5 replies to this topic

[mrkevinc]

Greetings - long time lurker first time poster. Thanks to this group for all of the great insight - I've leveraged this board heavily in researching, building (dolly) and updating my (new to me) 2010 Eagle. 

I have a question about the viability of camping in the shell (off truck). Scenario would be spending a week in one spot and not wanting to clean up / raise / lower / pack the Eagle for a daily run around. Any tips on using the shell off the camper for a period of days? I'm assuming the jacks should be lowered for stability - or if this is just a bad idea I'd like to hear it! Thanks!

[MarkBC]

They say that the floor is not built to be used unsupported. So you might need to figure out some way to support it - some way that's portable. Sawhorses, maybe?

[knoxswift]

I'm an Eagle owner and confirm the floor must be supported.
My solution has been to tow a motorcycle with me and use that as a vehicle during long term stops.

Edited by knoxswift, 13 October 2020 - 03:27 AM.

[larryqp]

I wonder if the time it would take to remove, support the floor, then reload the camper , store the floor supports and travel is any less the the total time it would take to close up the Eagle each day for a week. I have two style "camps", a "travel camp" and a "long term camp". In travel mode I set out minimal stuff and if I driving the next morning I put as much away as possible after dinner. In the morning I have a simple breakfast, usually coffee, oatmeal and a protein drink, boiling water on the inside stove. After breakfast I drop the top onto the bed with all the blankets, quilt etc in place. I can usually be on the road in a hour. If I am staying in one place for a while I set up the pop up port-a-toilet shelter, maybe a screen house, table & chairs, outdoor stove and settled in. 

 

This also works if I driving to a fishing spot each day, I simply keep the amount of stuff I need to put away inside the camper to a minimum. 

 

I think if you develop a system and routine, you will find that it really doesn't take long to get in driving mode in the morning. Also, I like having the camper with me for lunch while fishing and a cold beer after fishing. Or sometimes a nap.

 

Let us know if you figure out a way to support the floor and how long it takes you to dismount and remount the camper in the boonies.

[mrkevinc]

Thanks all! Based on the above...the shell will be staying on and I'll workout a system/organization to keep that simple. Appreciate the insight and the tips! 

[camper rich]

I have only removed the camper (Grandby) once while I was in Baja.  I made floor supports out of a sheet of 3/4" plywood which I cut into four 2 foot x 4 foot pieces and made a slot into the center of each so they could be slid together to make two X supports to lower the camper on to.  It all worked well, I was able to store the support pieces under the floor of the camper in the frame I made of 2 x 4's to lift the camper slightly off the bed to get clearance for a box I made to mount under the overhang.  

 

The downside was remounting the camper on the truck while on the beach sand.  Not the same as in the driveway.