Complete Truck Camper Build With Onboard Water, Battery Bank And Solar!

[@USAF-SF]

Your concepts are sound and I have no doubt your improvements will be stellar, we ALL go through different iterations of transforming our rigs into "exactly" what we want, I couldn't tell you the number of design changes I went through with my '14 Power Wagon and I still tweak it now and again. I'm going to offer 2 tips that you'll thank me for later since you're about to overhaul your build. #1 - buy a REDARC Manager 30 to handle all your electrical #2 - upgrade your inverter to a minimum of 2000W and preferably 3000W I know that nobody likes spending money, but the Manager 30 will take care of ALL the craziness you have going on with your charging system and keeping things topped off, research it and you'll see what I mean. More power from your inverter is strictly up to your needs, but when I am gone to parts unknown, I like to have the ability to run an Instant Pot, boil water for coffee, run a blender, or even run power tools... I like my creature comforts, so sue me, LOL!!! Oh, another tip, just add an inline regulator for your water pump... Easy peasy... Nice rig, and I wish you nothing but the best for a fellow Power Wagon owner, not many of us out in the wild but I wouldn't have any other rig!!!

[@roamingwithjosh]

Appreciate the feedback and I have looked at the manager 30 several times, it just seems so ridiculously overpriced for something I know that I can achieve if i'm willing to put the time and effort into it. Either way, your comment is super helpful and i really appreciate someone chiming in with positive feedback to help me along on this build!

[@oceanbeliever681]

That setup is sick Bro well done in typical Josh style.

[@roamingwithjosh]

Appreciate it, dude!

[@phloyboy]

Suggest tying directly into your alternator or seeing about installing another one for direct charging. Chad from living the van life charges 6 100 amp hour batteries using 200+ amps from a secondary alternator in about 3 hours. You could charge your 2batteries in an hour that way. Awesome setup though!!

[@roamingwithjosh]

That’s a solid option and it was a consideration before I went back to decked. Loosing so much of my truck bed made things a huge pain when trying to do everyday like stuff.

[@Tommy-rr7ez]

That is a awesome idea! I have Never have heard anybody tell bout installing a seperate,2nd, alternator. Thanks! I'm not a A/C man in my truck cab. I took my A/C out and put a bracket with a pulley to use the same belt and you probly can tell me but I should be able with no problem to put the 2nd alternator where the A/C was. Thanks!

[@chrisrauls544]

Hay Josh, nice presentation. You are a good speaker and a joy to listen to. Good build sept I gotta warn you about the exposed bugle head screws on the aluminum trim as enter the truck. Those will rip your clothes ( and your knees). Replace each one with pan heads...much safer.

[@roamingwithjosh]

Great info and I appreciate your kind words!

[@darksideemt]

The pull out looks awesome. I'm not into or have knowledge of all the power stuff but I personally feel like biting the bullet and buying a Redarc system would be worth it in the long run. Some things buying from companies that have experts designing them is better than attempting to DIY it. Other things like drawer setups or seat delete stuff I feel DIY is the way to go and not pay the big money for the name brand ones.

[@roamingwithjosh]

I'm going to have to fail a couple more times before I spend the money on Redarc. I really think I can get this working without out it, but time will tell!

[@helgewilliams6757]

Completely different subject, did you see the latest Coddiwomple video on their cap? Check your cap fastners and seals, looks like they require maintenance as they loosen over time. Nice work sir

[@roamingwithjosh]

Yep, the I did check them! Thanks for the heads up!

[@geofflau3002]

Is there a reason you didn’t install a bed liner ?

[@roamingwithjosh]

It's something I can always do later so I didn't see the importance of it in the moment.

[@tylerladamson]

How is sleeping in the SmartCap? Do you find that it gets too hot? Due to the steel frame, I wondered if it would have more condensation issues. I have a Ram 2500 and am thinking hard about the SmartCap...

[@roamingwithjosh]

If you plan on sleeping in it then make sure you get the one with the windows for ventilation. We made that mistake on the gladiator and didn't have windows. With the windows there's more than enough ventilation to keep the condensation down. Obviously that also depends on the temperature outside.

[@TrippyBuddah]

Power wagon... yay 11 mpgs

[@roamingwithjosh]

Tell me about it

[@TrippyBuddah]

​@nativenomads lol but will go anywhere!