34 replies to this topic

[VanGoOutdoors]

Learn something new everyday. I know where that park is but had no idea they had campsite there. I used to work just a few minutes from there. Thanks

No electric or water, but they do have showers.

[VanGoOutdoors]

This weekend decided to go Beach camping (yeah, its a recurring theme around here)

We started the day out in Historic Fernandina Beach downtown area and grabbed some lunch and walked around.  Cool little place we havent been before. 

Wife had a Lobster Corn Dog.  Said it was Heavenly. 

Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

 

Gratuitous beach pictures from here on out

Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

 

The newly adapted Renogy solar suitcase, mounted with some aluminum angle to the tracks

 

Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

 

Storm started rolling in unfortunately

Amelia Island by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

Amelia Island by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

Amelia Island by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

 

The rain was off and on through the afternoon, but we couldn't just turn back with the awesome mid 70s weather. 

 

Made some dinner on the trail kitchen setup 

Amelia Island by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

 

And some propane campfire time in as well with peoples

Night time camp by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

 

Bedtime met with the dog testing out his brand new sleeping space

Wife and pup by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

 

 

The storm got much much worse over the night.  40+mph sustained winds based on the local airport 1.5 miles away inland.  Lots of rain. 

Other than the sound of the rain on the rooftop, you would have never known.  No wind noise, no real issues through the night other than some rain through the fans.  Gotta find some covers or something else to do with it. 

Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

this was everything that rolled through from west to east.  this shows it just passing.

 

this video was about 9 am 

Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

 

and then the dog figured out he could jump to our bed

Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

 

overall a win win.  We will head out to ocala to do some wheeling and camping next weekend

 

 

Edited by broverlanding_tacoma, 31 July 2017 - 12:40 AM.

[VanGoOutdoors]

As always, lots of stuff going on.   We did some camping obviously, then did some more.

 

Wife wanted an AC unit, so i gave her an AC unit

Climate right 2500 is what i used in my teardrop, so i got another one for this.

Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

I built a plexi window insert that fastens via velcro to the inside of the window frame. Brought it down to 72 degrees in a 90 degree day, and removed all the humidity.  Win!

 

Went to disney campground for the last weekend of our season passes

Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

But first, at the intersection of I95 and i4, i saw this lil guy off across the ditch, and could have sworn i saw someone in there.  Turned around in the grass and checked it out.  College aged gent that couldn't get a tow truck to help. So i figured i would.

He hooked a strap to his wheel and i janked him out off the other bank, through the ditch and back up to the main grass.

Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

He was able to pull the fender liner out and continue on his way.  I assume with little to no issue.  Got him out of the rain and back on his way.  Happy days

 

THEN we got to the campground

Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

 

after that, pulled the camper off for some work to both.

Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

pretty darn simple process IMO.

 

All my solar stuff came in, so it was time to throw it on the camper.

Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

 

Ordered:

Renogy 100 watt solar panel x3: http://amzn.to/2vQJAkH

Victron BV-702 : http://amzn.to/2fWIkqw

Victron 100/30 MPPT: http://amzn.to/2vQGzkr

 

Installed the panels on the roof using 3/4 x 3/4 aluminum angle, with some brackets to keep it all stiff on the front and rear that had to be run underneath.  Pretty quick situation. 

Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

 

Last thing is to pull the bed off for the flatbed fabriction.  Should be at least decked this week

Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

[EnviroProf]

Grant, your project is coming along fast and looking great. Can't wait to get my hands on my fleet. I'm going with the same Victron gear that you chose, but am still weighing the options for solar panels -- flexible vs. solid, a couple 100s, vs. a fixed 180 between the two vents.

 

With three of the Renogy panels and mounting gear you probably added about 50 pounds to the roof. Any problems lifting the top? Are you still using the original roof struts? 

[VanGoOutdoors]

Grant, your project is coming along fast and looking great. Can't wait to get my hands on my fleet. I'm going with the same Victron gear that you chose, but am still weighing the options for solar panels -- flexible vs. solid, a couple 100s, vs. a fixed 180 between the two vents.

 

With three of the Renogy panels and mounting gear you probably added about 50 pounds to the roof. Any problems lifting the top? Are you still using the original roof struts? 

Should be right at 50 lbs for sure.  I have 30lb struts on there currently.  Will be upgrading to 40s, but it is still very manageable.  I got a great deal on the renogy panels as i work with them, so I can't complain.  I could have just done a single 180 i think it was, but i wanted the max amount of power honestly for cloudy days. The fans and fridge are power hungry. With only two panels, i was putting out enough power in sunlight to power the fridge, one fan on high, and all the lights in the camper (except rear floods) without overrunning the solar.  With 3, its unlimited power.  

[RC Pilot Jim]

Nice Rig...Its great to be young.  We did 1,018 miles in 4 days and I'm still recovering a week later.

 

What company did you use to replace your rear bumper?

[VanGoOutdoors]

Nice Rig...Its great to be young.  We did 1,018 miles in 4 days and I'm still recovering a week later.

 

What company did you use to replace your rear bumper?

Everything on the truck is CBI Offroad Fab

[VanGoOutdoors]

Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

start of something new

[Captm]

Any updates?  I have been thinking of doing the same thing and this morning my wife showed me a post of your project on Facebook.

Cheers

[VanGoOutdoors]

The Plot Thickens.

 

We took a bet to see if a sheet of 1/4 aluminum would work without any additional bracing for a flatbed and the FWC. I wasn't very convinced it would, coworker said it would.

Spoiler, it doesnt.

Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

 

Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

countersunk the hardware for the air tank so it stays smooth

Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

Threw the camper on and it works.

I don't like how the mounts are there, so I will put in some stainless eye bolts to clamp the camper down and save about 4 inches of storage space

Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

 

Set up at our campsite for the weekend near the Withacoochie river (i think its actually withlacoocihe or something).  We went to see the mermaids at Weeki Wachee and grabbed some food as well

 

Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

 

I have already pulled the camper again, and working on the substructure of the flatbed.  Side boxes and rear plates with tail lights should be mostly done by the end of the weekend.

 

Edited by broverlanding_tacoma, 31 August 2017 - 01:36 PM.