Very nice DXGrunt, and thanks for taking the time to share the photos!
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Very nice DXGrunt, and thanks for taking the time to share the photos!
Good question plassy where does it go
very good rossco worth the wait,and it is free standing if you wantto drive around ?
Just like the concept of it
have you considered a couple of fluro ropes for nite adventures around camp
so you dont trip over
Mate, what a sensational set-up, who needs a camper trailer when you have the DX GRUNT!!!!!!!! Well done mate, very nice
Bloody brilliant brother........ Your gonna be happy as a pig in poo with that mate.
Simply love what you've done with the place...........hahahahah
Haven't thought about lighting seriously yet. It's an OSH reps dream to see all those tripping hazards. Looking for any advice/info, so feel free to contribute.Quote:
Originally Posted by roofy
Rossco
I've changed my inner spring matress to a high quality foam. The idea is to put all my stuff on the floor on the pod and to put the foam matress on top. That way, I don't really loose any floor storage space.Quote:
Originally Posted by Plasnart
Not much room on the roof. Gotta put 2 x 125w solar panels up there yet.
Awesome to see it Rosco you must be a happy man.
Do you have to pack it away to drive the ute away fom camp? And how long does it take to set up and pack away?
It looks as you described so all should be good now its done.
Macca
Looks great Rossco. Well worth the wait I bet. Now you just have to christen it and take more pics I hope.
Hope to catch you one day out using it all.
awesome awesome set upp there Rossco, especially like aection where your pod door open up inside..............very very neat and tidy indeed, nice one mate
Hey MaccaQuote:
Originally Posted by macca
Reverse in, drive out. Will post some pics tomorrow morning, if it's not raining. Didn't realize there were so many guy ropes needed. lol
Left hand mirror might be an issue, but it's all practice, practice, practice. lol
That was the first time I set it up and it was a bit squashy between the trees on the front lawn. Took about 3 hrs to set up, but I still need to mark the poles ect, but I've noticed it's gunna be a challenge, every time I set it up, coz there's no 2 scenarios that will be the same. lol
Seriously good setup old mate!!! Forget the 'cosmetic' appearance of some things as you put it - it looks top dollar and so long as you're happy with it, not much else matters. Plenty of space under those awnings etc considering what it packs up into!!
Here’s 2 x pics without the truck beside it.
In reality, I’ll need to put in guy ropes where the truck normally goes, for stability.
If you know the WA south coast, you’ll understand I need every guy rope you see to accommodate the blustery, windy conditions. Also, I may have to single up the tent pegs to allow for ‘flexing’, too.
http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/...xawning037.jpg
http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/...xawning038.jpg
Looking realy good mate,just need to practice backing in close and straight
long sand pegs to hold it up
lots of happy days camping and fishing on the coast
Like it mate, good you can get it in and out "easy".
Mate you will have it set up in 20mins flat in no time. Marking stuff "dis goes wid dat" will speed thing up like you said.
Good stuff Rosco.
By the way seen them trees near Geraldton, holy piss the wind must blow a lot there. :jawdrop:
Macca
I used to have one of those massive old frame tents long ago....... I ended up getting lots of different coloured tape to colour code the ends of which part of the frame went with what.
Looks absolute tops Roosco, easily one of the best ute campers i've seen around can't wait to see the set up at the meetup.
bout time hahahahahah
hay i dont need to fetch any camping gear down when the cook and i get down that way
that setup is like a hotel ...WOW..... top rig mate
go for L E D mateQuote:
Originally Posted by DX grunt
thats what i have in the back of my work bus
lights the place up like a chrismas tree
great setup mate
Another couple of mods........
Today, I paid for and received a Steca solar regulator, and tomorrow I'm buying a Deca Intimidator RV fully sealed Glass Matt Battery.
Wife is adamant that the solar panels aren't going on the roof. Damn!! Sooooo, I'm looking for a free standing A frame. Not happy, but will get used to it I guess.
In her defence, my neighbour used his multimeter in a trial and it definitely helps to have them angled.
Are you reading this, Jon!!!! It's nearly there.
Just had a look at a latest catalogue and my panels have been superceeded, already!!! BP now make 130w panels, not 125w. Doh.
Take care out there.
Rossco
Interesting to see how you go with all this Rossco and get some feedback too mate...lol
I need to head down this path in the next 12 months with the camper and I know ZIP about solar!
Good stuff ole mate. The Steca's are a top reg mate good choice, also i don't like to admit it but your missus is right, although 2 x 125 w panels should give ample power even when not sun chasing [mounted on the roof].Quote:
Originally Posted by DX grunt
Like i've said before mate simply one of the best ute/camper setups out there.
Thanks guys.
I'm still a bit nervous about going completely independent with solar, so until I'm confident, the old 750w 2 stroke genny will still be tucked away in the back of my truck. lol
whats the scouts motto Bro????............. It never hurts to be hay.....Quote:
Originally Posted by DX grunt
The wind is that strong up there sometimes, I've known it ta blow the dog straight off the chain lol.Quote:
Originally Posted by macca
You have done a bloody great job there Ross, enjoy it mate and if (when) you get stuck just give me a call and the Q will be there to recover you.......LOLOLOLOLOL
Woops just remembered that the Q is still broken, better not call me................NOT LOLOLOLOL now
I'm getting excited. Finally get the solar put on tomorrow! Only 16 sleeps to go befoire holidays start - unless the boss changes the roster, then it'll be 18!
So looking forward to hols. Last had them wayyyyyy back in February.
I'm more than impressed with my Marine Deep Cycle Battery - it;s so much easier than carrying a genny and 2 stroke fuel around everywhere.
Pics to follow - Paul. lol
Take care out there.
Rossco
youll enjoy your camping a lot more now you dont have to worry aboutQuote:
Originally Posted by dx grunt
the geni and extra fuel
Good to see it coming togeather for you.
Where are you going? How far away? 4WDing? How long? Fishing gear? Camera?
You know all the nosey stuff.
Macca
This will be the inaugural big trip of my truck going totally solar. I'm going to a beach side location about 120k's from home, that has a free gas bbq and a drop dunny.Quote:
Originally Posted by macca
I'll still be taking enough stuff to be totally independent - just in case I have to move, should my camping spot be inundated with drunken, rowdy tourists for xmas/new year.
I'll be there for nearly 2 weeks by myself, then I'll have to zip home and pick the missus up. Hopefully my 2 youngest boys (16 & 18) will be coming too. So we'll be there for Xmas and New Year's Eve.
Well and truly in preparation mode at the moment. Annex is set up in the front yard - all I've gotta do is to mark the poles and fold it up.
I've got so many things I want to do before I go away, but things are really expensive.
I've found a local shop that has fridge slides to hold my 95lt fridge - $345 plus postage. Love Rottodiver's roof slide for his solar panels. I want one. lol
I need to sort out my camp lighting. Got a couple of LED's but need to hook them up. I need a decent inverter, too. And lots of plugs/powerpoints. And, and, and,
The list goes on and on. I'm very happy with my set up. Need a couple of major mods done to be happier to make my truck more OSH friendly. lol
I'm going to take my lappy, so I'll be able to talk to the outside world - once I get on top of a big hill. lol
The only piece of recovery gear I don't have is an exhaust jack. That's on the wishlist. I love my maxtrax. Saved my backside a couple of 'practice' times.
I need water storage. Does anybody have a ute with water storage behind the seats? You know, those long skinny tanks. Still coming to terms with the price of them!
Oh well, off on a 300k round trip to get the solar hooked up. I'm getting excited - 15 more sleeps to go before hols.
Fishing will be my main entertainment while I wait for my solar water bags to heat up. lol Got 4kg of mulies to keep me occupied.
I'm willing to take my camera if you want to see pics of me in my MAMIL (Middle Aged Man in Lycra) uniform. lol
I will be taking my truck on the beach, but I've got a golden rule of never going there alone. Always take a Yota so you can recover it! lol
Take care out there.
Rossco
Mate that sounds fantastic, except for the modelling bit, maybe pics of fish caught and Tojo's recovered will be more to my liking!!!!
Pity you live on the other side of the Big Island, I would gladly give you a hand to sort out the electrics, takes time to install it so it gives you no troubles. You will get there.
There are some good sites in the US for water tanks, Dad got one for his campervan delivered for a great price and good quality too. Not sure about behind the seat jobbies. Will put site in an edit here, once I find it.
Have a good break Rossco and enjoy christmas new year camping with your family.
Macca
A search in ebay (USA no .com .au etc) I think a US gallon is 3.7 litres
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=...=p5197.c0.m627
Hope that works, might take some trolling to find something suitable and reasonable frieght
Dads 10gallon cost $94.52 from www.keithsrvsurplus.com delivered
Macca
great looking set up, solar is the way to go ey. Are you going to make up some protective covers for when they are not in use?
Still looking at my options. They are hinged in the middle, so at the moment, they'll be folded in half and wrapped up in a blanket. Looking at a tiltable roof 'fridege slide' as the preferred option.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dozer
Rossco
Well folks, my solar is finally set up!
2 x 125w BP solar panels. Apparently they are now upgraded to 130w panels.
http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/...t/DSCF2796.jpg
Anderson Plug on front of pod just behind passenger door. Put it there so the pod can be locked.
Plug has dust cap, too.
http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/...t/DSCF2801.jpg
Steca 2020 regulator set up on front wall of pod, just above the 12v electrical box. I’ll see how it goes. If I need a bigger regulator, I’ll get one. All I’m running at the moment is my 95lt Evakool fridge/freezer. I’ll crank up the Handiwash at the same time and keep an eye on consumption with my multimeter.
http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/...t/DSCF2802.jpg
The 2 panels are held together by a bit of angle iron and 4 nuts/bolts, strategically placed on the top and bottom of the panel, and hinged with 2 large hinges. Holes were already there.
Picture is of the panels together , standing upright against 2 x 240lt bins.
http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/...t/DSCF2804.jpg
The challenge I have is the weight of the panels. On the www.nissanpatrol.com forum, Rottodiver has the set up I want.
It looks basically like a tiltable fridge slide on the roof. It looks fantastic, and just waiting for him to give me some pics.
Take care out there.
Rossco
Gee Rosco, you could just about plug that into the meterbox and do away with Synergy lol!!
Very nice Rossco, interested to see how it performs mate!
Thanks guys. I've just plugged my 95lt Evakool fridge/freezer in and turned on the Handiwash hot/cold water storage unit. Will be interested at the end of the day or when the water gets hotQuote:
Originally Posted by AB
Can we all come down for a shower tonite then??
Cheers, the ferret.
Of course you can. Just BYO dunny. Haven't hooked up the french version with warm water yet. lolQuote:
Originally Posted by the ferret
A cheap "Light" way to go might be to have a fibreglassing shop make some hinged covers so you can open and close them on the panel's. Seen this done before and looks very neat.Quote:
Originally Posted by DX grunt