You need 300 watts solar and you won't run the generator at least for the furnace needs. Now I was able to keep up even in Yosemite in the winter (limited sun down in the Valley floor) Air in the summer is another subject you'll need a gen. If you use it. My experience from Camper living Canada to Mexico. East to west coast.
This is my first UA-cam comment ever. I work away from home for extended periods and decided to buy an Arctic Fox 990 and F-350 dually about a month ago. The cost of this setup versus staying in hotels and AirBnBs is so much less. I enjoy your videos, and have learned a lot about the camper watching them. It’s a unique lifestyle, which I’ve really grown to enjoy. Keep up the good work and I’ll keep watching.
Yes, Taylor I have never been so happy in my adult life until I moved into my rig. I can't quiet explain the feeling of happiness and freedom I feel especially for an introverted and minimalist like I am. Thanks for the vids.
Hunny, you're living our lives (truck drivers) goto a truck stop they have everything you need. Hot shower, wifi, security, and free parking. Good luck out there. B safe.
Dude same. I got into it for touring ski resorts. Trucks have 4WD, and campers have more room. Just found a great camper, so I bought it. Now all I need is a truck! Hahaha
@@jakerust1565 My first vehicle (im 16 btw) is a 99 Chevy Silverado 1500. Idk what im gonna do but a truck camper seems like the best choice considering I can't park a trailer
Me and my wife had a gigantic one story home filled with a metric ton of crap we had gathered over the years, we flooded all the way to our roof during Harvey, we lost pretty much everything, so we fixed the house up sold it and went to a much much smaller space, we also regulate what we buy now very carefully, and we are so happy with our situation now, we love being in a small space and not having all of the bs that we once did.
will Brown Yes, smaller house means it takes less power to heat and cool. Generally you’ll limit what you buy. You don’t have to spend so much filling it up with furniture.
Sleeping at an awkward angle can suck but since your already wary and uncomfortable stealth camping using your leveling Jack's is out of the question. After I got feed up with waking up with acid reflux due to sleeping at weird angles I installed airbags and a small compressor. This improved the ride of my truck camper dramatically but also gave me the ability raise and lower the psi of each individual bag with a push of a button from inside my camper or driver seat. It was so nice I installed 2 control panels so I could adjust the bags on the fly if need be or from the back as I'm trying to start dinner but shit wont stop sliding all over the place. It only takes you starving and having to fight everything in your camper trying to get something in your aching belly only for your dinner to as if possessed without warning fall of the surface you carefuly placed it on. Now starving, pissed and cleaning up and epic mess (it's never a sandwich that falls, it spaghetti or broccoli cheddar soup splattered everywhere and completely100% unsalvageable(don't judge me a sandwich is susceptible to the 5 sec rule)) your spirit breaks and dies a little you go to bed defeated.
Taylor, found your videos by accident and I think they're great and I do like your camper. As far as inconveniences go, you get them no matter where you live whether in a house or apartment or in your camper. As you said, you adjust to whatever lifestyle you chose to live. I think that if I lived in a camper, I'd have two or three solar panels for the electric and maybe one extra for the heat, hot water and cooking. I'm a lot like you, a single guy with very little needs. Thanks for sharing your videos.
WoW Taylor, Your doin' it..!! That is AMAZING..! I was just surfing UA-cam and watched the video that has the camper with the 3 tipouts and then I seen another video of you. I don't know you from Adam, but I can tell, that you are someone who knows what you want, and know where your going in life. You are SOLID, and even tho you don't think you have a home base to go to, you really do. Yours just happens to be on wheels. Our society has made us feel like that. But not to fret. You are VERY GROUNDED. I feel you have a very GOOD Soul, and can feel your positive evergy just watching your video. Keep on truckin', doing what you love, and keep that positive energy flowing. Iam a firm believer that you receive, what you give out. Positive attracts Positive...!!
Thanks for this video. I just acquired an old truck camper from my grandparents today as they are unable to camp comfortably anymore. And ever since I knew I was getting it, I’ve been worried about the “nitty gritty” stuff. Especially as this camper is around 50 years old. Your honesty about the stuff that no one really wants to talk about helped ease my worry a little, of being crazy for wanting to have one of these.
Hey, Just wanted to say thanks for your vids. I live in Washington state and I recently purchased an F350 and Lance 975 camper. It’s been about a month now and I love it. thanks to Chanels like yours I am able to spend more time enjoying the experience. Totally love it.
Im getting the arctic fox 1150 I believe. Hows the Diesel treating ya? Taylor's channel helped me to decide on a TC as well, He's a great inspiration for sure and I hope to be in the same boat next summer!! Happy travels to you all. Thanks for the response Old Crow
I've been on the road for while. here's a few things I've done to make life easier. Air bags on the truck suspension. they can be adjusted to smooth the ride, level the truck including side to side if they are plumbed separately, and they allow increased ground clearance to access otherwise inaccessible camp sites. extra battery capacity, either extra cells, larger capacity, preferably both. I built a removable exhaust stack for the gen set from speed shop exhaust pipe pieces I welded together (you can have a shop do it for a few bucks) and an aluminum support at the roof with a high temp silicon dampener. Keeps the exhaust out of the camper and sends the noise straight up. I have no affiliation with Verizon, but they have the best cell coverage and a $75 a month prepay unlimited data talk text plan that, coupled with their interactive tower map and google maps, makes boondocking with good hot spot coverage pretty easy
13:34 that's where 2"x4's come in t' help. cut them to match the tires. place them infront, and drive up on them to level out. closer to the curb is less noticeable. paint them with a dark gray or rubber base to hide them. they will only notice them if they are looking for them. don't forget them when leaving the camp spot!
Taylor, you asked about WIFI boosters, I use an Alpha WIFI Camp Pro. There is a Camp Pro 2 out now. The Camp Pro cost $149 USD. The Camp Pro 2 cost $159 USD. I bought it form Amazon. The unit will pick up signals from quite far off. Conditions determine the range. What is great is the unit will allow you to connect through a password protected WIFI router. You are not fully exposed to outsiders like you are sitting in Starbucks. I love Starbucks by the way. I have this unit mounted in my pickup camper. It will run off of either 12 volt DC or 120 volt AC. The vendor included clear instructions how to connect the unit. I keep them in my camper with me. I can connect up to ten devices to my router. So far, the unit works great. I mounted the antenna on my roof ladder, then ran the coax down my refrigerator vent. I used roof tape to seal my coax to my roof. The coax is now a permanent part of my roof. I don’t have to worry about it blowing around and damaging my roof. Hope that helps.
I’m interested in WiFi booster setups Question is which brands work and Omni direction vs direct antennas ? Taylor please share your working solution an how effective is the range ?
Get airbags in the rear and pressurize each side accordingly to level the camper horizontally. Earthroamer uses fox bags and a gyro to do it automatically when parked
I’m looking to downsize from a 42 foot toy hauler into a truck camper. I know what you mean about not having a home base, it’s a strange feeling still. I’ve been full time 5 years now.
I'm so glad I found this video. I'm looking forward to a similar on the road lifestyle. I haven't ironed out all the details yet. Thanks Taylor for your honesty!
When I traveled with my converted bus I did not hate do the laundry because while I waited for the laundry I could do stuff in the bus, as dinner or cleaning, resting.
Hi Taylor! Another great video! Loved the geese & goslings! 😊 Also you imparted some great information...things that I’ve been wondering about as someone who is considering this lifestyle either in an RV, a sailboat, or both. I missed your “I bought a boat!” episode...going to watch it now! Good to see you back! P.S. I have a beautiful 22yo niece who lives in BC. I’m going to tell her to check out your channel. 😉
I did the motorhome thing for a while I know what you mean about the Lost feeling like nowhere to go you're sitting inside the motor home just sitting here thinking
Well, glad that you did it, and- glad that you ended it. So happy that you DID IT!!! Thank you for doing the YT thing, so- we could join you, Taylor!!! What a blast!
Propane fill up--- try a place taller a co-op or what some call a farm store. Normally there found in smaller towns. As far as the furnace goes... try a diesel heater. It will put out a good amount of heat in the size of unit that your in and don't have to worry about the moisture from your heat source in the winter time. And not have to worry about staying warm in sub freezing weather. And if your wondering where to 0ut the fuel container that holds the heater... you can put it in the space inside the truck box and the camper wall...
Get a cradle point for WiFi works great here rural Nebraska wherever you go satalite wifi good speed you should look into that took it camping in the woods great connection
You take "navy showers" My Grandfather taught me tha taking his old 1974 Invader 24 ft to the Mojave desert many many times as a kid riding my motorcycles, you get wet and shut off the water, lather up and rinse. done.
This is best vid I've seen honestly talking about camper life. Thanks! So many in my opinion make it look so glamorous, but then all these little truths come out. Good stuff!
He's in Canada. Truly 'unlimited' data plans are incredibly rare with slow speeds, throttling above certain data limits and often geo-restricted to specific areas of Canada. Only this month(6/2019) have some major players announced nationwide unlimited plans.
James is right -- but it's not just Canada. Cellular service providers in the U.S. also limit your data throughput. "Unlimited" is NOT unlimited. They shouldn't even be allowed to say "unlimited" 'cause it ain't. And even when it's not throttled, it's still a lot slower than a good WiFi connection.
I live with my mom and we have WiFi. My room is in the back of the house so it gets slow and I don’t even use it. We have unlimited data on Verizon. I only use the WiFi for my Xbox and sometimes I just connect it to my hotspot.
In regards to using laundromats to do your laundry: You can wash your clothes while you are traveling. You need one or maybe two, depending on your needs, large plastic buckets with secure lids. There are myriads of different types of these buckets out there, especially those used by the food industry. Put your dirty clothes in one of the buckets, put in some laundry detergent and some water, put the lid on and drive away. The motion of your vehicle will make the water act just like a washing machine. After an hour or two of driving, park up somewhere, wring out your clothes, empty out the bucket, put the clothes back in the bucket with some fresh water, put the lid on and drive off, rinsing your clothes as you go. If you have two buckets, you can have one load of laundry washing and the other one rinsing. If you can't find somewhere to run out a clothes line to dry your clothes on, you can always take them to a laundromat and use just the dryers. Either way, you're still saving some money! Extra Tip: With the bucket method, you'll probably be using cold water in your wash, so don't even bother with using cold water powdered detergent. It's usually pretty close to useless, no matter what the advertisements tell you. Use liquid cold water laundry detergents instead and remember, cleanliness is next to Godliness - but only in the Irish dictionary!
Just saw the truck and camper for sale on auto trader Canada 😥 Tyler your videos were an inspiration and I wish you all the best your future endeavors 🤙🤙🤙🤙 From a one fellow truck driver to the next.
Hey Taylor, great video really enjoyed it good luck with your full-time truck camper living. And don’t worry about what everyone thinks when you get out. They’ve all had the walk of shame before no different.!
Hi Taylor... great vids... I do use a wifi booster for my truck camper... it is a major blessings. Lots of times, I did my puter work, from bed. The overall payoff for the lifestyle does bring me joy... the freedom, the ease of living, the adventures and so on. Now with the wood stove, it's getting even better. Blessings
I watched these videos back in the day and a year later be bought our own TC. Just a pop-up camper but we love it and the lifestyle it allows. Have you ever though of going on the road again?
The grocery stores have trash barrels. After you buy your groceries get rid of as much trash as possible. I have Tupperware cereal containers. I put the cereal in the containers and throw away the box at the store.
I like you! If you ever come to the midwest hit me up. I would let you park outside the house and even give you some gas money just to be kind because you seem like a kind person yourself🙂
Taylor, my fav. videos of yours and I watch a lot of them are the gritty non glamorous ones like this, because they are the most practical learning resources. The other glossy stuff is fine and I know there is a time and a market for that but these ones are my favourite. I do not comment much but I watch a lot of content. Thanks again. I watched 5 of your gritty ones like this today some of them for the 3rd or 4th time.
I don't FT but I have camped/travelled as much as possible for 40+ years. I love the sound of the rain on my roof and being rocked in the wind. I also love Victoria - the most beautiful city I have ever seen. If I were 40 years younger I would date you in a heartbeat - his n hers TC's - lol. Nice to see a FT Canuck nomad channel, we have so much beauty to share here in BC.
Dang that a lot of propane. Although I’ll say this, when I lived in my trailer (27’ with a pop out) I was plugged in. So my fridge ran off electric. But in winter with the heater (I like it cold), the water heater, oven and stove (I did cook a lot), I was able to go almost month on two 30lb tanks.
Great video! I wanted to mention: With my 1999 Comfort Camp and my 99 F250 diesel I had a shop run a "hot wire" on my truck's plug to charge the camper while driving. I can now switch my refrigerator and my hot water to DC (direct current) and it will draw off the alternator or even the batteries under the hood even when truck is off. I ran the batteries down once when I forgot to unplug the camper while parked for a few days but the generator actually charged both the camper batteries up and at the same time, recharged the truck batteries through that wire too so I could start it. Keep up the great work! Love watching your stuff! Remember- Many of us live and experience vicariously through what you do! Be safe! -Greg
Nice video, thx bro. I’m not sure but seems i saw your truck in Victoria last year. Actually I do like your lifestyle. Awesome work, have a happy life!
I'm a travel nurse and am shopping for my first truck camper for living in full time between work shifts and winter camping at local ski areas in Western Washington. We have the same wet, cold climate and I need your tips and tricks. THANK YOU for this video and for sharing your experiences and perspectives.
Excellent Video! Covers a lot of issues I never thought about the RV life style. Living in an RV sound free to roam but obviously there is a learning curve and things to consider! Thanks for posting!
Propane is good for all things generator included it doesn't go bad like gasoline, you can store as much as you want if you got the room the more the better for preping .
Bro I been living full time in mines almost a year this lifestyle you have to do what you have to we have all of the above you stated but we are thankful 🙏
I thought of doing so myself, but your starter batteries are not deep cycle so they don't like the demand a camper will put on them. With cold temps your batteries will not have as much power to give, plus you risk draining them and not being able to start your truck or just ruining them completely.
Food for thought although it might not fit in with the lifestyle you want but....for when you are working, look around close by for a driveway that doesn't seem to get used & go talk to who lives there or post an ad on kijiji and find a driveway for use maybe in exchange for mowing the lawn or something to that effect. Even if you don't want to stay there each night but a few nights a week. Just a thought :)
I worked construction for awhile and had to travel with a 5th wheel camper. I found a trailer house park. Paid like 80.00 a month and hooked up City water and electricity. Way cheaper than motel bills.
if u lower ur happyjack just touching the ground, it will reduce the rocking motion i believe? and full coverage of solar panel on ur roof will reduce the rain noise as well.
I really do enjoy your vids, so honest. Alot of the people I watch it is all rainbows & roses. While yes it is a wonderful life it is nice to see a young man talk about dating and being uncomfortable sometimes. I hope you have an awesome life , take care of yourself and truly enjoy the ride.. Much 💜💛💚💙from North West Georgia
I’d highly recommend an on demand water heater for “unlimited” hot water. If you’re connected to unlimited water, they’re speedy but allows you to have more than a 6 gallon limit
Cool video. in the video you mentioned running your generator and how loud it is. I bought the harborfreight 2k and 3k inverter generators. I don't have a tone of hours on them yet but so fare I love them, and very fuel efficient and quiet. When I run mine you can't hear it while inside the house/camper. They also have propane conversion kits. Only downside is having to store it.
Taylor, IDK if you check comments since you are away from social media etc but you are on my mind a lot, hope you are OK and I decided to watch your videos again, you are missed dude. Be well friend.
Taylor, I’ve watched a number of your videos now and really enjoy them, so I’ve subscribed. I’m not interested in becoming a full-timer, but much of what you discuss is equally applicable to short-timers. Keep up the good work!
Awesome video !!! I just recently purchased a truck camper and gave up renting a apartment. I'm an over the road truck driver being away from home 5 weeks at a time. When I return home in February I'll be living in it full-time , 1-2 weeks at a time.
Never run out of hot water, by using ship shower method, i.e. like on boats. Water on, get wet, water off. Soap up, shampoo, body etc. Water on, rinse off, water off. Use far less water and save on propane too.
That is cool is that your camper you are sitting in at the table and RVs are going up in value because people are losing houses and apartments got to grab something I just bought an 8 8 Ford 24 foot new tires pretty much mint under three grand that's good thanks for the video
A good way to passively remove moisture is to buy some damprid. It's basically calcium chloride that sits in a plastic cup and it absorbs moisture and you simply just dump it out. It is perfect for campers boats and basements.
I am a full-time RVers= as well, but I live in a Rpod travel trailer! The wide problem is an easy fix, just get a MIFI (hotspot) and use it as wifi. I also got a cellphone booster to get better service boomdocking. staying in the city is very stressful... I always try to stay in a more remote area!
Also, there are some tips for dry camping to face issues of noise and security. Noise: ear plugs, park on quiet level road, you could have a low voltage radio with soothing music (white noise). Security. Gun, gun, gun.
Park near a library for wifi. If you need a password, just go in to get one when they are open. Not completely sure about Canada, though I've used wifi in places like Terrace, but in the US libraries often leave the wifi on all night opened or not.
Using a solar heat collector can warm your r.v. during the dayif needed. They are fairly cheap to diy and can cut winter heating cost efficiently and comfortable.
A suggestion, instead of pepper spray get wasp spray. It sprays 20ft, does the same thing as pepper spray, not as obvious as pepper spray and there is more of it, much cheaper.
Buddy heater with one portable ( or two is better) 5 gallon propane bottle will save a lot on your RV camper propane tanks and is absolutely safe as I have used this method for almost two years now . It is a much cheaper way to heat a camper .
9:33 I was about to ask! You're separated from the truck's cab so in another video you mentioned being robbed or something. That moment you're sleeping and suddenly the engine starts and you're moving! Also as a trucker, I just got the T Mobile plan with a mobile hotspot for in the US. Hell it can even process my Nintendo Switch Online games cuz I'm also a heavy gamer.... Gotta be near a cell tower through!
Great info for beginners,and I have gone camping for years with my family.first in tents then a trailer.but now it's time for me alone in a truck camper.i think I'm ready
When I travel, I put a can of wasp and hornet spray in the side door panel. Pepper spray doesn't travel very far, but the wasp spray will shoot about 20 feet and if a great deterrent!
A much better alternative to the tank style water heater, is the on demand/tankless variety. It can take some setting up, but once you get it how you like it, you have hot water as long as you have propane and a water supply. They are cheap and awesome. You'll never go back to a tank water heater.
Is there a camp ground around that you could live at? My daughter is moving her camper to a camp ground. At least you would have a piece of land every night to go to.
Reach out to your local base and see if anyone has a small space where you could offload the camper while you are working. Electric and water hookups a plus. Must be a spot somewhere you could call home. Maybe a commercial business would offer a spot to have someone on site during the night. Just a thought.
You need 300 watts solar and you won't run the generator at least for the furnace needs. Now I was able to keep up even in Yosemite in the winter (limited sun down in the Valley floor) Air in the summer is another subject you'll need a gen. If you use it. My experience from Camper living Canada to Mexico. East to west coast.
Excellent discussion, I'm a full time RVer and I agree whole heartedly. There are a few worries and inconveniences, but it's all worth it.
This is my first UA-cam comment ever. I work away from home for extended periods and decided to buy an Arctic Fox 990 and F-350 dually about a month ago. The cost of this setup versus staying in hotels and AirBnBs is so much less. I enjoy your videos, and have learned a lot about the camper watching them. It’s a unique lifestyle, which I’ve really grown to enjoy. Keep up the good work and I’ll keep watching.
Thanks for commenting ray !! Im glad you enjoy itt
Yes, Taylor I have never been so happy in my adult life until I moved into my rig. I can't quiet explain the feeling of happiness and freedom I feel especially for an introverted and minimalist like I am. Thanks for the vids.
RV NUT, so cool to hear that.
rv, should have just made more noise if that makes it easier to explain Lucy
I think you are a nut
Hunny, you're living our lives (truck drivers) goto a truck stop they have everything you need. Hot shower, wifi, security, and free parking. Good luck out there. B safe.
kym m Thank you very much for mentioning this! A good and important idea.
great advice.
Kym is there anything you need to provide to the truck stop to be able to use their facility, parking, and services?
Another question for anyone who can answer. Is there an App that shows where you can find these truck stops? Nowadays there is an App for everything.
yes this is almost every day life for a long distance truck driver
Been researching vanlife, hard, lately. But, I'm a person that's logical so I'm now researching truck camper life 😊 Appreciate this video.
Dude same. I got into it for touring ski resorts. Trucks have 4WD, and campers have more room. Just found a great camper, so I bought it. Now all I need is a truck! Hahaha
@@jakerust1565 where are you located?
@@TrafficTravelDelight in Montana, but soon to be all around haha. How about you?
@@jakerust1565 commifornia I just got me a 98 f150 4.6L v8 now need a unit to pull
@@jakerust1565 My first vehicle (im 16 btw) is a 99 Chevy Silverado 1500. Idk what im gonna do but a truck camper seems like the best choice considering I can't park a trailer
Me and my wife had a gigantic one story home filled with a metric ton of crap we had gathered over the years, we flooded all the way to our roof during Harvey, we lost pretty much everything, so we fixed the house up sold it and went to a much much smaller space, we also regulate what we buy now very carefully, and we are so happy with our situation now, we love being in a small space and not having all of the bs that we once did.
will Brown
Yes, smaller house means it takes less power to heat and cool. Generally you’ll limit what you buy. You don’t have to spend so much filling it up with furniture.
I can relate as I'm sure most Americans can.
Sleeping at an awkward angle can suck but since your already wary and uncomfortable stealth camping using your leveling Jack's is out of the question. After I got feed up with waking up with acid reflux due to sleeping at weird angles I installed airbags and a small compressor. This improved the ride of my truck camper dramatically but also gave me the ability raise and lower the psi of each individual bag with a push of a button from inside my camper or driver seat. It was so nice I installed 2 control panels so I could adjust the bags on the fly if need be or from the back as I'm trying to start dinner but shit wont stop sliding all over the place. It only takes you starving and having to fight everything in your camper trying to get something in your aching belly only for your dinner to as if possessed without warning fall of the surface you carefuly placed it on. Now starving, pissed and cleaning up and epic mess (it's never a sandwich that falls, it spaghetti or broccoli cheddar soup splattered everywhere and completely100% unsalvageable(don't judge me a sandwich is susceptible to the 5 sec rule)) your spirit breaks and dies a little you go to bed defeated.
I've been living in an RV since the year 2000, lots of fun saving alot of cash.
Steve you know you injoy getting a cold beer 🍺 out of the freezer and taking a puff while listening to music in your trailer.
Taylor, found your videos by accident and I think they're great and I do like your camper. As far as inconveniences go, you get them no matter where you live whether in a house or apartment or in your camper. As you said, you adjust to whatever lifestyle you chose to live. I think that if I lived in a camper, I'd have two or three solar panels for the electric and maybe one extra for the heat, hot water and cooking. I'm a lot like you, a single guy with very little needs. Thanks for sharing your videos.
WoW Taylor, Your doin' it..!! That is AMAZING..! I was just surfing UA-cam and watched the video that has the camper with the 3 tipouts and then I seen another video of you. I don't know you from Adam, but I can tell, that you are someone who knows what you want, and know where your going in life. You are SOLID, and even tho you don't think you have a home base to go to, you really do. Yours just happens to be on wheels. Our society has made us feel like that. But not to fret. You are VERY GROUNDED. I feel you have a very GOOD Soul, and can feel your positive evergy just watching your video. Keep on truckin', doing what you love, and keep that positive energy flowing. Iam a firm believer that you receive, what you give out. Positive attracts Positive...!!
Thanks for this video. I just acquired an old truck camper from my grandparents today as they are unable to camp comfortably anymore. And ever since I knew I was getting it, I’ve been worried about the “nitty gritty” stuff. Especially as this camper is around 50 years old.
Your honesty about the stuff that no one really wants to talk about helped ease my worry a little, of being crazy for wanting to have one of these.
Hey, Just wanted to say thanks for your vids. I live in Washington state and I recently purchased an F350 and Lance 975 camper. It’s been about a month now and I love it. thanks to Chanels like yours I am able to spend more time enjoying the experience. Totally love it.
rckgnzls, congrats!!! What a feeling that must be.
Good for you, did you get a Diesel or Gas truck? thanks!
fit4ya1975
Hi. Got a 2018 F350 crew cab Dually 4x4 diesel.
Im getting the arctic fox 1150 I believe. Hows the Diesel treating ya? Taylor's channel helped me to decide on a TC as well, He's a great inspiration for sure and I hope to be in the same boat next summer!! Happy travels to you all.
Thanks for the response Old Crow
The diesel has been great. No hill to steep.
I'd think some old folks would love you parking out front. It would make them feel safe with a Taylor outside.
Get some wasp and hornet killer for self defense. 27 foot range, should be legal anywhere, and two 20 ounce cans are 5 bucks at Lowes.
I've been on the road for while. here's a few things I've done to make life easier. Air bags on the truck suspension. they can be adjusted to smooth the ride, level the truck including side to side if they are plumbed separately, and they allow increased ground clearance to access otherwise inaccessible camp sites. extra battery capacity, either extra cells, larger capacity, preferably both. I built a removable exhaust stack for the gen set from speed shop exhaust pipe pieces I welded together (you can have a shop do it for a few bucks) and an aluminum support at the roof with a high temp silicon dampener. Keeps the exhaust out of the camper and sends the noise straight up. I have no affiliation with Verizon, but they have the best cell coverage and a $75 a month prepay unlimited data talk text plan that, coupled with their interactive tower map and google maps, makes boondocking with good hot spot coverage pretty easy
13:34 that's where 2"x4's come in t' help. cut them to match the tires. place them infront, and drive up on them to level out. closer to the curb is less noticeable. paint them with a dark gray or rubber base to hide them. they will only notice them if they are looking for them. don't forget them when leaving the camp spot!
Taylor, you asked about WIFI boosters, I use an Alpha WIFI Camp Pro. There is a Camp Pro 2 out now. The Camp Pro cost $149 USD. The Camp Pro 2 cost $159 USD. I bought it form Amazon. The unit will pick up signals from quite far off. Conditions determine the range. What is great is the unit will allow you to connect through a password protected WIFI router. You are not fully exposed to outsiders like you are sitting in Starbucks. I love Starbucks by the way. I have this unit mounted in my pickup camper. It will run off of either 12 volt DC or 120 volt AC. The vendor included clear instructions how to connect the unit. I keep them in my camper with me. I can connect up to ten devices to my router. So far, the unit works great. I mounted the antenna on my roof ladder, then ran the coax down my refrigerator vent. I used roof tape to seal my coax to my roof. The coax is now a permanent part of my roof. I don’t have to worry about it blowing around and damaging my roof. Hope that helps.
I’m interested in WiFi booster setups
Question is which brands work and Omni direction vs direct antennas ?
Taylor please share your working solution an how effective is the range ?
Alan Swank Thank you for the recommendation on brand, PLUS the instructions on how to do it!
Get airbags in the rear and pressurize each side accordingly to level the camper horizontally. Earthroamer uses fox bags and a gyro to do it automatically when parked
I’m looking to downsize from a 42 foot toy hauler into a truck camper. I know what you mean about not having a home base, it’s a strange feeling still. I’ve been full time 5 years now.
This is a fantastic video - really gives you great information with details that are much in demand but we rarely get. Thanks so much for this!
I'm so glad I found this video. I'm looking forward to a similar on the road lifestyle. I haven't ironed out all the details yet. Thanks Taylor for your honesty!
When I traveled with my converted bus I did not hate do the laundry because while I waited for the laundry I could do stuff in the bus, as dinner or cleaning, resting.
Hi Taylor! Another great video! Loved the geese & goslings! 😊 Also you imparted some great information...things that I’ve been wondering about as someone who is considering this lifestyle either in an RV, a sailboat, or both. I missed your “I bought a boat!” episode...going to watch it now! Good to see you back!
P.S. I have a beautiful 22yo niece who lives in BC. I’m going to tell her to check out your channel. 😉
I did the motorhome thing for a while I know what you mean about the Lost feeling like nowhere to go you're sitting inside the motor home just sitting here thinking
Well, glad that you did it, and- glad that you ended it. So happy that you DID IT!!! Thank you for doing the YT thing, so- we could join you, Taylor!!! What a blast!
Propane fill up--- try a place taller a co-op or what some call a farm store. Normally there found in smaller towns. As far as the furnace goes... try a diesel heater. It will put out a good amount of heat in the size of unit that your in and don't have to worry about the moisture from your heat source in the winter time. And not have to worry about staying warm in sub freezing weather. And if your wondering where to 0ut the fuel container that holds the heater... you can put it in the space inside the truck box and the camper wall...
This is the BEST rv/ van living on UA-cam!! GREAT JOB!!
Get a cradle point for WiFi works great here rural Nebraska wherever you go satalite wifi good speed you should look into that took it camping in the woods great connection
You take "navy showers" My Grandfather taught me tha taking his old 1974 Invader 24 ft to the Mojave desert many many times as a kid riding my motorcycles, you get wet and shut off the water, lather up and rinse. done.
This is best vid I've seen honestly talking about camper life. Thanks! So many in my opinion make it look so glamorous, but then all these little truths come out. Good stuff!
WiFi is too easy. Have unlimited data on phone. Use hotspot. Works great.
He's in Canada. Truly 'unlimited' data plans are incredibly rare with slow speeds, throttling above certain data limits and often geo-restricted to specific areas of Canada. Only this month(6/2019) have some major players announced nationwide unlimited plans.
yea my samsung galaxy s+ and a verision unlimited plan
with great hotspot too
James is right -- but it's not just Canada. Cellular service providers in the U.S. also limit your data throughput. "Unlimited" is NOT unlimited. They shouldn't even be allowed to say "unlimited" 'cause it ain't. And even when it's not throttled, it's still a lot slower than a good WiFi connection.
I live with my mom and we have WiFi. My room is in the back of the house so it gets slow and I don’t even use it. We have unlimited data on Verizon. I only use the WiFi for my Xbox and sometimes I just connect it to my hotspot.
There is satellite options and OTR Mobile ($80 a month in the United States, unlimited, not too slow)
In regards to using laundromats to do your laundry: You can wash your clothes while you are traveling. You need one or maybe two, depending on your needs, large plastic buckets with secure lids. There are myriads of different types of these buckets out there, especially those used by the food industry.
Put your dirty clothes in one of the buckets, put in some laundry detergent and some water, put the lid on and drive away. The motion of your vehicle will make the water act just like a washing machine. After an hour or two of driving, park up somewhere, wring out your clothes, empty out the bucket, put the clothes back in the bucket with some fresh water, put the lid on and drive off, rinsing your clothes as you go.
If you have two buckets, you can have one load of laundry washing and the other one rinsing. If you can't find somewhere to run out a clothes line to dry your clothes on, you can always take them to a laundromat and use just the dryers. Either way, you're still saving some money!
Extra Tip: With the bucket method, you'll probably be using cold water in your wash, so don't even bother with using cold water powdered detergent. It's usually pretty close to useless, no matter what the advertisements tell you. Use liquid cold water laundry detergents instead and remember, cleanliness is next to Godliness - but only in the Irish dictionary!
Just saw the truck and camper for sale on auto trader Canada 😥
Tyler your videos were an inspiration and I wish you all the best your future endeavors 🤙🤙🤙🤙
From a one fellow truck driver to the next.
Hey Taylor, great video really enjoyed it good luck with your full-time truck camper living. And don’t worry about what everyone thinks when you get out. They’ve all had the walk of shame before no different.!
Hi Taylor... great vids... I do use a wifi booster for my truck camper... it is a major blessings. Lots of times, I did my puter work, from bed. The overall payoff for the lifestyle does bring me joy... the freedom, the ease of living, the adventures and so on. Now with the wood stove, it's getting even better. Blessings
Have you tried the "Damp rid" moisture absorbing products? They work pretty well and are fairly inexpensive.
I watched these videos back in the day and a year later be bought our own TC. Just a pop-up camper but we love it and the lifestyle it allows. Have you ever though of going on the road again?
The grocery stores have trash barrels. After you buy your groceries get rid of as much trash as possible. I have Tupperware cereal containers. I put the cereal in the containers and throw away the box at the store.
Home depot has the best WiFi ...you can get it in the far side of the parking lot. Been using it for two years . Vancouver island black creek
I've been in my Lance Camper for 3 years now...I freakin love it!
I like you! If you ever come to the midwest hit me up. I would let you park outside the house and even give you some gas money just to be kind because you seem like a kind person yourself🙂
@@jasonsensation14U That's a super cool offer, Jason. Thanks for saying that! I'm in the Northwest right now, but I may hit you up!
@@gypsydanger2271 ok sounds great! You have given me alot of knowledge and I appreciate it!
Taylor, my fav. videos of yours and I watch a lot of them are the gritty non glamorous ones like this, because they are the most practical learning resources. The other glossy stuff is fine and I know there is a time and a market for that but these ones are my favourite. I do not comment much but I watch a lot of content. Thanks again. I watched 5 of your gritty ones like this today some of them for the 3rd or 4th time.
I don't FT but I have camped/travelled as much as possible for 40+ years. I love the sound of the rain on my roof and being rocked in the wind. I also love Victoria - the most beautiful city I have ever seen. If I were 40 years younger I would date you in a heartbeat - his n hers TC's - lol. Nice to see a FT Canuck nomad channel, we have so much beauty to share here in BC.
Dang that a lot of propane. Although I’ll say this, when I lived in my trailer (27’ with a pop out) I was plugged in. So my fridge ran off electric. But in winter with the heater (I like it cold), the water heater, oven and stove (I did cook a lot), I was able to go almost month on two 30lb tanks.
Great video! I wanted to mention: With my 1999 Comfort Camp and my 99 F250 diesel I had a shop run a "hot wire" on my truck's plug to charge the camper while driving. I can now switch my refrigerator and my hot water to DC (direct current) and it will draw off the alternator or even the batteries under the hood even when truck is off. I ran the batteries down once when I forgot to unplug the camper while parked for a few days but the generator actually charged both the camper batteries up and at the same time, recharged the truck batteries through that wire too so I could start it. Keep up the great work! Love watching your stuff! Remember- Many of us live and experience vicariously through what you do! Be safe! -Greg
Nice video, thx bro. I’m not sure but seems i saw your truck in Victoria last year. Actually I do like your lifestyle. Awesome work, have a happy life!
I'm a travel nurse and am shopping for my first truck camper for living in full time between work shifts and winter camping at local ski areas in Western Washington. We have the same wet, cold climate and I need your tips and tricks. THANK YOU for this video and for sharing your experiences and perspectives.
Excellent video. Thank you for keeping it real. First time watching you and subscribed right away. Good job. Well done you!
I've lived on the road for 2 years now, great vid mate. You explain yourself very well. Freedom!
I've been following you for a while now and I truely love your lifestyle, so inspiring. I've wanted to do this for a long long time.
Thanks Chris !! I hope you do it
Excellent Video! Covers a lot of issues I never thought about the RV life style. Living in an RV sound free to roam but obviously there is a learning curve and things to consider! Thanks for posting!
Propane is good for all things generator included it doesn't go bad like gasoline, you can store as much as you want if you got the room the more the better for preping .
Bro I been living full time in mines almost a year this lifestyle you have to do what you have to we have all of the above you stated but we are thankful 🙏
You can setup dual batteries in your engine compartment, that will help with power
I thought of doing so myself, but your starter batteries are not deep cycle so they don't like the demand a camper will put on them. With cold temps your batteries will not have as much power to give, plus you risk draining them and not being able to start your truck or just ruining them completely.
Food for thought although it might not fit in with the lifestyle you want but....for when you are working, look around close by for a driveway that doesn't seem to get used & go talk to who lives there or post an ad on kijiji and find a driveway for use maybe in exchange for mowing the lawn or something to that effect. Even if you don't want to stay there each night but a few nights a week. Just a thought :)
I worked construction for awhile and had to travel with a 5th wheel camper. I found a trailer house park. Paid like 80.00 a month and hooked up City water and electricity. Way cheaper than motel bills.
Get gym membership and use shower
Jang Lee is
I live in a house and we all do that! Lived in this house 12 years and I have yet to shower here (I workout daily).
Err... not best place these days...
SaltyChip why not?
@@christiancoleman5452 virus thingy, those places should be all closed😒
I'm a full-timer and it's nice that you were so honest about the quirky parts of RVing. Happy Travels!
Very unique and honest perspective!
if u lower ur happyjack just touching the ground, it will reduce the rocking motion i believe? and full coverage of solar panel on ur roof will reduce the rain noise as well.
Look into a parabolic dish for the Wi-Fi they dont cost much and you can pick up wifi from a store over a mile away.
I really do enjoy your vids, so honest. Alot of the people I watch it is all rainbows & roses. While yes it is a wonderful life it is nice to see a young man talk about dating and being uncomfortable sometimes. I hope you have an awesome life , take care of yourself and truly enjoy the ride.. Much 💜💛💚💙from North West Georgia
I’d highly recommend an on demand water heater for “unlimited” hot water. If you’re connected to unlimited water, they’re speedy but allows you to have more than a 6 gallon limit
Cool video. in the video you mentioned running your generator and how loud it is. I bought the harborfreight 2k and 3k inverter generators. I don't have a tone of hours on them yet but so fare I love them, and very fuel efficient and quiet. When I run mine you can't hear it while inside the house/camper. They also have propane conversion kits. Only downside is having to store it.
For security, mount a couple of cameras in the rear and front an have it ran to your TV. Closed circuit
Dexter Poole is that really easy to do? May sound stupid, but I love the idea but am not mechanically inclined.
Taylor, IDK if you check comments since you are away from social media etc but you are on my mind a lot, hope you are OK and I decided to watch your videos again, you are missed dude. Be well friend.
Taylor, I’ve watched a number of your videos now and really enjoy them, so I’ve subscribed. I’m not interested in becoming a full-timer, but much of what you discuss is equally applicable to short-timers. Keep up the good work!
Awesome video !!! I just recently purchased a truck camper and gave up renting a apartment. I'm an over the road truck driver being away from home 5 weeks at a time. When I return home in February I'll be living in it full-time , 1-2 weeks at a time.
Never run out of hot water, by using ship shower method, i.e. like on boats. Water on, get wet, water off. Soap up, shampoo, body etc. Water on, rinse off, water off. Use far less water and save on propane too.
That is cool is that your camper you are sitting in at the table and RVs are going up in value because people are losing houses and apartments got to grab something I just bought an 8 8 Ford 24 foot new tires pretty much mint under three grand that's good thanks for the video
Thanks for stating how long the hot water lasts.
My wife would need to cut her time in the shower by 14 minutes.
Navy shower: get wet, turn off water & soap up, rinse. Period. I'm done in 3 minutes.
A good way to passively remove moisture is to buy some damprid. It's basically calcium chloride that sits in a plastic cup and it absorbs moisture and you simply just dump it out. It is perfect for campers boats and basements.
Good idea,dint think about that
I am a full-time RVers= as well, but I live in a Rpod travel trailer! The wide problem is an easy fix, just get a MIFI (hotspot) and use it as wifi. I also got a cellphone booster to get better service boomdocking. staying in the city is very stressful... I always try to stay in a more remote area!
You could get a Mifi (personal WiFi) it uses the cellular network to give you a WiFi access. I know Verizon offers them. It is a personal hotspot.
Also, there are some tips for dry camping to face issues of noise and security. Noise: ear plugs, park on quiet level road, you could have a low voltage radio with soothing music (white noise). Security. Gun, gun, gun.
Also if you get service from a provider like cricket, no contract, pay month to month, and you can add your own hot spot into your service.
Park near a library for wifi. If you need a password, just go in to get one when they are open. Not completely sure about Canada, though I've used wifi in places like Terrace, but in the US libraries often leave the wifi on all night opened or not.
I just bought a truck camper to live in. It should be ready Tuesday.
Using a solar heat collector can warm your r.v. during the dayif needed. They are fairly cheap to diy and can cut winter heating cost efficiently and comfortable.
A suggestion, instead of pepper spray get wasp spray. It sprays 20ft, does the same thing as pepper spray, not as obvious as pepper spray and there is more of it, much cheaper.
Buddy heater with one portable ( or two is better) 5 gallon propane bottle will save a lot on your RV camper propane tanks and is absolutely safe as I have used this method for almost two years now . It is a much cheaper way to heat a camper .
9:33 I was about to ask! You're separated from the truck's cab so in another video you mentioned being robbed or something. That moment you're sleeping and suddenly the engine starts and you're moving! Also as a trucker, I just got the T Mobile plan with a mobile hotspot for in the US. Hell it can even process my Nintendo Switch Online games cuz I'm also a heavy gamer.... Gotta be near a cell tower through!
Great info for beginners,and I have gone camping for years with my family.first in tents then a trailer.but now it's time for me alone in a truck camper.i think I'm ready
Great video & explanation into the lifestyle & cost's.
I highly suggest lifting your bed onto a small wood frame to prevent mold under your bed! It needs the air circulation!
Good tips! Hello from across the water in Port Angeles!
When I travel, I put a can of wasp and hornet spray in the side door panel. Pepper spray doesn't travel very far, but the wasp spray will shoot about 20 feet and if a great deterrent!
Instead of shower , how about hot water sponge or wash cloth scrub , then same with hot rinse scrub down , this will save a lot of water usage .
We RV FT and feel like we are ‘floating’ around at times. Like we don’t have a base so we, at times, don’t feel grounded.
I like that you have a modest truck.
A much better alternative to the tank style water heater, is the on demand/tankless variety. It can take some setting up, but once you get it how you like it, you have hot water as long as you have propane and a water supply. They are cheap and awesome. You'll never go back to a tank water heater.
Very thorough, and very helpful, Taylor. You always tell it like it is...and that is really appreciated. 🙂
I would recommend getting another solar panel or two and purchase a little area heater as this will lower your heating costs when using the propane
Is there a camp ground around that you could live at? My daughter is moving her camper to a camp ground. At least you would have a piece of land every night to go to.
Planning ahead for next year, going full time RV in a truck camper. Your videos are very real and helpful, thank you!
Reach out to your local base and see if anyone has a small space where you could offload the camper while you are working. Electric and water hookups a plus. Must be a spot somewhere you could call home. Maybe a commercial business would offer a spot to have someone on site during the night. Just a thought.
did I really just see a $2 bill??. haha. Great video. thanks for showing
yes 3:59 CANADIAN 2 dollar bill, thats worth more than 2 dollars in my book.
I was really broke once and got gas with some $2 bills and half dollar coins. The cashier didn't know what to do with it, lol.
ahah collectors item!
Tooney
😱 don’t use those! Keep them!
Great perspective. Thanks, keep it going!
Love how real and honest he is!
Ya he is hey lol
Another great video , no BS , no feary tales just the reality , your reality ! keep your smile and your happiness tanks filled up ! take care Taylor |