We picked up our camper from ATC’s Sacramento shop in November 2013. In the eleven years since, we’ve traveled 169,000 miles and spent 907 nights in the camper. How has it worked for us and how has it held up? I should point out that most of our use is on rugged backroads. Our truck and camper have not been babied.
Here is a link to a post about building our camper in 2013 –
Building Our New Camper
Bottom line – after 11 years we are extremely pleased with how this camper has held up and worked for us. Julie refers to it as “Our home away from home.” We both give our All Terrain Camper a solid “A” grade.
There is not much at all I can pick apart or grouse about. The camper still looks close to new. The frame and structure are rock solid. There are a few gouges in the aluminum siding from squeezing through tight pinyon and junipers.
One reason I like the old traditional lapped siding is its ability to hide gouges and scrapes.
I also, very much, prefer the traditional ribbed, screwed-on aluminum roof sheeting that All Terrain Campers uses. I’ve previously written about this –
“Julie and I ordered our All Terrain camper in 2013 right at the time FWC was switching to the thin, off a large roll, non-rigid aluminum sheet for their roofs. I saw the ATC corrugated (makes it much more rigid) roofing sheet as superior. Yes, it is screwed to the roof frame, as roof sheets have been for years. I see that as a plus. The roof sheet can be easily repaired or replaced. We drive on narrow mountain roads, many times with narrow corridors through trees. I expect, someday, I may put a branch through the roof. We've owned - and heavily used - our camper for over 10 years now. We've not had a water leak or problem with our roof. I have not tightened or resealed the screws. No need to, thus far. It is solid construction. It is quiet in the wind. It never ‘oil cans.’ We sleep well.”
I should note, that when at home, our truck and camper are stored in our garage.
The only water leak I remember is two years ago we had water come in the bottom left corner of the door.
There is a sealed seam (with chalking) that opened up enough to allow water to come in. I cleaned off the old sealant and resealed the corner and the issue was solved.
About three years ago, because the lock broke, I replaced the latch on the door.
Because of wear, in three places, I’ve installed screen patches over small holes.
In places the vinyl sideliner looks a bit dirty but is still solid with minor signs of wear.
Two pet peeves I’ve had are the door holder and the outside switched porch light.
The standard friction – push in – door latch was never solid enough for strong gusts of wind. Two years ago, I purchased the door latch used by FWC and installed it. It's called a "Catch & Latch" and I believe the cost was $25.
Because the door has a foam core, I installed a backing plate for the through bolts. I believe these door latches need this addition. I've had the door pulled from my grasp by wind. I would not like to see these bolts pulled out through the door, therefore I've added the backing plate.
The outside porch light is prone to dust intrusion that interferes with the switch operation. It needs to be kept clean. Also, I replaced the old bulb with an LED panel.
The review is continued in the following post
Here is a link to a post about building our camper in 2013 –
Building Our New Camper
Bottom line – after 11 years we are extremely pleased with how this camper has held up and worked for us. Julie refers to it as “Our home away from home.” We both give our All Terrain Camper a solid “A” grade.
There is not much at all I can pick apart or grouse about. The camper still looks close to new. The frame and structure are rock solid. There are a few gouges in the aluminum siding from squeezing through tight pinyon and junipers.
One reason I like the old traditional lapped siding is its ability to hide gouges and scrapes.
I also, very much, prefer the traditional ribbed, screwed-on aluminum roof sheeting that All Terrain Campers uses. I’ve previously written about this –
“Julie and I ordered our All Terrain camper in 2013 right at the time FWC was switching to the thin, off a large roll, non-rigid aluminum sheet for their roofs. I saw the ATC corrugated (makes it much more rigid) roofing sheet as superior. Yes, it is screwed to the roof frame, as roof sheets have been for years. I see that as a plus. The roof sheet can be easily repaired or replaced. We drive on narrow mountain roads, many times with narrow corridors through trees. I expect, someday, I may put a branch through the roof. We've owned - and heavily used - our camper for over 10 years now. We've not had a water leak or problem with our roof. I have not tightened or resealed the screws. No need to, thus far. It is solid construction. It is quiet in the wind. It never ‘oil cans.’ We sleep well.”
I should note, that when at home, our truck and camper are stored in our garage.
The only water leak I remember is two years ago we had water come in the bottom left corner of the door.
There is a sealed seam (with chalking) that opened up enough to allow water to come in. I cleaned off the old sealant and resealed the corner and the issue was solved.
About three years ago, because the lock broke, I replaced the latch on the door.
Because of wear, in three places, I’ve installed screen patches over small holes.
In places the vinyl sideliner looks a bit dirty but is still solid with minor signs of wear.
Two pet peeves I’ve had are the door holder and the outside switched porch light.
The standard friction – push in – door latch was never solid enough for strong gusts of wind. Two years ago, I purchased the door latch used by FWC and installed it. It's called a "Catch & Latch" and I believe the cost was $25.
Because the door has a foam core, I installed a backing plate for the through bolts. I believe these door latches need this addition. I've had the door pulled from my grasp by wind. I would not like to see these bolts pulled out through the door, therefore I've added the backing plate.
The outside porch light is prone to dust intrusion that interferes with the switch operation. It needs to be kept clean. Also, I replaced the old bulb with an LED panel.
The review is continued in the following post
