| |
Subject |
Author |
Date Posted |
Forum
|
 |
Sulastic hangers
Has anyone run these replacement hangers with a TC? Seems like the big 5th wheel guys like them.
|
toddb
|
03/10/20 03:05pm |
Truck Campers
|
|
RE: step solutions
https://i.imgur.com/lI4nDlF.jpg
https://imgur.com/lI4nDlF
sorry, not sure why the pic wont link. I use these steps, they come in handy to load water and other things around the rig. The ladder rack doubles as a hand rail.
* Moderator edited image location
|
toddb
|
02/10/20 08:09am |
Truck Campers
|
|
RE: Moisture under mattress solutions please
den dry is another solution.
|
toddb
|
01/26/20 07:56am |
Truck Campers
|
|
RE: New Ford 7.3 Gas
The specs on the Ford 7.3 seem to be about the same as the 6.4 so imagine that would also be a great engine for TC application. The lower end torque is the key. While the 10 speed transmission seems like a good idea, with a load I see it shifting a lot more. So unless the bands are properly designed, I see band wear being an issue if you plan on keeping the vehicle a long time.
See my sig below for mileage and
From what I have seen on dyno runs the hemi seems to make ~330-340lb-ft as does the 6.2, TFL shows the 7.3 putting down over 400. The fords dyno with the bulk of their torque starting around 2k rpm and the hemi seems to come around just before 3k. Just an observation of dyno runs I have researched.
Btw the last band ford had in a truck transmission was the 4r100.
|
toddb
|
01/25/20 07:52am |
Truck Campers
|
|
RE: Cargo trailers with tongue extensions
I just changed trailers. The TC extends about 30" from the hitch. The first trailer was a 77x16' open with a front rail. I used a 2' extension that put the ball about 7" under the camper, the trailer tongue was only 42" due to the width. I could pinch it with the camper legs if I cut it tight. It sucked to back, with the extension and short trailer it turned very fast.
I now have a 18' enclosed with a tongue of 63", the stinger is about 8" out if I remember. Turning sharp isn't much of an issue, just have to keep in mind the jacks have about 3" of clearance over the tongue. The trailer tows like it's that long and backs so much easier. One of our tracks has a short steep incline that hasn't been an issue, more than I have run into anyplace else.
|
toddb
|
01/23/20 07:51am |
Truck Campers
|
|
RE: Artic Fox 990 on F350 DRW
https://i.imgur.com/nMNCGeMl.jpg
This is my setup, 2015 F350 with my 992. I added a bigwig, home made stable loads and air bags. The trailer is 18' 5' tongue so no extension, 4200lbs unloaded and about 7K loaded. I go about 70, pulls great.
|
toddb
|
01/11/20 08:28am |
Truck Campers
|
|
RE: residential refrig.
Have you considered a DC compressor fridge or conversion?
I did the conversion, draws a bit more power than stated but it holds temp on the road.
|
toddb
|
01/07/20 07:00am |
Do It Yourself Modifications and Upgrades (DIY)
|
|
RE: Ladder Rack Accessories..
https://i.imgur.com/wbxGrj1l.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/Tx87MNJl.jpg
I made hooks to store my steps, they rest on the bumper and don't have much wiggle room. Been great thus far, but does partially block the tail light.
Split shaft collars work well. I'm going to make another small rack for the roof to store a 5gal portable waste tank.
|
toddb
|
01/02/20 07:58am |
Truck Campers
|
|
RE: VAN AWNING
you'll want to check out the freedom from carefree of colorado.
|
toddb
|
12/17/19 07:12am |
Do It Yourself Modifications and Upgrades (DIY)
|
|
RE: What Portable Propane Gas Grill Do You Use?
I use a Q1200 with a flat griddle, works great but as mentioned it's a storage issue. My brother switched to a blackstone griddle, looks a like it would work well in the TC.
|
toddb
|
12/17/19 06:49am |
Truck Campers
|
|
RE: Northern Lite - our first summer.
Nice photos!
With your solar setup consider a redarc or ctek dc-dc charger with solar charger built in. I wish I would have found them when I purchased my mppt :(
|
toddb
|
12/01/19 08:21am |
Truck Campers
|
|
RE: Ramblin' 2019 is over!
Thanks! I've also book marked your site. We're planning our road tip for next year and looks like you've been everywhere I want to go!
|
toddb
|
11/24/19 07:56am |
Truck Campers
|
|
RE: Arctic Fox's change to cheaper-looking cabinetry ...
My 2010 is wrapped, other than the color mismatch I'd say it's the same quality.
|
toddb
|
11/14/19 06:13am |
Truck Campers
|
|
RE: 2000 Bigfoot 10.6 Electrical Upgrade/Solar Advice
I have the same battery plan, if I need to I guess. I have a PD 40amp charger and it's not programmable. Maybe others are but I didn't find that when I was shopping, seems most are just 14V power supply with a remote shut off. I have my victron wired to control it and the shunt shows the battery taking 40a from it. I figured it's really not an issue running the gen an extra few minutes than hurting the battery. Just verify that on which ever battery you choose.
I did run this battery to 0 once to test it, the bms disconnected. I was able to charge it fully in just over 2 hours....
|
toddb
|
10/03/19 11:48am |
Truck Campers
|
|
RE: 2000 Bigfoot 10.6 Electrical Upgrade/Solar Advice
Check the battery charge rate, most are 1/2C so for instance battle born would recommend charging at less than 50A. Also you can charge them at 14.4 all the way up, very helpful when running the gen as it cuts down on run time.
|
toddb
|
10/03/19 07:40am |
Truck Campers
|
|
RE: How is this for a power system? Solar vs battery balance?
I have 1 lithium battery, compressor fridge and 300w solar. If I was trying to charge 2 batteries I agree 600w+ would be better.
My fridge will consume 25-30 a/h a night with lows in the mid 70s. I have been able to get a full charge with a good day of sun.
|
toddb
|
09/28/19 01:08pm |
Truck Campers
|
|
RE: Cost of accessories new camper
Existing panel not too neat Thanks
https://i.imgur.com/3dhPZf6l.jpg
is that a big glob of sealant on the panel upper left corner? That'll kill the string.
|
toddb
|
09/16/19 03:56pm |
Truck Campers
|
|
RE: My DC Compressor Fridge conversion in progress
Well I got this squared away and was able to test it. The problem with the temp stall was how notcold measures the temp. The fins get super cold with the compressor fast, since the thermistor is directly on the fin it was short cycling the compressor and the fridge wouldn't come down more. I pulled it off and let it hang just in front of the fins.
Fridge set on 2: Temps recorded by the wireless thermometer.
Started the night before and let run.
Time fridge freezer outside batt soc
8am 36.1 12.7 85.6 75.6
9am 35.1 6.6 85.6 72.6
I bumped the temp to 3 at 9am
9:50 34.7 5.4 90.7 66.4
11:40 34.9 3.7 98.6 57.7
I moved the camper out of the carport to see how well my solar panels would keep up. Not a great solar day, many low puffy clouds.
12:05 turned solar on battery at 57.3 soc fridge set to 1 to try and maintain 38-40*.
13:00 37.2 battery died 95.9 61.7
14:00 38.8 " 97.7 68.2
15:00 38.8 10.9 99.5 73.8
16:00 38.8 7.7 98.2 77.1
17:00 37.9 6.1 95.0 78.0
Compressor speed set with 270ohm resistor and I printed a fan shroud that helped with subcooling.
|
toddb
|
09/12/19 05:01pm |
Truck Campers
|
|
RE: 2000 Bigfoot 10.6 Electrical Upgrade/Solar Advice
toddb: I'm about $850 for 250a/h of AGM Lifeline 31XT batteries. Where are you pricing the $950 lithium and what are the a/h and size?
I will study the Victron Energy website.
The biggest problem I see for lithium batteries is that are killed if they freeze. Do they freeze at 32 degrees like a conventional battery? We often use the camper throughout the winter as we are TX based. Driving through 15-20 degree weather seems like it would potentially freeze & kill them. In storage at the house we can see several days in a row with lows in the low 20s. It is likely I will forget to take them out or be traveling when a front comes through and won't be able to remove them. That's a huge plus for solar on the roof is that I will not kill batteries when not in use as they always get charged.
So 250A/h that you can draw down to 60% correct? 250x.4=100ah of usable battery. Taking them lower can damage them or reduce the number of cycles. 1 battle born 100a/h battery has 99A/h of capacity. They also generate more power when warmer, and they don't die below freezing. All batteries suffer from extreme cold, I grew up in ND and we had block and battery heaters. So they wont charge below ~25 but you can discharge them below 0. Some have heaters built in if its of great concern. Keeping them warm in a tc seems pretty easy to me. You also store them at 40-60%, no floating them, just disconnect. If you wish to remove them they are 30lbs so that makes it easier.
They have come a long way as far as safety, most have a bms to protect against shorting and temp control. So crow baring a lithium is safer than a flooded.
You'll need some sort of battery monitor, it's an additional expense since you can go by voltage to determine battery state.
|
toddb
|
09/12/19 08:04am |
Truck Campers
|
|
RE: 2000 Bigfoot 10.6 Electrical Upgrade/Solar Advice
Visit the lithium setup again. If you're sizing 2 agm batteries @$380ea, that's about 1 $950 lithium. The solar charge rate is better since you can basically bulk charge to 99%. Look at usable amp hours of the battery and realistically what you'll harvest with solar. Victron energy has some nice tools to use for that.
|
toddb
|
09/11/19 01:57pm |
Truck Campers
|
