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Campers

Noticed some water dripping from one of the low point drains. Dug all of the foam out of the floor penetration, decided it wasn't from piping, source someplace aft. License plate bracket/light got broken by ice this winter, decided that it was the likely culprit, replaced it. In doing so, discovered that the wiring penetration is a 3/4" hole sealed by nothing, so stuffed duct compound into it after wiring the new light in, For now, mode is watchful waiting.
 

Adventurous

Starshine Bro
Mar 19, 2014
10,261
8,767
Crawlorado
Contemplated this:
https://denver.craigslist.org/rvs/d/golden-sportsmobile-camper-van-73-4wd/6850473483.html

But wife and I decided to stick with our truck camper plans.
Probably for the best. At least with the truck & camper you have them both divorced. With the camper van it’s a camper 100% of the time with little other utility.

Besides, $41K for an almost 20 year old van that still needs another $10K+ put into it to become an actual camper van doesn’t sound worth it. At least to me.
 

jimmydean

The Official Meat of Ridemonkey
Sep 10, 2001
40,941
13,135
Portland, OR
Bad news is I get to redo the drivers side window. Good news is I found the correct screens and trim rings so I can redo it correctly.
 

slyfink

Turbo Monkey
Sep 16, 2008
9,289
5,029
Ottawa, Canada
Electric drivetrains are very efficient already. Barring some radical aerodynamic and lightweight design like the stillborn Aptera that maybe would be an order of magnitude more efficient, conventional-ish electric vehicles will be of similar efficiency as those seen today.

Current PV panels are something like 30% efficiency, iirc. So there's maybe a factor of 2 achievable on that front. Maybe.

It's not happening unless you have a huge solar array, in other words.

What is happening is DC quick charging making this thought experiment irrelevant.

https://www.tesla.com/findus?v=2&search=North America&bounds=43.68634459632805,-107.34662042071761,37.94268024368015,-114.74041924884261&filters=supercharger&zoom=8
we have pop-up tents... so why not a pop-up solar farm?! :D

could you mount a powerall or two to a trailer? Could they be charged at a level 3 fast-charge station? (actually, isn't that how Tesla have gotten their 2nd generation fast chargers so fast? Isn't it a battery that charges the car's battery, rather than the actual grid?)
 

Toshi

Harbinger of Doom
Oct 23, 2001
38,032
7,552
we have pop-up tents... so why not a pop-up solar farm?! :D

could you mount a powerall or two to a trailer? Could they be charged at a level 3 fast-charge station? (actually, isn't that how Tesla have gotten their 2nd generation fast chargers so fast? Isn't it a battery that charges the car's battery, rather than the actual grid?)
I think they just have 250 kW service to each back of the v3 Superchargers.

Powerwalls and the like don't have J1772 or Tesla-car ports on them, afaik. Amusing idea, though.
 

eric strt6

Resident Curmudgeon
Sep 8, 2001
23,188
13,447
directly above the center of the earth
Ruth never ceases to amaze me. She and Barbara rolled out of here at 4am in the F350 dually/ Lannce 1055, hooked up the horse trailer loaded the horse and headed for the Del Mar CDI in San Diego. About 10:30 am I get a text that they blew the inner right Dually tire but are safely off the side of I 5 near hwy 166 ( close to the Grapevine) she called US rider. two hours for them to get some out to change the tire (AAA says no due to the loaded horse trailer). Ruth got frustrated,and called me to help her locate the tools. First thing she had to do was remove the half blown off (but intact) dually fender and disconnect the marker light wires. Then I helped her locate the jack, 30" long torque wrench, lug socket and long extension, wheel chocks, and spare tire lowering kit. . She chocked the wheels , crawled under lance and dropped the spare (no need to raise the camper on its jacks for access) then loosened the lugs used the 12 ton bottle jack to raise the whole rig. swapped out the blown tire put everything back together torqued it down and had every thing stowed and was on her way before the roadside guys showed up. She found a tire shop in Lebec and bought a new tire and was back in business. One tough 58 year old woman, I married the right one ( or did she marry me?)...they will hit San Diego in another 3 hours

new tires for the rig will be forthcoming

 

jimmydean

The Official Meat of Ridemonkey
Sep 10, 2001
40,941
13,135
Portland, OR
I learned something today. The trim ring for the window isn't just for a finished look, it's how the window is supposed to be held in place.

The window has a seam that I THOUGHT the screw went through into the wall. But actually the trim ring is based off wall thickness and has holes all around that line up with the seam. You sandwich the wall between the trim ring and the window.

LCI sent me part numbers and prices for my screens and trim rings. When I asked how the ring attached, he sent me the instructions. So I will wait until the rings get here to do the passenger side, then correct the drivers side.
 

eric strt6

Resident Curmudgeon
Sep 8, 2001
23,188
13,447
directly above the center of the earth
here you guys go

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipPCDmu4UhqmRCuuzy2DbqEJm5mek7_Pw7CfEV9xhd2xAI6P4M0RATTs3qNnwehixw?key=alNwdmI0QVFsOGNHa1BBQ195UGwxTHh3QUhMOTJR

2002 Ford F250 Super Duty Crew Cab
$69,000
Windmill Plantation, Georgia
Feature Rich list below:

**TRUCK**
2017 Phoenix camper custom build solid chassis mounted
Includes 4 Titan jacks to demount
on 2002 F250 4x4 Crew cab chassis 7.3 L Powerstroke Diesel
Tan Leather interior
30,000 miles since rebuild of transmission, all wearable/maintenance items/upgrades and services approx 270,000 on original chassis. No rust
Tuner/code reader
Manual 4x4 hubs
Hellwig heavy duty rear sway bar
Hellwig BigWig 5000 lb air ride 0-100 psi
Fox Shocks 2.0 w/reservoirs
5- 35x12.50-18 BF Goodrich KO2's
Monster XD 18" wheels
Warn 9500 lb winch and bumper
Line X rocker guards- full length
Rear steel bumper with built in air tank
Kenwood Powerhead with Navigation/wifi/bluetooth and front/rear cameras
3M Security window film cab windows
Heavy Duty output alternator
New Garrett Turbo
Roof solar with controller- can boon dock, off grid up to a week
4- Deka 200 amp hour house batteries (charge from solar, alternator, and house charger
3000 watt invertor sine wave (safe for computers, etc)
Onboard charging system 10amp with 2 outputs
Built in slide compartment for generator
45 gallon fresh water

**INTERIOR**
Fully enclosed indoor wet bath (w/shower & cassette toilet) Full hot shower
2- Seperate gray water tanks for shower and kitchen sink
Solid surface counter with decorative backsplash
Built in flush mount two burner stove
Deep stainless kitchen sink
Flip out sink storage
Pantry sllde in cabinet storage.
Flush mount hidden drawer for silverware
Upper and lower kitchen cabinets, with positive locks
2 seat cafe style table with swing away table feature- converts to single bed
Custom LED interior lighting
Heavy duty steps that double as storage, lead to full 60'x80' Queen size bed
Ample storage above, beside, and under bed. Makes for a full 7'x7' bedroom area over the cab
Very comfortable memory foam 5" mattress
Dometic Heike sky/moon roof over bed with access to roof
32' Flatscreen TV on swing away mount
2- Fantastic fans
All windows have screens and open to allow breezes
Rooftop High efficiency A/C
Stainless steel microwave
Dometic 12v/120v AC/DC Fridge with freezer
1" insulated walls sandwiched by fiberglass boards
Composite marine floor with waterproof vinyl covering
Carpeted ceiling height is 7'tall
Built in trash bin/ dirty clothes hamper
Full surround sound system in camper including waterproof exterior speakers
USB/12v outlets throughout with 110 A/C outlets as well

**EXTERIOR**
Electric awning with auto close
Ample outdoor storage- many exterior compartments
Rear trunk storage- seperate generator compartment- Propane compartment
Exterior LED lighting
Hot water/ exterior shower
City water fill station or fresh water tank with 40 psi pump
Wifi Ranger wifi extender to get signal long distances
Keyed storage compartments
Battery access from inside or outside
Rear Rigid LED lights
Front curved LED lightbar in grille
For more pics go to my Google album here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/dZaELJLzDaJP1zSy5

This truck is ready to go anywhere in comfort and style. Call Scott @ 706*394*7653 to take a look. Located near Augusta Georgia
 

jimmydean

The Official Meat of Ridemonkey
Sep 10, 2001
40,941
13,135
Portland, OR
IMG_20190428_173805.jpg


Walls. I will do the middle when I get the window parts. I got the passenger side vapored, I only have one more panel. I still need the door, but the bed will be in next weekend for our first overnight in Eugene week after next.
 

jimmydean

The Official Meat of Ridemonkey
Sep 10, 2001
40,941
13,135
Portland, OR
I got the walls behind the bed painted and the bed mounted almost for sure. The "power assist" on the bed is more like a violent shut on your way out after a fight. They say once the mattress is in place, it will work as expected.

Right now I am waiting on the window parts.

<edit> not sure what to do, the matress we got is only 43 pounds and the bed is spec'd for 80-120. So I hope I can get a lighter shock because I would rather not get a heavier bed. Last resort is I pull the shocks and it's a manual open/close.
 
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Toshi

Harbinger of Doom
Oct 23, 2001
38,032
7,552
I got the walls behind the bed painted and the bed mounted almost for sure. The "power assist" on the bed is more like a violent shut on your way out after a fight. They say once the mattress is in place, it will work as expected.

Right now I am waiting on the window parts.

<edit> not sure what to do, the matress we got is only 43 pounds and the bed is spec'd for 80-120. So I hope I can get a lighter shock because I would rather not get a heavier bed. Last resort is I pull the shocks and it's a manual open/close.
Install moar shimz
 

jimmydean

The Official Meat of Ridemonkey
Sep 10, 2001
40,941
13,135
Portland, OR
Install moar shimz
So it seems this might work. Since I went baller and got the deluxe adjustable kit, they think I can dial it back almost all the way, then add maybe 10# to the end.

The goal is to have the bed stay open, but can close it with 1 finger. I will put the mattress in and adjust it next weekend and add some incremental weight until balance is achieved.

:panic:
 
So it seems this might work. Since I went baller and got the deluxe adjustable kit, they think I can dial it back almost all the way, then add maybe 10# to the end.

The goal is to have the bed stay open, but can close it with 1 finger. I will put the mattress in and adjust it next weekend and add some incremental weight until balance is achieved.

:panic:
This has so much potential...
 

jimmydean

The Official Meat of Ridemonkey
Sep 10, 2001
40,941
13,135
Portland, OR
So the solar gets installed this weekend along with the bulk of the electrical infrastructure. The redneck AC comes today, but my thermostat doesn't get here for another month or more. If I get the base electrical done, Sunday should be a good time to test out the AC.
 

jimmydean

The Official Meat of Ridemonkey
Sep 10, 2001
40,941
13,135
Portland, OR
IMG_20190505_171910.jpg
IMG_20190505_171037.jpg


Dialed the lower ball mount on the bed to 1.5 and it works like a charm. Got the panels up and wired to the charge controller, battery wired, fuze box mounted, 12v outlet, dual USB charger port and power supply for the Chromebook routed. I am very happy with this weekend's progress.