I have done this upgrade on my Northern Lite 9.6. For me it is worth it. I can now stop for extended periods and not have to worry about plugging in. This means I can go to remote places and camp. I have a 2021 so it had the lithium switch on my Progressive Power center. However, I decided to take it out and install just a distribution center. I have 400 watts of solar, 412 ah of lithium batteries from SOK, 3000 kw Victron energy inverter, and a 30 am DC-DC charger. I have been out as long as 3 weeks and still returned with 100% battery. I used Victron Energy due to them constantly upgrading their firmware to add features. When I first installed it I couldn't get LPG tank readings. Victron worked with Mopeka and incorporated a firmware update that allowed me to use Mopeka LPG tank monitors and have it report to my monitor. It sounds like you're going to going fairly remote with search and rescue. So, I think you would do well with a DC-DC charger. If the sun doesn't come out for a few days you can charge off. your alternator. You will need to know your alternator size as you need to be well under 50% duty. Meaning if you want to put 50 amps in from the alternator you should have a 100-120 amp alternator as a minimum. The basic components are solar panels, solar disconnects, solar controller, bus bars, batteries, shunt, dc-dc charger, and a monitoring system. I like Victron for a lot of reasons. The also have a smart shunt that allows your phone to monitor SOC of the batteries. They also have a 50 amp DC-DC that came out in January. You don't mention your truck. I have a 2020 Ford 350SD. It cuts all power to the camper when the key is turned off. Not all do that. You would need to check the 7 pin plug at the back of your truck. For mine it shuts off after 30 seconds. Most people that do the upgrade just disconnect the charge wire from the truck.
