It is late, but I could not possibly go to bed earlier. Why? because I was watching the approaching end of an auction I bid on with baited breath. I have sold far more online at E-bay, than I have purchased, so it is still very much the novelty. I watched, terrified that the person I bid against would be waiting, watching the clock, finger poised above the mouse, lingering on the bid confirmation, that would ****** my prize away. But, all went well, perhaps his computer hung, as mine did, 7 minutes from the close of auction - It probably was fed up of going to the same place all the time, my sweaty hand trembling on the mouse. I very nearly cussed it, which would not go down well, as you could imagine.

Anyway, the seconds ticked away, and then I won it. A very nice, but rather old Pop up Slide in Camper, made by Hallmark, with room for the three of us to camp in luxury. I am so happy, I could hug something.

I have wanted an RV for a while, but could not see finding the thousands of dollars to buy one with, so now we have one, a tiny one, that will sit happily in my truck bed, hardly sticking up at all - I reckon it will have a lot less wind resistance than the flat bed the truck used to have.

I have never even been in one of these truck bed campers.. I am in for a treat I think. The pictures look very nice, and soon they will be on Webshots, (I may sneak the odd one or two into my FTE gallery. ) so you can all take a look, and pity me..

I do not get excited about much, but this e-bay lark is something a bloke could get hopelessly addicted to. I sold me a box trailer this morning, Delivering it this next week, and bought me a camper, picking it up when I get back - pity they both couldn't have been in the same direction - I am delivering 900 miles east, and picking up 710 miles west. Oh well, all good fun, so I get to sleep in the camper on the way home. Best take some cleaning gear with me. I wonder how I stop the thing from falling out of the truck.. Must have to tie it in somehow, maybe I should look into that.

Theo

 

Congratulations Theo!

Have fun with the new camper

I have been in that last minute bidding b4. I was glad I lost because I was bidding too much. Now I just set my price and let a snipe service do the bidding. It avoids the "auction fever". I have lost a few times but won more so I am happy. Most of the time things come up for bid again eventually. So I am patient

 

congratulations Theo!
how much is it costing you?

 

I know the feeling! I have been bidding on parts for my 302 rebuild lately.

 

bid price $1075, tie down system to make it stay put, about $300, jacks to get it on and off another $300, but the tie downs and jacks I have to find retail. I ordered a Happijack Tie down system, that fits to the frame - it arrives Friday, so I guess I won't be seeing the camper this week. I will have to figure how to fit it when I get it.. The jacks I haven't found yet - maybe I can get them locally, I will look around

This is an adventure, to say the least - I know thousands of out of the way places to camp, that are just shouting my name.....

Theo

 

Hey Theo,

Check out my FTE page for the camper jacks. If you know a welder, you could probably get these made for $200. The winches are about $25, and the rest should be no more than $50 from a pipe and pump supply company.

If you know how to weld you could save some $$$. Let me know if you want better pictures and or drawings.

I'd offer to make a set, but they would cost too much to ship. I don't think they are UPS-able but will look into it if you want.

 

Congrats Theo