"RL needs a BS thread" Long-distance road trips, camper mods, and BS

The Why:


This is dedicated to the old fashioned, long distance, great 'Murican road trip. I've rolled a few more towing miles than the average bear, but rather than post a boring report every time the pop-up camper moves, I'm going to consolidate here.

But more importantly, its a space to exchange ideas, cool places to see, and general thread derailment. Where have you been? What did you discover? What tips and tricks can you impart? What's your opinion on the worst brand of 3D printer filament?


The What:

This is my weapon of choice.



A pop-up camper. 2017 Flagstaff 206STSE. Its seen some abuse and incredibly it still rolls.


The Where:


https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/big-bend-to-terlingua-you-took-a-trailer-where.783725/

 

Camper Mods

Electrical:

• 120 Ah LiFePO4 battery
• replaced electrical panel/convertor to handle charging lithium off of shore power
• installed Battery Monitor system
• 200W folding solar panels
• 4 USB charging outlets for phones and stuff
• installed blue puddle lights around frame rails
• converted running lights/ tail lights, interior lights to LED
• installed manual disconnect switches to radio and external speaker (stops the bluetooth from pinging my phone when towing)
• replaced internal speakers with infinity reference
• rear view camera and wireless TPMS system

Mechanical:

• Installed BAL lock-arms on stabilizer jacks (stops the trailer from rockin')
• Piano hinges on storage cubbies
• bottle opener and magnet installed, because of course.
• Interior cabinetry repainted
• Bed trays lined with 0.5" gymnasium mat
• Reflectx liners cut to fit windows for extra hot days

Organizational:

• Hanging shoe organizers to store crap
• Folding mattress pad to double the thickness of the mattress
• Shelves installed in storage trunk

 

Breakdowns and repair stories
Major Breaks:


Leaf spring collapse, Hatteras Island, Outer Banks:




So this interrupted my day. I hit a bump while rushing to catch the ferry, and bam, all of a sudden the tire started smoking. I pulled over to find this. Passenger leaf was toast and irreparable. Not a mechanic for 50 miles. Panic? No, its time to nut up and get things done.

So I improvised.




I flipped the tacoma jack upside down and set it over the U-bolts. Then I ratchet strapped everything in place. Boom, we were mobile again. This worked shockingly well, the trailer moved beautifully all the way back to Nag's Head.


2 hours behind the nearest NAPA:






and we are back on the road.






Lessons learned: I can't say how relieved I am that I remembered to take along reduntant jacks, straps, and tools. I would not have been able to self-rescue and continue the trip without them.





Minor Breaks:

Lift winch rebuild - 2022:

The roof wouldn't stay up on a local camping trip. Replaced the pawl clutch and gear. That fixed it.




Water filter dumbassery - 2021:

Turns out, storing a big dutch oven next to the water pump system and then doing a bit of spirited offroading is not the greatest idea. In the field, I managed to bypass the broken filter housing so that I could at least have water. I replaced the whole housing system when I got home.

 

West Virginia to Outer Banks:





New River Gorge:

















Natural Bridge, VA












Outer Banks:



















And then this crap happened



So backtrack to the interior we went

 

For all those threads that ask if the Tacoma can tow it....

 

I always forget how the MGM really pops when it's shined up. I always ride with it a little dirty, and the car is so unremarkable that it's invisible. But with a little wax, now I remember why I bought such a boring color.

 

Sub'd

 

Am I correct in remembering you have a 2 WD? Or was that another truck?

Either way, the overlander vendors are gonna hate you. You don't have enough stuff or stickers.

 

Youre right, I'm the fool that uses a 2WD to pull a cheap trailer into places a cheap trailer shouldn't go.








No one ever accused me of not having enough stuff or stickers though.

 

@Rock Lobster made out to New River Gorge this weekend. Didn't know about it until I stumbled on this tread.

 

Nice! Looks like you hit peak color change. What did you see there?




I really enjoyed the park, it has a lot of potential, but I can also see where it could use development to connect viewpoints. I got tired of driving in, seeing one thing, driving out, then driving back in to see the next thing. Some good hiking though.

 

Didn't get there til early afternoon and there were a lot of people. Went to the viewpoint at the top and then walked along the river a little. I saw the guided tour that it said takes 45 minutes. Not sure why maybe to stop at some of the pull offs. It's kinda congested in general there.

 

While goofing around a pumpkin patch/light display I spotted this thing off by it's lonesome, neatly tucked behind the bar barn.





...should, uh, should I get in it?







Yeah.

 

Some how I missed this thread before. All the pics didn't disappoint, but I could have spent a day just following around a Tacoma pulling 2 Jeeps with a trailer and a dolly. You just don't see that everyday.

 

Random 3D printing stuff- I'm working on another can coozie mug. Two thoughts - one, I forgot how pleasant wood filled plastic smells when it's extruding, and two, I'm going to have to stay up late tonight to manually change colors. My fault for being too lazy to code.

 

Had some wine and cider in the Tx hill country that was overdue for pick up.


... Sounds like a decent excuse for a NYE weekend camp trip to me..

 

Imagine for a second an old Greyhound bus that's currently being used to house a herd of pet goats. And someone put a stage in front of that. And a couple of fire pits in front of that. And there's a kitchen that serves jalapeno pineapple margaritas and a platter of barbequed testicles.

Welcome to New Year's, in the most Texan way possible.

 

My little campground finder lights really came in handy when driving through deer country in the rain.