32 replies to this topic

[longhorn1]

Great job.  Love to see interior pictures.  Also I was wondering about your rear doors.  Is your tailgate still on?  Is the rear underside open, and what is the bar that is around the back?

[davesteve]

Fantastic job from start to finish. What did you end up with for a final weight?

Thanks.

 

2012 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD with E load rated tires.
GVWR:9500
GAWR front:5200
GAWR rear:6200
Cargo Max (includes occupants):2909

When I had the EMPTY truck weighed:
GAW front:4180
GAW rear:3040
GVW:7220

And then with truck LOADED with camper, gear, people, dog, etc:
GAW front:4000
GAW rear:4860
GVW:8860

Leaving the weight of the fully loaded camper:
1640

I do not have a weight for the empty camper alone. I would guess several hundred pounds of gear, leaving the weight of the empty camper to be around 1000 pounds.
The computer on the truck gave an MPG rating of between 10 and 11 for the approx. 4000 mile trip. The gas prices were between $2.04 (in Michigan)and $2.89 (in remote part of Colorado). Probably an average of $2.40, I would guess. __________________

Edited by davesteve, 23 October 2015 - 04:49 PM.

[davesteve]

Great job.  Love to see interior pictures.  Also I was wondering about your rear doors.  Is your tailgate still on?  Is the rear underside open, and what is the bar that is around the back?

Thanks. The interior is very basic right now. I wanted to take a trip, see how it worked and now I think I can finish the inside with the things we need.

Tailgate is still on. I had a problem with the camper moving and the tailgate got jambed a little sometimes. Had to winch it backward on the trip. If it moves 1/2 an inch, it's a problem, so I need a solution to that.

I did not like the way I did the back doors and plan to rebuild the back section, possibly with one big door instead of two????. Not sure yet. I will probably work on it in the Spring.

 

Everything else worked well. I especially liked the solar power system. The panels seem to work well, even in partial shade. Did not have to hook up to any electrical the whole trip. I will need another battery (only have the one extra battery in the truck right now) if I start adding power devices.

 

Having an on board air compressor was useful, especially when tire pressure has to be reduced and refilled on the sandy roads or beaches.