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Contact FWC. The solar wiring option is supposed to include an SAE plug in the roof. If you know the right location, cutting a hole in the roof is not particularly difficult. I would suggest an MC4 roof connector instead of the SAE. Seal it well.

We don't have a flatbed, but I recall that the camper is bolted directly to the bed, so I assume that there''s not much chance of the Grandby moving much. The Tacoma regular bed mount has two 1/2" bars across the bed and FWC fills the rest of the bed with 1/2" horse mats. So if you would like a...

If you have the battery and solar for it, go compressor. The 3-way fridges do the job, but they are a lot of work. Also, pay attention to the inside layout. Our first fridge was a 3-way and basically a box. Always a pain to get the one needed item in the back. Shelves and door storage are a real...

I updated my build post with links to Alibaba and the other vendors: https://www.wanderthewest.com/forum/topic/20568-new-lithium-battery-%E2%80%93-some-assembly-required/?hl=lifepo4 The BMS has a temperature sensor that I wedged between two of the cells and the BMS will prevent charging below...

I am very happy with the battery. I posted the build: https://www.wanderthewest.com/forum/topic/20568-new-lithium-battery-%E2%80%93-some-assembly-required/?hl=lifepo4 I got another request on my DIY so I will post the sources and follow-on comments in the above link.

I went the DIY route. If you are comfortable with electricity, it's not particularly difficult. See https://www.wanderthewest.com/forum/topic/20568-new-lithium-battery-%E2%80%93-some-assembly-required/?hl=lifepo4

I'm glad I did not get the 200Ah LifeBlue! I ended up building my own LiFePO4 with prismatic cells so my 280Ah battery is only about 30% longer than one 100 Ah BattleBorn. But DIY is not for everyone. I've lived in VT (NEK) so I know the temperatures and I would recommend a heated battery...

You don't need the Blue Sea with the DC-DC; The DC-DC only lets current flow from the truck to the camper and only if the truck is running so it does what your Blue Sea does to protect the truck battery. I have a 2015 Fleet FD and looked at the 200Ah LifeBlue - it should fit and it's a bit less...

I had cycling problems with the stock 10 AWG and the Vic DC-DC. Replaced it with 25' of 8 AWG braided speaker wire direct from truck to the DC-DC (with two 50A thermal breakers and an Anderson connector inline) and it works just fine. 6 AWG should give you plenty of margin.

Looks like we have been lucky, but we have camped at 8500' without furnace problems - but the duct hose in our Fleet is offset by only about an inch or so. Taping two vent slots allows us to direct the heat at our feet which provides nice warmth in the front dinette. At night we direct the air...

Asking $100 I removed the FWC Zamp panel to lay down 3 flexible panels to go to 300W, with room to add another 100W. Comes with the factory Z mounts. The panel is six years old, so it may be about 155 Watts. It's awkward to ship but it may be possible. (Those are rain drops, not scratches on...

Time to move it. I removed the factory roof rack to install more solar panels (and went to a "side rack" for my stuff). Complete with screws and hole covers. It's maybe 10 lbs, but awkward to ship.

What is FWC doing about the Maxx Air fan voltage? It seems that failures are actually not very common, but I know FWC looks for reliability and vendor support of the products that they install (not surprising).

Consider Anza Borrego State Park if you are heading south on 86 along the Salton Sea. It's about an hour west. Has campground sites as well as many varied and interesting dry camping spots. Enjoy your trip!

The short answer: if your panels are the same type/brand (or same wattage and very similar Vmax), connect in series up to what your MPPT controller can handle. I have four 100W 19Vmax panels - 76V - on my 100/30 Vic, which can handle up to 100V input. Some controllers are limited to 30V or 50V...

I'm not a mechanical engineer, but I do know that it's turbulence that creates the drag that's the main drag on your mpg. And it's usually tricky to find and to identify what you need to do to reduce turbulence. It's worth noting that today's cars pay as much attention to the aerodynamic shape...

Contrary to his wishes, he is an inside cat. He is indeed a predator; we have an upper deck that has been the final stop for several squirrels. When camping however, outside of the camper he would only be in a harness on a short leash and not on trails. As to large cats, he would stand a much...

We've made two short trips (mostly main roads) and gone from about 15.5 to about 16.5 mph according to the Ranger's mpg reading. We will complete our vaccinations in two weeks and plan on a 4 week trip on varied road types. This should give us a much better picture of mpg. The directors chairs...

Cats? We have had a number of cats over the years, but Louis Catorze is the first for which it might be possible to take with us. He is unusually people focused. But he is a cat, and if frightened, will take off. He does well with a harness and leash, but I'm not confident that that is...

I got some paint protection film that I plan to put on when the weather warms up.

When I removed the factory rack from our Fleet to lay down flexible solar panels, I had intended to install Yakima tracks so I could carry the chairs and a few other items that I had been carrying on top. We meander, so we generally change location most days. The problem with gear on top is...

We have a Fantastic fan in back and installed a Maxx fan over the bed. The Maxx fan was a drop in. I installed the original inside edge trim from the vent instead of the Maxx fan trim. No need to drill new mounting holes for the Maxx fan trim. My one regret with the Maxx fan was to not get the...

We left the tailgate on with our 2005 Eagle and Tacoma and now with our 2015 Fleet and Ranger. At 5, 9", in and out is easy. Your height may vary. The tailgate was very useful for stowing/retrieving gear from the back (factory) roof rack. It has also let us get away with a simple Rubbermaid...

9" pizza. You have to hunt them down. Trader Joe's has them but TJs are not so plentiful in New England. Try Wegman's, Hannefords, Whole Foods, maybe even Aldi, or any upscale grocery. Our local New Seasons has 9" cornbread crust pizza. YUM! We often add more vegetables and/or Italian meats on top.

Checkout this link: https://www.wanderthewest.com/forum/topic/20044-tailgate-camera-use-with-tailgate-off/?hl=camera I am very happy with the Camera Source camera. They cover most pickup models and they connect to the trucks wiring and display. Standalone backup cameras are cheaper but you have...