Mine

[Lone Ranger]

I posted some pics and specs but the thread got deleted during the creation and shuffling of the new forum. I'll redo it, updated:

I'm about 3/4 the way through a 'mini' personal ExPo trip, spur of the moment Princeton/Castlegar/Vernon rounder. I googled it and it came up with 1500 km (in 4.5 days), and I made a few detours in the process. The finishing pics will come later when I'm on a decent internet connection.

My current setup:

http://i487.photobucket.com/albums/rr235/LoneRanger1993/IMG_0373a.jpg

Basically a fairly bone stock '09 FX4 Ranger, with a few minor mods to handle the load. 5 spd auto, 31 spline 8.8 w/ Torsen. Its pretty decent in stock form for what I need it to do. Averages 11-13 mpg loaded (7500 lbs), 16-18 mpg empty (4800 lbs). The 4.10s and full time front end don't help that any..

-Firestone sport-rite sleeved airbags, 1 cfm 1/2 gal tank OBA setup for it (can fill tires as well if needed).
-31x10.5R15 BFG KM2s on 15x7 black steelies.
-front receiver mounted Warn M8000 winch.
-interior's basically stock except that the jump seats are gone and its loaded with a storage tote for tools and recovery gear, mapbooks galore, 12v cooler, 750w inverter, Garmin Nuvi 255w with Garmin western Canada topos in it, Icom VHF, handheld CB, FRS radios. Leather seats and vinyl floors.
-Yellow top Optima.

http://i487.photobucket.com/albums/rr235/LoneRanger1993/IMG_0369a.jpg

The camper's a 1972 vintage, fairly decent shape and it doesn't leak. Not the prettiest setup but I also don't mind dragging it through the trees either. Very comfy inside.

-8200 BTu propane furnace.
-1100w microwave.
-6.5' long bed, very comfy.
-Dometic fridge that works surprisingly.
-3 burner propane stove that I want to convert to a hibachi-style stove top
-2000w Honeywell interver gen'y.
-Exide purplehaze battery.
-120v fan for circulation.

http://i487.photobucket.com/albums/rr235/LoneRanger1993/IMG_0353a.jpg

It tows my '07 Yamaha Grizzly 700 EPS. No real major mods besides the storage boxes, ITP mudlite tires, and a set of driving lights. It takes me places the truck can't go.. It rides on a customized 7.5' Snowbear trailer, 3/4 pressure treated plywood lined and rolls on some freebie 215/14 tires with bearing buddies, LED taillights.

As for the trip, I'll throw up the Overland Canada link cause I don't feel like redoing the entire trip report here as well. Basically, an all day ride in Princeton with Micheal and Rhonda (230), beeline for Trail to tour the Remac mine with Kevin (Kootenaycat1), and up to Vernon to visit Mike (Beast), then back home. Detoured through Phoenix, Greenwood/Anaconda, Allenby, and a ton of FSRs in between. Read more here: My going broke fast trip (http://overlandcanada.com/forum/showthread.php?t=332). LR

[Bushpiggy]

Thats the perfect set up for one or two people Matt.

[desteurm]

I'm thinking a nice pop top camper would really lighten up the load. You have to be maxed out on GVW when loaded up.

Nice truck

[Lone Ranger]

Yup.. but I'm not even going to get into the cost and complication of a pop-up style, considering that realistically 90% of its use is at work (drive to work Fri, camp all weekend, go home Sun night).

I like the layout of the newer pop up styles and the interior finish, but if I change the design again I'm going to try to find a Boler-style trailer and go that route. Also, it actually does half decent in the trees and I don't mind minor trail damage on it, the only real beef is that it raises the center of gravity higher than I'd like it to... almost the same now as a Sami :clown LR

[Lone Ranger]

Couple more shots:

http://i487.photobucket.com/albums/rr235/LoneRanger1993/IMG_0376a.jpg

http://i487.photobucket.com/albums/rr235/LoneRanger1993/IMG_0404a.jpg

I pretty much got all the work done on it thats important for now. I have a trickle charge wire in for the camper battery, a gallon of Ducan rubberized deck coat on the roof to seal it for the winter, 12ga 50' extension cord to replace the worn out and cracked 100' 16ga one, 24' of rope lights from Home Depot for ambient lights when camping (I really like those). Theres a couple of small things here and there I want to do but for the most part everything major's done. I wanna replace the Dometic fridge for a 120v bar fridge and build some more shelves in there. I'm building it purely for one person.

I think I've just officially built my own doomsday rig :redneck LR

Edit: just as a dig toward the Toy guys, I thought this was really funny. Most guys with the 3.0Ls I hear complain they're barely getting 350 - 400km from 65L of fuel... I'm constantly logging 425 km from 60L (16.7 mpg) with the camper on! Mind you, I drive slow to save fuel but still...

[Lone Ranger]

Ok, as for weights.. Yes, its heavy but having a popup wouldn't do anything for me besides reduce wind drag. I honestly don't think the weight difference would be big enough to justify a change, and I like the conveniences of a full size camper. Here's the weights according to the Vernon Scale (loaded to my absolute max gear level):

************
As per the door tag:
Front: 2730 lbs
Rear: 2550 lbs
GVW: 5280 lbs
GCVW: 9500 lbs w/ auto (7000 lbs with 5 spd).

Actual weight loaded:
Front: 2750 lbs (20 lbs over, mostly because of the winch)
Rear: 3760 lbs (tires are rated at 4500 lbs, airbags take the extra weight)
Trailer: 1342 lbs (1980 GVW on trailer)
Total: 7850 lbs
************

I'd like to drop this to closer to 7000 lbs, and I will. I was carrying three 6 gallon fuel cans, tire chains, full recovery gear and tools, hunting gear and several rifles, some extra parts for a buddy, plus a bunch of other little misc bits and pieces that aren't needed. I can drop close to 500 lbs at least.

Just truck and camper are about 6000 lbs on their own. LR

[seatosky]

Total: 7850 lbs


Not bad for a compact pickup!! I always thought the Ranger was a tough lil bugger.