Mark, just a thought to consider since you’re building out a shell.
My goal when I built my grandby shell was no holes in the sides.
When it came to shore power, I opted for a zantrex charger/inverter.
Decided to forgo the plug-in conection and ran the cord through a bulkhead fitting.
Saved a...
Another funky solution, I took a piece of FRP I had laying around, cut a hole to match the vent hole.
Got 2 door stops at the hardware store for $2.
ASKED my wife for an old pair of panty hose.
Simply slid over the FRP and the wedge holds the spring loaded cover open.
Absolutely agree with Vic. You’ve waited years to get it, why wait to do what you’re gonna do eventually and risk damage to either the camper or the truck. Having the eyebolts in place and turnbuckles ready will make it a faster turnaround.
Jim
When I built out my grandby shell last year I installed a Xantrex inverter/charger. 1600 watt inverter, 40amp charger.
When the campers in the garage the charger keeps the batteries topped off.
I have a plug for 120 but so far only used it for a friend who needed his bike lock cut off at the...
One of the reasons to buy a shell is the opportunity to do things a little different.
I went with a propex heater,(wasn’t going to get a heater but the popular opinion on this site was ‘get it’).
I mounted the propane tank under the truck, 2015 Tundra, and vented the heater down through the...
Jack, just above the license plate in the body of the truck there are 2 holes about 12” apart that accept an 8mm threaded bolt.
I took a piece of aluminum flat bar, drilled holes to match and can install the camera in 5 minutes. There’s a hole in the body
about 1” x 2” to run the wiring...
I went with an ARB 50 in my grandby shell. 160 watt solar and a xantrex inverter/charger.
When the campers on the truck, solar does it all.
When in the garage, plug in the charger.
Fridge hasn’t been turned off yet. Happy with this set up.
Kevin, I have a tundra dc with an 8’ bed. I need it for fishing 6 months a year but the other 6 we intend to leave the camper on. I built the front dinette to seat 4 with the bed retracted but with it pulled out, you can still seat 2. Not sure you could do that with a Hawk. I’m lousy at posting...
Kevin, like you I enjoy the building as much as anything. I went with a grandby shell. Kept it simple. Front dinette on a Lagun mount. Table drops down to make another bed for 2 labradors. ARB fridge. AGM batteries. Water tank. Solar. Inverter/charger. I’m up the road near Santa Barbara if you...
I fabricated a funky step last week out of a piece f diamond plate, a piece of 1x3 aluminum leftover from my awning install and a harbor freight trailer hitch. Not for everyone but it works great. If I slide it all the way in I don't even pin it but I can slide it back 3", pin it and the top...
I installed a xantrex inverter with a 40 amp charger in my shell. While building in the garage, I'd plug in except when working on the electrical system. After some time unplugged the charger would charge at 'bulk' rate, then move to 'absorption' followed by 'full'. This might take an hour or...
Rilcombs,
thanks for the advice. I was thinking about waxing it soon. Unfortunately, it will have to come off the truck at the end of the month. I'm having some 14 gauge stainless bent into Z shape to hold my table under the overhang. I've got enough clearance and like a place for everything...
Stoke, my truck is a 1/2 ton Tundra with an 8' bed. I did add ride rite air bags and load E tires.
Tried to keep the weight down and centered as much as possible.
Ordered with fiberglass, silver spur int, roof struts.
I put 2 AGM golf cart batteries and water tank under front window.
Front...
Picked up my grandby shell in January, fiberglass ext. silver spur interior. Love it yet as Adam said, still too new to comment on age related problems. One interesting note is that the 5 year warranty is only 2 years on the fiberglass siding. Don't know why. When I ordered last October I was...
Got the camper back on the truck today. All systems seem to work, in the driveway at least.
Gonna take a shakedown trip next Monday and realized I don't have anything other than a smoke alarm.
What other sniffers do I need? Propane? Co2? Favorite brands?
Thanks, jim
Trying again, thanks to everyone for trying to help.
I think Ski 3s advice to go to member support has paid off.
After reading PaulT mention "simple resize" I think I can do it from my iPad.
Here's my batteries/water tank
And the Lagun mount with water level site gauge
I wouldn't claim 'cost savings' was my motivation. I'm a project kinda guy who likes to understand how things work.
By building out a shell, you get only what you want, where you want it and you understand how to fix it when it breaks because you put it in.
My experience is on boats where space...