Car Camping / Trip Reports / Photos / Buildouts / “Overland” / Expedition Rigs Area (homeless?)

First time poster?

Truck looks good man!

 

Check out this GLAMP magic

Glamp AF.
GAF is replacing EAF.
Cats outta the bag, tell your friends you're glampers,
Just come out of the RTT already.

 

Hey guys I know I beat this to death. But ain't nobody else talking so screw it. Went to the auto parts store to look at Barteries. So they have 2 group 31s. One is over 1000 cca, and one is a marine battery with 550 cca, 105 ah. My truck came stock with a 540 cca battery, they smallest amp replace entry they have is 700 cca. 75 ah. So what would be the best choice here if I am adding 200 watts of solar. Let the 31 take the camp load, keep it true direct dual batteries with solar charging both, or split them up with a nice mppt that has a spot for loads and spots to charge two seperate batteries?

 

I love this pic. I could handle that for 3 or 6 weeks at a time in middle of nowhere.

 

I just noticed the title of this thread changed and it took me forever to find it lol.




One question I have for you all is what methods have you all came up with to cut down on cleaning/storing time after your trips. I feel like I have cut my time in half with totes and the RTT. Loading junk up has been much easier and accessible now, but when I get home and have to clean up everything I feel like its about an entire day job. Anybody else found any easier methods to putting your equipment away after usage?

 

Totes or any sort of organized storage go a long way. Those yellow top boxes from Lowe's/HD are wonderful.

I have a "kitchen tote" with coleman stove, and all the kitchen stuff (towels, trash bags, wash basins) with a smaller tupperware inside that holds all the utensils and spatulas, etc. That sits perfectly on top of my folding table for said kitchen along with a blue ikea duffle full of the dry goods (with little tupperwares for protecting chips, bananas, etc...

Cooler is packed towards the tailgate behind the kitchen storage for access and I can just slide it forward a foot onto the tailgate when parked. This takes the left side of the bed.

Right side has several bundles of firewood towards the front, and maybe a few things towards the back if I have company.

In the cab is my mtn bike riding gear on the back passenger seat with a big first aid kit in the center (these are full time in truck items). Next to it on the back drivers seat is 1 small duffle with clothing.

On the floor behind the console is my goalzero charger brick. Fits perfectly, plus a little solar panel on top (Nomad 7 maybe?).

Load plan is usually:

0. (Depending on trip or if already loaded) Gas and Water jerrys against front of bed
1. Table and kitchen box (light enough to carry by myself)
2. Cooler plus food bag
3. Firewood
4. Battery brick and solar charger plus clothes duffle on my back
5. Tool box in bed or behind pax front seat on floor
6. That last trip to convince yourself you haven't forgotten anything, but probably have, but actually haven't but still survive somehow...
7. 100 yards down the street: Did I lock my front door?

From getting home from work to on the road is usually 30ish minutes if I even remotely plan ahead (pack clothes, get groceries the night before)

The unload after a long trip always sucks; No way around it. Especially when you get home at 3pm on a Sunday and it is 100 degrees outside. I usually take 1 trip as I walk into my apartment, sit and have a beer, wait for the sun to go down, then unpack. Maybe sneak a nap in too.

Partial picture:


Edit:
A little better idea

 

Yeah I have the loading down pretty well it's the unloading junk that sucks lol. Got 3 Storage bins, 1 Kitchen supplies, 1 Tools, 1 miscellaneous items. In the cab is my bag, camera equipment, and my dog. Still seems like when I get home it takes twice as long to unload stuff and clean off everything. I usually do the same. Carry what I can in, take a nap, eat, shower, then unload. I'm thinking some onboard water would make things a little easier. Like cleaning off some mud and cooking stuff right there to store back in the bin instead of when I get home.

 

I just leave the truck dirty and every few weeks give it a good cleanse. I'm away often enough that it doesn't make sense to detail it every sunday.

For the unload, its all about momentum. If you stop for any reason, you're done. Just do it. Chronologically it takes the same amount of time, but it sure as hell doesn't feel that way.

If I have someone else in the truck, I may guilt them into helping me take the cooler and totes inside. Helps out a little.

 

My dog is a dick, he won't do anything besides eat whatever food is left over!

 

Makes the cooler lighter...

My friends are dicks...they get all weird when I try to give them a tummy rub. Rubbish fetchers too...

 

I was just about to recommend the same thing. I swear by my @ProForce onboard water supply. Never have to deal with nasty-ass dirty dishes on the drive home or unloading.

 

Would the bed outlet power a small pump ya think?

 

I've looked heavily at that kit, and I want to like it. But the dust and elements issue with the fittings is always what holds me up.

 

I think you convinced me to do a DIY version in a pelican type case...

 

I have a portable power bank that i built. Works great for charging phones, lighting, etc. I should rig up a water pump to it.

 

Speaking of.... There is 1 left for sale

 

Just gonna leave this here

 

Has 3 12volt batteries inside that I got from portable Xray ray machines. These suckers are sweet, hospital grade, push out about as much power as the yeti goal zero 400 i'd say if not a little more. I have these 3 inside then 3 back up ones. Just tested it this weekend for the first time and it barely lost any charge over the weekend running the camp LED's.

 

Hummingbird sighting! Heard it, then it checked out the red caps on the 5g water containers. No nectar so on to something fruitful.

Eurovan is doing OK on the voyage. Fridge is spotty on LP, but that's not a surprise, anybody that's had an LP fridge has experienced LP problems. Furnace is working fine, CEL went away. It will never be a great hill climber, but it's a decent self-contained unit.

Laptop charging from a Samlex 150W inverter plugged into 12v off the coach battery, Pic of three former units I've owned, Gen1 Tundra, a split window VW bus and a Trailmanor trailer, figured I'd get a pic in Green River.