Build “Marsha” The Swiss Army Knife Build

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poppe said:
Would you mind showing how you are attaching everything, including the lights, to your rack? I know that sounds dumb, but so many racks are that aluminum extrusion stuff with the T-nuts. I like Gamiviti better and the owner seems dope. Gamiviti is the way to go and what I'm set on. I'm just not the most mechanically inclined and a little nervous I'll end up having to try and fabricate mounts and connectors and what not since it seems most racks are moving to 80/20 type stuff.
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I'll try to get some photos before I head out of town this weekend, but Tim is really fantastic to work with. I brought the stuff that I was mounting to him, and he helped me get it installed at his shop.
 
swhme said:
I'll try to get some photos before I head out of town this weekend, but Tim is really fantastic to work with. I brought the stuff that I was mounting to him, and he helped me get it installed at his shop.
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That’s good to hear. Appreciate any photos you got. I’ve only heard good things about Tim and how helpful he is. Besides looks of the rack, his reputation is what pushed me over to get it one day, but also I just know I’m a dumb dumb when it comes to fabricating if I have to haha.
 
Hey, @swhme. How's the Dakota lithiums working out? I'm really interested in going this route but hesitant as I'm in the PHX and drive my 150 daily. My first X2 only lasted 2 years, which wasn't any better than my Lexus LAF.
 
WTITW said:
Hey, @swhme. How's the Dakota lithiums working out? I'm really interested in going this route but hesitant as I'm in the PHX and drive my 150 daily. My first X2 only lasted 2 years, which wasn't any better than my Lexus LAF.
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They are good so far, I haven’t noticed any degradation, and I get about 40 hours running the fridge, starlink, lights and making a few cups of tea with my immersion boiler.

My solar setup, unfortunately, has never worked, so I need to get it back up to slee to troubleshoot
 
Man, I got Marsha back and spent so much time out playing that I neglected to update the thread!

I’m headed back to Big Bend tomorrow, and will take a bunch of pics highlighting the state of the build.

A few notes:
  • Since picking it up in February, I’ve done trips to Moab, Mojave, Anza Borrega, Santa Barbara, Patagonia AZ, all over NM, and Big Bend.
  • I love the kitchen. I’ve probably cooked 100 meals on it at this point, and I love it just as much as I did on day 1.
  • I love the LRA spare fuel tank.
  • I added a roof box, and it’s a game changer. I keep all of my camping gear up there (3 sleeping pads, gazelle tent, 3 sleeping bags, 5 pillows, toilet, camp table, a couple extra chairs), and it’s made a huge difference in not having the interior feel like it’s closing in on you when you’re loaded up. The placement of the roof box isn’t great, because of where my roof rack bars are located. I’ll probably work with Tim at Gamiviti to design a new rack to get the placement better.
  • I’ve removed the starlink, replaced with a starlink mini. I still need to mount it, right now I just set it up when I get to camp.
  • Not having a useable backup camera is a PITA. Navigating tight parking lots still makes me pucker, and I try to avoid it whenever I can.
  • I didn’t do a remote switch for the inverter when I had them install it. I have regretted that, and gone back and added it myself.
  • Did I mention that I love the kitchen?
  • The “attic” in the back is super useful. I tend to keep a couple camp chairs, a little table, a foot rest, and a couple jackets up there. Easy to get to, but out of the way.
  • I added a suicide knob. Fantastic for both long highway segments and multi-point turns.
  • I needed to change up my iPad mounting. It’s now mounted on the bar above my stereo, I did that this morning, we’ll see how it goes on this trip.
  • I may ditch the awning. It’s a great awning, but I find it’s in the way more often than it’s helpful. We don’t get much rain here in New Mexico, and the sun needs to be in just the right place for it to be useful for shade. And it makes it much harder to access the rack on the passenger side.
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swhme said:
Man, I got Marsha back and spent so much time out playing that I neglected to update the thread!

I’m headed back to Big Bend tomorrow, and will take a bunch of pics highlighting the state of the build.

A few notes:
  • Since picking it up in February, I’ve done trips to Moab, Mojave, Anza Borrega, Santa Barbara, Patagonia AZ, all over NM, and Big Bend.
  • I love the kitchen. I’ve probably cooked 100 meals on it at this point, and I love it just as much as I did on day 1.
  • I love the LRA spare fuel tank.
  • I added a roof box, and it’s a game changer. I keep all of my camping gear up there (3 sleeping pads, gazelle tent, 3 sleeping bags, 5 pillows, toilet, camp table, a couple extra chairs), and it’s made a huge difference in not having the interior feel like it’s closing in on you when you’re loaded up. The placement of the roof box isn’t great, because of where my roof rack bars are located. I’ll probably work with Tim at Gamiviti to design a new rack to get the placement better.
  • I’ve removed the starlink, replaced with a starlink mini. I still need to mount it, right now I just set it up when I get to camp.
  • Not having a useable backup camera is a PITA. Navigating tight parking lots still makes me pucker, and I try to avoid it whenever I can.
  • I didn’t do a remote switch for the inverter when I had them install it. I have regretted that, and gone back and added it myself.
  • Did I mention that I love the kitchen?
  • The “attic” in the back is super useful. I tend to keep a couple camp chairs, a little table, a foot rest, and a couple jackets up there. Easy to get to, but out of the way.
  • I added a suicide knob. Fantastic for both long highway segments and multi-point turns.
  • I needed to change up my iPad mounting. It’s now mounted on the bar above my stereo, I did that this morning, we’ll see how it goes on this trip.
  • I may ditch the awning. It’s a great awning, but I find it’s in the way more often than it’s helpful. We don’t get much rain here in New Mexico, and the sun needs to be in just the right place for it to be useful for shade. And it makes it much harder to access the rack on the passenger side.
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Just got the Gamiviti myself. How are you attaching your roof box? Assuming it’s the Roam?

I bought a few kits from Tim for some options.
 
I’ve had the Roam since February, and it’s mounted using the mounting kit from Roam. The one I just added is a much larger Thule. Will take daytime pics soon, but here’s one I snapped tonight as I get her loaded up

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swhme said:
I’ve had the Roam since February, and it’s mounted using the mounting kit from Roam. The one I just added is a much larger Thule. Will take daytime pics soon, but here’s one I snapped tonight as I get her loaded up

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Ohhh sick! Isn’t the roam mounting kits for 80/20? Or how are you doing that?

And thanks, would love to see the Thule setup too. Looking to do both as well!
 
poppe said:
Ohhh sick! Isn’t the roam mounting kits for 80/20? Or how are you doing that?

And thanks, would love to see the Thule setup too. Looking to do both as well!
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rlynch356 said:
I did not realize the starlink used that much... I'll have to consider that when I get one at some point... but I also don't say put as well..I am usually moving daily so power is not usually an issue.. Now if you running an induction cook top I can see it being an issue.

interior space for clothes, bedding and water (if its freezing out) are always an issue... but I highly recommend not having either outside if possible.
its ok until its not and then it sucks.. (been there), possible trip killer.

cool start looking forward to it
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The newer Mini Starlink uses half that power and even less if snow melt feature is turned off, if fact its running under 2.5 amps almost always.
 
Julian73 said:
The newer Mini Starlink uses half that power and even less if snow melt feature is turned off, if fact its running under 2.5 amps almost always.
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Yep, that’s a big part of why I’ve switched over
 
How is the tire noise above 60mph and wet weather traction?
 
1Maverick said:
How is the tire noise above 60mph and wet weather traction?
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No issues with either of those. I spent all day today cruising at 70-85, noise level was very comfortable, more wind noise than tire noise. And I had no issues the times I’ve been in heavy rain with her.
 
swhme said:
No issues with either of those. I spent all day today cruising at 70-85, noise level was very comfortable, more wind noise than tire noise. And I had no issues the times I’ve been in heavy rain with her.
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Good to hear. I will be putting these on once my current tires wear out or I get bored and just upsize before then. lol
 
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Met up with my sister in Marfa
 
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