Tumblestuff
New Member
Hi all,
I've had an absolute blast in my Hi-Lo 17 footer, but now I am getting married and moving out of the country so I can't take it with me (and could use the extra cash for the wedding
). I've wanted to take it on one last trip this camping season but with the wedding and move scheduled, it may not happen. So I'm posting out here for feelers. If I don't sell, I may keep it for another season and try to find a time to come back to take one last trip!!
Here's some pictures and my story with this camper is below:
Belleplain State Forest, NJ 2020
Voluntown, CT 2021
Sugarloaf Mountain, NH 2021
A Friendly Neighborhood Walmart, OH 2022
Upstate, NY 2023
To say the least, I've poured my heart into this camper...so it's a bit hard to let go. I purchased it in "good" condition and told I need to replace the wallpaper on one side because it was sagging, but when I arrived home I found it had extensive water damage...all over. So I decided to rebuild the camper by stripping it down to the frame before I took it out on it's first trip. To say the least, it was a HUGE project - took about 3 months to complete. The pictures above are the rebuilt camper. It isn't perfect, but its been holding up throughout the years.
In addition to the rebuild, I also did a remodel while I was at it. The most significant part of the remodel was the bathroom, which I completely reorganized to what made much more sense to me - I didn't want to sit on the toilet while showering!!!
I also redid the kitchen area with a larger bar-style sink for better dish washing capabilities. I added a 3 solar panel 300-Watt solar system and a 300AH LiFePO4 battery with meter and an inverter system with automatic failover to battery for the 120v outlets when unplugged from curb/camp power. This means that all the outlets in the camper work off battery when you're on the road which I found pretty useful as I traveled the entire USA while working remotely.
I also have a cell booster setup on the original TV antenna for those patchier areas.
I can keep going so here's more of a list form:
I probably missed some things but as you can tell, I made this my home away from home and spent MONTHS on the road at a time ever since my job went remote in 2020.
Known issues:
The gray (not black) water tank has a slight crack. Needs to be sealed or replaced. Though I've found its not a major issue as it is just gray water dripping a bit.
The laminated exterior bulges a bit on the passenger side of the camper due to thicker insulation I used after repairing the water damage. The outside of the camper isn't "pretty" in my opinion, but it hasn't had any issues through the years I've used it.
Delivery:
I may offer to deliver the camper to you if you offer to cover the cost of a tow vehicle rental. My Tow Vehicle was a 2011 and then a 2016 Ford Explorer (which I've already sold).
I've had an absolute blast in my Hi-Lo 17 footer, but now I am getting married and moving out of the country so I can't take it with me (and could use the extra cash for the wedding
). I've wanted to take it on one last trip this camping season but with the wedding and move scheduled, it may not happen. So I'm posting out here for feelers. If I don't sell, I may keep it for another season and try to find a time to come back to take one last trip!!Here's some pictures and my story with this camper is below:
Belleplain State Forest, NJ 2020
Voluntown, CT 2021
Sugarloaf Mountain, NH 2021
A Friendly Neighborhood Walmart, OH 2022
Upstate, NY 2023
To say the least, I've poured my heart into this camper...so it's a bit hard to let go. I purchased it in "good" condition and told I need to replace the wallpaper on one side because it was sagging, but when I arrived home I found it had extensive water damage...all over. So I decided to rebuild the camper by stripping it down to the frame before I took it out on it's first trip. To say the least, it was a HUGE project - took about 3 months to complete. The pictures above are the rebuilt camper. It isn't perfect, but its been holding up throughout the years.
In addition to the rebuild, I also did a remodel while I was at it. The most significant part of the remodel was the bathroom, which I completely reorganized to what made much more sense to me - I didn't want to sit on the toilet while showering!!!
I also redid the kitchen area with a larger bar-style sink for better dish washing capabilities. I added a 3 solar panel 300-Watt solar system and a 300AH LiFePO4 battery with meter and an inverter system with automatic failover to battery for the 120v outlets when unplugged from curb/camp power. This means that all the outlets in the camper work off battery when you're on the road which I found pretty useful as I traveled the entire USA while working remotely.
I also have a cell booster setup on the original TV antenna for those patchier areas.
I can keep going so here's more of a list form:
- Updated rear lights with 2 more LED lights higher up
- Added flood-style LED lights around the camper, controlled via remote.
- Updated nearly all the lights to LED, interior and "porch" light.
- Added an additional fan above the drop down bed / table area for added circulation.
- Added a Fantastic fan in place of the crappy above kitchen fan
- Added dome in bathroom area to add more headspace to shower area
- Added fan in bathroom above toilet
- Added window in bathroom so it feels less clustrophobic (it also opens)
- Added "hard" door for bathroom which attaches and removes quickly for travel
- Added updated shower head and controls with temp display
- Removed crappy pipe system for bathroom which needed to be installed and removed each setup, and replaced with a pipe and cable system that is flexible.
- Updated roof vent in bathroom to one that follows the wind.
- Cut sink area in half to accommodate toilet and a full shower tub without a toilet in it.
- Installed a toilet with a self-created mechanism to "turn" out of the way when showering for more space.
- Resealed and repainted hydraulic cylinder (at a hydraulic shop) for raising camper as the previous one was leaking.
- Added TV mount + TV that folds against the wall during travel.
- Added spice rack in kitchen area.
- Repainted multiple times throughout the years the rubber roof coating for leak-free operation.
- Stored under waterproof cover when not in use.
- Upgraded digital thermostat in living room.
- Added timer-based hot-water Gas switch so that it is only on when you are using it.
- Recharged and cleaned AC (my brother is an HVAC tech, so he did it for me)
- Added propane line for using a small generator in the rear of the camper joined into the propane system at the front of the camper.
- Added a water recycling system + additional tank
- Cleaned and replaced starter on gas furnace.
- Bought new spare tire
- Installed keypad and remote lock for main door (also includes two keys)
- Added one of those folding 'foots' for the front leg
- Added hook for main door to stay open and the screen door part to close for nicer days outdoors
- Added Radio antenna and Amateur radio system with repeater inside
- Added electric heater to bathroom (separate local thermostat)
- Added motion activated lighting to cabinets
- Added little door to access storage area under one of the table couch seats
I probably missed some things but as you can tell, I made this my home away from home and spent MONTHS on the road at a time ever since my job went remote in 2020.
Known issues:
The gray (not black) water tank has a slight crack. Needs to be sealed or replaced. Though I've found its not a major issue as it is just gray water dripping a bit.
The laminated exterior bulges a bit on the passenger side of the camper due to thicker insulation I used after repairing the water damage. The outside of the camper isn't "pretty" in my opinion, but it hasn't had any issues through the years I've used it.
Delivery:
I may offer to deliver the camper to you if you offer to cover the cost of a tow vehicle rental. My Tow Vehicle was a 2011 and then a 2016 Ford Explorer (which I've already sold).
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