Tacofort's 2017 Toyota Tacoma TRD PRO Build with AT Habitat

Here are some great pictures of this habitat. I have had my eye on it for a long time bud didn't own a Tacoma. Now that I have that part resolved it's time to get serious about the topper. I'm glad to hear you love it.

https://www.blessthisstuff.com/stuff/vehicles/cars/tacoma-habitat-shell/

 

Those are stock photos of one of the early prototypes. There have been a bunch of little subtle changes since then. Adventure Trailers and team have been great to work with. Where are you located?

 

New toys on the way for next month. Combo slide, stove and awning.
Stoked.

 

Hit some gnarly rocks at SMORALLY when I was off-roading last. Found some trail damage. Nothing big thanks to armor, but scratched wheel and the plate on the passenger slider got bent upward a touch. Armor is so critical. I will do it again.

 

That’s a nasty scratch/gouge.

 

Grand Rapids Michigan. I moved here a few years ago and will soon be looking for the place where the Tacos congregate. I'm glad to hear this hab has survived. I love the idea for all the reasons you stated. Plus my wife and I can trailer motorcycles behind it and stop anywhere to rest.

 

Good looking rig! We have had the habitat on our taco for about a year now, super easy to use and the truck still wheels well! You can check it out on our YouTube videos, here is the most recent:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jd5A9rx8gzg

 

Slowly building it up. What options or mods have you done to your habitat? What suspension are you running?

 

Fox 2.5 extended travel with Remote reservoirs, DSC Adjusters and 700# springs installed. SPC Light Racing UCAs installed as well. I'll get more pics, took none during the install for some reason, but snagged a couple this morning. Just glad it's done. Rides really well, still need to do something with the sway bar interference, and getting an alignment tonight. Glad that nose isn't diving down anymore.

 

I am curious to see how you like the Nemo Awning, I purchased the Manta 270 for the Habitat. I don't think I will have time to get it installed until this fall though, I have some parts I need to machine first. Getting ready to move to Florida.

 

TRD PRO suspension for sale. Local pickup only. PM for price Cincinnati OH area/Northern Kentucky
20000 miles on rears 25000 on front. Mostly highway driving. a few minor scratches on the rears, but in great condition otherwise.

 

Had a busy day Saturday. Smoked 4 pork butts and made the mounts for the solar panel and test fit the panel. Still needs to be wired, but that involves silicone and drilling holes in the lid of the habitat, which is best done with 2 people in dry weather. Happy with how the panel turned out. I Could mount a second one if needed, but we are going to see if 1 panel will be sufficient. I will likely paint the aluminum black , but this worked for now while it was being test fit. The L track and fittings are super easy to work with and install.



I also finished the wiring for the dual battery system and tested the ML-ACR with all of my stuff. I have relocated the power for my added fuse block to come from the auxiliary battery. Went really well and happy with the installation.



This should have me ready for installation of the fridge, wiring for the solar panel, mounting of the charge controller, and some power monitoring things I have had planned. All of this is to happen this upcoming weekend. Should be a good one.

 

..what is your plan for connecting solar panel into battery system? i'm thinking c-tek ,but not certain compatibility with MLACR

 

Just a regular MPPT charge controller. I ordered

$80 Renogy Rover 20A 12V/24V Auto DC Input MPPT Solar Charge Controller Parameter Adjustable LCD Display Solar Panel Regulator fit for Gel Sealed Flooded and Lithium Battery, Rover 20A,black

this. My plan is pretty straight forward. Mount the Charge controller on the side wall of the habitat using rivet nuts. Run power through the lid using

$10 Link Solar Weatherproof ABS Solar Double Cable Entry Gland,Curved Cable Connector for All Cable Types 2mm² to 6mm² for Rv, Campervan, Boat (Black)

this for the penetration and

$20 GEOCEL 28103 Pro Flex Black RV Flexible Sealant - 10 oz. (GC28103)

this to seal it .
Down the road, I will have a portable solar panel to setup at a multi day camp. For now, this is meant to charge the truck and protect my batteries when I don't drive it from parasitic losses. Also, like the idea of running a fridge with drinks in the back. I will use 10 AWG tinned marine wire for the panels to controller and controller to the primary battery. The cool thing about solar, your battery doesn't care where it is getting juice from. Also, the ML-ACR doesn't care either. It senses a voltage differential that the voltage is increasing on the primary side and will automatically latch and begin charging both batteries. And the best way to utilize solar is with a MPPT controller. (Redarc makes a product that uses a similar algorithm for optimizing charge, but then would only provide for 1 battery.) The thought is I will be able to charge both batteries (though not quickly with only 100 Watts). I'll do some testing and see what happens.

 

Just looked up something. The ML-ACR will Latch or tie together the two banks if it senses charging voltage on either battery.

https://www.bluesea.com/resources/1366

 

I like the ML-ACR, the latching 'noise' is pretty familiar now, every start-up. I'm just wanting to get a portable solar unit set-up, and have the CteK product in mind. I've been using a refrigerator and feel pretty confident with dual battery/ML-ACR, as long as I'm running the truck every day, but want the portable flexi panel as trickle charging if I stay one place a couple days. From what you say above then, I'll just connect the MPPT unit direct to primary battery. currently have a Group31 as accessory unit, and a Group35 as starter, not ideal but working.

 

Sounds like a very similar setup to mine. As much as I would like the group 31 for my house battery, as the primary, it is good for what the winch may require, so it seems reasonable to me. Good luck with your system and feel free to ask any questions or provide any tips you may come up with.

 

I have the CTEK system, no solar wired in yet. I love the system, it is literally set it/forget it. MLACR would work with the system, you really shouldn't need it unless you were using it to bypass the non vital output circuit. Hit me up with a PM on your plan, I spent over a year designing my electrical system, I weighed so many options and went through so many circles, kept going back to one key point....Simplicity.

 

Is your secondary battery system completely isolated from the stock electrical system?

 

Stock electrical system? I have an ML-acr (active charging relay) that cuts out around 12.7 volts and isolates the 2 batteries and recombines after 2 mins at 13V or above. Works great. Standard alternator for now.