Average Joe's Truck, Camper, and Adventures (Chevy - TC650 )
- Thread starter Joeprunc
- Start date
Joeprunc
Observer
Utah snow just blew off as soon as you hit 20 mph. Sierra cement, well that's another ball of wax. I bought a snow broom with an extendable pole. I put ladder steps on the back of the camper to access the back...but you can only get so much area, and its kind of sketchy when its snowing out. One tip I did was drive to a grocery store and park near a light pole that has a concreted base, stood on the concrete base and pushed the snow off the front of the camper. I've talked to others and they have a collapsable ladder and a snow broom.
One thing I will be doing before next winter trip, is getting a darker cover for my fan. it was frozen shut most of my trip. I think the black would help attract sun (radiant heat) while I'm out skiing during the day.
Joeprunc
Observer
I'm back home now and camper is in the garage, but dreaming of the next trip. Next few trips will be for motocross races so nothing too exciting.
Oh and thanks for the props on the RLXI, I love that boat, and the water/weather is already starting to warm up here. Looks like you a Malibu fan, what boat do you have?
malibubts
Adventurer
Grew up going out with my family. We had an IO, then moved to an 05 Wakesetter, then finally to an 11 Response. I was also the President of the Waterski Team at OSU when I was there and I moved us to an Echelon. Unfortunately living in a different city than my family now, so I've got the boat fund going to pick up a late 90s direct drive from one of the big 3.
Joeprunc
Observer
That's a gorgeous RLXi, every day I'm out in my I realize how phenomenal they are, and how versatile of a boat it really is for having a world class ski wake.
My old Tige was much like the Echelon. Of all the boats I've skied behind, I'd still put it up there with the flattest -15 off wake at 30-32 mph. But as I progressed the rooster tail at -22@34mph was difficult to tackle. And with all the wake surf boats I found it very difficult to keep water from coming over the bow or sides. Plus I found my dream boat, and couldn't pass it up
Good luck with the boat hunt
My old Tige was much like the Echelon. Of all the boats I've skied behind, I'd still put it up there with the flattest -15 off wake at 30-32 mph. But as I progressed the rooster tail at -22@34mph was difficult to tackle. And with all the wake surf boats I found it very difficult to keep water from coming over the bow or sides. Plus I found my dream boat, and couldn't pass it up
Good luck with the boat hunt
Joeprunc
Observer
Thanks, I've modeled a lot of my mods off your thread.
Next modification I'm currently working on is the Lagun Table leg. I'm debating making the table smaller too.
malibubts
Adventurer
That's a gorgeous RLXi, every day I'm out in my I realize how phenomenal they are, and how versatile of a boat it really is for having a world class ski wake.
My old Tige was much like the Echelon. Of all the boats I've skied behind, I'd still put it up there with the flattest -15 off wake at 30-32 mph. But as I progressed the rooster tail at -22@34mph was difficult to tackle. And with all the wake surf boats I found it very difficult to keep water from coming over the bow or sides. Plus I found my dream boat, and couldn't pass it up
Good luck with the boat hunt
Yeah the Response might not have the best wake for skiing out of the Big 3, but it is a much better on lake boat with the tower design and things like the wedge. Honestly on wake alone the Echelon was better skiing, but add in the Zero Off and other features the Response was a nicer boat overall.
Saving up money for the boat and the toughest decision is buying a boat or be responsible and buy a house. All my friends love the line "You can sleep in a boat, but you can't ski behind a house". So we'll see how things pan out in the next year or so on the boat front.
A few questions...
Hey there.
I just ordered a TC800 - it hasn't been built yet. And like you... I over-research everything! I had a couple questions about your set-up and for some specific advice.
I live in BC, and plan to use my set up in winter to camp at Baker and other resorts. Mainly we'd be using our camper in the other three seasons, but we def want to camp in the winter too.
So... if you were to order a new camper, would you pay the extra $900 for the winter tent? Or do you think there are perfectly adequate work-arounds (like Reflextix) for the tent part. We're hardy sort of people - we're not afraid of winter base-camp ski trips in the alpine, and we both have winter sleeping bags. But we thought, hey - we're spending all this money on a camper, so why not get the winter canopy. What are your thoughts on this? It hasn't been built yet (just ordered last week) so I can still change it if I think it's overkill. Saving US$900 is more like $1300 for us... so not insignificant.
I've read your beta on generator, solar panel, greywater freezing issues, and getting a black vent cover. Amazing advice - thanks.
Ali
Hey there.
I just ordered a TC800 - it hasn't been built yet. And like you... I over-research everything! I had a couple questions about your set-up and for some specific advice.
I live in BC, and plan to use my set up in winter to camp at Baker and other resorts. Mainly we'd be using our camper in the other three seasons, but we def want to camp in the winter too.
So... if you were to order a new camper, would you pay the extra $900 for the winter tent? Or do you think there are perfectly adequate work-arounds (like Reflextix) for the tent part. We're hardy sort of people - we're not afraid of winter base-camp ski trips in the alpine, and we both have winter sleeping bags. But we thought, hey - we're spending all this money on a camper, so why not get the winter canopy. What are your thoughts on this? It hasn't been built yet (just ordered last week) so I can still change it if I think it's overkill. Saving US$900 is more like $1300 for us... so not insignificant.
I've read your beta on generator, solar panel, greywater freezing issues, and getting a black vent cover. Amazing advice - thanks.
Ali
Joeprunc
Observer
The Reflex worked quite well. You could easily feel the temperature difference between the canvas that wasn't covered vs the covered with Reflex, its like adding a double pane window. I'm not sure what is all included in the winter package when ordered from N Star. One thing that I could see getting to be a PITA is attaching it to the canvas, and whether you can keep it attached when you lower the top.
With the reflex I tried attaching adhesive velcro the the canvas and Reflex, but that didn't work. So I cut the sheets just large enough to keep from falling down. I could see after a few seasons the reflex would probably break down and start "falling off the walls". Also each and every time I lowered the camper I had to take the Reflex down and store under the bed. I'm not sure what NStars package offers, but it would be nice to not have to hassle with setup and tear down. As far as additional cost vs worth, I'm happy with the Reflex, but that's also why I bought used at a steal of a price.
With the reflex I tried attaching adhesive velcro the the canvas and Reflex, but that didn't work. So I cut the sheets just large enough to keep from falling down. I could see after a few seasons the reflex would probably break down and start "falling off the walls". Also each and every time I lowered the camper I had to take the Reflex down and store under the bed. I'm not sure what NStars package offers, but it would be nice to not have to hassle with setup and tear down. As far as additional cost vs worth, I'm happy with the Reflex, but that's also why I bought used at a steal of a price.
