camper for F250

[ByeBye]

Dang, you are good Thanks!

I do lots of research

 

[user 22017]

I do lots of research

There is a 3-page thread at Expedition Portal about Spacekaps as campers. Sounds like they are too expensive for most folks. And finding them online in the U.S. is difficult. Same with other small fiberglass campers like the one in the vid.

Someone posted a list of small size campers (similar in size to the one in the vid):

"I looked at Alaskan Campers, Cargobody, Horizon Fiberglass (I think they were sold), Rally Master Pods (local to me), Spacekap, Sport Cam truck camper, Best Built Camper, Callen Camper, and probably more but don't have them favorited on my home laptop."

In that thread, several people said the small fiberglass campers are common in Canada. Someone questioned why they aren't sold in the U.S.

I wonder why, too. Maybe the price would come down. I have seen a few on craigslist, but two had utility boxes accessible from the outside (which I like) but take up too much room inside. I thought about removing boxes from just one side.

I assume that would leave big holes in the shell.

I'll keep looking, since I jumped the gun anyway. Meanwhile, I can share a pic of my truck

 

[tx2sturgis]

Fleetwest in the Phoenix area sells Durashell units...

http://www.fleetwest.net/products/durashell/325.html

(they ain't cheap!)

 

[ByeBye]

Expedition Portal is a great site if for nothing more than seeing what's available in the way of off road roaming, which is very important to me. I was on there for a good while before this one. Tons and tons of 'how to' but lots of those folks have big budgets.

 

[user 22017]

Fleetwest in the Phoenix area sells Durashell units...

http://www.fleetwest.net/products/durashell/325.html

(they ain't cheap!)

Thanks, tx2sturgis. Yeah, way out of my price range Very nice, though.

 

[user 22017]

... lots of those folks have big budgets.

I noticed.

Tonight my grandkids told me some things my son-in-law said about the truck I bought. First off, he is no fan of Ford trucks... only drives  Chevy's.

My daughter showed him pics of the truck and my text messages about it. I had mentioned that I was a little unsure of the brakes, because they were so squishy and there was a gadget that lights up next to them on the lower dash. The salesman said they are air brakes, IIRC.

I didn't know what air brakes were and the salesman didn't mention that they cost thousands to repair (according to son-in-law). Is he right? That they cost thousands to repair?

Plus, he said the truck is too big for me. I'll try to post pics of the gadget from my phone.

It's just a truck. Didn't think I could screw up this badly.

 

[user 22017]

That thing with a light on it has something to do with the brakes. Are air brakes a bad thing?

 

[Almost There]

 I had mentioned that I was a little unsure of the brakes, because they were so squishy and there was a gadget that lights up next to them on the lower dash. The salesman said they are air brakes, IIRC.

I didn't know what air brakes were and the salesman didn't mention that they cost thousands to repair (according to son-in-law). Is he right? That they cost thousands to repair?

Plus, he said the truck is too big for me. I'll try to post pics of the gadget from my phone.

It's just a truck. Didn't think I could screw up this badly.

An F 250 is NOT too big of a truck for anyone, your SIL is trying to scare you in to staying put so you can babysit??  It's just a large pick up truck - as long as you can get your butt up in to the seat you're fine!

I'm pretty sure that what the salesman said was that they were ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) not air brakes...air brakes only come on much bigger commercial trucks, not on an F250.

The ABS light coming on is likely a different problem than the squishy brakes!

But it does mean that there is a problem in the braking systems.

Squishy brakes can have many causes from air in the brake lines which usually only needs bleeding, low brake fluid which means topping up and looking for leaks. Worst case scenario is that you need to have a brake job done...not the end of the world unless it's in EBFNW and you're broke.

If you don't already have a favorite trusted mechanic, now is the time to find one....they are more important than a good hairdresser and just about as scarce to find...

 

[user 22017]

I'm pretty sure that what the salesman said was that they were ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) not air brakes...air brakes only come on much bigger commercial trucks, not on an F250.

The ABS light coming on is likely a different problem than the squishy brakes!

But it does mean that there is a problem in the braking systems.

Darn. Well, I get the truck tomorrow (God willing). It's still at the Ford dealership. All the paperwork is done and the new plates are on it. Just waiting for the check from Social Security (early release of funds). They are taking longer than they said they would. But they did call the dealership and told them the check has been sent.

When I first saw the truck it was due to go into the garage at the dealership. It had just arrived as a trade-in. The salesman said I was buying it "as is" but there is a 15 day warranty. I don't know any professional mechanics, but I do know someone my son uses to fix his cars. I'll bring him along to look at it. Maybe the Ford mechanic fixed the problem... I hope!

Thanks so much for explaining ABS to me. I didn't know ABS brakes had that box and green light.

I can't ask my SIL to help atm because they splitting up. Plus, that Chevy thing Thanks again.

 

[Smitty716]

That thing mounted under dash is brake controller . It will be your best friend when towing a trailer

 

[highdesertranger]

no air brakes on a F-250. legally they can't sell a vehicle with brake problems, they must fix it first. highdesertranger

 

[RoamerRV428]

it really is important how you want to travel and live in your unit.

is standing really that important to you?

if yes for changing and more a very small but high cargo trailer to pull or camper to pull is ideal.

anyone can live out of a truck, with topper and more, anyone can do it if wanted and necessary and even if not wanted and needed

but if you have options, it is imperative you shop how you want to travel and live. Live for long terms in something is super important to your comfort and what satisfies you personally.

do not skimp on this part be true to yourself! then you end up spending your money wisely!! if you are spendthrifty in the wrong place and find it is not to your liking in any way or against how you body needs to move and function best for you in your 'new home' on wheels you can end up in a bad place.

very small campers with tons of amenities are out there for your purchase. it is patience that makes it all work for everyone the fast buy/impulse buy is never the good one mostly LOL so you sit back, relax and chill and think about how you want this all to go down for yourself.

sounds tho like you have a great mind in plan to move forward and find some great freedom out there on the road! Life is out there to be lived and enjoyed with new locations and more, but your personal comfort for what you do require is just as important~!

 

[user 22017]

That thing mounted under dash is brake controller . It will be your best friend when towing a trailer

Thanks. My daughter told me that this morning. I shared that pic and she said when she worked for a monument company their truck had one. She said it was for towing and the light comes on when you press the brakes.

Now I just gotta point out the squishy brakes (if they are still squishy). No check from SS again today. Crazy.

 

[tx2sturgis]

Just confirming what has already been posted:

Your F-250 has hydraulic brakes like every other car and light truck made in the last 50 years, NOT air brakes.

And you probably also have ABS if the truck was made in the last 20 years or so.

That box under the dash is an add-on brake controller for electric trailer brakes...it will not do anything at all unless you are towing a trailer with electric brakes.

 

[user 22017]

no air brakes on a F-250.  legally they can't sell a vehicle with brake problems,  they must fix it first.  highdesertranger

That is really good news. Thanks!

 

[Almost There]

Ohh, I just got the picture to load, I didn't look at it yesterday.

Yes, that's the electric brake controller for when you're towing something that has electric brakes (small single axle trailers usually don't have electric brakes).

Not sure why the green light is on on it though,  usually means that it's hooked up and working!

 

[user 22017]

it really is important how you want to travel and live in your unit.

is standing really that important to you?

I think it is very important to be able stand up. I want to make coffee in the morning and enjoy it looking out my dinette area window

If I was younger I could do the topper route (and I may still), but I think I want a full size camper. I don't think I want to pull a trailer. Last night I watched a "RV disasters" video ... lol. I know most people don't crash their trailers on the interstate, but it's not just the towing part. There is something about truck campers that I love. Especially old ones from the '70's. I don't know why. I spent every summer at a campground growing up and don't recall any truck campers there. Everyone had trailers.

I have found some full size truck campers I'm interested in, but they are too old and too cheap to share here It's a tad embarrassing.  I'll watch the size and weight and look out for leaks. Ideally, I'll find one that is one of the smallest full size campers made in the 70's - '80's.

Or... maybe a popup. Although, someone told me popups require a lot of strength to push up. I thought they cranked up.

When I buy one, I'll share pics. Thx for reply.

 

[user 22017]

That box under the dash is an add-on brake controller for electric trailer brakes...it will not do anything at all unless you are towing a trailer with electric brakes.

Thank you. I don't think I'll be towing anything, but will it hurt anything to keep it hooked up anyway? Just in case plans change?

 

[user 22017]

Not sure why the green light is on on it though,  usually means that it's hooked up and working!

Yeah, my daughter said the light comes on when you press the brakes. Weird that it was still on for the pics.

BTW, I saw the vid of your van last night. You did a great job building it. You are much better at building than I am... well, I'm not even going to attempt to build anything. My biggest goal is to figure out how to install solar come spring.

 

[tx2sturgis]

Thank you. I don't think I'll be towing anything, but will it hurt anything to keep it hooked up anyway? Just in case plans change?

Won't hurt a thing being there.