The Birth Of Robert

The Saints

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 22, 2009
Messages
239
Location
Santa Cruz, CA
Well yesterday I made the long travel from Santa Cruz to Sacramento to pick up our Bobcat. It was a non eventful trip up, no rush hour traffic and with my GPS navigating for me no wrong turns. Although, with out my old camper shell and tailgate, the Taco felt like a sports car.
Once at ATC, the guys (Jeff and Marty,Don was off hunting for a hunting location) went right to work. Before I knew it Jeff had the hood open and was pulling wire. Marty had to check out the donuts I brought, then showed me the ins and outs of how to pop up the top of the camper. He left me there to play, while they got the truck ready. But when I would wonder out of the camper, I would catch Marty dropping little donut pieces on Jeff while under the truck.
Then came Delvin. He is a cousin or something to the crew there. I guess he is a traveling mechanic for a large company and quite a character. With the three of them there, the place got very amusing. Since they are all so close, the insults were flying from all directions. A whole lot of love in this shop.
Then came the time when Jeff told me to back the truck under the camper (we named it Robert, you can figure that out). Being the first time it was a bit daunting. Needless to say it worked out fine. After a few minutes the boys had it plugged in and turn buckled up. Since I had those Super springs installed the truck barely dropped. Then came the fun part all three of the guys showed me how to work the whole camper. Told me what to expect while driving, and told me to call anytime I needed help.
The most fulfilling part of the day came next. The Bill. Once paid, Marty reminded me of the fine print of the warranty where it fails to exist once they cant see the camper any more. Of course he was joking (?)
The drive home was no problem. The truck did bob a bit on some part of the road, and it did feel heavier around some of the turns. But rides better then I though. With the Tacoma I have an "ECT" button on the extreme left side of the dash board. Before depressing that button, while in cruise control the truck would want to jump around with the gears causing the rpms to spike. After I pressed the ECT button, that took all of that away. It had no problem with the hills at 65 to 70 in cruise control.
I do have pictures and more to tell, but I have to get them off the camera later.
We are very impressed and Love our camper already. Today we get to shop (and I am excited about shopping for once) for goods to start outfitting it.
 
<snip>Today we get to shop (and I am excited about shopping for once) for goods to start outfitting it.

Target has Coleman 30 degree bags (X long) that match the blue interior of our camper. We got four, 'cause Edna loves them so much.
 
You will have a great time with 'Robert'. We found plastic boxes that fit the cabinets at Target, light folding chairs that work well and are pretty comfy at WalMart, folding aluminum table at Camp World, etc. Now to organize it...
 
okay, here are some pictures, exciting to me but probably boring to you. They are of the guys installing our camper. Showing me the camper, installing the eye bolts and electrical.
 

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We went out and bought all kinds of stuff to equip our camper yesterday. Rei sold us a stackable cook set, and a nice dog bed. Valerie did not like our old chairs so we bought some coleman ones that look like director chairs but are normal size chairs. they have a little tray on the side for snacking and drinks.
We went to Target for some blankets, because she doesn't want to use sleeping bags (**^%#%&*&)!! We bought some Corelle flatware because the camper is "just too nice for our old camp flatware" (the wife). And we bought several other items.
So next week we will go to the strand in Morro bay, for our first overnight trip, and since we are in town, ther sould be no problem if we forgot something important. The Big break in will be on Oct 19. We have a bit over a week off and will camp and surf our way down to San Diego where Valerie's best friend lives. Of course I will keep taking pictures, but promise to make them more exciting than shop pics.
 
Great New Fun!!! And she'll come around on sleeping bags after while and after making and making up the bed with blankets and sheets.
 
Nice unit. You need to hit New Brighten Beach and spend the night. You will find all the things you need and not be far from home. We just did our shake down trip and found several things we need to modify or add.

  • LED lights inside.
  • Foam topper for the mattress.
  • Indoor / outdoor thermometer.
  • Bungee cord around the port a potty (don't ask).
  • Fan inside the refrigerator.
  • Mat for outside the camper.
  • Paper towel holder.

Link to our first trip.
http://www.wanderthewest.com/forum/index.php?/topic/2535/
 
Congrats on the new rig Saints. I am having my old Fleet re-skinned by the ATC guys this month and can't wait, should look shiny and bright like your new rig there. While in the Morrow Bay area don't miss the Avala beach hot springs, no camping but a great place to rent a tub for the evening. Montana de oro is another must see spot, amazing cliffs on the ocean. Enjoy your trip!
 
Well, after a bit of driving around. I am going to replace the springs (coils in front and leafs in back) because the Taco is hitting the bump stops (?). I had put the super springs on hoping that would be good enough, but with all the extras I had put on the camper, it weighs over 800 lbs. I think Jeff said 840. It rides alright and is the slightest tippy around turns and in the wind, but going over rough roads it is bottoming out.
There is a guy in town who does springs (Central Coast 4 wheel drive) and he said he can make me up some. I think he said (when I opted for the super springs) it would be around $1,200 bucks. We'll see. Meanwhile we are still going down to Morro bay this weekend to stay at the strand and will shake out the camping then. We always go there and have the trip down pat. 101 south and 1 north (there and back). The strand is right in town so we can always pick up supplies there.
We aren't going to bring my porta potti, it's too big. I think we will eventually get the pett system, but we wont need it in camp grounds anyway. I am going to replace the two closing latches on the propane tank and refrigerator, and the locking latch on the water fill with 3 keyed alike ones.
As far as the bed, as long as she makes it, I am fine with it. If I have to do it, it will be the bags..... unless I end up in the dog house for that ;) .
I have a credit card that has "reward points" on it. I used them for a new camera. After that gets here I will be able to take more and hopefully better pics. I will also use Picasso to help resize them. I hear that program works well. ???
Rich, the way ATC works, your rig will be better than new when you get it back. Those boys do a great job.
Craig, Corelle is very dignified, and I cant break them. plus they are lite weight. set of 4 is $26.00 and has plates bowls and cups that will stack somewhat deciently and not scratch or crack. easy cleanning too.
Thanks for all the congrats!!!
 
Congrats on the new camper. Many days and nights of enjoyment await you.

I did the key lock on the refg and propane tha same as the water and worked well over the years. But it is not leagal as I remembered. But it does keep the propane and refg running while you are away hiking for the weekend. Keep a key handy in a location for fast access.

Springs...I had great luck and service from National Springs on a custom set of 4. Just check with them on prices. I had many thinner leaves in the pack and that gave it a very smooth ride.

Sleeping Bags worked better for us because of the late night thief that sometimes happens to the covers.
 
Oh yea...

Tippy around curves could be the tire sidewalls flexing. D or E rated tires will stiffen that up.

Or the shocks are too soft...Do you have the Toyota version of the Bilstien?

A custom rear sway bar with disconnect ends are nice and give the truck great cornering feeling. Disconnect one side when off roading for axle travel.
 
just trying to test my pic posting abilities. but here are a couple more of my camper
 

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Scott, $1,200 for suspension mods on that truck seems high, we had our Eagle on the same truck and add-a-leaf at $350, heavy duty shocks at $250, and air bags @ $260 (self installed) did the job very well for a total of $860 and was very versatile.
 
thats the only reason i come here is for the shop pics!

we did the same thing, good cookware etc.....we went to target and got new $20 frying pans etc.

dont laugh....they are still in perfect condition...the eggs slip around real good!
 

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