In April 2021, we purchased a 2011 Ram 5500 and a 2000 Bigfoot 3000 Series Truck camper. Over the summer months, we completely renovated the inside and built up the outside into a luxury off-road overlanding vehicle.
The Bigfoot Truck Camper
The 2000 Bigfoot 3000 series was in excellent condition when we bought it but looked outdated. Most upgrades were cosmetic, starting first with the electrical system.
Electrical Upgrades
We set up our truck camper to be an ultimate off-grid and off-road travel rig. The heart of our off-grid power system includes two GC3 Game Changer 3.0 Battle Born Lithium batteries. At 270AH each, these batteries give us a total of 540 amp hours.
This system uses the Victron Lynx shunt and distributor, the Victron Multiplus 3kVA inverter, Victron MPPT solar charge controllers, and 495 watts of solar power with Battle Born’s flexible solar panels.
We also have a 30 amp 12v DC to DC converter and the Victron Orion-TR Smart to charge the batteries from the truck’s alternator. The last component of our truck camper system is the brains of the operation – the Victron Cerbo GX. This unit takes all the data from each of our other Victron components and aggregates it.
Interior Truck Camper Renovation
Next, we proceeded with painting all of the interior walls.
Most replacement parts like light switches, lights, and the sink were from RecPro.com, a company dedicated to RV replacement parts. (Get 5% off your order with Coupon code “ONTHEMOVE5“)
In the kitchen, we updated the sink, Delta touch kitchen faucet, and added an Acuva ArrowMax 2.0 UV Water Purification system. (Available for 10% off with couple code “mortons”)
- TOUCH ON. TOUCH OFF. Messy hands. Touch anywhere on the kitchen...
- MAGNETIC DOCKING: MagnaTite Docking uses a powerful magnet to...
- LASTS 2X LONGER: Patented DIAMOND Seal Technology reduces leak...
We replaced the cushions with RecPro dinette cushions and got additional matching fabric to reupholster the headboard, cushioned cabinets, and other fabric areas throughout the RV.
For our countertops, we updated the existing kitchen, dinette, and vanity counters with an epoxy countertop kit from Leggari Products. We used Kit #15.
We replaced the carpet with EVA boat foam flooring and covered the aisleway with vinyl plank flooring.
- 【 Material 】 EVA Foam - ethylene vinyl acetate is a dense and...
- 【Size and Color】 94.5"(L)x35.4"(W) ; 240cm(L)x90cm(W) ;...
- 【 Easy to Install 】Its backing is a strong pressure sensitive...
The Ram 5500 Truck
The truck is a 2011 Ram 5500 flatbed that has been singled out. We bought it from a guy on Kodiak Island in Alaska, shipped it on the ferry, and Tom flew to meet it in Washington and drive it off the ferry.
Related: How To Find Used Overland Vehicles For Sale (And How We Found Ours)
Since then, we added Centramatics wheel balancers to help balance these large tires. Storage boxes on the truck bed provide tons of storage space for our gear. Finally, we had a welder custom fabricate an off-set hitch to mount our RoadMaster spare tire carrier.
In addition to all the truck upgrades we had to modify the sewer system on the camper to work with the truck. We are using the Thetford Sanicon system which has been a great way to dump/ pump our tanks.
Connectivity
For this truck camper, we used almost the same system that we installed in our fifth wheel. You can learn more about it in this video.
The major changes from this video are that we are using the Parsec Akita antenna which is the best antenna we have tried yet. We are also beta testers of Starlink which has been fun.
New Adventures Await
Follow along as we travel to new and remote places with this renovated overland truck camper. Subscribe to our newsletter and our YouTube channel to see where we take this beast!
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Matt Lane
Monday 27th of March 2023
I keep drooling over this build. What was the total build weight of the Bigfoot after all of your upgrades, mods and improvements? I'm partly trying to determine if I need a 5500 or if I can comfortably use a 3500 dually.
Thanks!
Mortons on the Move
Monday 27th of March 2023
Its hard to say what the weight is fully built because there is a lot of gear we put in / on the truck. But we gross around 5700 lbs cargo when loaded. I think the camper comes in around 4500 fully loaded and wet (we always carry full water). The full truck build weighs in around 17500 (the truck is crazy heavy) But GVWR is 19500 and its well under all axles and tires which is important for off-road suspension movement.
Kevin
Thursday 3rd of February 2022
I just bought a new truck camper. It has one 160 watt solar panel a charge controller a converter and separate inverter that runs 2 rv outlets off 2 6 volt lead acid batteries wired in series. All that being said I want to put in a battle born system similar to your truck camper build. What all do I need? Are there some things I can reuse or would I be better off removing those components and using all victron?
Mortons on the Move
Saturday 12th of March 2022
It's really up to you, the converter may or may not be able to fully charge the battle born (see if it has a setting for lithium or AGM). The charge controller is probably not the best either, but it should work. It really depends on how much you want to do upfront. Just dropping the batteries in will help enormously, but of course, having all the components that are designed to work together would be best. Check out our article about this https://www.mortonsonthemove.com/how-to-switch-to-lithium-rv-batteries/
john urbas
Wednesday 1st of December 2021
May I say, "All I want for Christmas"?! Now that you have taken your rig out a bit, have you noticed any issues when traversing uneven terrain that causes you to go up on one rear at times? Also, payload capacity not being an issue, would have gone with SRW? Terrific and inspiring build!
PIerre Proulx
Friday 26th of November 2021
Congratulations for the amazing work you’ve done on this rig.
Trina
Friday 26th of November 2021
Great job !! You guys are the bomb ! Love watching your videos. I also follow your friends ...The Getaway Couple. Enjoy your travels and keep those video's coming !