JTdiRtyD ever changing build, trip reports, and BS thread

[RudeJeepin]

Yeah aluminum for the panels went up almost $400 in the past 6 months since I last had some made. I'd really like to make the frame out of extruded aluminum so it's adjustable, but the cost is insane.

Really what I need to do is get a pop-up RTT setup like a GoFast or Lonepeak and then figure out how to store my truck when not being used. That's the end goal, that way you have some space to fairly comfortably escape the elements without having to hide away in your tent.

I really like the Super Pacific. It doesn't hurt their about 1.5hrs from me. I haven't really looked at any lately.
I daily mine, so a cabover wouldn't be ideal.
Currently, we camp out of a semi converted enclosed trailer. A bed cap based camp setup would be more for impromptu stays. Or just one nighters as we travel. Or maybe if I took my motorcycle somewhere by myself or with my boys.

I like the idea of the Unplug Camper or the similar one you posted about. Only down fall, is no pass through. But again, for me it wouldn't be our main camping setup. I've seen several canopies, campers come and go. Or posy teasers and then come to market. Like the Mopar one with the removable top section that a RTT could be added to making it pass through all in one.

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[JTdiRtyD]

I really like the Super Pacific. It doesn't hurt their about 1.5hrs from me. I haven't really looked at any lately.
I daily mine, so a cabover wouldn't be ideal.
Currently, we camp out of a semi converted enclosed trailer. A bed cap based camp setup would be more for impromptu stays. Or just one nighters as we travel. Or maybe if I took my motorcycle somewhere by myself or with my boys.

I like the idea of the Unplug Camper or the similar one you posted about. Only down fall, is no pass through. But again, for me it wouldn't be our main camping setup. I've seen several canopies, campers come and go. Or posy teasers and then come to market. Like the Mopar one with the removable top section that a RTT could be added to making it pass through all in one.

I'm actually glad I didn't go with anything from UnPlug Outdoor Co. I think they're going out of business. Their website has almost nothing on it, and what is there is at crazy reduced pricing. I've found some reddit and bookface posts from folks that paid a deposit for things and now they can't get a response from the company. Sounds like a 4x4Colorado situation all over again.

I did find another option that I really like, but it appears to be someone that just bought a bunch of these from a supplier and is trying to resell them. No website, no actual company under the name, short responses when I message them. Not taking a $6k chance. It's unfortunate because it would be perfect for what I need right now. I posted about them here; https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...y-tent-anyone-seen-this-design-before.108202/

I am thinking about maybe seeing if I can build similar and reuse my TopOak tent fabric. I need to open up my tent and see how it's attached to the case.

 

[RudeJeepin]

I'm actually glad I didn't go with anything from UnPlug Outdoor Co. I think they're going out of business. Their website has almost nothing on it, and what is there is at crazy reduced pricing. I've found some reddit and bookface posts from folks that paid a deposit for things and now they can't get a response from the company. Sounds like a 4x4Colorado situation all over again.

I did find another option that I really like, but it appears to be someone that just bought a bunch of these from a supplier and is trying to resell them. No website, no actual company under the name, short responses when I message them. Not taking a $6k chance. It's unfortunate because it would be perfect for what I need right now. I posted about them here; https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...y-tent-anyone-seen-this-design-before.108202/

I am thinking about maybe seeing if I can build similar and reuse my TopOak tent fabric. I need to open up my tent and see how it's attached to the case.

I'm pretty skilled with my hands, but don't have access to the big tools that would help anymore. I changed jobs several years ago, and I lost the use of a metal shear and break. The Unplug or Campone style would be above my pay grade currently.

I could probably manage a basic cap and then get something like this...

That would work pretty slick for the limited use it would get. I've even seen them with attached awnings.

There are so many options out there. I just have a and time spending that kinda scratch for something I know I won't use much.

 

[JTdiRtyD]

You regulars here might already know this, but BIG UPDATES:

The Rebel half rack and Topoak tent have officially come off and were replaced with the Campone Unilift Combo. Very excited about this, as it allows me to fit in the garage! I haven'ttaken much for photos yet, but I have my initial impressions video uploaded.

I also finally got around to rebuilding the drawers. With this new camper shell the drawers will likely just be temporary until I decide on how I want to build out the back end since this tent is a pass through design. I'd like to be able to escape to inside the bed/tent during inclement weather.

Hopefully finishing these up tonight.

I also picked up the ROG camper from the dealership after it being there for two months to get some water leaks fixed. I forget if I posted about it here, but all three doors don't close up or seal up correctly, so I had brought it in to get fixed under warranty. Well... nothing was really resolved. Got it home, the next day it rained and I found the doors were still leaking, actually worse than before. When I had pointed out to the service tech at the dealership how the doors didn't close correctly, he tried to tell me they were fine, and then tried to tell me he couldn't get them to leak even after taking a pressure washer to it. I was able to get them to leak with just a garden hose on shower mode raining down from above. I posted some photos and videos on a facebook group that's for Encore trailers, and the owner of Encore replied and stated the doors are clearly not operating correctly and to reach out to warranty support, so that's what I plan to do.

I had the fridge in the trailer fixed. Theres a plate that is screwed to the floor that holds the fridge in place, and the screws started pulling out of the floor. I'm finding this trailer was assembled poorly with over torqued self tapping screws into a honeycomb type composite material, so everything is stripped and just barely holding on. This same issue is known to happen with the mounts for the furnace, and when it happens the exhaust pulls away from the port in the wall and pumps CO2 into the cabin. Everything is hidden in the front, so you won't know it until you run the heater and *hopefully* your CO2 alarm goes off. I'll be ripping into that myself and properly securing the heater.

I also had to fix the hitch. It was installed half-assed with too large of holes drilled in the frame for the hardware that's used to bolt the hitch on. The holes were about 3/4" diameter, the bolts were 1/2", so the hitch would move up and down while on the highway and oblonged the holes. I had a friend extend and raise the tongue, and we welded in 1/2" thick collared sleeves that are the correct diameter for the hardware.

As you can see in the first photo here, the hitch is angled upwards.

Raised, extended, and fixed.

I'm also pretty sure all the exterior lights and mount points for the roof rack are leaking into the walls of the trailer. Someone had suggested to check one of the lights on the rear because they had a bad leak at theirs, and sure enough the "seal" was waterlogged and water was getting past it. All the seals are a foam compression seal, but not a rubber or silicone type foam, so it doesn't take long before water soaks all the way through them.

I've also has to fix wiring because connectors just fall off the wires. Everything is crimped, and nothing was crimped properly.

Even thought Encore should be resolving everything, at this point I can not recommend these trailers. We bought it brand new in November, used it ONCE on a 4 day trip, and already had to bring it in. I've already fixed quite a few things on my own. I'm hoping once I get these last few things addressed that it's a good trailer, but if I have any more issues with it I'll be talking with Encore about either a buy back (not sure if thats an option with campers) or I'll be selling it.

 

[RudeJeepin]

@JTdiRtyD that sucks about the trailer. Hopefully get it all sorted out. I know alot of people that think trailers are supposed to be a constant battle. Our last trailer was pretty solid, just a couple minor things. Shower valve leaked, but only when the hot water was on. Slight snugging of the hot water line and all was good. The few other issues were all owner/user caused.

I watched your video. I really like that CampOne, especially the past thru part. I need to start planning a road trip for next summer. Then maybe I can convince the wife we need one of these. It's pretty much everything I'd want. Only potential issue I'd have is bedding storage. Would be nice if it could stay in the tent when folded up. Setting up and putting away in the rain would suck. But that's an issue with any tent.

 

[JTdiRtyD]

@JTdiRtyD that sucks about the trailer. Hopefully get it all sorted out. I know alot of people that think trailers are supposed to be a constant battle. Our last trailer was pretty solid, just a couple minor things. Shower valve leaked, but only when the hot water was on. Slight snugging of the hot water line and all was good. The few other issues were all owner/user caused.

I watched your video. I really like that CampOne, especially the past thru part. I need to start planning a road trip for next summer. Then maybe I can convince the wife we need one of these. It's pretty much everything I'd want. Only potential issue I'd have is bedding storage. Would be nice if it could stay in the tent when folded up. Setting up and putting away in the rain would suck. But that's an issue with any tent.

Yeah when I redesign the bed build I'm going to try and build in bedding storage, then I can just pop open one of the floor panels and toss the bedding up top. I also noticed when closed up the floor that folds in doesn't go all the ways to the back side, so there may be some room there to essentially roll bedding up and stuff it away there when the top is closed. Theres also a good amount of room in the middle when closed to where one might even be able to attach a net to the lid and stuff bedding into that before closing. I'll give it a try while on our Wyoming trip and report back if it works.

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