9 replies to this topic

[Argonaut20]

Time to take the Bobcat out for a trial run. We wanted to see how it would work and how the dog would adapt. Would the dinette work out the way we wanted? Would the refrigerator be a PITA to light? How would the air bags do on mountain roads? Will the Dow Jones go up?

Top deployed, dog on leash ready for great out of doors. No jacks.

Obligatory single shot of just the camper lookin' good.

Dinette in use with dog inside camper.

I know there are no huge boulders that show I have 4 wheeled to this spot, and in fact this is a parking area in a National Forest Campground in the Gila National Forest. Be that as it may, the trip was successful. The dog learned how to climb up the steps and get into the camper. 80 pounds of dog is more than I want to lift, so this means he can go with us when we camp. Success #1.

The refrigerator worked wonderfully well. Good to chill down on 120V at home, good to stay chilled on 12V when in motion, easy to light when parked and on propane. I've always had good luck with Dometic and this one is no different. Success #2.

I used Air Lift bags as I have used them before and had no trouble with them. Here, they stiffened up the rear suspension, leveled out the rig, and did well in general. Success #3

Last, but certainly not least, the dinette. We feel like it does everything we wanted, and does it well. The table is large enough for meals, solitaire, laptop, whatever. We could move around even with the dog inside and he could lie down without being in the way too much. Face it, the Bobcat is a small camper so floor space is at a premium. A smaller dog would help, but this is what we got. Success #4

Thanks to Marty and Jeff and the crew. It's lookin' good.

[Mark W. Ingalls]

Success #6: That is one deliriously happy pooch! Way to go, Argo's!

[pods8]

The refrigerator worked wonderfully well. Good to chill down on 120V at home, good to stay chilled on 12V when in motion, easy to light when parked and on propane. I've always had good luck with Dometic and this one is no different. Success #2.

Take a look at the atwood pilot light relighter mod if you haven't yet, lets you run on propane the whole time and not have to mess with 12V.

[marc]

Nice looking Camper, Women and Healer. Doesn't get much better. Congrats.

marc

[Kodachrome]

Nice Argo, I like seeing these mounted on my model truck.
I have been getting my goodies for the Bobcat, solar shower, two Yakima Basketcase nets, 4 stowmates, 11 days until I pick up my Bobcat...

[Argonaut20]

Kodachrome: Yes, it is great to see what a Bobcat looks like on 'your' truck. Alex Wey did quite a bit on Expedition Portal that really got me to thinking seriously about putting a camper on the Tacoma.
http://www.expeditio...read.php?t=3615
I have been pleased with the Tacoma's performance with the camper. Power, mileage, and handling have all been good. You will like working with Marty and the crew and will be getting a solid camper that will stay with you on your project.

Marc and Mark, the heeler is one of our rescue dogs that is my wife's current project. He has been an indoor dog, never traveled much before now, and an abused dog before we got him. We think he will make a good traveler and camper with a little experience under his collar. He is getting over being very nervous in the great outdoors, but it will take time.

Pods8, I have been thinking about that Atwood lighter but waiting until I could see if I had a problem keeping it lit while under weigh. I've generally had good luck with running on propane in my Argosy and Airstreams, but I wanted to see if 12V would work on a warm day (which we have plenty of in southern New Mexico). Playing with the new camper, I guess.

[Kodachrome]

Argo, did you put the air bags on before the camper install? And if so, was the back end really jacked up a lot before you added the weight?

The reason I ask is that I added the Ride Rites on last week, and even with just 5 psi in them, the rear is now 1.5" inches higher than the front. I put my shell back on, travel kit and even a 60 lb bag of portable photographic lighting in the back and it is still high. I could add preload onto my front shocks as they have plenty of adjustment and are fairly low right now, but it is kind of a pain and I want to see how the camper affects the rear height.

I am just afraid the ride to Reno is going to be really out of whack with no weight or even a tailgate in the back. There will also be times when I take the camper off to do "delivery-truck" related duties, so I suppose I should set the front shocks for that now...maybe I am over thinking this...

[Argonaut20]

Argo, did you put the air bags on before the camper install? And if so, was the back end really jacked up a lot before you added the weight?

The reason I ask is that I added the Ride Rites on last week, and even with just 5 psi in them, the rear is now 1.5" inches higher than the front.

I put the bags on after the camper was on and after a 1500 mile trip home with it on. The rear was about 2" lower but I had about 1.5" to 2" bumpstop travel left and had no bottoming even with the whoop de doo's common on the freeways. From experience with a previous Tacoma that I added air bags to, they do sit a bit higher even with 5psi in the bags and no load. I think you will find the ride without the camper stiffer, but not too bad for a pickup truck. I don't think I'd mess with the front until I saw what the camper does. You may not need to do much, if anything. I found my truck rode a little lower overall leveled with the camper and bags, but nothing I am going to worry about. I should add that the camper was empty on the trip home. No water, propane, or camp gear, just some luggage that may have added 50#.

[Kodachrome]

Those are kind of my thoughts on it all too, a wait and see approach. I am going to load mine up with water and propane and do a 3-4 day shakedown cruise right away. I am also stopping at a buddy's place to fab a wind fairing as well if I feel it needs it, I already have a few designs in mind.

[pods8]

Pods8, I have been thinking about that Atwood lighter but waiting until I could see if I had a problem keeping it lit while under weigh. I've generally had good luck with running on propane in my Argosy and Airstreams, but I wanted to see if 12V would work on a warm day (which we have plenty of in southern New Mexico). Playing with the new camper, I guess.

Right on just wanted to make sure you were aware its out there. I'm glad pvstoy pointed it out because I sure like just running propane only. I had the camper at some friends bbq/party over the 4th and in 100deg heat (probably par for your turf) the fridge was running at 26F on high which made for some refreshing brews coming out of it.