Towing/ Camping /Trailers (2 Viewers)

[Bang Bang]

Thanks Jeff. I hope to make some more progress next weekend.

 

[77TLCFJ40]

Planning on doing a real wiring harness on the 40-Camper if/when I find some cheap tail lights.

Here is what I would like to do:

Lights - All OEM FJ40: Amber front marker lights, Red rear marker lights, license plate lights, & '75+ rectangular tail lights with amber/red/clear (blink/stop/reverse). I guess the red comes on with the headlights and just gets much brighter when braking.

Accessories for the future: Deep cycle battery with inverter. Plugs for a fridge, etc. Ship-to-shore for when plug-in at a campground are available. I'd like the harness to have provisions to charge the camper battery while being towed. Possible with a 7-pin? Interior and exterior lighting (LED?) would be nice to.

Is there a wiring kit for this insanity?

 

[Bang Bang]

Trying to figure out some of the same things Lash. How do I get the battery to charge while towing it? And I want to change out the interior lighting from the individual lights all over to switched lighting. I like the LED idea.

 

[Bodean]

Rooftop solar panel for charging. Most chargers have a diode that won't allow overcharging. We run our deer camp like that with a 5 watt panel.

 

[77TLCFJ40]

Rooftop solar panel for charging. Most chargers have a diode that won't allow overcharging. We run our deer camp like that with a 5 watt panel.

Great idea! Where did you get your panel? I will need to either make the panel removable, or mount it so it stays put at ~79 MPH.

 

[Fireman]

Look at all of the trailer builds on Expedition Portal. It'll keep you busy for a while!

 

[Bang Bang]

Thanks Jeff. Looks like lots of options in the $50 - $100 range. The Coleman 58022 looks like a pretty good $50 option and can be surface mounted outside.

 

[Bossman]

Trying to figure out some of the same things Lash. How do I get the battery to charge while towing it? And I want to change out the interior lighting from the individual lights all over to switched lighting. I like the LED idea.

You can use the standard 7 pin RV plug and it will provide 12v to charge the towed battery. If memory serves it should be the pin in about the 4 o'clock position on the plug. Google 7 pin wiring diagram and look for the auxiliary pin location.

Solar chargers are great too if your rig is going to be stationary for long periods. Helps keep the battery alive when not in use too.

 

[Bodean]

The panel I used is for a gate opener and could be mounted flat on the roof

 

[Fireman]

I've sill got the little charger that Bossman had installed on the Crawlerr Hauler and it has kept the battery charged while not in use this whole time.

 

[wngrog]

I put a deep cell battery in my enclosed in a box from Bass Pro that has a 12v cig plug on the side. I hooked my ARB cooler to the battery and mounted a 5 watt solar panel on the roof.

I had the hot wire like Bossman talked about charging when I drove it and the solar panel charging it when I stopped.

It kept the cooler going for the whole week I was in Colorado 3 summers ago.

 

[Bodean]

Great idea! Where did you get your panel? I will need to either make the panel removable, or mount it so it stays put at ~79 MPH.

Not being a smarty britches but google it. Bass pro has some too.

 

[Bossman]

also try Northern Tool on line.

 

[FJ60Cam]

Looks like you could just bolt it to the roof. They are weatherproof.

 

[dnp]

also try Northern Tool on line.

FWIW, just found out yesterday we've got a Northern Tool store that's about to open next to Big Lots on I-55, south of Briarwood.

 

[wngrog]

FWIW, just found out yesterday we've got a Northern Tool store that's about to open next to Big Lots on I-55, south of Briarwood.

I just got moist.

Of course, I used to get crazy moist about Tractor Supply but not having any $$ makes those places not near as much fun

 

[40's rock]

Try Harbor Freight, seems to be the same Chinese cr... but less expensive and the extended warranties rock.
Just picked up a 12k winch for the trailer for $299 add two year warranty for $49.

They run several solar panel deals.

 

[Bang Bang]

Ordered this one: Wel-Bilt Solar Battery Trickle Charger — 6 Watt | Amorphous Solar Panels| Northern Tool + Equipment

We'll see when it gets here. It got good reviews on the NT site. For $32 shipped, it's not a big investment.

 

[Bodean]

That's a good buy!

 

[Bang Bang]

I thought so, that's why I pulled the trigger and wanted to pass along what I found. Thanks to Darryl for offering up the NT suggestion.