How To Unload A Truck Camper - Problems and Mistakes | NuCamp Cirrus Truck Camper
Вставка
- Опубліковано 12 лис 2020
- In this video, we show you how to unload a truck camper (slide in camper). This is our usual process, but keep in mind, every rig and location has its own quirks. We show you the problems encountered during the process and how we deal with them.
As always, thank you for watching!
🌟 To see how we stay connected on the road check out this video
• RV Internet Access | U...
🌟 We also made a video about our 5 Boondocking Essentials. Check it out if you haven't seen it yet!
• 5 Boondocking Essentia...
👕If you're looking for Truck Camping T-Shirts, check out this site:
✅ www.travelmotivated.com/colle...
This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something we may earn a commission. Thank you for your support!
These are most of the items that we mentioned in the video. If we missed something, please let us know in the comments!
▶️ Torklift Fastgun Turnbuckle - Long: amzn.to/3eV7qkl
▶️ Torklift Fastgun Turnbuckle - short: amzn.to/35reAtq
▶️ Valterra RV Stabilizer: amzn.to/3lto10U
If you have any other questions, please leave a comment and we will be sure to respond!
We are a travel couple and explore full time in our NuCamp Cirrus 920 Truck Camper. The camper rides in our Ram 3500 Dually Diesel CrewCab truck. We love our camper and we are excited to share our life with all of you!
Our plan is to continue traveling for another 5 years at least, we are just getting started. Subscribe and follow our adventures around North America and the World!
👋 CONNECT WITH US
📷 Instagram ➔ / stonyboot
🎵 TikTok ➔ / stonyboot
📱 Facebook ➔ / stonyboot1
🧡SUBSCRIBE to our channel for more tips:
/ stonyboot
#fulltimetravel #drycamping #nucampcirrus #truckcamperlife #truckcamper #travelcouple #boondocking #truckcamperliving #boondockingtips #unloading #unload - Авто та транспорт
Super informative and appreciate real world rush scenario. You guys are SO down to earth and trustworthy. I appreciate that!
This was not our finest form, but it got done. Situations like that can be a little stressful and frustrating.
I enjoy your videos even when they don't apply to me!!! Happy Travels!
Thanks for watching and commenting. We were just talking about you. I hope you’re doing well!
Completely different issues with only 3 Manual jacks with one person.
Yours, piece of cake.
Thank you for showing the process of taking the camper off - very informative. You are a good team.
Thanks for watching. We will do another version someday when the process goes more smoothly!
Really interesting. Haven’t watched this being done before! You guys make it look easy.
Thanks. That process actually went rather poorly, normally its super quick and simple. But, we figured the mistakes and having to correct them would provide more insight into the reality. If it goes too perfectly, its not really helpful :)
Thank you for watching!
Enjoyed your video thank you, and thanks for the education.
This video really helps me learn about truck campers. I met a couple at the RTR who have been living in their nucamp cirrus 820 for years and i adore the idea of getting one down the line for myself. I might entice my boyfriend to camp more if I can figure this out. Thank you for the detailed setup video!
Your videos are so helpful to me with my exact truck/ camper
That's great to hear! I do love both the truck and camper, have you had any problems?
Great Video !!!!!
Thanks for watching! 😁
We have recently purchased and installed the stable camper stabilizers on our Adventurer 89RB. It’s awesome. Beautifully engineered and easy to install and deploy.
Congratulations! All of their products are top quality!
Appreciate that you shared process for unloading. Have I missed a recent one on loading? For me that’s the big challenge. Looks like a lovely park and weather. Enjoy😊
We haven't done the loading process yet. We had to unload unexpectedly, so we decided to record it. This morning when we loaded up, we didn't have time to record it. But, we will do a loading video in the future!
thank you
You’re welcome!
Welldan, thanks.
Thank you!
Great info. Thank you. ~carol
Thanks for watching. Someday, we will do that again without all the mistakes it was such a rush job that we didn’t do a great job. Life is rarely perfect I guess.
Keep it up
Thanks!
I have smaller unit but a couple things I did. Stick on RV levels. They are inexpensive and I installed 5. I put 1 on middle of back, 1 on middle of each side and 2 on front by each jack (that way you could see without being under cab over). This way you can walk around and be sure you are lowering level as front always lowers faster (and raises slower-heavier).
I also used 1/2" diameter threaded rod to make anti wobble connection between front of camper body to bottom of jacks when I lower. Had to make brackets for both ends but it worked out perfectly and all I have to store are the rods. My wife and I love to explore areas so if I'm at location more than one night, camper is removed.
We also use a couple small levels to spot check the setup. This particular video was one of the worst experiences we have had unloading! We were in a huge rush and also trying to record, so a lack of focus lead to small mistakes. But, we wanted to share the truth of the situation and not a polished version.
We rarely take the camper off, so we have not invested in any kind of permanent stabilizer. Our little bracket works quite well. If we end up off the truck more often, I'll look at some options it's pretty simple!
Thanks for watching and commenting!
Stick on levels work great! I have 1 on back and 1 on drivers side.
@@michaelherring1697 thanks for the tips!
I love the license plate magnets! Can you share the components you used?
I have been asked that a few times. I remember getting some of the components from Lowes or Home Depot. I don't remember exactly. Maybe I'll put the details together and make a video about that specifically. It has been a huge help for us, i'm sure other people would find it useful!
Beats my method - photocopy! We'll be switching to magnets
I love my Top guns and my two plugs .
I like to do hook up before unloading the TC in case you have to move the unit to get your cord or hose to reach.
That's an excellent point, thanks for the comment!
I wish truck & camper manufacturers would work together to have a charging system pre-installed at the factory so all you have to do is plug a cord in between the truck and camper, and voila, it's done.
That would be really nice! I think there are a lot of variations, but a pre-wired kit would be nice. I just did my own setup and will be making a video about it this week. It was more of a project than I expected, but its working really well!
Looking forward to your video. Just picked up my camper yesterday and have all the components for the dc-dc charging system I wanted. Thx
This week!
I put the filter right after the pressure regulator that way clean water is going into the hose too. :)
That’s a good idea! Thanks 😁
Neat process, I guess like with anything else the more you do it the faster you get. When your truck is in for maintenance what do you do for transportation? Maybe consider communicating with your cell phones to make it easier loading and unloading.
What we didn’t talk about was that we were in a big rush. Trying to record, get everything done and get to the dealer by 1pm. It didn’t go well and we made stupid mistakes. But hey, it’s the truth and we figured we’d just share it. We were going to get a rental since it was under warranty, however, parts delays meant that we only got it partly done. We will have to go to another dealer further south for the rest of the repairs. We only needed to wait for a couple hours at the dealer and then we had our truck back. That unloading was probably the worst one in the last 6 months. Funny that that’s the one we decided to record :-)
Wow! Such a process to do. One suggestion- not sure your width of mud flaps. We leave the reese hitch extension on during on/off versus crawling under then remove. Another point, we've been able to remove bicycles on the rack from the hitch. Sort of heavy but us 'older' folks manage both ways. And final point is to raise camper 4" in front & 2-3" in rear for unloading & reloading. (Enough to clear wheel wells.) We mounted 2x4's to base of camper for truck roof clearance & along edge for a wheel well guide to slide in between while lowering. Smoother and stopped sliding side to side over rough roads. We also bought horse pen rubber mats to protect truck bed & reduce sliding.
We do like the front stabilizer with ratchet. Need that. Sorry so long comment.......😶
Truth be told, this unloading was not very typical. It was one of the worst ones that we did, which is why we posted it.
You have an excellent point, leaving the hitch on is what we usually do. However, when we have to drive out and then turn right or left, I take it off so that I don't accidentally catch a jack.
I have a wooden frame that the camper sits in, it keeps it from sliding at all and has worked great for 30k miles so far. I used cedar and its holding up well! Someday, we will post a video of our normal, smooth, no problems process.
The front aluminum stabilizer works well for what it is. StableCamper is a better option, but we haven't taken the plunge on that yet. We don't take the camper off very often and wanted to keep things simple.
I also add or pull the extension with TC off.
Of course when you make a video you get hiccups.lol thank you for the video. Don’t worry about negativity in the comments. Let it roll off your shoulders. Good to see the hiccups so we out here can learn. Thanks
We try to show reality, not the overly perfect version of things, thanks for noticing! That as actually the second worst loading we have ever had, we were in a huge rush and trying to record. Stress and rushing cause mistakes and accidents. Live and learn :)
Our 920 also has a fast leg but you can let it down then catch up that leg it won't tip over.
We normally let it hang a bit and then get it caught up. Most of the weight is over the front jacks and the slow rear jack makes it more of a tripod :) How do you like your 920?
@@Stonyboot we had so many issues with our first one that nu camp actually replaced IT! This one has been fine. If we keep it the dinette will have to go as its very uncomfortable but overall no problems. Hoping to go to Alaska in summer
We are Alaska bound too! We wanted to get up there this past spring, but that didn’t work out. Knock on wood, our 920 has been solid except for typical wear and tear. We build an office in place of the dinette so we could work and eat more comfortably, such a huge improvement. I hope the come out with a different layout or the slide options
Scott, great video. I noticed you removed a yellow plug from the drivers side of the camper (refrigerator connection). Can you clarify how that connection works?
I can address that in a video in the future. It was partly wired from the factory, they gave me the cable to run to the truck. It works pretty well and pulls about 17-20 amps. I'll give it some thought and see what I can put together. Do you own a Cirrus?
I run a Northern Lite and they said to keep it nose high when off truck. I set it so the bubble is just touching the first line. It also has the benefit of better sleep when the head o the bed is slightly above your feet. Does nu camp have you setting up nose low?
They don't tell us how to set it up. We try for flat, but if I have to chose, I go nose down to keep the shower from puddling. within a degree in any direction is fine.
Raise the camper up another 8 inches and you will clear the widest part the camper with the box. It seems scarier but much less chance of dragging camper off its legs. Have a similar set up with my dually. With electric jacks it’s a breeze. I put 4. 2x6 under each leg to gain the extra height.
This was a bit of a one off. We have taken it off several dozen times without a hiccup, but this time we were in a rush! We had plenty of clearance until we hit the bump in the pavement. Normally, I take my time to read the ground and adjust accordingly, but this was not like that. It wasn’t smooth and perfect, which is exactly why we posted it. It’s more of a real world situation. I can go up another 6-8 inches without using any blocks and would have plenty of clearance. That will teach me to try to rush and record at the same time 🤪
I always raise mine a bunch to avoid dragging. That puts a lot of lateral stress on the jack mounts.
Hi from Florida. We just ordered a new
Cirrus 820. Got a question for you. How is you heating and hot water system holding up? Did you have to improve your suspension in any way. Last Ram 3500 we had I had to add forklift stable loads to reduce side to side and rocking front to back.
Also we are originally from Wolfeboro, NH.
This will be our 2nd truck camper. It's going on a Silverado 3500HD, SRW, 4X4., Gas to handle the payload.
Hi from... California at the moment. Congratulations on your new camper 😊 we love our Alde, we did have the water tank fail, however, it was a very rare issue. I think it was partly caused by some mistakes I made. I used chlorine a couple of times to disinfect the system and later found that it damages the water tank. There is another sterilization method that should be used. I won’t make that mistake again.
We love, love , love our Alde. It’s our number 1 reason for owning the camper. I can’t imagine having a camper without an Alde.
I added upper and lower stable loads and that has been all I needed. Since we drive down rough roads a lot, I may get a sway bar in the future, but it isn’t really critical, it would just be nice.
You did your alternator charging system but no detail video yet?
I knew I'd get caught! I left a message in this video about it. This was our first week on the road and we spend all week driving. By the time we got someplace warm I only had 1 day to get a video done. The alternator video is a huge project and will take me about 5 days to edit it. I made this quick video to buy myself some time to get the alternator video done. Next week is my plan. Sorry for the delay, it's hard to travel and work at the same time :-/ Also, I needed to finish a couple aspects of it and it was nearly impossible to find parts. It's done and working well, video next week!
Do most truck campers need the 2x lumber base that you built into the bed of your truck?
Not usually, however, sometimes there is a specific fitment issue. Ours was with the bumper, while many fords have extra tall bed sides. It boils down to your specific setup.
A little off topic but can you please tell me what buttons need to be pushed on the remote to make the awning work.
Thanks so much. My camper has been in the shop for over 3 months and I actually forgot the sequence.
Make sure the awning switch is on inside the camper, turn on the main power for the jack system. Just like you’re doing to use the legs. Then press and hold the top button for 7-10 seconds, the little on the controller should change color. Then try using the Aux1 button which is the right corner on the controller.
@@Stonyboot 👍👍
Thanks again for the awning assistance. Have you ever has your battery/tank monitor screen go dark. Mine has along with a new error code for Alde..over heat red fail. Haven't even used the Alde for heat or hot water in months. Sorry for all these questions but you seem very knowledgeable about Cirrus campers.
I have had that happen. I pulled the fuses out until I found the one that controls the panel. That resets the computer in that little panel and that would be the first thing I’d try.
Also, if you use Facebook, check out the “Cirrus Truck Camper Owners Group” it’s a very helpful resource!
@@Stonyboot Thank you very much I will do that
Do you need support under the bed when the camper is off the truck?
We haven’t. They are designed to stay on the legs during storage, however, many people put them on platforms for long term storage. If we had the camper off for the winter I think I would put it on a couple of saw horses or something like that. Seems like it would put less stress on the corners and legs. The longest we have ever had it off the truck is about 4 weeks, no problems during that time.
Have you experienced issues of possible frame damage while living in it while it’s off the truck?.
Is it possible that rear driver's side jack gives you trouble because y'all use it as a step? I wonder if putting your weight on it is creating an issue. 🤔
You have a good eye!!! I don’t think so, it’s done it from day one and we only started using it as a step a few months after hitting the road. It’s common for them to run a slightly different speeds.
What license plate magnets do you use? That's a neat idea
I made them myself, nothing on the market really did what I wanted. Maybe I'll do a video about how I made them.
@@Stonyboot I have the same question. A video would be great!