Campers
- Thread starter johnbryanpeters
- Start date
My Curt 31018 front receiver got delivered today, 55 pounds. Etrailer install video seems straight forward enough that minimal cussing and skinned knuckles will be involved (yeah right, I'm gonna make a sailor blush)
I can rent a Porsche. I cannot rent a tracked snow jeep. I want to rip through the snowy woods in that bitch way more...
That rig is insane. I've seen it in action. @gonefirefightin has all the best toysI can rent a Porsche. I cannot rent a tracked snow jeep. I want to rip through the snowy woods in that bitch way more...
So I had a break in the weather and decided to tackle the front receiver install. The receiver is a Curt 31018 specific to the F350 4x4, My 2011 fits the model yr range of this product. I watched the online video and it made the install look easy, It was. Start to finish took less than an hour. Fishing the bolts through the frame was a piece of cake using the supplied hardware. The biggest pain in the but is that without a life or putting the truck on ramps or jack stands it was really hard to get leverage on my big torque wrench and crank the bolts to 110/ft pounds. my shoulders and arms got a work out
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Thats slick. I want to do a side hatch if I get that far
All I need now is construction materials and insulation. My seat pedestals get here tomorrow. Everything else is in the front room we don't use.
Which box has the Pizza Oven in it?
My Brother doesn't think this is a good idea. I knew I should have not given him my Welder. He never uses it anyways.
If only. The box with the seat on it is a 21" oven with 3 top burners. The front is 9500btu, the rears are 6500btu. I need to order the bifold cover.
I also still need my propane tank and exhaust vent fan. Ugh.
Pardon my ignorance but what's going on with your hubcaps? Going full Yul Brinner?So I had a break in the weather and decided to tackle the front receiver install. The receiver is a Curt 31018 specific to the F350 4x4, My 2011 fits the model yr range of this product. I watched the online video and it made the install look easy, It was. Start to finish took less than an hour. Fishing the bolts through the frame was a piece of cake using the supplied hardware. The biggest pain in the but is that without a life or putting the truck on ramps or jack stands it was really hard to get leverage on my big torque wrench and crank the bolts to 110/ft pounds. my shoulders and arms got a work out
Bought the truck used out of Texas. covered in redneck chrome, It came with chromed steel spiked lugnuts. Full on MAD MAX. they will shred steel and flesh. Wifey liked em so they stayed, then she got vanity plates for it that reads MADMAXY
the actual cap is just the center part by the spikes. the rest is aluminum front dually rim.
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Why no wheelie bars, headers, huge ass blower with hood scoop, and rear spoiler?
Very expensive too.
more "evaluating options"
The word "diesel" gives me nocturnal sweats.
One of the things that put me off getting a Sprinter 4x4, that and the lead times here.
Glad we got a gas truck instead, need to hurry up and get the camper though...
48# seat pedestal with zero wobble and Alcantara wheel for easy access. Not a fan of the swivel one I got the wife, so the hunt continues.
Spent a lot of time yesterday talking to the solar folks and there has been a change. I am returning the range (GFF convinced me it was too big) and mini fridge and am getting a 5 cuft 3 way fridge.
Also not using the heat pump due to power needs. I expanded the solar to 400w and ordered a second 200ah battery. Using a 12v wall heater, will figure out cooling needs later.
Ordered the 170A alternator and got a 200A isolator vs the 160A I originally got. Lots of trial and error, but I haven't mounted anything yet.
Also not using the heat pump due to power needs. I expanded the solar to 400w and ordered a second 200ah battery. Using a 12v wall heater, will figure out cooling needs later.
Ordered the 170A alternator and got a 200A isolator vs the 160A I originally got. Lots of trial and error, but I haven't mounted anything yet.
JD look at this Coleman AC that can run just using a single Honda/ yamaha 2200 generator
https://www.airxcel.com/coleman-mach/products/air-conditioners/ultra-low-profile/mach-8/mach-8-cub
https://www.airxcel.com/coleman-mach/products/air-conditioners/ultra-low-profile/mach-8/mach-8-cub
I know I will end up running a generator, I am just making it the last thing. The heat pump I want would run no issues off a 2k gen.
Looking at your front mount, I was thinking I could build a box off my rear bumper and secure it there, or a hitch would also work off the back.
After spending a grand on the fridge (1000% over budget), I need to let the bank account breathe.
For those keeping track:
$8500 spent to date (+/-$100)
$3300 left on the list 'o crap to buy still
If I can do this thing right for less than $15k I feel like I will have won. North of $18k and it was a losing venture.
Holy hell, so the 3 way might be out. I didn't know the 120v)12v 2 way is more efficient on 12v than the 3 way by a lot. So I will take the 5 cuft 3 way back and get the 4.2 cuft 2 way instead.
The 3 way burns forever on gas, but draws 18A on 12v vs the 2 way only pulling 3.8A. While gas as an option would be nice, less than a 4A draw would be minimal even without much sun.
The 3 way burns forever on gas, but draws 18A on 12v vs the 2 way only pulling 3.8A. While gas as an option would be nice, less than a 4A draw would be minimal even without much sun.
Why would they be so different? Are you comparing apples to apples, or very different models/sizes or something?
Having a 3-way fridge is really great off grid. My van has a dedicated 5-gallon propane tank on board for the fridge and 2-burner stove. It's super nice to know the food will be cold and that we can cook regardless of any power issues. That said, if you're gonna have a generator, 2-way might be fine for you. (I don't have (or want) a generator on board.)
Having a 3-way fridge is really great off grid. My van has a dedicated 5-gallon propane tank on board for the fridge and 2-burner stove. It's super nice to know the food will be cold and that we can cook regardless of any power issues. That said, if you're gonna have a generator, 2-way might be fine for you. (I don't have (or want) a generator on board.)
12v only with Danfoss compressor is the way to go. Add insulation to the fridge cabinet, it helps a lot. With a good amount of solar and alternator charging I don't see the use for a generator, unless you like to annoy the crap out of other campers. 
It has to do with the compressor and propane burner. The electric only take up less space and the compressor uses WAY less electric. I thought the 2 and 3 were essentially the same, but the refrigeration method is actually quite different.
Also a 12v fridge can be up to a 30 degree angle vs having to be level to function.
Let's clarify that.
The difference is not the driving voltage, it's compressor vs absorption refrigeration.
That was my point about the refrigeration method, I had no idea they were that different. I just wish I would have known before I picked this one up.
Yeah, I saw that you understood it... good luck!That was my point about the refrigeration method, I had no idea they were that different. I just wish I would have known before I picked this one up.