little 2wd truck I'd go fast in sand and rarely get stuck. I'd keep the tires on the low end of ok for driving on the highway, and leave them there, unless I was taking a long highway trip. Airing down was how I'd get out of being stuck in sand, and it never failed to work.

I don't think my current pump is that great, but it's the best I've had. It will inflate a fat 35" tire from 5 to 30 psi in a few minutes. I've done them all without it overheating.

$53... many Chinese clones.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0946RWVF...utomotive&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9kZXRhaWwy

I had two Amazon pumps burn down on me earlier, one Stanley pump/jump starter combo too, so I'm back to using old Slime pump found in walmarts and auto parts stores, it proved to be more durable. I do inflate fires to spec 80 psi. Every time I drive its a long highway trip to a new camping spot, so keep ut to spec to keep tire longevity and get expected gas milage. Pump adds about 12 psi per 10 mins of pumping on each of those good sized tires, after that 20 mins cooldown, imagine pumping deflated 6 to spec. You can push the pump but eventually it will burn when you need it the most.
Similar Slime inflators now cost $26, I'd rather have 2, to pump in parallel and if one fails I still have one
https://www.autozone.com/suspension...tire-inflator-with-gauge-and-light/491905_0_0

That amazon one is $65 without prime, basicaly can have 2 slime pumps for 53 bucks.

LargeMarge · Nov 30, 2024

Ferretz said:
...an RV to live in full time...looking at used Transits with AWD as I like to go off road...

.
...Some full-time live-aboard people prefer an interior with standing headroom.
...Some full-time live-aboard folks prefer an indoor galley and head.
...Some full-time live-aboard individuals prefer old, battered, rusty and crusty, because those are easier to abandon without any pesky 'attachments' the hindoos love to blather-on about.
.
2003, we engineered our ExpeditionVehicle to boondock exclusively.
Our ground-clearance is nearly 16"/.5m, and our tires are rugged Commercial-Duty engineered for semi-truck heavy loggers on remote rough gravel tracks.
We designed our rig after a half-century of make-do camping in lesser rigs, plus a year and a hundred thousand miles delivering RecreateVehicles manufacturer-to-dealers and dealers-to-shows.
.
On tours through South America and all across Baja, we see former .mil 4x4 and 6x6 conversions.
They never leave a gravel road... if they stick the thing, they call the local military to drag them back to sanity.
Accordingly, our ExpeditionVehicle is rear-wheel drive with air-locker axle.
.
To reduce the impact(s) of dumb driving, we travel with long-term caravan chums.
.
Based on our experience, rarely is a factory RecreateVehicle adequate for more than a few weekends annually.
.
If you've handyman skills, you can manipulate insulation and panels to create a reasonable interior.
Our ExpeditionVehicle has square walls and ceiling, so it was far simpler to convert.
.
.
Our introduction with plenty of portraits, plus our reasons for our decisions:
https://vanlivingforum.com/threads/expeditionvehicle-build.44908/#post-576110

LargeMarge · Nov 30, 2024

Ferretz said:
For going off road? Would... that make the center of gravity excessively high?

.
Good, handling is part of your concern.
.
The other part is interference by the camper corners with branches and boulders and low-flying aircraft.
.
Why is this part of the equation?
On a tilted trail, the upper sections of the camper lean away from the safety of the center of the road.
Unfortunately, smacking/crunching those 'staples into particle-board' walls and roofs tends to increase the 'adventure' level beyond our comfort zone.
.
Our ExpeditionVehicle is just over 10'/3m tall.
Our interior has zero cabinets above waist-level to significantly reduce weight aloft... your 'excessively high center-of-gravity' uncertainty.
Additionally, our box was engineered for 'million-mile' commercial duty... it thrives on clashes with road-side obstructions.
.
Fact is, I almost quit looking before I shift the transmission into 'R'.
Pretty much everything short of solid granite cries "Uncle!" just seeing us in the general neighborhood.
.
Suggestions:
... acquire a suitable candidate
... toss in some car-camping gear
... go have fun.
As you gain experience, your vehicle needs automatically evolve.
The Ideal Rig of today may not fill your needs in a few months.
.
.
"You might think you want an ambulance conversion, but need a tiny station-wagon and midget trailer."
..... attributed to B. Wells

rruff · Dec 4, 2024

twomountainlions said:
That amazon one is $65 without prime, basicaly can have 2 slime pumps for 53 bucks.

If I buy another I think I'll get a Viair 85 or 88 with the auto shutoff... or better, this 88 clone for $65. It's good to have a spare. I need good pumps, as I use them pretty regularly.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CJFCRKB...psc=1&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9ocXBfc2hhcmVk

CapeCod · Dec 5, 2024

Ferretz said:
I love F-150’s but am concerned about not being able to get into the cab quickly if I need to escape.

Hi there !

This is my 2013 F150 short bed King Ranch.

Rear’bench folded’upright,

removed subwoofer, threw a 6 inch foam mattress -cut to size(i’m 5’4

W/ dog-have no problem.. passenger seat is pushed up fully - that’s the section

dog sleeps in -so plenty of legroom.)

-for living space, I installed my cap using electronic gas struts that run off my car battery so when I want to raise the cap, but I actually don’t utilize it so much-unless I have consecutive rainy days-otherwise I made the

seat/bench at a height where I could sit and my head does not hit the top of the cap.

I mostly live outside the truck and I utilize a pull out table for all my cooking and extended my living space with the pop-up tailgate/rearHatch- (which is actually used for when I need to take a shower or just for privacy or to block the wind from my cooker … I also have a table set up inside if I need to cook in bad weather, (but I mainly live outside )…and slowly built it out as I felt needed after/during trips

… and like others have said, most important thing is a good night sleep so start with that- just get yourself out there..

Note:And the reason for sleeping in the king cab ; not only did it turn out to be very comfortable, but I too wanted to feel “safe” as you mentioned(.. a quick getaway lol) and to tell you the truth, I have never “ not“ felt safe or even threatened by anyone I have met along my way-just always listen to your gut and stay “street smart“

.

twomountainlions · Dec 5, 2024

rruff said:
If I buy another I think I'll get a Viair 85 or 88 with the auto shutoff... or better, this 88 clone for $65. It's good to have a spare. I need good pumps, as I use them pretty regularly.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CJFCRKB...psc=1&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9ocXBfc2hhcmVk

I'd really need to have one one that runs off chassis battery not the ports... Looks like this one has long hose and cable that might work. Slime for backup pump. I actually need to air down right now but its too much of a bummer to reinflate, have to take off all hub caps and then hammer them back too each time

twomountainlions · Dec 5, 2024

Truck cap needs extra insulation installed or it will be an oven.

twomountainlions · Dec 5, 2024

Th

rruff said:
If I buy another I think I'll get a Viair 85 or 88 with the auto shutoff... or better, this 88 clone for $65. It's good to have a spare. I need good pumps, as I use them pretty regularly.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CJFCRKB...psc=1&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9ocXBfc2hhcmVk

Most compressors how have auto shut off, even the cheapest ones.
I wonder if you tested this one. Review says it got so hot after adding 10psi per tire that he had to put it aside for 20 mins just to be able to handle it again, another one got burns after 2 mins. Now I would need to add 65 psi per each of the 6 tires...
To think of it I'd rather run things off my power stations. Slime makes some more expensive powerful ones that run off AC too, I had no probs with their product so far. I dont even trust a brand of snything bought off amazon anymore, they sell so much fake stuff

twomountainlions · Dec 5, 2024

rruff said:
If I buy another I think I'll get a Viair 85 or 88 with the auto shutoff... or better, this 88 clone for $65. It's good to have a spare. I need good pumps, as I use them pretty regularly.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CJFCRKB...psc=1&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9ocXBfc2hhcmVk

Viair 88 says 1.97 CFM.
Slime makes 2.5 CFM unit that is much more expensive.
For me doesn't make much difference as I esimtare 2 hours to reinflate 6 tires to 80psi even with 2.5 cfm pump, and that is not even counting long cool down breaks
It means I would not be able to exit camp and hit the road on the same day.
So no deflating for me (until stuck), anyway I just need to cross short sand stretches, dk for any beaches. There are mid level pumps by Slime that output 1.25-1.35 CFM that I can buy in brick and mortar store for 50-60 bucks and they can run off my power station, I guess will get one of them next week.

twomountainlions · Dec 5, 2024

Some 7cfm pumps. Are they really going to be 3x faster than vair 88? No auto shut off though.

Around 100 bucks, Vevor 7 cfm
https://www.amazon.com/VEVOR-Portab...ER&gPromoCode=12713873973583802438&gQT=1&th=1

https://www.amazon.com/VEVOR-Portab...IKX0DER&gPromoCode=12713873973583802438&gQT=1

Astro AI one, they said it can run for 45 mins without stopping, $140.

https://www.astroai.com/user-manual...QRo3MDtnFnQpggoU3aGMifoEPnGSRmj1TYu6XMOIsA9Kv

rruff · Dec 5, 2024

twomountainlions said:
Viair 88 says 1.97 CFM.
Slime makes 2.5 CFM unit that is much more expensive.

I don't trust those numbers too much. Viair has been making pumps a long time, and they last. Most of the pumps sold are cheap crap that only needs to survive for a few inflations. If you see a pump that is being used a lot by offroaders who air down regularly, that's a good test.

It shouldn't take 2 hours to pump your tires. I wish I'd written down what mine took, but I think it was ~3 psi/minute and these are big tires. So going from 20 psi to 30 psi is 3-4 minutes for each.

Oh, and I do like the auto shutoff feature... just set it and come back later.

twomountainlions said:
I actually need to air down right now but its too much of a bummer to reinflate, have to take off all hub caps and then hammer them back too each time

Throw them in the trash... easy solution...

CapeCod · Dec 6, 2024

twomountainlions said:
Truck cap needs extra insulation installed or it will be an oven.

Agreed- cap does need the insulation.
If user/member “Ferretz“ does choose to go with the F150, I would say prioritize the area you choose to do most of your “living“ (..myself; I sleep inside the cabin of the truck-so that was my focus when I first started)… over the years as my build has evolved -eventually did insulate the cap & trkBed..
the most “insulation“ from overhead Sun was when I added solar panels to the roof rack (4 100W panels, w/2 lithium 200 ah batteries) ..
(my feel

Always start with your “ needs“ first- then your “ wants“ as your build evolves.
Good luck/have fun & get out there!!

twomountainlions · Dec 7, 2024

rruff said:
I don't trust those numbers too much. Viair has been making pumps a long time, and they last. Most of the pumps sold are cheap crap that only needs to survive for a few inflations. If you see a pump that is being used a lot by offroaders who air down regularly, that's a good test.

It shouldn't take 2 hours to pump your tires. I wish I'd written down what mine took, but I think it was ~3 psi/minute and these are big tires. So going from 20 psi to 30 psi is 3-4 minutes for each.

Oh, and I do like the auto shutoff feature... just set it and come back later.

Throw them in the trash... easy solution...

I wonder what normal pressure are your tires?
I calculate 2 hours plus cool down periods based on 2 cfm and its consistent with what I see in real life.
Its not going to be fast to inflate 6 good sized tires from 15 to 80 psi with handheld 2 cfm pump of any brand

I decided to try Vevor 7cfm pump which costs 100 bucks. Not for airing down, I wont/these 6 tires are too much for me, but just for emergencies, shall see how fast it can really be. I like that Astro AI has phone customer service unlike Vevor, but their 7 cfm pump costs $140. Hey for $180 I can have 10 cfm pump but too pricy...A lot of people use vevor stuff now, might give them a shot.

twomountainlions · Dec 7, 2024

One thing with higher psi tires is that output of a compressor gets greatly reduced at higher pressures, so even 7-10 cfm compressor is going to be slow at higher psi.
Vair 88 just isn't designed to quickly reinflate 6 high psi tires from aired down for sand condition. I checked what Vair recommends and its 400+ series starting at $300.

rruff · Dec 8, 2024

twomountainlions said:
I wonder what normal pressure are your tires?

When in camping mode, I tend to leave them at 30 psi all the time. If it's a particularly long and rough trail, I'll reduce to 20 psi. If I get stuck in sand, then it's ~10 psi, but that has never happened with this truck. If it's a long highway stretch I'll bump it up to 38.

The tires are 35x13" and are rated for 4,000 lbs each at 65 psi. My actual weight is about 2,000 lbs per.

Viair has performance specs on their website. At 80 psi the fill rate to about half what it is at 20 psi, but it should still work well. I bought a clone of the 88p digital, so I'll let you know how that goes when I get it. If it works ok I plan to rig it so I can fill two tires at once. It comes with a silly-long hose, instead of a long cord... but I'll make my own long cord, and change the hose.

maki2 · Dec 8, 2024

Just a suggestion…this welcome newcomers thread, after this the 40th response, has now evolved itself way past welcome to the forum stuff and turned into topics discussions for which there are establish forum topic areas for those discussions. There are places in the forum for talking about tires, build issues etc. that are meant for that stuff. The information that others might want to search out and have easy access to just gets lost when posted in the Welcome newcomers area.

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