Howdy,
Long time RV'er who primarily boondock camps in a 30 foot 5th wheel. I'm a prepper so my camper is almost self-sufficient for power (solar) and water (pump from streams with inline filters and reverse osmosis).
Typically boondock camp in the Colorado mountains to take advantage of the backcountry UTV riding and hiking with my 3 dogs.
I'm pretty experienced with solar, electrical, plumbing, heating, and almost any aspect of an RV to include roof replacement, rebuilding a rear wall, and spot delamination fixes.
I'm looking forward to learning from others on the forum and sharing my experiences.
My RIG upgrades:
Heated water tanks-individually switched with thermostatic control via a thermocube
600 watts of solar, 660 amp hours of battery capacity, trimetric battery monitor, 1500 watt Samlex commercial inverter with remote on/off switch, auto-transfer switch for uninterrputed power. Can run 4 days of regular use in backcountry with no sun before needing to recharge batteries. Typically with a sunny day, only use 10% of battery capacity watching TV overnight and running propane furnace (it gets cold when you camp at 10,000 feet even in July).
50 amp service upgraded 3 months ago. Added 3 additional outlets in main living area and 2 in bedroom for electric heaters when I'm in a campground with full hookups in cold weather. Love not worrying about blowing the main breaker when I need air conditioning, microwave, and coffee maker run at the same time!
Thermostically controlled storage area heater. 200 watt fan heater with thermocube outlet that turns on at 35 deg F and shuts off at 48 deg F to prevent freezing of water pump and plumbing.
4 CPU cooling fans installed propane heater vent to improve fridge operation in high temperatures. Prior to this, my dometic would not cool below 48 deg F when it was warmer than 85 deg outside. Fans operated by switches that each control 2 fans. I only run all 4 when it is 95 deg F or hotter outside and run 2 when it is 80-94 and no fan in cooler temps.
SNIP THE TIP propane fridge thermister. Keeps my fridge at a steady 35.9 deg F constantly! Best mod I ever made and I will never rely on a factory thermister again!
Temperature monitor with wireless thermometers. Monitor fridge temp, interior living space temp, stoarge area temp, and outside temperature. Continuously records temps and has high/low temp alarms.
250 watt entertainment system with bluetooth. 3 front speakers with ceiling woofer and 2 rear surround sound speakers. Sounds awesome when watching a movie.
Light Truck tires on 16 inch aluminum wheels-upgraded from 15" wheels. Speed rated to 122 mph and can tow at highway speeds with no worries of a blowout. Prior to this, we average a tire blowout each season and LT tires made towing worry free.
Matching wood wall mounted remote control holders. Got tired of hunting for the tv and stereo remotes between trips.
Additional shelving in bathroom and kitching cabinets to utilize height of storage area that was not used.
Secret storage under step to bedroom in 5th wheel. Perfect for personal protection items and valuables. Uses a magnetic lock just incase someone things to try to lift the step. Uses carpeting as hinge to open the step to access wasted storage.
Programmable Awning LED lighting. 8 color options, remote control, and can program a variety of color patterns and display options. Didn't have LED awning lighting and this was a great option. Can't wait to use it during Christmas season when we camp.
I double (some call it triple) tow and have installed an independent brake controller in my 5th wheel to power the electric brakes on my UTV trailer. THis way, a short in the trailer's electrical system will not take out the 5th wheel's electric brakes. This was a reactive mod when a chaffed wire tripped the 30 amp breaker in my truck electric brake controller causing loss of all electric brakes which was a white knuckle experience I wish to not repeat.
Easy heat heated wiring on all exposed pex water lines.
Future mods: I really need a wireless rear view camper and TPMS though my LT tires have been very reliable. i also want to install a front swamp cooler that runs on 12 volts and only needs water for cooling. THis way I don't need to run generator on the few days it gets hot at higher altitudes.
Long time RV'er who primarily boondock camps in a 30 foot 5th wheel. I'm a prepper so my camper is almost self-sufficient for power (solar) and water (pump from streams with inline filters and reverse osmosis).
Typically boondock camp in the Colorado mountains to take advantage of the backcountry UTV riding and hiking with my 3 dogs.
I'm pretty experienced with solar, electrical, plumbing, heating, and almost any aspect of an RV to include roof replacement, rebuilding a rear wall, and spot delamination fixes.
I'm looking forward to learning from others on the forum and sharing my experiences.
My RIG upgrades:
Heated water tanks-individually switched with thermostatic control via a thermocube
600 watts of solar, 660 amp hours of battery capacity, trimetric battery monitor, 1500 watt Samlex commercial inverter with remote on/off switch, auto-transfer switch for uninterrputed power. Can run 4 days of regular use in backcountry with no sun before needing to recharge batteries. Typically with a sunny day, only use 10% of battery capacity watching TV overnight and running propane furnace (it gets cold when you camp at 10,000 feet even in July).
50 amp service upgraded 3 months ago. Added 3 additional outlets in main living area and 2 in bedroom for electric heaters when I'm in a campground with full hookups in cold weather. Love not worrying about blowing the main breaker when I need air conditioning, microwave, and coffee maker run at the same time!
Thermostically controlled storage area heater. 200 watt fan heater with thermocube outlet that turns on at 35 deg F and shuts off at 48 deg F to prevent freezing of water pump and plumbing.
4 CPU cooling fans installed propane heater vent to improve fridge operation in high temperatures. Prior to this, my dometic would not cool below 48 deg F when it was warmer than 85 deg outside. Fans operated by switches that each control 2 fans. I only run all 4 when it is 95 deg F or hotter outside and run 2 when it is 80-94 and no fan in cooler temps.
SNIP THE TIP propane fridge thermister. Keeps my fridge at a steady 35.9 deg F constantly! Best mod I ever made and I will never rely on a factory thermister again!
Temperature monitor with wireless thermometers. Monitor fridge temp, interior living space temp, stoarge area temp, and outside temperature. Continuously records temps and has high/low temp alarms.
250 watt entertainment system with bluetooth. 3 front speakers with ceiling woofer and 2 rear surround sound speakers. Sounds awesome when watching a movie.
Light Truck tires on 16 inch aluminum wheels-upgraded from 15" wheels. Speed rated to 122 mph and can tow at highway speeds with no worries of a blowout. Prior to this, we average a tire blowout each season and LT tires made towing worry free.
Matching wood wall mounted remote control holders. Got tired of hunting for the tv and stereo remotes between trips.
Additional shelving in bathroom and kitching cabinets to utilize height of storage area that was not used.
Secret storage under step to bedroom in 5th wheel. Perfect for personal protection items and valuables. Uses a magnetic lock just incase someone things to try to lift the step. Uses carpeting as hinge to open the step to access wasted storage.
Programmable Awning LED lighting. 8 color options, remote control, and can program a variety of color patterns and display options. Didn't have LED awning lighting and this was a great option. Can't wait to use it during Christmas season when we camp.
I double (some call it triple) tow and have installed an independent brake controller in my 5th wheel to power the electric brakes on my UTV trailer. THis way, a short in the trailer's electrical system will not take out the 5th wheel's electric brakes. This was a reactive mod when a chaffed wire tripped the 30 amp breaker in my truck electric brake controller causing loss of all electric brakes which was a white knuckle experience I wish to not repeat.
Easy heat heated wiring on all exposed pex water lines.
Future mods: I really need a wireless rear view camper and TPMS though my LT tires have been very reliable. i also want to install a front swamp cooler that runs on 12 volts and only needs water for cooling. THis way I don't need to run generator on the few days it gets hot at higher altitudes.
