2019 F250 with 2008 Hallmark UTE XS

[freeskier125]

2019 F250, 10,000 GVWR, 6.2 Gas, 6 Speed, 4.30 elocker, STX, Vinyl interior, Plow/Camper package, 360 Camera, Knapheide Steel Flatbed, PMF Trackbar, 37x11.5x18 Nitto Ridge Grapplers

I had been on the hunt for this specific truck for a year and a half. I purchased it sight unseen in Scottsdale, AZ and spent a few weeks driving it home. Went down to Tucson and came up through Telluride and over to Silverton on Ophir, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Aspen, Boulder and then pretty much a straight shot back home to Massachusetts. Not too many mods so far, rear facing work lights and reverse lights on the upfitter switches and relayed in with reverse. Put in a PMF Trackbar after front end parts were starting to get a little play. Found a set of 37s on Marketplace for $550 mounted and balanced













(its only letting me post 5 pictures at a time)

 

[freeskier125]

The camper is a 2008 Hallmark UTE XS, Electric lifting Composite roof, Coleman Mach-8 9K AC, Racks, Ladder, Hot Water, Dometic 3way fridge, 3 burner stove, Side awning, Two CR-236 6Volt batteries. I have always wanted a Hallmark or Outfitter, but my preference for regular cab trucks kept me to an east-west bed layout. I remember seeing this camper come up for sale over the winter for a steal and had forgotten about it till it came back up on the Hallmark Truck Camper Owners Facebook group. I dragged my feet a bit and almost missed out on it, but things fell in place and I became the third owner in June this year













Currently straightening out the bathroom door jam

 

[freeskier125]

The first few mods are adjusting the tie-down rails and headboard on the flatbed so I can take it off and scoot the camper further forward. I’ll need to remove the black tank drain that runs across the back and put the valve in the little cubby.








Solar - I’m interested in getting a proper solar setup. My batteries are 6-7 years old and would like to upgrade them while doing solar. Would love to hear suggestions. Is lithium the go to now? The two 6V batteries combined have a 470 AH @ 20HR rating and that seems more than what I can find in Lithium for the size of the compartment. My AC specs 15 amps while running and would like to be able to go overnight or continuous with it. Is it worth replacing the unit with another set up? Most rooftop units seem to only draw a few amps less


Side Compartment - I plan on making a long side hatch / compartment to infill the area where the bedsides use to be. I’m considering making the exterior out of 1” rigid foam board and fiberglassing over to match the rest of the camper but will see how ambitious I am when the time comes. There is A LOT of storage available in those areas. I had cut the rear wings off a previous camper but feel like that would be the wrong move here and could make a smooth streamline hatch without too much of a hassle


Airbags - The truck settles 3” - 4” with the camper loaded, my first weigh in put me at 10,200 # , so roughly 3000 wet. I’ve seen and heard about Timbren bumpstop for decades, but wonder if airbags would be a better setup? I don’t mind a little sag but with 37s the bed is closer than I’d like. The overload springs are just coming in contact, also wonder if I can space them higher so they start sooner








There is much more I hope to do but I need to get a few trips under my belt and give it a better shakedown before diving into much else. I’m super excited to be back with a nice setup and am looking forward to the adventures this brings