VanIsle_Greg
I think I need a bigger truck!
Leaving tomorrow morning on the first ferry off the island. Heading to the BC Overland Rally. First night sleeping in this baby will be on the road.
#proper #abouttime #needbourbonandcigarstocelebrate
Pop-Up Camper - Custom Build (scratch built) Oasis-Si
- Thread starter VanIsle_Greg
- Start date
#proper #abouttime #needbourbonandcigarstocelebrate
VanIsle_Greg
I think I need a bigger truck!
Photo Drop!
Ok, its been a long week(s) of finishing stuff. But it is 100% useable, tested and all good to go. I had some small tasks like running lights and testing a few other systems as well as tuning the power systems and so on. Now I can say everything is working and ready to go. I still have some improvements and tweaks, but really I can use it for the summer and then add stuff after.
Pics in no particular order...
Rear awning test (custom made, first ever install). Needs a crossbar, but other than that works ok.
OZtrail awning deploy. I had this on my Overland Trailer and pulled it off and kept it when I sold it (swapped it for another 8' camping labs unit I had). This also comes complete with a full 8 x 8 room! Guest suite? Air B&B? Nope... bug free room if needed.
Front running lights test. I scrapped my custom wiring harness and popped for a $50 Amazon 15' 7 pin. So much easier and options for additional stuff like a backup camera.
I love those Morimoto rear tail lights I swapped the OEM LED units for. Spendy, but so nice...bright too. Top shelf components.
Deployed.
I need blocks to get it off now. lol I lifted it about 3.5" and then put on 35" tires. Also with the bags full it barely settles an inch.
AT Overland Scepter Jerry Can holder and 5 gal potable water.
Hardly any squat. The Timbren Aeon bump stops are amazing. That in combination with the HD coils, and Air Lift 1000 bags the ride is excellent with very little lean.
Hitting the road tomorrow AM first light. 4 hour trip... 6 hours of volunteer time at BCOR and then cold beers. Supposed to be 36 ish up there tomorrow. That's like 96 to my friends south of the border.
Wish me luck! Another pic dump when I return.
Ok, its been a long week(s) of finishing stuff. But it is 100% useable, tested and all good to go. I had some small tasks like running lights and testing a few other systems as well as tuning the power systems and so on. Now I can say everything is working and ready to go. I still have some improvements and tweaks, but really I can use it for the summer and then add stuff after.
Pics in no particular order...
Rear awning test (custom made, first ever install). Needs a crossbar, but other than that works ok.
OZtrail awning deploy. I had this on my Overland Trailer and pulled it off and kept it when I sold it (swapped it for another 8' camping labs unit I had). This also comes complete with a full 8 x 8 room! Guest suite? Air B&B? Nope... bug free room if needed.
Front running lights test. I scrapped my custom wiring harness and popped for a $50 Amazon 15' 7 pin. So much easier and options for additional stuff like a backup camera.
I love those Morimoto rear tail lights I swapped the OEM LED units for. Spendy, but so nice...bright too. Top shelf components.
Deployed.
I need blocks to get it off now. lol I lifted it about 3.5" and then put on 35" tires. Also with the bags full it barely settles an inch.
AT Overland Scepter Jerry Can holder and 5 gal potable water.
Hardly any squat. The Timbren Aeon bump stops are amazing. That in combination with the HD coils, and Air Lift 1000 bags the ride is excellent with very little lean.
Hitting the road tomorrow AM first light. 4 hour trip... 6 hours of volunteer time at BCOR and then cold beers. Supposed to be 36 ish up there tomorrow. That's like 96 to my friends south of the border.
Wish me luck! Another pic dump when I return.
Dave in AZ
Well-known member
Holy crao that's a nice job!
VanIsle_Greg
I think I need a bigger truck!
Funny you would say that. A few people including the guy on the BC Ferry lower deck said the same thing. He got me parked and was admiring it. I popped out of the truck, and he said "Nice camper, what brand is it" I said "It's a Greg Bird special...lol" He said exactly what you said.... no one will believe that. Ha. I see all the flaws, everyone else sees all the good stuff.
Just back from an 800km trip to Kelowna BC for the BC Overland Rally. Was hot... like really hot, 40-42 C at the camp site and dusty and dry, but a great time. 3 nights and 4 days camping, and the camper was flawless. Everything worked as planned. Solar and LiPo4 battery was perfect. Dometic fridge was stellar, had to turn it up a little as it froze my cucumber and milk. lol
Thanks Dave!
VanIsle_Greg
I think I need a bigger truck!
Photo dump from BCOR trip in no particular order...
Solar working good. 2 x 100 watt Renogy solid panels with a Victron 15 amp MPPT controller.
Nightly campfire talk with a lovely woman telling us stories about her and her husband in the 1970's and 1980's driving around the world. Guinness record for the first vehicle to cross the Darian Gap in central America. That red Jeep is the actual truck that did it.
My view from camp. I volunteered with the Four Wheel Drive Association of BC to help park and assist with people getting set up so I got to camp with them at the edge of the field right at the cliff. Minimal neighbors and a wonderful breeze. Also a killer view.
Volunteering with parking. Hot, dry, dusty and 4 hours straight. I think I drank like 3 or 4 liters of water and 1 Gatorade. Was zonked.
Volunteer row... and a weird lense thing making my roof look bent. That receiver hitch step was perfect and that 24" ladder is the ticket for this setup. Also take note of my neighbor across the way with the tracked Gladiator. That is a YouTuber called @JustJeepinAdvantures. Nice dude. I met a couple of YouTubers there including a woman I have seen before (forgot her channel), who said she felt really out of place (I was assisting her to part her Transit). She stayed the whole time and looked to have a good time with all the Overlander types.
I could look at this all day long...
My friend Andreas with his new personal rig from Total Composites. It is a beast... 4x4 TopKick with a fully custom sprunk mount attached to the frame as well as a sweet custom box. Amazing rig.
Early morning vendor row shot. Lots of great vendors there, lots of nice people and lots of dealz. lol
Zoomed in shot of the technical course. This is waaaaaaay down the cliff from the field, and was reportedly a pretty rad time for people to learn some new skils on. Lots of trail runs too. Some were over 100KM of road, gravel and technical 4x4 trails.
More below.
Solar working good. 2 x 100 watt Renogy solid panels with a Victron 15 amp MPPT controller.
Nightly campfire talk with a lovely woman telling us stories about her and her husband in the 1970's and 1980's driving around the world. Guinness record for the first vehicle to cross the Darian Gap in central America. That red Jeep is the actual truck that did it.
My view from camp. I volunteered with the Four Wheel Drive Association of BC to help park and assist with people getting set up so I got to camp with them at the edge of the field right at the cliff. Minimal neighbors and a wonderful breeze. Also a killer view.
Volunteering with parking. Hot, dry, dusty and 4 hours straight. I think I drank like 3 or 4 liters of water and 1 Gatorade. Was zonked.
Volunteer row... and a weird lense thing making my roof look bent. That receiver hitch step was perfect and that 24" ladder is the ticket for this setup. Also take note of my neighbor across the way with the tracked Gladiator. That is a YouTuber called @JustJeepinAdvantures. Nice dude. I met a couple of YouTubers there including a woman I have seen before (forgot her channel), who said she felt really out of place (I was assisting her to part her Transit). She stayed the whole time and looked to have a good time with all the Overlander types.
I could look at this all day long...
My friend Andreas with his new personal rig from Total Composites. It is a beast... 4x4 TopKick with a fully custom sprunk mount attached to the frame as well as a sweet custom box. Amazing rig.
Early morning vendor row shot. Lots of great vendors there, lots of nice people and lots of dealz. lol
Zoomed in shot of the technical course. This is waaaaaaay down the cliff from the field, and was reportedly a pretty rad time for people to learn some new skils on. Lots of trail runs too. Some were over 100KM of road, gravel and technical 4x4 trails.
More below.
VanIsle_Greg
I think I need a bigger truck!
Pic dump continued.
This is the zoomed out version of the earlier shot showing just how far away this was.
My view from bed.
BIG lineup to get in. Check in was hoppin on day 1.
Bug murder scene. You should have seen it after I got home... this is 1/2 way on this trip! lol
On the ferry. The truck suspension setup is... perfect. Timbren SES with TufTruck XD upgraded springs and AirLift coil bags. The Timbren and Air Bags are belt and suspenders... which was good because I discovered a leak in the D side bag so I came back with only 5 PSI in each bag. Still rode excellent though I list about 1" ride height.
Not sure if I ever posted a shot of the DC to DC install. Worked great!
This is the zoomed out version of the earlier shot showing just how far away this was.
My view from bed.
BIG lineup to get in. Check in was hoppin on day 1.
Bug murder scene. You should have seen it after I got home... this is 1/2 way on this trip! lol
On the ferry. The truck suspension setup is... perfect. Timbren SES with TufTruck XD upgraded springs and AirLift coil bags. The Timbren and Air Bags are belt and suspenders... which was good because I discovered a leak in the D side bag so I came back with only 5 PSI in each bag. Still rode excellent though I list about 1" ride height.
Not sure if I ever posted a shot of the DC to DC install. Worked great!
97heavyweight
Well-known member
This thing looks amazing!! Excellent craftsmanship! So happy you are able to use it!
VanIsle_Greg
I think I need a bigger truck!
And now all I want to do is to go camping. lol
Week off hanging with the family (staycation) with maybe a few nights here and there for camping coming up. Looking forward to using this more and more. Hassle to get on and off and all locked in place. I can really see the appeal of a Go Fast Camper or similar. Always on, can still use your truck for truck stuff...
Might go that direction some day. Anyone looking for a super sweet custom slide in camper? lol
Week off hanging with the family (staycation) with maybe a few nights here and there for camping coming up. Looking forward to using this more and more. Hassle to get on and off and all locked in place. I can really see the appeal of a Go Fast Camper or similar. Always on, can still use your truck for truck stuff...
Might go that direction some day. Anyone looking for a super sweet custom slide in camper? lol
VanIsle_Greg
I think I need a bigger truck!
Merry Christmas / Happy Holidays / Joyeux Noël to you all. Just doing some poking around here in the increasingly dead forum... and thought I would say a quick hello. Hope you all got some goodies for your rigs in your stockings this year! lol
I picked up a Bluetti 200 v2 Elite for general use and for helping power my camper needs. Was still looking at heat solutions, but am dragging my feet on that one as it means giving up a bunch of storage space. Oh well.
Happy new year campers!
I picked up a Bluetti 200 v2 Elite for general use and for helping power my camper needs. Was still looking at heat solutions, but am dragging my feet on that one as it means giving up a bunch of storage space. Oh well.
Happy new year campers!
VanIsle_Greg
I think I need a bigger truck!
I hear you. Hence me buying the Bluetti for myself... er for the family in case of a power outage I mean.Merry Christmas to you as well. All my camper needs/wants are too expensive for others to buy for me.
VanIsle_Greg
I think I need a bigger truck!
Oh the good ole BC4x4. Man it's been a long time since I went over there...
I just checked out the old BC Jeep Club page... and the DB is FUBAR for the legacy site. Sad, had a lot of good content in there.
Anyhow. (insert Jeremy Clarkson meme).
I am looking at some truck stuff in the new year. I have been hit and run so many times now, and the Front bumper on my 2014 sport has been replaced 4 times already. I am going to replace it with an Ironman 4x4 Raid front bumper and maybe the skid plate kit as well. I have a pretty small lift, and no OEM protection so, feeling pretty vulnerable.
VanIsle_Greg
I think I need a bigger truck!
Christian Valley Overland Trip... May 2025.
Hello folks. Been a min since I have posted anything on this site, or spent much time here either. I have however been actually 'using' my camper, so that's cool. Not just a fancy lawn ornament. lol
In the end of May, 2 friends and I did an overland trip in the Kootenay Boundary area of BC. I drove from Victoria on day 1 of 5 and stayed the night at Mule Deer Campground in Manning Park. Nice spot and a beautiful park, but a bit close to the highway. My site was right beside the river and as far away from the road as possible. Only a couple of campers there, so it was quiet and peaceful. Set up camp and had a nice quiet evening with a steak dinner, some very good Scotch and a lovely cigar.
Next morning it was off to Oliver BC to meet up with my friends. Andrew was driving his monster-truck of a Land Cruiser (Lexus with a JDM diesel swap on 35's). Craig was driving his trusty Ford F150 with his slide in camper.
Mule Deer Campground
Interior in camping mode... day 1. The mess comes later. lol
I think I need to invest in some extended fender flares.
It doesn't look like it (it never does) but this is a shelf road at the side of a cliff. Probably a 300' drop and pretty steep. This was a wide spot with the best view of the day. Amazing country, and fun trails and roads. This was approx 4500' elevation and climbing.
That Lexus is a monster. Lockers, articulates like crazy, has power for days and gets mileage I can only dream of. The 5.7L Hemi in combination with the 8 speed and the torque restricting shifting was stellar offroad. I actually took this setup places I did not think it would go or I would take it. Basically destroyed my paint and am still getting mud out from the underside...lol. Toyo tires were stellar, and overall it was perfect. Hardly took any pics of the gnarly stuff as it was super tight and twisty and I was holding on with both hands. heh
This is where we got stuck. 2 trees blocking the road, and probably 24" diameter each. This was a theme of this trip, we probably stopped 25 times to cut and to clear the road / trail. Early-ish season, and they had some sort of a MASSIVE wind storm there. We saw sections of road in one part of the valley where nearly 80% of the trees were blown down and some huge trees sheared off 20-30" in the air. Like all of them.
Scary.
Homeward bound in the car deck of the Spirit of British Columbia. All in I drove in and around 1500 KM with probably 300K of trails and FSR. We hit close to 7000' in elevation, and sadly got skunked by snow and could not complete our mission... which was getting over a high pass to a group of abandoned mines and related stuff. Ghost towns and abandoned stuff is... cool. We were less than 3 KM away too and had to back-track over some of the worst roads I have driven with a camper or loaded. Truck did awesome... was unstoppable and never felt taxed. 4 Low and locking it into 2nd or 3rd was the ticket.
Can't wait to get it out again soon now that I have fixed the stuff I sort of broke. Front CV axle was toast, front shock/head bearing squeaking and nasty and. Also ordered a set of Ironman 4x4 USA skid plates for the engine/trans and will be ordering the Transfer Case skid kit. Looking for options for a gas tank skid too... and maybe even a snorkel as there were multiple crossings we avoided. Next time.
Hello folks. Been a min since I have posted anything on this site, or spent much time here either. I have however been actually 'using' my camper, so that's cool. Not just a fancy lawn ornament. lol
In the end of May, 2 friends and I did an overland trip in the Kootenay Boundary area of BC. I drove from Victoria on day 1 of 5 and stayed the night at Mule Deer Campground in Manning Park. Nice spot and a beautiful park, but a bit close to the highway. My site was right beside the river and as far away from the road as possible. Only a couple of campers there, so it was quiet and peaceful. Set up camp and had a nice quiet evening with a steak dinner, some very good Scotch and a lovely cigar.
Next morning it was off to Oliver BC to meet up with my friends. Andrew was driving his monster-truck of a Land Cruiser (Lexus with a JDM diesel swap on 35's). Craig was driving his trusty Ford F150 with his slide in camper.
Mule Deer Campground
Interior in camping mode... day 1. The mess comes later. lol
I think I need to invest in some extended fender flares.
It doesn't look like it (it never does) but this is a shelf road at the side of a cliff. Probably a 300' drop and pretty steep. This was a wide spot with the best view of the day. Amazing country, and fun trails and roads. This was approx 4500' elevation and climbing.
That Lexus is a monster. Lockers, articulates like crazy, has power for days and gets mileage I can only dream of. The 5.7L Hemi in combination with the 8 speed and the torque restricting shifting was stellar offroad. I actually took this setup places I did not think it would go or I would take it. Basically destroyed my paint and am still getting mud out from the underside...lol. Toyo tires were stellar, and overall it was perfect. Hardly took any pics of the gnarly stuff as it was super tight and twisty and I was holding on with both hands. heh
This is where we got stuck. 2 trees blocking the road, and probably 24" diameter each. This was a theme of this trip, we probably stopped 25 times to cut and to clear the road / trail. Early-ish season, and they had some sort of a MASSIVE wind storm there. We saw sections of road in one part of the valley where nearly 80% of the trees were blown down and some huge trees sheared off 20-30" in the air. Like all of them.
Scary.
Homeward bound in the car deck of the Spirit of British Columbia. All in I drove in and around 1500 KM with probably 300K of trails and FSR. We hit close to 7000' in elevation, and sadly got skunked by snow and could not complete our mission... which was getting over a high pass to a group of abandoned mines and related stuff. Ghost towns and abandoned stuff is... cool. We were less than 3 KM away too and had to back-track over some of the worst roads I have driven with a camper or loaded. Truck did awesome... was unstoppable and never felt taxed. 4 Low and locking it into 2nd or 3rd was the ticket.
Can't wait to get it out again soon now that I have fixed the stuff I sort of broke. Front CV axle was toast, front shock/head bearing squeaking and nasty and. Also ordered a set of Ironman 4x4 USA skid plates for the engine/trans and will be ordering the Transfer Case skid kit. Looking for options for a gas tank skid too... and maybe even a snorkel as there were multiple crossings we avoided. Next time.
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