Florida Road Trip - aVANger Build

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Florida Road Trip - aVANger Build

Postby bdosborn » Sun Feb 26, 2023 9:12 am

We just got back from our maiden voyage of the van; a 12 day road trip to Florida. Nothing broke and the elecrical system worked like a champ. We didn't plug in for the entire trip; between the DC-DC charger and the PV array we were completely charged every day by noon or so. We used around 1kw-hr per day.
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Our first official night out in Amarillo, TX:
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We tried out the collapsible hot water kettle and ended up using it everyday for morning coffee. This thing works great, I wish I'd found one years ago:
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We also tested the 400W mini toaster oven, it worked surprisingly well and only used 8 amp-hrs of battery to heat a frozen pizza. I'm not sure if we'll keep this, the same company makes a mini air fryer that looks very interesting.
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This was our first time at a Cracker Barrel in Naples, Florida. It was surprisingly easy and we didn't experience any drama. We'd do it again.
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Towards the end of our trip we bellied up to the bar in Bowie, Texas for fried pickles and wings:
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I weighed the van at a CAT scale with a full tank of gas and the both of us inside. Our GVW is 9,080# and the empty weight is 6,073#. The van weighed in at 7,980# so we are still 1,100# under our limit. I figure the just build itself added around 1,200#:
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It was a great trip, I'm very happy with how well everything worked in the van. I've got a few rattles to chase down but that's about it. Now back to work on the van!
:thumbsup:
Bruce
2009 6.5'X11' TTT - Boxcar
All it takes is a speck of faith and a few kilowatts of sweat and grace.
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Re: Florida Road Trip - aVANger Build

Postby tony.latham » Sun Feb 26, 2023 1:07 pm

...and the elecrical system worked like a champ.


Bruce:

I would have been stunned if your system had an issue. Maybe even suspected your account was hacked. :thumbsup:

Great job; glad to see you guys had a superb trip. :applause: :beer:

Tony
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Re: Florida Road Trip - aVANger Build

Postby bdosborn » Sun Feb 26, 2023 1:14 pm

Tony,
It was super fun, we didn't have an itinerary or reservations, we just drove and stayed in an RV park when we felt like it. I haven't traveled that way in years and I really liked it. :thumbsup: I'm not sure I'd try it when the kids are out of school but it worked in February.
Bruce
2009 6.5'X11' TTT - Boxcar
All it takes is a speck of faith and a few kilowatts of sweat and grace.
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Boxcar Build
aVANger Build
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Re: Florida Road Trip - aVANger Build

Postby S. Heisley » Sun Feb 26, 2023 10:31 pm

:thumbsup: Awesome! Congratulations!
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Re: Florida Road Trip - aVANger Build

Postby pchast » Sun Feb 26, 2023 10:37 pm

Congratulations on the successful shake down trip. :D
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Re: Florida Road Trip - aVANger Build

Postby bdosborn » Mon Feb 27, 2023 10:10 am

Thanks Sharon and Pete!
2009 6.5'X11' TTT - Boxcar
All it takes is a speck of faith and a few kilowatts of sweat and grace.
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