Considering Truck Camper Living? Our Honest ONE YEAR Review Living Full Time on the Road
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- Опубліковано 27 тра 2024
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After one full year living in our truck camper, we decided it was time for a review of the lifestyle! We used our most frequent asked questions as a script for this video, and hopefully it doesn’t seem too scripted because we wanted to cover everything! We cannot thank our viewers, subscribers, and patrons enough for supporting us on our journey and we hope this next year is even more adventuresome!
If you’re considering truck camper living and have any specific questions, feel free to ask in the comments and I’ll do my best to provide our insight!
Hope you have a LARGE day!
Connor & Amelia
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Time Stamps
00:00 Intro
00:45 Camper Renovation Tour
01:18 Why A Truck Camper?
02:11 Pop Up vs Hardside
02:52 Advice for Buying Used
03:29 Things We Want to Change
05:08 Power Stations & Batteries
07:04 Difficult Realizations of Full Timing
11:29 Chores & Useful Applications
13:28 Our BEST Advice!
18:01 Bloopers!
Lowes has better Wi-Fi than Walmart. Lowes Wi-Fi works from the parking lot. Walmart Wi-Fi only works inside the store.
Thanks for the tip! Never thought to try Lowe’s. Might have to next time
I've lived OTR now for nineteen years and am currently living in an Artic Fox 811 with a built in generator, solar, DC to DC charge controller and a Dodge 4X4. Of all the rigs I've had over the years, this is the best and most versitile set up I've had. You guys are on the right track for mobil living or living on the move. Your small enough to get around and big enough to park for a while. It's nice to be able to take the camper off during a seasonal job and reload it and move on. I love this life style.
My wife and I have had a truck campers for about 12 yrs now, and as retirement has arrived are doing more extended trips. The game changer for us and off grid was a simple DC to DC charger. A few hundred dollars will keep you charging whenever the truck is running. I thought about adding solar panels, but with the DC charger there is no need in the type of travel we do. Combined with 200 Ah of Lithium batteries takes care of our power needs quite well. That would be the first upgrade I would recommend. You won't regret it. Happy travels....
We just installed one about a month ago, it’s the best investment we’ve made! Showing up with a full battery after just a couple hours driving is perfect
I have been truck camping for well over 30 years. I love it.
The best way to travel!
Thanks for the video, I love how much you love each other and have so much fun being together.
It has been an incredible year and can’t wait to see where this next one takes us!
I have a 20Ft travel trailer and getting tired of towing it. I want to get a truck camper.
I was born and have lived in the same city all my life. I would dearly love to move around more and explore the USA. I'm encouraged to make plans and JUST DO IT. Thanks for your videos.
We have traveled extensively (49 states and most of Canada) in our 2005 Lance 1010. I built a set of 3 doors for the overhead compartment with 3" vertical stiles at the ends and 2" between the doors. It is a real game changer for accessability plus a shelf across half of the former bed space. We run 300 watts solar into 2 100 watt LION batteries. Enough power to run the refrigerator on 12v daytime and a 1500 watt inverter to run small AC appliances. Check your power from the truck. Lance power systems are designed to input 40 amps from the vehicle. Most have a power separator so as to preserve the chassis battery when the engine is not running. The power cord needs to be wired with the 12 volt lead through a #8 or #10 wire direct from the truck battery (fused). There is a special recepticle for Lance campers which is designed to utilize the 40 amp power. This uses the truck alternator to charge while driving and if sitting in cloudy weather an hour or two of idling will bring the batteries back up. Easier than adding a second alternator just for the camper. Quite often even the dealers will not do this and wire to the 12v trailer feed which is usually only capable of providing 6 or 8 amps and not enough to support the needs of a camper. We considered switching to a "residential" style refrigerator which is only 12 volt input but then found out the door to the camper is not big enough to remove the old unit or bring in the new one. You might also find an additional storage space in the platform under the table. I removed the carpet and cut the plywood off 1 1/2 inches out from the table pedastal then attached a piano hinge and re-installed the carpet. Great little space for shoe storage. I also installed a temperature control in the shower plumbing which sets the hot water temperature to around 110 degrees. Saves a lot of fiddling trying to regulate and waste water when taking a Navy shower. Outside shower also conserves waste water space. Hope these experiences help. Enough for now, happy motoring and thanks for sharing your adventures.
You guys are adorable. I'm a full timer from 30 years ago. If I ever reenter the life style again it will definitely be with a slide in camper. You will never regret your current life choices. Keep the faith in your current choices. Screw the detractors. I love you two.❤
Thank you for the kind words! We might have regrets later in life, but I’m confident we’ll never regret traveling full time while we can!
@@LivingLargeCamping no regrets allowed!!!!! You'll always have these memories. Do the adventure before too much "life" gets in the way.
You guys are so great together. Very professional in your presentation of information and you can clearly see you are honestly giving advice. Good for you both!!
Love your channel. Keep up all the great truck camper stuff.
Thank you!
This is such a great tour! I hadn't considered a truck camper as an option for me to live in full time, and your setup is so cozy and practical I have to add it to my short list of homes on wheels!!
Thank you and we’re glad it could give another perspective! We’ve had out 815 for one year exactly and LOVE it!
You are the first people I have heard say you wanted to add a bar to your renovation list. 🎉 it gave me a surprised laugh.
We may be limited on space, but we know ourselves well enough that it would be a nice addition. Glad we could provide a laugh!
Just a quickie about jacks; a cheap electric drill will crank those. A pair would let you maintain your cooperative jacking method and the batteries might be a pain to keep charged.
Probably one of your best videos in my opinion. Definitely an informative and funny one. Enjoy your travels and keep up the great videos.
Thank you and glad you enjoyed the style of video!
I outfitted our 865 with a 150ah lifepo4 battery, replaced the original battery with another 100ah lifepo4 battery (make sure the camper's charger can handle lithium), 200 watts of solar on the roof and 3x100 watt portable panels, a 2000 watt inverter, a renogy 20a DC to DC charger and carried a Champion dual fuel inverter generator. I stored most of it in two storage containers straddling a center mounted porch on the rear. When we boondocked, I plugged the camper into the inverter like shore power. This recharged the main battery and powered the 120ac plugs (our camper had a microwave). We used the portable panels when parked in the shade or wanted extra charging power. We could place them out in the sunshine. Also, they are more efficient because they can be aimed towards the sun. The generator was used on rainy days when the batteries got too low. We chose a dual fuel for more flexibility. On the dc to dc charger, be careful not to over heat the alternator (it needs air flow to stay cool). Even though our camper had two propane tanks, I could have carried a spare in one of the rear containers. In regards to extending the small black and gray tanks, I used a maserator pump to fill dedicated 5 gallon jerry cans (again stored in the rear containers). It simulates the European style of handling waste. I hope this gives you some ideas and hope it all works out. GOOD LUCK!
Thank you for all of the information! We have about 250ah of battery in our goal zero and with an alternator charger I think we’ll always be close to topped off. We appreciate the support and thanks for watching!
Hey guys thanks glad you took the time to share the ups and downs of your lifestyle I bet you wouldn't trade it for the world. You two definitely seemed to have figured it out. Hopefully in the not too distant future I'll be doing it too. But for now it's weekend truck campering, keep up the good work and enjoy the times. As always stay safe and healthy till next time.
Hi Mark, thanks for checking in! We're hoping you'll be able to swing it full time as well. Always love seeing other truck campers on the road! Hope you have a great week
@LivingLargeCamping
If you remove & build the bunk bed into bigger cabinets, it's gonna make your camper that much smaller. Almost making you feel claustrophobic.
I am picking up a northern lite camper in December. I’ll start at campgrounds to get use to it but eventually I will try dispersed camping. Great to see how well you two get along:)
Northern lite makes a great camper! Good luck on your journey, let us know if we can answer any questions along the way!
Good job! You two are personable, informative, and fun! My husband and I are sometimers in a 2018 Ford Transit van, with a Quigley 4x4 conversion, that we built out ourselves. We have all the things, composting toilet, solar, too. We are retired and usually take one long trip out west in the fall of every year and then we camp a lot locally, in the southeast, in the fall and winter. We did the northeast in the early summer of 2022. We love it! Truck campers seem to be taking over!:) Enjoy!!
You made me smile!
Wish you all the Best 🙂
I'm so happy for both of you!
Happy Trails!
Cirrus 820 has larger tanks and hydronic heating, supplying even quiet heat throughout the interior and also hot water. F-350 is oversized CCC wise, but sure makes handling at high speeds and cross winds worry and stress free.
Love the cirrus lineup. I wish the 820 had a long bed option but not as heavy as the 920. That’s a perfect world dream through!
I love you guys 😊
Beautiful.
Great job.
Great info! Thanks for sharing!
I forgot to say in the last video happy birthday Amelia. Hope you had a good one!
Thank you!!
I love this set up!
Great video. Very positive. Thank you
Love your humor! Adds some spice.
A thumbs up and a comment from me in support of you! Growing up we had both, a truck camper then moved to a small RV. I see why you love the truck camper but there are two pets in our family so when we get on the road, an RV it is. P.S. I like that you used notes to hit all of your points.
Nice video. Subscribed
Well done!
Thank you!
You guys are so great!
Thank you!
Loving your videos as always!
Thank you!
Thanks you guys this was really helpful I’ve been looking into RV life and keep coming back to truck campers. Thanks for reminding me this is the way I want to go! By the way The video came across very honest and genuine and didn’t seem scripted at all (since you mentioned that at the end). 😊😊 thank you again! Just subscribed and looking forward to more.
Hi Conner and Amelia congratulations on the mile stone I do want to suggest some things of need you might like if you want to use your Camper yr round get a portable hot water stick for your shower and a portable shower system fill the bucket and then heat the water with the stick and be sure to wipe it down when done leave your grey tank open and let it hit the ground its not gonna hurt a thing then store the bucket in the back seat on the floor I am a camper of 40 plus years and do this year round put tubs in your sinks and bag your toilet
Thank you! And good suggestions, always like hearing alternative solutions for our most common issues!
Oh my gosh I love how real this is!!!!! 😍😍😍😍
Glad you enjoyed the video!
Great advice! Thks for sharing!
Glad it was useful!
Great info!!! Keep it coming
Will do, thanks!
Always look forward to your videos. You guys are great!
Thanks for the continued support!
Thanks!
Thank you so much! Very kind!!
Love the content and footage. Love the positive attitude yall have always smiling God Bless. Happy Trails.
Thank you for your support!
Awesome video! Thank you and I subscribed 😎
Love the honesty, nice one good video
Thanks for watching!
You Two Are Awesome 🥰🥰🥰
Thank you!
One of the best videos! I love seeing the bloopers, but also the laid back raw footage.
Thank you, Kyle! Amelia had a great time putting the blooper reel together!
Chest freezers work good, I fill the bottom with a case of bottled water keeps it cold on cloudy days. It's a small freezer.
Good to know!
Thank you great info. You guys are so sweet.
Best one yet! Thoroughly enjoyed! 👍
Thank you, John!
Loved the tour of you camper...
Thanks! It’s been a great upgrade from the old interior
Great info! And presented in a very fun way. Safe travels!!
Thank you!
Keep the laughter and cuteness!! you are doing great!!
Thanks for the support!
You guys are awesome! Great video from the heart. Love all the laughter….
Thank you, Steve!
Great video 👍
Thank you!
U guys are awesome ❤️
Thank you!!
Like the transparency...informative and real. Thanks
Thanks for watching!
Great video… Thanks for sharing the life style with us…
Thanks for watching, Travis!
Great video!
Thank you!
It is a great life style. Enjoy guys!!!
We’re loving it!
Great video, good to talk to your viewers about this subject.
Thank you, glad you enjoyed it!
Outstanding Video and safe travels in the year to come also!! God Bless America!
Thank you, Dave!
Very informative! Thank you for sharing your lives!! We subscribed!
Thanks for joining our adventure!
What do you do with all your stuff? Things you want to keep from family that you've inherited, tools, just things you don't want to get rid of.
Another great video guys! My husband and I have been enjoying following along your journey. We’re just about to downsize from a 2021 18’ bumper pull to a 1996 Lance Legend truck camper. It looks very similar to yours! Definitely picked up some great tips from y’all. ☺️ Thank you for sharing!! ✨
Glad we could help answer some questions! Feel free to ask any specifics along the way!
You two are adorable! I found you while looking for truck camper renovations, which I’ll be starting soon on our 1997 Slumber Queen. I love your style and learned a lot. Great work!
Glad you enjoyed the style! We love the renovations and would definitely do it again!
I loved the video! Very well done! Keep them coming.
I'm rooting for you guys 🌵🌻🌲 see you in the next video !
Thank you so much! We appreciate your generosity!
We are picking up our camper in a couple weeks. Gonna spend all summer renovating in. Next winter I'll get a diesel.
You two are just a couple of happy campers. 👍👍
We try to be!
Enjoyed your informative video. And very easy on the eyes!!
Obviously, I don't know you guys but damn, I'm rooting for you 1000%! I had seen a couple of your videos and THIS one totally sold me on your channel, so I just subscribed. I wish you nothing but success. Never minimize how amazing and brave you are for identifying and actively following your dream. You are doing it while in your 20's, which is awesome. I'm clinging to the last remnants of my 50's and I have wanted to do what you're doing for years. So, I will live vicariously through you, learn from the youngsters and hope to see you on the road in a few years. Safe travels and don't forget to have F-U-N.
Thanks for your advice. I have been thinking of truck/camper combo. I'm single. Retired.
Love your home 💙❤️ And y’all are just too cute 🥰
Awesome video! Really well put together and insightful. I’m right there with you in regard to the blender… and electric coffee grinder! Both I had decided not to take, but ended up picking them up later, and have absolutely no regrets. I’m 9 months into “vanlife” and loving it! Picking up my fiancé from London tomorrow, and then we’ll both be on this adventure together traveling through Canada and the states. Perhaps we’ll see you on the road! Cheers… and new sub 😁👊🏼👍🏼
It's funny how we try and "limit" ourselves at the start, I guess it's better than bringing too much stuff. See you out there!
Thank you for the info!! Planning on starting this adventure in the next year. Where was this filmed? Looks like Tennessee
Enjoyed the video. I also have a 2004 Lance 815 that is completely stock so your videos have given me some ideas about making some changes similar to your Lance.
Glad we could help inspire!
Alright Alright Alright
Yet again, another excellent, informative and very entertaining video! Been a pleasure following you and look forward to where life’s future adventures lead you
As always, stay safe out there…..
Thanks Mike! Always great hearing from you, hope you have a great day!
Lol...! Good advice 😊
Thank you for sticking with it. The youtube thing. This was by far your best production! I've got 2 vids out and I will be the first to say it is very very emotional to create content. I knew if you pushed through youd come out on top! your lives are so parallel to ours in sooo many ways (that I wont get into) so its fun keeping up with you. Would love getting together with you at some point. we will be somewhere between columbia, SC and montana throughout the year and cracking a beer with you two would be nice. Still in Columbia for probably another 2 weeks or so.
Thanks for supporting us along the way! It’s a much harder lifestyle than it seems, but we’re loving it!
Hi I just found your channel and I loved your video. I subscribed and liked it.
Thank you, Tammy!
Many years ago we traveled with two of our children across our beautiful country seeing family, friends and wonderful sights. We also traveled the northwest . We made it work and have wonderful memories. Thank you for sharing yours!
Thanks for watching! We’re loving the journey and hopefully appreciating it the best we can!
You two are fun. Keep going. :)
No plans to stop!
Best video from you I’ve seen. More natural…….Amelia’s laugh is the sweetest. ❤️
Thank you! We appreciate it!
Put the Elastamere (hope I said this right) on top...it is a silicon membrane, application like paint. You roof will last for ever....I reapply ever 5 years (10 year warranty).
Just came across your channel. You're a cute couple. Love you dog. Enjoy your life style and be safe
Great video. Next month will be my first full year in my sunlite skyhawk pop up camper. Had some good times and some crappy times but it’s all part of the adventure. Coldest my Shepherd and I went through was -43 here in Maine. Definitely go with the alternator charging. I have 200ah of lithium self heating batteries and when the truck is running it charges at 30amps. Haven’t added any solar yet but it’s a dual Input controller so I just need to wire in a panel. Also recently added a 2000 watt inverter to run an air fryer. Definitely an upgrade from only having the stovetop to cook on
Crazy how time flies! That’s some extreme cold, I’m sure the self heating batteries are a must! Thanks for watching
Cute couple. Question - what size bed is that truck? Mine is a 5.5' Ford Supercrew, not sure a truck camper would really work with it.
I love Harvest Hosts! It was so worth the $80 annual fee and I had so much fun visiting the farms! When I hit the road again in my truck camper I'm def doing that :)
Totally agree! It’s perfect for the overnight in a new town. Good luck on your adventures!
@@LivingLargeCamping Thank you!! :)
New subscriber!❤
Really enjoying y'alls videos and thanks for the info and insight! Have y'all already made a video discussing truck requirements for hosting a truck camper? My wife and I are heavily considering trading our cars for a truck but want to make sure we've checked off as many requirements as possible in the process. Thanks again!
We’ve touched on it briefly but not in detail. If you’re new in the market for both, I’d advise to go with the largest truck you’re comfortable with. For us, that was a one ton single rear wheel since we didn’t want the added width of a dually. But, we also knew we wanted a smaller truck camper and that it would be on the lighter end. As far as gas vs diesel, we have no regrets going with the hemi engine! Plenty of power and we get 10-11mpg consistently
@@LivingLargeCamping Thanks y'all! You're set up looks awesome! 😀
Thanks so much! Hopefully we can meet up one day. I have the same camper!
It’s a great camper! Maybe we’ll see you out there!
I hear you I'm living in my truck camper too I'm out in Colorado was my first winner staying around Grand Junction High Desert area where they don't get much snow so far it's been a piece of cake there's not really anything to it fat having a truck camper you got a tear down if you want to go to town not supposed to leave your camper set out on the jack stands cuz it's hard on the frame so it kind of leaves you stranded unless you have another vehicle
this is the first video i’ve seen from this channel - nicely done. if you don’t have an instant pot, you should get the mini duo. if you’re okay running the blow dryer, you should be okay running the IP :-).
I picked up a 12 volt front door fridge from a wrecked semi trailer for a couple hundred bucks. Works great and draws low power.
Very very good video
Glad you enjoyed it! We had fun making this one
you are a nice couple keep up the great work
Thank you!
Love the bloopers
Amelia had a great time putting them together!
After your first week on the road, we were worried about driving with open bottles in our camper. In Michigan it says that even if the open bottle is in the living area of the camper it is still illegal to drive with an open container in the vehicle. I think this was one of my fav videos of you guys. More natural and more comfortable. Great video!
Very interesting, I haven’t given that much thought but I’ll have to read into it a little!
Do people who camp all the time ever have time for Christian get togethers or church?
Many years ago, ashore was selling beer on tap in 1 gallon plastic containers. They would STAPLE the paper bag closed. They claimed it was not an open container as long as stayed sealed.
A store..... automatically changed the typing
@@janemcpherson2119 some churches will let you camp in their parking lots. Harvest host is great for finding churches that will host.
I've been fulltiming in a truck camper for about 2-1/2 years now... an Arctic Fox 992 on an older 2005 Dodge dually. I tow an enclosed trailer with some toys in it (SxS, quad, motorcycles, etc). It's vastly cheaper than paying rent. With my solar setup, I rarely need the generator and I avoid RV parks like the plague. I stick to the western US as it's too crowded back east and there aren't enough dispersed / free areas to camp.