Camp X winter testing

[@baconcreek609]

It's pretty hard to keep it dry in a camper when it's super cold outside and your using the propane heater and still breathing. I'm impressed that it stayed comfortable in there.

[@Pioneer_Classic_Trucks]

The propane furnace is fully vented outside so it doesn’t add to the interior moisture but for the temps we were in it wasn’t bad, I think it got down to -14 at one point. Cold enough that the furnace had to run constantly when on the night mode, which keeps the fan on low and really quiet. Super comfortable inside though. I think if I build a camper I’ll look into using radiant heat in the floor and under the bed to eliminate frost/condensation in those areas.

[@the_wandering_brute]

Awesome. Been looking between these and Four Wheel Campers. Very interesting.

[@Pioneer_Classic_Trucks]

Thank you, I don’t have experience with the four wheel but the Camp X has been good

[@JohnGrit]

Thanks for sharing! I'm shopping for one.

[@Pioneer_Classic_Trucks]

Thanks, good luck with your search.

[@alphatruckhouse8223]

Looks like a good test ! Yeah they make a good product for sure . I use the froli sleep system , works great ! ~peace~

[@Pioneer_Classic_Trucks]

Ok, I will check out the Froli, thanks for the info.

[@Metalrogue]

With all the frost build-up, would this be considered a 3 season camper? It may be warm but that's a lot moisture to contend with.

[@Pioneer_Classic_Trucks]

My opinion is yes, it’s more of a 3 season camper. It’s plenty useable and comfortable in cold weather but the condensation and or frost is very inconvenient at best. It takes a lot of extra care to get everything dried out during and after a trip. I am very careful to keep everything dried out as much as possible to prevent any mold. If it stays frozen it’s not a big deal but frost at night and then warming up during the daytime causes everything to melt and drip water all around the perimeter of the camper. Also the snow and ice was a problem when putting the top down after spending several days in cold snowy weather. I think a pop up design could work well for four seasons but there needs to be less thermal transfer areas.

[@Metalrogue]

@@Pioneer_Classic_Trucks I'll always have a fondness for cabover campers because of the family trips growing up. In 77, we went from CA to Vermont and back. But I think I'm going with a fifth wheel toy hauler when I full-time RV in 4-6 years when I retire.

[@Pioneer_Classic_Trucks]

I’ve had both, right now I’m enjoying the simplicity of the truck camper and being able to get to more places with it.

[@Metalrogue]

@@Pioneer_Classic_Trucks I do like that ability to get farther off the beaten path. Not sure whether I would like a pop-up over the regular version of the cabover camper.

[@Pioneer_Classic_Trucks]

There are definitely trade offs between hard side and pop up, one of the bigger ones I’ve noticed is a lot less real estate for storage in the pop up. There’s been a few times I was really glad it was a pop up though when we were able to fit under low branches and trees instead of back tracking many miles on backcountry roads.

[@bobwells7991]

Very interesting. Great job. What if you were in real cold weather. Something to think about...

[@Pioneer_Classic_Trucks]

Thank you, yes I think it’s good to know the limits of the equipment, it got down to around -15F on that trip.

[@bobwells7991]

@@Pioneer_Classic_Trucks I lived in gf nd 5 years. that would not make it there..

[@Pioneer_Classic_Trucks]

@@bobwells7991 Haha, yes, probably spring through fall for that part of the world. I think the biggest challenge might be the fabric becoming too stiff to lower the top in extreme cold. Possibly just cranking the heat up before lowering the top would help though.

[@baconcreek609]

I bet few of those campers actually get use in the winter.

[@Pioneer_Classic_Trucks]

True, I just don’t like being limited by my equipment’s capabilities and who wants to wait till summer to be able to camp?

[@baconcreek609]

I need to make some molle boards for the back of my camper like that.

[@Pioneer_Classic_Trucks]

Yes, it’s handy to have stuff stored there. I have used the shovel a lot and use the Maxtrax to park level.

[@norkisserrano]

Propane produces condensation unlike Diesel heater where it produces dry heat. With propane there’s always that moisture problem.

[@Pioneer_Classic_Trucks]

This particular propane furnace is fully vented so it doesn’t add to the living space condensation.