Ski RV's, who's sleeping in parking lots?

[Trackhead]

Triple post incoming:

So just to be clear as someone who doesn't fully grasp all this battery stuff. Assuming the battery is fully charged is there any reason I can't power the heater which is connected to the battery which is also connected to the charger?

These guys touch on it here:

https://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/...charger.93424/

While charging the battery from empty I saw 16v on the charger. So if the charger clicked on while the battery was being used/drained would that potential 16v kill the diesel heater computer?

I'd confirm with a volt meter that that 16v is true. The meters on the Chinese modules aren't super accurate, and sometimes charger meters are not either.

Yes, you can run diesel heater full tilt while battery is charging. Not an issue at all.

[Trackhead]

So the 120 to 12v is so I can run the diesel heater without using a battery at all. This one I ordered can be adjusted using a voltmeter and the built in dial. I guess the diesel heaters actually want 13.5v roughly to run optimally.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...0?ie=UTF8&th=1

I run my chinese diesel heater in the garage with a DC converter similar to this. Have run it hundreds and hundreds of hours, no issue. I just dial the voltage output at 12.7 (similar to full charged lead acid) and be done with it. There is no battery in my garage setup.

[Whiteroom_Guardian]

Yeah so I tried it last night and the charger just didn't like to play ball while the battery was being used. I'm sure it would work fine with an old school simple charger but this one is too "smart" I guess? The charger kept turning off after a little while.

https://www.hartvillehardware.com/pr...80511/chargers

[Snow Dog]

What do you mean by "kept turning off"? Was there an error code on the display? Some of my chargers will cycle on and off once they thing the battery is fully charged. Or they flash an error code if it's not charging correctly (takes too long or voltage fluctuating). A simple 2A maintainer/charger might be all you need.

[beaterdit]

Is the battery too cold?

[Whiteroom_Guardian]

What do you mean by "kept turning off"? Was there an error code on the display? Some of my chargers will cycle on and off once they thing the battery is fully charged. Or they flash an error code if it's not charging correctly (takes too long or voltage fluctuating). A simple 2A maintainer/charger might be all you need.

Is the battery too cold?

The "connected" light would stay lit, the "charging" light would go out, but it wouldn't say "charged" either. After a few hours the Diesel heater errored out due to low voltage. It is the truck battery I just took out of my truck (which was not holding a super good charge anymore) and it's not an AGM so a couple issues there. No worries. I will be running the system without a battery soon once my transformer gets delivered this weekend.

[SchralphMacchio]

Well, last week a solid ice sheet, tonight a mild 24F night under a full moon!


But tomorrow and Saturday 2” of rain and 40F temperature [emoji24][emoji24][emoji24]

[Iowagriz]

Which firebox do you have? From the placement of the chairs, it appears to put out a good bit of heat.

[Trackhead]

Best thing about this pick is the kiddo skis/chairs....good times.

[SchralphMacchio]

Which firebox do you have? From the placement of the chairs, it appears to put out a good bit of heat.

We pulled them in a little closer after getting seated - but yeah this one puts out a lot of heat especially if you crank it. It’s the Lavabox Volcanno. I wouldn’t mind a couple more stones than what it came with. They sell an optional stand that can elevate it a few inches off the ground, or if you fold the legs of the stand in it can become a cooking grill; the only thing that is a little annoying is that the fire can doesn’t really lock or nest into the stand at all so it’s looser than I would like. Overall I’m happy with it, it seems easier to pack than traditional round hardware store propane firepits, puts out a lot of heat, flame control knob at the regulator works well, and the thing seems like it is durable enough to be abused for the long haul.

Also I was wrong, the forecast is for up to 3” of rain through Sunday morning, not 2” [emoji30]

[Iowagriz]

Thanks, I had that one on the list. Good to hear the positive review.

[Snow Dog]

I use a Camco Little Red campfire. Easy to transport and a fully adjustable flame. There's also a Big Red.

[SchralphMacchio]

Man having a rowdy 2 year old boy, a stubborn opinionated dog, and an emotional 5 year old girl in an RV can really test your patience. The dog ate the 2 year old’s toothbrush after he left it in the main bed, the 2 year old loves unrolling toilet paper and throwing things in the toilet … actually the 5 year old is doing great and despite the 95% things that are frustrating, these 5% moments are wonderful:

Best thing about this pick is the kiddo skis/chairs....good times.

You bet!

[SchralphMacchio]

I use a Camco Little Red campfire. Easy to transport and a fully adjustable flame. There's also a Big Red.

That thing looks great! I mighta gone that route if I knew it existed! With western national forests basically being under burn ban from Fathers Day to Indigenous Peoples day almost every summer, these portable propane fires are the way to go.

[Trackhead]

It’s getting crowded at our mom/pop sleep in your rig ski hill. Going to move to a secret spot “off campus” where nobody overnights, and there aren’t any 3kw cheap/loud generators.




Maggot rig? F550 DIY mega

[SchralphMacchio]

Is that an Audi Q series towing that popup? I wonder what the tongue weight limit is on that thing!

[Trackhead]

Is that an Audi Q series towing that popup? I wonder what the tongue weight limit is on that thing!

Yeah it is. They must be doing ok, see them up here every weekend. Modest pull up a pass to get here, too.

[carlh]

Q5s I think are 500/500. We had a q7 tdi which was 6600/660 and a beast. A q5 tdi would fly uphill with that popup a 2.0 might struggle.

Yeah it is. They must be doing ok, see them up here every weekend. Modest pull up a pass to get here, too.

[Whiteroom_Guardian]

Selling a Tundra WITH the GoFast or sell each separately? It's highly unlikely I can make my GFC fit a Gen 3 Tundra if I end up getting one which means I would have to part with both sadly.

[Norseman]

Hey I got dibs on it, memba? [emoji41]

[Whiteroom_Guardian]

Hey I got dibs on it, memba? [emoji41]

You are top of the list when I most likely sell it separately. I'm tempted to measure a new tundras bed and if its close enough try to have a plate made up at a machine shop or something so I can put the camper on my new truck. At least until I eventually buy a Scout or similar. The GFC with the GF and two dogs is a bit cramped.

[Trackhead]

Buy the Scout!

[jackattack]

Buy my 2017 limited dclb with 50k and keep the GFC.

[toastybroski]

Anyone else go down the truck camper route and regret it?

I feel like it is too much of a pain if you don't have much land/space and don't keep it on all the time. Having a 3/4 ton truck is way overkill and huge for my needs when it is off. I wish I had just kept my old truck and got a used van.

That said my 2500 and camper was less than a van so oh well.

[garyfromterrace]

Anyone else go down the truck camper route and regret it?

I feel like it is too much of a pain if you don't have much land/space and don't keep it on all the time. Having a 3/4 ton truck is way overkill and huge for my needs when it is off. I wish I had just kept my old truck and got a used van.

That said my 2500 and camper was less than a van so oh well.

I know you've asked for people with regrets. I have to pipe in that I've been so happy with my 2500 (diesel)/camper setup. Get tons of use winter and summer and my wife and I have it down to about 15 minutes (tops) to get it on the truck and secure. It has made my life better.

On another note - we just formed an overnight camping committee and I was wondering if I could bug you guys for some beta on your on-hill camping situation. Specifically:
- how much do you pay per night (if anything)?
- what do you get for your money? What amenities/benefits (other than camping at the ski hill)?
- how is it regulated (do you tell the main office you're camping, is there a camping attendant who monitors camping and collects money?
- is there many folks at your hill that take advantage of the opportunity to overnight?
- anything on your wish list with regards to your ski hill overnight parking sitch?

Thanks in advance guys!