Overland Adventure vehicle thoughts and advice needed -

[locrwln]

Thank you. I put a lot of work into the 80 and it was a great rig. Our needs/wants changed and our camping comfort became more important. We spent a couple of weeks camping in the rain and our future was set.

The 80 had everything going for it. A quick rundown:

1996, factory lockers, 4.88's, slee 4inch lift, 315's, ARB front bumper, slee slider/steps, 4x4labs rear bumper, york oba, dual batteries, and dual fuel tanks (49 gallon total). If you have any questions, let me know and I will answer anything about either platform.

We got tired of bad gas mileage and poor power with the 80 as well. I averaged 12 mpg with the 80 and 17mpg with the truck/camper, plus it doesn't care about elevation.

Now we are much more comfortable, both on the road and while in camp.

Jack

[Keith_Indy]

We are finding the Chevy/FWC the best comprimise. Our FWC is a "shell' model and we are still customizing it for our uses. The FWC doesn't affect the truck at all, you can't even tell it's on there off road. The best part that the 80 could never achieve (besides power and fuel mileage) is when the weather is bad, we get in the camper and life is good. We don't even pop the top if we are just stopping for lunch. Which is great when the wind is blowing, it is raining or even when there are a lot of bugs.

Jack

Nice setup you have there. You bring up a good point about getting inside out of the weather.

[MINO]

Thank you. I put a lot of work into the 80 and it was a great rig. Our needs/wants changed and our camping comfort became more important. We spent a couple of weeks camping in the rain and our future was set.

The 80 had everything going for it. A quick rundown:

1996, factory lockers, 4.88's, slee 4inch lift, 315's, ARB front bumper, slee slider/steps, 4x4labs rear bumper, york oba, dual batteries, and dual fuel tanks (49 gallon total). If you have any questions, let me know and I will answer anything about either platform.

We got tired of bad gas mileage and poor power with the 80 as well. I averaged 12 mpg with the 80 and 17mpg with the truck/camper, plus it doesn't care about elevation.

Now we are much more comfortable, both on the road and while in camp.

Jack

Very interesting. Your mods are basically what I have on the shopping list.
I have a locked 96, sliders, dual batteries, OME "stock lift" on 33s. Instead of the extra fuel capacity, I'm looking to have onboard water.
That leaves me with looking for a front bumper, rear tire carrier + 3 jerry can holder, rooftop tent, oba, fridge and other incidentals.
The lack of power on the 80 is tiring. I feel like I really have to "drive it" when at elevation and on inclines.

What did you use for sleeping facilities with the 80? Was there ever a situation that you've said "I wish I had the 80 about now?"

I've encountered a lot of washboard roads when we head out. How does/has your FWC held up to off-road abuse?
When I read about Sportsmobile cabinets coming apart from the well seasoned travelers, build quality is a major concern for me.

Attached rig and the sleeping arrangements (+ spoiled road warrior).

[locrwln]

Nice setup you have there. You bring up a good point about getting inside out of the weather.

That became a big thing for us. We can cook, eat and sleep in the camper when the weather is bad and go fully outside when the weather is nice.

Very interesting. Your mods are basically what I have on the shopping list.
I have a locked 96, sliders, dual batteries, OME "stock lift" on 33s. Instead of the extra fuel capacity, I'm looking to have onboard water.
That leaves me with looking for a front bumper, rear tire carrier + 3 jerry can holder, rooftop tent, oba, fridge and other incidentals.
The lack of power on the 80 is tiring. I feel like I really have to "drive it" when at elevation and on inclines.

What did you use for sleeping facilities with the 80? Was there ever a situation that you've said "I wish I had the 80 about now?"

I've encountered a lot of washboard roads when we head out. How does/has your FWC held up to off-road abuse?
When I read about Sportsmobile cabinets coming apart from the well seasoned travelers, build quality is a major concern for me.

Attached rig and the sleeping arrangements (+ spoiled road warrior).

I used the rear bumper to carry our water supply. I HATE fuel cans for re-fueling.

We used a couple of different tents. A two man, 4 man turbo tent and a 4 man Oz Tent. I had the refrigerator and additional supplies inside the 80 and it would have been way too much to unpack in order to sleep inside.

The FWC is holding up great. We have used and abused it and it shows no sign of the abuse other than what tree limbs have done to the sides. Is it perfect? No, but for our needs it is a big step up for comfort and convienance. We bought ours used and paid about 1/2 price for it. I recommend buying used if at all possible. They are good campers, but are very expensive when buying new.

We haven't ran across a situation where the 80 would have been a better tool. We have been able to take the truck/camper every where we have wanted to go so far.

Here is a website with plenty of FWC users: http://wanderthewest.com/forum/

Awesome road warrior. We have two, but they stay at home.

Jack

[MINO]

Well, although this approach will end up costing me more money, I bit the bullet and traded my wonderful ISF in for a new Tundra. With the incentives ($4k off + below invoice + excellent trade in appraisal) I couldn't pass it up, especially when I found the only one in SoCal to the specifications I required.

I jokingly tell the fiancé, "it's the love child of our 80 and ISF... a big fat love child".

Now, to find a decently priced pop-up and maybe sell the 80.

Thanks for the input Jack!

[cody93225]

When it comes to overlanding in the U.S. trucks are best. I used to run a jeep and it was a pain when it came to camping, now I just throw everything in the back of the truck and go. Plus the modern trucks have unmatched power compared to jeeps and fj's. I think you made the right decision.

[p nut]

Keeping the 80 would seem too redundant to me. Now that you've got a Tundra, I'd sell the 80, unless you're dying to go crawling. Even at that, selling the 80 and getting a mini would make more sense.

Good luck with the trip. Sounds fun.

[MINO]

Being able to pass is no longer a issue with the Tundra - which is awesome. We aren't crawlers, just overlanders. The width of the Tundra has already been an issue on some trails.

My brother ended up needing a vehicle - So, I've loaned him the 80. We miss it, but the Tundra has grown on us.
I like that we've kept it in the family and I was able to help my bro out after he fell on some tuff times.

IMG_1892.jpg

[MattL]

Attached rig and the sleeping arrangements (+ spoiled road warrior).

Wait...you take your cat camping?

[p nut]

Looks like you've put in some work in that Tundra. What kind of a bumper is that? Also, what kind of MPG are you getting?

I love my current 100 LC, but I've always been a truck guy and would like a Tundra or Tacoma sometime in the near future. My trips are also mostly overlanding, so don't care much about crawl abilities.