Ski RV's, who's sleeping in parking lots?

[Hopeless Sinner]

A bed, bathroom, and fridge are the three must haves in a camper.

For me it's a bed, and Li battery bank. Bathroom, water supply, cooking, heating, fridge/freezer, can all be portable devices added as needed for the situation.

[beaterdit]

That's exactly what I did with my old truck camper.....but I left a shit bucket in there, because where do you shit when you're "sleeping in a parking lot" after your morning coffee?

We've been making due with a slightly upfitted groover setup and it works fine, just a different shaped shit bucket. I had designs on a dry toilet setup but the Lady's adamantly opposed to anything fancier. I guess it's a win.

[subtle plague]

A bed, bathroom, and fridge are the three must haves in a camper.

Yeah. I cherished the shower after 3 days of skiing.

[Trackhead]

but the Lady's adamantly opposed to anything fancier. I guess it's a win.

Ha! my wife is A-OK with the cheap bucket method, too. I guess I'm the softy, and want the dry flush just for convenience. I'm old, soft, and admit my pathetic weakness and desire for comfort and convenience.

How's the van build going?

[Snow Dog]

For me it's a bed, and Li battery bank. Bathroom, water supply, cooking, heating, fridge/freezer, can all be portable devices added as needed for the situation.

I installed two 6V GC2 batteries and get 7-10 days of independence. I stopped bringing my generator. Bringing water from home means I don't have to deal with boil water advisories and other issues.

[Hopeless Sinner]

I installed two 6V GC2 batteries and get 7-10 days of independence. I stopped bringing my generator. Bringing water from home means I don't have to deal with boil water advisories and other issues.

I'm going to be a heavy elec user so therefore the Li, ymmv. I'm also adding a basic 21 gal water tank which I think is going to be easier overall vs 5 gallon jugs.

[frorider]

Yeah. I cherished the shower after 3 days of skiing.

I’ve never had great luck with extensive indoor plumbing and extended winter use. Gets old having to keep the interior heater on 24 hr/day. But if I built a Total Composites rig from scratch & did all the engineering, I would consider an efficient electric heat system to keep the supply lines and drains ice free.

[m2711c]

I'm going to be a heavy elec user so therefore the Li, ymmv. I'm also adding a basic 21 gal water tank which I think is going to be easier overall vs 5 gallon jugs.

just make sure you got a clean out port on that tank... water gets real nasty real quick.


fact.

[Hopeless Sinner]

just make sure you got a clean out port on that tank... water gets real nasty real quick.


fact.

Absolutely.

[riff]

Lance 805 is what you seek. Stopped production in 2008ish. No bathroom, 1350lbs dry. I love mine. Lance is re releasing the 805 this year.


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Thank you! I’m on the hunt now….


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[subtle plague]

I’ve never had great luck with extensive indoor plumbing and extended winter use. Gets old having to keep the interior heater on 24 hr/day. But if I built a Total Composites rig from scratch & did all the engineering, I would consider an efficient electric heat system to keep the supply lines and drains ice free.

Two small kids means the heating is on a lot. And while they're/ we're out on the hill I keep the interior at 10 degrees ( communist grades). And the propane use ist a little more than a bottle ( 11 communist liters) for a week. My setup has a level below the floor for storage and where the hot air tubes partly run, so the pump and water plumbing are far from any exterior walls or real floor. Bonus: the floor is much warmer than in other Setups.

Granted, it has never gone below minus 5. If the temps go to minus 10 or below I won't take water.

Edit: drains, just let it flow freely. I never shut the greywater in winter [emoji6]

[DanoT]

Two small kids means the heating is on a lot. And while they're/ we're out on the hill I keep the interior at 10 degrees ( communist grades). And the propane use ist a little more than a bottle ( 11 communist liters) for a week. My setup has a level below the floor for storage and where the hot air tubes partly run, so the pump and water plumbing are far from any exterior walls or real floor. Bonus: the floor is much warmer than in other Setups.

Granted, it has never gone below minus 5. If the temps go to minus 10 or below I won't take water.

Edit: drains, just let it flow freely. I never shut the greywater in winter [emoji6]

^^^ Reports temps in Celsius=must be from Canada.
Never been colder than minus 5=must be in coastal British Columbia.
Leaves grey water drain open in winter=more evidence of RVing where winters are mild and/or only goes for short weekend trips. Leaving the drain open in real winter conditions is asking for a blocked frozen drain.

[subtle plague]

^^^ Reports temps in Celsius=must be from Canada.
Never been colder than minus 5=must be in coastal British Columbia.
Leaves grey water drain open in winter=more evidence of RVing where winters are mild and/or only goes for short weekend trips. Leaving the drain open in real winter conditions is asking for a blocked frozen drain.

Europe my American Friend. And the never was meant for last week.

When it gets cold I leave the water at home and go to the public swimming Pools or, more expensive, the hot baths.
It's become really rare that gets below minus 10 in the low valleys. Thanks to Climate change.

[cat in january]

Thank you! I’m on the hunt now….


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Cirrus 620 is one to look for too

[Trackhead]

A great summary of campers that might fit on 1/2 ton. Ranging from $14000 and up…..
https://www.truckcamperadventure.com...truck%20camper.

[Name Redacted]

Why is it so hard to find an 8’ foot truck camper without a bathroom? Does everyone want something hanging out the back to make trailer towing really problematic?
I just want an 8’ camper to fit my 8’ truck, with heat, decent windows and a cookstove. Who makes(or made) something like this?

Cool thing I like about the Scouts is that everything is modular and removable. Water, fridge, battery bank, stove, etc. Makes dry camping a lot easier in winter. You can also buy the base shell model for pretty cheap (~$23k new) and add your own stuff, which we could have done but of course didn't because I'm married. Same with the ATerra ($20K)

If you are ok with a pop up, there are starting to be more and more FWCs back on the used market for decent prices. That's probably what I would have done but the wife wanted hard sided, and I do like that for winter. Used Scouts are out there too, but the first few years had leak issues so look for that, it is fixable though.

We just use wag bags and a luggable loo for the potty. We have an outdoor shower/bathroom stall setup for summer.

Shower- we buy "Shower Pouches" or Wilderness wipes, or just heat up some water on the stove and use a rag to wipe down. I've become pretty accustomed to just being dirty and stinky while camping though as I'm new to having conveniences like shower and such. Like I said though, we do have an outdoor shower now. It is a "Joolca" water heater and AluCab shower stall.

[apex dave]

^^^ Reports temps in Celsius=must be from Canada.
Never been colder than minus 5=must be in coastal British Columbia.
Leaves grey water drain open in winter=more evidence of RVing where winters are mild and/or only goes for short weekend trips. Leaving the drain open in real winter conditions is asking for a blocked frozen drain.

We have one of these units in a 24 footer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vttAv4b-24U
-25C with no problem. Too bad they don't make them any more but occasionally pop up on the used market.

[jackattack]

Why is it so hard to find an 8’ foot truck camper without a bathroom? Does everyone want something hanging out the back to make trailer towing really problematic?
I just want an 8’ camper to fit my 8’ truck, with heat, decent windows and a cookstove. Who makes(or made) something like this?


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you gotta pay to play

[riff]

I’ve had a FWC as well; mainly like a number of folks on here I’m compelled by my SO to entertain spending tens of thousands on this. The scouts do look good and I’d buy one if that much cash made sense to me. but I’m just struggling to drop 20k + on a depreciating toy that will get used a few weeks a year; I’d be perfectly happy with a older 8’ simple specimen. The situation will hopefully resolve soon….


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[Whiteroom_Guardian]

If I were a bachelor again and could justify it easier the 20k+ for a base Scout would be my answer for sure.

[Trackhead]

You can build one for about 5-6k if that’s in your realm…..wood/foam construction is bomber, cheap, easy.

[beaterdit]

Ha! my wife is A-OK with the cheap bucket method, too. I guess I'm the softy, and want the dry flush just for convenience. I'm old, soft, and admit my pathetic weakness and desire for comfort and convenience.

How's the van build going?

I generally agree with all those sentiments but don't have as good an excuse as you, haha. Man, the build is going slow. Much analysis paralysis including already selling off some components before installation in favor of new, better stuff. Not having a garage space that fits it is def cramping my style. Additionally, I feel like I need to quit work to get it done, it could be a full time job. Will def post up here when I've made more significant progress.

Until then though, it's been great as a bike hauler and shoulder season metal tent with cold beers in the fridge. So far the induction cook top seems like a winner.

[eldereldo]

Why is it so hard to find an 8’ foot truck camper without a bathroom? Does everyone want something hanging out the back to make trailer towing really problematic?
I just want an 8’ camper to fit my 8’ truck, with heat, decent windows and a cookstove. Who makes(or made) something like this?


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One of these.
https://www.kijiji.ca/v-travel-trail...per/1679347577.

https://www.kijiji.ca/v-travel-trail...per/1662602977

reasonably easy to find in Western Canada, not so sure on other areas. Does have a bathroom, but meets your length requirements and is pretty light for the size. Also these thing usually have heated tank areas.

[frorider]

Yup there’s a reason Bigfoots are mentioned so often in this thread.

[jackattack]

One of these.
https://www.kijiji.ca/v-travel-trail...per/1679347577.

https://www.kijiji.ca/v-travel-trail...per/1662602977

reasonably easy to find in Western Canada, not so sure on other areas. Does have a bathroom, but meets your length requirements and is pretty light for the size. Also these thing usually have heated tank areas.

I had a 1993 c8 I sold in the fall for $8k. These are sweet campers but they’re impossible to title in the US. Since Bigfoot went out of business in the 2008 all of the origination records went with it and the current company can’t provide anything that a State DOL will accept to issue title. I had a notarized Bill of sale and import documents. Not a big deal as long as you don’t get pulled over and don’t make any insurance claims.