Vagabond Drifter Camper Buildout and Mods

Don't the normally put the switch panel for the preinstalled lights/fan and/or charging sockets on the driver's side rear utility panel? I just wasn't sure if it would benefit me to keep my hub closer to the back or front in terms of ease in running the wire from those switches to the hub.

Thanks for the tip on the VV too. I need to do more looking. And maybe get a volt meter.

 

Yeah, I guess I should say fuse box, but yeah. Did you bring your Anderson Connecter into the bed up front as well?

BTW... I hear you on the washboard. That's basically what sent me straight to suspension first, though I have yet to install it, but it is going on soon. Just trying to decide if I want to do it myself or not. I have everything I should need tool wise, but will certainly need an extra set of hands.

 

Yes it is in the VO panel is in the driver rear panel. I struggled to know how to wire it even being portable. Guess if it needs tweaking then I’ll tweak it.

 

Yes, brought the truck plug into the bed up front. My removable power box bolts into the bed up there, the fuse box sits just above it, and then all the accessories (including the VO-installed fan and light) are wired in from the fuse box.

 

Yes, I am betting your alternator will adjust voltage down after a few minutes. My 2015 often drops to 13.2v. Just get a cigarette lighter volt meter from Amazon and watch it for a day or two. I did find the spec in an obscure repair manual for my year, but actually measuring it is better.

At this voltage, lead acid will be undercharged and lithium will barely charge after the voltage drop through the cable.

$10 LIHAN Dual USB Car Charger, 4.8A Output, 12/24 Volt USB Adapter Plug for Cigarette Lighter Voltage Meter, Compatible with iPhone,iPad, Samsung Galaxy, LG, Google, Silver

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01JA627KU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_NjB3EbTXNQ7DQ

 

I had Phil put my panel on the passenger side. My thinking was that I would put the battery monitor there and it would easy to see. However, when I went to install my Victron monitor, I found it didn’t fit well above the VO charging ports.

So, I installed the monitor on the drivers side panel instead. I now wish I had stuck with the stock location. It is a little harder to reach in to the passengers side with your right hand to turn on the lights.

 

Yup this one has lots of wall options...

 

Guess that helps us appreciate what life is like for lefties! Use that left hand. Maybe it will help bring you back to your right mind.

 

This is a good idea. Additionally, I talked to Redarc as well & they said hooking up the blue wire will not cause any issues if I don't have a VVA, so I may just do it and be covered.

 

What are people using to level out their trucks for the night? Tracktion boards work ok, but I thought someone might have a better method.

 

I just park somewhere level-ish... and I'm okay with sleeping on a slant I guess. I've never used anything (rocks, etc) to level my truck in years of camping out of it in the backcountry.

 

I use GoTreads, a foldable traction mat. They can be adjusted to different heights depending on how you fold them. They work pretty well for moderate slopes. They are a really great traction tool that doesn’t require a lot of real estate (on the side of the rig). I have used them numerous times to get out of snow an mid and they have worked every time.

I keep them in a small Dewalt storage box behind my seats.
https://gotreads.com/

 

I just use a piece of firewood or some rocks I find in the area. Haven’t really put much thought into it

 

Wood, rock, pile of dirt, it has all worked fine for me.

 

We have a stack of the orange camco leveling blocks we keep under our fridge platform. They do t take up a ton of space and have been super handy. We also have bags for when I have my motorcycle on the back and have used those to level before as well lol.

 

I use stackable RV leveling blocks

 

I’ve broken 3 different styles of leveling blocks. Now I use traction boards and available rocks.

 

Jezuz how do you break a leveling block?

 

Big boi Tacoma.

 

Simple, they are made of cheap, inferior plastic and designed with cost savings in mind.

He’s not lyin. TR00PR was pretty porky in full trim. I’m pretty sure Phase IV is going to up the ante.