Suggestions needed! Sleeping platform and solar power setup.

Hi all,

I'm putting a full width sleeping platform in the bed of my 2017 DCLB. I'm keeping it simple; just a platform and no drawers.

I'm looking at the following equipment for solar power:

• 1 or 2 briefcase solar panels;
• A Renology DCC50S
  $238 12V 50A DC to DC Battery Charger with MPPT, On-Board Battery for Gel, AGM, Flooded and Lithium Batteries, Using Multi-Stage Charging, Solar Panel and Alternator
  12V 50A DC-DC on-board battery charger with MPPT;
• A 100 amp hour lithium battery;
• A 1000 watt pure sine wave inverter; and
• A Blue Sea fuse block.

I'm looking to power a 12v fridge and various personal electronics (phone, camera batteries, drone batteries, etc.)

I need some advice on my system:

1. Are the components I listed too much, too little, or just right?
2. Where do I install all of this stuff? (I'm thinking behind the backseat, but I'm open to suggestions!)

Pictures of your setup including electrical panels are welcome!

Thanks for any help,

Scott

 

I've had a 2016 off road and now a 2018 off road. I set mine up with a dual battery system, the second battery tucked into the space above the passengers knees. Note: 2020+ they've relocated what looks like the ABS block there so that's not an option to relocate. It's big enough for a group 24 deep cycle and I charge mine with a battery isolator that charges the truck battery first, then will charge the second battery. Mine does not allow any draw from the second battery to draw down the truck battery, nor to allow you to "jump" yourself or combine batteries. I have jumper cables for that occasion. All my camping accessories are tied into the second battery and gives a lot of power. I also have a small AGM "motorcycle size" battery that runs independently with a small solar panel that I use to charge electronics.

The sleeping platform is full 5' length with a fold down panel that folds between platform and tailgate. It's got two hardware store folding supports that click it into place and release when ready to decamp. I've got a topper lift with full camper shelter on sides and off the tailgate that makes setting up camp about a 40 second process.
Topper EZ lift makes the topper lift. I've got pic of the topper lift but sorry, none of the sleeping platform. It ties into the tacoma bed rails with turnbuckles so it's supported on three sides by the front bed, side rails and a panel at the tailgate. Leaves the whole underside available for equipment storage and the bed floor for a second sleeper if necessary.

 

I neglected to say I live and camp mostly in the South East US and it's HOT more than cold. I'm using it to run a fan all night with great success. In the morning it recharges as I drive away. In the winter I use a 12 volt electric blanket, total game changer for me use. I'm using mine to fish and travel so the recharge is easy, not staying in one place and trying to be off grid. unlike a roof top tent, this is very theft proof when parked to fish/hike (topper runs up/down in 20 seconds) so totally stealthy. Best of all: torrential rains? Just reach over and run the topper down and you're snug and dry, unlike any tent despite it's claims. The EZ lift will raise more weight then you should safely carry on the roof, so nice for fuel, shower water system, awning, kayaks and gear.

 

Oh, last thought: if you use my solution with a Blue Seas battery controller or others, it's not recommended to use different battery types. Lead acid- lead acid or AGM as they're all lead acid. Get into Lithium and you should be sure and contact the manufacturer as I was advised against different battery types and ruin one of those and you'll have spent a lot of money.

 

@spartina thanks for the info! I'm in Vancouver and if the border opens again.... I'll be camping in Washington and Oregon. Which means rain. Lot's of rain. That's why I got rid of the RTT. I found it too much of a hassle to dry when my adventures were done.

How do you find running the topper lift in wet conditions? If the canopy stays down, how much water do you find makes its way through the seal, if any?

I get super paranoid about water, camping gear and mold!

 

up the topper itself sheds the water straight down to the truck sides. Sideways winds, no issue, stays almost perfectly dry and when you get home just run up the topper and let everything air out in the driveway or next campground. I had a 40+ mph sideways tropical storm once, just ran it down to the truck bed where it's absolutely dry on the highway or campground. I also put in some rubber seal tape around the tailgate to keep dust out on gravel roads, has worked perfectly. My biggest issue is when two people camp you have to unload everything into the backseat. I built a tailgate platform for my Yeti 45 and gas bottle from a Yakima hitch swing away bike rack. Saves ever having to pick that beast up and a cable locks everything to the truck. I put a lot of flyrods inside the back and sometimes photo gear and I wanted it to look like a stock tacoma with topper. No stickers, nothing to say "come steal my stuff" while I'm camped and a few miles down river. I live in mold country but it's been very easy to dry. Also, lighter and better MPG then a roof top tent.

 

I've just ordered the EZ lift and am curious as to "how" level your truck needs to be ignorer to engage the lifts. Apparently people have had individual units fail to lift possibly due to problems with level. What has been your experience?

 

I had these lifts on my 2016 and now my 2018 Off Road, "level" is not absolute as the rams will run up and cycle until they are all fully extended, will do the same when running down. Thats auto, no need for adjustments. I haven't heard of failures but they're very responsive. My camper canvas is the discontinued insulated version, a little thick but still folds in well without issues. I'm very weight conscious trying to preserve highway mileage and tow capacity so I'm very pumped about the Topper Lifts because for the weight of the truck topper plus 40-50 lbs of rams I always have a dry bed and not have to sleep in a RTT or on ground. It lifts my MaxTracs, jack, solar panels and two 3 gal rotopax easy.

 

The short answer: I just installed in the driveway, not level critical. It always auto adjusts every up and down cycle.

 

I just purchased a Jackery 1000 and 2 of there solar panels on Black Friday. Easier and more mobile than a dual battery setup. Nothing wrong with a dual battery setup just my preference. I can charge it while I’m driving from the cigarette lighter or my plug in the bed since i have the TRD model. I also built a platform in the bed to camp in definitely interested the EZ lift to give a little more headroom

 

Yah wait unti you're an old f**ker like me with prostate issues and try and crawl out of there three or four times a night to pee! The lift is so roomy and I carry a rolled up crazy creek chair to sit inside and read. I've got a graphite 12V electric blanket inside my sleeping bag, absolute game changer regardless of how cold it may get and an eight inch 12V fan so a fully charged deep cycle is part of the concession to old age. Any electronics that need charging when truck is parked and I'm down river fishing is what the third battery with solar cell charging is for. Luxury rouging it.