What To LOOK For When Choosing A Truck Camper
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 9 ก.พ. 2025
- In this episode I go over some of the things I look for when choosing a truck camper weather living in it or only using it on weekends, here's some things to consider!
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Hello, my names Kevin and I live full time in my truck camper! I enjoy recording my adventures of me traveling through beautiful scenery and snowboarding and mountain biking! Come along on my journey in this world as I chase my interests and try to live my happiest life I can!
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Your camper looks great, don't change it. the same people that want you to paint it to whatever is in style will want this look when its back in style. Craziness. I love the wood!
Soooo many new brands have went to a cold modern look and when your in the woods it should feel like your in a cozy cabin not the inside of a battleship 😂
Happy new year Kevin! I think 2025 is going to be the best year of your life. I predict by the end of this year you'll be able to make TH-cam your full time gig. No more having to work a job to save enough to live your life. Soon living your life and doing what you love will be enough to buy all the pita pizzas you'll ever want. Love following you along the way buddy! #100ksubcountdown
Thank you I really appreciate hearing that!! And happy new year to you as well!! I think the full time might come sooner than later lol thanks for following along!
@@KevinWaldsAdventures My pleasure my friend
Happy New Year, Kevin! Hope you have a great year ahead in your truck camper. Thanks for taking us all along on your adventures.
Happy new year!
I agree with Kevin says and I he is wise and experienced. We have a 2022 NL 10-2. Super happy with it and love to watch Kevin’s videos and see what he does with his camper. We do 3 month trips as well as weekends. We boondock and we got to campgrounds. We have taken her down to the Rio Grande where they put the rafts in. We have been warm in snow. We love our NL. Not perfect but nothing is and you have to make it yours with a little elbow grease. Yep it’s expensive but it is a home you want to make your own.
Good for you, to keep the decor as is. Its your home and cozy
Hi Kevin, Great advice, much to remember and I hope to find the right camper truck this year. Be safe and keep smiling and keep enjoying your home on wheels.
I once read online about a van dweller who had a 'smart' set-up. Basically, the first 3 to 5 minutes of hot water is fresh, and after that it is recycled allowing him to enjoy the running hot water for about a half-hour or so. That idea has always stayed in my mind as having that feature as part of van life would be a luxury for me (along with heated floors).
A hydronic heating system, I actually have one for pre heating the engine on the truck. Cirrus uses the alde heating system, you should look that up it’s super cool!
Yes you can use valves to feed back into fresh tank. Just watch the temps, fresh takes are only rated for so high of a temp.
Thank you again Kevin this video is just what I needed. Good info
Great video! Very interesting talk with many tidbits and nuances. Best was the gorgeous footage of your majestical Canadian campsite!
Hi Kevin, great advice mate for someone who wants to buy a camper.
We are suppose to be having snow tonight .
❤ Take care X X X
Something you neglected to mention about dumping gray water is its best to dump at a dump station for flushing the dump hose after dumping black tank.
Happy New Year Kevin, enjoy your caravan it's awesome and beautiful, thanks for sharing your day with us.
Hey Kevin, thanks for the great information. You have a nice home!
I always research major purchases thoroughly, so very satisfied with my Bigfoot, although Northern Lites are great too. Most of the problems I've had are from the outsourced components, such as the furnace, propane regulator, toilet flush valve, and lifting jacks. In fact today, I'll be replacing the second failed jack, and this is a 2018 camper. I hope Happijac is listening! I'm quite a bit older than you, so chose the fiberglass-molded design for it's great durability and very low maintenance exterior. I don't camp beyond the graveled forest service roads, so went with extra amenities, such as a large dry bath, large wardrobe, and generous counter space for meal prep. I did have to buy a dually to haul it, but the handling is great, and well worth the cost, even with the factory suspension. I got into truck camping way back in 1992 with my first camper, a 9.5' Lance and a SRW 3500 truck. Used that setup for 25 years, and got lots of great use out of it, but the camper wasn't 4-season. So in 2017, started the search for a new setup, and thus the Bigfoot and dually truck. I expect this to be my last camper. Happy New Year!
Happy New Year!
Get a Clearsource Water Filters Nomad RV filter. You can filter water from lake or stream into a jug and then pump it into the camper or jug. If jug, the second filtration pumped into camper. They are around $900 but worth every penny if you off grid.
Happy new Year, Kevin🎆🎆
Would love to see a video where you talk about different truck´s, weight, engines and different campers that will fit. 😊
Your videos are awesome
I have been debating if I do a camper convert, with just my cap on my box, or a camper for my Ram.. all in all, as of now, I'm only using it on off times. But you definitely should come to Northern BC, once the weather is better. -40° for now, lol. But so many beautiful spots to see this way.
I’d love to visit up there soon, hopefully this summer!
Could you put an aluminum frame between your cab and your camper up and around like a header?🎉🎉
Lets talk price real quick
you have to take the original MSRP then put it in a CPI calculator to get today's cost then compare what they are asking.
That's why 2019 trucks with 60k miles are selling for 4-5k more than new MSRP. Because the $ has devalued that much that fast.
Asset prices don't change, the buying power of the $ does.
Happy New Year Kevin 🍾❤😊Super NewYear For You💪👍
Happy new year!
Kevin, I was discussing winter use of a camper with my brother who has a camper and I had forgotten that initially he was thinking in terms of using it during the winter when going skiing to places like Powder King and other mountain resorts in BC etc but after going on only one winter trip and it wasn't even very cold, the camper getting totally plastered on the back with inches thick of salt/snow and items like the sewer hose is frozen into its storage tube and realizing that the access doors, locks etc would all freeze and be inoperable, wash the camper and then a very good chance the rear main door would be frozen shut as well as every door and lock on the camper, with no way of being able to drive into a warm shop to thaw it out to make it livable again. So that got me thinking of your camper, you must have had this issue happening on every snow covered winter road and it doesn't even take much crap on the road for it to suck onto the rear of a camper or trailer of any sort as well as all access doors, latches, locks freezing up.
Lock deicer is your best friend lol my rusty jacks are the biproduct of winter use, my sewer hose storage is actually somewhat heated as it’s built into the camper. A lot of the problems you speak of I dealt with on my old camper but have not happened on this one yet other than the endless dirty salt and sand all over it.
@@KevinWaldsAdventures Lock deicer would certainly help but when door seals freeze shut, that becomes a different major issue. I'm sure you've had that happen with a vehicle, wash it and then the door is either welded shut ( seemingly so ) or the latch mechanism is frozen. Right, all the road crap plastered on the back of the camper, its unreal how that vacuum effect just sucks the swirling crap out of the air to cover the back. Never fails when hauling grain with the highway truck and trailer, the road has to be 100% perfect so it doesn't plaster the back of the trailer. As I am sure you know, there is a reason why the general RV crowd that can move around follow the weather south for the winter and north to get out of the deadly heat during the summer. Of course there are those who are in California for example that head to Tahoe area to ski but can head back to the valley and be back in nice weather again. Perhaps if you head down that way you may run into a certain Miss Hannah on the slopes or out in the desert at a natural hot springs 😉
🎉Happy New Year Kevin. I wasn't expecting a video on new years day. What a treat
Host campers I believe have the largest tanks in the industry of truck campers, with 65 gal of fresh.
Happy 2025 🎉 . . always enjoy the beautiful peaceful places you bring us . . your camper is perfect for you great find/choice 👍 safe travels ♥️🙋♀️
Happy New Year Kevin . Looking forward to the 2025 adventures ❤
Owned a NL and honestly one of the highest quality tc out there. Only complaints are tiny bathroom and small holding tanks. Going with anything bigger and larger tanks most certainly requires a DRW truck for the weight. Living where you live I might try the small wood stove modification for heat. Happy New Year and safe travels!
Yes that’s mostly why I decided against the Bigfoot 10.6 water would have been way to much for this truck unfortunately
Happy New Year Kevin......... It's been a hell of a ride joining you on your travels; Thank you!
Thanks for coming along!
Right, 4 season, just go full ton
Happy New Year!🎉
Thanks for the video😊
Happy New Year and safe travels🎉
I was looking at Arctic Fox 1140 dry bath, before I chose the Host Yukon. I am on the fence, but I want the Host Extreme Off Grid pkg. it has 1200 ah of battery and 800 watts of solar. It can run the 12v a/c for 5 hrs. in the heat of the day and still be able to charge full by night fall. If not I will back it up with a Honda 2200 Gen.
Hadn't really considered a truck camper until I started watching your videos. The one thing that gets me is those stairs! What are your thoughts on those versus the campers with the deck?
I’ll be building a deck porch type and either go to more traditional Rv steps or a ladder that I can fold down. I don’t like these stairs there flimsy and take more than 15 seconds to deploy and put away.
Happy New Year, Kevin! watching from the EU...and love your videos. :)
Too funny, you're in my back yard basically. We go camping there in the summer, it's called Goose Flats
Bought a 1999 Bigfoot Brand new up in Canada when there was 40% exchange for $19,300. Same size as video. Kind of a dually fan . 99 F-350. 4x4 Always garaged. Still looks almost brand new.
Beautiful spot. Our first camper was a pre-covid Palomino pop-up camper, we had a blast in it. Times change and we found ourselves in an Adventurer 80GS hard side, it was piece of crap so we traded it on a new Lance 825. Haven't looked back, love the lifestyle.
Wishing you safe travels for 2025 Kevin. Great to see you and your video. I doubt I will ever own a home like yours, but your video's are always informative 😊
Happy New Year Kevin! 🎉
Love your videos! 😊
Hi Kevin, Most interior designers just make changes with new cushions or curtains, etc. Your van looks 👍 great with the wood.
Great advice ....coming from someone that has purchased 3 truckcampers....look at quality, price, layout....weight and payload of your truck ie GET a 1 tonne....and lastly SIZE of the holding tank (it allows you stay out longer) Thank you for posting Kevin....my bucklet to travel with up coming retirement....started believing I wanted a VAN conversion, but now have come to the conclusion ...AS used Tundra 2018 to 2021 and a truck camper may be better for me !!! Cheers, 1000 islands Canada
I absolutely love your truck & camper! I agree, don’t paint the cabinets. The wood look is way more cozier! Love your videos! They give me ideas on what I want when I’m ready to shop. Financially ready that is lol 😁👍🏽
So helpful ty
Love your videos
thank you!
Saw an ad locally a couple days for a mid 90s Northern Lite for 4k. Tried to buy it but was sold in minutes.
Will keep on the lookout.
Happy New Year from Nova Scotia.
When there priced right they go quick! Happy new year!
Great video
Is that seven mile dam road?! Shocking there’s no snow there.
Great video. HAPPY NEW YEAR 👍
Happy New Years Kevin ! This is my first post on your channel (follower for a couple months) and I have to say, I truly enjoy your enthusiasm and energy ! Keep up the great work and enjoy your passion .
thank you!
Happy New Year Kevin !🎉
Happy new year!
I like the Northern Lite 10-2 Wet....it's so hard to find an older one that someone wants to sell. Even the 2023 models are damn expensive. If you ever come across one that's in good condition let me know. I like your camper layout. It would suit my needs perfectly. Hope you get snow soon, so you can get on those slopes. Take care, and Happy New Year !
The older 10-2 are getting much harder to find, bigfoots 10-6 is really good and I have seen a lot more of them but I agree I like the lay out in the northern lite better, happy new year!!!
Happy New Year 2025 - thx for the info about truck campers! ❤️🎉🥰
Happy New Year, Kevin! 👍😎🇨🇦
Happy new year!
My man bless you! and Happy New Year!
Thanks and Happy New Year to you too! 🎉
Well here's a learning curve ball! i just attempted to put in a brand new queen mattress, 9" thick, n it's too long! The mattress edges is very rigid no mushying to fit the space. 2022, NL 10-2. NL sqeezes in a just under queen matress like about 7" thick because its soft n mushy, jams in nicly. Measure the floor bed area from top front end to where the mattress stops behind the side walls where u crawl off the bed. Let me know what ya get!
...mattress store is now customizing me a size to my liking.
Happy new year 🎉.
really!!! ill measure mine out next time!
@ yeah that was my reaction when it didn't fit! Really!
U know the old saying...Measure twice, order once lol!....yeah shit, I didn't even measure to check. 🍻
I would use lake water for showering. Then use gray for toilet. My truck camper shower is a 42 inch 3 ring kiddy pool. I pour the water out and do my laundry. I use Dr. Bronners or camp suds. I'm not saying for anyone to do what I do, just saying. I dont have any tanks.
This is an excellent video, thanks. Ive been looking at campers for a while and have narrowed it down to Northern lite vs Bigfoot. In hindsight, after the amount of driving you've done, would the extra weight on the Bigfoot have made much of a difference?
You make valid points about, how often you use your camper - van living.
Also back roads are often harsh and more often than not, unmaintained roads.
Plus free camping spots are often unmaintained as well.
Suggestion for a video, possibly the ply z. Like I live in an isolated area I'm north central BC and often use forestry service roads and need 10 ply tires for the back roads. Why? 10 ply because of jagged rocks on forestry service roads.
I’ve been thinking of doing a tire video!
@KevinWaldsAdventures it's informative and essential to back country living
Happy New Year Kevin
Happy new year! 🥳
Maybe one day you could take a tour of Northwood manufacturing of the arctic fox truck campers. Dazmen Taylor did and was impressed. Thanks for sharing.
Happynew year Kevin. We camp alot in k country and hope to run into you along the way. I have a 3 pack of bbq lighters in the unit for you if we do(lol).....
I have a host the tank on mine is 70 fresh 35 grey 35 black. The camper is 4200 lbs.
That’s a nice tank size!
Great Information Video Kevin
Your Set Up is Awesome and Pretty Cool 😎 Too 💯%
Thank you! 😊
I’m loving my Northernlite 9.6 se. Sold my 5th wheel and vowed never to own another trailer with a TPO or rubber roof.
Kevin, what does your camper weigh in at with all your stuff a full tank of water, full propane etc?
I havnt scaled it I’m guessing 3500lbs
@KevinWaldsAdventures What's the trucks payload capacity?
Yes Happy New Year Keven,
I am looking at Northern Lite campers and YOU are responsible for this...
Actually I live in Thailand and want to come back home asap, I am trying to sell my home in Thailand and will be shopping either for a used camper truck or a used Van camper that I will transform into an RV, same price for both case, around 90k$ . Today's video answered one of my questions the water reserve I intend to live in the camper year round since I left Canada 5 years ago I see that I can't afford a house and living rogue is of great interest to me. So I am hesitating between a 4Wd truck to go just about everywhere I dare to go or a Van which will be limited to public roads... Anyways the reason for my message is I noticed you have 4 solar cells on the roof and you changed for lithium batteries and all the electronics. This is why I am looking for a van to be able to be free longer... Did you have trouble changing the wires for your camper since you upgraded the power level I wanted to know if the wires are accessible to replace or if they run amongst the mold of the camper. This would be a major handicap if so.
You are a great ambassador for Northern Lite and you are doing a great job to give us the taste of freedom.
Thanks Kevin and I hope to run into you when I will be operational.
I removed the original battery box to make more space for the 4 lithium batteries and the wires I put on a bus bar then to the battery bank, I didn’t for say have to upgrade wiring in the truck camper for 12v or 120v I have an inverter set up to run all the 120v outlets in the camper, the channel the explorist is where I learned everything, they have a great video on doing a newer northern lite 811
@KevinWaldsAdventures
Thank you very much Kevin I will check out the video, this is the drawback I had plus of course the water reserve. I will have a better idea where I am going once I see a 10-2 in person. Thanks once more and have a great winter.
Mike
Hi Kevin, beautiful spot there, i appreciate your insight into your camper experiences and why you like what you have, it does look perfect for you…
One little thing I’ve noted as a few videos lately, your audio is not as good as it’s been in the past….I don’t think you are using your wireless Lavalier mic and I find I’m turning volume up and down throughout the video much more often…
Your videography is excellent otherwise….thnx
Thank you, I’m using a shotgun mic on a new camera and working out the kinks
Hello Kevin, I’m new here to your channel and loving it.
I started looking at Northern Lite truck camps and four season campers for a full time living life style. Been finding that it is hard to find anything used that is affordable. New just isn’t affordable unless you want to spend big $$. I’ve done the online searches and what happens to come up and mostly new in the past couple year models 23 24 25s . Any links that you know of for finding older used and maybe lesser expensive models.
Love the channel and all your amazing videos you have produced for us all. Keep up the great work. And have an amazing New Year! I’m really looking to go live on the road also.
I have had a lot more luck finding truck campers in British Columbia, I use Facebook market place mostly, kijiji sometimes too but have to be careful, there's also a used northern lite Facebook group for selling. I had to travel for the one I have now lol quite far.... 10hr drive, but it was worth it. be patient and check market place often
@ yes I’ve been using the market place and jumping from province to province looking. I’m thinking I’ll end up having to go east to find one. See a couple in ON. and Quebec they could be possibilities. I’m in Manitoba and plan a move out in to BC AB area. Have family in Edmonton and several folks in BC. I have even considered, if I can find one I like to have it custom fit to a trailer for a tow behind. Seen a few photos online where they were custom fit to a trailer. But unfortunately it all costs $. Just retiring and budgeting. LOL
Love the info videos. Your drone shots are awesome!
Whats your thoughts on Big Foot brand. I was thinking AF but after listening to you and others the clam shell approach and fiberglass roof seems to eliminate many water issues. I'm thinking new and I'll be using it 8 months a year in mild winters not the extreme's you love more like lows of 25 F. Any thoughts ANY would be greatly appreciated. Thank you
My trailer is 106 gal fresh water😊
Great Topic! guess those that are starting off, smaller is a good way to launch! Used is also a good financial plan, they look expensive new! What age would you say is too old? or is it all based on condition overall?
Condition, and the brand is a big deal too, truck campers are not built equally and it’s easy to spot when you step In them. My first camper was from 1989 and mint condition shape but once I started off roaring with it is when problems were occurring and quick. Neither of my northern lites have had issues going down washboard roads
Awesome. Future vid idea: reno countertops or future mods.
I think next time im parked up somewhere I have room to work I’ll be doing that
Hi Kevin, Happy New Year! I enjoyed your video. Thanks for the tips to consider when looking for a truck camper. I learned a lot here. Kevin, I'm a new subscriber and I dont have all of your backstory. Do you live in your camper 100% of the time? Also, do you have a full time job in addition to this channel, or are you fortunate enough to have the means to follow your passion without having to keep up the 9-5 job grind? I would love this lifestyle but don't know if I could pull it off, especially with the job I have which isn't compatible with remote working.Maybe in retirement though. Looking forward to your next post. Cheers!
I live full time in the camper, and I did work a 9-5 in the early stages of my channel and when I started living in the truck camper, at the moment I’m living off savings and income from TH-cam which fluctuates month to month
@KevinWaldsAdventures That's awesome, Kevin! Thanks for your reply! I'm really glad to see someone who is actually going for the dream... it's very inspiring! Peace out and take care!
It's strange that the NL 10-2000 seems to be only model that has the T wall issue. Never seen it with the 811, 9-6, or 610. Don't think any of the bigfoots have it either. Perhaps a design flaw on the 10-20000?
Agreed! I’ve heard of a few newer 10-2s doing it but there usually under warranty and I think that may be from other reasons than why the ten 2000 does it
When your heavy equipment operator career is over with you would make a good rv salesman 👍
Where was that intro filmed? Looks like some beautiful boondocking land :)
The kootneys, just along the border
@@KevinWaldsAdventures NICE! You back to working or still going off of savings? Also have you ever thought about spending your winters down south like in Arizona or Texas or other warm places? Happy new year brother :)
Hi, friend.
Would you mind sharing the brand/model of your two weather monitoring units?
One is black and hanging on the wall next to your lovely painting and the other is grey and on your table.
Thank you, friend. I like this video.
God bless!
One on wall is accu temp and on table is la crosse both from Canadian tire
Do you have the model numbers?
I’m sorry, I’m trying my hardest to find them but they make a lot of models! lol
Thank you for your kind reply to me. ☺️
I think I found them. Thank you for your kind reply. Keep up the great content!
God bless, stay safe!
Speaking of the US border will you ever head south down into the states
hopefully soon!
New sub. We enjoy watching your videos 😊 Cheers 🥂
Well hello there beautiful eyes 👀 hope you're having a wonderful Happy New years 🎉🎉 🎉 ever time I watch you're video it's always beautiful where you're at amazing video
Happy new years!
Kevin in the beginning I am having a hard time determining "What" website you where talking about. At 1:30 you say "I've been to there site" Please inform 'what site'. I'm lost here.
Sorry I meant like the manufacturer of the campers website, so like northern lite or big foot or arctic fox
What's the advantage of a camper instead of a small stand alone trailer like a BigFoot, Oliver or ArcticFox?
Your more mobile with a truck camper or van, there’s advantages to a trailer too, easier to unhook the trailer at camp than unload the truck camper. But it’s rare that I feel I need to unload the camper.
You're compelling me to get a camper and ditch this vanlife stuff lol
lol nothing wrong with a van! Fun fact my truck costs $230 to fill! Hope that helps 😂
@KevinWaldsAdventures I've been doing the van gig for 5 years now and it's just not comfortable anymore, I want to do back flips into my bed!
Sounds like you might be able to make a few $$ as a consultant for some of your readers looking to purchase used.
With your TH-cam income, I'll see you buying a new camper in 2025. Happy New Year !
Please don't change a thing in your truck camper , it looks awesome.
I definitely will not! 😂
👍🏾
These truck campers are heavy and hard on fuel which equals less travelling over time. Just get a small van way cheaper and add a bike! This is probably the reason you are not in the south!
Hello there?
hope you are well😊
Do you need a professional thumbnail designer?? Let me know if needed😊
whats that gizmo attached to your Mac?
Portable ssd (hard drive)
@@KevinWaldsAdventures ahhh ya I thought maybe was a sd card reader. thinking of going Mac but still unsure about all the gadgets you need. seems more complicated than a windows set up.
@ lol if you edit it’s definitely not as complicated as a windows, sad card reader is built in, all the ports are usb type c and one hdmi. Battery lasts super long. I hated apple products forever, but the M series chips are unreal. Miss my gaming pc for games but I’ll take editing on this any day.