GratefulOne
Cape Lookout
New Member
Joined: 02/13/2012
View Profile
 Offline
|
As my profile states- I'm not a newbie to TCing but I've never altered my stock Lance Lite since the day I got it. I loaded up and went fishing and never looked back.
13 years later I'm hankering to make some mods to help me out when I hit Portsmouth and other remote destinations. I plan on adding both side&rear awnings for shade, a back deck for grilling&washing sandy waders down, a roof rod rack, and some kind of generator storage system.
As every one of you know- space is a precious commodity & the weight of your add-on's better be well thought out. I've had some rear&front rack clearance problems on some ferry crossings so the back deck will have to be a flip up.
My Lance 'Time Capsule' is in my profile if you care to take a look. I've lurked around the 'how-to' sections and found lots of useful info but would love your comments or suggestions along the way. I'll do my best to post photos 'before & after'.
GratefulOne
|
Reddog1
El Dorado, CA
Moderator
Joined: 03/09/2004
View Profile
|
Welcome to the forum.
Give us some photos of what you have now. That would make it easier to see exactly what you are working with.
Wayne
|
D.E.Bishop
Eagle Rock, CA
Senior Member
Joined: 08/09/2001
View Profile
Offline
|
I don't have a TC but I do RV and I do Fish. I had a preference for one piece rods for years and had some trouble on long trips with storage in our four wheeler, when we bought the Bounder we suddenly had tons of storage space but without putting something on the top or sides where I couldn't see it, I went into the storage bays. I bought 3" lightweight plastic drainage pipe, (no holes) and end caps that will fit in the pass through bins and went to two piece rods. There are thousands of construction and maintenance workers that carry stuff in plastic tubes from (usually) 3" up to about 8" on top of their trucks. I looked at these and sort of copied them for my brothers work truck but of a quick disconnect type so on Monday morning his boss wouldn't see the mods. Many phone company trucks have cast aluminum, lockable end caps and if you can get a look at them they usually have the mfg's name on them. I suggest starting there for storage on top of your rig. Just MNTBHO.
"I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel's sake. The great affair is to go". R. L. Stevenson
David Bishop
1990 Bounder 27D
1995 Suzuki Sidekick 4X4
Stowmaster 5000
|
GratefulOne
Cape Lookout
New Member
Joined: 02/13/2012
View Profile
Offline
|
Wayne- thanks! Here is my Lance Lite for short bed Ford F250. Like I said, it is all stock. I'm not looking for power awnings or power anything really. I'm all about functionality versus 007 type gear.
Sbishop, thanks for your input. I have a cousin who is a surveyor...just need to fab up a rack up top or on the side of the camper to rig some pipes to and load them up! All my rods are 2 piece break downs, so I can load rods up rather easily and store reels in a different compartment.
I'll have to admit the back deck/porch is one of the mods I'm really in need of badly. Tracking in beach sand is rough on the camper. I've seen some fisherman just set up a partial 55gal drum with some water in it to step in before they enter. I personally want to be able to get up off beach- sit my arse down, and shuck off the waders to go in to get a bite or to rest.
|
Reddog1
El Dorado, CA
Moderator
Joined: 03/09/2004
View Profile
|
Do you have any photos of the back of your TC.
Many of us have fabricated decks for back. You may want to try a search, as well as asking the questions. Many considerations, how you use your TC, do you tow, do you want it large enough for chairs, do you want it removable, and the list goes on.
Wayne
|
|
|
GratefulOne
Cape Lookout
New Member
Joined: 02/13/2012
View Profile
Offline
|
Wayne,
I'll take some good shots of the 'Time Capsule' from behind. I do not tow but I do indeed plan to utilize the back deck as a platform to do grilling and sit chairs on. It will have to support 2 or 3 grown men. I fully intend to do it out of aluminum of course with diamond plate flooring you typically see on truck tool boxes. I have (2) sheets in my possession as I type but I do not have the square tubing to frame it up with.
The biggest problem is attaching it and making the platform stable enough to do everything I want it to do and be able to scissor up and out of the way for travel. Ferry's charge you by the total length of your rig here- so I don't want to add to my co$t. I utilize the front rack to store ice coolers and smaller items (luggage etc). Fishing supplies take up lots and lots of space along with cookware. It is a constant challenge- what to take and what to leave behind.
|
sleepy
Oak Ridge,Tennessee
Senior Member
Joined: 04/07/2003
View Profile
|
Welcome to the forum Greg
I looked at your webpage... been through your area in North Carolina many times but its been awhile.
I imagine a lot of people will want to come over and help with the mods and the fishing.
As I'm sure that you have picked up the PM (private mail) feature...sometimes that will get you an answer to a specific question pretty quick... It will send an email to the person you are trying to reach.
Good luck, I hope that I'll be able to be helpful.
Sleepy
2003 Lance 1161,/slideout/AGM batteries/255W Solar/propane generator/Sat dish/2 Fantastic Fans/AC/winter pkg
AirFoil, Trimetric, LED lights, Platcat vent heat
2003GMC K3500 LT/Crewcab/duramax diesel/allison/dually/4x4/OnStar/front reciever mounted spare
|
big whitey
raleigh,nc
Senior Member
Joined: 03/21/2011
View Profile
Offline
|
may want to rethink the awnings as they are a pain to use on the beach(wind).
|
Reddog1
El Dorado, CA
Moderator
Joined: 03/09/2004
View Profile
|
I have removed my TC jacks and use the jack mounting brackets, with or without the jacks, for mounting Unistrut. Working off the Unistruts, you can bolt pivot points and cable hangers for the rear ward supports.
These photos may give you an idea how the Unistruts can work as a base for your project. Notice I have mounted my Honda generator mount and step to the Unistrut, without defacing my TC.
This is without using trim to cover the Unistrut.
The oblong holes are used to bolt the Unistrut to the TC jack mount brackets. This photo does not show the other side of the Unistrut, but it is open, kinda lick a channel, and receives the rectangular nut. There are many brackets available for the Unistrut at your typical box building supply/hardware store.
This is after trimming the Unistrut.
Wayne
|
nycsteve
NY
Senior Member
Joined: 01/26/2008
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
Couple of thoughts, as I use my Lance for beach camping/fishing. As mentioned, awnings are a problem in a stiff breeze. I never use the awning on the beach for that reason.
A flip down porch would block entry to the door ? Inconvienant and weighty.
I wait till I get home to rinse my waders, I dont want to waste my water. Does Portsmouth Island have water?
My best mode , for beach camping or any kind of off grid stay is the 125 watt solar panel . Invaluable .
I mounted my rods on the interior cieling, Im to lazy to climb to the roof.
|
|
|
