Week 1 on the Road: Testing the Truck Camper Setup
The Road Is Home Now
After months of planning, outfitting the truck, and walking away from my apartment lease, the road trip officially began. This isn’t just a vacation — it’s a test run for full-time life out of my Nissan Frontier + Moonlander X camper. The mission: put the systems to work, find what breaks, and see if this lifestyle can really hold up day after day.
So… how did Week 1 go?
Let’s just say there were a few surprises.
Suspension Installed, Then Straight to the Coast
The first official stop was River Outdoors, where the new suspension went in — Eibach front lift kit, Dobinsons rear springs, and upgraded shocks with external reservoirs. The goal was to level things out and better manage the added weight of the camper, DECKED system, fridge, gear, and water.
With the suspension dialed, we hit the road.
First lesson? Not all campsites are available. We rolled up to a full campground and ended up sleeping at a roadside pullover that night. Not ideal, but functional — and part of the reality when you’re winging it.
Showers, Starlink, and Small Town Surprises
This week’s theme: testing daily life systems.
Some wins:
The Lifesaver Jerrycan crushed it for water filtration
Dometic GO was super handy for handwashing and small rinses
Starlink Mini delivered fast internet — as long as we had clear sky
Some fails:
I forgot a step stool (facepalm)
Spent $150 on socket wrenches… then realized I couldn’t reach the bolts
Motel stay where they were renovating the room at 10 p.m.
We also learned: always carry cash. A few coastal campgrounds were cash-only, including one with showers we really could have used.
The Oregon Dunes Made It Worth It
Eventually, we made it to Eel Creek Campground — perched near the Oregon Dunes. We hiked out into the sand, caught a quiet sunset, and for the first time, felt like the rig, the systems, and the rhythm of the road were starting to click.
We're now set up at a day-use beach area, solar panels pulling full sun, Starlink running, laptops charging, fridge holding at 100%. This is what I imagined — and it’s slowly becoming real.
Real Talk: Editing on the Road Is Hard
One thing I wasn’t prepared for: how hard it is to edit while living this lifestyle. When you’re driving 3–5 hours a day, trying to explore and shoot content, it doesn’t leave much time for post-production. I’m prioritizing client work first, which means these episodes are slower to get out than I hoped.
But they’re coming. And they’re honest.
Gear Breakdown
Want to know what’s in the setup? Here’s the core kit I’m running this summer:
Truck + Camper:
– 2024 Nissan Frontier Pro-4X
– Moonlander X by Radica
Suspension + Tires:
– Eibach 2" front lift
– Dobinsons rear leaf springs
– Falken Wildpeak AT4W (285/70R17)
– Z1 Off-Road 1" spacers
Power + Solar:
– Goal Zero Yeti 700
– EcoFlow River 2 Pro
– 180W roof-mounted solar
Interior + Storage:
– DECKED single-drawer system
– Anker EverFrost Fridge
– Prinsu Roof Rack
– OVS XD 270° Awning
Water + Hygiene:
– Lifesaver Jerrycan
– Dometic GO Sink System
– Planet Fitness membership + public pool shower backups
Other gear worth noting:
– Dyson V8 vacuum (yup, I brought it)
– Magic Bullet blender for protein shakes
– A sense of humor (critical)
What’s Next
This short 3-week trip with Danielle is just the beginning. After this, I’ll continue solo — filming, editing, exploring, and trying to make this life sustainable both creatively and financially. I’ll stay in Phoenix occasionally for client work and regrouping, but most of the time, I’ll be on the road.
This isn’t the final form — it’s the shakeout run. And so far, it’s been wild in all the best ways.
Thanks for being here.
– Kyle