Reality check on full timing in a pop up? Anyone doing it?

[space]

We've been full-timing in our XPCamper since July of 2013. You can read more on our blog:

http://songoftheroad.com

I highly recommend XPCamper if you are looking for an expedition-strength vehicle. It's built on a flat-bed, so the camper is much higher to begin with (re: concerns about water crossings), and it's a mostly hard-sided camper (you can even get hard sides for the part that is normally tent if you choose). In addition, the flat-bed gives you a ton more room to work with inside the camper.

You can check out more of xpcamper here:

http://www.xpcamper.com

Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any more questions; it may take a while to respond as we're on the road right now but we'll get to it eventually!

thanks,
sam

The XPCamper is awesome and definitely something that I considered. Although, I would like to stay away from a flatbed build. The amount of space, storage ability with the flatbed, and durability all intrigue me but I want a slide in truck camper so that if my truck fails or must be replaced I can easily do so quickly, cheaply, and without much troubleshooting.

I admire your fulltime-ness and great blog too, I'm reading through all of it!

I would highly recommend a Hallmark camper in a regular pick-up bed ... and avoid goin' in water deep enuf to flood the camper. Water that deep ain't healthy.

Maybe you should consider a DUKW with a custom camper on it. :ylsmoke:

I don't plan on water crossing often or in circumstances as intense as I mentioned. I am more so worried that in a recurring very wet climate, the plywood floor and siding of the FWC and other campers will rot, mold, or deteriorate within a very short time. I do not understand why FWC has not used the aluminum side paneling or diamond plate on the bottom/slide in part of their campers.

Hallmark is in my top 5 campers I've been considering, but no shell option is available. (it is not advertised, rather) I possibly could refurbish a used hallmark unit if I find the right price. The DUKW was a horrible vehicle, not to mention I plan on attempting to stealth camp at certain times.

 

[haven]

"...I plan on attempting to stealth camp at certain times."

Then be sure to check that you can make sleeping arrangements inside the camper without raising the roof. Some manufacturers claim you can use the bed without raising the roof, but it's like sleeping in a mail slot.

Best urban stealth camper probably is a van without windows, and with commercial license plates. Just don't be surprised when nocturnal artists provide a fresh coat of paint to your vehicle.

 

[craig333]

You could always add whatever diamond plate you like to your camper. As for rot it just doesn't seem to be a big issue for most of us. I've been in deep enough water to float my Jeep. My truck no way. Not going to happen.

 

[pappawheely]

Not easy stealth camping with a camper that has to be popped up when sleeping. I sleep in the bottom bunk of my FWC Keystone but you can't do much more than sleep. cooking, etc can't be done with the top down.