Another new member

[Lost in the wilds]

Hi,

Chris here from near Carmarthen. No truck and no demountable - yet! We're doing our research.
Already discovered Golum is nearby and talking to him.
We're interested in the Amarok - like to discuss details with you, FinAde, about your rig and anyone else who has one.
I've been looking through all the interesting information on the site but have lots more questions.

Chris

[zildjian]

Golum is a great place to start, (I did myself)

but if you need to look at others you can visit a choice of a few of us here no problem

[TrueDink]

Hello and welcome.

The Amarok is a great truck and will serve you well. It's the only truck that I personally would swap my Navara for. The only thing is I can't afford the price tag.

[Peaky]

Hi Chris & welcome to the forum, Your ideally placed for Golum at NSR & he'll be able to give you at least 90% of the info your after. The Skarosser's / Tischer's which Golum deals in are probably about the best on the UK market at the moment with Bimobil topping the list (in my humble opinion).
Any questions which you have, then just fire away, we're always happy to at least try & help

Andy

[FinAde]

Hi there and welcome the group.

We picked up the Apollo in August last year on a Mitsubishi L200 and it fitted a treat. We wanted to downsize our fleet so I traded my BMW for an Amarok Highline and sold the L200. Big decision to have a pickup as my every day vehicle but it's amazing. Have had to build a frame to raise the camper as the cab is higher than most and the tub is lower but it fits ok now. Tischer make a camper specially to fit but finding a used one in the UK is like looking for rocking horse poo

We're near Weston Super Mare if you're ever passing you can have a look.

Yes the price tag on an Amarok is high but as a BMW replacement it wasn't, and we were lucky enough to get one without VAT which helped being private buyers.

Fiona

[Lost in the wilds]

Hi Fiona,

We will certainly drop by if we're passing - very much like to have a look. We're still in the 'research' stage and need to look at anything and everything.
Which model (Start, Trend or High) Amarok do you have? Manual or Auto? Any problems?
How is your Apollo attached? Apart from the frame you mention did you have to make any modifications to either truck or Apollo?
Do you have a 12 volt connection from truck to Apollo?
Any weight problems re. the rear axle? Air suspension?
Do you have a tow ball fitted to the truck? Is that a problem?
Do you have a load bed liner in the Amarok?

So many questions - be grateful if you can help.

Thanks, Chris

[Peaky]

Hi again Chris,

Just to answer a few questions for you.

1. Air suspension is pretty much a must. It will bring the level of your truck back to normal, thus giving you a correct headlight level. It will also help to reduce the "Porpoising" effect which is what happens with a non air bagged rig. Porpoising is a front to back motion similar to a porpoise skimming the surface of the water going out of the water for a moment and then under the water. It is an oscillation. In its mild state it is uncomfortable, in an aggressive state it can lead to an accident.

2. You'll need 2 electrical connections to your camper, which are basically the standard "Twin" electrics that you get with a towbar installation. The black plug serves all the tail lights on the camper apart from the reverse light. The grey plug will serve the charging of your leisure battery, run the 3 way fridge while the engine is running & the reverse light.

3. There are no problems with having a towbar already fitted.

4. Not sure on the Apollo fitting to the truck but my Skarosser is fitted with 4No. turnbuckles to 4No. corner mounted M12 eyebolts to the rear tub. These eyebolts fittings continue through the bed & are fixed to the chassis for extra strength. Do not rely on fixing to the tub bed only !
Check out rubberrat's How to Load a Demountable Camper topic on here :-
http://www.demountablecampergroup.com/v ... f=32&t=249

5. My bed liner is a spray liner direct to the bed. I find that a drop in plastic liner rubs like sandpaper & creates areas of rust where contact has been made. It's a bit pricey but in my view, well worth it
http://www.line-x.co.uk/bedliners.html

I hope I've helped you out with a few answers.

Andy

[zildjian]

Pretty much covers the questions so far.
towbar can't be used together with a demount' although it has been done either in buying a particular shape & size camper
(see Golum)
or extending towhitch out on a specialist square bar (grey area legally in UK)
air bag kit ✓
eye bolts x 4 ✓
load liner ✓
both electric sockets ✓

[rubberrat]

Hi 'Lost' .. cool username!

I think Andy has answered most questions, and you have the advantage of having Golum on your doorstep who should be able to help you source a demountable. he's not much dearer than private sales tbh so you may as well just go there as he'll sort out the fitting for you too, usually FOC.
The SKarossers are considered by most on here to be as good as they get, maybe slightly bettered by Tischer.

Airbags are an absolute must.

Spray bedliners definitely the way to go

Amarok is a good starting point if it's in your budget.

[TrueDink]

Don't forget about bed rugs. I carry my dog in the back of the truck when I'm not carrying the camper and its nice and comfortable for him.