NorthernRedneck
Well-known member
Lmao. They don't call me northern redneck for nothing.
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Camp life
- Thread starter NorthernRedneck
- Start date
NorthernRedneck
Well-known member
I had previously shared the outdoor shower we built last summer. It was originally plumbed through the outdoor shower built onto the camper.
The system worked alright but was dependent on nobody else using the water in the camper as it would reduce pressure and temperature.
We got to looking into propane fired hot water on demand units and settled on an onsen unit. It's a simple system. There's a water line going in to the unit and a line going out to the shower. And a propane line. Simply turn the water on. Turn on the propane. And flip a switch then enjoy instant hot water. I gave the new heater a maiden run this morning and after 20 minutes, hot water was still coming out at the correct temperature. Excellent unit for offgrid living. The unit was on Amazon for around $200.
The system worked alright but was dependent on nobody else using the water in the camper as it would reduce pressure and temperature.
We got to looking into propane fired hot water on demand units and settled on an onsen unit. It's a simple system. There's a water line going in to the unit and a line going out to the shower. And a propane line. Simply turn the water on. Turn on the propane. And flip a switch then enjoy instant hot water. I gave the new heater a maiden run this morning and after 20 minutes, hot water was still coming out at the correct temperature. Excellent unit for offgrid living. The unit was on Amazon for around $200.
NorthernRedneck
Well-known member
We were at our seasonal site last weekend and arrived home Sunday only to pack up Monday and head out Tuesday morning for a 2.5 hr drive west to meet up with my wife's parents for 3 nights at a provincial park. We didn't get fully serviced sites as there were none available for the dates we wanted so we're off grid for 3 nights. My wife hauled the boat so we could go fishing a few times. Tomorrow, we leave to return home. Then we'll take care of a few things at home and head back out to our seasonal site for the long weekend.
FrancSevin
Proudly Deplorable
So this uses LPG but requires no electricity at all?
Not even for on off control?
How does that work
this would be perfect for our Ozark project. thanks Brian.
NorthernRedneck
Well-known member
It uses 2 d cell batteries to power the unit. So as long as you have a water supply and propane hooked up, you have hot water for your shower.
NorthernRedneck
Well-known member
On Wednesday afternoon we took the boat out and anchored in 10 ft of water then everyone had fun diving into the water and swimming.
pirate_girl
legendary ⚓
Brian, you're looking thinner.
Or is it just me?
NorthernRedneck
Well-known member
Lol. It's not you. Following my accident I was on a medication that did nothing for the pain but as a side effect caused rapid weight gain. I was always around the 220 lbs mark and had ballooned to 265 without changing the diet. I got off that medication a couple years ago and onto the medical marijuana. The pain has been better and I'm now down to 208 lbs.
NorthernRedneck
Well-known member
Every summer I take my son out to see his mother for 2 weeks as she lives two provinces away. She was originally supposed to meet me a 4 hour drive away to get him. It just happened to coincide with my brother dirt track racing in the next community over. So rather than drive 4 hours to do the exchange, then turn around and drive four hours back in the same day, I decided to take the fifth wheel and drive 6 hrs one way and stay overnight at a campground, watch the races, do the exchange, and come back. Two of the younger kids also wanted to come along.
So we spent the weekend at the seasonal site doing the usual stuff. Sunday morning I had everything planned that I would get up early drive home with the kids, hook up to the fifth wheel to get on the road by 8:30am. We arrived home and went to hook up and discovered a flat tire on the camper. The spare was an option until I discovered that it was a 13" and the ones on the trailer are 14". So I headed to the city to pick up a new tire and install it once I got back.
On to the camper issues. So we ended up on the road a little later than expected. While driving I got to thinking about the tire. I removed the flat and left it at home but not before airing it up to discover that the belting let go on the last trip and it was nearing exploding on the highway and damaging the camper so good thing it let go at home. And if one of the tires was experiencing belt separation from age, the other three are not far behind. So I better get them replaced. So I called a tire shop along the way and made arrangements to get there at a certain time and have them swap out the three remaining tires. I pulled in at 1pm today and by 1:30 we were back on the road. They had two guys on it right away changing the tires nascar style. That's jacking up the camper mounting and unmounting 3 tires on the old rims and mounting them back onto the camper. Quick service.
So we spent the weekend at the seasonal site doing the usual stuff. Sunday morning I had everything planned that I would get up early drive home with the kids, hook up to the fifth wheel to get on the road by 8:30am. We arrived home and went to hook up and discovered a flat tire on the camper. The spare was an option until I discovered that it was a 13" and the ones on the trailer are 14". So I headed to the city to pick up a new tire and install it once I got back.
On to the camper issues. So we ended up on the road a little later than expected. While driving I got to thinking about the tire. I removed the flat and left it at home but not before airing it up to discover that the belting let go on the last trip and it was nearing exploding on the highway and damaging the camper so good thing it let go at home. And if one of the tires was experiencing belt separation from age, the other three are not far behind. So I better get them replaced. So I called a tire shop along the way and made arrangements to get there at a certain time and have them swap out the three remaining tires. I pulled in at 1pm today and by 1:30 we were back on the road. They had two guys on it right away changing the tires nascar style. That's jacking up the camper mounting and unmounting 3 tires on the old rims and mounting them back onto the camper. Quick service.
NorthernRedneck
Well-known member
We previously had a 10x10 tarp garage sitting there for storage but last year I had to take it down as the tarp was baked after only 4 years. So I needed a place to store the tubes gas cans etc that wasn't necessarily fully weather proof and with the cost of lumber, pallets made for a cheaper alternative. I came back out to camp on Wednesday to finish building the shed I started last week.
On Thursday after I finished the shed, I started work on the kitchen to bring in proper electrical and lighting. We previously had strings of Christmas lights and solar lights to light the kitchen at night. For power, I had an extension cord with a power bar hung over the side.
I used regular household wiring coming in through the wall to a regular exterior plug then going to a light switch to control a ceiling light fixture I repurposed from my son's room when we installed a ceiling fan last winter. The refrigerator was originally plugged into a heavy duty ac extension cord into the power bar. So now it's going directly to the plug in and the second plug in feeds a power bar which takes care of the stereo and any other electronic devices that need to be plugged in. On the back side of the wall, the electrical cord just goes to a 3 prong plug into an extension cord. It all works. There is a main breaker to shut power off or trip if things get overloaded.
On Thursday after I finished the shed, I started work on the kitchen to bring in proper electrical and lighting. We previously had strings of Christmas lights and solar lights to light the kitchen at night. For power, I had an extension cord with a power bar hung over the side.
I used regular household wiring coming in through the wall to a regular exterior plug then going to a light switch to control a ceiling light fixture I repurposed from my son's room when we installed a ceiling fan last winter. The refrigerator was originally plugged into a heavy duty ac extension cord into the power bar. So now it's going directly to the plug in and the second plug in feeds a power bar which takes care of the stereo and any other electronic devices that need to be plugged in. On the back side of the wall, the electrical cord just goes to a 3 prong plug into an extension cord. It all works. There is a main breaker to shut power off or trip if things get overloaded.
Went to the work cabin Thursday to check it out and clean pine needles away again. There is a very big fire raging up there right now ( Dixie fire ) that would have gotten us for sure, if not for the fire last year ( sheep fire ) It burned right up to the burn scar from last year 4-5 days ago and stopped advancing towards us. Its trying to go around both north and south right now but shouldn't threaten us. Last night it rained for a couple hours with lightning and wet my place down pretty good. It had been hot and it cooled it down some. Went to sleep around 8pm and woke up this morning at 3am. it was very smokey so we decided to head home and not have to breath it for another day. We packed up and left around 4:30 am and got home around 10am. A lot of refugees were in Susanville and a lot of sad faces. That whole area is getting ready to take a big hit, and not only from the fires, the State prison there which nearly 50% of the revenues come from closes next year.
NorthernRedneck
Well-known member
We have a slew of forest fires about 40 miles southwest of camp so it's been smokey. We came back out to camp Wednesday with the plan of just relaxing all weekend. Well, I went back home to drive our son to work as it was raining yesterday. While in the city, I picked up some wood for another project.
We didn't have a place to store propane tanks and the generator so I got to work building a storage shed today. A bonus is that it's the perfect height for a work bench/fish cleaning station. I have a small plastic table to use on it as a cleaning board.
Then, as I didn't have enough projects on the go, she who must be obeyed discovered a small opening under the counter in the camper that was covered by a thin piece of paneling so I tore the panel out carefully and built a shelf to hold pizza pans, baking sheets, plastic wrap, and aluminum foil. That took 3 hrs of measuring and cutting support pieces to mount the shelf as only one side had finished paneling.
We didn't have a place to store propane tanks and the generator so I got to work building a storage shed today. A bonus is that it's the perfect height for a work bench/fish cleaning station. I have a small plastic table to use on it as a cleaning board.
Then, as I didn't have enough projects on the go, she who must be obeyed discovered a small opening under the counter in the camper that was covered by a thin piece of paneling so I tore the panel out carefully and built a shelf to hold pizza pans, baking sheets, plastic wrap, and aluminum foil. That took 3 hrs of measuring and cutting support pieces to mount the shelf as only one side had finished paneling.
NorthernRedneck
Well-known member
Another little project done today at camp. We wanted something to cover the sink in the camper and couldn't find one that fit so I picked up a slab of pine and cut it to shape, gave it a good sanding, and two coats of oil stain. It looks alright.
NorthernRedneck
Well-known member
It's been very dry up here this summer. We've been under a fire ban since June. The powers that be lifted the ban 2 days ago. Nice to be able to have a fire again.
NorthernRedneck
Well-known member
I've been negligent on updating this thread as of late due to my dad's passing in September. We did get out a couple more times before closing up on Thanksgiving.
Someone else in our park experienced a bad situation the other day when the propane tank on their camper exploded. I haven't been able to get out yet to check on things but I was told it took out 3 campers and damaged a neighboring permanent cottage.
This is why, at the end of the season, I disconnect my tanks, remove the battery, and unplug the camper. No propane accidentally fed into the camper. No source of ignition. No electricity going to the unit. Stuff can still happen but it's due diligence.
Someone else in our park experienced a bad situation the other day when the propane tank on their camper exploded. I haven't been able to get out yet to check on things but I was told it took out 3 campers and damaged a neighboring permanent cottage.
This is why, at the end of the season, I disconnect my tanks, remove the battery, and unplug the camper. No propane accidentally fed into the camper. No source of ignition. No electricity going to the unit. Stuff can still happen but it's due diligence.
NorthernRedneck
Well-known member
I took a drive out to camp to inspect the damage. Here's what's left of a 27' camper and an enclosed cargo trailer
This was a permanent cabin not part of our campground.
This was a permanent cabin not part of our campground.
FrancSevin
Proudly Deplorable
Wow!
Most people do not realize how fast an RV camper will be consumed by fire.
Negligence is inexcusable.
We were once in a park that allowed RV campers to be within 3 feet of each other.
When they set one next to us, despite our objections and the local fire codes, we moved to another park.
NorthernRedneck
Well-known member
I'd love to know what happened. Was it a propane explosion as we suspected or something else. We were told a propane tank stored in the shed behind the camper exploded. There was a two story camp next to it that is nothing but posts now. We have 3 tanks out there.
NorthernRedneck
Well-known member
We have been keeping our eyes open for a slightly bigger fifth wheel still half ton towable with a slide and bunks in the back. This one came up a while back and I messaged about it. Unfortunately the ad listed as sold so I never gave it any more thought. This week, it was relisted. They had accidentally changed it to sold so the ad disappeared. Oh well. To spare the details, it is 5 hours west of us where my uncle lives so I had him look at it for us. Overall it is solid. They were asking 8000 for it. I got them down to 7250. Same year as ours. This one is 32ft with a 16ft slide. 8100lbs. My f150 is rated for 11500 so we're good there. It's the same size as our main camper at camp. Similar layout but should tow a lot nicer than that 33ft ball hitch that was waving at me every time I looked it the mirror. We're going down Tuesday to pick it up. We actually paid more for the one we currently have which is the same year but only 25 ft and no slide.
Attachments
NorthernRedneck
Well-known member
That's the plan eventually. I plan to avoid the mountains until I get a bigger truck but that will wait a bit.
tommu56
Bronze Member
what do you do for cold weather with the batterys ?
my camps batterys died last year and im concidering Lithium but the low temp was -17 this year on my game cam and in the condrum to stick with LA ot go to lithum.
chowderman
Well-known member
keep in mind . . . things like Teslas have battery heaters - so they'll work when you want them to . . . and the battery heater(s) are powered by . . . . OMG! the same batteries they are keeping warm!
might not be a good solution for intermittent 'occupied' - i.e. they may turn up just as dead as a lead acid
might not be a good solution for intermittent 'occupied' - i.e. they may turn up just as dead as a lead acid
FrancSevin
Proudly Deplorable
A3/4 Ton would so nicely. Get a diesel and you won't struggle with the mountains.
I have three one ton dually Dodge trucks.. Never have issues with trailers. Towed our 40 foot Destination model with ease.
Gert a manual tranny for better control in hill country grades and with braking.
Also, if your trailer wags, it means too much weight behind the axles.
I have three one ton dually Dodge trucks.. Never have issues with trailers. Towed our 40 foot Destination model with ease.
Gert a manual tranny for better control in hill country grades and with braking.
Also, if your trailer wags, it means too much weight behind the axles.
Not doing anything special for the batteries, they are in a 20' container with the rest of the solar equipment, inverter and charge controller. I have been using them for several years without issue. Sometimes in cold months I don't get up there for 6 months and they are still at the charge that I left them with. In the day when its sunny the container warms up pretty good. I don't know if thats helping or not. It gets below zero Fahrenheit up there at night. I got the batteries from a wrecked Nissan Leaf.
Not been my experience, have been using lithium batteries from a Nissan Leaf for several years, leave them for 6 months at a time in -10 to 35 degree temps and they lose nothing. I haven't tried to charge them under zero but when the solar is charging the sun heats up the container to around 50 degrees, maybe that helps. All I know is they have been very reliable and blow any lead acid battery out of the water on capacity and maintenance. Also age doest effect the batteries, only cycles.
tommu56
Bronze Member
do you have a link to how you built them up and what charge controller are you using????
NorthernRedneck
Well-known member
I found a couple of side shots of the same year and model camper online.
NorthernRedneck
Well-known member
All the arrangements are made. I'm heading out with my wife Tuesday morning for a four hour drive west to first drop her off at her parents for a visit while I continue on another couple hours to pick up the camper and drive back to stay at her parents for the night. All fine in the summer but this is northwestern Ontario Canada in February. There's 4ft snowbanks lining the highway. There's a storm headed this way forecast to dump a ft of snow Monday night.