Funny you mention minimalist, and speak of saving weight, but you'd rather carry a generator instead of solar?
You also mention catalytic heaters. In a good 4-season, thats the last type of heater you want.
A good 4-season is near air tight, but easy to ventilate to allow air exchange (with regards to humidity)
A catalytic heater will do little more than use up your oxygen and dump CO into your air.
Nowhere did I mention anything with regards to fancy amenities.
Quite the opposite, actually. Hell, I dont even include a water heater in the following list, nor do I a shower....
In my mind, a legitimately sized 4-season pickup camper is at minimum, 8' long with a 48" cabover.
Being a 4-season camper Id like to assume that it isnt for the weekend warrior.
This is Expo-Portal afterall, lats try to stretch that trip longer than overnight, shall we?
Ill assume that the camper must support extended trips (as in months) or even full time.
So, with that said, a "legitimately sized 4-season camper" in my mind MUST include the following:
*Fully insulated with insulated windows and roof hatch for emergency egress
*Efficient sealed burn furnace (no buddy heater here)
*Stove for cooking meals
*Fridge for maintaining perishables on the road
*Properly sized fuel (ex: LP) to supply furnace and stove during extended outings
*Enough space for two+ adults to live INSIDE comfortably, without need to "convert" furniture to accommodate uses
*25+ gallons of fresh water
*Pump of some sort
*Sink and grey water tank
*Chemical or permanent toilet, black tank if permanent
*all tanks insulated from exterior to prevent freezing
*Properly sized house bank to supply low voltage power for fridge and lighting
The generator vs solar is all about weight and power delivery.
Because the tc ( at least mine ) requires very little power to operate I could run without it, but as a true 4 season camper I find the convenience of the generator out ways the added 60 lbs of extra weight. I use the generator more as an in camp power station than to QUICK charge my battery.
If I added solar that would add at least another 60 - 100 lbs of weight and is no where near as versatile as a small quiet generator.
In reality , when needing a charge I generally start my truck. After a few cold days in the bush it's always a good idea to run the engine for a short while anyways.
Now to the heater. I see you overlooked the blue flame unit. ( my first choice ) and what I will run in any tc from here on in.
It's thermostatically controlled, convection and very efficient ( 99.9% ). Emits no CO and requires no outside venting.
As it is surface mounted ( like the cat ) it requires very little space installed. A premium in a TC.
Second choice would be a catalytic.
Advantages to both are, that they draw no electricity, unlike a conventional furnace. Are less than half the weight, and are more efficient over all.
The Catalytic is a tried and tested unit used for years in many TC's with good results .
It's a bit more finicky than the Blue flame, but with proper ventilation and maintenance, works well. Ask any one who truly uses one.
The on demand hot water system I will be using is a convenience , I will admit.
At 10 lbs , and zero LPG or electrical usage except when in use , a convenience worth it's weight in gold. I like not stinking up my camper. An outside shower is a must.
I agree a good sized camper has an 8' floor length . I like a bigger bed mine is 60" wide. 48" seems a bit cramped.
An adequate water supply system to fill the needs of the users. Some require more than others . I take a weekly shower.
Unfortunately my build width only allows for a 16 gal tank and a 17 gal grey water tank.
To remedy this I will carry 2 - 5 gal Gerry cans externally. No the best idea in cold weather but it's all I can do.
When cold I'll have to store them in the hanging locker.
A refrigerator (that requires NO 12 volt power to operate. ) at the very least 4 cubic feet . ( I prefer 6 )
I run an electric pump for the water delivery . Again I like showers. But a hand pump at the sink is a good idea . I have both.
Insulation is a must. And lots of it. That goes without saying.
I disagree however that a good 4 season needs to be an air tight box. As most contractor have learned this is a bad practice. Especially if using composites of any kind.
They tend to outgas undesirable things into the air. I like my tc and my home to breath a bit.
Now to the escape hatch... By the time you get your hatch open , squeeze through it, climb out on the roof and then manage the 10 foot drop to the ground ( all during an emergency ) I would have sprinted out the back door to safety.
I have had escape hatch equipped TC's . They inevitably end up a source of leaks .
I'd trade the hatch for a a good set of air quality sensors and a quality fire extinguishing system.
As far as extended trips idaSHOW. I have traveled from the southern tip of South America to Barrow Alaska using TC's and or off road trailers. I am by definition an expedition traveler.
Can't remember the last time I had full hook ups or had an overnight in a State park. I think your weekend warrior comment should have been kept to your self.... Or maybe I'm taking offence where none was intended....
The camper I am building will first be used on the discovery trail Canada to Mexico.
And then on the Trans Canadian highway. ( wet to east ) Hardly overnight stays.
I like your TC , a cool design. Flat bed's open up a whole new relm of dimensions.....
I thought about that a bunch before I opted for an in bed build. It just didn't pencil out for me.
Weighed mine again yesterday. As it is nearly ready for insulation and skin, I needed a base comparison for the log book. 864lbs dry .
That's with a 20 lb LPG tank , 1 Optima yellow top, my generator , all of the appliances hooked up and running. Only things to add are the fantastic fan ( hasn't arrived yet ), the rear door to the generator storage compartment, the external hot water heater, cushions, mattress and bedding. And the port o potty. All in an 8 ' floored 13'6" over all unit.
I'm pretty sure 1000 - 1100lbs dry target is doable. That normally leaves a bunch of room for gear.
Or in my case Almost none. I'm building for ( what will be ) a heavily modified, Import, gas truck.
The next build.
