@@tomballard4794 love Lake George! We are from Saratoga but out in Colorado now. We are already looking into a summer trip to NY and the ADKs will not be left out!
What kind of a roof rack can I buy for that cap I have the same exact cap as you do but it's green but I'm wanting to put a roof rack on it but the way that the cap is slanted I'm not sure if there is one for it
Camp set up is a ok. A person doesn't have to spend $$$$ to camp. Remember Scouts.... pup tent and sleeping bag. So, you must be glamping. Save money, go more places!!!
Thank you! A year in now and we still love every aspect of it! Haven't changed anything on the structure, just simple things like better shower curtains etc.
We looked at many brands and though we don't have experience in use with other brands, we certainly do not regret going ARB. Love it. And it's durability living on top of the truck for as long as it has in harsh Colorado weather, is impressive. Check out @Equip_Travel on instagram for more updated photos/videos.
I though it would too. But, turns out, the regular truck bed is such a sail, the topper and box helped the MPG. and the awning just didn't change anything.
The only issue I see with truck camping is, if for example, if you wanna go kayaking somewhere and your kayak was on the roof of your truck - you need to put everything away to go to that site which sounds like a pain
There’s definitely ups and downs for sure. Being able to stand up or cook inside is another thing we would like to do. It’s certainly not a full size sprinter, but on the up side, the 4x4 is awesome for ski season. As for kayaking, we are rafters and have removed the Thule box and shower to pop an inflated raft up there, the awning stays just fine. The Thule brand specifically has the best patens for easily removing the boxes. This is not to say it’s not a pain sometimes, everything is a trade off though. As for removing the inside of the camper, this is actually the easiest part. Check out our other video on truck camper build and you will see how this whole thing comes out and stacks nearly in 5 minutes
That Awning is an ARB Touring awning. It was close to $400 I remember. It's the 6ft wide by 8ft long. In our opinion, it is well worth the money. It has lived on the top of our truck through over a year of Colorado harsh sun and winter and it's still in great condition. In terms of getting one, it has to be purchased through a dealer, ARB does not do direct. 4x4parts/com has them, but you can go on ARB/com and do the "find a dealer" to try and spot the local shop near you.
Did you install the roof racks yourself or did you order it with them. I just ordered a A.R.E. TW series shell and they told me they could not istall a roof rack.
The roof rack is a yakima and the manufacturing built the tracks, and the local dealer did the install. The awning is drilled into the topper it's self and that too was done by the dealer. I was a really quality job he did.
hello, Nice setup, what is the model number of the Yakima swing away arm hitch adapter? Also the awning, can you provide some links that also, thank you. j
Hello! Thank you. Awning: Brand- ARB Touring Model: 6ftx8ft Canvas Awning with a PVC cover. Buy- ARB Touring does not do direct sales. However, their site does have a "dealer locator" and all dealers ship. Shop Local If you Can! Here is a reliable link otherwise. www.4wheelparts.com/p/arb-awning-with-light-sleeve-6-5-x-8-2-814409/_/R-BHWQ-814409 The Link above for the awning is our exact model except with the addition of a "Light Sleeve". This was not an option when we bought ours and I wish it was. The cost does not seem to be different from what we paid without. Heres a random link to the exact Yakima Swing Mount: www.outlandusa.com/p/yakima-backswing?campaign_id=958186731&adgroup=56081834788&matchtype=&device=c&devicemodel=&placement=&adposition=&gclid=CjwKCAiAi_D_BRApEiwASslbJxK7wzWMQuIfEq1K6zV28_UrdIQp_90DfMQ9vse15ej8bXOwUCAcTRoCZq8QAvD_BwE One thing to note on the swing mount, they also do sell one with the bike rack permanently attached. I don't suggest this one. What the swing "hitch" allows, is for you to attach anything you want to it. For the winter, we typically have a platform in there much like a PakMule, and the bike rack is out. This versatility is great. Check out @Equip_Travel on instagram for more updated photos/videos.
I have always concerned about it, but no, I haven’t caught one. Actually, the awning it’s self does not stick out much more than the side walls of the bed. It sticks out less than the mirrors do. Though the height, is definitely where it adds more risk. We do a lot of off roading, but out here in Colorado, it’s not over hanging trees, it’s over handing stone walls we need to keep an eye out for. Still, it’s not a major concern and we have done just fine so far,
ARB Touring 6ft. Bought it at a local dealer! Absolutely love it. Even though it could be removed for winter, I leave it up there year round. Its held out perfectly fine. I use Raft cleaner and 303 on it since it's the same material.
Great Idea. Something I would have totally upgraded to if I was living in the North East. Out here in southwest Colorado and the surrounding areas we weekend too, it's become less a problem. Before our trip to the PNW next summer, we definitely will do such.
We have recently heard from someone that this awning can be a 1 person job. Apparently, ARB actually has videos showing how. From My experience, it seems like it would be a difficult, but no more so than any other awning. Given ARBs products, perhaps easier than other awnings.
We bought the topper after buying the truck. So literally everything other than the truck without the topper is part of this build. All in all we are around $3500 in. That includes everything right down to the stoves and blankets. Looking back, we do wonder if buying an old pop up slide in and restoring would have been more useful for the cash (especially with winter camping at the ski mountains) but this sure has been an awesome journey.
I'm sure you figured out by now you're setting it up wrong. You need to pull the horizontal bars out first. That makes it a "total" one man job. Great job otherwise!
We actually haven’t tried this method yet. The awning in the casing blocks the horizontal bars. So the awning would need to move in order to get those bars out, and the awning would need to stabilize on something while we are getting the horizontal bars out. Then, when expanding the bars, there is no stopper for the length of the awning. So without the awning already out, it can be very tough getting the exact length on each horizontal bar. In other words, they will extent well beyond the length of the awning if the awning isn’t there to stop them. So this does sound like a more difficult job for two, let alone one. The bars are not at a durability where I would trust rolling the awning out over them, in which case, this method would be a no brainer. Though I do think the down bars are a must for any weight at all. Either way, I am tempted to try this method you’re talking about. I’m curious if ARB said this was the proper way.
Amazing video love it
Nice and nice to see a high top.
We have adapted to the hightop now. We have gotten use to using the truck in ways we wouldn't be able to with a low top. No going back from here now.
@@durangodez9632 hope to see you guys up at lake George some day
@@tomballard4794 love Lake George! We are from Saratoga but out in Colorado now. We are already looking into a summer trip to NY and the ADKs will not be left out!
Cool rig I love it 👍🙂... I got a LEER122 toper I've been thinking about something like that
What kind of a roof rack can I buy for that cap I have the same exact cap as you do but it's green but I'm wanting to put a roof rack on it but the way that the cap is slanted I'm not sure if there is one for it
How tall is this cap from the bed floor to the top of the window opening?
Very cool! Silly question, is it possible to fit and sleep crossways in front of the bed?
Camp set up is a ok. A person doesn't have to spend $$$$ to camp. Remember Scouts.... pup tent and sleeping bag. So, you must be glamping. Save money, go more places!!!
Great,simple,superfunctional build. Love it! Enjoy Acadia and all your travels.
Thank you! A year in now and we still love every aspect of it! Haven't changed anything on the structure, just simple things like better shower curtains etc.
the awning completes the setup! nicely done. I've added and ARB awning to my list for my future build.
We looked at many brands and though we don't have experience in use with other brands, we certainly do not regret going ARB. Love it. And it's durability living on top of the truck for as long as it has in harsh Colorado weather, is impressive.
Check out @Equip_Travel on instagram for more updated photos/videos.
I’d bet that canopy and storage unit are cutting mpg down 20% plus
I though it would too. But, turns out, the regular truck bed is such a sail, the topper and box helped the MPG. and the awning just didn't change anything.
Nice Job Love this set up Guys .
The only issue I see with truck camping is, if for example, if you wanna go kayaking somewhere and your kayak was on the roof of your truck - you need to put everything away to go to that site which sounds like a pain
There’s definitely ups and downs for sure. Being able to stand up or cook inside is another thing we would like to do. It’s certainly not a full size sprinter, but on the up side, the 4x4 is awesome for ski season. As for kayaking, we are rafters and have removed the Thule box and shower to pop an inflated raft up there, the awning stays just fine. The Thule brand specifically has the best patens for easily removing the boxes. This is not to say it’s not a pain sometimes, everything is a trade off though.
As for removing the inside of the camper, this is actually the easiest part. Check out our other video on truck camper build and you will see how this whole thing comes out and stacks nearly in 5 minutes
Nice set up, I like it..where did you buy the awning and how much? Thanks
That Awning is an ARB Touring awning. It was close to $400 I remember. It's the 6ft wide by 8ft long. In our opinion, it is well worth the money. It has lived on the top of our truck through over a year of Colorado harsh sun and winter and it's still in great condition.
In terms of getting one, it has to be purchased through a dealer, ARB does not do direct. 4x4parts/com has them, but you can go on ARB/com and do the "find a dealer" to try and spot the local shop near you.
Did you install the roof racks yourself or did you order it with them. I just ordered a A.R.E. TW series shell and they told me they could not istall a roof rack.
The roof rack is a yakima and the manufacturing built the tracks, and the local dealer did the install. The awning is drilled into the topper it's self and that too was done by the dealer. I was a really quality job he did.
hello,
Nice setup, what is the model number of the Yakima swing away arm hitch adapter? Also the awning, can you provide some links that also, thank you.
j
Hello! Thank you.
Awning:
Brand- ARB Touring
Model: 6ftx8ft Canvas Awning with a PVC cover.
Buy- ARB Touring does not do direct sales. However, their site does have a "dealer locator" and all dealers ship. Shop Local If you Can! Here is a reliable link otherwise.
www.4wheelparts.com/p/arb-awning-with-light-sleeve-6-5-x-8-2-814409/_/R-BHWQ-814409
The Link above for the awning is our exact model except with the addition of a "Light Sleeve". This was not an option when we bought ours and I wish it was. The cost does not seem to be different from what we paid without.
Heres a random link to the exact Yakima Swing Mount:
www.outlandusa.com/p/yakima-backswing?campaign_id=958186731&adgroup=56081834788&matchtype=&device=c&devicemodel=&placement=&adposition=&gclid=CjwKCAiAi_D_BRApEiwASslbJxK7wzWMQuIfEq1K6zV28_UrdIQp_90DfMQ9vse15ej8bXOwUCAcTRoCZq8QAvD_BwE
One thing to note on the swing mount, they also do sell one with the bike rack permanently attached. I don't suggest this one. What the swing "hitch" allows, is for you to attach anything you want to it. For the winter, we typically have a platform in there much like a PakMule, and the bike rack is out. This versatility is great.
Check out @Equip_Travel on instagram for more updated photos/videos.
I like it cool set up
Thank you!
Ever catch a tree limb on the awning?
I have always concerned about it, but no, I haven’t caught one. Actually, the awning it’s self does not stick out much more than the side walls of the bed. It sticks out less than the mirrors do. Though the height, is definitely where it adds more risk. We do a lot of off roading, but out here in Colorado, it’s not over hanging trees, it’s over handing stone walls we need to keep an eye out for. Still, it’s not a major concern and we have done just fine so far,
Love it! I have a very similar truck shell set up. Good job!
Thank You!
Nice set up! What make and where did you get the awning?
ARB Touring 6ft. Bought it at a local dealer! Absolutely love it. Even though it could be removed for winter, I leave it up there year round. Its held out perfectly fine. I use Raft cleaner and 303 on it since it's the same material.
Tape a couple of magnets opposing each other onto the screen with Gorilla tape. It's cheap and will help keep the mosquitoes out.
Great Idea. Something I would have totally upgraded to if I was living in the North East. Out here in southwest Colorado and the surrounding areas we weekend too, it's become less a problem. Before our trip to the PNW next summer, we definitely will do such.
nice job.
Thanks!
Only a hunchback can be comfortable on that makeshift sofa lol.
It’s surprisingly comfier than it looks. But also, not a place you’d want to hang for more than a couple hours, that’s for sure.
Great setup!!! Sad to hear that awning takes two people to set up 😞
We have recently heard from someone that this awning can be a 1 person job. Apparently, ARB actually has videos showing how. From
My experience, it seems like it would be a difficult, but no more so than any other awning. Given ARBs products, perhaps easier than other awnings.
nice for sure, 75% buying a high rise instead of paying over $27,000 canadian for a truck camper.
$$$
We bought the topper after buying the truck. So literally everything other than the truck without the topper is part of this build. All in all we are around $3500 in. That includes everything right down to the stoves and blankets. Looking back, we do wonder if buying an old pop up slide in and restoring would have been more useful for the cash (especially with winter camping at the ski mountains) but this sure has been an awesome journey.
New York ?.............Sad.
Why sad....? Just wondering...
NY has some beautiful parts and surrounding states, but we are stoked to be based in southwest Colorado now!
I'm sure you figured out by now you're setting it up wrong. You need to pull the horizontal bars out first. That makes it a "total" one man job. Great job otherwise!
We actually haven’t tried this method yet. The awning in the casing blocks the horizontal bars. So the awning would need to move in order to get those bars out, and the awning would need to stabilize on something while we are getting the horizontal bars out. Then, when expanding the bars, there is no stopper for the length of the awning. So without the awning already out, it can be very tough getting the exact length on each horizontal bar. In other words, they will extent well beyond the length of the awning if the awning isn’t there to stop them. So this does sound like a more difficult job for two, let alone one. The bars are not at a durability where I would trust rolling the awning out over them, in which case, this method would be a no brainer. Though I do think the down bars are a must for any weight at all. Either way, I am tempted to try this method you’re talking about. I’m curious if ARB said this was the proper way.
@@durangodez9632 Yes, watch ARB's vidios. Just trying to help.