Laying out the truck bed.

 

Toolboxes - Check

Generator - Check

Trailer Spare - Check

Ladder - Check

All locked down - Check

Windshield

Some clouding on the top and passenger side.

 

Shiny new windshield!

 

 

Next up, oil change & filter, fuel filters, transmission oil & filter change.  

New 16 inch wheels & tires installed today.

Very happy to have top notch Firestone tires. Should be all set for several years of travel. I actually bought them a few weeks ago but just got them installed today. Another item checked off the list. Next up.....The dually gets a new windshield. I want a nice clear picture window to look out of, during my travels.

First trial of the new heater.

Sweet!

"Cloud" Control

My solar set-up is awesome but the reality is that sometimes you get a few cloudy days. Nothing you can do about that. So I want to be able to keep my batteries charged even on those less than sunny days.

At 3100 peak watts, this will recharge the battery bank in a few hours from 50%. It will also run my roof top air conditioner should we be get caught somewhere uncomfortably hot while out in the boonies.

Another item checked off the list. List is getting shorter & shorter.

Champion Generator

My new Empire heater arrived today.

I was very happy to see my new heater had arrived from Amazon already today. I set right to work finding the ideal location to keep it when not in use. I think you will be impressed with my ingenuity.

This is the side of the TV cabinet. The factory furnace is inside here so the bottom area is mostly used for that. One shelf I'll have to shorted but that's all.

Cutting out the new hole.

Measuring the space requirements.

Test fitting.

In it's new home. Now you see it.......

Now you don't.......you see the Bass Island Lighthouse. The heater is safely tucked away in it's own out of the way spot. I bought a 12 ft flexible hose so I can pull the heater out and set it about anywhere in the camper.

This was pretty much just wasted space. I lost only about 6 inches of shelf space inside the cabinet.

Staying Warm in even the coldest (warm) places.

Although it's my intention to avoid cold at (almost) any cost, sometimes it gets cold even in the generally warm locals. Of course we have the factory installed propane furnace, but those are notoriously in-efficient. Here is my solution. I ordered it today:

The Empire Heating Systems Vent-Free Radiant Heater Hr15tl Lp 15000 Btu - Thermostatic Control.

This little beauty is:

Radiant Heat:

Think

cat on a windowsill!

Our radiant heaters

project warmth into the room like sunlight

through a window. Ideal for any supplemental

heat application.

• 99.9% efficiency – turns more gas into heat 

• Available in LP or Natural gas

• Pushbutton piezo ignition and standing pilot

• Heats even when electric power fails

• Oxygen Depletion Sensor shuts off heater before

oxygen drops to unsafe levels

• Every heater is test-fired at the factory to check

• Wall-mount or floor stand

• Three-year limited warranty on parts and labor

This Empire brand comes highly recommended by Handy Bob's Solar, someone I believe knows what he's talking about. He's been using one similar to this for 10 years now.
 https://handybobsolar.wordpress.com/january-2013-propane-heating-off-grid-by-handybob/

The last piece of the solar power setup.

4 new Trojan T-105 6-volt batteries. Just what I needed to complete the solar project. Check that one off the list.

I've been a busy boy.

New LP Gas detector. Installed at the low point of interior.

New Carbon Monoxide Detector.

New 12 volt outlet for bedroom TV.

New courtesy light in the bedroom.

Modified courtesy light with 12 volt outlet for 12 volt electric blanket.

Supplies for the road. You always need a screw, bolt or fuse.

The Great Trailer Tire Debate, ST or LT.

After many weeks of researching tire sizes, load ranges, speed ranges,  durability, etc. I have decided to replace my ST225/75R15 D Carlisle trailer tires with  LT225/75R16 E Firestone Transforce Light Truck tires.
I've read tons of reports of problems with the 15 inch ST tires being instantly remedied by upgrading to the 16 inch wheel & 10 ply truck tires. You simply can't buy ST tires anymore made in America & I just don't want to skimp on something as critical for long distance traveling.

With the ST tires you are limited to 65 MPH. Speeds over that will result in the tire heating up and the belts shifting. The LT tires are rated for a much higher speed so the occasional 70-75 MPH will not cause excessive heating.

Tons of information on the various forums about this topic. It is a large investment, but a blowout on a super highway is never fun & can cause substantial damage.

I also bought a Porter Cable portable air compressor to keep those tire pressures in check.

Sat getting some sun.

Watching the Nascar race in the rig. Courtesy of the Sun.  Sweet free power.

Another step closer to the goal.

The remnants of what hopefully will soon be my former life.  The house is emptied.  Now I just need a buyer.