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• 2017 SATELLITE 18DS

If you are looking for a couple's camper that is a boondocker's dream, your search is over. My wife and I spent six weeks in Colorado last year in this little guy and never had to pay for a single night in a campground. The camper is aerodynamic and has a fair amount of aluminum and fiberglass in it (particularly on the side walls) which helps make it light enough (3,790 lb GVWR, 318 lb hitch weight) that you can pull it with a half-ton pickup or SUV and short enough (20.6 feet) that you can get into tighter areas that are just impossible with a longer rig. If you want maximum freedom in a minimum package, this is your new camper!

This is a long listing, and that's because this camper has a lot of features to talk about. Starting with a base of a Starcraft Satellite 18DS (very, very similar floorplan and size to a Jayco 17RK or an RPOD-179), this camper has been upgraded in every off-grid way possible, to the tune of a good $10,000 in parts alone. The entire top of the camper is covered with solar panels. 1,200 watts total. These solar panels, via three Renogy MPPT solar charge controllers, feed an 800 amp hour 12 volt battery bank which gives you power for days. If you happen to be in the Pacific Northwest or somewhere that doesn't see sun for weeks at a time (let's hope not!) you can charge the camper via a standard household 110 outlet, a 30 amp "little rv" plug, or even plug it into the 50 amp "big rv" plugs (all adapters included). We pulled the camper with a F-150 PowerBoost (also available for sale (see https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicle/761113695 if you want that as well; we'll make a package deal on the combo)) and it has a 30 amp, 220v plug in the bed, which lets the camper batteries charge VERY quickly.

The 800 amps of 12v power is converted to 110v by a Victron Multiplus 2 - 3000 watt inverter/charger. For charging, the Victron can charge at 120 amps, and a secondary charger is used (when plugged into a 220v supply) that adds an additional 100 amps of charging capacity.

The top being covered with solar panels means that there isn't a rooftop air conditioner. That isn't a problem, though, because a 12k BTU minisplit (with winter heat available via a heat pump!) has been installed that barely sips the electricity (probably 1/3 the power usage of the rooftop air conditioner) and is super quiet. No more yelling in the camper like you have to do with a rooftop air conditioner. The air conditioner has a remote and is even controllable via a phone app if you have internet set up in the camper (we did it via our TMobile home internet, but starlink would be a great option as well). In the spot where the rooftop unit was previously located, a maxxair fan (with a handy reversible switch) has been installed. No issues in using it when raining, because it is UNDER the solar panels!

The slideout includes a custom table designed for scenic dining with great views out the large window. The sleeping area (with windows on both ends for great cross breezes has a camp queen (74" x 60") bed (8 inch thick memory foam. Very comfortable) that sleeps two. The bench in the slideout is over 6' long and can sleep a third person. There are several full-extension drawers and storage areas that can be used for clothing storage as well as a tall narrow storage area under the bedroom night stand for those strangely shaped things you need to put somewhere. Storage over the bench in the slide is a great place for bedding and towels.

The separate bathroom has what you would expect. A toilet, a shower, and a sink. For water tanks, there is a 25.6 gallon fresh water tank and a 24 gallon grey tank and a 24 gallon black tank. The 6 gallon water heater can run off of propane or electricity. In a lesser system you wouldn't dream of heating water off-grid, but this camper can handle it if you want to. We have upgraded the default water heater thermostat for an adjustable one, so you can save even more energy by adjusting the water heater's temperature. For heat, there is a 18,000 BTU propane furnance, and you also have the electric heat from the mini split if you don't want to use propane.

The propane dual cooktop includes upgraded piezoelectric sparkers to ignite the burners which makes it super simple without any need for a lighter or matches. There is a large floor-to-ceiling pantry to store your dry goods and food is kept cool via the 4 cubic foot three-way fridge that can run off of propane, 12v, or 110v. The fridge has a separate freezer compartment that is well insulated and keeps the ice cream and ice cubes ready to go. The convection microwave is great for normal microwaving as well as convection oven cooking for those pizzas, cookies, and cakes.

Getting into the camper is a breeze, thanks to the upgraded illuminated keyless entry door pad. All of the exterior storage access is keyed and we are including both a hitch lock and a wheel lock that makes it harder for a pesky thief to abscond with your amazing boondocking camper. Also, tire covers are included to protect the tires from the elements and a complete premium camper cover is included that keeps the camper clean and dry in storage (while allowing custom door access even when installed).

Outside, there is a powered 9 foot awning that protects the door on those rainy days for your in-nature entertaining, or nicely blocks the sun for outdoor relaxation. The Bluetooth speaker system in the camper has the ability to use the outside speakers for tunes in the evening and you have the choice of using the LED strip lights or the yellow bug light. The camper has been ceramic-coated recently, which makes it easier to keep clean. The tongue of the camper has storage space available, and has a powered jack (with night light) which simplifies hooking and unhooking the tow vehicle. The camper received new tires in the past couple of years as well as new brakes, drums, and hub assemblies and a brand new spare tire. We've had to do some work on the camper. When we purchased it two years ago we had to replace part of the floor (you can still feel some variation under the flooring but it is solid) and have added some metal on the driver's side around the slide (the campers were not designed as soundly as they should have been) so be aware of this before purchasing.

I'm here to answer any of your questions about the camper and can give you a run-down of the solar/electrical set-up so that you're all set to begin making some unforgettable memories. I can even deliver the camper to you (for a fee). I am selling because the camper is a little bigger than what we need and am planning to downsize to a converted van. Thank you for your interest.

Delivery available for a fee.