The back of three way RV refrigerators have a high temperature exhaust port.
Offroad popup camper build
- Thread starter Atoyot1031
- Start date
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- Thread starter
- #202
This weekend, I pulled the camper out of the barn where I stored it. Before I put it away, it had snowed and created some ice and snow on the roof. Storing it at ~8,000ft in a barn meant that the snow and ice hadn't gone anywhere since I put it in there.
Before I opened her up, I inspected the stabilizer legs. I noticed over the course of the winter that they seemed to have gotten less "stable". I found a couple broken welds from the manufacturer, so I clamped the metal and re-welded these areas.
I had a couple nightmares over the winter of opening the camper up and finding immense water damage. Fortunately, the only thing I found was a litttle bit of water where I store my pots and pans. Since I could find no evidence of water intrusion on the surrounding walls and lid to the stowage area, I'm chalking it up to some pots and pans put away slightly wet after its last adventure on a boys hunting trip, but I'll keep an eye on it.
Before I put the camper away lasat fall, I pulled out the universal furnace ignitor board that I had purchased at CM10 when the original ignitor board went bad during a snowy, nasty week in the desert. I sold that board on ebay, and purchased a Dinosaur electronics Fan 50 Plus ignitor board.
The original and replacement universal boards do not control the fan. The fan in OEM configuartion is controlled only by the thermostat. Therefore, if the furnace fails to ignite (which mine did on a couple nights when my battery wasn't charged), even if it goes into lockout, the fan will continue to run all night blowing cold air, and ensuring that my battery is dead in the morning. The Fan 50 Plus interupts the power supply to the fan and integrates it into the sequence.
The new sequence is three consecutives attempts to ignite (5 seconds apart), followed by a one hour lockout after the fan runs for 90 seconds. After the one hour, the furnace goes through the three attempts again. If it fails again at this point, it locks out completely.
First I installed the new board with the power interruption. This took maybe 5 minutes.
Next, i let it run it's proper sequence and the furnace fired on the first attempt. Everything as it should be. Next I shut off the gas and put the furnace back into call to force ignition failure. The sequence went just as described, and after 90 seconds the fan shut off!
This may seem like a non-essential mod, but after having my furnace fail on two occasions last summer (both my fault due to insufficient charge on the battery BTW), the ~$30 extra I spent on the Fan 50 Plus board is well worth my piece of mind...
Here's a picture of the board.
We're headed to Moab this weekend. I think the only thing I HAVE to do before we leave is sanitize the water system.
Before I opened her up, I inspected the stabilizer legs. I noticed over the course of the winter that they seemed to have gotten less "stable". I found a couple broken welds from the manufacturer, so I clamped the metal and re-welded these areas.
I had a couple nightmares over the winter of opening the camper up and finding immense water damage. Fortunately, the only thing I found was a litttle bit of water where I store my pots and pans. Since I could find no evidence of water intrusion on the surrounding walls and lid to the stowage area, I'm chalking it up to some pots and pans put away slightly wet after its last adventure on a boys hunting trip, but I'll keep an eye on it.
Before I put the camper away lasat fall, I pulled out the universal furnace ignitor board that I had purchased at CM10 when the original ignitor board went bad during a snowy, nasty week in the desert. I sold that board on ebay, and purchased a Dinosaur electronics Fan 50 Plus ignitor board.
The original and replacement universal boards do not control the fan. The fan in OEM configuartion is controlled only by the thermostat. Therefore, if the furnace fails to ignite (which mine did on a couple nights when my battery wasn't charged), even if it goes into lockout, the fan will continue to run all night blowing cold air, and ensuring that my battery is dead in the morning. The Fan 50 Plus interupts the power supply to the fan and integrates it into the sequence.
The new sequence is three consecutives attempts to ignite (5 seconds apart), followed by a one hour lockout after the fan runs for 90 seconds. After the one hour, the furnace goes through the three attempts again. If it fails again at this point, it locks out completely.
First I installed the new board with the power interruption. This took maybe 5 minutes.
Next, i let it run it's proper sequence and the furnace fired on the first attempt. Everything as it should be. Next I shut off the gas and put the furnace back into call to force ignition failure. The sequence went just as described, and after 90 seconds the fan shut off! This may seem like a non-essential mod, but after having my furnace fail on two occasions last summer (both my fault due to insufficient charge on the battery BTW), the ~$30 extra I spent on the Fan 50 Plus board is well worth my piece of mind...Here's a picture of the board.
We're headed to Moab this weekend. I think the only thing I HAVE to do before we leave is sanitize the water system.
Edge connectors on a vehicle.
What were they thinking? Those things wear out fast where there is any sort of vibration.
What were they thinking? Those things wear out fast where there is any sort of vibration.
- Thread starter
- #204
It seems like nothing designed for the RV industry had durability as one of the design criteria. That being said, the original did last 30 years. Based on where I'm taking this thing, I don't have a 30 year expectation on any of it regardless of how much I overbuild things.
Hello everyone, I just stumbled across this in my Google search for pop up rebuild ideas...Amazing build! In your first post you said you wanted this to be affordable, I don't think I missed it but did you keep a tab of your cost for this project? I hope you do not mind me asking, Im really considering this route and money needs to be budgeted for something like this...
Again great job, I am inspired...
Again great job, I am inspired...
- Thread starter
- #206
I think it was under $3500 including the purchase of the camper. A new "offroad" popup is $10,000+ and isn't made for anything more than dirt roads IMHO.
I agree about the quality of the new off road trailer quality. Thank you for your hard work on this write up, it has TONS of great ideas and tips! As soon as I get my shop finished my version will be my first project. Happy camping...
- Thread starter
- #208
Taylor Pass stream crossing last weekend...
Nice to see it working well for you in difficult terrain
What size are the trailer tires?
Now that you have had some testing time is there anything you would change next time?
excellent!
- Thread starter
- #211
Nice to see it working well for you in difficult terrain
What size are the trailer tires?
Now that you have had some testing time is there anything you would change next time?
Thanks guys!
The trailer tires are 33x12.50r17s. (freebie donors) They do well on the trail and great on the highway. I didn't air them down for this trip as I normally would for more extended offroad.
The only thing I'd change (or will change) that comes to mind is the stabilizer jacks. They work, but they are more effort than necessary, in other words they add time to setup/tear down, and they are fairly cheap, so they aren't rock solid. I'm trying to come up with something that I can utilize my 18v impact or drill (as they are always on board that will provide a more solid platform, but not lower ground clearance (obviously I need it), and not add much in weight. I haven't come up with it yet. It's hard when you have to stabilize something 3' off the ground that is sitting on soft suspension and weighs a lot.
Awesome, looks like a blast!
EPIC !!
If the Donner's would have had that little treasure, they would all still be alive!
I liked your daughter's face, she looked like she was spotting out the window...lol
If the Donner's would have had that little treasure, they would all still be alive!
I liked your daughter's face, she looked like she was spotting out the window...lol
Incredible! I have had an idea similiar to this rolling around in my head for a couple of years now. I have an aluminum FJ45 box shortened to 6' for a start. I'm curious as to the outside dimensions of your trailer. I was sort of initially thinking of just plopping a tent trailer on top and using the area under for storage. But you have me thinking now. Learned alot and got alot of ideas. Thank you and your fantastic workmanship!
Well a Coleman Gettysburg of unknown vintage popped up on eBay some 10 miles from me this morning - start bid £50 (approw $80)
What will thesay??
Doesn't matter....
Always easier to ask for forgivness instead of asking for permission....
Well, I didn't go for it as it happens - it went for the start bid... 
wasn't keen so I'm going to have a bash at modifiying my Sankey trailer instead.
Back to the idea hunting
wasn't keen so I'm going to have a bash at modifiying my Sankey trailer instead.Back to the idea hunting
- Thread starter
- #219
Update time.
Functionally the camper has been awesome. I have a pile of steel trying to work out some bomber stabilizer jacks.
Facelift time- This thing needs to look great now. I have a couple 2'x7' sheets of aluminum diamond plate for the front and rear, and enough Toyota 6M1 (paint code) to paint the sides and match the Cruiser. My goal is to have it done by CM12 along with my new hood scoop and intercooler...
Functionally the camper has been awesome. I have a pile of steel trying to work out some bomber stabilizer jacks.
Facelift time- This thing needs to look great now. I have a couple 2'x7' sheets of aluminum diamond plate for the front and rear, and enough Toyota 6M1 (paint code) to paint the sides and match the Cruiser. My goal is to have it done by CM12 along with my new hood scoop and intercooler...
Update time.
Functionally the camper has been awesome. I have a pile of steel trying to work out some bomber stabilizer jacks.
Facelift time- This thing needs to look great now. I have a couple 2'x7' sheets of aluminum diamond plate for the front and rear, and enough Toyota 6M1 (paint code) to paint the sides and match the Cruiser. My goal is to have it done by CM12 along with my new hood scoop and intercooler...
Sweet. Sounds like you have a few more great ideas to improve your pop up. I'll be watching...
