AT Habitat, Atlas, & Summit Pictures, ideas, aaand BS

Does the reflectix on the panels help much?

 

probably no more than carpet would

 

i live in whitefish but haven't camped at many

 

https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/idaho/magruder-corridor-scenic-drive

 

Fantastic route. Was the last two days of travel, and a fine way to wrap up 2wks in the woods.

If anyone takes this route, be sure to brave the climb to the Burnt Knob lookout, and stay a night at the Paradise campground. We expanded a small reef in the river to make a nice soaking pool.

 

Glad it was worth it! I'm working on making a Montana BDR if anyone has any GPX or KMZ tracks of their favorite Montana routes let me know, I have been linking some up. (also ones with fly fishing spots)

 

Has anyone installed a Propex heater and would be willing to post some shots of their set up?

 

Haven't gotten there yet.... probably a project for next spring, would be interested to see peoples setups as well.

 

Ditto this, also some winter camping setups. Trying to see if I need a three sided awning for my winter fly fishing trips.

 

Finally got around to installing some USB and 12V accessory ports. Luckily I have small fingers. It's tough getting the big nut on the backside of the plug screwed on. I did USB on the top hole on driver and passenger sides, then a couple 12Vs on the passenger side.

 

Where you pulling power from?

 

I have a box in the bed of the truck that serves as electrical box and fridge platform. It's on the passenger side, so just a few feet of wire was needed to reach the Blue Sea fuse panel in the box.

 

I'm bagging the taco. Will be selling my timbrens.

 

DEAVERS! No bags to fail and still ride AWESOME!

Though I do know bags are a great option. And far cheaper than a full new leaf pack.

 

Leafs are good when running constant load. They suck when you have variance in your load. Camping is ~600lbs more than daily driving.

Good leafs for daily are not the same as good leafs for camping; Devers or not.

since the load that warrants stronger springs is only a few weeks a year, the bags are a better option. If I was full time on the trail or even more than 6mo/yr, then custom leafs would be in order.

Running Dakar with the

$74 D29XL Old Man Emu Dakar Extra Leaf Spring

D29XL and first overload flipped. Ride is great and carries the load wonderfully for camping. Just the unladen quality is meh at best.

Plus, pushbif a button and the camper is level for the night. No more maxtrax shimming of the corners.

 

I thought my buddy was a bit full of it when he said the new springs would be progressive enough that it wouldn't ride like a brick unloaded. I was wrong, he was right. And i'm not saying unloaded completely, i'm talking weight of the habitat. And I got the beefiest, non-custom, pack they had readily available, the expedition stage 3. Supposed to be 2-3 inch lift with 700lbs constant. Neither my wife or I had any complaints on the ride the first few weeks we drove around with the Habitat empty. Now that I have another 200lbs (fridge, batteries, etc) in there full time it's amazing. I'm not saying it's a Cadillac, i'm just saying it is FAR better than the OEM shocks and TSB springs.

Now when we go camping we add at least a couple hundred more pounds to the bed, and I can hook up my car trailer with toys and i'm blown away with the improvement. And I never have to air up a bag.

I'm sure Deaver isn't the only spring out there that can make this kind of improvement across a broad range of weight, it is just the one that i've had experience with. And every time I hop in i'm glad I got them.

 

And I gotta use my MaxTrax for SOMETHING!!!

 

It's also the 2-3" of lift I am currently 2.5" higher in the rear with the Dakars.. goofy rake is goofy.

I've run Dever and Alcans at different points in my life. At this juncture and need, the bags are my best bet.

If I were going custom leafs, I'd do a spring under conversion while I was at it. I appreciate the input though. My bags will be a goal, not the bandaid most use them as.

 

Speaking of leveling, what does everyone do to level the habitat before bed? What works best?

 

MaxTrax and rocks for me so far. I've thought about airing up/down a tire before, but never tried it.

And to add to his question, has anyone ever glued on a set of those little levels like on some RV trailers? I've thought about it, but figure eyeballing it has been getting me close enough. not like i can easily adjust it anyhow.