Inspired by those of you who've done shell threads, here's mine.
I post it in case it gives you an idea or two, because I've gotten a ton of ideas here.
I've got pretty much zero building/carpentry/electrical skills or tools, so pretty much everything I've ever learned (or bought), I learned while working on this camper... I mention that partly to encourage your chuckles, but also to say very seriously: I've done my best to make things safe, but I don't know what I'm doing. You should talk to somebody who does and do a lot of research on your own.
I'll edit this over time as I get the time to add new things.
First change I made was got a battery installed by the local FWC guy (only mention that because he did a really good job I think). Battery is under the rollover couch, battery box is screwed to the floor:
My first major project was to install a heater -- in the middle of the dang floor! We tried using a catalytic originally, and were too wimpy to make it through winter nights at altitude, so went with forced-air. Unfortunately, we got the rollover couch on the driver's side, where all the room is to put the standard FWC furnace, so there weren't a lot of good options.
Ended up going with a Propex because it's small and I could make the venting work without drilling holes in the camper. Also thought I'd want semi-permanent (to remove during summer), but this is one of those prototypes that has never been removed... Yes, I should have treated the wood, but again it was a "prototype." Any wood that faces outside has been covered with something (I don't remember what - basically lacquer?).
Where it sits:
The back of the box:
The board that holds the box to the camper wall:
The rear, just before screwing it down:
Another view:
Thermostat:
Propane line also comes out the back, runs around the side of the camper, and comes back in through a hole in the floor (I eventually did drill holes for a propane box that's more or less sealed off from the living space). I had a guy at the local propane shop make the connection to the heater, and I didn't want to have any of my own "work" inside the camper. There are quick-connects in the propane box so I can either run off my 11lb on-board, or connect to something sitting outside on the ground.
Exhaust tube goes through the Tacoma "cubby hole". I got an extension piece so it exhausts the way the instructions tell you to... You can barely see it from the exterior unless you're looking. I ordered some heat-tolerant wrap from McMaster but don't remember if I actually used it. The plastic has always felt fine when I tested it (ran the heater for like 5 hours straight and could touch with my hand).
View from the ground:
View from the front turnbuckle access:
Propane Box
I also installed a propane box because I didn't want the tank just sitting in there with us all the time... It's dorky but I have to say: this could be dangerous so do some research before you build a propane box, and do it at your own risk. If I had it to do over again, I'd get the factory propane box. It's very hard to get something aftermarket (at least in my experience). The idea is to protect us from most moderate leaks but won't do much for a catastrophe... CO/LP detector is "installed" right next to it.
Box is made from ABS plastic -- best I could figure out at the time. Silicone layer around the edge of the lid, held down with velcro. It's not completely airtight (I filled with water and held it upside down, and it slowly leaked out). Two vent holes are drilled in the bottom (one of which has the hose coming out, but it's not a tight seal so that one can vent a little as well). It is screwed into the floor, and at the top it's screwed to the square dowel. Screws are sealed.
Although it looks otherwise, the propane line is not getting squished by the camper -- it moves freely there. Just pulled it all out and inspected it all a few weeks ago and there's no wear.
Also, we have this shoe hanger thing (stuck on with velcro) which is functional but not beautiful.
Solar
(I've had a portable setup for about a year, adding a stick-on panel soon).
That is a Global Solar 90 watt stick-on panel. Yes, I was absent the day they taught caulking... Those panels are a little challenging because they have a strange black sticky thing on the edge. It gets all bunched up in shipment and I'd probably slice it off if I did another panel (I don't even know if you need to caulk around the edge). Fortunately you all are the only ones who'll get a good look -- it's practically invisible unless you're up high. If anybody wants more pictures let me know.
Below is how I got wires through the roof, inspired by this kind of product and this one. But I wanted something lower profile (it'll be 3/4" tall), and that could screw down. Plus I decided I'm not going to get 10 AWG solar wire through the roof easily, so it'll be leftover 12 AWG silicone wire. It turns into 12 AWG at the Pre-wiring anyway...
This is UV resistant HDPE from the scrap bin at the local plastic shop. Dug out some room for a grommet and copied the screw hole pattern from the FWC solar plug. I eventually trimmed the butyl tape, sealed, and covered wires with split loom to protect wires from the sun.
Charge controller above. It doesn't have 2 inches of airspace above, but I described my use with Morningstar support (my particular details like watts, airspace behind, etc) and they said I'd be good. If you're thinking of doing similar make sure you talk with them.
I post it in case it gives you an idea or two, because I've gotten a ton of ideas here.
I've got pretty much zero building/carpentry/electrical skills or tools, so pretty much everything I've ever learned (or bought), I learned while working on this camper... I mention that partly to encourage your chuckles, but also to say very seriously: I've done my best to make things safe, but I don't know what I'm doing. You should talk to somebody who does and do a lot of research on your own.
I'll edit this over time as I get the time to add new things.
First change I made was got a battery installed by the local FWC guy (only mention that because he did a really good job I think). Battery is under the rollover couch, battery box is screwed to the floor:
My first major project was to install a heater -- in the middle of the dang floor! We tried using a catalytic originally, and were too wimpy to make it through winter nights at altitude, so went with forced-air. Unfortunately, we got the rollover couch on the driver's side, where all the room is to put the standard FWC furnace, so there weren't a lot of good options.
Ended up going with a Propex because it's small and I could make the venting work without drilling holes in the camper. Also thought I'd want semi-permanent (to remove during summer), but this is one of those prototypes that has never been removed... Yes, I should have treated the wood, but again it was a "prototype." Any wood that faces outside has been covered with something (I don't remember what - basically lacquer?).
Where it sits:
The back of the box:
The board that holds the box to the camper wall:
The rear, just before screwing it down:
Another view:
Thermostat:
Propane line also comes out the back, runs around the side of the camper, and comes back in through a hole in the floor (I eventually did drill holes for a propane box that's more or less sealed off from the living space). I had a guy at the local propane shop make the connection to the heater, and I didn't want to have any of my own "work" inside the camper. There are quick-connects in the propane box so I can either run off my 11lb on-board, or connect to something sitting outside on the ground.
Exhaust tube goes through the Tacoma "cubby hole". I got an extension piece so it exhausts the way the instructions tell you to... You can barely see it from the exterior unless you're looking. I ordered some heat-tolerant wrap from McMaster but don't remember if I actually used it. The plastic has always felt fine when I tested it (ran the heater for like 5 hours straight and could touch with my hand).
View from the ground:
View from the front turnbuckle access:
Propane Box
I also installed a propane box because I didn't want the tank just sitting in there with us all the time... It's dorky but I have to say: this could be dangerous so do some research before you build a propane box, and do it at your own risk. If I had it to do over again, I'd get the factory propane box. It's very hard to get something aftermarket (at least in my experience). The idea is to protect us from most moderate leaks but won't do much for a catastrophe... CO/LP detector is "installed" right next to it.
Box is made from ABS plastic -- best I could figure out at the time. Silicone layer around the edge of the lid, held down with velcro. It's not completely airtight (I filled with water and held it upside down, and it slowly leaked out). Two vent holes are drilled in the bottom (one of which has the hose coming out, but it's not a tight seal so that one can vent a little as well). It is screwed into the floor, and at the top it's screwed to the square dowel. Screws are sealed.
Although it looks otherwise, the propane line is not getting squished by the camper -- it moves freely there. Just pulled it all out and inspected it all a few weeks ago and there's no wear.
Also, we have this shoe hanger thing (stuck on with velcro) which is functional but not beautiful.
Solar
(I've had a portable setup for about a year, adding a stick-on panel soon).
That is a Global Solar 90 watt stick-on panel. Yes, I was absent the day they taught caulking... Those panels are a little challenging because they have a strange black sticky thing on the edge. It gets all bunched up in shipment and I'd probably slice it off if I did another panel (I don't even know if you need to caulk around the edge). Fortunately you all are the only ones who'll get a good look -- it's practically invisible unless you're up high. If anybody wants more pictures let me know.
Below is how I got wires through the roof, inspired by this kind of product and this one. But I wanted something lower profile (it'll be 3/4" tall), and that could screw down. Plus I decided I'm not going to get 10 AWG solar wire through the roof easily, so it'll be leftover 12 AWG silicone wire. It turns into 12 AWG at the Pre-wiring anyway...
This is UV resistant HDPE from the scrap bin at the local plastic shop. Dug out some room for a grommet and copied the screw hole pattern from the FWC solar plug. I eventually trimmed the butyl tape, sealed, and covered wires with split loom to protect wires from the sun.
Charge controller above. It doesn't have 2 inches of airspace above, but I described my use with Morningstar support (my particular details like watts, airspace behind, etc) and they said I'd be good. If you're thinking of doing similar make sure you talk with them.
