Search results

I run two group 24 batteries that came stock in my newer Hawk. In the last couple of months I've added a Bogart Trimetric monitor and a 160 watt solar panel made by Grape Solar. My camper is 100% LED and I have a brand new Isotherm 85 refrig. The solar system works flawless, as long as I'm in...

Not sure if this is relevant but I wanted to share this story. Last week three buddies and I did a 1450 mile trip for a bachelor party. Basically fly fishing the rivers in Nor Cal. When I left Redding one evening after fishing we headed to the McCloud River and my batteries were about 70%...

I just did a 1450 mile trip with the camper and four guys and some of it was some rough roads in Nor Cal. When I got home I checked the vinyl covers over the rivets and it looks good. No issues that I could see.

In my Dodge 2500 with the same tires I run 70 psi in both the front and rear. If I had them on something smaller and lighter I'd be running 60 psi front and rear. My truck is about 1,000 lbs heavier then yours.

I've been thinking about it. I bought my Dodge used and it came with Michelin tires and I'm at 89k miles right now. These tires could be the stock set, but I don't know.

Idahoron, I have the Michelin LTX tires in E-rating on my Ram 2500 and I will say they are a great tire for the highway. Very smooth running! Mine are getting close to being done and will replace them with a much more rugged tire this time. In fact I'm looking at some of the mud terrains. I...

Craig, I was unable to tell the roof and support bars touched by just looking from the top. The only way it was visible was to remove a couple of bolts and tilt the panel up and look under it. I had a longer black line along the front and a shorter line on the rear. I have a feeling that...

Wow, I was surprised and had to report that the space between the angle aluminum that supports my 160 watt panel and the roof was not enough. I was working on the solar wiring today and noticed that there was a black line on the roof from the angle aluminum and the roof touching while traveling...

Update on how FWC fixed this issue. FWC cut these round pieces of the same material and glued them onto the sides over the heads of the rivets with vinyl cement. Their comment was that once glued they are permanent. I think this is a great way to mitigate the damage that was being done...

FYI - I had some concerns that my compressor maybe running hot due to poor ventilation. I only assumed it was running hot by putting my had on top of the compressor. So today I called Isotherm and talked with the same very help fellow from before. He said the compressors will run at about 140...

I'm sure many will agree, but I can't imaging a more perfect setup than a 2-way compressor refrig and a solar panel. With this setup I'm not sure I see a single benefit to running a 3-way refrig any more. There's absolutely nothing to do with a 2-way and solar combination. Well actually there...

From what I can tell the turnbuckles that FWC uses are nothing special. In fact their working load limits is very low. If I had to buy new turnbuckles to replace the stock ones I'd be looking at stronger versions from Chicago Hardware or another company that makes solid forged turnbuckles...

My fairly new Hawk has two group 24 AGM batteries in it. Whenever these batteries die I will be looking at putting in larger AGM batteries in the same spot. I'm hoping I can get a couple of group 27 batteries in the same spot. I don't think group 31 batteries will fit. FYI - I have two Sears...

Dual AGM batteries and 220 watts of solar is more then enough to run everything you have and the camper next to you. My 160 watt panel is probably overkill too, but I like having the extra amps just in case I need them. I'm not exactly sure what my total amp use is per day since the Trimetric...

Craig, The second fan I installed is switched and will run all the time if turned on. However, the power consumption from the fan is less than 0.2 amps and barely shows up on my Trimetric unit. With the output of my 160 watt panel I would have no problem leaving it run all day long while I...

DrJ, I chose the Isotherm over all of the other makes and models for a variety of reasons. During my research I originally settled on the TruckFridge since it had a lot of great reviews and happy customers, but it didn't come in an 80 liter version. I then found out that they were re-branded...

Thanks Bill and also thanks for answering my questions recently on your refrig install. Just the thought of being able to run it non-stop for free and not use propane is awesome! I've got a week long bachelor party trip at the end of May to test it out.

When I ordered my camper in November 2013 I decided to go with an icebox and even though it worked surprisingly well I saw the need on a recent trip to DVNP with a 1.5 year daughter (i.e. the Milk Hound) and our second due in September the need for an efficient refrigerator. So I did a ton of...

Our young daughter has been sleeping on the rollover couch since she was 15 months old. We don't ever sleep with her and have raised her from day one to sleep alone. We simply put a lot of blankets on the bed with her and roll some up to prevent her from falling into the gap between the bed...

I agree with you ACE. I priced a new diesel a couple of years ago and about fell over when the lower models were around $48k!! I opted for a used diesel then.

My 2005 Dodge Ram 2500 with a diesel will get 17-18 mpg w/out the camper and 15-16 mpg with the camper. I've always gone with the idea that a smaller motor gets better mpg if it doesn't have to work hard getting around. Put the small motor to work and the mileage drops. Most of my friends...

Is the Granby a shell model? If it's not a shell I'd imagine it's closer to 1,300-1,400 lbs without camping gear or water. Probably closer to 1,800 lbs with gear and water. I wouldn't be putting a Granby on anything other than a 3/4 ton and definitely not a vehicle with a 4 cyl and for me not...

FWIW - I've used a hitch carrier to carry a lot of stuff over the years. Including hundreds of dead wild pigs (I use to work as a hunting guide). In all that time I've never used an anti-rattle stabilizer and I've come to the conclusion they're not needed. The carriers that I had never...

The way I have the panel installed currently there is a 1/2" to 3/4" opening all the way around the panel to provide ventilation. Many of the other installs I've seen they install the panels with "z-bar" that only allows for venting on two sides. I think with my four sides being open I come...

I am in the middle of slowly installing my new 160 watt solar panel. I chose to use angle aluminum attached to the long side of the panel to span and attach to my Yakima tracks. Installed as you see here I have about a finger width of space between the angle aluminum and the roof panel. Does...