Fulltiming in a 16 Foot Camper for a Year - New to This Forum

[Drivin_and_Vibin]

Hey y'all!

We're new to this forum, but have been fulltiming in a small 1986 camper for 1.5 years. We're currently in Desert Hot Springs, CA and plan on joining the RTR in Quartzsite next week.

Cheap RV Living is one of our biggest goals and there's a ton of information we hope to learn at the RTR.

Please share any advice for us first-time RTRers - despite our social media activity, we're pretty shy when it comes to meeting new people in new environments.

See Y'all Soon!

Kyle, Olivia, and River
drivinvibin.com

 

[user 13531]

Welcome Guys!

Haven't seen you're videos lately, you still driving the Ranger?

 

[Drivin_and_Vibin]

Yes! It's still running strong (knock on wood).

 

[highdesertranger]

Welcome Kyle, Olivia and River to the CRVL forums! To help you learn the ins and outs of these forums, this "Tips & Tricks" post lists some helpful information to get you started. We look forward to hearing more from you. see you at RTR, head over to the prospector camp and say hi. highdesertranger

 

[Thirsty Boots Nomad]

Welcome!

I definitely enjoy watching the portions of your journey you've shared through your videos and look forward to any contributions you make here.

 

[DannyB1954]

despite our social media activity, we're pretty shy when it comes to meeting new people in new environments.

See Y'all Soon!

Kyle, Olivia, and River
drivinvibin.com

When you get to camp, just walk in like you are among old friends. People are just as afraid of you as you are of them. It is almost like walking into a mirror. Relax and I am positive you will be warmly greeted.

 

[rvpopeye]

Welcome aboard !
Look at it as your nomadic family reunion.

 

[ArtW]

Welcome!
you're towing a 1986 16 foot travel trailer with a Ranger? How's it do on hills?
My road ranger 16' supposedly weighs near as much as my new Shasta, but my Ranger feels a bit challenged by the old one, haven't tried hooking to the new one yet except to re level it

 

[Drivin_and_Vibin]

you're towing a 1986 16 foot travel trailer with a Ranger? How's it do on hills?
My road ranger 16' supposedly weighs near as much as my new Shasta, but my Ranger feels a bit challenged by the old one, haven't tried hooking to the new one yet except to re level it

Our Ranger is a manual 6c, 4.0l, 4x4 with an upgraded tow package - it's rated to tow 4000lbs. The 1985 Fiber Stream we're towing is around 3000lbs.

When towing over steep passes, we definitely don't go fast - but, I've never felt a lack of power. A larger truck would be nice, but the fuel efficiency of the Ranger is pretty great.

 

[Queen]

Our Ranger is a manual 6c, 4.0l, 4x4 with an upgraded tow package - it's rated to tow 4000lbs. The 1985 Fiber Stream we're towing is around 3000lbs.

When towing over steep passes, we definitely don't go fast - but, I've never felt a lack of power. A larger truck would be nice, but the fuel efficiency of the Ranger is pretty great.

Welcome!  I'll have to check out your channel as we're considering a TT right now.


My dad had the same configuration Ranger, he hauled heavy trailers all over the country with it, it was workhorse for sure.

 

[jimindenver]

Welcome to the forum. I look forward to meeting you and seeing your videos/ hearing your experiences.

 

[rvpopeye]

I'd trade a slow trip up a hill for better mileage everyday.
BUT......... how does it stop at the bottom on the other side????

 

[ArtW]

My Ranger is an extended cab, (extendeds get higher ratings, for some reason) 4x2 (4x2s actually get higher tow ratings) automatic trans (again, Ford gives auto trans higher ratings), with the 3.0 (yep, less motor) and my tow rating is also 4000lb, based on the factory manual. My Trailer is 3160 dry, according to the literature, I'm just leery of pulling something that close to my full rating on steeper grades, so anytime I see folks with what should be similar tow ratings, I ask about their experience

Maybe I don't need a bigger truck, maybe I have truck enough

 

[Drivin_and_Vibin]

I'd trade a slow trip up a hill for better mileage everyday.
BUT......... how does it stop at the bottom on the other side????

We installed new brakes on the trailer and the truck when we hit the road. I'm an overly cautious driver, too, so braking hasn't been an issue so far.

 

[Drivin_and_Vibin]

My Ranger is an extended cab, (extendeds get higher ratings, for some reason) 4x2 (4x2s actually get higher tow ratings) automatic trans (again, Ford gives auto trans higher ratings), with the 3.0 (yep, less motor) and my tow rating is also 4000lb, based on the factory manual. My Trailer is 3160 dry, according to the literature, I'm just leery of pulling something that close to my full rating on steeper grades, so anytime I see folks with what should be similar tow ratings, I ask about their experience

Maybe I don't need a bigger truck, maybe I have truck enough

There's a lot of speculation as to why Ford (or any manufacturer) give manual trasmissions a lower rating. From my experience, I love the control a manual gives us, and the 4x4 option has been essential in some of the boondocking locations we've camped at.

I would be much less confident in a 2x4, automatic - but, I also have no experience with one.

 

[ArtW]

I fully understand the control issue, and I've seen manuals do things the same truck with an automatic wouldn't
I also get being less confident without 4wd, in some situations, especially muddy situations
Would be nice to think my little ranger could do the job, though, getting her right would likely be cheaper than replacement

 

[Every Road Leads Home]

There's a lot of speculation as to why Ford (or any manufacturer) give manual trasmissions a lower rating. From my experience, I love the control a manual gives us, and the 4x4 option has been essential in some of the boondocking locations we've camped at.

I would be much less confident in a 2x4, automatic - but, I also have no experience with one.

I've been reading some of your blog.  It's very inspiring.  I sent the link to my girlfriend as she needs a little inspiration!  I want to hit the road full time soon, she used too.  Then we lived in our camper for the summer while remodeling the house and she bailed out a few weeks in, couldn't do the tiny space living I guess.  

I owned two 99 Ford Ranger 4x4's at the same time.  One was automatic and one was a manual. They were both 4.0 liter engines.  At the time I had a 7x12 enclosed trailer I was using for construction work and it weighed about 3200 lbs when it was fully loaded.  

The standard ranger pulled it so so so much better than the automatic there wasn't even a comparison.  I owned the auto first and didn't like the way it towed at all, so I found one in manual. Sold the auto right after.  To this day, that ranger was one of my favorite vehicles.  Wish I still had it.

 

[ArtW]

:-/ Well, that wasn't what i wanted to hear 

 

[CityWoman]

What kind of vehicle is a Ranger? Is it a pickup truck?

 

[ArtW]

Yes, CityWoman, it's a small pickup truck