Camper van and travel trailer questions

[radin2son]

We know NVs work well for both, but I have several questions not necessarily related to the van or choice between conversion or towing.

 

1. Solar? Although the raised "pent house" on our SMB can support 100 lbs. and fixed solar panels will work, my concern is manually raising the roof, parking the van in the sun when you really want shade and only needing solar to keep the 2 house batteries charged. Zamp makes a portable system ($700+) with 16-25' cord. There are cheaper and homemade systems, but my question is: Are they worth it and do they work well enough when parked/camped for awhile. Driving and overnight camping negate the need for solar.

 

2. Bugout shelters for car camping? Kelty, REI, Eureka and others make them. Wind, rain, collapsing and cheap materials/construction seem to be the most frequent complaints. We need one to set up for a cooking area outside and not become the main course. Any suggestions?

 

If others have questions related to getting out into the great out doors, ask and I'm sure there are enough forum members with answers, maybe even opinions.

 

Update: 3/21

 

Solar. All the ads and research can only give you so much info. Real world use; that is, somebody who has used this over time can only say it works effectively. For now,again, this in on the back burner.

 

Bug screen rooms: If it doesn't say "noseeums," it isn't. LL Bean sells one that is very sturdy and heavy like the old family tents. "Gnats get in ..." We bought the REI screen room and rain fly. $300 is pricey for something that can collapse in wind or rain, and the poles may bend. But, if it works, we use it. If not, REI gets it back.

Edited March 21, 2015 by radin2son

[Chris_CommercialManager]

what are you doing now.....electrical hook up?   and if there isn't one a genny?  I'd probably opt for a portable system with a long chord as long as you had a nice place to stow it.  I've seen guys with them at campgrounds where it looks like a briefcase, they carry it out from the vehicle and set it up maybe 20 ft away.  That would work great for you and solve your problem of parking in the shade and needing sun.  

 

I've done a full solar system on a cabin up in northern California that is off the grid and it works great, solar is totally feasible.  You must, before doing anything else, figure out exactly your power needs are, so you can purchase a system that is a good fit.  Also figuring in the duration the product will physically be in the sun.  If you google "solar calculator" I'm sure you will bring up links with some digging to help establish what your demands are.

 

I almost exclusively buy REI brand tents, very good quality.  Never had a car shelter though, if that's what you're talking about.

Edited March 17, 2015 by Chris_CommercialManager

[radin2son]

Shore power when we can get it. No genny because there is no place to store it or fuel. Do not want to go with a big box on the back.

 

SMBs come with a microwave and sometimes a propane cooktop. NV SMBs only have a microwave. (We were told they could not vent the cooktop due to the proximity of the gasoline intake. Could be, but in the "Magic" video they put one in.) You need shore power or run the engine to use the microwave. We also take a toaster and coffee maker that can run off the house batteries and inverter or shore power. Everything else is 12 volt but can still deplete the house batteries in a matter of days.

 

Without shore power, a 80 to 100 watt solar panel, if I recall this correctly, with keep the house batteries from depleting. We would still have to start the engine to be able to use the microwave; the toaster and coffee maker would work fine, but not running at the same time. Too much of a power draw. I have only seen one portable solar unit in use, a motorhome and he had to keep moving it around. Sort of like a solar shower bag. My hope is someone on the forum has used this...

 

After 2 years of only using the microwave and quite a few recipes, we wanted a more varied menu. We bought an inexpensive Coleman propane stove, mainly because you can find fuel everywhere, and decided to do what most campers do, cook outside. Hence, the periodic (my wife says delete periodic) need for a bug shelter. Car camping ones run around 14 lbs., fit over a picnic table and can be folded up fairly small to stash in a vehicle.

 

One thing I would add about solar during the build process. Have it pre-wired for solar.

 

If you go with a pop top roof, go with electric, not manual, to have the option for solar panels on the roof and whatever rack you need for bikes, kayaks etc.

 

There is one other option, a solar generator. In theory this should work, but works better for emergency use during residential power outages to run lights and a refrigerator. To make a pot of coffee in our van, you need a $1000+ generator. Too costly and too big.

Edited March 22, 2015 by radin2son

[Daydreamin520]

What is your house battery setup?  I want to be able to run a microwave occasionally, a couple lights maybe, and charge 2 phones and 2 laptops.  I wish I could bring my 1000w Ninja Blender in the van, too, but I am guessing "not."  I went over to B & C Marine Supply in Tucson today, about a Fan-tastic Vent fan and I guess I will be getting a quote on that with install and wiring and house battery setup... in a few days.  I THINK I want an AGM battery because I want to avoid maintenance that I would most likely forget to do.    The more I research, the more unsure I am as to what makes the best sense for my van.

[radin2son]

We have AGM batteries. Word is they last 2-3 years and we are in that zone. You will need shore power or idle your engine to use your microwave.

 

Now is the time for you to pre-wire for solar. If I were doing a build, I would seriously consider Goalzero's solar gererator. Fixed panels on roof and an easy to store generator. Generator you would need is $450+, same for the panels. You can easily run lights and a refrigerator. You probably cannot make a cup of coffee. When I looked at another brand I would have had to spend $1000+ just for the generator to do this. Advantages over standard generators, NO fuel.

 

Met a guy in NM who coverted a V6 high top. He put 350 amp solar panels on the roof. Started with 50, then 100... Runs lights, refrigerator and stereo. No plumbing other than 2 five gal water containers. He went without windows for awhile and settled on 3 windows he bought from a tear drop trailer manufacturer. 2 for back and 1 for slider. 3 for the price of the full size slider window.

 

On a different topic. He claims to get 19+ mph per gallon. He set front tires to 65 psi to see if he could increase this. This is a 2012 and has mpg displayed. If he uses this, it is about a gallon more that reality. Still, very good mpg.

 

Traveling, so will try to send photo of his van later.

Edited April 22, 2015 by radin2son

[Daydreamin520]

I appreciate info and advice.  Quote just came back for two 4000r fan-tastic fans installed with wiring, SRM24 battery, battery box, vent for box, fuse box, etc... at $1583.  I am going to think it over.  I mean, how much would an AC unit installed be?  I know I have to separate, in my mind at least, the cost of the battery installation... but do I really need it if not "living" n van?  (yet...)  I'd rather do solar and I like your suggestion of pre wiring AND wiring for shore power. 

 

For immediate upcoming trip, I am going to go buy a Schmacher XP2260w 6 in 1 at Walmart... lol.  100 bucks.  I'll be able to jump van or charge little stuff anyways.

 

Thanks again!

[radin2son]

Why do you need 2 fan-tastics? I believe the NM van only had one to leave enough room for solar panels. 1 or 2, your van needs this.

 

For roof top AC, you will need shore power...

 

Shore power for you now only needs to be a good extension cord, a place to plug it in and a power strip.

 

Are you planning to install windows? If not, you will need to crack your front windows. Skeeter Beater makes screens to fit NVs.

 

The list goes on and on no matter how simple your design or intentions are.

 

Managed to drive away from and out of tornado watches and warnings. Weather driven route so far, but will still get us to the southern start of the Natchez Trace Parkway.

[radin2son]

Here is the photo (not very good) of the home build. You can just make out the Fantastic fan housing on the roof behind the solar panel mounts. There was just one fan.

 

He has windows on the rear doors similar to the one on the side.

 

Have you and your grandson taken a trip?

Edited June 8, 2015 by radin2son

[Daydreamin520]

My "build" has been on hold since end of April, when I was prepping van with temp stuff for first road trip, because I did nerve damage to right hand/elbow/arm.  Sawing, hammering, lifting, pushing, pulling, cutting yards and yards of insulation, etc... my fingers on right hand are still numb!  BUT... I do have a YouTube channel, Day Drifter, that shows what temp build looked like for that trip.  Will try to add link, but if does not work, interior, at that time, can be seen on clip titled "2015 May - Mom-morial trip: Tucson to Newport Beach".  Do check it out, if you'd like.

[radin2son]

Easy enough to find. You should post some of your slides. NV and a dinosaur...

[radin2son]

Does anyone have any info/insight regarding the ferry system in the Seattle area? WA route 20 east of North Cascades NP goes to Burlington with easy access that area. Looks gorgeous! I found the site for ferries and fares but have to take a closer look. This is one of those, "Since we are in the area."

 

There is a length (22') and height (7'6") limit. Exceed this and the fare will increase (about double). No height problem for low tops, but if we have bikes on the back they will have to come off. Even the folded rack we have may exceed 22'. There are plenty of bike racks that fold flat, however.

Edited August 16, 2015 by radin2son