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s_mestdagh
Trad climber
Between Boulder & Crestone, CO
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Sep 18, 2007 - 10:20am PT
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Klimmer, I've done a fair bit of research into the Pinzgauer / Unimog thing. In a lot of ways these are great, think 4x4 & camp setup. Unfortunately, they are just too slow unless you're retired and have time to drive. Also, you probably want to be a decent mechanic since military vehicles can't be imported until they are 20 or 25 years old. Parts are available but expensive.
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srfnskigrl
climber
Coastal North County SD, CA
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Sep 20, 2007 - 11:46pm PT
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My boyfriend and I have an F150 w/a NorthStar popup camper..we call it glamping..glamour camping..after toughing it out in tents on the ground, then tents in the truck bed. Now we have a dry, windproof (mostly)camper to take on all our trips to Baja. We're going waaay down for 14 days in Oct. We got surf racks, which took a little ingenuity to install, but it will be great!
We put the dirt bike on the rack in the back and we can go to our favorite secret fishing spots, or to way out-of-the-way beaches, the more remote the better.
I would encourage you to go for it! It's great to come out of the cold ocean and be able to take a hot shower (outdoor) without the sunshower bag falling on my head from the top of the truck! And we have a 2 burner stovetop, so we can use the fire, campstove, and camper stove. Of course I'll never give up my Dutch oven. And yes, we have free-standing hammocks.
I forgot, we bought ours on Craig's list! And our truck is 4x4.
Susan, I have to apologize! I just saw the photos of your rig! It's 99% like ours!! I think your's is a little newer, but it's a NorthStar too, isn't it?
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atchafalaya
climber
California
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Nov 19, 2007 - 07:27pm PT
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Susan, thanks for the help on pop-ups. I finally kicked down so I could get down... Its a 4wheel Camper, from 2002. Got a good deal on it used.
happy camper
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pud
climber
Sportbikeville
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Nov 19, 2007 - 08:36pm PT
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The old way.
The new way.
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zip
Trad climber
pacific beach, ca
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Nov 19, 2007 - 08:57pm PT
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sportsmobile.
mine is for sale.
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atchafalaya
climber
California
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Nov 19, 2007 - 09:31pm PT
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sweet vans. Used 4wheel camper for sale.
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Watusi
Social climber
Newport, OR
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Nov 19, 2007 - 10:04pm PT
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Now don't be surprised if you guys see me rollin' up in this rig...
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susan peplow
climber
www.joshuatreevacationhomes.com
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Topic Author's Reply - Nov 27, 2007 - 12:17pm PT
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My friend and I were just talking about the Fourwheel brand a few days ago. Chris & I were comparing our two models (he runs a Sun-lite & we have the Skamper) Both of our pop ups have the under the bed storage.
I don't think that the Fourwheel models have that. Under bed storage is something not to skip - it provides tons of space for food, gear, clothes, towels, mystery items......
My rig is still less than 1000 pounds dry and has the 3-way fridge, 3 burner stove, water tank, water pump, super duty marine battery, pull out bed, full size bed (w/storage) and a lot more. PLUS our Skamper was built in like 1987 - surely anything newer would be less weight.
Just my opinion but I'd take the extra 100 pounds to have the storage.
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atchafalaya
climber
California
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Nov 27, 2007 - 12:26pm PT
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four wheels under bed storage is under the fold out couch, and not under the queen slide out. Lots of space there, but that is also where the aux battery is. Fourwheel campers weigh approx. 700 lbs dry.
For me, it came down not so much to brand but the deal I could find. I got a great deal on a used one with all the extras.
The key to my deal was through fourwheel in Woodland. Stan Kennedy, who works there, set me up with someone who wanted to upgrade to a six-pac camper. He gets calls and emails from people wanting to sell theirs and will give you their contact info. I bought mine from Yosemite's wilderness manager for 35 years.
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susan peplow
climber
www.joshuatreevacationhomes.com
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Topic Author's Reply - Nov 27, 2007 - 01:34pm PT
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Under the twin bed/couch storage is cool too and gives you access to the stuff hidden by the wheel wells.
I've heard FourWheel makes a great product. For us, it was finding one at the right price with a pick up close to home. We LOVE our Skamper and wouldn't dream of going back to The Ritual™
~Susan
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susan peplow
climber
www.joshuatreevacationhomes.com
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Topic Author's Reply - Nov 27, 2007 - 05:03pm PT
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I haven't looked at a ton of different models but best I can tell, they are built a little, how should I say it, light?
I wouldn't be surprised to see thin wood, bad staples, weird buckling, etc. I'm sure if you've got $10K to drop on a new one you might have some better luck.
If you're poor and looking for something reasonably priced, close for pick up, and the correct size for your rig you may not have as many options and might end up with some that's been "broken in".
New or used, I'm sure you won't be disappointed. They rock!
Here's a little something in SoCal that's for sale now. Not a bad price if you have a full size truck - a little heavy but it's a bigger unit.
http://sandiego.craigslist.org/rvs/490329549.html
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lamadera
Trad climber
New Mexico
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Nov 27, 2007 - 06:48pm PT
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That's the same camper we own. Bought it new 7 years ago, no problems and it's seen a lot of use. Northstars are likely better built, but you will pay more. The main thing I would watch for in a used one is wood rot from water leaks.
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Standing Strong
Trad climber
the only coast
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Nov 27, 2007 - 09:06pm PT
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i just like the northstar bcuz it's called northstar
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
sorry, just posting out loud.
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girlfriends like toilets
NTTAWWT
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happiegrrrl
Trad climber
New York, NY
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Locker - Congratulations! I know you wanted one of those for as long as I've known you. Post pics, and details!
re: toilet - Aren't they a PIA? Don't you have to find a place to pump them out? And carry the sludgy mess in the interim? I mean, I know it's contained, but I still think the pot is the number one first unnecessary item.
When I was a kid, my dad made a camper for our family from scratch. I wish I had pictures.... We were a family on TEN and the thing slept eight. My two older brothers slept out in a small tent, but one time it was pouring rain, and they slept on the camper floor. There was NO space to walk around them, but - they fit!
The camper truck was an old rig from the early 1950's with the back part removed. It was a BIIIG truck. Not a semitruck size, but one or two steps down from that. Like used for delivering heavy machines or something.
The camper had a fullsize bed above the cab, with storage space in the headboard compartment. A stove, fridge and sink. Cabinets above and below on that side. On the other side, an l-shaped couch/bed and removable dining table that could seat 4. Storage under that whole thing.
The cabinets were all handmade by my dad, probably of plywood, but with a cherry stained finish.
And then - a full height closet, a bathroom with a sink, storage and a hi-tek waste system called the "Destroylet." That was the trade name. It used some sort of chemical to hold the pooh/pee. We had to use "only a few squares" of TP or so we were told, or else the thing would have to work too hard.
On the side opposite the closet/bathroom, was three single bunks, with storage space under the bottom one. The back of the camper stepped down about halfway through where the bunks were, and that was the level the bathroom was on and the storage under the bunks.
The beds were foam pad and my mom made sheet sets and blankets for them, since the size was custom. She also made the curtains for the windows and the coverings for the couch pad and backrest.
My dad had a propane business, and the truck was converted to run on propane(or you could use the original fuel, gas or diesel, can't recall. I was only 9 years old.) So, my dad didn't want to pay retail for propane, so when we went on vacation, he pulled a trailer the size of Nature's one, with a great big propane tank inside it.
We went from Wisconsin to New York for vacation, and everywhere we stopped, people wanted to check out the behemoth camper. It was actually really well made, and looked just like the ones you buy - only about twice as big. Clifford, the Big White Camper....
It overheated when we were about 2 miles out.... But other than that, it did pretty well. I guess it was a beast on the road though, very heavy and cumbersome. Going up hills was an issue.
And we took it on some shorter trips, but then it pretty much sat in out driveway and became a party spot for us kids as we got older. Eventually, they hauled it out to someone's land that bordered the Eldorado Marsh and it was used for a hunting camp for many years. No doubt, it is still there, in some state of decay.
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Holdplease2
Big Wall climber
Yosemite area
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Ahhhahah! Terrie - The "Destroylet" is the best brand name ever! Sounds like your family shared an awesome vehicle.
-Kate.
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susan peplow
climber
www.joshuatreevacationhomes.com
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Topic Author's Reply - Jan 16, 2008 - 05:05pm PT
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Public Service Announcement, I've got no connection to this sale but... while poking around looking for a buddy today I came across this little beauty located in SoCal.
Nice unit - good price.
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/rvs/539356392.html
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Doubledare
Mountain climber
Washington State
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Dec 20, 2008 - 06:17pm PT
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I put a 1995 Northern Lite 6'10" fiberglass 1000lb camper on my 2004 Tacoma. I'd post a photo if someone will tell me how to do it on this forum. Just got it used- in practically new shape, made in Canada- you could probably get a used one up in or around BC.Been camping in the ARE shell for over 12 years- this is cush.
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Sir loin of leisure...
Trad climber
X
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Dec 20, 2008 - 06:19pm PT
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why not just stay home..if you need all that crap?
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Doubledare
Mountain climber
Washington State
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Dec 20, 2008 - 06:21pm PT
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for those cold nights in Jasper- otherwise we are still in the shell.
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