For 2017, Adventurer Manufacturing teases two new models, reveals all-new interiors, debuts one-piece counter tops, and unveils bolder exterior graphics.

Most manufacturers will debut a new and improved version of a product and discontinue the older product at the same time.  Not Adventurer Manufacturing.

After gathering dealer and customer feedback about how they could improve a specific camper, the Adventurer team does their best to build a new camper to beat the old one.

Once they believe they’ve hit the mark, they step back and let the new camper duke it out in the marketplace with the old camper.  It’s literally Adventurer vs Adventurer, camper vs camper, model vs model.  At the end of the year, the camper that has sold the most wins.

Right under our noses in 2015 and 2016, Adventurer has been monitoring a battle between the Adventurer 910FBS and the 910DB.  For 2017, they are ready to announce a winner, and kick one of these single-slides off Adventurer island.  Bring the truck camper torches.

In addition, Adventurer is set to debut significant changes to their interiors including new cabinetry, molded one-piece countertops, wall boards, and fabrics.  The exterior graphics have also been enhanced while other features and options have been added.  Did we mention they have two new models in the works?

To dig deeper into Adventurer’s 2017 model year updates, needle more information on the new models, and discover which truck camper torch is getting snuffed, we talked to Greg Tucknies, National Sales Manager for Adventurer Manufacturing.

Above: The 2017 Adventurer 86FB on a Ford F350.  All photography provided by Adventurer Manufacturing.

TCM: Are there any Adventurer models being discontinued for 2017?

Greg: Yes, we are discontinuing the Adventurer 910FBS for 2017.

When we debuted the Adventurer 910DB for 2014, we anticipated that some 910FBS sales would become 910DB sales, and that has happened.

A main reason why customers prefer the Adventurer 910DB is the King-size bed.  In fact, we continue to be asked to put a King-size bed in the other Adventurer models.

The only negative of the 910DB is how the size of the Super-U dinette encroached into the main living area of the camper.  For 2017, we have have shortened the dinette.

Above: The Splendid Maple cabinetry, new hardware, and stainless appliances in the Adventurer 86FB

TCM: Tell us about the new 2017 Adventurer interiors.

Greg: For many years, Adventurer had light color interiors.  In 2010, when I started at Adventurer, the cabinetry was blonde in color.  As our dealers and customers asked us for richer interiors, we made the cabinetry progressively darker maple tones.  We have used the most recent maple cabinetry since 2014.

Over the past two years, Adventurer dealers and customers have asked us for dark Cherry cabinetry.  While we appreciated this feedback, we didn’t want the cabinetry in the smaller Adventurer models to be that dark.

Above: The new decor in a 2017 Adventurer 86FB

For ideas and inspiration, we worked with our interior designers and furniture manufacturers.  With an array of choices and samples in hand, we put several packages together and gathered feedback from the Adventurer office and production teams.

Above: The Splendid Maple cabinetry with the new hardware

For 2017, we have selected Splendid Maple cabinetry.  It’s not as dark as the Cherry, and offers a bolder and richer interior aesthetic for the 2017 Adventurer line.  It’s closer to Pecan in color.

Above: The new stainless steel refrigerator in the 86FB

 
Above: The stainless oven and microwave in the 86RB with the new Splendid Maple cabinetry

Above: The new wall board for 2017 Adventurer campers

With the wood tone selected, we chose a new wall board for Adventurer.  We have been using the same wall board for almost eight years.  If we were going to revamp the interiors, why not update and enhance everything?

TCM: For 2017, Adventurer truck campers are getting thermal-formed one-piece MDF countertops.  What are thermal-formed counter tops and why are you making this change?

Greg: The new molded countertops are high-end one-piece medium density fiberboard (MDF).  The MDF countertops can be any shape or design because they’re formed, vacuum sealed, and laminate foil finished.

Above: The new molded countertops in the kitchen of the 80GS

This process gives the new one-piece countertops a clean finished edge.  There’s no edge banding or separation like you see with traditional formica.  The first 80GS models with the new one-piece counters are coming off the line now and they look fantastic.

TCM: Did you test the new counters for scratch resistance and durability?

Greg: We went through a lot of testing when the first sample came through.  We hit it with hammers and dropped tools, pots, pans, and plates on it.  The hammers and heavier dropped tools sometimes left small indentations, but the pots, pans, plates and other normal truck camping items did nothing.

Above: The 80GS dinette with the molded table and Pewter decor

Just like any other countertop material, it can be damaged, but you really have to work at it.  Nothing broke the foil seal.  It’s tough.

Above: The new molded countertops in the 86FB add about 3.25 pounds

TCM: Is there a weight difference between the outgoing formica counter tops and the new one-piece MDF counter tops?

Greg: The new one-piece countertops add a little weight.  In the 86FB, which is a mid-sized unit, the new counter is about 3.25 pounds heavier than the old one.  But, the new one-piece counter is a lot more solid than the formica.

Above: New Decor for 2017 – Pistachio

Above: New Decor for 2017 – Pewter

Above: New Decor for 2017 – Dawn

TCM: The Adventurer exterior graphics are receiving an overhaul for 2017.  Tell us about this new look.

Greg: For the 2017 Adventurer exterior graphics, we talked to our graphics company and gave them an idea of what we wanted.  They came back with about a dozen choices from which, after an office vote, we selected two.  To make the final selection, we asked James Epp, President of Adventurer Manufacturing, for input.

Over the past few years, we have received a number of requests from younger dealers and buyers for a bolder exterior look.  We didn’t want to go too bold and lose our more traditional buyers.  With James’ final selection, we have a new exterior graphics package that gives the 2017 Adventurer units more pop, but is more subtle in color.

TCM: The solar panel option now includes the ability to add a second or even a third panel.  Did you change the make and model of solar controller and panel for 2017?

Greg: For 2016, we upgraded to GoPower for solar controllers and panels and we are continuing with GoPower for 2017.  For the 2017 model year we are debuting a new option titled, “Solar Panel – 2nd Additional” at a significantly lower cost than our previous second solar panel option.

The lower price comes from the use of a single 300-watt GoPower solar controller rather than the two solar controllers that were previously required.  That savings is passed directly to the customers for 2017.  Now customers can order one, two, or even three 100-watt GoPower panels with their 2017 Adventurer, and take advantage of the savings.

TCM: For 2017, Adventurer truck campers will have a standard 12-volt power point in the cabover bedrooms.  Why did you make a 12-volt power point in the cabover standard?

Greg: Until now, we have only had 110-volt outlets in the cabover, plus the 12-volt outlet for the television.  More and more we are seeing customers who need to power a 12-volt CPAP machine overnight.  To meet this need, we are adding 12-volt power points in the cabovers.  Of course these can also be used to charge cell phones and tablets.

TCM: Are there any model specific changes for 2017?

Greg: As I already stated, the 910DB is getting a shorter U-shape dinette.  We also added the King bed with under-bed storage in the 910DB.  We debuted this feature in the Eagle Cap 1200 and it’s been very well received.  It should also bring the center of gravity in the 910DB forward.

Although not update related, we are seeing a significant increase in the number of 910DB units being ordered with the Power Bunk option.  As of now, about fifty percent of the 910DB models are being ordered with the Power Bunk.

The Adventurer 116DS is getting a larger 28-inch 12-volt HDTV.  The 24-inch television was discontinued.  The larger HDTV required adjusting the wall blocking to support the larger swivel arm.  The television is now moved in a little more, and the larger screen looks great in the camper.

TCM: Will we see any new Adventurer models in 2017?

Greg: Yes, we will be announcing two new models this year.  They will both be released in the late summer or early fall.

Our wish list and our goals for the new models are quite ambitious.  If we pull off what we’re hoping to do, one model will be for a half-ton and an industry first.  We’re also working on a single-slide model.

We’ll let you know when it’s ready to go and make its debut in Truck Camper Magazine.

TCM: What a tease!  Is there anything else you want to share about the 2017 Adventurer updates?

Greg: Check out our walk through video of the Adventurer 86FB.  During the walk through I highlight the 2017 changes.

I think 2016 will be Adventurer’s best year ever with our new exterior colors and new interiors on our 2017 models.  Everything is richer and bolder.  We keep moving forward.  We get a lot of comments from customers and dealers that we get better and better every year.  We are very excited about our 2017 Adventurer camper line and updates.

For more about the Adventurer updates, check out the 2017 updates on their website.  Click here to request an Adventurer brochure.

The post 2017 Adventurer Announcements appeared first on Truck Camper Magazine.

Adventurer Manufacturing announces the 2017 Adventurer 89RBS, an 8-foot 9-inch, hard side, single full-wall slide, with a wet bath.  The 9-foot slide-out market just got more competitive.

Create a successful company or product and you will eventually have competitors attempting to take a piece of the pie you created.  This is as inevitable as it is healthy.  Competition destroys complacency, focuses management on strengths and weaknesses, and fuels innovation.

If there’s been a product trend in 2016, it’s been tighter competition.  We have seen more and better floor plans going after very specific target markets.  The most obvious example of this trend is the emergence of serious half-ton compatible hard side models.  A less obvious example is the focus on 9-foot hard side slide-out floor plans; the sweet spot for towing, and a long-time best seller in the truck camper marketplace.

Enter the 2017 Adventurer 89RBS; a fresh take on a familiar floor plan and a new competitor in the coveted 9-foot hard side slide-out battleground.  Adventurer Manufacturing has brought their latest design and manufacturing acumen to bear and believes their new entrant will dominate.  Naturally we are intensely interested, but skeptical.  That’s our job as journalists.

To find more about the 89RBS, including what makes this new Adventurer a contender, we talked to Greg Tucknies, National Sales Manager for Adventurer Manufacturing.

2017 Adventurer 89RBS Specifications:

The 2017 Adventurer 89RBS is a hard side, single-slide, wet bath truck camper made for short or long bed trucks.  The interior floor length of the 2017 Adventurer 89RBS is 8’9”, the interior height is 78″, and the center of gravity is 38”.  The 2017 Adventurer 89RBS has a 44 gallon fresh tank, a 31 gallon grey tank, a 31 gallon black tank, and a 6 gallon hot water heater.  It can accommodate two batteries and has two twenty-pound propane tanks.  Adventurer is reporting the base weight of the Adventurer 89RBS to be 3,018 pounds.  The base MSRP for the 2017 Adventurer 89RBS is $29,540.

Above: The 2017 Adventurer 89RBS on a Ford F350, long bed truck.  All photography provided by Adventurer Manufacturing.

TCM: At first blush, the Adventurer 89RBS floor plan looks like an 89RB flipped, with a full-wall slide out.  Is that accurate?

Greg: It is.  We started with the Adventurer 89RB concept, but the 89RBS was designed fresh from the ground up.

Our primary focus was to make the 89RBS long bed and short bed compatible, and make it generator capable for long bed and short bed trucks.

Above: The interior kitchen and cabover of the Adventurer 89RBS

We also designed the Adventurer 89RBS as a rear bath design because it opens up the floor plan and cabover bedroom area.  Since we moved the bathroom to the passenger’s side, we needed to make an all-new mold for the bathroom.  The wet bath in the 89RBS is now the largest wet bath ever made for an Adventurer truck camper.  It’s actually 12-percent bigger.  Customers are going to love it.

Above: The dinette in the Adventurer 89RBS

TCM: Does the 89RBS replace or compete with an existing Adventurer model?  We know from previous interviews that Adventurer likes to compete plans against each other.

Greg: We strongly suspect that the 89RBS will replace our best selling 86SBS.  We’re still building and selling the 86SBS, but we believe the 89RBS will surpass it.  Of course, sales and the marketplace will dictate what happens.

The 86SBS has been the number one slide-out truck camper for Adventurer since its launch.  Over the years, we have done a lot to update and refresh the 86SBS to maintain its success.

One limitation of the 86SBS we could not get around was the inability to have a generator in a long bed truck configuration.  With more and more customers wanting generators, this has been missed opportunity.

 
Above: The Adventurer 89RBS floor plan allows it to carry a generator with either a short or long bed truck.  The generator compartment can alternatively be used for storage.

TCM: There are at least three 9-foot, hard side, full-wall slide, wet bath campers already in the marketplace.  How does the 89RBS differentiate and compete?

Greg: If you compare Adventurer truck campers to two or three competing brands, Adventurer truck campers are consistently less money, have a longer warranty, are less weight, and offer a better center of gravity.  We are extremely competitive brand-to-brand and model-to-model.

Above: The 89RBS is generator ready for long or short bed trucks

At first glance you might think the 89RBS is similar to other campers, but it’s got much more to it.  It’s the only camper I know about that is generator capable for a short or long bed truck.  It also has one of the largest, if not the largest wet bath in the industry.

Above: A seven cubic foot refrigerator is standard in the 89RBS

The 89RBS kitchen features a seven cubic foot refrigerator, which is larger than the competitors, and standard in all Adventurer models.

Above: The new entertainment cabinet in the 89RBS

We’ve also incorporated a new entertainment cabinet into the 89RBS and have a new cooktop with a glass top that gives the kitchen an even richer look.

Above: The new stove in Adventurer Campers this year has a glass top

There’s plenty to differentiate the 89RBS from the competition.

Above: The unique slide design allows for the generator compartment under the slide

TCM: Tell us about the design and development of the 89RBS.  Were there any challenges?

Greg: The 89RBS has been on the drawing board for five years.  Dave Frampton, Adventurer Manufacturing’s General Manager, came up with the breakthrough design changes that really made it work.

One of the biggest challenges of designing the 89RBS was getting the center of gravity right.  For example, our initial plan was to have under bed storage.  When we designed the 89RBS with under bed storage, the center of gravity moved too far forward, and the cabover headroom was compromised.

 
Above left: Showing the water heater in the cabover on the passenger’s side.  Above right: Showing the water heater area inside the cabover wardrobe of the 89RBS.

By eliminating the under bed storage, and moving the propane compartment, battery compartment, and water heater, we perfectly dialed in the center of gravity.

Above: The 89RBS has an 8’9″ floor

TCM: Is there some magic to the 8-feet 9-inch floor length?

Greg: 8-feet 9-inches was the longest floor length the 89RBS could have and offer the proper center of gravity location on a short bed truck.  It’s important to us and our customers that the 89RBS carries properly on a truck.

Adventurer 89RBS basement

Adventurer 89RBS on the production line

Adventurer 89RBS on the production line

Adventurer 89RBS kitchen being built

Adventurer 89RBS side walls

Adventurer 89RBS slide-out rooms

Adventurer 89RBS slide-out installation

Adventurer 89RBS in final finishing

Adventurer 89RBS with the decals on

Above: Photos of the production of the 89RBS in the Adventurer factory

TCM: Were there any changes or advancements made to the Adventurer framing, lamination, construction process for the 89RBS?

Greg: The 89RBS uses our tried and true TCC (True-Composite Construction).  We recently bought new lamination equipment to help with our production process.

Above: The Adventurer 89RBS has stainless steel appliances

The 2017 updates announced in Truck Camper Magazine this past May all apply to the 89RBS including the stainless sinks and appliances, all-new molded one-piece countertops, all-new interiors, and bolder exterior graphics.

Above: The all-new molded one-piece MDF countertops

TCM: Is the 89RBS aluminum framed?

Greg: Yes, all slide-out models are aluminum framed at Adventurer Manufacturing.

Above: The slide-out is on the driver’s side

TCM: Why put the slide-out on the driver’s side rather than the passenger’s side?

Greg: We’ve had a ton of customer feedback on this topic.  If a slide-out is located on the passenger’s side, it impedes into the campground patio space.  If a slide-out is located on the driver’s side, it can make hooking up to campground amenities more difficult.

We decided it’s better to locate slide-outs on the driver’s side to avoid the slide being in the camping area.  Once you’re hooked up to amenities, a driver’s side slide is not in your camping area.

Above: The Happijac steel ram slide mechanism is used for the slide-out room

TCM: What slide-out mechanism does the 89RBS use?

Greg: We are using Happijac steel ram slide mechanisms on all Adventurers.  We use Schwintek slide mechanisms on our Eagle Cap line of truck campers.

Above: The new fiberglass wet bath

TCM: Why did Adventurer decide to locate the wet bath in the rear passenger’s side rather than in a mid-bath location?

Greg: We wanted the 89RBS to have an open floor plan.  Mid-baths close up the cabover area.

Above: The wet bath on the passenger’s side

Above: There is lots of open space in the middle of the camper

By locating the wet bath in the 89RBS in the rear passenger’s side, we maintain an open space near the cabover bedroom.

Above: You can access to the bathroom with the slide-out in

TCM: Can you access the bathroom with the slide-out in?

Greg: Yes, you can.  Actually, it’s quite easy to access the bathroom with the slide-out in, especially with the sliding door.  You can definitely do it.

 
TCM: Why are the holding tanks 44 gallons fresh, 31 gallons grey, and 31 gallons black?  Were those existing tank sizes, or are they new tanks?

Greg: We had to design new tanks for the 89RBS.  Having large holding tanks is always a popular feature.  We originally thought we might have to fit smaller tanks in the 89RBS, but Darryl McLean, a member of our design team who focuses on systems and basement design, did some excellent work rearranging the layout to fit the larger tanks.

Above: There is a wardrobe, night stand, and window on the passenger’s side

TCM: What is the reason for putting a wardrobe and nightstand on the passenger’s side cabover instead of the standard cabinet and hamper?

Greg: Ever since we debuted the first nightstands in a truck camper design, customers have said they love them.  They would much rather have nightstands than the typical shirt wardrobes and hampers.  They want a convenient place to put a book, smartphone, watch, iPad, and/or glasses.

Customers also want a window on both sides of the cabover.  For the 89RBS, there wasn’t room for the double door wardrobe, shirt wardrobe, hamper, and a window.  We opted for the double door wardrobe, nightstands, and a window.

Above: The Queen size bed in the Adventurer 89RBS

TCM: Adventurer has been putting a mix of King size and Queen size beds in their new models over the past few years.  Why did the 89RBS get a Queen size bed?

Greg: We certainly talked about putting a King size bed in the 89RBS, but it would have meant losing too much storage.

Above: Thermal pane windows are standard in the 89RBS

TCM: What type of windows are standard; single or thermal pane?

Greg: All Adventurers have thermal pane windows standard except for the 80RB and 80GS.

TCM: Is the Adventurer 89RBS a basement model?

Greg: Yes it is.  There is wheel well height basement with the slide-out tray storage compartment that we added in 2015.

 
Above: There is room for two batteries in the front wall of the 89RBS

TCM: How many batteries does the Adventurer 89RBS have, and where are they located?

Greg: The battery storage compartment is on the lower front exterior wall of the 89RBS.  Having the batteries on the front exterior wall is fantastic for optimizing center of gravity.  The battery disconnect is just inside the basement door.

Our competition likes to say that locating the batteries on the front exterior wall leaves you unable to unload the camper if the batteries go dead.  Well, you can simply start your truck and have the necessary power from the truck to off load the camper.  It’s a no brainer.

Above: Two vertical 20-pound propane tanks in the 89RBS

TCM: What are the propane tank sizes in the Adventurer 89RBS?

Greg: There are two vertical 20 pound propane tanks, and they are up front to keep the center of gravity forward and are great for the exchange a tank program most anywhere these days.

Above: Low water drains, fresh water drains, and water heater bypass are easy to access

TCM: What considerations are given for winterization?

Greg: Winterization tools are all standard.  We have low point drains, fresh water drains, and an easy to access water heater bypass.  There is also a winterization valve in the water pump area, which is in the bedroom step area.  Everything you need for winterization is standard for Adventurer.

TCM: Can the optional air conditioner run on a portable Honda EU2000i generator?

Greg: Yes, we are using the 11,500 BTU Coleman Mach air conditioner.  It’s not the low profile model, but its efficiency is designed to run on a Honda EU2000i.

Above: The Comfort Step bumper is installed on 98-percent of Adventurer campers

TCM: Tell us about the standard bumper and entry step system for the 2017 Adventurer 89RBS.

Greg: The standard bumper and step system for the 89RBS is the Super Step, which is a 9-inches deep and a 36-inch by 8’ folding step.  You can upgrade to the Comfort Step, the same industry leading system Adventurer and Eagle Cap has offered for many years now.  The Comfort Step has been ordered 98% of the time.

There is no storage in our bumper systems, but that’s because we care about center of gravity.  Storage compartments add considerable weight to a bumper design, and then invite more weight to be added with customer items.  That can move the center of gravity back as much as six inches, possibly more.

Above: Adventurer weighs each camper at the factory.  This fully-loaded 89RBS was 3,534 pounds.

TCM: What does the 2017 Adventurer 89RBS weigh with standard build features?

Greg: I sent you a photograph of a fully-loaded 89RBS that’s on its way to D&H RV Center in North Carolina.  The weight of that camper was 3,534 pounds.

The base dry weight of the 89RBS, with no options, is 3,018 pounds.  The standard build is 3,124 pounds including a rear awning, slide topper, Comfort Step bumper system, generator ready, Heki skylight, electric jacks, and stereo system.

Above: The center of gravity sits at 38-inches from the front wall of the camper.  You will find center of gravity stickers on every Adventurer camper.

TCM: With a base dry weight of 3,018 pounds, the 89RBS is certainly pushing the extreme of what’s possible for a short bed truck.  Using the standard TCM wet weight calculation, the standard build 89RBS will be pushing 4,000 pounds.  We had a special ordered 2013 Chevy Silverado 3500 short bed truck with 4,013 pounds of payload; so it’s possible, but not easy.  Where is the center of gravity on the 2017 Adventurer 89RBS?

Greg: It’s 38-inches from the front.  We measure the center of gravity at the end of the production line just like we measure the weights.  We also mark the center of gravity on every unit sold.  Always have.  Always will.

TCM: What is the MSRP for the 2017 Adventurer 89RBS with standard build features?

Greg: The base price is $29,540.  A standard build Adventurer 89RBS is $33,562.

TCM: What is the warranty for the 2017 Adventurer 89RBS?

Greg: All Adventurer campers have a three year structural warranty.  All of the appliances and other components have a one to three year warranty, depending on the manufacturer.

With our TCC construction, aluminum frame, luan backing behind the Lamilux 4000 fiberglass, and closed cell blocked foam, we are confident in the structure.  All of these elements go through our hot glue lamination to become one solid wall.  We get 100% coverage with the hot glue process, making for a strong bond.

TCM: When will the 2017 Adventurer 89RBS be available?

Greg: They are available now.  The first three have already shipped.   Nearly every Adventurer dealer will have an 89RBS in the next month or so.

There are also some upcoming RV shows that will feature the 89RBS.  Come visit us this weekend in Seaside Park, California at the Ventura Show from September 9 – 11.  There’s also the Real RV Show in Sacramento, California from September 15 – 18, the RV and Van Show in Portland, Oregon from September 15 – 18, 2016, and the Snowbird Sale in Abbotsford, British Columbia from September 22 to 25, 2016.

In October and November, there’s the Tacoma RV Show in Tacoma, Washington from October 6 – 9, the North Carolina RVDA Show in Greensboro, North Carolina from October 6-9, and the Portland Metro RV Dealers Show at the Portland Expo Center from November 10 – 15, 2016.

Check out the walk-through video of the 89RBS from Adventurer Manufacturing.

TCM: Is there anything about the 2017 Adventurer 89RBS that you would like to add?

Greg: The 89RBS is another exciting new Adventurer floor plan that customers are going to love.  It’s got more counter space, a bigger wet bath, and a face-to-face dinette.  It’s our goal to not just modify, but to build a brand new floor plan and incorporate what our customers ask for.

We must be doing something right because Adventurer is in double-digit production growth for the fourth year in a row.  We literally sell everything we can build.

TCM: Will there be any other new model announcements coming from Adventurer this year?

Greg: We are working on an exciting 8-foot slide-out model that will fit within the payload limitations of a modern half-ton truck.  If we can pull that off, it will be incredible.

We have been working on this concept for a couple of years, with a couple of prototype attempts.  If it doesn’t fit within the payload limitations of a half-ton legitimately, we won’t build it.

For more information on Adventurer 89RBS, visit their website at www.amlrv.com.  To request an Adventurer brochure, click here.

The post TCM EXCLUSIVE: 2017 Adventurer 89RBS appeared first on Truck Camper Magazine.

Full-time truck camper and traveling foodie, Rhonda Delameter, shares her secrets to cooking gourmet meals with minimal space, minimal ingredients, and minimal time.  Did we mention she’s traveling through South America?

I didn’t grow up as a foodie.  Life in small town Minnesota was basic meat and potatoes, rarely varying.  My mom, a picky eater, cooked because it was necessary, not out of the love of good food.

My entire life changed up when my family moved to the west coast.  Oregon offered so many new delicacies; fruits and vegetables I had never before discovered, and every fresh fish imaginable.  Ethnic restaurants on every corner offered up a cornucopia of taste sensations.  My taste buds soared and my palette improved.

Even in that discovery stage, it was never fancy food that drew my interest.  I was fascinated by the small mom and pop restaurants, the food cart scene, the seemingly simple meals that offered up flavor perfection.

Food Meets Travel

When Jim and I married and started traveling the world, we actively sought out street food, hole-in-the wall restaurants, and local restaurants that rarely saw westerners.  Back at home, I would attempt to recreate the food we had eaten, focusing on making them work at camp.

After several years of perfecting our art, I am thrilled to say that, while our life is now on the road in our truck camper, delicious food is always on the menu.

Above: Heirloom tomato mozzarella stack

Chicken enchiladas?  Check.  Dutch oven pizza?  Check.  Homemade bread?  Check.  Hungry for an Asian noodle bowl?  Check.

Above: Dutch oven pizza is possible while camping

What about a perfect cheeseburger and sweet potato pan fries?  All of these are not only possible on the road, but are probably on our menu for the week!

Finding the Perfect Camper for Cooking

In our search for the perfect truck camper, one huge consideration was the kitchen set-up and counter space.

Above: The counter space in the Adventurer 80SK

We willingly gave up the bathroom we could have had in an another Adventurer model and opted for the Adventurer 80SK with its massive (by truck camper standards) amount of counter space.

Above: Preparing Thai Red Curry pasta in a non-slide truck camper

As we moved from strictly backpackers, to car campers, to truck camper owners, our cooking style and taste buds have changed as well.  The days of a weekend of beef jerky and canned cheese whiz morphed into garden burgers and pasta salad.  Now, as truck camper owners, we have truly stepped up our camp cooking game.

The most important thing I’ve learned about cooking in my travels is that fancy is not always the best.  In fact, the ability to take basic but quality ingredients, and create something remarkable, is the goal I continue to aspire to.

Above: Rhonda’s Mexican spaghetti dish

Camp cooking is not about a lot of fancy gadgets.  Camp cooking is about a passion for creating amazing food.

Three Cooking Methods While Camping

In our Adventurer 80SK we don’t have a microwave or an oven.  What we do have is everything I consider essential for making nearly any dish.

For most of our day to day cooking, we use our two-burner propane stovetop.  Our previous camper had a three-burner stove and I admit to being concerned about moving down to just two.

However, while a few dishes such as eggs benedict, for instance, require a little bit more finessing in the order of preparation than before, I have found that two burners is plenty.

Above: Making BBQ tortilla flatbread pizza on the Weber propane barbecue

We also have a Weber propane barbecue.  Used in combination with our amazing nonstick and reusable barbecue grill mats, we use our barbecue for everything from burgers, to grilled fish, to stuffed chicken, to asparagus.  We even occasionally do bacon and eggs for breakfast on the barbecue.

Above: Using their Dutch Oven to cook gourmet camping meals

Finally, we have a Dutch oven.  Previously we had lamented the inability to bake bread, chicken enchiladas, or roast chicken at camp.  No longer.  The Dutch oven changed our camper cooking world.

While many truck campers do have ovens, some of our friends have found them to be a bit persnickety, and have multiple hot spots.

Above: Dutch oven roast chicken

Not so with our Dutch oven.  While it can be a bit of a time consuming process to get the briquettes hot and ready before the cooking begins, it is so worth it to sit down to a roast chicken with veggies, an oozy pizza, or a loaf of freshly baked bread.

House Cooking Versus Truck Camper Cooking

There are a couple of big differences between cooking in a house and camp cooking in our truck camper.  Time is the biggest factor.  Everything simply takes longer.

However, when camping, how often are you really in a hurry?  Pour another drink, sit down with a friend or a good book, throw in a fishing line and problem solved.

Another difference is that, most likely, you simply will not have all of your residential kitchen stuff.  I considered this an excuse to step up my game.

No food processor means honing your knife skills to learn how to finely mince produce.  A small refrigerator means buying or bringing only what you need for your trip.  No blender means learning to love the words, “shaken, not stirred”.

Space is always a consideration in the truck camping world.  It is impossible to have cupboards and cupboards of gadgets.  Thus, it’s essential to be extremely organized, with each item on-board serving a purpose.

For the pantry part of my camper kitchen, I am a huge fan of using plastic bins to keep all of those vinegars, olive oils, and other items standing up and together.  Another plastic bin holds flour, baking soda, and other baking goods.

Lightweight metal shelves allow for double level stacking of cans, pasta, and other pantry foods.  Screw-top plastic containers make neat work for rice, quinoa, and other small goods.  Spices, essential for any cook, store nicely in the middle, firmly in place.

For travel days, we have found the RV refrigerator bars fantastic.  Rather than use them in the refrigerator, we place them in the pantry area of the cupboards to keep everything from shifting too much en route.

The Essential Truck Camper Kitchen

During our days of weekend camping from home, I worked hard at paring my truck camper kitchen down to the bare essentials, while not leaving out anything I might need.

Pots and pans, along with good knives, are an essential for everyone.  We try to limit waste and use good quality plastic plates, bowls, and glassware rather than tossing or burning paper plates.

When we moved into our Adventurer full-time, I had to look even further at what I would truly need long-term.  In the past I didn’t bring a potato masher, for instance, because I simply didn’t make mashed potatoes for a weekend away at camp.

Now I might just be craving mashed potatoes one of these days, so guess what?  My second drawer of kitchen utensils has that masher.  I have always needed a cheese grater, a lime juicer, a corkscrew, bottle opener, measuring cups and spoons, and the like.

Added to this list are some items we don’t use often such as metal skewers for the barbecue, pizza cutter, and three different whisks.  Don’t judge!  One is for the smoothest sauce imaginable, one is for the most amazing whipped eggs, and a traditional coated one for nonstick pans.

Then there is the coffee portion of our cupboard, an essential for us.  We bring a hand cranked coffee grinder, metal French press, coffee travelers, and a couple of Starbucks ceramic mugs from home.

In general, life in a truck camper is about the non-breakable, but sometimes it’s lovely to just enjoy a nice cup of coffee or tea in a ceramic cup.

Tank Capacities and Conservation

My cooking continues to adapt with our agenda.  Back in the gorgeous Pacific Northwest, our camping most often centered on state parks and typical campgrounds.

These campgrounds offered water, sometimes electricity, and good facilities.

Now out on the road full-time, we often boondock without hookups.  When dry camping, conservation is the key.  We have made quite a few conservation-minded modifications to our Adventurer, including adding solar panels and changing out the light bulbs to LED.

Above: Gourmet cooking is possible while dry camping

To supplement our camper’s minimal fresh tank capacity, we carry a seven gallon jerry can of fresh water.  By conserving water, we can go nearly a week before needing a refill.  Since we are often dry camping on a beach, we use sea water for washing dishes much of the time.

Above: Huevos rancheros breakfast overlooking the beach in San Felipe, Baja

Certainly, conservation plays into truck camper cooking.  By planning ahead and having meals that require less clean-up, we’re able to spend a lovely week on a deserted beach or mountaintop.

Above: Close-up of the huevos rancheros with toppings

Planning and preparation are key.

Make A Menu and Shop Accordingly

Life on the road requires a more free-flowing manner of eating.  If we are near a large market, I try to shop for dinner for five days.

Luckily, unlike the United States, Mexico thrives on a more market day lifestyle and it is easy to get the basics on nearly any street corner, or even from vendors hovering around topes.

An additional challenge for us now is changing our wants into needs.  In the United States, we could eat pretty much anything we wanted, whenever we wanted it.

Our days now consist more of seeing what is available, and then planning our meals around those ingredients.  That said, any large town or ex-pat community will offer a tantalizing display of options.  And I certainly can’t complain about being at camp and having mangoes literally drop from the tree in front of us.

Favorite Go-To Meals On The Road

Here are some of our favorite go-to meals.  I have included a simple one pot pasta for those travel days and late arrivals at camp, an amazing Dutch oven dish, a multi-process dinner for wowing your camp mates, and a chicken verde I just came up with for the first time last week.  The chicken verde will knock your socks off with its simplicity and amazing flavor.

Now get out there and get cooking!

Simple Pasta Sauce Dinner In Minutes:

This dish could not be easier, and takes mere minutes to cook.

2-3 ripe tomatoes
Wedge of brie or cambazola cheese
Pasta
Fresh basil
Good quality olive oil, salt and pepper

Start off with boiling water in a pan.  Drop in your choice of noodles.  I prefer spaghetti or fettuccini for the dish, but any pasta you have on hand will work.

While the pasta is cooking, dice the tomatoes and throw them in a bowl.  Roughly chop a wedge of brie – or cambazola for an extra bite – and toss into the bowl with the tomatoes.  Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper and toss to combine. Maybe add a sprinkle of garlic salt.

When pasta is done cooking, drain and add immediately to the tomato-cheese mixture.  Slice some fresh basil and throw on top of everything.  Then toss it all together.

The tantalizing aroma of the basil will touch your nose first, as the cheese melts in to the tomato-pasta mix.  Add a side salad, and possibly some garlic bread, and an incredibly fresh tasting dinner is served in record time.

Dutch Oven Spaghetti Lasagna:

This is the perfect dish for a cool evening around the campfire.

1 Pound Italian sausage
Penne or shell pasta
1 cube cream cheese
1 cup sour cream
1 cup cheese – mozzarella, cheddar, whatever you prefer
Seasoning – Italian spices, salt, pepper, garlic salt
Canned or homemade marinara sauce

On your cook stove or stove top, brown 1 pound of Italian Sausage.  While browning, season with Italian seasonings, garlic salt and pepper.  Set aside.

Boil water for pasta and cook penne or pasta shells until al dente.  Drain.

While cooking the pasta and sausage, add cream cheese and sour cream to a bowl and mix well.  This is easiest to do if they are at room temperature.

Outside, get your briquettes going.  This is easiest to do with a chimney, but you can do in the fire pit or barbecue otherwise.

Line your Dutch oven with parchment paper.  Add a small ladle of marinara.  Add half of your drained noodles.  Layer with half of the cream cheese-sour cream mixture and half of the sausage. Add more marinara on top and continue for an additional layer.  Cover final layer with sauce and your choice of cheese.

Set your Dutch oven over 8 white hot coals.  Add 15 or 16 white hot coals on top of the lid.  Bake for approximately 30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and it is heated through.

Fish Taco Night Taken to the Extreme:

Tacos. Everyone has had them right? What makes this meal extraordinary, and well beyond worthy of company, is the beer battered crust on the fish, and the multiple accompaniments.

1 pound fresh fish. Sea bass, red snapper, or similar
1 (12 ounce) beer
1 cup flour
½ tsp baking powder
2 tbsp. cornstarch
1 tsp salt & 1 tsp sugar
1 tsp mustard
1 tsp or more hot sauce
Peanut oil for frying
Extra flour for dipping

Mix all ingredients except fish in a bowl and whisk well.  You want the consistency to be in between pancake batter and a sauce.

Cut the fish into even pieces.  Dip in flour, then dip into batter.  On your cooktop or camp barbecue, heat peanut oil in a heavy skillet (cast iron works great but any will do) until it is lightly sizzling (you can test the oil by sprinkling a small amount of water on the oil.  If it sizzles up, it’s ready).

Place batter coated fish into the oil in batches, turning regularly, until cooked through, and golden brown.  The first couple of batches may require you playing with the heat of the oil a bit, and turning it up or down as needed.  Drain on a paper towel covered plate.

Above: Rhonda’s beef tacos

If fish isn’t your favorite, you can easily change to chicken or beef.  For an amazing beef taco, simply marinate a flank steak with your favorite marinade for several hours.  Grill just until medium and let rest.  Slice against the grain and serve with warm tortillas and the same sides as listed below.

Chicken breasts can also easily be marinated, grilled, and made into delectable tacos!

Now for the all-important side dishes:

Pickled Red Onions
Lime Crema
Mexican Coleslaw
Salsa Fresca
Guacamole

Pickled Red Onions

Thinly slice a red onion, pulling apart rings.  In a small bowl or plastic container with a lid – I always have some of these in my fridge! In addition to being essential for fish tacos, they are amazing on a salad – add ½ cup red vinegar and ½ cup apple cider vinegar with 2 tbsp. of sugar.

Stir or toss to combine.  Add red onion rings, cover, and shake to combine. You can eat these the day made, but they are truly best after a few days, giving them time to pickle.

Lime Crema

Combine 1 cup sour cream (no light stuff please!) with the zest of one lime, and the juice of 1 or 2 limes, depending upon the amount of juice.  I like to add a touch of hot sauce to liven it up a bit more but that is a matter of preference.

Mexican Coleslaw

Chop a half to one whole head of green cabbage, depending upon the quantity you wish to make.  Chop finely and add to a bowl.  Finely dice a seeded jalapeno and add to the bowl.  Add mayonnaise and vinegar in relatively equal parts until you get the consistency you are looking for.  Now add the juice of 2 limes, along with salt and pepper to taste.

Salsa Fresca

Salsa Fresca is my go-to.  A quick and easy dice of a few veggies and you have a delicious salsa to go with tortilla chips or alongside any Mexican dish.

Dice 2-3 large tomatoes and add to a bowl.  Dice one large, preferably sweet, onion, and add to same bowl.  Finely dice one (or two if you like it hot) seeded jalapenos.  Toss those right in.

Now the lime juice.  Don’t be shy, a good salsa Fresca is fragrant with lime.  I generally use 2-3 limes.  Toss this all together, salt and pepper to taste, and add a generous amount of finely chopped cilantro.

Guacamole

The guacamole recipe comes after the salsa Fresca recipe because, for truly fantastic guacamole, you need a salsa Fresca base.

For a good bowl of guacamole to feed a crowd, I start with 4-6 perfectly ripe avocados.  I have found the easiest way to deal with avocados is to slice them in half.  Remove the pit from one half.

With a knife, score deeply the avocado all over, cutting down to the skin, but not puncturing it.  Keep working that knife, until the avocado is quite mashed up, even within the half skin.

Next take a spoon and scoop it out into a bowl.  Continue with the rest of the avocados.  Next, take a few good scoops of the salsa Fresca, and add it to the avocado.  Mix well.  Taste, and add more salt, pepper, and lime juice as needed.

When I’m really feeling frisky, I make homemade flour tortillas in a skillet.  Since I suspect very few folks will be attempting this, I’ll leave that recipe out.  Just make sure to provide good quality corn and flour tortillas.

In addition, I always put out sour cream and a bowl of chopped black olives, not authentic, but I like them!

A Chicken Verde Recipe to Embrace

I am sure a similar recipe exists somewhere.  I don’t know, as I simply made this up at camp a couple of weeks ago with what we had on hand, and what sounded tasty.

This one-dish wonder turned out to be one of the best things we have eaten recently, and will go on our revolving list of favorites!

2-4 boneless chicken breasts, depending on how many you are feeding
Fresh tomatillos – 6-8 large, 10-12 small, husked and rinsed
Large fresh jalapeno
Small onion
Sliced cheese – Monterey jack, Pepper Jack, Cheddar. Anything works
Chicken broth and beer

In a large skillet, heat up a couple of tablespoons of olive oil.  Meanwhile, finely chop the tomatillos, jalapeno, and onion.  Toss into the skillet and sauté until just starting to soften.  Add ½ c beer and ½ chicken broth.  Bring to a simmer.

Season the chicken with garlic salt, pepper, and chipotle.  Add to the simmering sauce.  Cover the pan.  Cook at a simmer until chicken is nearly done, turning once.

This timing will depend on the thickness of the chicken but should be between 20-30 minutes.  When chicken is almost fully cooked, add the sliced cheese on top.  Cover again and put on low until the cheese is melted.

Serve with refried beans and warm tortillas.

Have Fun

My best cooking advice for truck campers is simple; organize your space, plan ahead, and have fun.  The truck camper life is about weekends and good times with friends, wherever they may occur.

Hopefully you will join me in discovering the joy of camp cooking in your truck camper.  A truck camper is the ultimate comfortable getaway vehicle, and offer all you need for exploring nature.

To read more about Rhonda’s adventures, visit her website at thenextbigadventure.net.

The post Gourmet Cooking on the Road appeared first on Truck Camper Magazine.

Full-timers Chuck and Jodie Ramsey snowbird six-months in Florida in their fifth wheel, and then take off to explore America in their Adventurer 116DS truck camper.  Full-time RVers, half-time truck campers, and totally, wildly free.

How would your truck camping lifestyle change if you didn’t have a home to return to?  No worries about getting back to mow the lawn, or get your taxes done.  No concerns about the heating system failing in February, or rodents gnawing into the garage in August.  Just you and the road, with anywhere to go, whenever you please.

To put this idea into full resolution, imagine preparing your house for sale, purging most of your belongings, and then selling your house.  Once the papers are signed, you get up from the closing table, pickup your keys, and walk out to your truck camper rig.  In it is everything you own, minus a few boxes in storage.  You are now totally, and wildly free.

As you read the above paragraphs, were you horrified, or excited beyond belief?  Does the idea of not being tied to a house and home and all of your belongings liberate your spirits, or shake you to the core?  For most of us, the reaction is likely mixed.

Chuck and Jodie Ramsey made the full-time leap in 2011.  They started out in a fifth wheel, and then discovered truck camping.  Today they can be found in Florida for the colder half of the year, and then just about anywhere on the American continent during the warmer months.  They take full advantage of their full-time freedom, and have discovered an incredible lifestyle for themselves.

What follows is the story of why they did it, and how.  They also share what their experience has been like, and offer tips to anyone who might want to follow similar tire tracks.  By the final paragraph, you may find yourself wondering just what your house is worth, and how much stuff you really need.

Above: Chuck and Jodie in Albuquerque, New Mexico

TCM: Tell us about your camping experiences and lifestyle over the years. Did you go tent camping or RVing when you were growing up?

Jodie: Growing up, Chuck went tent camping with the Boy Scouts and I did cabin camping with youth organizations.

About twelve years ago, we talked about camping and decided to rent an A-frame trailer for a week for a trial run. We parked it in our backyard for the first three nights and then ventured to the closest campground for the next three nights.  This trial run pointed out features we focused on when we bought our first trailer.

Over the next four years we purchased newer trailers and fifth wheels, each one a bit bigger than the last.  With a job 200 miles from our house, I was using the trailers for about five months a year.  I’d return home to check the mail or mow the lawn.

Chuck’s job had him overseas for three to four months at a time.  During this time, we discussed early retirement, selling the house, and living in the RV.

In February of 2011, we bit the bullet and put our home in Maine on the market.  Two months later we moved into our fifth wheel.  Our plan was that Chuck would drive the pickup and tow the fifth wheel while I would drive the SUV and tow a utility trailer with all our toys (bikes, kayaks, motorcycles).

This initially worked well as we stayed stationary for the summer.  However, as we moved south for our first snowbird season, we quickly realized that taking everything all the time was not going to work.  Fortunately our winter campground provides storage during the summer if we have a reservation for the next season so now we leave the toys behind until we return.

Above: Kusklana Bridge, McCarthy Highway, Alaska

TCM: So what brought about your interest in truck campers?

Jodie: We wanted to go to Alaska.  We talked about concerns of taking our fifth wheel over the Yukon and Alaskan roads, and the possible structural issues after such an arduous journey.

Above: Kusklana Bridge, McCarthy Highway, Alaska

As we prepared for a journey to Alaska, we spent a summer work camping in New Hampshire.  On our off days, we’d visit RV dealers looking at smaller trailers and Class Cs, none of which wowed us.

Then we visited Truck Camper Warehouse and looked at truck campers.  A truck camper immediately made sense for our Alaska trip.  We returned to Truck Camper Warehouse several times trying to decide on what features we really needed and wanted versus what was available.  After returning to Florida for the winter, we decided on the unit we wanted to purchase and headed back to New Hampshire to pick it up.

Above: Their Adventurer 116DS camper in Death Valley National Park, California

TCM: After all your research, what made you decide on an Adventurer 116DS?

Jodie: There were three things that swayed us to purchase the Adventurer 116DS; the recliners, the wet bath height (Chuck’s over 6-feet tall), and I loved the kitchen layout.

Other features that were also part of our decision were the light interior color and the large windows that brought in lots of natural light.  Knowing we were going to be in the truck camper for five months, we wanted plenty of room to move about, and lots of storage space for supplies.

Above: Chuck and Jodie are full time RVers; traveling in the fifth wheel or truck camper

TCM: How was it going from living in your house to moving into a RV full-time?

Jodie: We changed our terminology.  Our fifth wheel is our house.  We thought of our furniture and knick knacks as stuff to break our emotional ties to it.  This is grandmother’s victrola, how do I give that up?  We had to readjust our mindset.

Chuck: It’s just stuff, so it’s not a big deal.  I had tools.  I used to do work on cars, but haven’t for a long time.  I just kept the tools I needed and put the rest up for sale.

We sold the house and everything in it.  We have a dozen plastic boxes with LP records and pictures, and stuff we couldn’t bring ourselves to get rid of.  It has been at my dad’s house and we haven’t looked at those boxes in six years.

Above: As full-time RVers, Chuck and Jodie are South Dakota residents, Sturgis, South Dakota

TCM: We hear that lesson about stuff from so many folks who go full-time.  You now have a South Dakota address.  Why South Dakota?

Chuck: While researching full-timing six years ago it seemed some states require you to bring your vehicle to the state for inspection.  We also understood you needed to spend a certain amount of time in those states to prove residency.

With South Dakota, we can fly in, stay overnight at a campground or hotel, get a receipt with our name on it, go to the DMV, get our drivers license, and we are residents.  All you need is an address.  I set up the mail forwarding service through the My Dakota Address service prior to going out there.  After that, it was simple.

Jodie: Looking at the areas we travel throughout the United States and Canada, our annual circuit looks a giant wheel.  The center of that wheel is South Dakota.  If we have to get back to a state, South Dakota is relatively convenient.

Chuck: There is no state income tax in South Dakota, which is a huge bonus.

Above: Tern Lake at the junction of Sterling and Steward Highways, Kenai Peninsula, Alaska

TCM: Being on the road full-time is very different than going on a two week truck camping vacation.  How is your traveling different now that you’re full-time?

Chuck: Typically we drive about 250 miles a day, find a place to camp, and then decide which direction to go.  Since there are no time constraints and no home we have to get back to, there is no need for a set plan.  In general, we try to stay off the interstates and instead drive the roads that parallel the interstates.

Above: Coffee Pot Hwy 11, Davidson, Saskatchewan

Jodie: Because we’re taking the roads less traveled, we came across places like the biggest coffee pot and the largest frying pan.

The truck camper has made traveling easier than traveling with the fifth wheel.  That’s especially true in the national parks.  Good luck getting into the national parks during high season with a 35-foot fifth wheel and no reservation.

Campgrounds seem to always have spot for smaller vehicles, so it’s easy to show up when we get there.  We call ahead that day and ask what’s available.  We like that we can be more flexible.  With our truck camper we are also more likely to dry camp in a shopping plaza or off the beaten path.

Truck camping is a fun lifestyle if you have the right mindset to do it.  Some people need everything planned out and go campground to campground.  That’s not us.

Above: Portland Head Lighthouse, Cape Elizabeth, Maine

TCM: Have you modified your truck or camper to better suit your full-time needs?

Chuck: We travel in excess of 20,000 miles a summer and our truck’s standard 36-gallon fuel tank capacity dictated that we stop daily to refuel.  We replaced it with a Titan 62-gallon fuel tank.  This also helped with our concerns about finding fuel stations across Canada and Alaska.  They can be few and far between.

We also travel with a Cobra 25LTD CB and Wilson Trucker Antenna in the truck.  We listen to truckers as we travel, getting information about slow downs, issues along the road, and alternate routes.  When we were on the Dalton Highway, we used the CB to advise truckers of our location.  That helped all of us as we could climb hills faster, but they had faster downhill speeds.

On our front bumper we have attached Bores Manufacturing Bumper Guides and have them wired into our lights.  They are two stainless steel bars that bolt on the bumper, and come up above the hood.  There are LED lights on them so that you know where the front end of your vehicle is located.  Plus, they look cool.

Finally, we removed the rear seat in the truck to accommodate tools, chairs, and items that we want access to whether we have the camper on the truck or not.

Above: Fireweed along the Haines Highway in British Columbia

TCM: What do you enjoy doing while truck camping?

Jodie: Besides the chance to travel the road less taken, we enjoy exploring national and state parks, visiting with family, and just enjoying the beauty of North America.

Chuck got hooked on fishing after he landed a beautiful King Salmon in Alaska.  I am a hobby photographer and use an Olympus Stylus SP-100EE digital camera to capture my images.  Birds, flowers and sunsets are among my favorite topics.

When I learned about TCM’s Calendar Contest I started taking photos of our rig.  We are honored that the readership has voted us a winner both years we’ve entered the contest.

On several occasions we have joined forces with Habitat for Humanity’s Care-A-Vanner program, spending two weeks each time working with a local affiliate building new homes.

TCM: Tell me a little bit about Habitat for Humanity’s Care-A-Vanner program.  How did you get involved?

Jodie: Before we sold our home, our church did a mission trip where we worked for a week refurbishing homes.  When we went to being full-time on the road, I wanted to do volunteer experiences along the way.

With an internet search I found Care-A-Vanners.  On their website they list different builds in the USA and Canada.  Go to habitat.org, and put RV into the search bar.  That pulls up the RV Care-A-Vanners.  Go to “Find A Build”.  You’ll see that there are lots of choices out there.  I’ll start looking in January and February for the summer.

I get a monthly email with the the builds coming up.  Right now they have builds as far out as December 2017.  So, you have lots of builds to review.  Signing up for a build may be the only reservation or commitment we have for the six months we’re traveling during the summer.

Above: Habitat for Humanity, Care-A-Vanners, Kenai, Alaska

TCM: Do they provide accommodations?

Jodie: They are looking for self-contained rigs.  The local Habitat affiliate makes arrangements for free or discounted camping with minimal services.  You might get water or electric and maybe a sewer pump out once a week.  You might be at a nearby campground and have to commute.  Each affiliate has different set-up.

The habitat in Alaska was $30 a night and we were in a campground, but the regular campers were paying $80.  That was on the Kenai Peninsula.

TCM: What kinds of things are you doing for these volunteer projects?

Jodie: We have been on three builds where the lot has been cleared and the foundation has been poured.  We worked on the exterior siding and framing out the interior walls.  The roof trusses were up when we were finished.  Other Care-A-Vanners might be doing interior construction; putting up dry wall and finish work.

Chuck: You don’t have to know anything when you go.  They will teach you anything they want you to do.

Jodie: There is a local contractor who oversees the project and there is a team leader who does safety instruction.  The leader tells you what you’re going to do for the day and teaches you what to do.

Chuck: Each experience we’ve had has been different.

Jodie: Since we no longer own a home, this was a reminder of the maintenance required for a stick and brick home.  We also get to use nail guns and saws by building a house for someone else.

Above: Alaska pipeline at Yukon River Crossing, Dalton Highway, Alaska

TCM: Where have you been with your truck camper so far?

Jodie: We have traveled from Florida across the southern United States to the west coast.  We’ve been up to Canada and Alaska, back to the northwest United States, across the northern states to New England and the Canadian Maritimes, down to the US Gulf, and back to Florida.  We’ve even been through the solar system.  Every place we’ve been, we’ve enjoyed.

TCM: Through the solar system?

Jodie: Have you ever driven Route 1 in Maine?  I had read about driving the solar system in Yankee magazine.  Maine has a solar system model and the scale is 1 to 93 million.  It is the largest 3D model of the solar system in the world.

In Houlton, Maine, on I-95, there is a visitor’s center.  There is a plaque with a 1 inch wooden ball that represents Neptune.  We sent you a picture with Saturn.

Chuck: All the planets are to scale and the distances apart are to scale.

Above: Mount Robson, Highway 16, British Columbia

TCM: That sounds out of this world, literally.  Being that you’re full-timers and can go any place at any time, do you have a bucket list?

Jodie: Chuck wants to go skydiving with the Flying Elvis’s in Vegas.  I don’t know if they will actually take people with them or not, but he’s joked about it.  My dream was to find Jodie, the town.  We like to go to towns that share our names.

Chuck: A balloon ride in Albuquerque would be fun.

Jodie: We have a map on the side of camper with states and provinces we’ve visited.  We don’t fill in a state until we spend a night in the camper.  We still need three US states; Kentucky, Missouri, and Hawaii.  Until they build a bridge, Hawaii will be empty.  In Canada we need to visit Newfoundland/Labrador and the Northwest Territories.

This year we are going up the East Coast and visiting the Maritime provinces of Labrador and Newfoundland.  We know that’s our end destination.

Above: Thompson Pass, Richardson Highway outside Valdez, Alaska

TCM: It’s amazing that you’ve been to all those states in your truck camper in just three years.  You must be on the go all the time.

Jodie: During the first six months we owned our truck camper, we traveled 21,000 miles.    That’s still the longest trip we have done.  Prior to that, we had not been to the west coast, so that explains some of the distance.

Above: Harvest Hosts camping in California

TCM: Being on the road constantly, how do you find good places to camp, especially during peak season?

Chuck: We’ve used Harvest Hosts close to a dozen times.  That’s how we were able to go to some of the New England states during peak season.

Above: Harvest Host Winery in Illinois

We have family on the east coast, so we go back once a year to see our parents, children, grandchildren, and cousins.  We also use Passport America and the Casino campground website; casinocampgrounds.com.

Jodie: If you stay at the casinos, you can go to the buffet if you don’t want to gamble.  That website is nice because people write about their experience staying at the different casino parking lots.

We don’t camp in the major national parks during peak season.  For example, Acadia National Park in Maine during July, August, and September is so hard to get into.  We will stay inland, like near Trenton and travel in for the day.

In Yellowstone National Park we stayed out about twenty miles from the gate.  In Denali National Park, we didn’t stay in the park either.  We would just go in for the day.  In the peak season, we stay farther away from the main tourist attractions.

We also stay at Walmart, Cracker Barrel, and Cabelas.  On the Cabela’s website it will tell you if they have a dump station.  Boondockers Welcome is another option.

TCM: One problem we have experienced while long-term truck camping is avoiding the summer heat.  Where do you go in the summer?

Jodie: We stay north with the truck camper.  One issue is that you have sunlight through the night that far north.  You’re only getting a few hours of dark.

We also stay close to the coast so that we get sea breezes.  We have an air conditioner and a generator if needed.  We can run the air conditioner to keep our dog cool.

Above: Camper off truck, Malpaque Bay, Prince Edward Island

TCM: I see that you have your camper off your truck in a few pictures.  Do unload your camper often?

Chuck: If we are going to be three to four days or more in a spot, unloading the camper allows us to wander off and sightsee without the camper.  In Alaska we stayed at places two to three weeks.

Jodie: With narrow roads and low bridges, especially in New England, it’s easier without the camper.

Chuck: The side entry on the DS116 is quite high when the camper is on the truck.  With the camper off the truck, you just need the four steps to get in and out.

Above: Rugby, their Standard Poodle

TCM: Tell us about traveling with your Standard Poodle, Rugby.

Jodie: Rugby has been camping with us since we got him as a pup.  When we’re in our fifth wheel, Rugby uses a crate to lie down.  Since there’s no room for a crate in a truck camper, we thought we’d have him use the area under the table for his space.

Unfortunately, when we wanted to sit at the dinette, there wasn’t enough room for Rugby and our legs.  Rugby solved that problem.  The first time it happened, he came out from under the table, looked at us, and then climbed into one of the two recliners.  Needless to say, Rugby now uses a recliner more than we do.

We did encounter an issue with Rugby while traveling this past year.  He caught a toenail in the drain hole on the camper’s steps.   We ended up spending a week near Jasper National Park while a local vet attended to Rugby’s injury.  We also made sure we put carpet pads on the stairs so we wouldn’t have a repeat of that type of injury.

Above: Oxbow Bend, Snake River, Grand Tetons National Park, Wyoming

TCM: Poor Rugby!  And a good tip for fellow dog owners to use carpet pads on their steps.  Do you plan to go back to a house one day?

Chuck: We’ve talked about it from time to time.  I’ve said to Jodie, “If I die, what would you do?”. Jodie told me that she would travel with the truck camper and have a park model somewhere.

Jodie: While we are blessed with good health, the fifth wheel and truck camper will stay in the picture.  We realize there will be a day when our lifestyle will need to change, but I don’t see us rushing out to get a stick and brick house.

When we first bought the truck camper, our thinking was that we’d use it for the Alaska trip, and then sell it when we got back to the Lower 48.  Now we split our time between our two campers, the fifth wheel being our snowbird nest in Florida for half the year, and the truck camper for travel the other half.

Truck camping has been a great experience.  I wish we had known about truck camping and how much fun it can be earlier in our RVing life.

Chuck and Jodie’s Rig
Truck: 2012 Chevy Silverado 3500, Crew Cab, 4×4, Diesel, Dual Rear Wheel, Long Bed
Camper: 2014 Adventurer 116DS
Tie-Downs/Turnbuckles: Torklift Fastguns
Suspension: Torklift StableLoads, Firestone Airbags
Gear: N/A

The post The Plan Is No Plan appeared first on Truck Camper Magazine.

Adventurer debuts three all-new decors, magnetic interior latches, soft-closing drawer guides, brushed nickel hardware, anti-billowing slide-toppers, and more.  New model tease alert!

If you were to visit every truck camper manufacturer from coast-to-coast in the United States and Canada right now, you would discover these companies at peak production.  This is a welcome challenge compared to the previous decade of recession.  It wasn’t too long ago when the bottleneck was not on the production line, but rather on dealer lots and consumer demand.  Those days – at least for the moment – are over.

With consumer demand firing on all cylinders, the industry’s attention has shifted to where it’s needed; increasing production capacity while maintaining quality control.  Focusing on production and quality means cutting back on anything that sacrifices these two objectives.

All too often, the first thing that hits the pause button in this environment is new model development.  The design teams are still working on new model development, but the management and production teams simply don’t have the capacity to devote to the effort.  When you are months out in deliveries of sold truck campers, why slow production with a new model?

The answers to this question are to avoid (1) being blindsided by your competition, (2) falling out of step with the marketplace, and (3) otherwise having your product line go stale.  As the ancient Greek adage goes, “Don’t rest on your laurels”.  If we were to update this saying for truck campers, it might be, “Come out with a new and awesome camper soon or your competition will, and your customers will buy that instead.”

In the truck camper marketplace, Adventurer Manufacturing might just be that competitor.  Adventurer is notorious for releasing new models to compete with an aging floor plan in their own line-up, while simultaneously targeting a model or two from their competition.

Today we find Adventurer at peak demand for their hard-side camper line, focused on production and quality, announcing a list of 2018 updates, and they are in development of at least one new model to announce later this year.  They have shifted gears to meet demand, but remain driven to design and build better truck campers for the immediate future.  Full speed ahead.

To learn more about these model year updates, we talked to Greg Tucknies, Director of Sales and Marketing for Adventurer Manufacturing.

Above: 2018 Adventurer truck campers at the factory, all photos provided by Adventurer LP

TCM: Is Adventurer adding any new for 2018 models, or discontinuing any existing models?

Greg: There are no Adventurer models being discontinued.  All Adventurer floor plans remain in production for 2018.

TCM: Should we be expecting any new Adventurer models to be introduced this year?

Greg: Yes.  The big news for Adventurer is that we are working on an all-new half-ton slide-out model.  We are aiming to release that model in the fall.

TCM: We’ll look forward to that.  Before talking about the new interior changes, tell us about the update to the 80GS.

Greg: The 80GS has always had a plastic molded shower pan base.  One of the things that we’ve always wanted to do was a one-piece molded fiberglass base.  It fits in better and it is easier to build.  It’s also easier to clean, maintain, and has less leak potential.

Originally we thought we would discontinue the 80GS for 2018, but the sales for that model have stayed solid.  That surprises us because that model has an east-west bed.  Evidently some customers still like that design.

Since we are going to keep it going, we decided to move forward with a fiberglass shower base.  It’s a nice upgrade for the 80GS.

Above: The 80GS is a hard side, single-slide, wet bath camper for short bed trucks.

TCM: The 80GS has been in production since 2009, but hasn’t received much attention in TCM since its debut.  Have there been any changes to that model other than the new fiberglass shower base and model year updates?

Greg: The biggest change to the 80GS was the electric slide mechanism.  The original 80GS design called for a manual slide-out.  The owner had to physically push the slide in and out.  It worked, but it was difficult.  In 2010, the 80GS got an electric slide.  Now the slide is push button simple, and the 80GS has been a success ever since.

The 80RB was designed to supersede the 80GS, but there’s a market that prefers the east-west cabover and short bed design of the 80GS.  The real appeal is having a slide-out on a lightweight 8-foot camper.  The 80GS fills a niche.

Above: There are now brushed nickel fixtures in all Adventurer camper bathrooms

TCM: Do all Adventurer truck campers now have fiberglass shower bases or full-booth fiberglass stalls?

Greg: The 80RB and 80GS have lower half one-piece fiberglass showers.  The other models including the 116DS, 910DB, 86SBS, 89RBS, 89RB, and 86FB all have full height one-piece fiberglass shower stalls.

TCM: The Dometic Penguin II low profile air conditioner is a new option for 2018.  What are the benefits of this air conditioner?

Greg: It’s more efficient and has less amperage draw at start-up.  The increased efficiency makes it more compatible with a Honda eu2000i generator than other low-profile air conditioners.

TCM: What’s the BTU rating for the Penguin II?

Greg: The Penguin II is rated at 9,800 BTU and seems to cool as well as the 11,000 BTU high profile units we had been using.  It’s also more attractive as a low profile design.

We had customers requesting low profile air conditioners to reduce the overall height of their rigs, and to fit their campers into garages.  The lower height is also a big advantage for delivering units to the east coast where there are more height restrictions.

TCM: For 2018, Adventurer is changing to brushed nickel interior fixtures and cabinet hardware.  Why did Adventurer choose brushed nickel instead of stainless steel like the stainless steel appliances?

Greg: It’s a better aesthetic match with the camper.

We hired a new interior design team to redesign the interiors of both Adventurer and Eagle Cap campers for 2018.  The designers showed us hardware with chrome, stainless, and brushed nickel finishes.  They explained that stainless chrome hardware was too industrial, like something that belonged in a restaurant’s kitchen.  Also, the stainless didn’t match the new interior design.

Above: Brushed nickel high faucets in the kitchen

The brushed nickel gives the interior a softer and more refined look and matches well to the new interior design and stainless appliances.

Above: The cabover of the Adventurer 89RBS with the new Carbon interior

TCM: How did a design team that doesn’t work in the RV marketplace go about designing RV interiors?

Greg: After giving them a tour of our factory and campers, we showed them what other RV manufacturers are doing.  They followed-up by visiting a local RV dealer and attending the RV show in Tacoma.  They design high-end interiors for homes in Yakima and normally have customers spending thousands for their work and recommendations.

Above: The new back splash in the 2018 Adventurer campers

After studying our campers and the market, they came back with five proposed interiors and drawings.  They literally worked on a different interior design for each model.  It’s a big difference.

Above: The 2018 Adventurer Chestnut decor

TCM: We can’t wait to see these new interiors in person.  Are the 2017 interiors being continued alongside these new 2018 interiors?

Greg: No, all three Adventurer decors from 2017 are discontinued.  The new interiors are the ones selected by the new design team; Carbon, Bark, and Chestnut.

Above: The 2018 Adventurer Bark decor

Above: The 2018 Adventurer Carbon decor

TCM: Tell us about the magnetic interior and exterior catches.  Why are they better?

Greg: We’ve been looking at magnetic catches for four years now.  We would have been one of the first if we had done it when we first considered the change.

Above: Exterior magnetic catches are standard on all 2018 Adventurer campers

We are also using the magnetic latches on the interior drawers.  They work extremely well with the new soft-closing drawer guides.

Above: The magnetic plate on the inside of the drawer

Above: The magnetic catch on the underside of the cabinet

We first installed the magnets on interior drawers for a Class-B van we manufactured for the rental market.  Once installed, Dave Catron, Design Engineer for Adventurer Manufacturing, loaded the drawers with 22-pounds of heavy items and drove like a maniac to test the magnets.  He eventually got the drawers to open with his insane driving, but they immediately closed themselves again.

Above: Sloping roller guide with soft-closing system

TCM: How would you describe the new soft-closing drawer guides?

Greg: They have a sloping roller guide that draws the drawer in to close.  If the drawer is within a couple inches of closed, the soft-closing system will gently pull the drawer in.  Then the magnet catches the drawer and holds it tight.

Above: The soft-closing system and magnetic catches keep drawers closed for travel

TCM: Once closed, are the magnetically held drawers hard to open?

Greg: There’s some good strength holding the drawer closed, and it’s easier to open than with the grabber catches we’re all used to.  No more banging the drawers to get them to close or open.

With the magnets, you quickly become accustomed to the amount of force needed.  It’s a much better and easier to use solution.

Above: The wider awning slide toppers feature an anti-billowing feature

TCM: For 2018, you are adding new wider awning slide toppers with an anti-billowing feature.  Why are these better than the slide toppers Adventurer had been using?

Greg: The new slide toppers are better across the board.  The new slide toppers are wider and cover more of the slide-out room sides from potential water intrusion.

Above: The anti-billowing mechanism locks the awning slide toppers into place

The anti-billowing feature is another important upgrade.  In the past, awning material could become lose during travel if they weren’t properly installed and maintained.  We have all seen a motorhome going down the road with flapping awning material.  Over the years, we’ve had two or three cases of this problem.  The anti-billowing mechanism locks the awning into place preventing the material from coming loose.

TCM: Five of eight Adventurer models feature slide-outs, including the 80GS.  Do all of them get the new wider slide-out awnings with the anti-billowing feature?

Greg: The 80GS does not get a slide topper because we want to keep the weight down.  All the other slide-out campers, including the 116DS, 910DB, 86SBS, and 89RBS, have the new slide toppers.

Above: The dinette of the Adventurer 89RBS with the Carbon decor

TCM: Is there any other news to share about the 2018 Adventurer updates, or Adventurer in general?

Greg: We are in the process of updating our website and adding social media.  Both of those changes will happen this summer.  When we launch the new website and social media, we’ll announce it in Truck Camper Magazine.  We’ll also launch our new Adventurer truck camper model here in the fall.

For more information on Adventurer Campers, please visit their website at amlrv.com.  To request a free Adventurer brochure, click here.

The post TCM EXCLUSIVE: 2018 Adventurer Announcements appeared first on Truck Camper Magazine.

Truck Camper Magazine reviews a 2017 Adventurer 89RBS, an 8’9” hard side, full-wall slide-out, wet bath truck camper for long or short bed one-ton trucks.  Two campers enter.  One camper leaves!

Before initiating the development of a new model, the Adventurer management team intensely studies the floor plans, features, capacities, warranty, and pricing of their competitors and aims to beat them on every metric.

Even Adventurer’s own line-up faces this competitive assault.  If Adventurer offers a model within the same targeted niche, the metrics of that camper are added to the competition target list.  In the world of Adventurer, there can be only one.

Above: The 2017 Adventurer 89RBS under review at Princess Craft Campers in Round Rock, Texas

Speaking of competition, the nine-foot single-slide truck camper marketplace has been one of the most sought after truck camper segments for over a decade.  As of this writing, there are no less than seven models from six manufacturers vying for this space.

Why is the nine-foot single-slide truck camper market so hot?  In a word, towing!  According to TCM’s 2017 reader survey, towing a boat, utility trailer, and/or various toys is the vision that compelled over 70-percent of you to purchase a truck camper.  And it just so happens that towing with a nine-foot truck camper is a sweet spot for tow-bar extension length and overall versatility.

Above: The 2017 Adventurer 89RBS interior viewed from the rear entry door

This explains why Adventurer’s most popular floor plan has been the 86SBS, an 8’6”, single-slide that debuted in the economically devastating days of 2008.  Any camper that debuted at the beginning of the Great Recession and went on to become a best seller for the next nine years deserves some serious respect – right?

Above: The 2017 Adventurer 89RBS interior viewed from the cabover

“We strongly suspect that the 89RBS will replace our best selling 86SBS,” stated Greg Tucknies, Director of Sales and Marketing during the September, 2016 debut.  “We’re still building and selling the 86SBS, but we believe the 89RBS will surpass it.”

This, “Two campers enter.  One camper leaves!” management approach may sound familiar to anyone who remembers Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome.  For those who aren’t familiar with the 1985 Mel Gibson and Tina Turner blockbuster, here’s a pertinent clip.  Or, as I like think of it, a sneak peek into Adventurer’s product development meetings.

To help accomplish its mission, the 89RBS fits long or short bed trucks and is built-in generator compatible in either configuration.  “It’s the only camper I know about that is generator capable for a short or long bed truck,” stated Greg.  “It also has one of the largest, if not the largest wet bath in the industry… It’s actually 12-percent bigger.”

Short bed generator compatibility and big wet baths are wonderful, but let’s cut to the chase.  Ladies and gentlemen, it’s time to climb the truck camper Thunderdome with the 2017 Adventurer 89RBS.  Two campers enter.  One camper leaves.

Adventurer Versus Adventurer

On paper, the nine-year-old Adventurer 86SBS model and the ten-month-old Adventurer 89RBS have a lot in common.  Both are essentially nine-foot (8’9” for the 89RBS versus 8’6” for the 86SBS), full-wall-slide, wet bath truck campers that utilize Adventurer’s True Composite Construction (TCC) and the latest Adventurer model year updates.

With three extra floor length inches, the base dry weight of 89RBS (3,018 pounds) comes in at just 41 pounds more than the 86SBS (2,977 pounds).  Since the fresh, grey, and black tank capacity (38 fresh, 31 grey, 31 black), propane tank capacity (two 20-pound vertical tanks), and battery capacity (two Group 27s) are identical between the two models, the calculated wet weights are just 41 pounds apart.

The only other two specifications that are different between the 89RBS and 86SBS are the overall length (16’8” for the 89RBS versus 15’10” for the 86SBS) and center of gravity (38-inches for the 89RBS and 37-inches for the 86SBS).  Even the base MSRPs are close; $29,540 for the 89RBS and $28,497 for the 86SBS – a difference of just $1,043 (or 3.66-percent).

If you were looking for a clear choice in the specifications and capacities, you’re out of luck.  Even the full-wall slides are both on the same driver’s side.  So what are the big differences between these two models?  Three things.

First, the dinette in the 86SBS is a U-shape versus a full-booth Dream Dinette in the 89RBS.  We greatly prefer a full-booth Dream Dinette for its table stability, ease of bed conversion, and overall big table functionality.  Unless you need to seat five, the Dream Dinette is a winner.

Second, the wet bath in the 89RBS is much bigger and located in the rear passenger’s corner versus the smaller wet bath in the 86SBS that’s located mid-ship.  We love having the separation a mid-bath creates between the cabover and main living area, but some folks prefer the more wide-open floor plan that a rear bath offers.  Because the bath location will boil down to a personal preference we’ll call this a draw, but we sure prefer the bigger size and improved design of the newer 89RBS wet bath.

Third, while both campers fit long or short bed trucks, only the 89RBS allows a generator for the short bed option.  This along with the myriad of design refinements Adventurer has worked into the 2017 Adventurer 89RBS (night stands in the cabover, entertainment cabinet, additional rear window, etc.) and it’s tough not to declare the 89RBS the winner.

In fact, we’re going to call this – at least for us.  If we were choosing between these two units, it would be the 89RBS, hands down.

Floor Plan Evaluation

As an experienced truck camper, I find myself attracted to design choices that make day-to-day truck camping life more simple and more intuitive.

This explains why I was pleased to open the entry door and find the Happijac jack remote in a dedicated pouch on the driver’s side.

The slide-out controls, power awning control, and light switch are on the passenger’s side.

The very next thing I noticed was what looks like a compartment, only it has a sticker that reads, “THIS IS NOT A STORAGE COMPARTMENT”.  Although I did not open this not-a-storage-compartment, it likely gives access to plumbing under the wet bath – a welcome feature for maintenance.

On the rear passenger’s side is the big wet bath.  Look at the floor space in this one-piece, molded fiberglass, wet bath beauty!  No shortage of toilet leg room!  No lack of shower elbow space!

Add a water-proof toilet seat cover, squeegee, and microfiber ShamWow and you’re all set for wet bath bathing bliss.  Where do we get these ideas?

The 89RBS wet bath even has ducted heat and a proper vanity, fan, and skylight.  Maybe I’ve been doing this for too long, but this is one seriously sexy wet bath.

In the mid-1990’s, Bob Mehrer successfully installed the very first slide-out in a production truck camper.  In doing so, he created one of the most repeated questions ever endured by the truck camper industry; “Can you get to the bathroom with the slide-out(s) in?”  This is second only to the dreaded, “Where are the wheels?”  Yeah, that happens.

At RV shows and dealerships from coast-to-coast, the infamous SOBA (slide-out bathroom access) question is echoed so much that manufacturers have learned to integrate this benefit into as many floor plans as possible.  Some have even designed slide-out truck campers around this very feature.

With its sliding wet bath door, the 2017 Adventurer 89RBS is one such design.  Even with the slide-out in, you can slide the bathroom door open, and access the wet bath.

While we applaud Adventurer for creating a SOBA friendly unit, the sliding bathroom door in the review camper easily slid off its plastic guide.  There were no other 89RBS campers on hand to verify if this problem was limited to our review unit, or the 89RBS in general.  Either way, this could be fixed with a higher quality guide and a stopper to limit the door’s travel.

We welcome Adventurer to respond to this observation in a Manufacturer’s Response.

Directly across from the wet bath on the driver’s side is a huge full-wall slide-out with a full-booth dinette, Dream Dinette table system, and stainless steel refrigerator.  I will never tire of seeing how much space a full-wall slide-out creates in a truck camper.  Simply wow!

The Dream Dinette eliminates the need for a traditional table leg and allows the table to be quickly pushed down into the dinette bed position.

The Dream Dinette is one of those inventions that nearly everyone says, “Oh wow!  This is better” the moment they experience it.  We sure did.

In the photographs above, you may have noticed the missing storage drawer under the rear dinette seat.  This isn’t because Adventurer decided you should bring less stuff, but rather due to the unique solution they created for the generator compartment.

With the slide-out in the out position, there’s literally nothing under the rear dinette seat.  Unlike any other slide-out in the truck camper marketplace, the slide room is notched for a Cummins Onan RV QG 2500 LP generator.  This is part of the clever design that allows the 89RBS to accommodate a generator in both long bed and short bed rigs.

As a side note, we are not 100-percent sold on the need for a built-in generator.  If we were ordering an 89RBS, a high-efficiency air conditioner and 2000-watt portable generator (like the ever popular Honda eu2000i) would be considered first.

Then again, we also don’t have or want a microwave in our camper, nor do we camp with 110-volt appliances like coffee makers and hair dryers.  If you plan on camping off-grid and use any of the above, go for the built-in generator.  Otherwise, consider a portable generator, or no generator at all.  We haven’t had a generator in our campers – built in or otherwise – for the past five years.

There is a large drawer on ball-bearing roller guides under the facing dinette seat.

The dinette seat fabrics and cushion construction are robust and comfortable.

Behind the rear facing dinette seat is a 110-volt outlet.  This fantastic for charging laptops and other electronic items when plugged into shore power, or running the generator.

What would be even better would be an additional 12-volt and USB outlet in this same location for charging phones, tablets, and other devices.

Immediately forward of the dinette is a seven-cubic foot Dometic refrigerator, standard on the Adventurer 89RBS.  With seven-cubic feet of capacity, the Dometic is one-foot larger than the refrigerators installed by the competition.  There’s that Adventurer Manufacturing competitive spirit again.  Even the refrigerator is bigger!

When we opened and closed the refrigerator, the refrigerator handle was a little tight to the dinette.  This is obviously a nit pick, but could be an issue with someone with hand mobility issues.  Most owners probably wouldn’t notice, or care.

That can’t be said for what appeared to be a hole in the front wall next to the lower right corner of the refrigerator.

As it ends up, this hole is (a) securely capped from the exterior of the unit and (b) allows crank handle access the slide mechanism manually.  Ask anyone with slide-outs that got stuck and they’ll tell you a manual crank option is a fantastic idea.

Directly across from the refrigerator is the kitchen.  Aesthetically the 89RBS kitchen is a total knock-out with maple cabinetry, faux-tile backsplash, thermoformed countertops, stainless steel appliances, stainless steel hardware, a stainless steel faucet, and stainless steel double basin sink.  The flush-mount, glass-top propane cooktop is especially attractive.  I want one of these in our camper!

The unique L-shaped upper cabinetry design creates an additional full-side cabinet above the sink.  One could gain another full-size cabinet by eliminating the microwave.

The counter top is dominated by the large double sink and glass-top cooktop, but there is room for meal preparation and drying dishes.

Put the cooktop’s flush-mount glass-top down and you actually have a sizable prep and dish washing/drying space.  Good enough for serious gourmet chefs?  Probably not.  I can see the mod-scientists out there adding a counter extension.

The right storage in the right place always gets me fired up.  These ball-bearing roller guides are the perfect place for silverware, utensils, oven mitts, and a long-neck lighter for the cooktop.  Well done, Adventurer!

Is that enough under sink cabinet area for a trash container?  It sure is!  No more tying a plastic grocery bag to the oven handle and living with your trash out in the open.

For those who are wondering what size trash container will fit, that’s an excellent question.  In our camper we use an empty 12-pack beer box that just happens to accommodate the aforementioned plastic grocery bags and fit perfectly under our sink.  In the 89RBS, I would first try the 12-pack beer box.  If that doesn’t work, or you want something a little more upscale, try a 2-gallon Sterilite trash can.

The plumbing under the sink wasn’t the neatest installation we’ve ever seen, but the quality of the materials and fittings were solid.

On the forward wall behind the sink is where Adventurer installs the optional Cummins Onan generator control panel, thermostat, tank monitor, water heater switch, water pump switch, entry light switch, and porch light switch panel, and optional Go Power solar controller panel.

The presentation of these panels is well organized, but the location could be a stretch.  To activate and read these vital controls, the owner will need to reach across the kitchen counter, bend down to see what they’re doing, and read the panel displays.

Ideally, these controls and switches would be on an outside facing cabinet surface like the upper kitchen cabinet that protrudes into the main living area (top left in photo above).

This relocation could be a headache for installation and would eliminate some kitchen storage.  It would also make daily monitoring and use of these vital switches and controls much more ergonomic.

The cabover bedroom in the 89RBS features a north-south Queen-size bed.  The audio/video HDTV system installation, large hamper, and a window are on the driver’s side.  A mirrored sliding door closet, a night stand drawer, and a window are on the passenger’s side.

Above the cabover bed is a Heki skylight, two fixed position LED reading lights, and a main cabover area LED light.

The hamper on the driver’s side of the 89RBS is the ideal place for socks, underpants, sleep wear, and other odds and ends.  I have a side hamper similar to this in our camper and I absolutely love it.  If I were king, ruler, and designer of all truck campers, both cabover sides of every truck camper would have a hamper like this – no exceptions!

The only concern here is how to reach things that roll under the forward nightstand table top area.  It would be fantastic if the nightstand table lifted up to grant access to this area.

Having the HDTV panel and DVD player (and AM/FM/CD/USB audio/video system) all in one location is phenomenal.  Having them all in the cabover – where many of us enjoy watching movies – is even better.  Far too many times we find the HDTV on one side of the camper, and the DVD-stereo system on the other.  This is excellent.

With the built-in swing-arm, the HDTV panel is visible in the cabover or main living area.  However, the arm was a bit short for direct viewing from the dinette.

I would also like to see the HDTV and DVD-stereo system consolidated to use less space.  There’s a lot of potentially useful storage space above, to the sides, and underneath these components.

The passenger’s side nightstand and drawer features the same attractive thermoformed top and maple cabinetry as the kitchen.  It’s easy to see the nightstand drawer being used for socks and underpants with the nightstand top holding a smartphone, book, or tablet.

On the cabinet wall facing the nightstand is a 110-volt and 12-volt outlet.  These outlets are essential for charging devices and/or using a CPAP machine.  As with the dinette area, a USB outlet would also be welcome, but could be easily added with a simple 12-volt to USB outlet adapter.

Opening the mirrored wardrobe reveals another one of the Adventurer 89RBS unique design twists; the maple wood box (shown the photo below) contains the water heater.

Adventurer designed the water heater in the cabover to help move the 89RBS center of gravity forward enough for short bed truck compatibility.  This was done in conjunction with moving the battery compartment to the front wall (more on this later) and putting the propane compartment as far forward as possible.

The result is the loss of about 15-percent of the usable cabover wardrobe storage space.  That’s unlikely to be a deal breaker for anyone unless they store a lot of hanging clothes.

If we were to purchase an 89RBS, we would install shelving in this wardrobe.  We have significantly more need to store long and short sleeve shirts, shorts, jeans, and sweatshirts than hanging clothes.  The only caveat would be where to hang coats for fall and winter.

When Angela saw the water heater box in the cabover wardrobe, she asked, “How do you access the water heater bypass for winterizing?”  Two seconds later she stuck her head into the wardrobe and found a circle cut into the box for exactly this purpose.  Naturally I took a funny picture of her with her head in the wardrobe.  If I ever want to be single again, or just get a serious butt-whoopin’, I’ll publish the photo.

Capacities

The holding tank capacities of the Adventurer 89RBS are 38 gallons fresh, 31 gallons grey, and 31 gallons black.  These are excellent and well balanced holding tank capacities for a 8’9” truck camper.

Using our own experience as a guide, the holding tank capacities of the 89RBS should last 5 to 6 days for two people practicing reasonable water conservation; navy showers, not letting the water run for washing dishes and brushing teeth, etc.  As is usually the case, the grey tank will most likely be the limiting factor.

For anyone who will be close to their truck’s payload capacity, keep in mind that 38 gallons of fresh water weighs 316.9 pounds.  If you’re close to payload, travel without a full fresh tank.

Two 20-pound vertical propane tanks have become the standard across the entire hard side truck camper industry.  These tanks are not only ubiquitous across the United States and Canada, but also exchangeable at big box hardware stores, Walmarts, grocery stores, and gas stations coast to coast.  Of course you can also refill your tanks at propane stations, which is our preference.

The Adventurer design team placed the battery box on the front exterior wall of the 89RBS to further nudge the center of gravity forward.  Group 27 batteries weigh upwards of 70 pounds making their placement a critical design decision for short bed compatibility.

The down side of this battery compartment location is day-to-day access.  If you need to check the water level of your lead acid batteries, you will need to demount your camper, or at least back it up a few feet and crawl up and into the truck bed.

If this were my camper, I would buy sealed AGM batteries as they don’t require maintenance.  We often travel with the camper loaded for weeks and months at a time without unloading, so the extra cost of the AGMs would make sense for us.

Then again, if you demount your camper often, having the battery access on the front wall is no big deal and helps move the center of gravity forward.

Specifications

Adventurer Manufacturing weighs every truck camper before it leaves their plant and marks that weight inside the unit.  We have witnessed this practice at the Adventurer factory twice during extended visits and seen the evidence many times in dozens of truck campers in the field.  If every manufacturer followed Adventurer’s lead, I could almost hang up my Chief of the Weight Police hat for good.  Almost.

That stated, you still need to completely ignore the exterior weight sticker.  Like all exterior truck camper weight stickers, it’s calculated on a base unit with no options, not the camper in front of you.  Cue my broken record… Never trust exterior weight stickers.  They are almost always wrong.

Here’s the, “ACTUAL WEIGHT WITH FACTORY INSTALLED OPTIONS” weight sticker posted inside every Adventurer and Eagle Cap camper Adventurer Manufacturing builds.

In the 2017 Adventurer 89RBS under review, the base weight is listed at 3,018 pounds.  Then the actual weight with options is given at 3,598 pounds.  That’s a difference of 580 pounds of option weight; a 19.2-percent weight increase.

What options added up to 580 pounds?  Here’s the option list on the review unit; 19-inch HDTV, air conditioner, rear awning, slide topper awning, Comfort Step bumper, electric jacks, Onan 2500-watt generator, Heki skylight, microwave, and 100-watt solar panel and controller.

When Adventurer debuted the 89RBS, Greg Tucknies explained that the 8’9” floor length was effectively the longest a truck camper could be while remaining in the towing sweet spot.  Any more overhang and the tow extension length gets excessive.  Any shorter and the camper loses too much interior space, storage, features, and overall appeal.

All of Adventurer’s full-size truck campers, including the 89RBS, are 96-inches wide.  Only the 80GS (84-inches wide), and 80RB (90-inches wide) are narrower, but those are two very different campers with two very different customer targets compared to the 89RBS.

Adventurer truck campers with wheel-well-height basements have 6’5” of interior height.  It’s interesting to note that the rail-height basement in the Adventurer 116DS results in an interior height of 6’3”, two inches lower than Adventurer’s wheel-well height models.

So much of the design challenge behind the Adventurer 89RBS was properly locating the center of gravity for short bed trucks.  While they didn’t move heaven and earth, the design team did move the water heater into the cabover, the battery box to the front wall, and the propane as far forward as possible – all to ensure the COG would work with short bed trucks.

The result of these considerable efforts is an impressive 38-inch center of gravity; perfect for short bed trucks, and insanely good for long bed trucks.  This meets or beats the COG locations of Adventurer’s 89RBS short-bed-only competitors.  Did you hear that?  That was the Adventurer design team shouting, “You’re darn right it is!”  Competitors, to the last.

Wet Weight Calculation

Employing the standardized Truck Camper Magazine wet weight calculation, we ran the wet weight numbers on the 2017 Adventurer 89RBS.

Base Dry Weight – special factory order only

Adventurer 89RBS: dry weight, 3,018 pounds + 38 gallons fresh, 316.9 pounds + 6 gallon full hot water heater, 50 pounds + 2x 20-pound full propane tanks, 40 pounds + 2x batteries, 130 pounds + stuff, 500 pounds = 4,054.9 pounds

Fully Optioned Weight – Reviewed Unit

The 2017 Adventurer 89RBS under review was well optioned and makes a great candidate for a real world wet weight with options calculation.  Using the “actual weight” sticker inside the unit, and the standardized Truck Camper Magazine wet weight calculation, let’s run the numbers again.

Adventurer 89RBS: dry weight, 3,598 pounds + 38 gallons fresh, 316.9 pounds + 6 gallon full hot water heater, 50 pounds + 2x 20-pound full propane tanks, 40 pounds + 2x batteries, 130 pounds + stuff, 500 pounds = 4,634.9 pounds

Truck Recommendations

The above fully-optioned wet weight of the Adventurer 89RBS is a relatively easy payload match for a one-ton long bed truck, and a difficult (but possible) match for a one-ton short bed truck.

Let’s start with the easy long bed match.  Most late-model and new one-ton dually trucks offer 5,000 pounds of payload capacity or more.  You always have to check the payload sticker before making an assumption, but you won’t have any trouble finding a one-ton dually with this amount of payload.

If you must have a diesel engine and lots of comfort truck options and packages, go for a dually.  If you will be towing a boat, trailer, or other toy, go for a dually.  If you just want the most options in the future – a new camper, a new towable – go for a dually.

It is possible to match a single rear wheel one-ton truck with a well-optioned 89RBS, but you will likely need to special order the truck to maximize payload.  This approach is similar to the following recommendations for matching a 89RBS to a short bed truck.

If you are set on matching the 89RBS with a short bed truck, you will need to (a) special order a one-ton short bed with the maximum payload possible, and (b) limit the options you order on the 89RBS.

In 2013, we worked with the engineers at GM corporate to custom order the highest possible payload in a short bed GM truck at at that time.  We stipulated that the truck needed to be a crew cab with four-wheel drive, but everything else was on the table.

The engineers designed a gas engine, crew cab, short bed, automatic, four wheel drive, single rear wheel 2013 Chevy Silverado 3500 truck.  When we opened the driver’s side door, the payload sticker said 4,013 pounds of payload.

With the payload improvements the truck manufacturers have achieved over the past five model years, that same custom build approach would likely yield an excellent 2018 GM, Ford, or Ram truck for a base 89RBS (4,054.9 pounds wet).

To improve the payload match, you could forgo traveling with water (316.9 pounds), be conservative with what you pack, and even consider a two-wheel drive truck option.  Omit heavy camper options like the built-in generator, upgraded Comfort Step bumper, and microwave and you’re could assemble a well balanced short bed truck and camper combination.

Ideally, the 2017 Adventurer 89RBS would be matched with a one-ton dually with 4,700 pounds of payload, or better.  If you decide on a single rear wheel long bed or short bed, you have some additional homework.  The good news is that it’s very possible, but the required trade-offs for truck and camper options might not be to your liking.

The Verdict

At the end of the day, the 2017 Adventurer 89RBS is exactly what the Adventurer Manufacturing team designed it to be; an extremely competitive truck camper.  Being generator ready for both short bed and long bed trucks is a design triumph all by itself.  Add in the impressive standard features – 9-foot floor length towing sweet spot, and 38-inch center of gravity – and you have a truck camper that was primed for success from the ground up.

The enormous wet bath in the 89RBS darn near steals the show.  For anyone with concerns about toilet leg and knee room or elbow space while showering, the 89RBS wet bath may be exactly what you’re looking for.  Even better, it’s accessible with the slide-out in, a prized and all too rare feature in slide-out truck campers.

The dinette with the Dream Dinette table system is comfortable and a snap to convert into a bed.  The kitchen is a visual knock out with modern and attractive stainless steel appliances and a glass-top, flush mount range oven.  And the seven-cubic foot refrigerator is class-leading.  All high marks.

Most of my criticisms of the 89RBS are nit-picks and unlikely to be deal breakers; the lack of 12-volt and USB outlets in the dinette, the tight refrigerator handle, cabover storage consumed by the water heater box, and the potentially awkward monitor panel location.  You may not be bothered by anything on this list, or have a mod idea to remedy it.

We were more concerned by the sliding wet bath door that easily slides off its lower plastic guide on the review unit.  In fairness, this may be a problem specific to the review unit.  There was no other 89RBS on hand to check.  Either way, this is fixable with a higher quality guide and a stopper to limit the door’s travel.

Properly matched, the 2017 Adventurer 89RBS is a serious contender in the competitive 9-foot full-wall slide truck camper marketplace.  Nobody looking in this popular niche should make a purchase before seeing this camper in person.  If you’re shopping specification for specification, capacity for capacity, feature for feature, pound for pound, and price for price, the 89RBS is a truck camper you should not ignore.

Pros
Long and short bed compatible with built-in generator
Sweet spot in floor length for towing boats, vehicles, trailers, and toys
Full-wall slide offers impressive floor space and interior room
Huge wet bath is accessible with slide-out in
Excellent capacities for 9-foot unit: holding tanks, propane, and batteries
Extremely competitive standard features, warranty, and MSRP

Cons
Requires careful matching for single rear wheel long and short bed trucks
Sliding wet bath door easily slid off lower plastic guide on review unit
Refrigerator door handle is tight to the dinette seat back
Water heater box in cabover wardrobe consumes precious storage
Monitor panels and controls are in awkward spot for use and visibility
HDTV and DVD-stereo system could be consolidated for more storage

Model Information

2017 Adventurer 89RBS
MSRP: $29,540 (base)
Warranty: Transferable 1-Year Bumper-To-Bumper, and 3-Year Limited Structural

Adventurer Manufacturing, ALP
3303 West Washington Avenue
Yakima, WA 98903
Phone: 509-895-7064
Request an Adventurer 89RBS Brochure
Web: www.amlrv.com

Quality, Customer Service, and Long-Term Reliability

Truck Camper Magazine inspects all reviewed truck campers for design, material, and quality issues and reports what we find.  However, since Truck Camper Magazine reviews only brand new truck campers, our reviews do not address long-term quality, customer service, or reliability.

To learn about a brand’s long-term quality, customer service, and reliability, Truck Camper Magazine recommends talking directly with truck camper owners at truck camper rallies and online via truck camper forums and truck camper owners groups.

Please be sure to balance your gathered feedback across multiple sources including direct correspondence with the truck camper manufacturers and your closest truck camper dealers.

If you are new to truck campers, start here.

The post 2017 Adventurer 89RBS Review appeared first on Truck Camper Magazine.

Adventurer 116DS – MSRP $37,653
The Adventurer 116DS is a hard side, double-slide, wet bath truck camper.
Must Read: Adventurer 116DS Announcement and Adventurer 116DS Review

*Adventurer 116DS: dry weight, 4,100 pounds + 38 gallons fresh, 316.9 pounds + 6 gallon full hot water heater, 50 pounds + 2x 20-pound full propane tanks, 40 pounds + 2x batteries, 130 pounds + stuff, 500 pounds = 5,136.9 pounds

Adventurer 910DB – MSRP $31,283
The Adventurer 910DB is a hard side, single-slide, dry bath truck camper.
Must Read: Adventurer 910DB Announcement

*Adventurer 910DB: dry weight, 3,316 pounds + 38 gallons fresh, 316.9 pounds + 6 gallon full hot water heater, 50 pounds + 2x 20-pound full propane tanks, 40 pounds + 2x batteries, 130 pounds + stuff, 500 pounds = 4,352.9 pounds

Adventurer 86SBS – MSRP $29,190
The Adventurer 86SBS is a hard side, single-slide, wet bath truck camper.

*Adventurer 86SBS: dry weight, 2,977 pounds + 38 gallons fresh, 316.9 pounds + 6 gallon full hot water heater, 50 pounds + 2x 20-pound full propane tanks, 40 pounds + 2x batteries, 130 pounds + stuff, 500 pounds = 4,013.9 pounds

Adventurer 89RBS – MSRP $29,750
The Adventurer 89RBS is a hard side, single-slide, wet bath truck camper.
Must Read: Adventurer 89RBS Announcement and Adventurer 89RBS Review

*Adventurer 89RBS: dry weight, 3,072 pounds + 38 gallons fresh, 316.9 pounds + 6 gallon full hot water heater, 50 pounds + 2x 20-pound full propane tanks, 40 pounds + 2x batteries, 130 pounds + stuff, 500 pounds = 4,108.9 pounds

Adventurer 89RB – MSRP $24,199
The Adventurer 89RB is a hard side, non-slide, wet bath truck camper.
Must Read: Adventurer 89RB Announcement and Adventurer 89RB Review

*Adventurer 89RB: dry weight, 2,582 pounds + 38 gallons fresh, 316.9 pounds + 4 gallon full hot water heater, 33.4 pounds + 2x 20-pound full propane tanks, 40 pounds + 2x batteries, 130 pounds + stuff, 500 pounds = 3,602.3 pounds

Adventurer 86FB – MSRP $23,919
The Adventurer 86FB is a hard side, non-slide, wet bath truck camper.
Must Read: Adventurer 86FB Announcement and Adventurer 86FB Review

*Adventurer 86FB: dry weight, 2,545 pounds + 36 gallons fresh, 316.9 pounds + 4 gallon full hot water heater, 33.4 pounds + 2x 20-pound full propane tanks, 40 pounds + 2x batteries, 130 pounds + stuff, 500 pounds = 3,565.3 pounds

Adventurer 80RB – MSRP $19,208
The Adventurer 80RB is a hard side, non-slide, wet bath truck camper.
Must Read: Adventurer 80RB Review

*Adventurer 80RB: dry weight, 1,827 pounds + 11 gallons fresh, 91.7 pounds + 4 gallon full hot water heater, 33.4 pounds + + 20-pound full propane tank, 20 pounds + battery, 65 pounds + stuff, 500 pounds = 2,537.1 pounds

Adventurer 80S – MSRP $22,617 
The Adventurer 80S is a hard side, single-slide, wet bath truck camper.
Must Read: Adventurer 80S Announcement

*Adventurer 80S: dry weight, 2,017 pounds + 20 gallons fresh, 166.8 pounds + 4 gallon full hot water heater, 33.4 pounds + 20-pound full propane tank, 20 pounds + battery, 65 pounds + stuff, 500 pounds = 2,802.2 pounds

Adventurer 80GS – MSRP $18,375 
The Adventurer 80GS is a hard side, single-slide, wet bath truck camper.

*Adventurer 80GS: dry weight, 1,649 pounds + 11 gallons fresh, 91.7 pounds + 4 gallon full hot water heater, 33.4 pounds + 20-pound full propane tank, 20 pounds + battery, 65 pounds + stuff, 500 pounds = 2,359.1 pounds

Truck Camper Dry and Wet Weights

Truck camper base dry weights have been provided by the manufacturers.  Be aware that (a) each manufacturer has different standards and options that are included or excluded from their base dry weights, and (b) very few truck campers leave the factory without additional options.  Make sure to add the weight of additional options for your truck and camper matching calculations. 

The Truck Camper Magazine Buyers Guide uses a standardized equation to calculate truck camper wet weights. Starting with the manufacturers base dry weight, the equation adds the full fresh water weight, full hot water heater weight, full propane tank weight, battery weight, and 500 pounds for stuff.

Click here to read all Adventurer articles in TCM.  All dry weights, specifications, capacities, and photographs were provided by Adventurer Manufacturing.  For a free Adventurer brochure, click here.

The post Adventurer Camper Buyers Guide appeared first on Truck Camper Magazine.

Adventurer Manufacturing introduces the 2018 Adventurer 80S, an 8-foot hard-side, single-slide, wet bath truck camper.  The light-weighting discoveries from the development of the 80S could be a game changer.

In the automotive industry, the concept of light-weighting is the process of removing weight from an automobile to improve the fuel efficiency and overall handling of that vehicle.  Examples of light-weighting include the use of high-strength steel, composites, military-grade aluminum, aluminum foam, and even carbon fiber.

Light-weighting is not restricted to material science, but rather any design change that reduces the weight of a vehicle while maintaining or improving its structural integrity.  For example, sometimes a structural element can be redesigned with less material while actually increasing the strength of the automobile.  Even better, this type of light-weighting is often possible with no additional material or production costs.

The all-new 2018 Adventurer 80S is the latest example of what can happen when the truck camper industry pursues the concepts of light-weighting.  With a dry base weight of just over 2,000 pounds, the Adventurer 80S represents a light-weight breakthrough for slide-out truck campers.

Perhaps even more compelling than the new Adventurer 80S itself are the light-weighting design concepts and material applications that were discovered during its development.  From our conversation Adventurer, we can expect to see a number of these light-weighting innovations make their way into future Adventurer and Eagle Cap truck campers.

For the full story behind the 2018 Adventurer 80S, we talked to Greg Tucknies, Director of Sales and Marketing for Adventurer Manufacturing.

2017 Adventurer 80S Specifications:

The 2018 Adventurer 80S is a hard side, single-slide, wet bath truck camper made for short or long bed trucks.  The interior floor length of the 2018 Adventurer 80S is 8’0”, the interior height is 78”, and the center of gravity is 34”.  The 2018 Adventurer 80S has a 20 gallon fresh tank, a 14 gallon grey tank, a 14 gallon black tank, and a 4 gallon hot water heater.  It can accommodate one battery and has one twenty-pound propane tank.  Adventurer is reporting the base weight of the 2018 Adventurer 80S to be 2,010 pounds.  The base MSRP for the 2018 Adventurer 80S is $22,680.

Above: 2018 Adventurer 80S on a 2016 F350 long bed truck.  All photos provided by Adventurer LP.

TCM: Adventurer is known to debut a new floor plan specifically to beat the pants off another Adventurer model that’s getting long in the tooth.  In this case, we suspect the eight year old 80GS better pull up its shorts.

Greg: Actually, the Adventurer 80GS is still going strong.  We originally thought the 80RB was going to eliminate the 80GS.  The 80RB is now our number one seller, but the 80GS is also solid.  At this point, there are no plans to discontinue to 80GS, but we will let the marketplace determine our decision.

TCM: On paper, the idea of a slide-out truck camper for half-tons is a non-starter.  Half-ton trucks don’t generally offer enough payload to even consider the thought, and slide-outs add a considerable amount of weight to a truck camper design.  So how is it that we’re here talking about a slide-out truck camper for a half-ton truck?

Greg: 90-percent of what we do is customer driven.  We have heard time and time again from customers that the 80GS would be better if it had a dinette slide.  That put the 80GS project on our engineering books about four years ago.

When the average retail customer asks for a floor plan or feature, they don’t necessarily understand what it takes to make that happen.  Early on we determined that there was no way to have a slide-out go up and over the box rails without a basement.  To add a basement the camper would need additional framing and walls.  The weight of the basement, additional walls, and the slide-out put the weight beyond the half-ton target, so we pushed the project off.

Over time, the 80S became a challenge for our Dave Frampton, our General Manager, and Shawn Mathews, our Head of Engineering.  Together they developed a whole new approach.

TCM: To be absolutely clear, you’re not recommending the 80S for every half-ton truck, nor are you limiting its compatibility to half-ton trucks.  Is that correct?

Greg: That is correct.  We state on our website that the 80S is only for select half-ton models.  In general, the 80S is a better payload match for three-quarter tons.  And the 80S is particularly well suited to three-quarter ton and one-ton truck owners who want to tow boats, trailers, and other towable toys.

We always recommend that you match your camper within the capabilities of your truck.  We always tell our customers to include the weight of their spouse, dog, kids, and all of their stuff in their calculations.  That always has to be the conversation.  That’s why we have the Build Your Own system to discover the dry weight with options for the camper you’re interested in.  We want you to have that information.

The worst thing you can do as a truck camper manufacturer or dealer is to put the wrong camper on the wrong truck.  You are asking for unhappy customers, and possible safety issues.  If you stay within the payload of your truck and tire ratings, you will be safe.  We must get that question 100 times at a RV show.

TCM: Did the 2018 Adventurer 80S start with elements of the Adventurer 80GS and 80SK, or was it designed completely fresh from the ground up?

Greg: The 80S is a 100-percent fresh design from the ground up.  Everything is different.  It’s a completely new floor plan in the truck camper marketplace.

TCM: What weight were you targeting for the 80S during this time period?

Greg: Our target was 2,000 pounds; 2,200 pounds max.  The engineering team originally said they couldn’t get to that weight range.  With a few tweaks they were able to get it down to 2,400 pounds.  I stated that customers would not buy the 80S at that weight because the 86FB is at 2,545 pounds.

That’s when the real breakthroughs happened.  Traditional slide-outs have their own floor.  The 80S slide-out utilizes the floor that goes over the wing walls.  That saved a considerable amount of weight.

Above: The 80S slide-out utilizes the floor that goes over the wing walls

We also employed a new floor design with balsa wood in the lamination.  The balsa lamination tested as strong as the plywood we had been using, but with a weight reduction of 40 pounds.  The biggest challenge of using balsa is that it doesn’t provide a structural anchor for cabinets or screws.  We employed metal strips for the screws to solve that challenge.

Above: The open faced cabinet in the cabover saves weight

To save even more weight, you’ll see cabinets and wardrobes without doors.  The wardrobe in bedroom is open faced.  This allows for larger shirts and coats to fit in this space, or for the owner to use a set of plastic storage containers.  Even the framing under the refrigerator is open.  Every element of the design was focused on saving weight.  We were literally looking at ounces.

Above: Photos of the 2018 Adventurer 80S manufacturing process

TCM: Earlier you mentioned the framing of the 80S.  Is it wood or aluminum framed?

Greg: It’s a hybrid of the two.  For example, we used aluminum framing in the structure that supports the balsa laminated floor.  The walls and roof of the 80S are wood frame.  Wood framing is important for building a lighter weight truck camper.  Most folks think aluminum framing is lighter, but that’s not the case.

TCM: As the engineering team worked to reduce weight, how did they ensure that structural integrity wasn’t sacrificed?

Greg: The key to structural integrity is our True Composite Construction (TCC).  The 80S’s walls, roof, and floor are all laminated for incredible structural strength.  We back the 80S with the same 3-year structural warranty that every Adventurer Manufacturing product carries.  We did not sacrifice quality for weight.  The 80S is as sound and solid as anything we build.

TCM: What is the height of the basement in the 80S?

Greg: It’s a wheel well height; 10-inches.  The basement contains the holding tanks and is heated.  The basement also allows us to have an incredible amount of exterior storage in the basement and on the driver’s side slide.  The 80S has more exterior storage that our 86FB and 89RB models.

TCM: How did Adventurer design the 80S to be long and short bed compatible?

Greg: We played with all kinds of layouts to move the center of gravity forward.  We had the slide-out forward and back.  The kitchen was flip-flopped.  We moved the propane and battery locations.  The final center of gravity came in at 34-inches.  That was a pleasant surprise.

Above: Locating the center of gravity on the 2018 Adventurer 80S

TCM: Is the 80S compatible with super short bed trucks?

Greg: Unfortunately, no.  That was on our wish list, but we were not able to get there.

Above: The Power Gear SlimRack system on the Adventurer 80S

TCM: Adventurer chose the Power Gear SlimRack system slide-out mechanism for the 80S.  As an industry and community, we have learned to be at least cautious with the introduction of a new slide-out mechanism.  From this perspective, how have you tested this new Power Gear SlimRack system?

Greg: We have actually been testing the SlimRack slide-out mechanism for some time.  Here at the factory we installed a SlimRack slide in a sidewall and dinette-slide mock-up six months ago.  Our concern was racking when the system wasn’t level or weight balanced.  That’s what plagued the Schwintek system.

Five of us pulled and tweaked the mock-up slide and it ran perfectly.  Then we pushed on the slides and did everything we could to rack the system.  Even with considerable pressure and weight, the system ran in and out without binding.  At one point we were a full two-inches out of alignment and it still ran fine.  That really impressed us.

The design of the SlimRack is very forgiving.  It has a steel rack inside.  The gears can move up and down and remain positively engaged.  It’s smoother, quieter, faster and draws less power.  I don’t think you can make it fail unless the motor goes.  We now believe the SlimRack is a viable slide-out system, and it’s much lighter in weight.

Above: The 80S with the slide-out in

TCM: That’s quite a statement.  Are you considering using the SlimRack in other models?

Greg: To adopt the SlimRack in our existing models we would need to redesign the framing and walls to accommodate the system.  It’s more likely that we’ll possibly incorporate the SlimRack system on new models.

TCM: The wet bath in the 80S features a one-piece fiberglass base.  Does that mean only the bottom of the bathroom is molded fiberglass?

Greg: That’s correct.  Below the entry door is a one-piece fiberglass tray that rises about 8-inches up the walls.  We used the same mold from the 80GS bathroom.  It creates a better seal than the plastic tray we used a couple years ago.

In designing the wet bath our team found another creative way to save weight.  They used the same Lamilux 4000 gel coat fiberglass we use on the exterior of the unit for the wet bath.  Essentially, we laminated the Lamilux 4000 to the interior of the wet bath’s walls and sealed the seams.

It’s an entirely new style of wet bath construction, and one that creates a full fiberglass shower stall.  The final 80S wet bath weighs less than the wet bath in the 80GS.

TCM: That’s very impressive, and efficient for purchasing and production.  Tell us about the double-door fiberglass water tight linen closet.

Greg: That was another innovative idea.  We used exterior baggage doors to create a large waterproof storage area inside the 80S’s wet bath.  The doors are actually the same we use on the exterior of the 80S, just turned vertical.

Above: Inside the wet bath storage area are adjustable shelves

TCM: The L-design of the dinette is fairly self-explanatory, but what was the reason behind this design approach?

Greg: We originally tried a face-to-face dinette like what we have in the 86FB and 89RB.  When we looked at the result, it looked like another me-too design.  We were copying ourselves.

The Lagun can be moved in so many directions, or pushed out of the way to open the interior.  We haven’t employed the Lagun in another model, so it’s completely different for us.

To do something different, the engineering team developed three different drawings and layouts.  That’s when the Lagun table leg system came up.  We had used it in a Class B design for Fraserway and it made sense for the 80S.

Above: The Adventurer 80S’s dinette being made into a bed

TCM: Can the dinette still be made into a bed?

Greg: Yes, it can.  The pictures I took show how that’s done.

TCM: Adventurer is stating that the new 80S has more galley counter space than any other 8-foot truck camper on the market.  That’s a crazy bold claim.  Are you 100-percent sure of this?

Greg: Yes, we are.  We looked at all of the floor plans out there.

The 80S has a huge counter top and a large stainless-steel bowl sink, and a two-burner stove.  Anyone who enjoys cooking is going to love the 80S.

Above: Dometic 4-cubic foot, 2-way refrigerator/freezer

TCM: Another claim surrounds the 8-foot exterior storage which Adventurer says is like no other 8-foot truck camper.

Greg: I don’t think there’s a truck camper out there with storage like this.

The slide-out design allowed for an enormous amount of exterior storage space in the 80S.

Above: The heated tanks in the basement of the 80S

TCM: The tank capacities for the 80S are impressive for a half-ton targeted camper; 20-gallons fresh, 14-gallons grey, and 14-gallons black.  How did you determine these tank sizes?

Greg: Once again, those decisions are customer driven.  Customers have asked us for bigger tanks in models targeting half-ton trucks.  We had to balance that request against the target weight and center of gravity requirements.  To strike the right balance, we designed and built new custom tanks for the 80S.

TCM: What size batteries does the 80S hold, and where is the battery compartment?

Greg: The exterior battery compartment on the 80S is the same design from the 80RB.  One side holds up to a Group 31 battery, and the other is for the power cord.  Some folks have removed the divider and put two batteries in this compartment, but it’s designed for one battery, and storage for the power cord.

TCM: What size propane tanks does the 80S hold, and where is the propane compartment?

Greg: There’s a single 20-pound horizontal propane tank located in the rear driver’s side of the unit.

TCM: Tell us about the standard bumper and entry step system for the 2018 Adventurer 80S.

Greg: The 80S doesn’t have a bumper.  We offer a five-step Torklift International glow step scissor step from the factory.  The dealers can also offer the Torklift step system.  Depending on the truck you will be matching with the 80S, you’ll need a five or six-step system.

TCM: What considerations were given for winterization; battery access, water heater bypass, low water drains, etc.

Greg: The 80S has all of those features.  It’s a full-blooded Adventurer.  The only things the 80S lacks are a rear ladder and a microwave.

TCM: After all was said and done, what did the 80S weigh?

Greg: When we weighed the first unit, everyone on the management and engineering team was guessing what the 80S would weigh.  Most guesses were around 2,100 pounds.

We were all surprised when it actually came in at 2,010 pounds.  The first thing we did was check that the unit had everything it was supposed to have and it did.

TCM: Does that weight include Adventurer’s mandatory Elite Option Package (EOP)?

Greg: Yes, our Elite Options Package is included in the base weight of 2,010 pounds.

The Elite Option Package highlights our heated and enclosed holding tanks, 24-inch friction hinge entrance door with dead bolt and screen, laminated closed-cell block foam insulation, Lamilux 4000 high-gloss front wrap, interior LED lights, all-wood full-extension drawers with soft/self-closing ball-bearing drawer guides, framing around all windows, and more.

Above: The outside shower, water heater, and battery access in the 80S

TCM: What does the 80S weigh as a standard build, and loaded?

Greg: That first unit was a base build with no options.  People don’t normally order campers with no options, so 2,010 pounds is at the low end of the 80S dry weight.

Above: The Jensen stereo system is an option in the 80S

Standard build for the 80S includes a stereo, awning slide topper, rear awning, and camper caddy.  With those features, the dry weight of the 80S is 2,076 pounds.

The fully loaded 80S in the pictures weighed 2,206 pounds and included a scissor step system, rear awning, slide-topper, camper caddy, stereo system, air conditioner, and electric jacks.

Above: A fully loaded 80S weighs approximately 2,206 pounds

TCM: Adventurer has been at the industry forefront with weighing each and every truck camper that leaves the factory and posting the resulting dry with option weight inside the units.  Adventurer has also been a leader by putting center of gravity stickers on the exterior of every camper it manufactures.  Are these best practices be continuing with the 2018 Adventurer 80S?

Greg: Absolutely.  That’s our standard practice.

TCM: What is the MSRP for the 2018 Adventurer 80S with standard build features?

Greg: The base MSRP for the 80S is $22,680.  The MSRP for the standard build with electric jacks is $24,787.  A fully-loaded unit comes in at $25,984.

TCM: What is the warranty for the 2018 Adventurer 80S?

Greg: The Adventurer Manufacturing structural warranty is three years.  The three year warranty is transferable to other owners, and starts at the time of customer delivery.  The manufacturer warranties on appliances are between one and three years.

TCM: When will the 2018 Adventurer 80S be available?

Greg: They are coming off line now and are shipping.  The 2018 Adventurer 80S will also be at RV shows in early 2018.

TCM: Do you think some of the design and material ideas developed for the 80S might make their way into other Adventurer Manufacturing products?

Greg: Absolutely.  Some of the design and material discoveries from the 80S have been so impressive that we’re considering adopting these approaches for other Adventurer truck campers.  This should help our larger truck campers to become much stronger and lighter in the future.  The material changes may cost us more, but not as much as it would have in the past.

TCM: Is there anything about the 2018 Adventurer 80S or Adventurer Manufacturing that you would like to add?

Greg: With the 80S, our engineering department truly exceeded my expectations.  They have achieved incredible things with this unit and discovered some new design and material ideas that will push Adventurer Manufacturing products even further.  With the 80S, we have another floor plan that’s going to shine in the marketplace.

We recently added 4,000 square feet to our facility, and are looking to expand production even further.  We don’t have a definitive new model at this time, but we are looking at new innovations, and maybe an all-new truck camper line.

To learn more about Adventurer campers, visit their website at www.amlrv.com.  To request information on the 80S, click here.

The post TCM EXCLUSIVE: 2018 Adventurer 80S appeared first on Truck Camper Magazine.

Adventurer announces new Happijac jacks, two-way tread bumper steps, a new audio/video system with HDMI standard, cabover USB charging, omni-directional HDTV antennas, and more standard features.  And an all-new 50th anniversary model is on the way.

Adventurer Manufacturing announces annual model year updates more than any other truck camper manufacturer on Earth.  That might come as a shock to some industry veterans and truck camper enthusiasts, but the evidence is right here.

Go to Truck Camper Magazine’s back issues and you’ll see Adventurer Manufacturing’s annual announcements like clockwork; May of 2018, June of 2017, May of 2016, July of 2015…  More importantly, Adventurer’s model year updates consistently contain meaningful changes, discontinued models notifications, and new camper news.

Where other truck camper manufacturers either don’t update their campers every year, or don’t report their updates publicly, Adventurer makes steady model year updates, announces them in Truck Camper Magazine, and debuts promised new campers on schedule.

There’s another significant aspect of Adventurer Manufacturing’s new model year conduct that deserves praise.  Adventurer Manufacturing holds their model year change until they are ready to deliver campers that contain that model year’s updates.  Put another way, when you step into a 2019 Adventurer truck camper, it will have the 2019 Adventurer updates.

Unfortunately, this isn’t standard policy in the RV industry.  Too many manufacturers change model years early simply to one-up each other, and push retail sales.  These “new model year” units are 100-percent identical to the previous model year, minus the new model year designation and sticker.  Truck Camper Magazine believes this is both misleading and dishonest, and celebrates Adventurer for not following this regrettable industry practice.

For 2019, Adventurer has some very exciting news.  Not only are they continuing to advance and refine their truck camper line, but they’re also working on a breakthrough new model to celebrate 50 years of truck camper manufacturing.  For now we have to be satisfied with a tease and a few morsels of information.  Thankfully, that’s not all that’s been going on in Yakima.

Above: The Adventurer 89RBS, single-slide, wet bath truck camper

TCM: Is Adventurer announcing any new models, or discontinuing any models for 2019?

Greg: As we have done many times in the past, we allow the marketplace to direct which models stay in production and which are discontinued. For 2019, we are discontinuing the 86SBS. It was our number one seller for many years, but the 89RBS has cannibalized its sales.

The 89RBS has been a huge success because of its ability to fit long and short bed trucks, generator compatibility, and wide open floor plan. The Adventurer 89RBS also won Truck Camper Magazine’s Readers’ Choice Award for Best Truck Camper of 2016, and is now our number one slide-out model.

Above: The base color is just a shade darker

TCM: Adventurer hired an interior design team and redesigned all of its interior decors for 2018. For 2019, you are changing the base fabric to a darker color. What’s behind this change?

Greg: It’s a very minor change. You really can’t notice it in photography, and can barely see it in person. The color is just a shade darker so it doesn’t show dirt as much. Look at it in person, I can’t really tell the difference.

TCM: Has one of the 2018 interiors out performed the others? Which one do folks like the most?

Greg: Typically one does stand out as more popular, but that hasn’t happened with the new interiors. The news decors have been equally popular. When we build open units in a run we build Four with Carbon, three with Bark, and three with Chestnut. They have been very consistent.

Above: 2019 Happijac 4200 electric jacks

TCM: For 2019, Adventurer Manufacturing is upgrading to the new Happijac 4200. How is the new Happijac 4200 different than the outgoing model?

Greg: The 4200 is Happijac’s next generation of jacks. The 4200 has a new and quieter motor, higher capacity, is more field serviceable, and is even more reliable. After the 4200, Happijac is working on another jack for us with a different gear drive system.

Above: A 2019 Adventurer 910DB with new Happijac 4200 jacks

TCM: Which Adventurer models are receiving the new Happijac 4200 jacks?

Greg: The 4200 will be installed on everything except the 116DS double-slide. The 116DS gets the heavy duty 4800 model with 2,500-pound capacity.

TCM: The new tail light certainly looks different. Is this simply an aesthetic change?

Greg: The new tail light has a number of good features. Most importantly, it’s a brighter and safer LED light. We first installed it on the rental motorhomes we build. When I first saw it during a motorhome test drive, I was sold. Even though the light is smaller, it’s much brighter and easier to see.

The new tail light also has a smaller footprint on the back wall. That is beneficial as it allows us more options for locating jack brackets and other items. It may also allow for larger compartment doors in the future.

Another benefit of the new light is that it’s completely sealed. The wiring is 100-percent encapsulated. There’s nothing inside the light that is exposed to the elements.

TCM: How do you test to make sure a product like the new tail light is truly water tight?

Greg: We put several examples of new tail lights in a bucket of water for days to see if they would still light, and to make sure they don’t draw moisture and leak. They passed all of those tests.

With a flat surface it is easy to seal tightly. It’s pretty much impossible for this light to leak. It also gives us a new look. We will also be integrating a light into our new bumper design.

TCM: New bumper design?

Greg: I can’t tell you anything more about the new bumper yet, but I can tell you about our two-way tread step upgrade on the Comfort Steps. When you fold the step into the travel position the underside is also finished with a flat step plate. With this change, you can use the steps in either the travel or camping position.

We actually developed this concept about six years ago. We even had a prototype made by our bumper manufacturer. At the time, we were concerned about the cost being added to the bumper. For 2019, our bumper manufacturer lowered the price of the bumper, even with the update. It’s a fantastic feature that Adventurer owners are going to love.

TCM: The new Jensen JWM70A stereo system offers some nice upgrades including smartphone app controls, HDMI connection, 1-amp USB charge port, and a clock with an alarm. Is the new stereo the result of a Jensen model change or is it a step up from what you were offering?

Greg: A little of both. Jensen discontinued the old model, and the new stereo is a nice step up. The 1-amp USB charger is an upgrade. The HDMI quality is also superior to the RCA out of the outgoing unit. We are using HDMI for all main television connections in our 2019 models. HDMI costs more, but the quality is much better.

TCM: We like to see 12 volt and USB chargers throughout a truck camper. Tell us about the new 12 volt and USB charging station in the 2019 Adventurer models.

Greg: For the last two years we have had a 12-volt receptacle in the cabover for a CPAP machine. Customers also plugged in USB adaptors into the 12-volt receptacle. For 2019, we added to a charge point for both 12-volt and USB outlets. Everyone is charging more electronics.

TCM: Founded in 1969, Adventurer is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2019. How are you commemorating a half-century of truck camper production?

Greg: We are doing two things. First, we are placing a 50th anniversary logo on every model. We’re also coming out with a 50th anniversary model this year.

TCM: Can you tell us anything about the 50th anniversary model at this time?

Greg: It will be completely unique. It’s a completely new model with totally new features on the interior and exterior. It’s a ground up all-new celebration for our 50th anniversary.

As a teaser, it has a full-booth dinette, a bigger bathroom, new cabinet features, totally different wood tone, exciting new electronics, frameless windows, and more. We will only be building 60 of these campers, so they will be truly special.

Above: The new omni-directional dome antenna

TCM: We can’t wait to see what you’ve come up with. A few years back, Adventurer Manufacturing adopted the Winegard flat television antennas. For 2019, Adventurer is installing a new omni-directional dome antenna. What’s the story behind this new antenna?

Greg: The Winegard flat television antennas were great in that we didn’t need an antenna on the roof. Unfortunately, we received some complaints that the antenna would get interference from the installation, or would not operate in certain directions. If you turned 90 degrees the reception was perfect. If the camper was in another direction, it would fall into a dead zone. It didn’t happen often, but happened enough that we looked into it.

For 2019, we are changing to an omni-directional dome antenna which has the best range and coverage from our tests. It’s a traditional exterior roof mounted television and radio antenna. It allows us to take off the AM/FM whip antenna that was installed before. Now we are using one antenna and getting better reception for the radio and the television.

TCM: The 2019 update information we received stated that the new antenna isn’t being installed into the 80S, 80RB, or 80GS. Why is the new antenna not being installed on these models?

Greg: We don’t offer a television in those models because they are intended for smaller trucks where low weight is the priority. Without a television, there’s no need for a television antenna. The 80-series also doesn’t get Heki skylights. We are trying to keep weight down on the 80RB, 80S, and 80GS.

TCM: Does the 80-series have full walk-on roofs?

Greg: Yes, they have full walk on roofs. They have one inch roofs instead of two inch roofs like our other models do.

Above: A Heki skylight in the Adventurer 89RB

TCM: The Heki skylight has been a popular option for Adventurer truck campers for some time. For 2019, Adventurer is making Heki skylights standard. Why is the Heki being made standard?

Greg: Heki skylights were being ordered over 97-percent of the time. There are very few units ordered without it. We’re making them standard for 2019.

The Heki and oven will go into our base weight and pricing. Some of the price increases this year were because of options that become standard, like the Heki skylight. But, we were able to save weight because the roof framing can be done differently since all models receive the Heki. We also get better pricing on the Heki because all campers we build will have it.

TCM: Previously, an oven was optional for the Adventurer 86FB and 89RB. For 2019, an oven will be standard in those units. Why is this option becoming a standard feature?

Greg: We supply Fraserway RV with their truck camper rental fleet. The 86FB and 89RB are the most popular Adventurer models for that rental fleet. When Fraserway orders campers for their rental fleet, they delete items like ladders since they don’t want customers on the roofs. Put another way, the rental market doesn’t want or need many of the options we commonly build into our retail units.

When Fraserway is done with a rental truck camper, they de-fleet that camper and retail it. For 2019, they have asked us to make ovens standard on the 86FB and 89RB as these features improve the sell-ability of that model after it is de-fleeted. That’s one reason why an oven is now standard on these two models.

We have a 20-percent increase in production demand this year, so we need to look every way to save time on the production line. Making an oven standard simplifies the build, increases production, and adds a nice feature.

TCM: The 80S is getting a door on the wardrobe closet for 2019. What was there before?

Greg: We had netting there because we were concerned about weight. We wanted the 80S to be a possible payload match for a half ton truck, but customers are matching it with three-quarter and even one-ton trucks. Customers with three-quarter ton trucks have been ordering 80S because they are less money and it doesn’t have the size and weight drawbacks of a bigger camper.

TCM: Adventurer announced the 80S in November of 2017. How’s it doing?

Greg: It’s been a strong seller. It will be in our top four or five best sellers this year.

TCM: The 80-series is getting folding assist handles for the entry doors. This is a welcome update to improve the mobility of these models. Are folding assist handles now standard on all Adventurer truck campers?

Greg: Yes, folding assist handles are now standard on all Adventurer truck campers. From your survey and mobility issue articles, we realized that this was something we needed to do.

The 80-series campers require scissor steps, so they need an assist handle. We had a standard handle before, but it was difficult to reach. We looked at several different handles and decided we liked this one the best.

Above: The stainless steel vanity sink in the 2019 Adventurer 910DB

TCM: The 910DB is getting a new stainless steel vanity bowl sink. Is this one of the items that you didn’t get to with the 2018 remodels?

Greg: We wanted the kitchen and bathroom sinks to both be stainless. Customers love the stainless steel look from our 2018 interiors and asked about upgrading the bathrooms to stainless as well.

Above: 2019 Adventurer 910DB brushed nickel shower head

We upgraded to brushed nickel shower faucets last year, which made the non-stainless sink stand out even more. For 2019, we have upgraded our dry bath sinks to stainless.

TCM: Could someone with an older 910DB order one of these sinks from Adventurer?

Greg: Unfortunately it is a different size and shape and would require a cabinet modification to make it work.

Above: The 2019 Adventurer 89RBS has a 28-inch television option

TCM: The 89RBS now has a 28-inch television option. What changes were made to make the larger television possible?

Greg: We have the 28-inch television in the Eagle Cap 811, which is the sister to the 89RBS. We had the cabinet designed for a larger television. The 19-inch television looked tiny. We were going to redo that cabinet so that we could install a larger television like the Eagle Cap 811 has. We already had the drawings for the 811 cabinet, so it was an easy adjustment. The new cabinet and 28-inch television has a cleaner and more finished look.

TCM: One of the more interesting 2019 option updates is a change from a 4-step Torklift GlowStep to a 5-step Torklift GlowStep. Did customers need an additional step?

Greg: Unlike the 80GS and 80RB, the 80S has a basement which puts it higher off the ground. For the 80S, the five step GlowStep makes more sense. It also work wells on the 80GS and 80RB.

A lot of dealers will order the camper without a step system and then install if the customer wants it. You don’t see GlowSteps ordered a lot from the factory. We recommend getting them from your dealer so you get a better fit for your truck.

TCM: For 2019, the 80-series campers (80GS, 80RB, and 80S) have a new optional electric rear awning. Tell us about the new electric awning and why it’s better than the Truckin awning Adventurer was using.

Greg: The Truckin awning was a narrow 4-foot wide manual awning. The operation was a challenge. You had to extend it and then pull it out. The awning wasn’t being used as much because it was challenging to use.

We have had several requests for an electric awning. The electric awning we went with is lighter weight, has better operation, and is larger in width. This awning gives customers a nice upgrade.

TCM: Are Adventurer truck campers increasing in price for 2019?

Greg: On average, there’s a two and a half percent price increase across the board. The price increase is primarily from the added standard features. The rest of the price increase is from increased material and labor costs.

TCM: When can we expect to hear more about the 50th anniversary model?

Greg: Our 50th Anniversary model is being announced this summer. You will see some out of the box thinking. We can’t wait to share it with your readers. We’re putting all of our engineering efforts into the 50th anniversary model.

TCM: Is there anything else about the 2019 Adventurer updates or Adventurer Manufacturing that you want folks to know?

Greg: Business is booming and growing. We have hired another engineer. We’re even looking at more expansion on our current building to give us more room. We want to have more support areas. We’re working with the city on the permits. We’re also looking at the possibility of a whole new facility.

I would also like customers to know that our 2019 Adventurer truck campers are truly updated 2019 models. Other truck camper manufacturers put new model years on their campers just to one-up each other for sales. Those new model year campers are no different than previous year’s model, but they are labeled 2019. For some companies, the next model year is just a label.

Adventurer Manufacturing does not follow this practice. When you walk into a 2018 Adventurer and then a 2019 Adventurer, you will see differences in the product. When we change to 2019, it’s a solid change with significant upgrades and improvements. We believe this is the best practice for both our dealer network, and our customers.

For more about Adventurer Manufacturing, visit their website at amlrv.com. Click here to request an Adventurer brochure.

The post TCM EXCLUSIVE: 2019 Adventurer Announcements appeared first on Truck Camper Magazine.

To celebrate Adventurer Manufacturing’s 50th anniversary, and honor their late Founder, Erdman Epp, the Yakima, Washington company has built 60 special edition units that push the envelope in truck camper design, material, and technology.  Want to go truck camping in the future?

The 901SB is nothing less than a statement product from Adventurer Manufacturing.  Every material, process, component, and design element that went into this all-new truck camper has been challenged.  Where there was a decision to stay safe and traditional or bold and forward thinking, the Adventurer team choose the bolder path – again, and again.

The story behind this camper is equally compelling.  After a half-century of production, the Adventurer 901SB celebrates where the company has been, and envisions where it’s going.  The traditional non-slide floor plan echos successful floor plans and refinements of Adventurer’s past.  Beyond that, everything about this camper pushes hard into the future.

Upping the stakes even further, the 901SB is no one-off show camper.  Adventurer Manufacturing has built 60 special edition units (the total production for this model) and has already shipped the majority to dealerships across the United States and Canada.

If the 2019 Adventurer 901SB looks like a camper from 2020, it should.  The question is, are we ready for what Adventurer has produced?  As the management team at Adventurer Manufacturing always says, “Let the market decide.”

To get the full back story on the design and development of the 901SB, we talked to Greg Tucknies, National Sales Manager, and Shawn Mathews, Head of Engineering, at Adventurer Manufacturing.

2019 Adventurer 901SB Specifications:

The 2019 Adventurer 901SB is a hard side, non-slide, wet bath truck camper made for short or long bed trucks.  The interior floor length of the 2019 Adventurer 901SB is 9’1”, the interior height is 78”, and the center of gravity is 40” as equipped.  The 2019 Adventurer 901SB has a 36-gallon fresh tank, a 28-gallon grey tank, a 28-gallon black tank, and a 6-gallon hot water heater.  It can accommodate two batteries and has two 20-pound propane tanks.  Adventurer is reporting the weight of the 2019 Adventurer 901SB to be 3,280 pounds, which includes every option.  The MSRP for the 2019 Adventurer 901SB, as equipped with all options, is $39,379.  Click here to request more information about the 901SB.

Before we talk about the camper, tell us why this camper came to be, and what it means to Adventurer Manufacturing.

Greg: We started talking about this camper a year ago in a meeting about 2019 products. To celebrate our 50th anniversary, we wanted to honor the Epp family, and build something truly special and unique.

From that point, there was a series of meetings about the different possibilities. Our first thought was to simply produce a 50th anniversary decal. Then we talked about an upgraded 50th anniversary interior and exterior package. Finally, we talked about an entirely new floor plan. The new floor plan idea got everyone here very excited.

From previous announcements, we know that Adventurer starts new models with a wish list based on feedback from customers, dealers, and the in-house team. Did you follow a similar process for the anniversary model, or was this design approach different for this model?

Greg: Dave Frampton, our General Manager, asked the sales team for a wish list. James Epp and David Epp submitted their suggestions. We talked about length, weight, and whether it should be a short bed or long bed. Then, we looked at lists of ideas from dealers and customers. After that it took legs of its own and progressed into this new innovative product.

Shawn: We have some new production equipment in the factory like our TigerStop up-cut automated saw and Biesse Selco SK 4 numerical control beam saw. With the 901SB design, we took full advantage of the capabilities and efficiencies of these new machines.

As we were designing the camper, we picked apart the drawings to better utilize our production technology. With a few design adjustments, material quantity and lengths were standardized. As part of this effort, we reduced raw face frame materials in the 901SB by 50-percent.

“With this camper, we wanted to see what we could do better from a design, production, and technology point of view. It’s our vision for 2020.”

We also reduced the number of plumbing fittings, drain fittings, electrical connections, and fasteners. We tried to reduce everything. Reducing the number of materials and material sizes helps production, purchasing, material handling and our suppliers and shipping.

Adventurer usually introduces a new camper to replace an existing floor plan. Is the 901SB intended to replace an exiting model?

Greg: The 901SB was not designed to replace anything. With this camper, we wanted to see what we could do better from a design, production, and technology point of view. It’s our vision for 2020.

Adventurer Manufacturing is well known for building multi-slide truck campers. Why did Adventurer decide to make the 901SB a non-slide floor plan?

Greg: We wanted to pay tribute to non-slide floor plans of past Adventurer models. Specifically, the 901SB floor plan is similar to the Adventurer 90FWS from years ago. The 901SB floor plan is actually reversed from the 90FWS, and tweaked with numerous design improvements.

Above: 2019 Adventurer 901SB units ready for shipping at Adventurer Manufacturing

Adventurer Manufacturing has long stated that you use the right framing material for the job. Some Adventurers have both wood framing and aluminum faming – depending on what was best for that area of the camper. What framing material did you use for the Adventurer 901SB, and why?

Shawn: The 901SB is 100-percent aluminum framed. Pre-bent aluminum tubing is creating new opportunities in design and production efficiency. We have already implemented it on other Adventurer truck campers, and are using it in some of our interior cabinetry.

Greg: The nose radius in the 901SB is custom built from aluminum bent tube. That approach not only improves the strength of the nose radius, but speeds production.

“This camper is debuting a lot of new technology and products not seen anywhere else.”

Does this mean Adventurer will be moving all of its campers to aluminum framing?

Greg: For weight savings, the Adventurer 80-series will stay wood framed. That’s the 80S, 80GS, and 80RB models. The 89RB and 86FB are aluminum and wood framed. Again, the wood framing saves weight compared to aluminum. We will still use the right material for the job.

Does the anniversary model employ the same True Composite Construction (TCC) as other Adventurer truck campers?

Shawn: Yes, it uses the same tried and true TCC bonding system.

The Adventurer 901SB features new direct-drive jacks from Happijac. We’ve never seen these jacks before. What’s the story there?

Shawn: We have worked with Happijac this past year to develop different jacks for the 901SB. Happijac was actually going to introduce these jacks in September or October, but worked with us to get them completed and tested for this run of 60 campers.

The new direct-drive jacks have a tighter fit to the unit, weigh less, and draw less amps. They’re based on Happijac’s 4200 model that we’re already using, so they have the same weight capacity.

Another nice feature of the new jack is a cleaner access port. Happijac only produced enough of these new access ports for these 60 units, but they’re now working on production quantities.

Tell us about the design of the white and grey-tone modern interior. Who did the design work?

Shawn: Our design team is M.B. Designs out of Yakima. They design high-end homes. They came on board a year and a half ago to help us with the 2018 and 2019 interiors. For the 901SB, they presented three different interiors to look at.

M.B. Designs had mock ups at their studio so we could see the interiors in person. I like that they are local. I can quickly meet to review item/materials and get decisions made.

They came here last Wednesday and looked at a final 901SB. They were floored at how the new look turned out. They said it was even better than they anticipated.

Greg: Our design choices for the 901SB have been a hybrid of Class B motorhomes, tiny homes, and modern domestic home design. RV interiors are typically behind the times. Our vision is to move forward. If you are not moving forward, you are moving backward.

Our demographics are changing to younger buyers. The designers at M.B. Design are younger themselves and constantly work with younger buyers. Since that’s the marketplace trend we’re seeing, we’re moving in that direction.

The countertops and dinette table look like poured concrete. Obviously, they are not poured concrete – so what is that material?

Shawn: They are thermoformed MDF – the same material that we’re using in Adventurer and Eagle Cap truck campers. The concrete-look is a vacuum-formed material.

The result is a countertop that is extremely durable and exceptionally resistant to scratches.

The dinette cushions are a leatherette with a new cut and stitching design. What’s the story behind the new dinette cushions?

Greg: We started with our furniture supplier to get a basic cushion, but it didn’t look right. Looking at automotive-style cushions, Shawn came up with a design that was much better. Shawn spent a lot of time to get the stitching design just right.

Part of this story is actually comical. The final design is essentially what James has been asking for, for many years. Now that it’s in the 901SB, he wants it in our motorhomes.

Above the dinette is another very unique facet of the 901SB – an electric bunk. Tell us about this feature and how it works.

Shawn: The bed lift system is made by Project 2000, an Italian manufacturer owned by Lippert. We are seeing electric bunks in Class As above the driver’s and passenger’s seats. The bed lift system is simple to use and elegant. From a production side, it’s just a bolt in feature.

We liked it from both the consumer and production point of views. Now we are looking at how to integrate it into other floor plans. We also like that it doesn’t take up a lot of headroom in the dinette.

Greg: If we get good feedback about the electric bunk in the 901SB, it will be something we can consider to offer as an Adventurer and Eagle Cap option in 2020.

Shawn: The bunk is 71.5-inches wide and holds 800-pounds. You will not need to break down the bed and move items to use it. If someone had a sleeping bag up there, you can leave it up there and close the bunk.

The new Dometic cooktop and oven has a fresh design. Are there any other features about this range other than its modern aesthetics?

Shawn: The new range has a residential feel from the redesigned control knobs to residential cooking grate. Dometic only announced this new model in RV Business last week, but they committed to put them in our 50th anniversary models. This camper is debuting a lot of new technology and products not seen anywhere else.

Greg: M.B. Designs recommended the grate look to make the kitchen more elegant.

The Furrion range hood is also striking. Why did you decide on the Furrion hood?

Shawn: Furrion is an appliance manufacturer that makes cook tops, range vents, and audio and video equipment. They’re actually a pretty large company. The range hood is a more residential-style and offers a lower profile and dimension inside. The venting is easier for our manufacturing process. It is also competitive in price.

Above: The Power Tower Multiport pop-up

There is a very deep integration of technology in the anniversary model. Tell us about the touch screen and what it controls.

Shawn: As you guys well know, there are a lot of components in a truck camper. There’s a switch here and a button there. The touch screen integrates the controls into one area. With only one space for the components, we have more useful space in the unit. We looked at different touch screen systems and the KIB Electronics system met our requirements.

Greg: KIB Electronics offers custom solutions for different types of companies and products. They have been here in Yakima three times for our 60 camper anniversary model. During development we worked to make the unit production ready. It’s something we’re considering for use in future models.

What exactly does the touch screen control?

Shawn: The dimmable LED-lighting, outside lower step light, rear awning/porch light, electric bunk, water pump, awning operation, battery level monitor, and holding tank monitor.

The tank monitor in the 901SB is digital and accurately reads tank levels in increments of 5-percent. Solar is a separate panel in the cabover. Solar integration is something that we’ll work on in the future.

Greg: They are also working on a phone app that will allow users to control all of these functions from their phones. That development is going on now.

What if the touch screen doesn’t work and – for example – your awning is out?

Shawn: There are manual overrides for the awning and the electric bunk.

Greg: If there is a system failure, KIB can send out a program updater. That’s how they are able to upgrade programs. It was a collaboration to get the touch screen system right and we’re excited for people to experience it.

The LED lighting in the 901SB is unlike anything we’ve seen in an RV before. Tell us about the lighting system and why you decided to use it for this model.

Shawn: When we were in Louisville looking at Class Bs, we were looking at trends and options that we could put in a truck camper. The LED strip in the 901SB is similar in size to what’s in modern Class Bs. When it’s on, you get a bigger feel in the unit. That’s what makes this style of LED lighting popular in the Class B segment.

We are using the LED strip in the 901SB instead of individual LED-lights. It gives you an even lighting. These lights are dimmable and they are divided up into the bedroom and main living area.

Greg: We build Class Bs for Fraserway’s rental fleet, so we were also looking at different concepts for those units. As we saw the results of that, Shawn started thinking about truck campers. The key is to be in touch with the new changes and what the market is saying.

Why did you decide on a wet bath for the 901SB?

Shawn: We couldn’t have a dry bath because of space. We want a large wet bath for the 901SB. It’s based on a design that works well in another model. The stall has a lot of floor space. We also mounted the shower head toward the back of the stall, which works better.

Greg: From a production point of view, the 901SB wet bath works better for plumbing making our production line more efficient.

Why did you decide to employ frameless windows in the 901SB?

Shawn: The look. Frameless windows are clean and sleek from the outside.

Greg: The Adventurer line has never had frameless windows. It’s one more way to make the anniversary model special.

Are the windows thermal pane?

Shawn: No, they’re single pane windows. They are the same 3000-series we are using with Eagle Cap, just not thermal pane.

Why not put a window on the back wall?

Shawn: On the dinette side we couldn’t install a window because of the electric bunk. With 72-inches of room and 71.5-inch bunk space, a window wasn’t possible. We didn’t want to put a window on the passenger’s side back wall because you would be looking at the ladder. A frameless picture window was added to the entry door to allow for natural light. There is a covering on the door window that can be removed.

There appears to be a new mattress in the 901SB. What can you tell us about it?

Greg: On our model year wish list we wanted a mattress that looked nice, was strong and functional, but didn’t require a bed spread. We were able to have one designed that worked with a nice design on it. We also wanted it to go with the M.B. Design. The resulting mattress will very likely be carried forward on future units.

How did you go about designing the cabover layout, cabinetry, and windows?

Shawn: The 901SB cabover design is very similar to the 89RBS. We flip-flopped it.

That’s why the water heater is in the cabover wardrobe, just like the 89RBS design?

Shawn: That’s correct. We needed the water heater forward for space, weight and center of gravity.

We redesigned the passenger’s side hamper for the 901SB. The hamper has a single flow countertop with a bigger lift up.

On the driver’s side there is a space in front of the wardrobe with a countertop night stand, a pull-out drawer, and the largest window we could fit there.

Above: The basement storage drawer

What height is the basement on the 901SB?

Shawn: The basement is 13-inches tall.

Since you challenged all facets of design, why not go with a rail height basement?

Shawn: We had to keep the weight of the unit down. A rail height basement would add too much height and weight.

Tell us about the size of the holding tanks in the anniversary model and why you made the tanks that size.

Shawn: The holding tanks are new for this model. We wanted to utilize the space and get the tanks as large as we could. The fresh tank is 36-gallons, the water heater is 6-gallons, the grey tank and black tank are both 28-gallons.

What are the propane tank sizes?

Shawn: There are two 20-pound vertical tanks that are as far forward as possible. With the propane tanks on the galley side, we utilized the full length of the kitchen drawers with propane tanks behind it.

Where is the battery compartment?

Shawn: The batteries are on the front wall to keep the center of gravity forward. You can get two Group 31 batteries in that compartment.

Greg: The compartment is ventilated, so they can be sealed or unsealed batteries.

Shawn: One thing we did differently is a combined service center. The city water, outside shower, cable/satellite connection, and black tank flush are all together in one service center compartment.

Greg: The water heater bypass is easy to access inside the cabover wardrobe. There are easy to access low point drains and a fresh water drain. There is a battery disconnect inside the basement door on a push/pull switch. We build all of our truck campers to be easy to winterize and service.

Above: The Adventurer 901SB garage can fit a portable generator

Can the air conditioner run on a portable 2,000-watt generator?

Greg: Yes. We have a 10,000 BTU Dometic air conditioner on all Adventurers. A generator is not an option for this unit, but the back garage has enough space to store a portable generator.

We’re seeing a lot of people using portable Hondas. We’ve had customers put their portable generators on the Comfort Step bumper. Part of the garage storage idea is that you can put a generator in there or you can put other things in there. You can’t run a generator in there because it’s not vented, but the size of the compartment will accommodate it for storage.

One of the concepts of the Anniversary model is that comes loaded with every option. What was the thinking behind making every model loaded with every option?

Greg: The anniversary camper was designed to be truly special. For this special model we wanted to build it with all the options we offer. In the future we will most likely not have a fully-optioned special edition. We’ll just offer options and let the consumer decide what they want.

We noticed that you’re not using the traditional Heki skylight in the cabover. What are you using?

Shawn: It’s a new skylight offered by Hengs Industries. It has an enhanced latching system. Instead of a bar latch, it has a crank.

When closing, it engages two hooks on the side. It won’t open during transit. Also, the parts are all available in the United States.

We are also using an 80/20 extrusion roof rack. The 80/20 extrusion system is like an erector set with aluminum extrusions and brackets. We utilized the 80/20 system to create a roof rack and ladder for the 901SB.

That sounds amazing. I bet our mod making readership would love to check that out.

Shawn: Put 80/20 into Google and see what others have done with the system. It’s big in the industrial world for scaffolding and railings. To our knowledge, no one else in the RV industry is using it.

Greg: The 80/20 ladder is much stronger than what we were using. It also attaches to our bumper for better stability and support. We like that the 80/20 system allows us to control the design.

Tell us about the standard bumper and entry step system for the 2019 Adventurer 901SB.

Shawn: We started with our popular Comfort Step system and changed to non-slip black powder coat.

Greg: The whole bumper is non-skid. I had a concern about not putting on the anti-skid treads because I thought we would need to. I put my foot on and tried to slide and the whole pallet and bumper moved. It’s got at least as much grip as the anti-skid treads.

Then we soaked the bumper with water and I had better traction when it was wet. With the black powder coating we don’t need the anti-skid treads. That was another great discovery in developing this camper.

Above and below: The stringless locking cellar shades are another new standard feature in the 901SB

What does the 2019 Adventurer 901SB weigh with standard build features?

Greg: The 2019 Adventurer 901SB with every option is 3,280 pounds.

Above: The COG sticker clearly marks the center of gravity

Where is the center of gravity on this camper?

Greg: It’s at 40-inches. It’s marked with a center of gravity sticker, as we do on all of our units.

What is the MSRP for the 2019 Adventurer 901SB?

Greg: The 901SB is $39,379. Again, that includes every option as standard.

What is the warranty for the 2019 Adventurer 901SB?

Greg: It is the same as everything we build here at ALP. We have a three-year structural warranty. All appliances have their own warranties.

Will every Adventurer dealer have the 901SB anniversary model available?

Greg: They are not at every dealer, but most dealers have them on order. They are shipping right now.

Are all 60 units sold?

Greg: Not yet. We’ve kept about ten campers back. We anticipate some dealers will order after the consumer response to this article. Fraserway saw their first one arrive this week. Their sales manager said that he wants more.

“To celebrate our 50th anniversary, we wanted to honor the Epp family, and build something truly special and unique.”

Wouldn’t it have made more sense to build 50 for the 50th anniversary?

Greg: Dave Frampton decided on 60 because we build in runs of 20. It was either going to be 40 or 60. We built 60 instead of 50 because of efficiency.

What does SB stand for?

Greg: SB stands for side bath.

Is there anything about the 2019 Adventurer 901SB that you would like to add?

Greg: This is a one off unit for our anniversary celebration, but some of these features may carry forward in future Adventurer and Eagle Cap models. We’ve talked about a non-slide Eagle Cap, so the 901SB may turn into that idea. There will be many meetings and lots of feedback gathered from your readers and our customers and dealers before making any decisions.

We are going to offer all 901SB customers two Yeti water bottles with the special edition logo. You will get it when you fill out your warranty card and send it in. You will also get a 50th anniversary owner certificate because you have a special unit.

We want this camper to be a statement of the Epp family legacy.  Adventurer was started in 1969 as a mom and pop operation. We want the 901SB to be a testament to that and a celebration of 50 years of innovation in the RV industry.

James shared this anniversary model design with Erdman. We are very proud of his legacy.

Shawn: The news of Erdman Epp passing away was ironic timing with the 901SB being built. They were actually on the line when he passed. It really gives this camper more importance to us and our company.

To learn more about Adventurer campers, visit their website at adventurercampers.com.  Click here to request information on the 901SB.

The post TCM EXCLUSIVE: 2019 Adventurer 901SB 50th Anniversary appeared first on Truck Camper Magazine.

The response to Adventurer Manufacturing’s all-new 2019 Adventurer 901SB was impressive.  Not only did a significant number of readers click on that announcement, but the comments we received about the 901SB’s modern design and materials were overwhelmingly positive.

From this reaction, it’s clear that a significant part of Truck Camper Magazine’s readership is ready for truck camper manufacturers to move towards more modern aesthetics and technology.  This sentiment will only intensify as younger generations discover the truck camping lifestyle.

We had the opportunity to see a 901SB in person and it truly is a breakthrough product for the Yakima, Washington company.  We are looking forward to how this important product influences future Adventurer and Eagle Cap truck campers.  From our conversations with senior management, the impact might not be subtle.

For another look at the 2019 Adventurer 901SB, Greg Tucknies, National Sales Manager for Adventurer Manufacturing, has produced a walk around video showcasing the many new features of the camper.  Check it out!

Click here to request information about the 901SB.

The post Video Walk Around: 2019 Adventurer 901SB appeared first on Truck Camper Magazine.

Adventurer Manufacturing revolutionizes their production processes with new equipment selected from around the world.  The efficiencies and capabilities of this equipment are shaping the future of Eagle Cap and Adventurer truck campers.

Imagine you’re the owner of a truck camper manufacturer in 2018.  Demand for your products is at record high levels.  So are your material and labor costs.  These trends show no sign of letting up and are starting to stress your production team and profit margins.

To state the obvious, your job as is to increase production while improving quality and profits.  If you had a magic wand you would build a new factory and hire more team members, but neither option is possible at this time.  For one, you can’t find enough qualified people to hire.  For two, there isn’t the land to expand your current facility, and commercial real estate prices in your area are through the roof.

So what are you going to do?  In two words; new equipment.

We stopped by Adventurer Manufacturing this past August to see their all-new 2019 Adventurer 901SB 50th Anniversary Edition.  Dave Frampton, General Manager for Adventurer Manufacturing also wanted to show us some significant factory changes and new equipment purchases.

As Dave explained it, the new equipment was making a major impact in production, quality, and overall efficiency.  Working with the entire production and management team, he had already expanded, reorganized, and maximized the facility (including instituting 5S Lean Manufacturing company-wide) and was now aggressively launching best-of-breed technology and CNC equipment to push Adventurer’s production and quality envelope forward.

Above: Dave Frampton, General Manager, and Greg Tucknies, National Sales Manager with Adventurer’s 50th Anniversary Yeti bottles

The synergy of all of these changes is what really had Dave excited.  The expansion, reorganization, 5S/Lean, and new equipment and technology was not only improving production, quality, and profits, but it was also unleashing new possibilities for truck camper design.

With our camera and notebook in hand, Dave took us through the Adventurer Manufacturing factory and presented the new equipment, explained why it was selected, and how it was making an impact.  We started at the new TigerStop TigerSaw.

TigerStop TigerSaw

TigerStop was founded in 1994 by a successful manufacturing entrepreneur who became frustrated at the inefficiency he saw on his own wood processing process.  Headquartered in Washington State, TigerStop was launched to automate cutting, boring, and machining lumber.

For their lumber processing needs, Adventurer Manufacturing selected TigerStop’s TigerSaw automated push feed saw station.  The TigerSaw is specifically designed to increase yield and accuracy.  That means more processed material from less lumber at a higher quality.

Once a cut list has been loaded from CAD into the TigerSaw, the operator brings the required lumber to the system.  When the operator initiates the cut on the system’s touchscreen, the TigerSaw accurately measures and cuts the material.  This all happens in a few seconds.

It was impressive to see how much lumber the TigerSaw could cut with a single pass.  Dave explained that they can now process eight pieces of lumber simultaneously where they had been limited to three.  That’s a 166-percent increase in efficiency.

Adventurer Manufacturing added a label printer to the TigerSaw that automatically generates labels for every processed material the system produces.

We watched as Adventurer team member, Kenny Morgan, pulled the labels from the printer and applied them to the materials as they were completed.  The label printer was right where it needed to be for minimal motion.  The labels include a part number, camper model, material type, material dimensions, and more – all designed to further improve internal tracking and efficiency.

Auto Pac 300

Fresh out of the TigerSaw, cut lumber and aluminum needs to be bundled and distributed to different parts of the Adventurer plant.  To securely bundle the materials, a plastic strap greatly improves handling and organization.

To speed the process of strapping the materials processed by the TigerSaw and improve the tightness of the strapping, Adventurer selected the Auto Pac 300 arch strapper.  Based in Exton, Pennsylvania, PAC Strapping Products manufactures the Auto Pac 300 and sells industrial strapping products to companies across the globe.

The Auto Pac 300 is a marvel to watch in operation, or at least try to watch in operation.  Once Kenny placed the grouped materials on the Auto Pac 300 table, the strapping process was triggered by a foot switch.  In the blink of an eye, the strapping material emerges from the circumference of the Auto Pac 300 frame and bundles the materials.  I tried photographing the strapping mid-strap several times to no avail.  It’s that fast.

Once bundled, the labels from the TigerSaw are applied.  When these bundles are brought to the next station in the Adventurer Manufacturing facility, they’ll know exactly what they are, where they go, and what camper element they’re for.

Biesse Silco SK4

Not all lumber and wood materials entering the Adventurer Manufacturing facility are appropriate for the TigerSaw.  For larger panels (sheet goods) that fall outside of the TigerSaw’s core capabilities, Adventurer has selected the Biesse Silco SK4.  Founded in Italy in 1969, Biese Group are the pioneers in numeric control (CNC) wood processing.

The Biesse Silco SK4 is a cutting center with two blades and two complimentary pushing devices that move the product through programmed cutting actions.  The first blade pre-cuts the materials to improve the speed and quality of the final product.

Dave explained that the SK4 produced perfectly square tolerances, accuracy within a hundred thousandths of an inch, improved stack heights, and minimized material waste.  He also told us that Biesse sent a representative from Croatia (Mr. Dragon) to assemble the SK4 and train the Adventurer Manufacturing team for a week.

While Dave took us through the features of the Silco SK4, team member Omar Jimenez operated the touchscreen and brought materials to the machine.  The SK4 is programmed for the number of required cuts, the grain pattern, and the moves required to rotate the material.  It’s fascinating to watch in action.

When the process is completed, a label is printed and applied to the cut materials.  Once again the label includes the dimensions, run, model, and part number.

Dave stated that the efficiencies possible by the Biesse Silco SK4 have helped Adventurer Manufacturing to hold their camper material costs.  Even better, the SK4 will allow Adventurer to double the number units they can build.

Portacool Evaporative Cooler

Not all of Adventurer’s new equipment is high-tech. For example, Dave showed us an enormous evaporative cooling fan in the lamination building.  The Portacool is designed to keep the lamination room at an optimal 20 to 25-percent moisture level for Adventurer’s signature True Composite Construction (TCC) lamination process.

Most RV lamination facilities utilize overhead moisture misters to ensure proper moisture levels for the lamination process.  Dave stated that the problem with this approach is that moisture can get into the laminated parts.  With the portable Portacool, Adventurer was able to locate the unit to minimize that problem.

Adventurer has also updated the unloader and roll coater (shown above) in the lamination building.  Their process is designed to create a 100-percent adhesive coverage on their laminated components.  The adhesive itself is calculated to the exact gram.

Manzelli TopLine Lift

After the lamination building, Dave took us back into the main production facility to show us their new way of handling laminated components.

Laminated side walls, floors, and roof are quite large for team members to pick up and handle.  In the past, two, three, and even four people would lift, move, and flip these structures for routing and finishing.

Together with Jeff Gaskill, Adventurer’s Operations Manager, Dave searched for a solution for safer and more efficient handling of these large laminated products.  That search led to an unusual equipment source for the RV industry; Manzelli of Italy.

Founded in 1978, Manzelli specializes in vacuum lifters for heavy and delicate loads including stone, metal, wood, glass, and sheet metal.  Their TopLine lifters are often utilized in the marble and granite countertop industries and are designed to minimize the number of people needed for lifting these materials.

Jeff and Dave studied the specifications for Manzelli’s TopLine lifters and saw a solution to the laminated wall challenge.  With four suction plates, the Manzelli TopLine can be safely operated and controlled by one worker.  The system even allows the team member to flip laminated materials while maintaining safety and reducing potential damage.

More Changes and Additions

It had been nearly three years since we had last toured the Adventurer Manufacturing facility for our article, “Eagle Cap: Luxury on the Line”, and a lot more had changed.

Dave took us to see an underground pit they have installed for their motorhome production.  The same pit has been used to allow easier and more comfortable access to truck camper holding tanks for service work.

Adventurer Manufacturing produces its own wiring harnesses in a mezzanine above the main production floor.  Here Dave showed us a set of hydraulic crimpers and a zip-tie machine (shown above) that, once again, speeds up production and improves quality.

On the production line itself we saw a laser level to ensure that exterior elements, graphics, and decals are installed perfectly level and in the correct positions.  See the red line across the camper?  That’s a laser beam!

During our visits in 2010 and 2015, the campers were moved by team members literally pushing the units on rolling carts.  Now the campers are moved by load movers allowing one person to safely move a unit down the line while other workers stay on task.

As we walked from area to area on the factory floor, we passed dozens of material racks, shelving and mobile carts organized by part size and number.

This is all part of the 5S methodology of Lean manufacturing; Sort, Straighten, Shine, Standardize, and Sustain.  At every turn, we could really see the result of the team’s 5S efforts. The factory was organized, clean, and open.

More To Come At Adventurer Manufacturing

As we were preparing to leave early the next morning, Dave Frampton and his team were literally digging a ditch outside the service building for their next equipment purchase; a new outdoor scale system.  The new scales will speed the process of weighing truck campers, improve the accuracy of the weights, and automate the data recording.  Once again, speed, accuracy, and automation.

It was incredible to see Dave, sleeves rolled up at the break of dawn, digging side-by-side with his service team.  This is not a manager who leads from an ivory tower.  Dave was clearly having fun.  Perhaps more than anything, that sums up the big story we found at Adventurer Manufacturing; a unified team that’s moving forward, digging in, and having a blast.

For more information on Adventurer Manufacturing, visit their website at amlrv.com.  Click here for a free Adventurer or Eagle Cap brochure.

The post Major Factory Updates at Adventurer Manufacturing appeared first on Truck Camper Magazine.

Truck Camper Magazine reviews a 2019 Adventurer 80GS, an 8-foot hard side, single-slide, wet bath truck camper for short bed trucks.  After nine years of steady updates and upgrades, is the 80GS still a half-ton compatible contender?

Adventurer Manufacturing debuted the Adventurer 80GS in Truck Camper Magazine in November of 2009.  That’s a stunning fact for two reasons.  First, models rarely survive that long in Adventurer’s notoriously competitive design culture.  And second, how in the world has nine years passed without a Truck Camper Magazine review?  What a shame.

In all fairness, we didn’t start publishing formal reviews for years after the 80GS debut, and newer models kept taking the review spotlight.  In the mean time, the 80GS quietly kept selling and surviving the Adventurer design team gauntlet.  Model-year-update by model-year-update, the 80GS steadily improved to become the camper we are reviewing today.

Believe it or not, the 80GS actually has its origins at a different manufacturer.  When Adventurer Manufacturing moved to Yakima, Washington in 2008, the company welcomed many management and production team members from Western Recreational Vehicles, a Yakima-based Class A, fifth wheel and truck camper manufacturer that succumbed during the Great Recession.

During the announcement of the 80GS in 2009, Burk Morgan, Adventurer’s then Director of Sales and Marketing, spilled the 80GS origin beans.  “We had talked with the production and product development team about a lightweight camper like the 80GS when we were at Western Recreational Vehicles,” he explained.  “We wanted to build a high-quality, self-contained, hard side camper that can go on lighter duty trucks.  The 80GS is that camper.”

The initial 80GS prototype targeted half-ton trucks with a dry weight of 1,466-pounds.  Unfortunately, that weight required a list of convenience concessions that crippled the camper’s competitiveness.  Manual jacks, an industry-first manual slide and an anemic feature list all but doomed the unit.  Ironically, Burk might have said it best in 2009; “…we want everything in the camper but we don’t want it to weigh anything.”

Then Adventurer did what Adventurer does best; listened to what the marketplace wanted, and built it.  Born again, the revised Adventurer 80GS got an electric slide-out, electric jacks and an updated list of standard features.  It also gained an additional 200-pounds of dry weight and a requisite price bump.  Who can we blame for the increased weight and cost?  The demanding and often contradicting truck camper buying public.  A.k.a., you and me.

Enough with the introspective history lesson.  It’s time to put the hammer down on the 80GS and see exactly how it stacks up in 2019.  Nine years later, can this camper compete?

We reviewed a 2019 Adventurer 80GS at Billing RV in Billings, Montana.

Floor Plan Evaluation

We will probably never know who it was, but somebody many years ago must have told a truck camper designer, “It would be really nice to have a pouch inside the door for the jack remote.”

Today jack remote pouches are all but ubiquitous throughout the industry.  We found a jack remote pouch immediately inside the entry door in the 80GS.  The lesson is this; keep telling the manufacturers what you want.

Just above the jack remote pouch are the controls for the electric slide-out and optional power awning.

The slide-out controls consist of a switch to operate the slide-out’s electric drive or manual drive (top) and an in/out rocker (bottom).  In most situations, you would (1) push the top switch to electric drive and (2) push the lower rocker to move the slide in or out.  Simple as that.

When the 80GS first debuted in 2009, it had the first manual-only slide-out on a camper.  You literally had to stand outside of the camper and pull-open (and push shut) the kitchen slide.  And that brings up a funny story…

Following the debut of the 80GS, we asked Rob Rapose, then of Torklift International, to pull open the manual slide for a video we were producing.  The poor guy just happened to be in the right place at the right time, so we volunteered him to do it.

Rob did it, but it was quite comical to watch him hide how hard he had to pull.  The manual slide worked well, but it took a lot more effort than most folks were comfortable with.  As a result, Adventurer switched to an electric slide in the 80GS for the next model year.  Today, “manual drive” is available only in case the electric slide fails.

Standing at the entry way just inside the unit, the Adventurer 80GS has a bright and attractive interior.  The lighter wood tones, muted color palette, and large windows are very inviting.

Turning to the passenger’s side is the main attraction of the 80GS; a kitchen slide-out.  Well, sort of.  Look closely and you’ll notice that only the lower cabinetry, countertop, and upper cabinetry actually slide-out.  Put another way, you don’t actually gain any floor space with the 80GS slide-out.

What you do gain is a larger and more functional kitchen including deeper kitchen storage.  Without the slide-out the 80GS kitchen would have a smaller sink, significantly less counter space, and greatly reduced cabinetry.   The slide may not buy you any floor space, but it sure opens up the kitchen area.

Thanks to the slide, the upper cabinets offer a useful amount of storage depth.  This is the right storage area in the right place for dry foods, cups, and dishes.

For the 2017 model year, Adventurer Manufacturing went all-in with thermal-formed one-piece MDF countertops.  These countertops are vacuum-sealed and laminated with a foil finish.

In person these countertops are attractive, but you won’t likely confuse them for a true solid surface material like Corian.  They simply lack the color depth of solid surface products.

On balance, thermal-formed counters are significantly lighter in weight and lower in cost to produce than Corian.  Based on MDF, the thermal-formed counters also feel quite solid and durable.  Want your camper to be light weight, affordable and durable?  So does Adventurer Manufacturing.

I stated earlier that the kitchen slide does not create more floor space, but that’s not exactly the case.  If the kitchen cabinetry and counter space were not on a slide, the cabinetry and counters would not only be half as deep, but they would be pushing into the main entrance and living area.  That’s floor space folks!

The stainless / brushed nickel single-bowl sink, tall faucet, two-burner propane cooktop and cabinetry pulls add a degree of modern sophistication to the presentation.  More importantly, there’s enough counter space to prepare simple meals and wash dishes.  Just don’t attempt to do both at the same time.

I am always pleased to discover pull-out drawers in the kitchen.  Too many campers lack this feature and leave the owner to find another location for their silverware and utensils.

It’s easy to dismiss the difference that stainless steel ball bearing drawer slides have on a unit – until you don’t have them.  Our project camper lacks this awesome feature and the old-school drawer guides are starting to go.  The kitchen drawers in the 80GS have the real deal; smooth, stable and built to last.

A quick peek under the sink reveals a good but not stellar level of finish.  Everything was well secured, but the metal strap holding the sewer hose tube and the plastic zip tie around the PEX plumbing appeared roughly completed.  We don’t need perfection, but this could be more refined.  Of course an owner (or dealer) could address these concerns easily.

The Adventurer 80GS features a 4-cubic foot 2-way Dometic refrigerator.

This is a good amount of refrigerator capacity for a camper this size. We often eat for a week with a 6-cubic foot refrigerator, so 4-cubic feet should hold enough food for 3 to 5 days, depending on your dietary habits.

Just forward of the refrigerator is a closet with the interior weight sticker.

Adventurer is aces in my book for providing its customers with the most accurate dry-with-options-weight possible.  The photograph above is a close-up of the interior weight sticker of the 80GS under review.  I put a red box around what every manufacturer should have posted in their campers; ACTUAL WEIGHT WITH FACTORY INSTALLED OPTIONS.

With this weight you could calculate what this camper will weigh wet, with options, and your cargo.  That’s about as up front and honest as a manufacturer can be about camper dry weight.  It’s up to you to care.  Adventurer has done their part.

Under the refrigerator is the switch for the water heater and the cabover lights.  Also note the gap created by the kitchen slide-out.  Like all slide-outs, the 80GS slide creates interior living space and takes interior storage.  On balance, the interior storage is made up with the depth of the slide.

Directly across from the kitchen slide-out on the driver’s side is a wet bath.  This wet bath includes a flush toilet and shower, but no sink.

As is often the case in hard-side non-basement camper, the step up to the bathroom is quite tall.  This height likely accommodates holding tanks under the one-piece fiberglass shower pan.  Owners should get accustomed to this height quickly, but it’s something to be aware of.

To save weight, Adventurer has eschewed a full fiberglass shower stall in favor of waterproof wallboard and the aforementioned one-piece fiberglass shower pan.

This, “right material for the job” approach is a big part of the design culture at Adventurer.  Perhaps more than any other RV manufacturer, Adventurer is agnostic about material use.  Whatever material is best for a particular application gets the nod.

The covered toilet paper holder and brushed nickel shower controls are adjacent to the foot flush toilet.  As with any truck camper, I would strongly recommend folks sit on this toilet and check their leg space and comfort.  Then stand up and check your shower height comfort.

At 6’3” tall, sitting was a bit tight for me on the throne but, thanks to a skylight, the standing height was okay.  The bath height is helped by the 6’5” interior height of the 80GS.

In the past I have admonished Adventurer for using premium stainless and brushed nickel components in their kitchens and white plastic components in their bathrooms.  Well, that’s not a problem in the 80GS.  Even though this is a relatively entry-level unit for the Yakima, Washington manufacturer, they are using quality stainless and brushed nickel throughout the coach.  Check out the snazzy shower nozzle.  Nicely done.

In a camper like the 80GS, every design element, material, and component must be carefully scrutinized for size and weight.  In general, the smaller and lighter the better.

The round fan in the wet bath is a good example of this effort.  Compared to a standard 12-inch ceiling fan, this round fan and vent is compact and weight efficient.  We have used these exact fans in other campers and they work well.

In the heart of the unit is a large U-shape dinette with a round table.  The table can be moved towards and away from the wall to create more space in the dinette or main walking area.  It’s conceivable that four adults could sit at this dinette, although their table space would be limited.

With the table removed you can see just how large this dinette sitting area presents.  This is practically a U-shape sofa.  Lounge at your leisure.

The dinette quickly makes into a 60-inch long by 30-inch wide bed.  This is perfect for kids, but is likely too short for most full-grown adults.

Above the dinette is a storage compartment, audio-video system and speakers.

As you can see in this photo, the audio-video system and speakers take up a considerable amount of potential cabinetry storage.  I can see a time in the not-so distant future when audio-video systems are not only optional, but consist entirely of portable battery-powered Bluetooth speakers with designated camper mounts inside and out.  Why not?

Adventurer has managed to shoehorn two 5-volt USB outlets and a 12-volt outlet under the upper cabinetry.  This is a fantastic spot for charging phones, tablets and other USB and 12-volt items in the dinette area.

Where your feet would rest under the U-shape dinette we discovered a subfloor (removed for the photograph below) containing the table pedestal, water pump, plumbing and electrical runs.  We always celebrate when a water pump is located in an easy to access location. This most certainly qualifies.

The plumbing and electrical lines are bundled and tied down.  80GS owners will want to utilize this area for storage, but care should be taken to not damage the pump or lines with moving items.

What’s this?  On the cabover facing end of the upper dinette cabinetry is a clever nook.  I’m not exactly sure what this space would be used for, but it’s welcome given the minimal storage otherwise available in the cabover.

To be blunt, there’s really no cabinetry storage in the 80GS cabover.  This is one more way Adventurer kept the weight of the 80GS down.  If the Adventurer team had loaded up this space with cabinetry, the resulting weight would require more truck.  It would also drive up the price.

On the flip-side, the 57 by 80-inch East-West cabover in the 80GS is wide-open and spacious.  The large slider windows on both sides of the unit provide a lot of light and the opportunity for a comfortable cross-breeze.

As an East-West design, you will need to climb over your significant other and Buster the wonder mutt to get out of this cabover.  Why did Adventurer choose an East-West cabover?  Weight, weight, don’t tell me.  To save weight!

The front wall has what Adventurer calls their Camper Caddy storage pouch system.  This system could be used for a few clothing items, books, magazines, phones and tablets, and more.

In the past I have dismissed storage pouches like this, but they really are useful in day-to-day camping situations.  We are using a similar pouch system in our current camper and it’s making us think wall-mounted pouches are underrated and under utilized.  We may add one or two in our project camper.

There is something really cool about waking up in a truck camper and looking from the cabover into the main living area.  I always think the same thing, “Look at all the space we have in here!”  Of course the first thing I always think in the morning is, “Where are we?”, but that’s besides the point.

The cabover view from the 8-foot 80GS surprised me.  This is a really attractive and open feeling unit.  Adventurer hit the mark with a smart floor plan, light color materials, and neutral fabric colors.

Specifications

Adventurer Manufacturing sets the gold standard for camper weight honesty.  Not only do they weigh each and every Adventurer and Eagle Cap truck camper that leaves their factory, but they post that exact dry-with-options weight inside the unit.

As a consumer, you can take the posted dry-with-options weight right into the step-by-step instructions presented in the article, “How To Match A Truck and Camper”.  From there a safe truck match is a straight forward process.  Thank you, Adventurer.

Unfortunately, you still need to ignore the exterior weight sticker on Adventurer truck campers.  The entire truck camper industry posts the lowest possible base dry weight (without options) on their exterior weight stickers.  Never go by the exterior weights posted on a truck camper.  They are almost always erroneous.

On a small value-oriented camper like the Adventurer 80GS, the discrepancy between the base dry-weight and the actual dry-with-options weight will be less than with larger and more luxury-focused models.

In this case, the 80GS exterior sticker states the dry-weight at 1,684-pounds.  The interior “ACTUAL WEIGHT WITH FACTORY INSTALLED OPTIONS” states the weight at 1,752 pounds – a difference of only 68-pounds!  That means this particular 80GS has 68-pounds of options.

Even though it’s an 8-foot floor plan, the 80GS will only fit short bed trucks; specifically 6-foot, 6.5-foot, and 6.75-foot beds.

At 84-inches wide, the 80GS is the narrowest truck camper Adventurer builds.  In contrast, the rest of their line is either 90-inches wide (80RB and 80S) or 96-inches wide (116DS, 910DB, 901SB, 89RBS, 89RB, and 86FB).  Despite this difference, the 80GS does not feel like a narrow unit in person.

Part of the reason the 80GS does not feel narrow is the 6’5” interior height.  This is actually a full 2-inches more than Adventurer’s largest multi-slide model, the 116DS.  The large windows, light material colors and slide-out also help the 80GS feel spacious.

The center of gravity of the 80GS is marked at 39-inches, a position that places the center of gravity forward of the rear axle on the majority of short bed trucks.  This center of gravity should move even further forward when the 11-gallon fresh tank is filled.

Capacities

The realities of trying to build a fully-self contained, lightweight, hard side truck camper require some tough choices.  Perhaps there’s no better example of these hard choices in the 80GS than the relatively small tank sizes; 11-gallons fresh, 6-gallons grey and 6-gallons black.

Solo campers could stretch the 6-gallon capacity of the black tank to 4 to 6 days.  If you’re camping as a couple, cut those numbers in half.  From experience, we likely need to dump a 6-gallon black tank every 2 to 3 days.

This limitation vanishes if you’re predominantly a weekend camper, or prefer full hookup sites.  Weekend campers only need 2 to 3 days of tank capacity, and full-hookup campsites bypass the camper holding tanks all together.

That stated, if you intend to use the 80GS for long-term, long-distance or dry camping, the small tanks could be a challenge.  In those situations, you could seek out bathrooms and bushes.

Another option is to step up the Adventurer 80S with its 20-gallon fresh, 14-gallon grey, and 14-gallon black tanks.  Of course that camper also weighs 2,056-pounds dry, necessitating more truck.  In truck campers, there are always trade-offs.

The water heater in the 80GS has a 4-gallon capacity.  We have taken short Navy showers for years with 6-gallon and 4-gallon hot water heaters and never once run out of hot water.

Again the limiting factor will be the 6-gallon grey tank.  Weekend campers and full-hookup folks are fine, but everyone else will need to ration their shower habits, or use campground showers.

The Adventurer 80GS has one 20-pound horizontal propane tank.  While not exchangeable like 20-pound vertical tanks, this 20-pound tank easily accessed and refilled at propane stations coast-to-coast.

With only one propane tank, 80GS users will need to keep tabs on their propane use.  If this tank runs dry at 2:00am in the middle of freezing nowhere, you have a situation.  The obvious advice is to get in-tune with your propane use, and refill before you run out.  How do you do that?  Experience.

Wet Weight Calculation

We have already celebrated Adventurer Manufacturing for providing the gold standard in accurate dry-with-options weights.  Now let’s get run the wet weight numbers using Truck Camper Magazine’s standardized wet weight calculation.

Base Dry Weight – Special Factory Order Only

Adventurer 80GS: dry weight, 1,684 pounds + 11 gallons fresh, 91.7 pounds + 4 gallon full hot water heater, 33.4 pounds + 20-pound full propane tank, 20 pounds + battery, 65 pounds + stuff, 500 pounds = 2,394.1 pounds

Optioned As Reviewed

Adventurer 80GS: dry weight, 1,752 pounds + 11 gallons fresh, 91.7 pounds + 4 gallon full hot water heater, 33.4 pounds + 20-pound full propane tank, 20 pounds + battery, 65 pounds + stuff, 500 pounds = 2,462.1 pounds

Truck Recommendations

The Adventurer 80GS debuted in 2009 with an impressive 1,466 pound dry-weight.  Since then the 80GS has been upgraded with numerous model year updates, dealer requests, and consumer suggestions.  The result of these improvements is a camper that now weighs in at 1,684-pounds dry, a 218-pound increase.

I bring this up for one reason; the Adventurer 80GS was originally designed for half-ton trucks.  Even at its original 1,466-pound dry weight, properly matching the 80GS to a half-ton was a tough proposition.  At 1,684-pounds (without options) it’s even tougher; 14.8-percent tougher to be exact.

Lucky for Adventurer, the past decade has seen some remarkable payload capacity improvements in the half-ton truck market.  Perhaps the best example of this is a 2018 Ford F150 XL 6.5-foot short bed, 4×4, Super Crew, 3.5L EcoBoost V6 with the Heavy Duty Payload Package and 18-inch wheels.  In this very specific configuration, the 2018 Ford F150 has a staggering 2,870 pounds of payload.

If you were to special order this Ford and match it to the reviewed Adventurer 80GS (2,462.1 pounds wet), you would have 407.9 pounds of excess payload.  If you have your heart set on a half-ton and the 80GS, you can put this combination together and have one heck of a sweet set-up.

Most half-ton trucks have nowhere near that level of payload capacity.  For starters, the majority of 2019 Ford F150s on dealer lots barely break into the 1,500-pound payload capacity.  To get serious payload capacity in a half-ton, you really need to custom order a half-ton with that priority in mind.

Although the 80GS was designed for half-ton trucks, some may want to match the camper to three-quarter and one-ton short bed trucks.  This would likely take care of the payload concerns, but careful measurements will be required.  A riser kit and/or forward spacer may be necessary to clear the truck cab and bed rails.

In the rare case that someone wants to match the 80GS with a dually truck, the 84-inch width will require swing-out brackets and swing-out extensions.  We recently ran into this exact situation on another truck and camper match.  Always, always, always measure before loading a camper.

The Verdict

For a camper that managed to avoid our review attention for nine-plus years, the Adventurer 80GS really impressed us.  First and foremost, we were immediately struck by the level of design refinement throughout the unit.  That makes sense given how long the 80GS has been in production.

Inside the 80GS feels modern, bright and inviting.  The upper kitchen slide-out gives the unit a welcome sense of openness and turns what would have otherwise been a tight kitchen into something workable.  The U-shape dinette looks like a corner booth in a restaurant.  That is until you remove the table and the dinette area turns into a sprawling sofa lounger.

We have three main concerns about the 80GS; limited storage, limited tank capacities, and a potentially challenging truck match.  Originally designed for half-ton trucks, larger holding tanks and cabover cabinetry were off the menu.  Two duffle bags would take care of a week’s worth of clothes, but not everyone wants to live out of luggage while traveling.

At 11-gallons fresh, 6-gallons grey, and 6-gallons black, the 80GS is well suited to weekend campers and those who prefer full-hookup campgrounds.  Folks looking for long-term, long-distance, or extended dry camping capabilities should really be looking for a camper with more tank capacity.  Adventurer’s own 80S would be a good start.

Once again we have a half-ton targeted camper that pushes the limits of most half-tons.  The good news is that Adventurer Manufacturing provides you with an accurate dry-with-options weight.  Take that and run it through our step-by-step truck and camper matching advice and you’ll be set.

What Adventurer has in the 80GS is an exceptional hard side slide-out camper for weekend get-aways and/or full-hookup camping.  If either of those describes what you’re looking to do, put the 80GS on your very short list.  If you need more tank capacity or storage, check out Adventurer’s 80S.

Pros
Fully self-contained slide-out camper in a lightweight package
Short bed half-ton compatible if carefully matched – see Truck Matching above
Slide-out creates significantly more kitchen counter space and storage
Large U-shape dinette is big enough for four adults to sit
5-volt USB outlets and 12-volt in dinette
Proven floor plan with nine years of upgrades and refinement

Cons
Kitchen slide only moves cabinetry and countertop
Wet bath has a tall entry step-up and lacks a sink
Dinette bed is small for adults – 60-inches by 30-inches
East-West cabover lacks storage
Limited holding tanks restrict dry camping capabilities
Plumbing and electrical fit and finish could be better

Model Information

2019 Adventurer 80GS
MSRP: $19,145 (base)
Warranty: Transferable 1-Year Bumper-To-Bumper, and 3-Year Limited Structural

Adventurer Manufacturing, ALP
3303 West Washington Avenue
Yakima, WA 98903

Phone: 509-895-7064
Request an Adventurer Brochure
Web: amlrv.com

Quality, Customer Service, and Long-Term Reliability

Truck Camper Magazine inspects all reviewed truck campers for design, material, and quality issues and reports what we find. However, since Truck Camper Magazine reviews only brand new truck campers, our reviews do not address long-term quality, customer service, or reliability.

To learn about a brand’s long-term quality, customer service, and reliability, Truck Camper Magazine recommends talking directly with truck camper owners at truck camper rallies and online via truck camper forums and truck camper owners groups.

Please be sure to balance your gathered feedback across multiple sources including direct correspondence with the truck camper manufacturers and your closest truck camper dealers.

If you are new to truck campers, start in the Newbie Corner.

The post 2019 Adventurer 80GS Review appeared first on Truck Camper Magazine.

Adventurer launches their next generation of truck campers with two-tone exteriors, all-new interiors, new jacks, new LED lighting, all Dometic appliances, a moon roof and more.  Three Adventurer models are out and three more are on the way.  It’s a big year in Yakima.

Above: 2020 Adventurer 86FB and 80RB

This past November we reported on a number of major new equipment purchases and production processes underway at Adventurer Manufacturing.  Combined with an company-wide implementation of 5S Lean Manufacturing and an aggressive factory reorganization, these changes were laying the groundwork for significant leaps in production, quality and capacity at the Yakima, Washington manufacturer.

While the management team was mum on details, it was clear that something big was brewing.  Dave Frampton, General Manager for Adventurer Manufacturing, was particularly fired-up.  As he took us through the plant, his excitement about the new TigerStop TigerSaw, Biesse Silco SK4 and many other new equipment and process upgrades was unmistakable.  It’s been a long time since we’ve seen a major truck camper manufacturer with that kind of enthusiasm for pushing forward.

Six-months later it should be no surprise that Adventurer Manufacturing is practically exploding at the seams with 2020 product news and updates.  For starters, they have an all-new two-tone exterior with fresh graphics and a sharp new Adventurer logo.

On the inside, Adventurer stepped it up with two all-new interiors including just about every material and color.  The new interiors are further enhanced by an exclusive with Dometic appliances and a new cabover moon roof.  Oh, and last year’s Adventurer interiors are history.  And so are three Adventurer models.

If that was all the news coming out of Yakima, we would still have an important story – but there’s more.  Later this year Adventurer Manufacturing will debut not one, not two, but three all-new Adventurer models targeting the half-ton market.  That’s right – three!

All of this comes on the heels of last August’s Adventurer 901SB 50th Anniversary model, itself an audacious vision for where Adventurer Manufacturing is going as a company.  The 901SB went on to win Truck Camper Magazine’s Readers’ Choice Awards for Best Truck Camper of 2018.  The importance of that design will become even more apparent when you absorb Adventurer’s changes for 2020.  They weren’t kidding when they said the 901SB was the future.

To get to the bottom of all the 2020 Adventurer changes, we talked to Greg Tucknies, National Sales Manager for Adventurer Manufacturing.

Above: A 2020 Adventurer 86FB on a Ford F450

Before we talk about all the model year updates for 2020, let’s talk about the three models being discontinued; 80GS, 80S, and 116DS.  Why are these models being discontinued?

The Adventurer 80S missed the weight target for half-ton trucks.  The final production 80S was better suited to three-quarter tons.  That was not the marketplace opportunity we were after, so we discontinued the 80S since those truck owners typically upgrade to our 86FB and 89RB models.

We are coming out with an all-new mid-sized and half-ton focused truck camper line this summer.  As part of that effort, there are some very exciting material and design innovations in the works.  We are going to hit the half-ton target this time.

The Adventurer 80GS has been hanging on since the introduction of the 80RB in late 2013.  With the new line coming out mid-year, we decided it was time to pull the plug on the 80GS.

The Adventurer 116DS had a unique and open floor plan.  The downside of that model was the wet bath.  People who want a double-slide truck camper want a dry bath.  We will likely redesign the 116DS style floor plan in the future but, for now, it’s being discontinued.

When can we expect to see the new mid-sized half-ton focused Adventurer truck camper line?

We will be debuting the new line in Truck Camper Magazine within the next 60 to 90-days.

This new line is unlike anything on the market now and will be as big of a leap forward as the Adventurer 901SB was last year.  There are a number of new and innovative structural technologies going into these new campers.

You certainly have our attention.  Speaking of the 901SB, Adventurer is putting the 901SB into production for 2020.  Originally the Adventurer 901SB was a 50th Anniversary Edition limited to just 60 units.  Have those units all sold?

There are still about thirteen 901SB 50th Anniversary Edition on dealer lots.  The 50th Anniversary Edition models have features that no other Adventurer or Eagle Cap have, or likely will have.  They are a truly a limited edition.

Above: The Maggie Roof Rack is now offered on the 901SB

What differentiates a 2020 Adventurer 901SB from the limited 901SB Anniversary Edition?

First, the 2020 Adventurer 901SB does not have the long list of standard options the Anniversary Edition has.  The Anniversary Edition came loaded with options, many of which are unique to the model.  Customers can order the 2020 production version with the options they want.

Second, the 2020 Adventurer 901SB will feature the new Adventurer interiors.  The new interiors offer a very different but similar look than what we showcased for the Anniversary Edition.

There are many other differences.  The touch screen in the Anniversary Edition has been replaced with more traditional Adventurer switches and monitors.  The track LED lighting in the Anniversary Edition will be featured in the 2020 Eagle Cap line, but is replaced with our new for 2020 LED lighting in the production 901SB.

The power bunk in the Anniversary Edition is now an option for the production 901SB.  We also offer the Maggie Roof Rack from the production Adventurer line instead of the Limited Edition 80/20 rack design.

The only thing that’s exactly the same is the floor plan and that it’s being built with all aluminum framing.

Above: The new two-tone look features grey Lamilux 4000 on the front and back, and white Lamilux 4000 on the side walls

Let’s talk about the 2020 Adventurer model year updates.  The new two-tone exterior look is clearly inspired by the Adventurer 901SB but takes that aesthetic to another level.  What’s the thinking behind this new look?

It really stemmed from the 901SB survey Truck Camper Magazine did for us after the 901SB Anniversary debuted.  We were concerned about the exterior grey color, but it was extremely well received by your readers.

The head of our engineering team, Shawn Matthews, suggested a two-tone look.  To see how that worked, we built the last 2019 Adventurer rental fleet model with a two-tone design approach.  Then we tweaked it.

The final result looks really sharp, crisp and new.  It also really stands out on a dealer lot, and driving down the road, it definitely looks like a new camper.

Is the two-tone exterior still Lamilux 4000 fiberglass?

Yes, it is still Lamilux 4000 fiberglass.  The color is in the gel coat.

We stayed with Lamilux 4000 because it’s a thicker fiberglass with more gel coating.  Lamilux 4000 is literally twice the thickness of some competing fiberglass products.

The gloss is also very bright and does not deteriorate or yellow in the sun. Lamilux 4000 is also easier to clean and maintain.  We have been using it for years for both Adventurer and Eagle Cap.

While we’re talking about this new exterior, talk to us about the new Adventurer logo.

We want to let everyone know that we’re looking forward.  We are essentially building for the future.  That process kicked into overdrive with the 901SB and continues here everyday.  We wanted the new Adventurer logo to stand out.  It’s a statement that we are moving forward.

The 2020 Adventurer interiors have been completely re-imagined with new cabinetry wood, wall board and flooring.  Are these just new colors, or is the quality of the materials different?

We have improved both the quality and colors of the materials.  We had great success with M.B. Designs and their vision for the 901SB interior.  They specialize in residential design.

For our 2020 campers, we asked them to do a complete makeover of Adventurer and Eagle Cap interiors.  We asked them to start with a clean slate.  As the first 2020 Adventurer models roll off the line, we couldn’t be more pleased with what they’ve accomplished.

Above: 2020 Adventurer 80RB’s dinette made into a bed; note the stitched cushions with the new Dark Night decor

We also upgraded the materials.  For example, there is a special padding material in the dinette cushions that gives the new stitching an automotive-look and feel.

We are also using flame-retardant fabrics.  These fabrics are far above the required code, and cost considerably more, but they are safer for our customers.  To the best of my knowledge, we are the only truck camper manufacturer using flame-retardant fabrics.

Everything in our 2020 campers has changed; the countertop colors, flooring, wood panels, wall panels, faucets, and hardware.  Even the inserts in the cabinets match the refrigerator inserts.  It’s all tied in.

Above: New Dark Night decor in the Adventurer 80RB

Adventurer is adding two new interiors for 2020; Canvas (brown tone with fabric/fabric dinette cushions) and Dark Night (grey tone featuring faux leather dinette seat base and fabric back).  Are you continuing the 2019 interiors as well?

Actually, no.  All of the 2019 interiors are being discontinued.  This year there are only two interior options for Adventurer; Canvas and Dark Night.

Above: New Canvas decor below in the Adventurer 86FB

We limited the Eagle Cap interiors a couple of years ago to two and it worked out well.  Both decors have been popular.  With that success, we are offering just two interiors for Adventurer in 2020.

Above: New dinette flooring and dinette cushions in Dark Night

The 901SB featured some very impressive stitched faux leather seats.  Has this dinette seating style been adapted for the rest of the Adventurer line?

That’s exactly what we did this year for both brands.  The cushions are pillowed and have accent colored stitching.  They are extremely comfortable, and aesthetically in a different league from our previous dinette cushions.

The 901SB was the first truck camper to feature Happijac’s new vertical motor design camper jacks.  Now you’re launching them on all 2020 Adventurer models.  How have the new jacks performed in the field so far?

The first thing we’ve noticed from the 60-units in the field is that we haven’t had the motor issues that would happen from time to time.  Previously, Happijac would sometimes get a bad batch of motors.  With the integration of Happijac and Lippert, they have made a better jack.

The new jack also has a cleaner and more modern look.  It is supposed to be more serviceable in the field, but we haven’t had to test that yet.  So far, we haven’t had any warranty complaints.

Above: The round LED lighting with a glass fixtures in the Adventurer 86FB

Tell us about the new Adventurer LED lighting that’s being brought over from the Eagle Cap line.

Since 2015, the Eagle Cap line has featured round LED lighting with a glass fixtures.  These same fixtures have been employed in high-end motorhome applications.  Our own team once used a similar LED light in Alpine coaches back at Western Rec.  They were a lot more expensive then, and not as good.

The round LED lights have a clean and fresh look.  Since we got away from the touch screen and LED track in the 901SB, these low-profile round LEDs gave us the design presentation we wanted.  They’re also more price appropriate for an Adventurer product.  The Adventurer brand needs to remain a value leader.

Above: LED lights in the awnings

For 2020, Adventurer is exclusively using Dometic appliances.  Why Dometic?

Dometic appliances have a higher-end look while providing better service and quality to the end user.  That was the goal in negotiating a deal with Dometic.  As part of the agreement, we were even able to get a high end cast iron cooktop grate like the 901SB Anniversary Edition had.

Above: Dometic cooktops and ovens are featured in 2020 Adventurer Campers

As a manufacturer, we can get better pricing, more serviceability and a better warranty by working with one supplier.  It’s also a big advantage for our customers. Adventurer owners will be able to go to a Dometic service center for service for every appliance in the unit.

One item that’s not Dometic is the Furrion hood/vent with LED lighting.  Was that brought over from the 901SB?

Yes, that was another element we first featured in the 901SB.  It has a modern look, a better exhaust fan and a brighter built-in LED light.  It offers a lot of improved features for the 2020 Adventurer owner.

Above: Commercial-grade linoleum under the dinette

In the 2020 line, Adventurer is replacing the carpet with flooring under the dinette.  What is this material, and why are you making this change?

People have asked us many times to remove the carpet from our units, especially on our rental side.  Carpet also tends to date everything.  Even in their homes, people are moving toward tile, laminates, and hardwood.

Under the dinette is now the same commercial grade linoleum that we feature on the main floor.  No more trying to clean the carpet from shoes, pets and food spills.  You can literally sweep the linoleum clean.

Are you completely removing carpet from the Adventurer interiors?

The cabover floor will stay carpeted for padding.  The step up to the cabover bedrooms has been changed to the same material as our countertops for a more modern finished look.

Above: The 80RB with the new double density foam mattress

Tell us about the new mattress and why it’s an improvement.

When M.B. Designs presented their design for the 901SB Anniversary Edition, they asked us why we were using bedspreads.  They recommended integrating the decor into the mattress design.  It cost a bit more money, but that cost came down as we worked with the manufacturer and increased our purchase volume.

The new mattress features double density foam for more comfort and a longer lasting product.  That’s a huge win for the Adventurer customer.  We took the money out of bedspread and put it into a more comfortable mattress.  It’s a big plus all the way around.

Above: Hengs moon roofs are now standard in Adventurer Campers

For 2020, Adventurer is discontinuing Heki skylights and replacing them with Hengs moon roofs.  Heki skylights have been a popular feature for many years.  Why are you making this change?

The problem with Heki skylights is the availability of parts.  For example, Heki handles sometimes break.  The time frames to get those parts is considerable.  Dealers were stocking extra Heki parts because no local importer would keep them stocked.

When Hengs came out with their moonroof, it offered a nicer screen and shade.  It also has an easier latch and mounting system.  The new latch system is more positive and clamps into the entire roof structure.  There is no concern of it popping open, even when a camper is mounted backwards for shipping.  Overall, it’s a much better product.

Above: The new ball-bearing metal basement trays

All basement model Adventurers are getting a new ball-bearing metal basement tray.  What is the advantage of the metal tray?

It’s an improvement because of the ball-bearings.  Plus it’s self-latching.  It slides in and out so that you can get to everything in the tray.

With the old plastic basement tray, both hands were tied up just pulling it out and holding it.  Because of the rollers, all you have to do with the new metal tray is undo the latch and it rolls out.  It’s much easier to use.

Going from a plastic tray to a metal tray seems like a heavy change.

We understand the importance of keeping the weight down.  The new metal tray is actually only a half-pound heavier than the plastic tray.  That’s possible because it’s made from a thin formed sheet metal.

We’ve been looking at something like this for years and found a lighter weight version.  We have the new metal tray built special for us.

There are other metal basement trays in the industry that are made of thick steel.  Those are considerably heavier than our new tray and that can cause center of gravity issues.

Above: Winegard Air Digital Antenna

Adventurer has experimented over the past few years with a different digital TV antennas.  For 2020, you’re going with a new domed dual TV/radio antenna.  How is this an improvement?

Last year’s model was a tree limb catcher.  We had numerous warranty and service issues because it was easy to brush something and damage the antenna.  That was a big part of the decision to look for something better.

The new domed antenna is the Winegard Air 360, a low profile dome design and will not catch tree limbs or other brush.  It also has digital television and digital radio capabilities built in.

The Comfort Step Bumper has been one of Adventurer’s most popular features and led the industry towards porch-style bumper systems.  For 2020, the Comfort Step is powder coated black in non-skid.  Why black?

With the 901SB Anniversary Edition, we went to the black finish to better match the exterior look of that unit.  Plus, the back wall of 2020 Adventurer models is grey.  The back awning, handles, and everything on the back of the campers is now black to match that color.

We also went to a non-skid powder coat on the bumper.  Not only does that work better than the skid material we were applying previously, but it keeps our production costs down.  The non-skid is a big plus across the board.

Above: Adventurer 80RB’s interior

The 80RB has undergone its own list of changes for 2020; a new cooktop, Phat ladder, and a shortened dinette and arm rests for easier access.  Plus the Camper Caddy is now standard.  With the 80GS and 80S now discontinued, what is it about the 80RB that makes it a survivor?

From day one, the Adventurer 80RB has been a popular model.  It fits so many full-size trucks from super-short to short-bed to long-bed.  It’s actually our number one selling model and has increased in sales each and every year.

When you walk inside it seems like a big camper with a north-south bed, roll-over sofa-lounge, and full wet bath.  It’s a universal camper and that’s why I believe it’s so popular.  The 80RB is in a category to itself.

The 89RBS and 910DB are getting slide toppers as standard for 2020.  Do all Adventurer Manufacturing slide-out models now have slide toppers standard?

They actually always had them, but they were optional.  That said, 99.5-percent were ordered with the slide-topper option.  For production efficiency, slide-toppers are now a standard feature and included in the base weight and price of these units.  They were always standard on our Eagle Cap line.

A subtle but important change is making the RVIA code tag standard.  It seems odd that the sticker was previously not standard.  What’s the story behind this change?

We think it’s important to promote that Adventurer Manufacturing builds to RVIA (Recreational Vehicle Industry Association) safety codes.  Not all manufacturers build to RVIA safety codes.  Without the RVIA sticker, buyer beware.

There are RVIA inspectors here every month who are looking for errors that are not to code.  They also help us to provide a better solution.  It’s a benefit to build to code.

We know that dealers and customers don’t want to pay $63 for a sticker, but we want people to understand that we want to build to safety standards.  From now on we are going to promote the benefits of RVIA codes and inspection, but the cost of the tag will be included as standard.

Is Adventurer Manufacturing raising its prices for 2020?

Yes.  For all Adventurer models, it’s an average of a 3-percent increase.  Every material and component we purchase has gone up in price from our vendors.  We have experienced aluminum and wood price increases because of the tariffs.  We have off-set those increases through production and purchasing efficiencies.  The Dometic agreement is one example of that effort.

Last November we published an Adventurer Manufacturing article highlighting some significant equipment and process improvements at the factory.  Have there been any additional changes in 2019?

We’re close to finalizing a significant construction addition to our plant.  We’re adding 40-percent more square footage to the plant, and new equipment.  It’s a major expansion for us.

Dave Frampton, our General Manager, has done an excellent job of maximizing what we can do with minimal space.  We are building more units than ever in this building.

Currently we are looking for new dealers.  In the last few years we have rejected 39 dealers because of capacity restrictions, but we are now ramping up and will be accepting new dealers.

From an employee standpoint, they see that the ownership is putting money into an expansion and new equipment.  It makes them realize there is a pride of ownership and that Adventurer LP is a good place to start working because we’re successful as a company.

We want to be even more innovative moving forward which is why we will be debuting a new and exciting new camper line later this year.  We will also have Eagle Cap updates announced shortly.

To learn more about Adventurer campers, visit their website at adventurercampers.com.   Click here to request a free Adventurer brochure.

The post TCM EXCLUSIVE: 2020 Adventurer Announcements appeared first on Truck Camper Magazine.

Adventurer Manufacturing has produced a video showcasing the 2020 Adventurer 86FB.  In the video, Greg Tucknies, Director of Sales and Marketing for Adventurer, takes us through the features of the 86FB and 2020 Adventurer truck campers.

To learn about the 2020 Adventurer updates, check out their model year update article, 2020 Adventurer Announcements.  Click here to request a free Adventurer brochure.

The post 2020 Adventurer 86FB Video Walk Through appeared first on Truck Camper Magazine.

David Epp, CEO of Adventurer Manufacturing, is the seventh industry leader to complete our Triple-Dog truck camping dare.  Here’s his in-depth dare report, photography and perspectives on an Adventurer 901SB 50th Anniversary Edition.  Well done David!

From September 6-15, 2019, David Epp went out camping to Houston and Hazelton, British Columbia.  He took out a 2019 Ford F-350 and a 2019 Adventurer 901SB 50th Anniversary Edition.

Here is David’s Dare Report for Adventurer Manufacturing:

Every year we head north to for some peace and solitude away from our busy lives and the crowds.  Located in northwestern British Columbia, Skeena Country is a special place where we can reflect on life and what truly matters, and also catch a fish or two.

We dry camped in an Adventurer 901SB truck camper for the duration of our 10-day trip.  I have enjoyed the comforts of the 901SB for the past two seasons.

Overall the camper has performed well.  Having the luxury of a warm and dry place to sleep with the amenities of home, like a hot shower, on a ten day trip is priceless.

It’s also great to have the additional bunk for when you have a friend come along.  My friend, Jessie, joined me this year.  He was stoked on the comforts of the 901SB and having his own bed and the power bunk above the dinette.

There was lots of storage for our gear and plenty of room in the refrigerator to keep us fed for the ten days.  After experiencing a truck camper like the 901SB, it would be hard to camp any other way.

David’s Evaluation of the Adventurer 901SB 50th Anniversary Edition

The 901SB 50th Anniversary model is actually a good camper to showcase how we use our products and make changes accordingly.

Above: David’s 2019 Adventurer 901SB Anniversary Edition during his 10-day dare trip

With the success of the 901SB 50th Anniversary Edition, we decided to make it a production camper for 2020.  After using the product, we made some important changes to make it even better and further strengthen its marketplace appeal.

For starters, we eliminated a few of the standard options of the 50th anniversary model like the touchscreen controls.  We will likely bring this back in the near future but for now, we understand that many people like to have control over options and costs and appreciate having the ability to decide what fits best within their lifestyle.

Personally I appreciate the many features in my 901SB 50th Anniversary Edition, but there are a few I might not have ordered, like the air conditioner.

Above: The 901SB featuring the new 2020 Adventurer interiors

Finally, we completely remodeled the interior and exterior look of the 901SB for the 2020 production model.  The 901SB 50th Anniversary Edition set the stage for a more modern interior and exterior presentation.  After living with the product for a while, we refined that look even further for 2020, and launched it across both the Adventurer and Eagle Cap lines.

I’d like to see us add positive locking hardware on our cabinets.  This is a nice touch to keep our housewares secure.  In addition to that, I’d like to see a paper towel holder.

A paper tower holder is a minor addition in the grand scheme of things, but it could make a meaningful difference in the day to day use of the camper.  When camping, we always use paper towels as a multipurpose tool for cleaning, plating, fire starting and more.  Paper towels are definitely a camping essential for me.

Above: Ducted heat in the bathroom in the Adventurer 901SB

Getting back to the 901SB 50th Anniversary Edition, the ducted heat into the cabover bedroom is truly a great feature for subzero nights.  And the heated wet bath is the perfect spot to dry out your waders, jackets and gear after a wet or snowy day.

Another focus for the 901SB 50th Anniversary Edition was exterior storage.  That same focus was carried over to the 2020 Adventurer 901SB production version.  The exterior storage compartment that fits a portable generator along with boots, power cords and other gear.  It was great during the trip.

Above: The Comfort Step Bumper makes entry and exit into the camper easier

Along with the ducted heat into the bedroom, the power bunk and wet bath, I have a huge appreciation for the large Comfort Step Bumper.  It acts as a small patio and makes it really easy and stable to get in and out of the camper.

Having the LED lit awning at the back caps it all off.  The Comfort Step Bumper is standard on the 901SB production model and the awning is optional.

The time spent away to reflect on what matters the most in life is invaluable.  Every year, month, day, hour, and minute things are changing around us.  It’s nice to slow that down.  This motivates me to help others to enjoy these moments with their friends and family.  It’s why I remain passionate about this industry.

While not part of the dare, we have a special camper announcement in the works at Adventurer Manufacturing.  I plan to take it out this winter and announce in the new year.  More to come.

For more information on the 901SB and Adventurer Manufacturing, visit their website at adventurercampers.com. Click here to request a free Adventurer brochure.

The post Adventurer Manufacturing Dare Report and Product Evaluation appeared first on Truck Camper Magazine.

Retired Veteran, Jeff Intemann, tows a fully-restored World War II era Willys Jeep to military meets and reenactments across the United States.  His transport of choice?  A Ram 3500 and Adventurer 86FB truck camper.  Roll out!

Above: Jeff’s 1943 Willys Jeep at a memorial for the troops at Fort Lewis, Washington

If you want to travel off-road, camp off-grid and tow anything from boats to ATVs to snowmobiles, nothing beats a truck and camper set-up.  As we like to say to folks looking to pursue a more active outdoor lifestyle, “Truck campers are simply the right tool for the job.”

When we talk to people who don’t identify with a more-active and outdoor lifestyle, we use a different saying; “Truck campers are the Jeeps of RVs”.

Perhaps more than any other brand, Jeep has embodied the active outdoor lifestyle.  Everyone we’ve ever explained the, ‘Truck camper equals Jeep of RVs’ immediately gets what we’re talking about.  Suddenly, truck campers make sense.

The funny part about comparing truck campers to Jeeps is just how many Jeeps we find towed behind truck camper rigs.  Truck campers and Jeeps go together like, well, trucks and campers.  It only makes sense that someone who wants to go anywhere might tow a Jeep to go even further.  “Beyond anywhere?”  Hey Jeep, there’s your new tagline.

Perhaps nobody better personifies the truck camper and Jeep relationship better than retired veteran, Jeff Intemann.  First, he has a 2015 Ram 3500 and a matching 2015 Adventurer 86FB truck camper.  Second, he tows a fully-restored 1943 Willys Jeep to military meets and reenactments around the USA.

And if that’s not enough, he also has a 2018 Jeep Wrangler that he takes four-wheeling in California.  That’s two awesome Jeeps spanning nearly the entire history of the revered brand.  To find out how one person can have this much truck camping and Jeep fun, we talked to Jeff Intemann.

Above: Jeff’s 1943 Willys Jeep at the 75th Anniversary of the Travis AFB, California get together

Where did your interest in Willys Jeeps come from?


I am retired from the military.  I’m also a big World War ll history buff.

A friend of mine had a Willys Jeep and I really liked it.  In 2013 I started attending military meets and reenactments.  In 2014, I bought a 1943 Willys Jeep that I now use for military re-enactments.

What was the Willys Jeep like before you restored it?

It was in pretty good condition, but not up to my specifications.  I wanted it to be like it was during World War II.

I took apart and put it back together.  There were metric parts on the Jeep, which made it challenging.

A friend from Oregon helped.  I got the parts I needed, and restored it to 1943 military specifications.

The restoration took about a year.  I was retired and able to spend every waking moment on it, so it was pretty easy.  I am very mechanical.  I have worked on automobiles and aircraft.  This is the fourth vehicle I’ve restored.

For authenticity, I read about Willys Jeeps and watched television programs that featured Willys Jeeps.

I did the restoration in honor of my Dad who was an Army Signal Corps Vet from World War II.  The uniform I wear during the reenactments is in remembrance of my uncle who was an Army Air Force aircraft mechanic on B-17, B-24 and C-47 airplanes.  I was a C-130 mechanic in the USAF in Vietnam.

Above: The Willys on display at a Jeep meet in Wallace, Idaho

Tell us about the military meets and reenactments.  Are there groups one can join?

Yes, there are national and local groups.  The Military Vehicle Preservation Association is national.  I am also part of the Military Vehicle Collectors of California.  That’s our local chapter.  They have meets all over the western states.

If a Truck Camper Magazine reader is interested in being part of a Military Vehicle group, there are clubs in every state, plus the Military Vehicle Preservation Association that is national.

Above: Dry Camping At The Oshkosh Fly In, Wisconsin

Are you allowed to stay in your truck camper at these events?

Yes, we camp on site.  It’s dry camping.  People from the area are tent camping, so the public is welcome.  Of course you should call ahead and check before planning to camp at a military meet or reenactment.

Which military meets do you attend?

Every year I go to a local meet in southern California and one up north in Sacramento that’s really good.  There is a wonderful camaraderie when we get together at the California events and reenactments.

We go to four or five meets a year all over the country.  Last year we went to the Oshkosh Fly-In in Wisconsin.  It is an event that’s held every year and it had been on my bucket list.  It’s the largest air show in the world.  There’s an area where all old planes and old vehicles are displayed, so I wanted to go there.

After the Oshkosh event in Ohio, we happened to run across the 75th Anniversary of the Jeep in Toledo.  I was driving along in the Jeep finding out where to go.

Above: 75th Anniversary of the Jeep parade in Toledo, Ohio

The organizer asked me to be first in line in the parade because I had the oldest Jeep there.  I actually felt bad going in front of hundreds and hundreds of other Jeeps.

Above: First in line at the 75th Anniversary of the Jeep parade in Toledo, Ohio

At the parades, when the military Jeeps go by, people will salute and clap.  It makes me proud that people support the military and what we do.  Sons, daughters, and granddaughters of veterans come up to us and share stories of their loved ones.  We love to hear them.

Above: Jeff in uniform with his 1943 Willys Jeep

In addition to the meets, we go also go to Veteran’s day, Memorial day, and Fourth of July celebrations.  I’ll usually wear my uniform from when I was in Vietnam, and sometimes a World War II uniform.  If there is a show, a parade, or people getting together, I may put a uniform on just to walk around.

Above: Nut Tree Airport in Vacaville, California next to a B-17 plane

Did you always have a truck camper for these military events?

My wife, Karen, and I actually started in a 20-foot enclosed car hauler that was also used for the Willys.  We had an air bed in the trailer.  The car hauler trailer has electricity and cable for TV.  We also had a stove, water jugs, little ice chest, and a generator.  It was basically a fancy enclosed tent.  When it was hot, I brought along a portable air conditioner.  When we were camping in it, the Jeep was outside.

“We have never looked back. It is one of the best things we have ever done.”

Above: Their Adventurer 86FB at Lake of the Pines, California to go mountain biking

So what led you to get a truck camper?

One of our friends had an Adventurer truck camper at a military meet.  My wife said, “It would be nice to get out of the car hauler”.  After that we went to many RV shows.  We researched and viewed many truck camper brands, and kept going back to the Adventurers.

Above: Toledo, Ohio parked with the big rigs at a fuel station

The next thing I knew we had a brand new Adventurer 86FB camper and a Ram 3500.  We have never looked back.  It’s one of the best things we’ve ever done.  We love to be able to go anywhere, anytime off-grid or in parks.

Above: Looking at his rig through a submarine periscope at the Military Museum at Camp Dodge in Iowa

The Adventurer 86FB fits all our needs.  I also like the 86FB because of its length and weight.  The wet bath in our camper is really nice.  Getting a dry bath and a slide would be way too much weight.

Above: Burts Lake, Michigan camping

We tow a 20-foot enclosed car hauler trailer and sometimes a travel trailer for the grandkids.  We have a Torklift SuperHitch Original 20K, Torklift SuperTruss hitch extension, Torklift StableLoads, and Torklift Fastgun turnbuckles.  We also have a Hellwig Big Wig sway bar and Air Lift air bags.

Above: His 1963 Dodge Polara that he takes to car shows

How did you decide on using an enclosed car hauler and not an open trailer?

At one time had an open car hauler trailer, but I didn’t want to have the weather getting to my restored Willys Jeep – especially during rain storms.  Plus, before our truck camper set-up, we wanted to have the living area of the enclosed trailer.

I also have a 1963 Dodge Polara that we take to classic car shows with our truck camper.  My grandparents bought the Dodge Polara new, and gave it to me in 1975.  I restored it in 1998.  It just goes out for burger runs or car shows, so I no longer drive it every day.

Above: They also tow a 2018 Jeep Wrangler in their enclosed car trailer to go even further off-road

What else do you enjoy doing with your truck camper?

We love that it affords us the ability to travel long distances and have a home on wheels.  It’s so convenient and I actually get better gas mileage with the truck camper than I get with just my travel trailer.

A couple years ago my wife said, “Let’s take a run to Disney Land”.  In an hour we had the camper on the truck and the rig loaded with our stuff and we were gone.

We also attend the Sea Otter Classic in Monterey.  We’ve gone with our son, daughter-in-law and their three kids.  It’s so easy, especially when there are no worries about pulling anything.

Above: Dry camping in the El Dorado National Forest, California

We visit places between military meets.  We really enjoyed Mackinac Island.  There are no cars there, so we took our cruiser bicycles with us and rode around the island.  On that trip we enjoyed a week on the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.  We left the trailer and went off sightseeing with the camper.

In addition to our 1943 Willys Jeep, we have a 2018 Jeep Wrangler that we use to go four-wheeling.  In August, we threw it in the trailer and went fishing and four-wheeling.  That was in the hills north of Sacramento in the Rubicon, one of the most famous off-road trails.

“Ever since we got our truck and camper in 2015, our lifestyle has changed 180-degrees. We love it.”

What do you have planned for 2020?

We want to take our grandkids to Disney Land and go to more military meets.  We’re still planning our big trips.

The people we meet on the road can’t believe what our camper has inside.  They just think it’s a bed on the back of a truck.  They don’t know how great the truck camper lifestyle really is.

The size of the camper limits how much you can take along, but we have never found that to be an issue.  When we’re truck camping, we don’t want for anything.

I really like that we can get off the beaten path.  Ever since we got our truck and camper in 2015, our lifestyle has changed 180-degrees.  We love it.

Jeff and Karen Intemann’s Rig
Truck: 2015 Ram 3500, crew cab, 4×4, single rear wheel, diesel, long bed
Camper: 2015 Adventurer 86FB
Tie-Downs and Turnbuckles: Torklift Fastguns
Suspension: Torklift StableLoads, Hellwig Big Wig sway bar, Airlift air bags

The post Willys Jeep To The Military Meet appeared first on Truck Camper Magazine.

RV industry magazine, RV News, has published an in-depth profile of Adventurer Manufacturing including details the company’s three truck camper brands (Adventurer, Eagle Cap and Scout), recent factory expansion, new hires, and CEO, David Epp’s focus on sustainable growth.

The article is in a magazine-style page layout.  To read the story, click here and “turn” to page 8.

The post RV News Profiles Adventurer Manufacturing appeared first on Truck Camper Magazine.

Adventurer Manufacturing has added a 20,000 square foot building, a dedicated Scout production line and is undergoing intensive modernization.  Here’s what this all means for the 50 year family-owned company, and how these changes impact Scout, Adventurer, and Eagle Cap truck campers.

We have the privilege to speak to a great number of RV industry decision-makers on a regular basis.  For the past year or so, those conversations have been dominated by the impact of pandemic-triggered demand and the resulting supply chain issues and labor shortages.  Leadership teams that had previously focused on big picture challenges and opportunities have been putting out routine fires related to purchasing and production for months.

That’s not to say that these leadership teams haven’t been successful in adapting and even transforming their businesses to meet these situations.  We can report that nearly every camper company has found new suppliers, inventoried more parts, and developed numerous production efficiencies.  You might be surprised that industry leaders are actually excited about what they’ve learned through this process.  You won’t be surprised they all can’t wait for the supply chain and labor issues to finally abate.

Back in 2018, we reported that Adventurer Manufacturing aggressively updated their production process.  They had instituted 5S Lean Manufacturing company-wide and were bringing on best-of-breed technology and CNC equipment online including an automated TigerStop TigerSaw, Biesse Silco SK4 cutting center, and a Manzelli TopLine Lift.

That moving spirit of modernization went into overdrive over the past twenty months.  In that time, Adventurer Manufacturing introduced Scout truck campers, completed an addition of 20,000 square feet, and created a second production line.

To shed light on exactly what all this means for Scout, Adventurer, and Eagle Cap truck campers, we talked to Kyle Grozelle, Marketing Manager for Adventurer Manufacturing.

In the photos you sent, we don’t see a separation between the new expansion and the main building.  Are we looking at a new building, or an extension?

Technically, it’s an extension.  Some may view it as a new building that’s separated by a cinder block firewall from the main factory.  The new building is 20,000 square feet.  Not all of that square footage is dedicated to the new Scout line.  It also serves the first production line that handles Adventurer and Eagle Cap.  That’s line 1.  The extension gave us the ability to extend line 1 and build out line 2.

In the photos we see a Scout emerging from the plant.  Is that the first Scout off the new production line?

Yes, that’s is the first Scout coming off Line 2; a Scout Yoho.  Line 2 will be dedicated to Scout for now, but it’s flexible for future endeavors.

Did you need to move or reset any of the large equipment to create Line 2?

None of the larger equipment needed to be moved.  They were not located on the line, and offer more than enough capacity to handle the increased production volume.  We did need to add tools, workstations, and cranes to support the new line.

How much have you increased production volume?

These changes will allow us to increase our capacity by at least 50-percent.  Given the lessons we’ve learned and additional planned changes, there’s further progress to be made.

If anything, the new building and Line 2 is just the first step.  We are taking our time to make sure each decision is in line with the company values.  We want our team to be involved in the innovation process and create an environment where people get to be part of the change.

There have been a number of personnel changes at Adventurer Manufacturing. Who is coordinating this effort?

Over the past year, our team has grown.  We have expanded our production, supply chain, and engineering teams.  We are working towards optimizing every step of our manufacturing process including new tooling and processes.  We learned the most from our own team in-house.  Every member of our production team has been critical in building up this new line.  The growth of our team and adding in expertise from diverse industries are important to our sustainable growth plans and further modernization.

What do you mean by modernization?  Are we talking about more CNC equipment?

New equipment is part of that effort, but it’s a combination of people, automation, and information that will support the success.  With an Industry 4.0 approach, we can take everything Adventurer Manufacturing has learned over the past 50 years and analyze it for even higher quality and production efficiency.  It gives us the ability to innovate the camper market without disregarding our previous success.

That sounds very high-concept.  Can you give us a specific example?

Yes.  We are able to gather continuous data from our automated equipment and team on the production line.  With the right processes and information, we can immediately and continuously spot challenges and opportunities, and make predictive and proactive decisions based on data history.  That’s Industry 4.0.

Will you be hiring additional team members?

Yes.  We have already been building a larger team.  In the group shot, you can see at least 120 people from our production lines and management team.  We are celebrating what we’ve accomplished for the past year and a half.  We have made great strides with the new Scout brand, increased quality, increased production, and a new production line.  With the skill set of our team, we have also been able to promote heavily from within.  It’s been exciting to see many take on new roles.

What does all this mean for the consumer?

For the Adventurer Manufacturing customer, this will translate to an even higher quality product than before and more product innovation.  This is all about making sure we honor our company’s 50 year history and grow with integrity and the customer experience in mind.

You alluded to the next big thing CEO, David Epp is working on.  What’s this next big thing?

I can’t tell you that right now.  What I can tell you is to imagine what we can do with Adventurer and Eagle Cap with the technology we are integrating and the design and material lessons from our 50 year history.

That sounds very interesting.  Can we look forward to debuting that news right here in Truck Camper Magazine?

Absolutely.

For more information on Adventurer Manufacturing, visit their website at amlrv.com.   Click here to request a free brochure for Adventurer, Eagle Cap, and Scout.

The post Adventurer Manufacturing Announces Expansion appeared first on Truck Camper Magazine.

Adventurer Manufacturing has announced an indefinite pause for its Eagle Cap line-up, commencing with the completion of all 2022 model year production.

Warranty and servicing for all actively registered units will continue to be fully supported, with uninterrupted coordination between Adventurer Manufacturing and its network of North American dealers.

Adventurer Manufacturing attributes this change to streamlining manufacturing to meet the demand for Adventurer and Scout products.

“This hiatus will allow us to continue innovating, and prepare for future opportunities,” stated David Epp, CEO of Adventurer Manufacturing.  “We have big plans, and we’re dedicated to building the best campers and leading the way in sustainable and uncomplicated camping experiences.”

“Over the past 10-years, Eagle Cap has evolved to become a highly sought-after product, leading the way in the high-end camper market,” stated Jessica Eklund, Sales Operations Supervisor for Adventurer Manufacturing.  “We know many of our customers have grown to love Eagle Cap, and we are thankful for all the support from our community.”

For more information, contact Adventurer Manufacturing at amlrv.com.

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