8*20 Toy Hauler Build

[flboy]

I am done with the build. Here is a summary video that shows the finished project... if you ever really are finished with a build. LOL

 

[flboy]

Heading out on the maiden voyage with my new build. It was a lot of work. We'll see how it goes. I did get the lifetime warranty on it, so it should all be good!

 

[featherliteCT1]

I did get the lifetime warranty on it,

I presume, measured by your life.

 

[flboy]

I presume, measured by your life.

Yes, of course!

 

[rose090999]

So how did she hold up? Any issues pop up?

 

[flboy]

Hi. Well, I've traveled from Florida and presently am in Massachusetts. I have camped along the way for the last 8 days and so far, so good. I am well pleased with how it is all working. The solar power and battery capacity is great. Little things did pop up that the warranty department handled. The fridge latch I have wasn't tight enough and allowed the seal to break slightly such that I lost all the cold and some food may have went bad. I fixed that with a baby latch from Walmart. I also had some hardware on the big drawer underneath the microwave back out and the drawer fell off the tracks. I took some epoxy and put in the screw holes and reseated them. I am sure they won't back out again. My bathroom vanity sink is barely flowing. I think there was some debris in tank from construction and that is where it ended up. I need to figure out how to get the screen off the faucet I have. It appears to need a special tool.

Other than that, it is working great and tows perfectly. It is very stable with no sway. I can tow with confidence. I do have an Anderson hitch with antisway which is a big part of that I am sure. Lastly, the bed is very comfortable. I sleep well with the AC blowing on me. The OutEquip Pro DC Air Conditioner is meeting my expectations. I can run over 14 hours on batteries alone.

Thanks for asking. I hope all is progressing well with your project. Enjoy.

 

[flboy]

I have Starlink in the CTC, so I effectively have Internet 24/7 and the CTC is on the grid. I am away from the CTC now and I can monitor my Victron Power System in addition to cameras or etc. I am plugged into shore power because I am at a relative's house, but it only pulls AC power as needed. Solar is completely running the DC Air Conditioner which is running in turbo mode as it is a 93 degree day.

The Shore power is only 15A so I can limit the Victron to only draw 14A so I don't blow a circuit breaker. What I really like about this Victron system is that it I have a load requirement above 15A (running water heater and microwave for instance) instead of blowing breakers or faulting, the Victron Inverter kicks in and adds whatever is needed up to the 3000W. I do not need to manage loads anymore. Highly recommend this equipment. Also, so far, I am really liking the 24VDC Air Conditioner. Very quiet, cools the trailer well and uses less than a 5000 BTU window unit when it is 11,000 BTU.

 

[flboy]

I have been living and traveling in the new CTC for over a month now and towing on the worst road I have ever seen (I70 West between Dayton and Indianapolis) and everything held together well. The trailer tows perfectly with the Anderson hitch with no bounce or sway.Very comfortable. Been boondocking on Harvest Host places. Power capacity is spot on. Running AC and etc. and have not needed the generator yet. Got down to around 30% by morning, but the panels recovered the batteries by late afternoon on the road. So far so good!

 

[rose090999]

How do you have your Starlink mounted? Do you have a permanent mount on the roof or do you have a portable stand? I have a starlink mini that I'd like to be able to mount it on the roof but be able to take it down easily if needed...

 

[bdosborn-SMB]

How do you have your Starlink mounted? Do you have a permanent mount on the roof or do you have a portable stand? I have a starlink mini that I'd like to be able to mount it on the roof but be able to take it down easily if needed

I've got a case from:
Starlink Mini Mount
It has magnets that work great on a metal roof.
Bruce

 

[flboy]

How do you have your Starlink mounted? Do you have a permanent mount on the roof or do you have a portable stand? I have a starlink mini that I'd like to be able to mount it on the roof but be able to take it down easily if needed...

 

[flboy]

I am literally just setting it on top the trailer when I use it. Takes only a few minutes to set up. I have a longer cable if needed due to obstructions over camper.

I have a cord I plug in from an outside socket I installed. Using a DC to 30V converter made for Star Link

I will end up with some sort of magnet mount as I am concerned about high winds catching it.

 

[flboy]

I've got a case from:
Starlink Mini Mount
It has magnets that work great on a metal roof.
Bruce

I like that. I may order one too. Thanks.

 

[bdosborn-SMB]

I like that. I may order one too. Thanks.

I like it because it encloses the terminal and protects it. I've already dropped mine and cracked it so the poor thing needs protection from me the most. The add-ons can make it pricey but I got mine with the handle and the mounting magnets.
Bruce

 

[flboy]

I ended up getting this mount. Very basic with strong magnets. I won't be leaving it up there for travel, but the magnets are very strong so I do not have to worry about it blowing off.

Amazon.com

 

[flboy]

I just discovered that my OutEquip AC has Bluetooth. The manual is inadequate but I found an OutEquip app and then realized it has Bluetooth. Been living in the CTC for six weeks and all is working great so far.
Really pleased with the AC and the way it runs straight off the panels during the day. The decision to go all electric was good. Plenty of power available to cook and heat water. I have full hookups with 30A service at my son's place in Nebraska ( I installed it this week ) which makes solar irrelevant except that the AC does not need the converter or battery during the day.

 

[bdosborn-SMB]

I use the app in the van; it's nice to be able to turn the a/c on from the drivers seat without having to find the remote. I bet the Bluetooth will reach from your tow vehicle, give it try. It might be nice to pre-cool the trailer before you get to your destination.
Bruce