Comments

  • Battery monitor
    I use the Victron 700 and I’m very happy with it. I like having the display mounted near the control panel so I can look at it whenever I need to. Here is a video about my install.

    https://youtu.be/tDJrtC_zRJM
  • Baptism by Fire
    nice job and that looks like a great site!

    A couple of unsolicited backing tips for anyone who is interested...

    -Pull forward more than you think you need to before backing up

    -“Crowd the hazard” which means get real close to the side of the road that the campsite is on so you have plenty of room for the front end swing of the truck

    -Make small steering adjustments.

    -When backing in a straight line, watch your mirrors. As soon as you see the trailer enter a side mirror, turn the steering wheel toward that mirror until the trailer disappears (or the trailer is maintaining the line you want).

    -Don’t let the peanut gallery get to you
  • Tables
    I also use a lifetime folding table but the height is not adjustable. We mostly break it out if we are going to be somewhere for more than a couple of nights and we use it mostly as a “food serving buffet” table. It folds in half and it fits nicely between the foot of our queen bed and the TV cabinet.

    https://www.target.com/p/72-34-folding-banquet-table-off-white-plastic-dev-group/-/A-14324329

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  • Trailer Leveling
    I know I’m late to the party...but I have been using the Anderson levelers for several years and I have nothing but good stuff to say about them.
  • Thoughts on fuel transfer tank/toolbox
    That looks awesome Greg! When are you coming over to do mine?
  • Starting new solar system
    Thanks for keeping us updated Greg, I like seeing what you are doing. It looks good.
  • Why a Fifth Wheel versus a Motorhome as our Full Time RV
    I’m agreed, having a towable RV is better for us too. Like you mentioned in the video Ray, it’s cheaper to get into and it’s nice to have my full size truck to travel around with when I’m unhooked. Thanks for another great vid!
  • Recovered the valances & curtains
    Nice upgrade. It really brightens the place up.
  • Surge/Circuit protectors
    very nice! I’ve heard that 6 gauge wire can be a bear to work with.
  • New Generator Not just for home backup anymore.
    I use a 2000 watt generator. It suits my needs perfectly. As you said, it’s runs everything but the air conditioner.

    I lock up my generator while camping so it doesn’t walk off. I use a cable lock around the frame or bumper of the trailer. The lock I use is from a company called Bolt. The cool thing is you set the lock to your car key. That way you don’t have to carry a bunch of keys.

    https://www.boltlock.com/locks

    Anyways, good luck with the new generator
  • Whole new world for us....
    That is a good looking set up Greg!
  • Our 14 Day Quarantine Over - How is everyone doing?
    it will be interesting to see how the world has changed from all of this. My sincere hope is most of the change is for the better however, I’m not holding my breath.

    I’m curious what you mean when you say the environment has had a reprieve?
  • Haloview RD10 Rear View Mirror Mounted RV Camera System
    Thanks for all of the review videos Ray. It’s all good info!
  • Surge/Circuit protectors
    I have a hardwired unit from Progressive Industries. I’m very happy with it. I just have the base model with no remote display. I don’t want to be inundated with information from it. If there is a problem, I just go and look at it.

    I have heard good thing about the Hughes product as well.
  • Battery Upgrade
    Welcome to the forum!

    I’m a little surprised you can’t camp for 4 to 6 days with the 4 6v batteries you have now. I can camp for 3 or 4 days, with four kids, and heavy use, on 2 6v batteries. How long are those batteries lasting you?

    How are you determining the batteries state of charge (how much energy you have used)? Are you using a battery monitor or checking the voltage?

    Sorry if you know this already...if you discharge flooded cell batteries below 50%, and especially if you are running them down to zero all of the time, you will damage the batteries and they will no longer hold a charge. Also, the cells need to be topped off with distilled water about once a month.

    The on board charger on your trailer should be fine unless you change to lithium batteries.

    Here is a video on my off grid set up. I use the “keep it simple” philosophy...
  • Whole new world for us....
    That’s a beautiful trailer, congratulations!
  • BougeRV 170 Watt Solar Panel Review
    Thanks for the info Ray. I appreciate your unbiased feedback, as usual.
  • Might as well do some mods
    I like the new fabric. It looks very “coastal”
  • Tank sensors not accurate
    I gave up on the sensors awhile ago. When the black tank is getting full, it makes a fairly distinct gurgling sound when you flush the toilet. When I hear that sound, I know it’s time to empty the tank. I’ve also found that after a few years, I kind of got a feel for how fast the tanks were filling, depending on how much we were using them.

    As far as the ice trick goes, it certainly is worth a try. This guy tested it out and made a video. The results weren’t that great if I remember correctly.

    The best way I have found to get the tank clean is fill it with clean water and some dawn dish soap. Let that sit for a couple of days and maybe drive around then empty it. I’ve had pretty good luck with that.