Spring RV mods

Posted on June 11, 2021 by Ben

The truck’s overload springs provide a stiffer ride under load when they’re fully engaged, so I installed these bumpers to keep the overload springs under tension at all times:

I installed these skewers so I can carry my bikes in the truck camper:

I broke up a laptop cooling pad and built this frame to build a powered exhaust system to cool the coils on the back of the refrigerator:

The lights built in to the fan cause the refrigerator exhaust cover to glow:

I sealed the back of the refrigerator from the cabin so the negative pressure from the fans can suck fresh air through the lower vent and exhaust it out the roof vent:

I modified the PPG mount in the RV, and in the process punctured a propane line, so I had to take apart the bench and replace the damaged line:

The biggest job was welding on struts that connect the front and rear jacks to increase the truck camper’s stability when I’m getting the truck camper on and off the truck:

Now I’m ready for adventure!

More truck camper work

Posted on January 13, 2020 by Ben

Programmable thermostat installed:

It’s come a long way since we brought it home:

Truck camper washed:

I removed the back seat of the truck and built a floor so there’s a flat surface for stacking gear:

Ready for our winter trip!

Still more truck camper modifications

Posted on September 24, 2019 by Ben

I installed the levers that hold down the solar array when it’s not tipped up:

The air conditioner cowling was cracked, so I patched it with leftover plastic from the earlier screen door repair:

I decided to remove this hood over the bathroom vent:

The fan also needs upgrading:

New fan installed:

The lower edge of the screen door needed fixing:

I installed the inverter’s remote switch and a shunt and display that shows live power consumption and battery state:

Shunt wiring:

The refrigerator’s exhaust was entering the cabin through an opening above its upper edge, so I walled it off. This will ultimately be a cabinet:

Shower curtain installed:

The trim and underlayment was sagging due to water damage, so I glued it back up into position:

I fabricated this foam “floor” for the truck camper so the 5th wheel mount rails wouldn’t be a high point upon which the truck camper would rock back and forth:

Blinds installed:

Struts for tipping the solar panels fabricated and installed:

More truck camper modifications

Posted on September 5, 2019 by Ben

The lower screen and the plastic handle cover were both missing, so I replaced them:

I installed the inverter, solar controller, and solar panel shutoff switch:

Designing the bench platform was next:

Bench done, paramotor in place:

Pre-charged pressure tank installed:

Truck camper rehabilitation

Posted on August 23, 2019 by Ben

The first thing I did was replace the propane burner in the refrigerator:

The truck camper is a bit of a mess, even after our heroic cleaning efforts:

Not sure why this fragment of home furniture is attached here:

My paramotor will reside where this cabinet is located, so it needs to go:

With the cabinet removed, the propane enclosure is visible intruding into the cabin:

I removed the generator enclosure below the propane enclosure and installed the propane enclosure in that lower location, so now there’s a hole in the side of the cabin: