OVRLND Tow-Rig/Camper Tour

[@sopilote56]

Tracked down the problem with my inverter to a forgotten, very-hard-to-see fuse at the battery terminal in the battery box. Not any fault with the Renogy device. Renogy was anxious to help me trouble-shoot and sent me a return label. Once the problem was determined, Renogy advised on a formula to correctly size the blown fuse. In the process I learned that the limiting factor in my system is the 120-amp-hour continuous rating of my battery management system.

[@garyfreedom]

It's really a good video. You did a great job with building out the inside. It was really well thought out. Thanks for taking the time to make the video!

[@sopilote56]

@garyfreedom Thanks for watching! I looked at a lot of other build videos before I started, most were crafted much nicer than mine ended up. The thing I think I got mostly right was keeping the inside layout fairly open, with stuff along just one side rather than both. This avoided feeling like being in a cramped tunnel. I am also happy with the camper window placement that OVRLND did at my direction. While driving I have some vision out the back in my rear view mirror and also out the passenger side to the "blind spot" not visible in my right side mirror. I think that visibility is an important safety feature.

[@israelsarabia2700]

I just want to say that you have an awesome setup! I am currently working on a similar project as yours on my 1993 Dodge W350 4x4 Cummins Dually. Thank you so much for the Camper tour!

[@sopilote56]

@israelsarabia2700 Thanks for watching and glad you like my tour. A '93 4x4 Dodge dually with a Cummins sounds sweet! I have done two trips since Thanksgiving and had a problem with my diesel heater on the last trip. Took everything apart, and replaced some parts. Turned out it was just a split at a bend in the fuel line where it may have gotten hot and leaked. Like the blown fuse on my inverter, I need to learn to always check the simple easy things before throwing parts at a problem. Hope you will also check out my "build" video.

[@georgegreene8836]

I am very very impressed. A really great job.

[@sopilote56]

@George Greene Thanks for watching!

[@mikes4352]

Nice , well thought out build. Thanks for sharing. Safe travels.

[@sopilote56]

@Mike S Thanks for watching! I enjoyed building the interior and I feel very much at home and relatively comfortable traveling in the camper. I am still up for tent camping when the situation warrants it.

[@michalrving6641]

Stuart and Judy, thank you for creating this informative video. Hope you enjoy it traveling and exploring the US.

[@sopilote56]

@Michal RVing Thanks for watching!

[@Izzysyota]

really getting rare to see old florida like this. Warms my heart when I do see it these days still. On the topic of the camper though Ill be headed out to pick mine here in the coming weeks. Cool to see one of these in FL as I have yet to see one down here and thought Id be the only one. Hoping youre liking it! Amaizing setup you've got goin on!

[@sopilote56]

@Candyassizzy Thanks for watching! Glad you enjoyed the very special "Old Florida" location. A lot of people are working hard to protect and preserve some areas as explosive growth continues to wipe out many beautiful natural environments. Large areas are needed to make it work for the wildlife. I continue to enjoy my OVRLND camper and I am now refurbishing and reinstalling the winch and mount that came with the truck. Lots of work getting rid of rust and making modifications to reduce weight that will be hanging off the front. I was surprised that cold and snow were not a problem picking mine up in Arizona in January. Please check out my "camper build" video showing how I managed to partially insulate the camper right after picking it up. I friction-fit 1-inch polystyrene trimmed using a snap-off blade knife, 4-foot straight edge and big pieces of cardboard as a cutting surface. Some blue tape, sharpies and measuring tape are also needed. The insulation, a good sleeping bag and and a Buddy heater made sleeping in the cold OK for this old Florida boy. Hope you have fun customizing your camper to suit your needs. I had a great experience but it took me many months to figure it all out. Lots of trial and error. Simple and light weight are good. I don't mind that my build isn't "slick" or fancy.

[@TheAngryCamper]

Will is such a smart kid with all things solar ;)

[@sopilote56]

@The Angry Camper Thanks for watching!!! I got camper build ideas from many KZbin channels but "DIY Solar Power with Will Prowse" on KZbin and his book "Mobile Solar Power Made Easy!" allowed me to put together a solar power system with a lithium battery that worked right from the start. I undersized my inverter fuse (not the wire) and it finally popped, but otherwise no problems.

[@TheAngryCamper]

@@sopilote56 heck yeah :)

[@kylegschwarz]

The silver topper looks so much better than the black. Thanks for sharing.

[@sopilote56]

@Kyle Schwarz Thanks for watching! It is a clear anodized aluminum finish that is corrosion-resistant. I think it enhances the appearance of my slightly dented old truck. ;-)

[@youtubecarspottersguide1]

nice and a full size 8' box ute wish more where sold. as most crew cabs are to big with a long box

[@sopilote56]

@youtubecarspottersguide1 Thanks for watching! Standard cab with an 8-foot box fits in most standard parking spaces and home garages which is nice. I also appreciate the extra space I get with the full-size bed. Most people prefer the extra storage in the cab but I use my tool box in the bed for many things that might be stashed behind the front seat. I need to do more work on figuring out easy access storage for when I am living in it. My wall pouches are not convenient for certain things.

[@youtubecarspottersguide1]

@@sopilote56 true, same size as suburban ,wish it came in a custom trial boss 2 row utility model . 8 ' box camper cool with tilt out side beds really open up living space I have a single cab short bed ram it fits in all parking spaces not many. sold ,every one wants a crew cab and 5.5 box unless I like to be able to close the tail gate no bed extender so my. things don't slide out the back or hanging Over the tail gate

[@KurtHotchkiss]

@sopilote56 Thanks for sharing your build, very inspiring! Could you describe your "gutter" system? I'd like to set up something similar on my Ovrlnd to divert water from dripping in while the hatches are open. I've been searching high and low to see what other Ovrlnd owners have done and so far what I see over your hatches looks the closest to what I think I want to do. Cheers, thanks again, any gutter insight you might share would be greatly appreciated.

[@sopilote56]

@user-pc8sn4df7z Thanks for watching! I installed "TORRAMI Wide Silicone Weather Stripping 3 inch" purchased on Amazon centered on the hatch hinge joint and extending about 2 to 3 inches past the hatches. It comes in a 20-foot roll and has a self-adhering acrylic tape along one half. The rear hatch strip has held up well but the driver side started to tear at the front so I replaced it with a new piece and rounded the corners so wind grabs it less driving. On the side hatch which I leave open while camping a lot, I also used quarter-circle thin aluminum "fins" about 3-inch radius with a lip adhered to the hatch that block rain from getting the ends of the hinge joint. Hard to explain but barely visible at 9:15 , made them from 0.011" aluminum flashing. I put a link for the wetherstripping in the description of the interior build-out video I did of this camper. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y3elqph9hqmCfa8si=_IwrBwdhvx_bWSXB

[@dave_in_az]

Nice walk thru, thanks! Could you say how tall you are? The critical things you showed for seeing usability, to me, were ability to sleep sideways E/W, ability to stand up inside, ability to nap on toolbox, ability to sit up in bed. But you never said a single measurement, nor how tall you are... a lot of the utility of the video is gone without knowing your height. Thx so much!

[@sopilote56]

@daveinaz99 Thanks for watching! I am 5-feet 9-inches tall. The only thing I hit my head on is the knob that closes the roof fan hatch. East-west dimension is 69-1/2 to 70-3/4" inches clear inside depending on where you measure. I barely fit and I usually sleep at a slight angle for more wiggle room. Up top my head and feet are against the fabric sleeping east-west and that has a little give. I don't actually sleep on the tool box, I pull the pad out onto the floor platform. Unless you are in a Tacoma, I imagine that OVRLND can make the camper a couple of inches wider or taller as they are all custom-made. Maybe I was just lucky that I seem to fit the camper. Give OVRLND a call or check out the Factory in Flagstaff. Hope you will also take a look at my build video that has more detail about the purchase.

[@dave_in_az]

@sopilote56 thx very much for your fast reply! I am 5ft 10, so your experience translates well! I am in 6ft bed Tacoma, and am looking hard at OVRLND, which led me to your nice video. Nice flying vids too!

[@sopilote56]

@@dave_in_az Dave the OVRLNDs are made to be just a few inches wider than the bed rails of your truck. They have an aluminum angle that clamps to the rails. I am planning to drive coast-to-coast several times in my rig so keeping the camper height and width projection beyond the truck cab to a minimum helps reduce wind drag. If you want to sleep east-west in a Tacoma you will need something like a Project M from 4-Wheel-Campers. I do think having vertical sides vs. tapering inward like the cab is better. You get much more room and interior build out is much easier.

[@Couchlover47]

How does the reflectix work on hot days?

[@StuartGrantChannel]

@Couchlover47 Thanks for watching! The Relectix actually works remarkably well -but- the exposed metal roof ribs do become hot to the touch when I am parked out in the sun during summer. In most places on the ceiling there is a little air space between the upper surface of the Reflectix and the underside the exterior aluminum skin. I suppose the aluminum exterior reflects some heat and the solar panels create a bit of shade which helps. I find that I can recharge my battery in just a couple of hours, then I try to move to a shady spot if I can.

[@Couchlover47]

@@StuartGrantChannel awesome. Thank you!

[@mickeybrumfield764]

How wide is the camper? I'm considering buying the Ovrlnd camper and would like to sleep east-west if it is wide enough. I'm 5ft 10 inches.

[@sopilote56]

@mickeybrumfield764 Thanks for watching! I am 5-feet 9-inches tall. My truck is a full size Silverado with an 8-foot bed and the camper sits directly on the bed rails. Unlike a 4-Wheel-Camper, OVRLND makes them custom to fit your truck. I had to measure according to OVRLND's instructions before they started my build. The east-west dimension of mine is 69-1/2 to 70-3/4" inches clear inside depending on where you measure (outside skin/fabic or inside structure). I barely fit and I usually sleep at a slight angle for more wiggle room. Up top my head and feet are against the fabric sleeping east-west and that has a little give. I almost never pull out the platform when camping solo as I like the extra room below. Talk to Jay (the owner) via phone or email. He will be happy to answer your questions. Hope you will check out the video I did of my interior build-out that tells more about the buying process.

[@mickeybrumfield764]

@sopilote56 Thank you for your response. That doesn't really seem like enough wiggle room, close, though I would have to try it. I don't really mind that much pulling the slider. I don't think it doesn't look like it would be too difficult to push it back in in the morning. Just would be best if there was enough room East to West. Thanks.