Extra storage, How to create more storage space
Extra storage, How to create more storage space
homeless |
Jun 28 2009, 09:47 AM
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#1
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Group: Members Posts: 1 Joined: 28-June 09 Member No.: 3,191 Favorite Truck Camper(s): Arctic Fox Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: 2500 HD extended cab short box 4x4 Chevy Silverado Type of Tiedowns used: torklift Truck and Camper Setup: air bags, happijac tiedowns, rancho shocks, titan 43 gal fuel tank |
Getting ready for our first trip on 811 Arctic Fox with slide - 4 weeks, 6,500 miles - and we need more storage! We are thinking about a storage box on the top, the front or rear. Rear is a problem because we have a rear entrance. What have you long-termers found -- that works best. thanks (I've already tried "Don't take that!")
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Dirt Sailor |
Jun 29 2009, 06:45 AM
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#2
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Group: Members Posts: 7 Joined: 2-October 08 From: San Diego, CA Member No.: 2,973 Favorite Truck Camper(s): Lance Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: Chevy 3500 dualy 4x4 ext. cab Type of Tiedowns used: Happijac Truck and Camper Setup: Chevy 3500 and a Lance LC 980. |
I'm not a full-timer, but I feel your storage issues. IMO, that is the biggest draw-back to truck campers. I have a storage box on the roof that I use for relatively light items that I don't need often, or come out and stay out while I am at a campground.
If you put something on the front, make sure there is a clear path to your radiator! I made that mistake last winter. After you set your gear up, walk a couple of feet away and look at your truck. If you can't see at least 75% of your grill, then don't do it. You will have overheating problems. I have a rear access camper too, I know what a pain it is to use a carrier on the back. If I'm not hauling a trailer, I put my carrier on the rear hitch and that's where I carry my generator & fuel. It is a pain because if we need to get into the camper on the road, I have to unstrap the generator and roll it to one side. I've seen a lot of people with small enclosed cargo trailers like the kind you can get at Lowes. Don't know what your budget is, but that might be an option to look into. Here are some examples, the prices tend to go up from there: Example 1 Example 2 -------------------- Steve
Pacific Beach, CA 1990 Chevy 3500 1990 Lance LC980 |
LindaH |
Jun 29 2009, 02:52 PM
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#3
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Group: Members Posts: 57 Joined: 25-January 08 Member No.: 2,829 Favorite Truck Camper(s): Eagle Cap Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: 2007 Dodge Ram 3500 Dually (Cummins engine) Type of Tiedowns used: Torklift w/Fastguns Truck and Camper Setup: Eagle Cap 950, 2 100-watt solar panels, 2 6-volt AGM batteries, 1000-watt pure sine wave inverter, Motosat Executive satellite TV dish, Torklift 5-step Glow Steps. |
QUOTE(homeless @ Jun 28 2009, 08:47 AM) We are thinking about a storage box on the top, the front or rear. Rear is a problem because we have a rear entrance. There are swing-away boxes that might fit the bill for you. http://www.stowaway2.com/product.aspx?id=79 However, no matter what you use, be cognizant of the additional weight. In fact, before adding any kind of storage box, you might want to take your loaded rig down to the local scales and get it weighed. You might reconsider some of the stuff you're taking! |
John Sardaro |
Jul 1 2009, 08:27 AM
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#4
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Group: Members Posts: 7 Joined: 7-June 09 Member No.: 3,164 Favorite Truck Camper(s): artic fox or lance Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: Ford F350 4x4 SRW Extended cab Type of Tiedowns used: ? tiedowns are bolted to truck frame Truck and Camper Setup: F350, air springs, frame mounted tie downs, Lance mod. 1150 |
QUOTE(LindaH @ Jun 29 2009, 07:52 PM) There are swing-away boxes that might fit the bill for you. http://www.stowaway2.com/product.aspx?id=79 However, no matter what you use, be cognizant of the additional weight. In fact, before adding any kind of storage box, you might want to take your loaded rig down to the local scales and get it weighed. You might reconsider some of the stuff you're taking! We generally stop to shop every three to five days, do laundry etc. This allows us to pack lighter, using less of our storage for every day items. Buy the smaller size products, as opposed to the giant economy size. We have been using truck campers since 1970, and go to great lengths to make do with the storage we have. Adding storage, changes your weight center and could possibly put an over weight on an axle, if not put you over the trucks capacity (GVW). In my mind , if you can't make do with the storage you have, you need a unit that is configured different, or a larger unit. |
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