My Build Thread and Retirement Plans

What’s your base layer of choice? I roll with merino wool.

 

What off-road trailer do you have? My brother is looking at the Turtle Back trailers. They are nice but pricey…well I guess what he wants cost just a tad bit more then what I am paying for the topper.

 

x2. Since I’m in the military I belong to a couple pro programs and get some awesome deals with a couple outdoor companies

 

I own a Campa USA. They are hand built made from SS. I bought this for 5k (my buddies call me the Craigslist Master lol), and have changed it around a good bit to my liking. I have changed up the awning and RTT. Ended up with an AluCab on it.

 

I usually wear Patagonia Capilene, but I'm not too particular about it. I just try to wear something that will keep me from stinking up my sleeping bag!

 

They got the Rotopax mounted to the L tracks. That was more of a challenge than expected, but I like the result, because the mounts aren't permanently affixed to the camper, and I have options about what I can mount there. As always, I continue to be impressed by the Southern Overland guys.

 

And I think that pile of tires and stuff in the background might be my old stuff!

 

All your old stuff? Haha. The packs look good mounted. Nice and nice. How many extra gallons of fuel are you able to carry now?

 

Those are 2 gallon packs. I already have a 3 gallon pack, so with this mount system, I can switch to 3 gallon packs without any problem. The 3 gallon packs don't mate together like the 2 gallon packs, so they convinced me that the 2 gallons looked better! I think 4 gallons of extra gas is plenty, but I could see some scenarios where I might want 6 gallons. We'll see how it goes.

 

@keith12 Im seeing your truck on AT Overlands feed on Instagram all the time now!!

 

Hey bro, I would put some vents on those rotopax. The don’t vent and swell up. You will have to break the seal on the cap every so often to keep the pressure at bay if you don’t. If you decide not to vent you cans, keep your head far away from the nozzle when you do use it. The pressure build up is real. I don’t know if they make replacement caps that has a vent in it.
I put these in mine.

Magicfour Fuel Gas Can Vent Caps, 4 Pack Vent Kits for Gas Tank, Water Jug - Faster Flowing

https://www.amazon.com/Magicfour-Fa...=&hvlocphy=9010267&hvtargid=pla-1188181968919

Its like RotoPax made cans and did not test them.

 

@keith12 did you get airbags installed or plan to? I’m debating on getting them. Some days I’m like yeah and others I’m not so into them

 

Only way I would roll airbags is if the weight of the vehicle changed dramatically frequently or I pulled a trailer occasionally and had a loaded bed.

Otherwise it’s best to go with leafs with the proper stack. Deaver, Alcan etc
Airbags are only a failure point, and you should only really add up to 20-30lbs max. You pump it up more more than that the back rides like a brick and will hop.

For instance. I have a Deaver Stage 3 for a load of 700-1000lbs. Most go with a Stage 2, however I pull a trailer and roll with 2 spares. Which is how I made my decision.

 

I’m getting custom Deaver springs once I get the Summit and build out the bed. I’ve heard people use airbags as a way to level the truck out at camp also.

 

I just saw it on RCI’s IG, too.

 

I did not get airbags, and they didn’t suggest them. We’ll see how it works.

 

And th

Thanks. Deleting it from my cart. 1 less thing I need and helps save some money.

 

Yeah you don’t want them bro. More of a hassle, and trust me I get it. I follow more Aussie build outs than anything. However, if you can stick a Maxtrax or 2 and level out, that’s your best bet. Just put them in a place that is easily accessible. NOT in the bed of the truck, they get nasty as all get out. I like mine on the rear swing out.

 

@Built2Ride and @keith12 it seems you both are in the South East we have to go wheeling sometime when I visit my folks in Georgia next time.

 

Look at this beauty I picked up today



I can’t describe how excited I am. It looks better every time I look at it.

To answer a couple of questions, there is a bit more wind noise, but I totally didn’t notice it without trying to focus on it, so I don’t think a wind fairing is necessary. The gas mileage pretty well sucked today, but I had five tires, five wheels, two sets of leaf springs, and a full set of suspension in the truck bed…so that was a whole crap load of weight. I’ll report back on gas mileage when I get that stuff out.