FWC Project M Project

Did you upgrade the factory 14 awg for your solar? I plan on switching mine to 10 gauge this weekend.

 

Does anyone know which brand/make the interior led lights are?

 

This is what mine came with.

 

I really don't want to lol. On a sunny day in direct sunlight I pull about 13 amps - which is pretty close to 14 gauge's limit of 15 amps... So I'm definitely pushing it. It just seems like such a pain the ass to swap the wiring out.

 

Another question for the brain trust:

I have the Ikea Vimsig Kids Mattress (link here, if it's allowed) and have found that I cannot bring my topper down if the bed is collapsed and the mattress is stacked double-height, so I've been traveling with the bed fully extended. Have any of you with your own mattresses come up with a solution for this? The mattress is a little under 4 inches thick, so it's definitely thicker than the stock FWC mattress.

 

My mattress is about 4” thick as well. I run with the bed full extended. With bedding in place and pillows tucked in at the side of the bed (mattress doesn’t take up full width), I can just get the top down and latched. Never considered putting the top down with the bed folded.

I suppose a short person could fit sideways in the bed. Getting short isn’t really an option though

 

I also cheaped out and have an aftermarket mattress that I have to run fully extended to close the top. It's alright. I wish I could close the top with the mattress folded but I wasn't willing to pay FWC $1,000 for that luxury. During the day we just fold the mattress up and stuff it in the back to give us more room during the day. As AGT said it's nice to be able to store your bedding and sleeping bags up in the bed area when the top is closed. The only goofy part is to open the camper I climb into the bed and push the camper up with my back.

 

Replacing the wire is on hold for now. Not sure why they used 14awg? Actually, not only is it limiting, it can be dangerous! I have sealed all the trim with sikaflex 221. No more water intrusion. However, still finding poor workmanship.

 

AGT, how did you mount your build to the floor of the bed of the truck? Did you just bolt into the polyliner? Or is it freestanding?

 

Rivnuts

 

what protection coating you apply to the wood? looks great!

 

I used a marine grade spar varnish.

 

Got the first part of the build done over the past few days! Need to apply a coating to the floor plywood, I'm going to let the countertop wear/patina naturally. The rivnuts and 8020 feels surprisingly skookum.

 

Looking good!

 

I definitely expected the rails extending into the bed to not be 1", so that threw me for a loop trying to get good purchase with rivnuts on the aluminum but also keep it flush with the top of the surface. You can see in the second picture that the rivnuts are slightly low leaving a bit of a gap between the cross supports and the plywood.

 

Is that 1/2” or 3/4” ply? Might be a little flexi when you stand on it. Mines not perfect either.

 

1/2, it feels pretty solid with basically no flex. It's only 3 ply + the veneers, I couldn't find good baltic birch. I think I'm going to replace it with 1/2" BB once I find a good source.

Also for the floorboard it was 4'x8', so it doesn't extend all the way to the sides at the back of the truck which is a bit annoying.

 

Baltic burch is impossible to find and if you can it is ridiculously expensive. I was going to replace the decking and redo the flooring and doors to access the drawer when closed. Not worth it for now.

 

Just a heads up here. If anyone is in SLC, Macbeath Hardwood has Baltic Birch for ~80ish a sheet.

Just finished up the other side, waiting for some wood glue to dry then I'll post pics!

 

Project M heater install. Used the new petrol fired B2SL heater w/ built in altitude controller and a 2.0 gal tank. Was able to tie it all in with the FWC battery box for a cleaner looking install. Had a local powder coat shop do the finish work on the mounting box and plate. Paired with the BedRug + the thermal pack we are sleeping comfortably in southcentral Alaska during this windy and cold winter season. OAT +3F with windchills well below zero and the camper will maintain 45-55 degrees all night. BedRug was a huge improvement for insulation. Running all night it sips fuel and maybe will burn 1/2-3/4 of a gallon, it's also very gentle on amp draw, usually pulling just over 1 amp but up to 8-9 amp during initial start and shutdown but only for a minute or so.