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    C5500 TopKick 4x4 Crew Cab Build

    All of my XZL's were stamped 7-8 years old when purchased, all three blow outs were rear- two driver side, one passenger side. Wheels are Hutchinson split rim w/bead lock, no inserts. I actually still have the full set with a spare if anyone wants them. I'm content with the duals, and I'm...
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    C5500 TopKick 4x4 Crew Cab Build

    Well, I guess it's time to check back in with EP. Our big rig (named "Greg" by my boys, not sure why) continues to serve our adventure needs. Issues have been very few and far between these last 12 years: two water pumps, three blow outs, had to repair cracks in the aluminum subframe twice...
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    Registering under a Montana LLC

    FWIW, I did the Montana LLC thing for a previous motorhome (used Bennet). It worked just fine, owned it for over 6 years, no problems.
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    C5500 TopKick 4x4 Crew Cab Build

    I'm not a tire expert, and certainly not an expert on the topic of SRW vs DRW. But I know from personal experience that sourcing SRW components for a heavy rig (anything over 10,000lbs) isn't easy, and the military spec wheels and tires have the right numbers. As much as I like the idea and...
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    C5500 TopKick 4x4 Crew Cab Build

    I'm not certain of what caused each failure (all XZLs), as each situation was very different, except they all happened on pavement. Only one happened at the end of a long day of driving. I've always been paranoid of a tire failure, so I paid close attention to tire pressure. And I've always...
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    C5500 TopKick 4x4 Crew Cab Build

    I got my wheels and spacers from Stazworks. He knows the military wheels and tires as well as anybody. Since I'm in Utah, I've sourced replacement tires from Boyce Equipment. BUT, news flash..... After my 3rd blowout in 2 years, I switched to standard 24.5" commercial wheels and DRW. I've...
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    Cab Over Camper Design Question

    Think of the cabover over sidewalls as beams with a cantilevered load (the weight of the floor, roof, and whatever sits inside). The taller the "web" of a beam is, the stronger it is, and the further the "beam" extends back into the body of your box, the more load it can support. My big camper...
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    C5500 TopKick 4x4 Crew Cab Build

    Back on the road, Uinta Mountains, Utah. Everything was fine until I sheared the coupler pin on one of my leveling jacks getting ready to leave. I've been putting off installing hydraulic leveling jacks on the chassis since I bought it, but it's long over due. The electric jacks just can't...
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    C5500 TopKick 4x4 Crew Cab Build

    Stronger than it was before, although I'm sure I'll experience more cracked aluminum in the future.
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    C5500 TopKick 4x4 Crew Cab Build

    Well, 9 years of twisting and tweaking and never had an issue with my chassis, subframe, or box- until about two weeks ago. Turns out that getting hit broadside by a +100mph microburst in eastern utah was too much for my aluminum tube subframe. Interesting sound when aluminum tubing snaps...
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    C5500 TopKick 4x4 Crew Cab Build

    Nested volumes are the key, like in my previous build, but I've come up with some fun new methods. It'll be clear once once the build thread starts. I've done a couple of 3D prints, including all the moving parts, to test the concept, so far so good. Design accommodates up to four, but really...
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    C5500 TopKick 4x4 Crew Cab Build

    Thanks Christian, glad it's still worthwhile reading. I still use it frequently, and overall it's held up very well. The brush seals have done OK, but I should've chosen a finer fiber so it would have less memory. I have to "fluff" the fibers at camp sometimes. The slides have held up decent...
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    Best boots for BMW GS1200

    I've been using the Forma Adventure boot for 3 years now, including a few getoffs. Best day in day out adventure boot I've owned so far. I've owned three oil head GS bikes since 95, logged over 250k miles on them, with a good chunk off road. Part of my slow learning curve was understanding...
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    secure pots, pans, plates etc. storage

    I use the Magma nesting cookware in my camper and my white-water kitchen box. Well worth it, lasts a long time, performs well, stores very compact, and has a nice padded bag option. Lot's of cooking options in a very small space!
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    C5500 TopKick 4x4 Crew Cab Build

    Still mine, still a great rig for family trips. It's a one-off, so there's always something needing maintenance or tweaking, and my Norcold 1095 fridge cooling unit just failed and needed to be replaced. But it's way more reliable than any of the RVs I've owned over the years. Lots I would've...
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    What are the limitations of a really large expedition vehicle?

    My rig is just over 29' feet long, 8.5' wide, 13' tall, weighs over 11 tons fully loaded. There's plenty of places I can't squeeze into traveling in North America, let alone other parts of the world. I end up doing a lot of scouting on a dirt bike before venturing down an unknown, unmarked...
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    Cabinetry in composite/'glass boxes?

    All of the cabinets (and everything else for that matter) in my build were composite PPE panels bonded using glass and resin. We had to take care to keep the layup layers to a minimum to ensure a smooth look for the surface veneers, but it's been bomber- lots of real-world testing at this point.
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    Forest Sevice Hotshot Crew Truck.

    Definitely a bunch of International 43,44 and 7400 4x4 fire crew trucks around the west, as well as fire trucks on the same chassis. While my chassis was born under the CXT banner, the specs are almost identical to those used in the FS RFPs. Love mine.
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    C5500 TopKick 4x4 Crew Cab Build

    Coming from you, that means a lot! Thanks, and his mom gets all the parenting credit for sure! And thanks to all for checking out his work, the more views the better for a young YouTuber!
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    C5500 TopKick 4x4 Crew Cab Build

    Thanks! He works hard to perfect his craft, impressive for 16 years old!
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