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DIY
About
- Chris & Lexi
- Our Rigs
  - Dodgy
  - Dodgy II
  - Avion

Adventure
- Road Tripping
- Parks
  - National Park Service
  - Forest Service
- Campfire Cooking
  - Breakfast
  - Lunch
  - Dinner
  - Side Dish
  - Appetizer
  - Dessert Recipes
  - Cocktail Recipes
  - Eateries
  - Breweries
  - Restaurants
  - Wineries
- More Activities
  - Biking
  - Camping
  - Hiking
  - Overlanding
  - Oddities
  - Museums
  - Art
Travel
- Countries
- - Alabama
  - Arizona
  - Arkansas
  - California
  - Colorado
  - Connecticut
  - Idaho
  - Illinois
  - Indiana
  - Kansas
  - Kentucky
  - Louisiana
  - Maryland
- - Michigan
  - Minnesota
  - Mississippi
  - Missouri
  - Montana
  - Nebraska
  - Nevada
  - New Mexico
  - New York
  - North Carolina
  - Oklahoma
  - Oregon
  - Pennsylvania
- - South Dakota
  - Tennessee
  - Texas
  - Utah
  - Wyoming
  - Wisconsin
  - West Virginia
  - Washington
  - Virginia
  - Vermont
DIY
About
- Chris & Lexi
- Our Rigs
  - Dodgy
  - Dodgy II
  - Avion

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Tag: Elephant Butte Lake

Chris paddling between golden rocks rising out of Elephant Butte Lake in a yellow Kokopelli packraft.

Paddling Elephant Butte Lake

Raft, kayak, canoe, or generally paddle the rocky shore of Elephant Butte Lake State Park, a reservoir of the Rio

About Author

Lexi lives in a truck camper down by the river.

Where We Are Now

Moab, Utah

Instagram

Some nights, we lulled to sleep by a chorus of cic

Some nights, we lulled to sleep by a chorus of cicadas and a burbling brook. Other nights, we are in a Walmart parking lot where the local teens are meeting up for a night of hijinks and a couple of weekend warriors are revving their Harleys after stocking up on beers and brats.⁠
⁠
Both nights we want to sleep. ⁠
But it comes easier in some.⁠
⁠
Of course, there's no end of tips and tricks to a better night's sleep. Specialty mattresses, pillows, toppers, sheets, white noise machines, eye masks, sleep headphones, pills, aromatherapy, hygiene practices, and so many other products and procedures with varying degrees of efficacy claim to be your ticket to dreamland.⁠
⁠
Living in a truck camper, not all of these are options. A 12" thick mattress is a no-go in our already limited cabover space. We try to avoid pills or anything that may make us unresponsive to a late-night emergency or too groggy to safely move the truck.⁠
⁠
But other solutions have made a difference:⁠
- 𝗦𝗹𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗵𝘆𝗴𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗲: even as our surroundings change, we take extra care to maintain a consistent bedtime and corresponding "wind down" period to prepare for sleep.⁠
- 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗿: while we only have a 5" thick mattress out of practicality, our 3" mattress topper is a light and comforting upgrade.⁠
- 𝗦𝗹𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗽𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀: even on quiet nights, it can be hard to stop planning for what's ahead. Listening to a podcast or music helps distract me so I can sleep.⁠
- 𝗘𝘆𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝘀𝗸: We have yet to perfectly seal the camper from outside light. So eye masks make a huge difference in blocking out not just sunlight but the bright lights that illuminate most parking lots.⁠
⁠
That said, @mantasleep recently sent us an integrated mask with headphones which caused a bit of a rift in the Roam Lab household. I got it for myself but Chris noticed the package and asked if it was a surprise for him. I can't help but say yes. We both tried it and like the fit and features. Which means now I have to get another set for myself. ⁠
⁠
Maybe I can get the purple one...⁠
⁠
Do you have a sleep hack?

Do you know the height of your rig?⁠ ⁠ Height

Do you know the height of your rig?⁠
⁠
Height is generally an afterthought when driving a truck, van, or car. But as soon as you slap on a roof extension, load up a truck camper, hook up a 5th wheel, or hop in a motorhome, all bets are off, especially the further east you travel.⁠
⁠
Old roads lead to old (sometimes historic) bridges built back when no one was concerned about RV clearance. Fortunately, most of these bridges include a sign with the bridge's height. Miss the low overhead, and there may be a lot more that you will miss on the other side.⁠
⁠
Even if you knew your rig's height, it doesn't hurt to remeasure. Remember, the roof is likely not the highest point on the camper. Most RVs have vents and air conditioners on the roof that can add many inches.⁠
⁠
Our rig height has changed many times: ⁠
- when we removed a tall exhaust pipe⁠
- when we installed a roof hatch⁠
- when we increased our tire size.⁠
Notably not when we added our utility truck bed.⁠
⁠
Yup! Don't forget that mods to your vehicle can also change your overall clearance. Lift packages raise more than just your trail clearance. Adding a flatbed can easily add several inches to your overall height.⁠
⁠
So, with Memorial Day around the corner and camping season revving up, make sure you know your rig's current height.⁠
⁠
𝘍𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸 @roamlab 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘤𝘬 𝘤𝘢𝘮𝘱𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘴⁠
⁠⁠
_________________________________⁠
𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗥𝗶𝗴⁠
⁠
1970 Avion C11 truck camper⁠
2015 @ramtrucks 3500 Tradesman⁠
@bowen_customs truck bed⁠
@warnindustries Ascent Front Bumper⁠
& Zeon Winch⁠
@bfgoodrichtires All Terrain T/A KO2s⁠
@methodracewheels 305s⁠
@bushwackerinc fender flares⁠
@ternoverland_arctictern roof hatch⁠
⁠
𝘚𝘦𝘦 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘋𝘐𝘠 𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘰 𝘢𝘵 𝘳𝘰𝘢𝘮𝘭𝘢𝘣.𝘤𝘰𝘮⁠
_________________________________⁠

Looking for something to grill this spring? May we

Looking for something to grill this spring? May we recommend Sahlen’s Tender Casing Pork & Beef Smokehouse Hot Dogs? These premium dogs pack in all the flavor for an enviable grilling experience. Which is why we are delighted to partner with @sahlens and @publix for a #GrillingSZN with #DogsDoneRight⁠
⁠
#campfirecooking #grilling #grillingandchilling #grillmaster ⁠#grill #hotdog #hotdogs #meatlovers #campgroundviews #roasting #camplife #campvibes #outdoorlife #outdoorfun #outdoorliving #camping

Avion camper rests,⁠ On sandy beach, under stars

Avion camper rests,⁠
On sandy beach, under stars,⁠
Peaceful dreams caress.⁠
⁠
Good night, y’all!
⁠
𝘍𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸 @roamlab 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘤𝘬 𝘤𝘢𝘮𝘱𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘴⁠
⁠⁠
_________________________________⁠
𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗥𝗶𝗴⁠
⁠
1970 Avion C11 truck camper⁠
2015 @ramtrucks 3500 Tradesman⁠
@bowen_customs truck bed⁠
@warnindustries Ascent Front Bumper⁠
& Zeon Winch⁠
@bfgoodrichtires All Terrain T/A KO2s⁠
@methodracewheels 305s⁠
@bushwackerinc fender flares⁠
@ternoverland_arctictern roof hatch⁠
⁠
𝘚𝘦𝘦 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘋𝘐𝘠 𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘰 𝘢𝘵 𝘳𝘰𝘢𝘮𝘭𝘢𝘣.𝘤𝘰𝘮⁠
_________________________________⁠

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NEWSLETTER

From #vanlife to truck camper adventures, our travels are possible with our homes on wheels.

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See what products we use in our DIY renovation of this 1970 Avion C11 truck camper.

where we are now

Moab, Utah

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