you've convinced me

[Trout]

I just returned from Utah and I'm the proud owner of a 79 camper in the bed of my truck. I am typing this on my phone but will post pics when I get a computer internet connection

 

[stude53]

<p style="margin: 0px;"><font color="#339900" size="4" face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">Welcome, VT! <img border="0" align="absmiddle" src="/images/boards/smilies/wave.gif"></font></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><font color="#339900" size="4" face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"></font>&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;"><font color="#339900" size="4" face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">Bob</font></p>

 

[Seraphim]

All right! Look forwards to,pictures....

 

[Les H]

Good for you. You KNOW you gotta post pics or it don't exist.....<img src="/images/boards/smilies/comp.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">

 

[Trout]

<p></p>

 

[Trout]

<p style="margin: 0px;">I have a shower, kitchenette, and sleeping berth....</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">It doesn't fit real well, but it will work until Sep or Oct.&nbsp; Then i will sell it and get a travel trailer.&nbsp; I would like to trade the truck for one with an 8' bed, but if I change to the trailer everything will be easier.&nbsp; Although I am in the oil field, we are not put up most of the time, and when winter arrives I will need something a bit warmer and including a shower as well.&nbsp; But in the mean time I can park at Walmart as I wont need the electricty.&nbsp; Hopefully tomorrow I can fill the fresh water tank and give this time a real test.&nbsp; And yes the AC works and blows real cold.&nbsp; The fridge is 110 and Propane and was at 15 degress inthe freezer when I arrived.&nbsp; </p><p style="margin: 0px;">Yes I am excited about the possibilities.....&nbsp; lliving expenses are just over $500 a month, and the bills back in Vermont (and this truck) take the rest.....</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">I do owe a special thanks to all on this board, without whom I would not have known how to make this plunge as comfortably&nbsp; as I have.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p>

 

[Instead]

They don't make 'em like they used to! Sweet digs<img src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/thumb.gif" align="absmiddle" border="0"><br>

 

[Trout]

<p style="margin: 0px;">Now for the rest of the conversion to my own cave.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">where can I get air bags.....Auto zone doesn't carry them for my 2009 F-150 xtra large side crew cab.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">DC to AC inverters....suggestions?&nbsp; ones to stay away from...just over 1000 watts?&nbsp; (microwave)&nbsp; computer...</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">LED lighting (energy conservation)</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">I figure folks here have a good knowledge base </p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p>

 

[stude53]

<p style="margin: 0px;">BlkJak,</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Tried to open the site you linked, it got blocked by Norton for "a mass website attack". Did you get infected?</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Bob</p>

 

[Kisatchieman]

<BR>where can I get air bags.....Auto zone doesn't carry them for my 2009 F-150 xtra large side crew cab.<BR>

<BR><BR>I bought my Firestone Ride-Rite airbags from Tweety's RV about 2 yrs ago. They had the best price at the time.&nbsp;&nbsp;They have a good selection for several pickups.<BR>&nbsp;<A href="http://tweetys.com/search.aspx?find=ride+rite+air+bags" target=_blank target=_blank>http://tweetys.com/search.aspx?find=ride+rite+air+bags</A><BR>

 

[Kisatchieman]

<P>Noticed you were using ratchet straps to hold your TC down. Tweety's also had a good deal on Torklift tiedowns that bolt directly to the frame of your pickup. They weren't cheap, but are the best tiedown system on the market.<BR><A href="http://tweetys.com/torklift-front-tie-downs-1-1.aspx" target=_blank target=_blank>http://tweetys.com/torklift-front-tie-downs-1-1.aspx</A><BR><BR>Since you're not planning on keeping the TC for long, Tweety's has cheaper tiedowns that would work temporarily.</P><P>I don't know what your TC weighs, but the tires on your F150 probably are carrying too much weight and you risk a blowout. On my 1/2 ton Tundra, I bought 4 load range E Michelin tires to carry the extra load of my TC and it only weighs around 1300 lbs empty. Better safe than sorry.<BR></P>

 

[stude53]

<p style="margin: 0px;">BlkJak,</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">I tried the site again, and had no problem, so don't know where the attack came from.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Their systems are impressive.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Bob</p>

 

[Trout]

<p style="margin: 0px;">Load range for the tires is "E" and are rated for 3450 lbs.&nbsp; I have the shorter short box and my center of gravity is just behind the axle.&nbsp; I do not have problems going uphill and accelerating so I think I will be safe.&nbsp; I checked on the frame attachments so I can get rid of the straps...Ouch....about 250......</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">It rained yesterday, and of course the roof leaked.....<img border="0" align="absmiddle" src="/images/boards/smilies/mad.gif">.&nbsp; The A/C unit sags and that's where the water came in.&nbsp; fortunately I live in a desert area and will have time to fix it.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">The gas fridge works, but is a bit slow.&nbsp; The range top works good also, but I cant get a pilot light working on the oven.&nbsp; The oven has another control specifically for heat.&nbsp; This might take a bit of research, or just buy a buddy heater.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">I did pick up a battery, but now need to figure out the best charging method.&nbsp; I was thinking of solar as I don't use the roof for anything else anyway...</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Tomorrow I go back to work...but should catch up in 2 weeks..</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p>

 

[Seraphim]

<p>I know it's an older unit, but have you checked online for users manuals for appliances? Might find something similar to what you have to help getting things operational.</p>

 

[Kisatchieman]

<P>

</P>It rained yesterday, and of course the roof leaked.....<IMG border=0 align=absMiddle src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/mad.gif">.&nbsp; The A/C unit sags and that's where the water came in.&nbsp; fortunately I live in a desert area and will have time to fix it.<br>&nbsp;

<br>Sounds like you need to replace the big gasket between the bottom of the A/C and the roof. You can go to the RV.net forum and find tons of info on how to replace this gasket.&nbsp; Also, I've seen on that forum where a guy had a badly sagging roof at the A/C and used a couple of 2X4s or 4X4s as a prop to take the sag out. Seems like he disguised the prop so that it looked like it belonged there for&nbsp;some other reason (coat rack ???). Good luck<br>

 

[Trout]

Well I'm back near civilization and ready to get a few things done.&nbsp; I appreceiate&nbsp;everyones imput and hopefully McDonalds wont kick me out too soon<img src="../images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" />

 

[Willy]

&nbsp;Have you considered, afterward, mounting the camper on a utility trailer frame? I did that one year with an 8 footer I had. ..Willy.

 

[Trout]

Good idea Willy,&nbsp; Thought about that, but then it would be a tow behind, might as well sell this and get one.&nbsp; I will enjoy this for the summer, then possibly making a move in the fall.&nbsp; A local gym membership is $180.&nbsp; Hot showers anytime.&nbsp; We just worked 215 hours in 2 weeks, little time for cooking and cleaning.&nbsp; I have to be&nbsp;time wise with my decisions.<br /><br />I spent a little time on the 2 suggestions for airbags.&nbsp; 1 Problem with both, they don't use USPS.&nbsp; I have a PO Box for mail and it has been creating a few problems.&nbsp; One place in Rawlins sells and installs them, maybe i can get out of this work for once..

 

[Willy]

&nbsp;Nice thing about mounting it on a trailer is that you can box in the front &amp; sides for a truly stupendous amount of storage space, with the option of removing it from the trailer later on. Trailer can then be used for hauling stuff or the camper can still be slipped back onto the truck.<br />&nbsp;One thing to keep in mind regarding airbags is that they don't increase the vehicle's GVW one iota.. so if you're pulled over (or get into an accident) and, despite the 2 ton additional boost provided by the airbags, it's found that your rig exceeds the 1/2-3/4 ton carrying capacity of your truck, you're SOL and nary a paddle in sight. ..Willy.

 

[Les H]

[QUOTE= The range top works good also, but I cant get a pilot light working on the oven.&nbsp; The oven has another control specifically for heat.

Yup. This drove my wife and I nuts on our travel trailer. If it's an older 3 burner stove/ oven, take the cast iron grates off like you were going to clean it. Lift the stove top by the front ( it's hinged in the back is my guess) in the front towards the right is a separate gas valve for the oven. If you have already checked that, VERY gently blow out the gas lines with an air compressor, spiders love to make nests in them. Our furnace did not work at all. We pulled it out and replaced it with a buddy heater, plumbed directly into the travel trailer tanks via the old furnace propane lines. It works well for us, and we have a 14' travel trailer, probably roughly the same volume as your slide in.
Les