Astrocat with a Habitat

Looking good man! You made good use out of that cabinet framing.

 

Yeah, that aluminum framing is pretty great. Took a trick taking it apart at first, but managed alright.

 

https://www.westmarine.com/buy/plas...k-26-4gal-27-1-2-x-41-3-8--296907?recordNum=4

This is what I am running. I was thinking hard tank, but didn't like the idea of sloshing during tense moments, the bladder stays nice and flat/low In the chassis and even half full there is no sloshing around.

It's easy for gravity feed off our water line.

 

The night I stayed in Death Valley there was such high winds that one of the plastic c-hooks that holds the side brows open broke off. Since then I've been improvising with loops of Paracord, and I tried to look for replacement plastic c-hooks but could not find the same thing. Instead I found a substitute that I think is a huge improvement.

ITW G-Hook flat
http://milspecmonkey.com/store/hardware-diy/369-itw-g-hook-flat.html

I ordered a pack of 10 of these and they work great to hook the strap looped around the anchor. By using two additional ones I can even still secure the loop on the skirt which I didn't feel was important but it's nice to retain that function.

 

Must remember this one.

 

..so you are leaving this strap in place?

ok makes sense now that i did this #mooglemod

 

You mean when I close it am I leaving the straps attached to the anchor? No.

The hooks easily detach but can stay on the strap while it is loose. So they basically function the same way the original plastic c-hooks do, but do it much better.

 

Elegant!

 

Love the build. Excellent work and thanks for the strap hint.

 

Finished the cabinet and got it mounted to the bed. I may still try to add carpeting to the top.

 

Got notification today that
my replacement parts and supplies are on their way.

Zero hassle, 100% satisfied with how they have handled this issue under warranty.

@Moogle the aluminum frame for the driver side box... tell me more!

 

what happened

 

yeah mine leaks but i hope to have that fixed shortly

 

I wish it was leaking seams.

I was the first to get the new thick sleep platform on a short bed.

Long story short, I had holes forming on the tent from where the tent was grinding on the platform edge.

Emailed them the day after I took delivery letting them know. Met up with Mario a few days later on the road and he confirmed the issue. The platforms were removed from the lineup till they could get them redesigned.

They offered to have the new tent installed if I could get back to the shop, but by this time we had about 12hr before our drop-dead time to make it back home for work. So we couldn't make it happen.

I was waiting for them to get the new platform and a tent ahead in production, which shipped out yesterday.

 

gotcha, I have a lil wear from making contact with center wood platform that holds tent from falling in bed. short bed as well. few other issues but I think we are getting them figured out. I live about 15mins from the shop

 

Glad to hear it's getting taken care of.

The aluminum framing is called Quick Frame, like this stuff here:
https://8020.net/catalog/category/view/s/shop/id/837/?cat=380

Basically you just cut it to length and join it together with press fit joints. It's pretty nifty, but for my next attempt I'll probably try using T-slotted framing like how Goose Gear makes their cabinets.

 

Starting to dive into OB water. I took a chance on an cheap rotomolded RV tank from Amazon, and it fits absolutely perfectly in the gap behind the slide and cabinet.




It holds 15 gallons and has 3 1/2" female threaded ports and one 1" unthreaded. Debating if I should bite the bullet and buy a pump for it before my trip in a week, or just wait and use it gravity drain for now. Still trying to plan out the plumbing. Also need to figure out how I'm securing it.

 

We run a 1" reenforced poly water line into a schedule 40 ball check valve. Line goes from the bladder to the tailgate down the left edge of the wheel well and between the fridge and bed. We then have about 2' extra line coiled at the tail gate. Just hold the line below the water level on the tank and open. Simple and effective.

This is going to be changed to a low pressure water pump through some filter elements. We filled the tank at a friend's in Phoenix before we set off, and found their tap water to taste like crap. Decided a pass through britta was needed if we wanted to supply he tank.

As for securing it...We run a 24gal bladder in a plywood box, so can't help you much here. That said, I've been mounting aircraft track to my bed for mounting everything under the sun. I found some cheap track at Northern Tool. I chuck it into my bench vise, then chamfer the bottom corners a bit. This lends them to drop right between the bed ribs.

 

This is the cheap one that I have. Helps to conserve water. Just hook up the pump in-line, add a sediment filter, and get 12 volt power to it. Quick release valved fittings are convenient, but not necessary.

https://www.kleen-ritecorp.com/p-37...MI8-z2hZXM1QIVS5J-Ch3FewgZEAQYASABEgLN8_D_BwE

Very similar to Jim's setup with the Seaflo.

 

Are planning on doing a hot water system with the engine?