Class-A Boondocking mods - but not those kind

[prepilot_3ck]

Fellow drivers of the Fonzie-class of RVs,

I'm picking up my RV today from the custom shop where I've had about 2/3rds of the solar panels/gear installed that I plan on having done. Just decided to break up the project to make sure I'm not over doing it. Ya know?

Anyway, we're hoping to do more boondocking as a result of our new found energy independence. Obviously, power is a huge key to boondocking, and water storage and all of that. What about physical mods to your RV to handled the rigor of boondocking?

Has anyone thought about or done anything like, suspension mods, tires, skid plates, flood lights, brush guards, anything like that? Is that even a thing people do?

[prepilot_3ck]

azrving wrote:
Ive never owned a MH but I wouldn’t make mods like a skid plate because you want to go off road etc. I would be looking it over very well to try and bulletproof it as good as possible. My FW sits nice and high because of the axle flip but there are other vulnerable items like the drain pipe. So guards and skid plates are good but more as protection during normal use not for taking it to the limit. I made brackets and a protective shield under it and where something like a tire gator could bust the end off. I also made a guard bracket to protect my fumoto valve Check the spare tire and possibly make a secondary restraint for it. Check the exhaust system for good hangers and improve where needed. Look at everything that could go wrong. While you are under it its also a good time to plug all the holes to keep the critters out.

Ive double towed my FW and atv trailer through a fair amount of rough places but I have the option of possibly driving the truck if the FW was stuck or broke etc. I also have a couple street legal motorcycles If your MH is stuck broke its all you have unless you pull something.

Dang! Sounds like you have quite the setup. That was the kind of stuff I was thinking about though. Just keeping the underside protected from rocks flying up, or whatever. Good mods, I dig it.

[prepilot_3ck]

Gjac wrote:
I don't know how much fresh water your tank holds but for me I always run low on 60 gals of water before batteries reach 50% SOC in around 7 days. So any mod that would increase FW capacity would be the first thing I would do like adding more tank capacity or a water collection system. Even filling several 5 gal containers and using them to wash dishes outside saves inside water for showers. Washing dishes, pots and pans takes more water than Navy showers. I also carry an electric chain saw to sometimes clear dirt roads of fallen trees and for fire wood once there. Having had several branches cut my roof backing into wooded sites I worry more about that than damage from underneath from rough dirt roads. Class A's usually have good GC.

Solid point. I have a folding hand saw, but I may need to upgrade. We're mostly in the desert so trees aren't normally a thing though. Maybe in the upper elevations we'll have some pines to deal with.

[prepilot_3ck]

garym114 wrote:
I added 4 more 6 volt batteries to store the power.

I just installed 600W of solar, and 2 battle born lifPo batteries. I'm picking up 200W portable solar as well so I can find sun if I need to.

[prepilot_3ck]

wopachop wrote:
Battery powered spotlight works well to see what's up without having to get out the truck.

Once parked some people like having outdoor lighting to work on bikes or hang out and cook. Others might like it dark and check out the stars.

I use a cheesy solar powered motion sensor light on the side of my trailer. It's nice having it light up when walking up to the rig. Not the best choice for being the party trailer though.

Yeah, I'd probably do something permenent, but the motion activated light is a good idea too! I'll have to look for something.

[prepilot_3ck]

wopachop wrote:
Tow hooks and a tow strap.

Magnet on a stick around camp will find ya lots of potential nails.

Got that already, but that's a good point.

[Gjac]

I don't know how much fresh water your tank holds but for me I always run low on 60 gals of water before batteries reach 50% SOC in around 7 days. So any mod that would increase FW capacity would be the first thing I would do like adding more tank capacity or a water collection system. Even filling several 5 gal containers and using them to wash dishes outside saves inside water for showers. Washing dishes, pots and pans takes more water than Navy showers. I also carry an electric chain saw to sometimes clear dirt roads of fallen trees and for fire wood once there. Having had several branches cut my roof backing into wooded sites I worry more about that than damage from underneath from rough dirt roads. Class A's usually have good GC.

[2oldman]

prepilot_3ck wrote:
Finding boondocking sites in the dark.

Brave man.

[azrving]

Ive never owned a MH but I wouldn’t make mods like a skid plate because you want to go off road etc. I would be looking it over very well to try and bulletproof it as good as possible. My FW sits nice and high because of the axle flip but there are other vulnerable items like the drain pipe. So guards and skid plates are good but more as protection during normal use not for taking it to the limit. I made brackets and a protective shield under it and where something like a tire gator could bust the end off. I also made a guard bracket to protect my fumoto valve Check the spare tire and possibly make a secondary restraint for it. Check the exhaust system for good hangers and improve where needed. Look at everything that could go wrong. While you are under it its also a good time to plug all the holes to keep the critters out.

Ive double towed my FW and atv trailer through a fair amount of rough places but I have the option of possibly driving the truck if the FW was stuck or broke etc. I also have a couple street legal motorcycles If your MH is stuck broke its all you have unless you pull something.

[garym114]

I added 4 more 6 volt batteries to store the power.

[wopachop]

Battery powered spotlight works well to see what's up without having to get out the truck.

Once parked some people like having outdoor lighting to work on bikes or hang out and cook. Others might like it dark and check out the stars.

I use a cheesy solar powered motion sensor light on the side of my trailer. It's nice having it light up when walking up to the rig. Not the best choice for being the party trailer though.

[prepilot_3ck]

2oldman wrote:
I'm not sure what you'd need floodlights for.

Finding boondocking sites in the dark.

[ppine]

The better trailers come with everything most people need. I like solar around 200w. A backup gen is good. Maybe a better stereo and some reading lights. Thats it.

[2oldman]

I'm not sure what you'd need floodlights for.

[jdc1]

wopachop wrote:
Tow hooks and a tow strap.

Magnet on a stick around camp will find ya lots of potential nails.

Those guys that burn pallets have no clue what others go through when they drive over their waste....nails galore.