Just to complicate matters. I may be orphaning this project entirely. Sorry folks. Stay tuned though.
I have found a good condition Sun Lite Eagle, mid 90s vintage but in good, not great condition, for what I am hoping is a reasonable take home price. His asking is a bit high, way high if I were in Michigan or Wisconsin where there seems to be a glut of these campers.
Assuming we come to a reasonable deal, I will need to replace the propane compartment door, and remove the bed enclosure doors. There are doors on either side that allegecly close off the exposed bed area where you can stow stuff. Unless I am rockin a 90s Dodge half ton with a longbed, that won't work anyway so flap door delete it is. The propane compartment door should lend itself well to foamie fix construction, I just need to make sure I have louvers near the bottom to allow any possibly leaked propane to escape (Propane sinks)
Intended mods are...
#1. Integrate the solar, 200 amp hour Lifepo4, and DC to DC charger I have the 7 pin harness which I believe is one route OEM took to provide DC to DC charging but I need better control of voltages and higher amp capacity than that harness can handle. Going with 4ga and Anderson connectors to make my connections at the rear bumper / double up for rear jump starter, and potentially handle a cradle and rear winch... Just in case I get incredibly stupid.
#2. Determine best way to integrate GE 5K BTU Window unit AC into the camper. May have to enlarge rear wall window opening and trim it out for through wall installation deleting the window entirely. Should I determine this won't work, that leaves me with going with a Dometic RTX2000, I could in theory go with the 1000, but I think 5K BTU is as small as i want to go.
#3. Since there is only one roof vent / fan in this camper, there is more than enough room even if I go with the Dometic AC to install 1200w of solar panels Each panel is 46.5"x21.3"x.11". Prices and dimensions are coming way down!
https://amzn.to/3DIf6TT #4. Remove the OE torture mattress from the overcab, swap in for now my memory foam twin. Long run, double check the bed dimensions. Rumor has it that it is bigger than queen, but shorter than a king. Like 2 twins side by side. If that is the case, just do what I did tenting and get a 2nd twin that matches and put it in place. and get those, well, look like suspenders straps to keep the fitted sheet tucked under. The current owner has the torture mattress and a 2" medium density foam topper on it. Maybe just put a 2" gel memory foam topper on it and call it good. A lot cheaper for sure...
#5. Reflectix panels for the canvas. Same as with a pop up trailer, that is going to be my biggest thermal weak point, and while reflectix doesn't offer ultra abundant insulation, I have seen reports of folks with these specific campers, in sub zero temps running the furnace and keeping the camper in the 60s with the furnace cycling on and off infrequently... I have no immediate plans to sub zero this thing, but it is nice to think I can if I have to...
#6. Assuming I can figure out how to mount it without damaging the rest of the camper. basically doors that take the space between the sides of the truck bed and the camper, to replace the function of the OEM units, but a foot and a half further back into the truck, OR a foamie enclosure on both sides extending to the end of the camper with access doors. Gotta have some place for my fishing gear!
#7. I can use my 2 step home step stool for now. But make no mistake, I want proper telescoping steps. The Brophy 3 step telescoping truck camper step looks good, but might actually still be a bit tall between stair treads. Might have to go with the 4 step.
Depending on if the truck squats with the camper on it. I have had that much and more in the back before with no notable squat but the truck is a LOT older now... I might install Ride Rite air bags to level it back up.
Remember my priorities here are what I am struggling to keep up with. I am keeping my old half ton truck. Period. It was the truck we got when we were dating and were talking about having a family. This truck has been with my wife and I through to the end, and if I can, I am keeping it until my end.
This means for the camper use, I must be weight sensitive on the camper, but I also want a camper that can provide me the comforts I want. Most slide in campers are either WAY too heavy, or WAY too expensive. (I would LOVE a 4 wheel campers rig, but don't want to shell out 30K after options).
I need something that will not severely hinder me off road on MILD off road trails. I am not going to take this down any super wild trails like I would have my old Jeep, but I am not sticking to the pavement either. Center of gravity should be low, and yes my departure angle will be impacted, but not as much as you would think. I will still smash the trailer hitch before I get to the camper...
I know I am going to have to give up some built in comforts to get weight savings. NO slides, no built in bathroom, no built in oven. And in the case of this camper, no built in water heater. I have all of those things from my tenting days at the ready. Joolca Double Ensuite, with flushing port o potty and Camplux 1.5GPM instant hot shower / water heater. I can the ability and probably will plumb it back into the camper so the sink has hot water too.
I will want / need to do a DIY awning setup. I would VERY much like to find a way to make the covered space 10x10, so that I can use the Ozark Trail shade walls that are meant for a 10x10 EZ Up style canopy to enclose the space in breezy but not terribly windy conditions... I.E. beach camping...
Assuming everything works as it should, and the deals go through as THEY should, unfortunately due to mechanics / supply chain delays, I will not be able to do Ren Fest when I wanted. But will still likely be there just on a different weekend.
The good thing is, if this camper deal falls through, I still have the truck shell camper done, just needs to be thrown into the truck. But long term, I definately want a standing room camper... And that puts me back into design and build of a full on pop up foamie.
Either way, looks like I win so that is a good thing I guess.