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20' travel trailer and an inflatable raft
I want to pack a 10' or so long inflatable raft along on my camping trips to do a little fishing. What does everyone do to achieve this? I thought about mounting it to the back of the trailer but I dont have enough room. Without a headache rack, I couldnt do it without deflating and throwing it in back of the truck. And here's a pic of my current setup (minus the TIG welder which put me at 13,250 lbs).2.5KViews0likes8CommentsAdding wireless backup camera
I asked about a camera option for my Rockwood mini lite on this forum and eventually went with a $61.99 wireless camera/monitor and a $12.99 extension antenna from Amazon. The camera was easy to install. I cut the Furrion quick-disconnect and soldered the camera power directly. Then the camera mount was screwed right into the plastic mounting face. The antenna was stretched across the roof and mounted on the face of the AC, fairly low as to not catch a tree branch as easily. I bent some wire and mounted the display onto my rear-view camera. I had to add a spacer on the display because it would press the On-Star buttons. I could slip the camera over the mirror after fold it downwards. I installed the other antenna and stretched it to the back window. Both screw right into where the small antenna that comes with the kit normally goes. The camera turns on when you switch the parking lights on, but then you have to find the correct channel on the display by pressing a few buttons. Overall, the camera is great to have, especially when changing lanes! Backing up with it is a bit tricky because youre having to calculate things quite a bit differently. And it does cut out a little in the city and other random places. But not long enough that you cant see what you are doing. Moderator edit to re-size pictures to forum recommended limit of 640px maximum width.934Views0likes0CommentsRe: Backup camera for the trailer
I watched a video last night and it gave me an idea. Why cant I buy the cheaper camera and rig up an extension antenna like the guy in the video did. I'll have to pick one up from Amazon or Walmart . They all seem to be within the 2.4ghz range.398Views0likes0CommentsBackup camera for the trailer
I installed a cheap backup camera on my 78 terry trailer a while back. I ran the video cable inside the back wall (of the trailer) and along the bottom rails, where it ended as a 4-pin aviation plug. I added an aviation plug to the truck side and ran the wire along the frame rail, through the back floor and out the center console, where I mounted another plug. Then I could plug in the monitor so I could use it from the cab. My new Rockwood mini lite has a mount for a Furrion wireless in the back, so I'm assuming thats where I'll get 12v from. I cant justify paying that much for a camera, so I'm looking to buy another cheap one. I think I can design and 3dprint a mount that will fit with what they have mounted up there. I would go with a wired setup again, but I'm not sure how I would run the cable and make it presentable. Drilling holes in the side of the trailer is not an option at this time, so wireless is what I am looking at. Has anyone tried the Wireless 7" Backup Rear View Camera? It's quite a distance from the cab to the back of the trailer. Once I get this figured out, I'll pass along the STL file I come up with for 3dprinting a mount.2.4KViews0likes8CommentsRe: New trailer heating options
How did you charge your batteries? Bobbo wrote: I boondocked in Yellowstone for 2 weeks in September 2011. The temps at night were in the high 20's. I had two group 27 batteries. With the thermostat set at 65, I could go almost half the night. With the thermostat set on 50, I could do 2 nights.689Views0likes0CommentsRe: New trailer heating options
I pulled the battery out and have trickle charged it for a week. My plan is to have it tested to see if needs warrantied. I had to visit the trailer today and looked at the AC/Heat control and remembered asking if the AC fan (for ventilation, no cooling) ran on 12v and he informed me it was 110v. I dont remember him saying anything about the heat, looking back on that interaction. So maybe we both assumed it was an AC control and never looked at it twice since we were boondocking it. They tech gave us a walk-around for an hour or so also, but he seems to have left a few things off the list. Curious, I looked up the 2511s and watched some of the video. It appears that we have alot of the same items, but the configuration is different. The knife holders behind the stove is news to me and the recycled water warmth indicator purpose. All the guy told us was it was for being green by recycling the water pressure.. way off. Also, we had to read manuals to figure out what the 110v variable controller was for.. The heated mattress.688Views0likes0CommentsRe: New trailer heating options
This is kinda funny. While talking to the GF and looking at the 360 view if the interior, I see the heater control. I have no idea why it didnt dawn on us to mess with that control. But on the flip side, it would not have worked because that little battery gave up so easily. When it was going down, the fridge started beeping at us in the middle of the night. So I turned it off. Then the carbon monoxide detector went off. Thats when I turned the battery off at the front switch. Back to the batteries: My old trailer has a new type 27 and my thought was to drop the 24 off in it before biding farewell. Then I could double up the 27's since I already have one. I picked it up for about $120. I dont think the 6v option would be cheaper at this point.346Views0likes0CommentsNew trailer heating options
I picked up a 2020 Rockwood Mini Lite 2205s the other weekend and finally took it out last weekend to Princess Creek Campground at Odell lake, Oregon. I cant say enough good stuff about this place. After a three day stay, we found a few things that need addressed. One is the lack of leveling bubbles of any kind. I dunno if they forgot or what the deal was. Heat! It has a fireplace (1500 watt electric) which doesn't do us much good when dry camping. No one wants to hear a generator all night (the trailer doesn't have one, but I brought one just in case). One type 24 battery that lasted 24 hours. I'm looking for a premade box (maybe toolbox) that had hold two type 27 batteries, end to end. So my big question is heating. Since this thing didnt come with a propane option, is there something that I can sit on the stove and let it vent out the stove vent or something along those lines? I think I can plumb new gas to whatever heater works. Thanks for any help.8.4KViews0likes35CommentsRe: 78 Terry travel trailer 20' awning replacement
Just a followup: I ended up purchasing a 15' replacement awning cover ( https://www.ebay.com/itm/282190297120 ) .. I was able to make use of the old support bars by utilizing some harbor freight lynch pins ( https://www.harborfreight.com/50-piece-lynch-pin-kit-67544.html ) to keep things at the right height since the original levers were of no use. I followed online instructions on how to wind the awning up and had to add another twist in the end. Anyway, it's been a while since I did that work so my memory is a little fuzzy. I do remember that the biggest pain was sliding the new awning down the slots in the main tube. Eventually I figured out that it was easiest to use some teflon spray that I had laying around (for snowblower blades), would allow it to move much easier. I'm sure there are other lubes that work as well.377Views0likes0Comments
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Prefer to camp in a travel trailer? You're not alone.Apr 19, 201944,027 Posts
