RetiredBeanCoun
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Re: Jetpack vs MiFi vs Hotspot
JohnBorgen wrote: We just got our first RV(Coleman 2515RL) and we're actually in our first RV park for the weekend. I got here on Friday around noon expecting to work for the rest of the day. The internet at the part was reasonable ($5 for three days) but the speed is horrific (1 to 2 Mbps). Nothing that I can work on. I want to travel and work from the RV during the week. I am thinking of the Verizon 8800 Jetpack, but the reviews online are abysmal. Is anyone on these forums using one? How are they working for you? I few people in this thread have referenced them...they seem to like them. I'm just wondering if there are other opinions about them on this forum. If you are planning on working from your RV, look at a MOFI 4500 with an external Yagi directional antenna. You insert your phone's SIM card regardless as to whether Verizon, AT&T, or whatever, and the increase is pretty crazy. It seems to be able to pull a signal no matter how weak and turn it into a speed as if you are in the center of a city. I have tried jetpacks, MiFi, signal enhancers; this is the way to go, by far.614Views0likes0CommentsRe: Electrical Upgrade Made Easy
camperdave wrote: I'll assume there was one more step, remove the existing converter. That's a sweet inverter setup. All in one charger, inverter, switch yes? Did you retain any charging from the truck to the camper? Probably don't need it with the solar, right? The charge from the truck, I kept as it. I have duel heavy duty alternators so I assumed they could stand it. The concern might be the existing cabling since I would assume the lithium will pull a bigger charge, but it is fused and seems to be okay.253Views0likes0CommentsRe: Electrical Upgrade Made Easy
work2much wrote: Pretty much what I did aside from I removed the transfer switch since we don't use a built in generator. I also removed the stock converter charger since the new inverter charger has a transfer switch built in for when we are plugged in and it takes care of charging duties. Enjoy. On my exiting converter, I just flipped the 15 amp breaker in the AC panel that goes to the converter to off, since this is no longer needed. I am not sure that I needed to do this, but it is redundant so I did.253Views0likes0CommentsElectrical Upgrade Made Easy
Just finished the lithium/inverter upgrade in my camper. It took a couple of hours and was so easy. • Drop in as many lithium batteries as the battery compartment can hold, and keep existing DC cabling. • Run a fused 2/0 positive and negative cable from batteries to the inverter • Replace the solar charge controller with lithium compatible one (keep existing cabling) • Cut the cable running from the automatic transfer switch to the AC breaker box and plug the two ends into the inverter. • Done Air conditioning, microwave, and all AC outlets work, and shore power and generator charge the batteries. It just seemed too easy. I have no electrical background so maybe I have it wrong. Three 100ah Battleborn batteries Victron Multiplus 3000 (Pre-programmed based on batteries) 100/50 Victron MPPTs (Pre-programmed based on batteries)1.2KViews0likes5CommentsRe: The Beauty of Day Spots
Hemi Joel wrote: Bean Counter, I have been doing the same thing, especially at the beach in Florida in the winter. Park at Wallyworld, or wherever overnight, then drive to the beach early, to be the 1st one in when the pay lot opens up. So I can get situated to open the slides enough to use the camper but still only use one spot. That means I need to be on the end with the left side overhanging the vacant area for the drivers side slide, and the back overhanging a vacant area for the rear slide to hang over. Pay the meter until sunset, enjoy the day at the beach, then head out to lotdock. Repeat. Way nicer and cheaper than an RV park. You have sitting there the equivalent of a $300 per night hotel room. You must feel like you are just printing money. Nice Job!498Views0likes0CommentsRe: The Beauty of Day Spots
Bedlam wrote: You brought up some points - If I go to a buffet and spend all day eating there, am I a food squatter? If I spend all day at the cinema watching movies, am I a film squatter? I would consider you a day squatter only if you parked your rig there early in the morning and then left just so you could hold that desired spot until later in the day. You see this at resorts or cruise ships where someone will put towels on the desirable chairs by the pool or view point but not return until hours later just so they can put an exclusive hold on them. So this begs the question, is a day spot for the entire day, or is it meant for an hour or two. I park in the spot for the day, go paddle boarding, fishing, have meals, take a nap. It seems, more often than not, this is how the spot is used. But you disagree?498Views0likes0CommentsRe: The Beauty of Day Spots
ajriding wrote: You are a Day Squatter. I do the day spots too, and leave late to go park somewhere level to close the blinds for sleeping. I still get hassled by ranges if I have to pull the blocks out to level the camper for the propane fridge. They think that means "camping". They do not understand campers or the needy-ness of a propane fridge, even in the daytime when I may be out hiking or swimming or fishing…. Well, got rid of propane for an electric fridge, so I will park off-level and we will see if that makes em happy. I call them Day Squatters because they cone in, set up an incredible camp, run around cartoonishly, then pack up and leave. This is when I am in a boondock camp spot. Funny to watch I put out my slides and a couple of chairs, so it is not to cartoonish. The people that do huge unpacking and repacking are those that show up in the SUV, not me. I have leveled using my jacks, but never have had any trouble with the rangers. These sites are set up as picnic areas. They generally have a table and grill, so I am using them for their intended use, to enjoy the lake, beach, or trails during the day. I see it as another advantage of having a truck camper. Really you had a ranger complain about blocks? That seems absurd. If you are not taking up more room than the spot allows, why should they care whether you are in an SUV or camper? The term "Day Squatter" is a bit pejorative. That is like saying someone that goes to a restaurant is a food squatter, or a movie, a film squatter. These spots are meant for day use, the entire day. Showing up in a truck camper to shorten set up time and improve comfort should not make a difference, if you are not infringing on other spots.498Views0likes0CommentsRe: The Beauty of Day Spots
work2much wrote: At least on the western US finding boondocking spots isn't hard. Often you can find that amazing view to enjoy during the day and it's ok to stay the night. Freecampsites.net Campedium Allstays Harvest Hosts are all ways we find nice spots to overnight. I think we will add boondocks welcome when we get back on the road. I agree, if you are looking for a spot to camp and stay all day, these are great alternative. My point is that campgrounds (if you can get them) rarely compare to the day spots that allow no camping. So my strategy is to grab these incredible day spots in national and state parks, beaches, or lakes, and not worry about the view from where I sleep. Sometimes you do score that perfect campground, but I always score that perfect day spot by being first in the morning.80Views0likes0CommentsThe Beauty of Day Spots
My RV strategy is a bit different from others. I find the allowable places to park during the day are generally much nicer than those to which you are allowed to camp. So first thing in the morning, I move to these spots, open my triple slide, and have essentially an apartment at the best spot overlooking a lake, a beach, a valley or canyon. Frankly I could care less where I sleep, as long as it is legal and safe. The true beauty of a truck camper is it fits in a relatively small parking spot, yet with three slides, it open to a space the size of a small hotel room, to keep cold beverages, retreat for a nap, cook meals etc. I am an early riser, so I show up at these pristine day spots way before anyone else and generally do not leave till dusk. Then I drive off to my night spot to sleep, and repeat the next day. And night spots are not that tough. Offer someone $20 buck to park in their driveway in a quiet neighborhood, or use the site hipcamp.com, and it takes very little planning. Yes I miss out on the campfires, and socializing with fellow campers, but it is worth it to avoid the RV parks, the crazy planning required for national forest or state parks, or living with the questionable characters at free spots.3KViews0likes18CommentsRe: Small Lithium Batteries
Steverino54 wrote: R...B...C..., how about a photo of the available space for the inverter, or, a better description of which drawer you are calling "cadaver drawer"? Thanks in advance. The cadaver drawer is the long metal tray that slides out the rear basement. Host has offered them, as an option, for a long time. Eagle Cap in 2020 started putting them in as standard equipment, so your 2018 EC1165 would not have one. But if you crawl into the basement hole and remove the thin paneling on the right, you can admire your black tank. Also there is additional space to put an inverter, or the scotch and cigars you do not want your wife to know about. I would take pictures, but my cadaver drawer is currently removed for an electrical upgrade.541Views0likes0Comments
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Prefer to camp in a travel trailer? You're not alone.Jan 20, 202544,029 Posts
