Dry camping What have you done to your trailer

[Doonz]

Hey everyone,

This came up in another thread about how it would be nice to share our boon docking mods.

4 x 100w Renogy Solar Panels
1x 30 amp pmw Go Power Solar controller
2x Trojan 6v batteries (Will be upgrading to lithium when the custom battery ships)
1x Renogy Voyager 20 amp pmw controller for the front hitch solar connection
2x 100w Renogy redneck built portable solar panels
1x Go Power 2000w inline inverter charger
1x Micro Air EasyStar 364 (One more on order)
Ill have to get pictures when I get home

[Rustic Eagle]

Most recent boondocking MOD I installed was a MicroAir Easy Start for my A/C....., reduces the starting load on my Yamaha EF2400iSCH performance since I do a fair amount of boondocking.

The Micro-Air comes with all the connectors and a small length (6") of extra wire. I didn't think it would be enough wire so I picked up an extra 2ft........, and I did use some of it due to routing requirements with my model A/C.



Installation was fairly straight forward and completed the install while camping at a State Park with 30amp shore power at my site. I have the Dometic 13,500btu, Brisk II series A/C. I used the following Micro-Air installation guide:

https://www.micro-air.com/support-do...ily_RV_ACs.pdf

MicroAir Product Web Site:

https://www.microair.net/products/ea...nt=30176048267

Bob

[01tundra]

If you order an Easy Start don't forget to type "AIRSTREAM" in the discount code box, it knocks the price down from $299 to $274

[Screwby]

Well now I have to go take some pictures and make a list. You called me out Doonz...
Your setup is so close to mine I might just copy paste lol

[Robbbyr]

My boondocking mods were accomplished to save precious water. Plus they make it more convenient the rest of the time!

I swapped out the wasteful (and unreliable) Girard hot water heater and I replaced it with an Atwood XT 10-gallon tank-style heater. I also installed a hot water recirculation system using A 12-volt solenoid is located in the hot water line at my last fixture (shower). It returns the cold standing water in the hot line back to the freshwater tank. It returns the water to the tank via a self-constructed manifold that also serves as a air break in the tank's overflow/vent lines to prevent siphoning of my water when traveling.

I now arrive with every drop I left home with, and I don't waste any water waiting for it to get hot. I push a momentary switch and a 30-second timer circuit opens the solenoid valve. Hot water now available right at the fixtures since it passes by each one on its way to the solenoid valve at the end of the line.

I also installed a SeeLevel tank level monitoring system (replacing the unreliable original probe system) so I know accurately how much is in my fresh water tank and how much is in my waste tanks.

[Rustic Eagle]

Installed a SHURFLO 24oz. accumulator tank reducing water pump operation thus saving on battery draw, especially during low-flow faucet operation.

Incorporating the two 20" steel braided hoses and vibration pad aided in plumbing noise reduction as well.



https://www.pentair.com/en/products/...ator_tank.html

TriMetric battery bank monitoring:



http://www.bogartengineering.com/pro...rimetrics.html

Bob

[Screwby]

There are many mods here and there I’ve done but the ones aimed toward making the trailer as self sufficient as possible are...
Energy mods
400w Renogy RV solar kit with Bluetooth controller
100w Renogy solar suitcase supplement solar kit
430 amp hour 6v battery bank Mounted on the tongue
1000w Renogy inverter with 2 hardwired receptacles (one inside by the bed and one in the front storage bay). I can turn off the converter and power the camper from the one inside the storage bay. I added an access port on the front storage door next to the receptacle so I can plug it into itself and still be sealed up.
175w GoPower inverter behind the T.V. that runs entertainment and the internet hotspot if we don’t need the bigger inverter.
2200i Companion Honda generator for when the solar needs help
12v Fantastic Breeze fan moves a ton of air with low power draw
Micro-air for the AC lets me use the Honda to run the whole camper
Fantastic Vent Fan with thermostat replaced the worthless bathroom vent and moves tons of air with low power draw. The thermostat is awesome to keep air moving only if you need it instead of running constantly.

[Screwby]

Sorry, two part post because I ran out of picture upload space lol

Other mods to conserve water/energy or for more self sufficiency are..

Quick connect for a Buddy Heater inside the camper I can warm it up a little on a cool evening or morning without running the terribly inefficient furnace. I tapped into the stove manifold and installed an access point below the oven.
Quick connect for the Camp Chef stove lets me cook outside and prepare large meals without heating up the camper with the kitchen stove and sacrificing room
Oxygenics shower head conserves water and much more pressure
Berkey water filter allows me to have safe clean water regardless of where I end up. We use 5 gallon Culligan jugs with a hand pump but the Berkey is a backup plan.
2-6 1/2 gallon Blitz water cans to transport water or store extra water
60 gallon Aqua Tank II and 12v transfer pump to transfer water to the camper without having to break camp if needed. Makes a big difference if your a long way from a water source.
Viair 12v compressor and a tire repair kit/tools kind of self explanatory!
Wetbolt kit for the suspension another reliability mod

There may be more smaller mods I’m forgetting or don’t pertain to this post. My main goal is to be self reliant as possible and have a rolling “escape pod” if I need it. We keep a change of clothes, one of my Medic jump bags, a small mix of MRE and Mountain House foods onboard, and the camper is fully stocked (dishes, normal camping supplies, etc) at all times. I like to be perishable foods and comfort items away from hitching and going. The next mod I’m working on is getting one of my mobile Ham radios permanently mounted in the camper.