Dan's Blog

March 2025 update.     Per the GFC forum, it's not a good idea to run stronger gas struts to lift the roof panel   the mounts can shear right off.   So I've taken the ski box off. So even though I posted all the how to stuff below, you probably shouldn't    you can read more here  https://forum.gofastcampers.com/t/upgraded-gas-spring-for-higher-load-rating-on-the-tent/3522/17         August 31, 2022      Will need to add stronger lift struts, but I'm really happy with how this turned out.      Starting off, I painted the upper part of the Yakima Skybox with Aluminum Rustoleum paint. But it was way too shiny and showed any imperfection in the plastic. So I got the idea to thin some black gloss Rustoleum and spray it with a too large tip on my HVLP spray gun. I wanted a slight splatter look, and it looks kind of cool I think. Should be easy to touch up in with a black spray can i...

  31 Aug 2022 minor update, got the 0.3m cable for the bmv712 battery monitor. Seeing how it has bluetooth, I don't need to read the monitor much, just need to be able to reach it to stop the beeping. 23 Aug 2022 almost done with the victron stuff. the solar mppt charger controller is working now, and the dc/dc charge controller is working. the dc/dc has to be wired to the ignition, but I was able to use a relay spot off the BANTAM spod controller that's mounted right near the boxes in the the truck bed on the driver side. I'll do a final video when it's all done. Here are the slideshow updates, click here 20 Aug 2022 Install day! First got the back wall in the truck. A tricky manuever. And there's enough clearance I can still check and tighten the bolts for the camper struts behind the wall. Overcutting the window opening will actually help with that, so I'll just pretend I meant to cut the opening that tall, lol. The 3 holes in the upper lef...

I test drove after getting the sensors in and the adaptive cruise is working again too. Sensors seemed fine when parking, but I may need the dealer to recalibrate the adaptive cruise unit. I got a pre-collision alert while I was still a half car length behind a vehicle, as I slowly rolled up behind a car at a red light. Better to be too soon than too late though I guess. The sensor wires wouldn't reach the driver side holes in the front bumper. So you have to carefully cut off the tape and pull back on the wire loom until you get enough slack and separate the wires more as needed. I think it was a problem on one or two of the holes on the rear bumper too, but it was so much easier back there it's barely worth mentioning. Luckily I had some extra wire loom, so I was able to re-cover the wires after separating things as needed. You'll need extra loom. Frankly, it was a pain to do the wire separation with the bumper on. Live and learn. If you're readi...

I test drove this on the highway and it's fine. No noticeable wind noise vs just the Thule wind fairing alone. Might even help some. Doesn't vibrate or whistle at any speeds between 0-70mph. This is a 100 watt panel. It's on a carbon fiber backing so it's only like 5-10 lbs. Super strong. I wanted a solar panel for trickle charging my victron/battleborn system. Should be enough to offset any parasitic draw check out https://www.lightleafsolar.com I used 2020 aluminum stuff (like 8020 but smaller) to make the frame to support it. Never tapped anything before, but aluminum is easy to tap, don't let that scare you off. the downside is that this adds up quick. $400-500 for the solar panel and double that for all the Thule stuff, but I had the Thule stuff already from a previous car I had. The Victron MPPT solar controller was another $200 too