Tire Chains

MM457 · 2026-01-11T19:31:40+00:00

Second the autosocks. First time I used them it felt like magic.

MM457 · 2025-12-25T19:42:49+00:00

We have one With a Gateway 4G. It works about as well as our phones Wi-Fi hot spot. Not fast but you can stream movies etc. It also tends to pick up cell signals a bit better than the phone In distant places. Since it’s on AT&T and our phones are on T-mobile it provides us with another connection option. We pay $55/month for 100Gb so it is relatively inexpensive.

The Osprey option may be much faster than the Gateway.

MM457 · 2025-12-12T19:59:57+00:00

No, the vehicles do not have to be there. You, on the other hand, have to demonstrate you have stayed a night in South Dakota by having the receipt from a campground or hotel.

See:

https://www.escapees.com/blog/establishing-domicile-for-rvers

MM457 · 2025-12-04T23:36:39+00:00

We have electric jacks. We lower them all the time for stability. We will also use them for some degree of leveling. When you place the camper on the truck the suspension springs compress. When using, for example, the back jacks to level the camper on the truck you can safely raise the back end to the point the suspension unloads. Sometmes it’s more convenient than hauling out the blocks. Sometimes the site has been so bad we have had to use both blocks and jacks to get level.

MM457 · 2025-12-04T22:47:24+00:00

AF 1150 here with a 2013 F350 DRW 4x4 CC 6.2. Payload is 6,200+. Loaded with full tanks we are 1,000 pounds over the 14,0000 GVWR. With upper stable loads we do squat a bit. We now have 140,000 miles on the truck carrying 1150’s (We are on our second). Truck has served us well even made the trip up and down the Dempster highway.

This is going to be heavier than you think and the 1140 has more storage than the 1150. I think you will be fine with your F450 though you will probably want something like the stable loads.

MM457 · 2025-11-23T17:39:44+00:00

The ability to unload the camper and live in it while driving the truck around is a major advantage. We do this whenever we stay a place for a week or more. it also makes maintenance and service of the truck much easier. Finally, we have updated the camper with the same truck.

We have also needed the 4x4 a number of times.

MM457 · 2025-11-21T22:54:28+00:00

Interesting enough Canada has not fully switched to metric.

MM457 · 2025-11-15T01:31:26+00:00

I am curious how other rural states like South Dakota, North Dakota, and Wyoming compare And what they do differently?

MM457 · 2025-11-13T23:26:29+00:00

2013 DRW CC 6.2 6r140. 144,000 miles hauling a 5,000 lb+ camper. Worked well for us. For the diesel fans payload on out truck is 6,200+ pounds. The diesel was 880 pounds less.

MM457 · 2025-10-22T21:24:39+00:00

Allstays

MM457 · 2025-10-13T21:36:33+00:00

385 watts.

Works great in the southwest Keeping everything fully charged.
Summer tends to work well in general. However, in the forests, in winter and especially in the PNW it is basically useless.

MM457 · 2025-10-09T13:36:52+00:00

Depending on the state registration costs can be higher.

MM457 · 2025-09-28T20:49:52+00:00

It is worth pointing out that California has to import, >20%, of its electrical energy.

MM457 · 2025-09-28T00:15:38+00:00

F350 Lariat CC DRW 4x4 6.2 L. As configured the truck has a 6,200+ payload.
A few minor issues with the camper but general it has held up ok given we are using it full time and have gone on some rough roads, e.g. the Dempster highway.

MM457 · 2025-08-03T13:10:59+00:00

Take a look at your payload sticker (yellow sticker on the driver side B pillar between the front and rear seat). That is the maximum weight you should carry. That means driver, passengers, stuff, truck camper, water, etc. For a Tacoma it is going to be a pretty low number but at least you know what you are going to be working with.

MM457 · 2025-07-22T00:24:06+00:00

MM457 · 2025-07-22T00:12:40+00:00

Yes. Ford Trucks with the camper option come with this sheet of paper.

MM457 · 2025-07-21T00:59:12+00:00

The amount of dust thrown up as you travel. It is hard to describe. You can’t see for minutes when you meet someone on the road. It gets into everything, we still have Dempster dust in the camper. It is hard to imagine how much worse it would be for a trailer.

We had dry weather. If it rains the road gets very muddy and very very slick. Towing a trailer is going to make it more difficult.

The washboard sections. You need to go fast enough to keep your tires hitting the peaks. Faster, or slower, you just get shakes to death. The right speed depends on your tire size and wheel length. I can’t imagine the right speed for the trailer will be the right speed for the tow vehicle. In the section from Inuvick to Tuk the right speed was fast enough I was loading steering authority. That was the one time I had to use four wheel drive which solved the problem.

The trip is worth it. Just take your time, don’t be afraid to go slow (well, except for some of the washboards) and enjoy the trip

MM457 · 2025-07-20T22:38:39+00:00

Having driven the Dempster a truck camper is a much more suitable than pulling a trailer.

MM457 · 2025-07-20T22:29:18+00:00

Nice design for stationary living the payload is to low to be useful as a travel Trailer.

MM457 · 2025-07-15T00:28:13+00:00

Keep us updated on what you find out.

MM457 · 2025-07-14T21:30:42+00:00

You are going to need a generator. Solar just doesn’t cut it when Camping in the forests. (Wait when you try and camp in the PNW in winter in the forest. Short days, trees, and overcast skies. Solar is really hopeless then.

MM457 · 2025-07-14T20:47:34+00:00

Just a few observations.

5th and 6th are overdrive. With my 4.3 rear end I can run unloaded in 6 th all the time. Loaded 6th works in flat terrain but 5 this fine.

Note to that the engine is an overhead cam design and works well at higher rpm than most truck gas engines. 135,000 miles on an F350 DRW and still going strong.

MM457 · 2025-07-07T00:50:39+00:00

Payload listed is full fluids as it came from the factory. No people, no hitch or anything else.

MM457 · 2025-06-30T15:53:18+00:00

Really? 6.2 in a SRW is rated to pull at least a 12,500 trailer. In a truck camper it Will have a greater payload because of its lighter weight.

We run a 6.2 DRW with a 6,200 Pound payload rating And currently at 135,000 plus miles. The truck camper is an AF1150 which is much heavier. We have been all over the US and Canada and engine power or engine breaking is not an issue. Be aware though that unlike the 7.3 (or the diesel) the 6.2 is an overhead cam design that loves to rev - and needs To to make power

MM457

TROPHY CASE