I'm sure that'd be some fine reading. If/when I do my adventuring, I'm planning on hitting as many microbreweries as I can, since that's what I used to do.
My Junk
- Thread starter Kowboy
- Start date
I'm sure that'd be some fine reading. If/when I do my adventuring, I'm planning on hitting as many microbreweries as I can, since that's what I used to do.
ExpoMike
Well-known member
I have a NovaKool fridge in my FWC. It's a compressor type. Replaced the original 3 way fridge. It's very quiet. Only time I even know it's running is when I open the door and can hear a faint running of the compressor. Door close, it's slient. Since you're local, you're welcomed to come check it out. It's the 2600 model, which was almost a direct fit replacement for my old one.
Kowboy
Adventurer
Thank you sir. It's sure been a real pleasure so far.
Been fun playin' 'round in southern Nevada. Great lil' bars, small towns, casinos, and even explorin' some of the ol' mines.
The rear Icon springs just ain't comfy with the weight tho. Had me a set custom made at Alcan Springs in Grand Junction, CO. to try to improve the ol' girl. Was just notified them springs is done and waitin' for me to come fetch 'em. Startin' to get hot in the desert anyways so gonna ease north some and get them springs installed on my next time off and then maybe play around in Utah and Colorado for awhile.
Been fun playin' 'round in southern Nevada. Great lil' bars, small towns, casinos, and even explorin' some of the ol' mines.
The rear Icon springs just ain't comfy with the weight tho. Had me a set custom made at Alcan Springs in Grand Junction, CO. to try to improve the ol' girl. Was just notified them springs is done and waitin' for me to come fetch 'em. Startin' to get hot in the desert anyways so gonna ease north some and get them springs installed on my next time off and then maybe play around in Utah and Colorado for awhile.
F350
Observer
Kowboy,
It was nice meeting you and seeing your "junk" last Saturday on the trail near Moab (new silver Jeep Wrangler Unlimited you let pass). These innerwebs sure makes the world a much smaller place. When I saw you ahead of me I thought, "that rig looks familiar". I told the girlfriend, I've seen the rig and read his posts on the Expo forum. I also said, "not sure if I should say Hi or not, I don't want to look like some whack job internet stocker or something."
Decided I'd risk it. Love your rig and was wishing the whole time I was in my truck and camper instead of a motel. Guess I'll have to come back!
Anyway, hope you're having a good trip. You never know who you'll run into these days, even in out on a dirt road.
Safe travels,
Rich
It was nice meeting you and seeing your "junk" last Saturday on the trail near Moab (new silver Jeep Wrangler Unlimited you let pass). These innerwebs sure makes the world a much smaller place. When I saw you ahead of me I thought, "that rig looks familiar". I told the girlfriend, I've seen the rig and read his posts on the Expo forum. I also said, "not sure if I should say Hi or not, I don't want to look like some whack job internet stocker or something."
Decided I'd risk it. Love your rig and was wishing the whole time I was in my truck and camper instead of a motel. Guess I'll have to come back! Anyway, hope you're having a good trip. You never know who you'll run into these days, even in out on a dirt road.
Safe travels,
Rich
Kowboy
Adventurer
It was cool meetin' somebody on the trail that had read some of the crap I post up. :sombrero:
It was a great week and I'll be updatin' Chapter 4 of my diaries over on my club site in the next few days. Waitin' to catch a plane right now at the Grand Junction airport and head back to work.
It was a great week and I'll be updatin' Chapter 4 of my diaries over on my club site in the next few days. Waitin' to catch a plane right now at the Grand Junction airport and head back to work.
Kowboy
Adventurer
Thanks, hopefully I'll have the entire chapter posted up by the end of the day.
I'm sure the fine folks at Aluminess would argue the point, but I wanted the initial contact with the front of my junk to be a big ol' hunka steel. I choice the Road Armor Stealth bumper cuz it would hold my 16.5 ti winch and a few lights with some decent fit and style.
Not sure why I can't post pics on here no more. Maybe I got too many already uploaded.
I'm sure the fine folks at Aluminess would argue the point, but I wanted the initial contact with the front of my junk to be a big ol' hunka steel. I choice the Road Armor Stealth bumper cuz it would hold my 16.5 ti winch and a few lights with some decent fit and style.
Not sure why I can't post pics on here no more. Maybe I got too many already uploaded.
Kowboy
Adventurer
When I got the camper installed last December, the fine folks at Hallmark really liked my junk and invited me to camp out with 'em in the vendor section at the Expo this year. Ain't never been to the Expo deal but just confirmed with Mr. Ward that the offer's still good. So reckon I'll be there. If'n y'all get a chance ... swing on by and say howdy.
This was a coupla weeks ago on Bull Canyon Road in Moab.
This was a coupla weeks ago on Bull Canyon Road in Moab.
Regcabguy
Oil eater.
Thanks Mike! I'll try and get by and see your setup. I'll pm.
Hopeless Diamond
Explorer
So Kowboy, how's your junk (can't believe I just asked that :Wow1: )
Really appreciate reading about your exploits and wanderings over on Mud, although it does bum me out for a few days because I'm not at a place I can do that, yet. Sooner than later though. Oh yeah and I get that damn Kid Rock song stuck in my head for while too..
Now that you've got some windshield/sack time in your rig, how's things holding up? I have a newer version of your truck (where it started from at least) '12 F350 Supercab shortbox. It's a diesel with the extra 15 tons of smog crap, that may disappear someday though... Probably won't go quite as extreme with all the goodies you have, but who knows. You did get me pointed in the direction of Hallmark though, and really like what they have to offer. Went through their factory and got showed everything I could ask for. Nothing serious yet, sort of sniffing around for now, but the scent is getting stronger. If you were to order again, what would you do different? Curious about the escape hatch, although I'm thinking the sunlight coming in through that would mean the mornings would start way too early. I would think that if you were in the camper and needed to get out that way, you'd probably have bigger problems to deal with. How about them highfalutin flush top appliances - worth it? Seems like a good idea to me but I've never lived with them.
Any other wisdom would be greatly appreciated, if you ever make it up to the soggy corner of the country would love to buy you a beer or 5:beer:
JR
Really appreciate reading about your exploits and wanderings over on Mud, although it does bum me out for a few days because I'm not at a place I can do that, yet. Sooner than later though. Oh yeah and I get that damn Kid Rock song stuck in my head for while too..
Now that you've got some windshield/sack time in your rig, how's things holding up? I have a newer version of your truck (where it started from at least) '12 F350 Supercab shortbox. It's a diesel with the extra 15 tons of smog crap, that may disappear someday though... Probably won't go quite as extreme with all the goodies you have, but who knows. You did get me pointed in the direction of Hallmark though, and really like what they have to offer. Went through their factory and got showed everything I could ask for. Nothing serious yet, sort of sniffing around for now, but the scent is getting stronger. If you were to order again, what would you do different? Curious about the escape hatch, although I'm thinking the sunlight coming in through that would mean the mornings would start way too early. I would think that if you were in the camper and needed to get out that way, you'd probably have bigger problems to deal with
. How about them highfalutin flush top appliances - worth it? Seems like a good idea to me but I've never lived with them.Any other wisdom would be greatly appreciated, if you ever make it up to the soggy corner of the country would love to buy you a beer or 5:beer:
JR
Kowboy
Adventurer
Thank you sir. Both the enjoyment of my travels and the response to my tales have done exceeded my expectations. Without a doubt, it was a struggle and lots of sacrifices to get where I'm at. But I do believe I'm right where I'm supposed to be now. And I think that's pretty cool.
Tryin' to juggle my schedule some to get the rig into a shop in Denver. If'n you been readin' my stuff then ya know I gotta get my e-brake fixed and the front drivin' lights. Also need an oil change and a tire rotation. Mite get the A/C fixed too. But overall I gotta say my junk's holdin' up right nice. I ain't shy 'bout usin' it.
If you were to order again, what would you do different? Curious about the escape hatch, although I'm thinking the sunlight coming in through that would mean the mornings would start way too early. I would think that if you were in the camper and needed to get out that way, you'd probably have bigger problems to deal with
I love my camper. To say that it changed my life would obviously be an understatement. To each his own ... but I would not own any other brand now or change up the design none at all. There are three thangs I talked to the Wards 'bout tweakin' tho.
1) The escape hatch is phenomenal. And I'm usually cookin' breakfast well 'fore the sun shines thru it. Lookin' up at the stars while lyin' in the bunk is awesome. And the thang opens up all the way for easy access to the roof. Ain't no reason nobody should ever come knockin' on my door. But if'n they do, I like the idea of climbin' on the roof and lookin' down on 'em. To say hello ... or shoot 'em.
But I got a coupla issues with it we're gonna work on. The screen that covers it has some kinda clips that we ain't cyphered out just yet. Right now I gotta completely remove the screen to open/adjust the hatch and then put the screen back on to keep the bugs out. Looks like the screen is supposed to hinge down somehow so it'd be easier. Mr. Ward's gonna talk to the manufacturer and figure all that out. We're thinkin' maybe I'm missin' some sorta lil' somethin'.
And when the sun does come out, it's definitely bright. Mr. Ward's gonna make a snap-on cover to block that out.
2) The gauge that tells ya how much fresh water's in the tank is pathetic. It's a crap shoot at best. Andy Ward says he's used a router to make a nice slot in the cabinet so a fella can look directly at the tank and see what's there. That'll be better.
3) Done lost me one awnin' already and havin' some issues with the replacement as well startin' to loosen up from the rear bracket. We gotta secure this thang better so it's usable for more than fair weather ... or just take 'er off. I ain't a fair weather camper.
As far as the flush-mount stove and sink ... wouldn't have it any other way. Space is a premium in this size home. And bein' able to close one or both to gain the counter space is priceless. Well worth more than the money.
Get off the couch and do it!
But I chuckle ev'ry time I read that this, that, or the other camper will "go anywhere". Camper ain't goin' nowhere without the truck sir. I got 4 times the money in my truck that I do in the camper. Figure out exactly where it is ya wanna go with your camper and then make sure ya build the truck stout enuf to take ya there.
And enjoy.
Thank you sir ... ain't no doubt I'll be wanderin' up that way at some point. Done me a few jobs out a Gray's Harbor by Aberdeen. Right pretty country. I'll bring a slicker suit ... you bring a case of Big Oly.
Hopeless Diamond
Explorer
I hadn't thought of the hatch as an alternate way to greet visitors (the unannounced, uninvited kind), sad that you have to be prepared for that kind of thing these days, butter to have the option than not I guess. It also give you access to the roof so if you want to catch up on your tanning and get rid of those embarrassing tan lines, you can do it in more privacy .
Good ol' Grays Harbor, they say it was named after the boat Captain that first explored it, Robert Gray but I'm pretty sure it was really named after the color of the sky year round. Great starting point for some incredible wilderness, not so good for the solar panels, but you won't have much trouble finding firewood (although it probably won't be dry).
Great campsites in the area, and even though relatively close in and easy to get to, not heavily trafficked
1R4A7776 by JR Bad Habit, on Flickr
The viewing slot for the water level is one of those little gems of wisdom. Simple solution for a basic problem. At some point, you really don't need a bunch of fancy things that break down to let you know something pretty simple.
The awnings seem to be one of those things that are great, until they aren't. Nice and simple, and come in real handy (shade, rain, etc) but they have the potential to be fragile with any wind. Was the problems with yours from how the bracket was attached to the camper, or how the awning attaches to the bracket?
I'm use to having to use tarps (here in the PNW, us Blue Tarp campers bring our blue sky's with us). I usually don't get too excited about tarps but some we used on a river raft trip through central AK made me notice. The fabric is silicone impregnated/coated so they have some stretch and can stand a small campfire under them. We tied 1 edge to some trees then long branches as uprights for the other corners and tied off to coolers, instant shelter. They for High Dollar mountaineering folk so they are very proud of them, about $200 for 10x10.
.Good ol' Grays Harbor, they say it was named after the boat Captain that first explored it, Robert Gray but I'm pretty sure it was really named after the color of the sky year round. Great starting point for some incredible wilderness, not so good for the solar panels, but you won't have much trouble finding firewood (although it probably won't be dry).
Great campsites in the area, and even though relatively close in and easy to get to, not heavily trafficked
1R4A7776 by JR Bad Habit, on FlickrThe viewing slot for the water level is one of those little gems of wisdom. Simple solution for a basic problem. At some point, you really don't need a bunch of fancy things that break down to let you know something pretty simple.
The awnings seem to be one of those things that are great, until they aren't. Nice and simple, and come in real handy (shade, rain, etc) but they have the potential to be fragile with any wind. Was the problems with yours from how the bracket was attached to the camper, or how the awning attaches to the bracket?
I'm use to having to use tarps (here in the PNW, us Blue Tarp campers bring our blue sky's with us). I usually don't get too excited about tarps but some we used on a river raft trip through central AK made me notice. The fabric is silicone impregnated/coated so they have some stretch and can stand a small campfire under them. We tied 1 edge to some trees then long branches as uprights for the other corners and tied off to coolers, instant shelter. They for High Dollar mountaineering folk so they are very proud of them, about $200 for 10x10.