I guess it's time to start a build thread. Isn't that what they all turn out to be?
On the planning board is a 3 month trip cross-country and back (I'm in Washington, family in Maine)
to celebrate the start of retirement, solo.
The vehicle? My 1977 26' previously called "Snowflake" (ouch). I believe I shall call you Myrtle.
Current Project List:
1. Complete installation of 455 engine and transmission that I rebuilt.
2. De-mousify hvac and propane heating. (ie. any system enclosure I can access). Because, you know,
there's this smell...
3. Replace refrigerator with Norcold 12 cu ft.
4. De-mousify frig installation area (it's the rear bed floor plan, frig next to bathroom on rh side)
5. Rebuild frig area with new materials. I want something lighter in color for the wood work in the coach. I
have inherited a black and white scheme (exterior repainted white, interior floor black and white squares)
and want a light wood color instead of the dark stuff. Years ago, you could buy veneer plywood (birch is what
I was thinking about) by the sheet. Couldn't find them at my big box store last time I visited, so
I have not settled on what to use to rebuild the walls yet.
6. Of course, de-mousify the enclosed refrigerator area.
7. Install Cerbo GX with tank monitoring. OEM display shows only battery voltage. Sensor states unknown.
8. While there, fix the positioning of the main door which does not align correctly, resulting in a constant,
irritating door warning light on the dash!
9. Replace shocks and probably the other 4 tires that aren't new.
10. As this is a trip, I expect minimal boon-docking. I have already switched to a LifePo4 100aH and added a
20A DC to DC charger for it. I took a few trips before the motor failed and never ran the generator.
My Onan has been replaced with a Generac Guardian RV unit. I am planning to remove it and utilize that
location for additional batteries (hopefully smaller than the one I have currently) and tool storage.
Additionally, the inverter will be located in this compartment.
Convert your battery power into AC at the closest proximity with the lowest guage wire should provide
the best performance possible, I'm thinking. Plus, there's a plug-in to the AC network right there!
I expect I'll pick up a portable solar generator that I can deploy occasionally when needed as I
tiptoe into solar conversion.
11. One of the major concerns of traveling solo is backup transportation. I lashed a bicycle on the top last
year, lol, but that won't cut the mustard going forward.
So, the question is, toad or motorcycle?
Toad:
1. I do like the idea of additional braking for the coach. More is always better.
2. I don't like the additional weight/strain on the drivetrain.
3. Plus, there's the maneuverability and drivability.
4. I do have a candidate: 2001 Audi TT Quattro. Perhaps a bit heavy. "Probably", can be flat towed.
Motorcycle:
1. Where to install for ideal weight distribution? My thought has been that putting a <= 300 lb dual-sport
on a front-mounted carrier (remove the bumper) might help the FWD traction.
2. On the other hand, mounting it directly in front of the heat-exchanger stack might not be the smartest move.
3. Also, I see folks are uprading there front-ends. I have seen no issues with mine but that might be a concern.
4. Of course, there's mounting on the back but that seems quite a distance from centerline for that amount of weight.
Does anyone know what the allowed tongue weight is for a hitch? That might be a clue.
12. Various electrical. Guages on new dash not reading correct ranges, Miscellaneous rewiring of the rewiring done
previously. Heater fan needs conversion to PWM or similar.
13. Investigate vehicle AC system. Convert to R134a if feasible at this time (ie. no horrendously expensive/difficult parts
required)
Pictures to be added in followup post.
On the planning board is a 3 month trip cross-country and back (I'm in Washington, family in Maine)
to celebrate the start of retirement, solo.
The vehicle? My 1977 26' previously called "Snowflake" (ouch). I believe I shall call you Myrtle.
Current Project List:
1. Complete installation of 455 engine and transmission that I rebuilt.
2. De-mousify hvac and propane heating. (ie. any system enclosure I can access). Because, you know,
there's this smell...
3. Replace refrigerator with Norcold 12 cu ft.
4. De-mousify frig installation area (it's the rear bed floor plan, frig next to bathroom on rh side)
5. Rebuild frig area with new materials. I want something lighter in color for the wood work in the coach. I
have inherited a black and white scheme (exterior repainted white, interior floor black and white squares)
and want a light wood color instead of the dark stuff. Years ago, you could buy veneer plywood (birch is what
I was thinking about) by the sheet. Couldn't find them at my big box store last time I visited, so
I have not settled on what to use to rebuild the walls yet.
6. Of course, de-mousify the enclosed refrigerator area.
7. Install Cerbo GX with tank monitoring. OEM display shows only battery voltage. Sensor states unknown.
8. While there, fix the positioning of the main door which does not align correctly, resulting in a constant,
irritating door warning light on the dash!
9. Replace shocks and probably the other 4 tires that aren't new.
10. As this is a trip, I expect minimal boon-docking. I have already switched to a LifePo4 100aH and added a
20A DC to DC charger for it. I took a few trips before the motor failed and never ran the generator.
My Onan has been replaced with a Generac Guardian RV unit. I am planning to remove it and utilize that
location for additional batteries (hopefully smaller than the one I have currently) and tool storage.
Additionally, the inverter will be located in this compartment.
Convert your battery power into AC at the closest proximity with the lowest guage wire should provide
the best performance possible, I'm thinking. Plus, there's a plug-in to the AC network right there!
I expect I'll pick up a portable solar generator that I can deploy occasionally when needed as I
tiptoe into solar conversion.
11. One of the major concerns of traveling solo is backup transportation. I lashed a bicycle on the top last
year, lol, but that won't cut the mustard going forward.
So, the question is, toad or motorcycle?
Toad:
1. I do like the idea of additional braking for the coach. More is always better.
2. I don't like the additional weight/strain on the drivetrain.
3. Plus, there's the maneuverability and drivability.
4. I do have a candidate: 2001 Audi TT Quattro. Perhaps a bit heavy. "Probably", can be flat towed.
Motorcycle:
1. Where to install for ideal weight distribution? My thought has been that putting a <= 300 lb dual-sport
on a front-mounted carrier (remove the bumper) might help the FWD traction.
2. On the other hand, mounting it directly in front of the heat-exchanger stack might not be the smartest move.
3. Also, I see folks are uprading there front-ends. I have seen no issues with mine but that might be a concern.
4. Of course, there's mounting on the back but that seems quite a distance from centerline for that amount of weight.
Does anyone know what the allowed tongue weight is for a hitch? That might be a clue.
12. Various electrical. Guages on new dash not reading correct ranges, Miscellaneous rewiring of the rewiring done
previously. Heater fan needs conversion to PWM or similar.
13. Investigate vehicle AC system. Convert to R134a if feasible at this time (ie. no horrendously expensive/difficult parts
required)
Pictures to be added in followup post.