Well the news is out so here's the build: Expedition Portal So-Cal Teardrop

[Chris Cordes]

So turns out im a terrible judge of height... it was plenty

 

[BOHICA]

The more I look at it, the more I think its actually a decent height. It will let me slant it just enough to avoid water gathering on top in rain.

Strega: Any photos of your truck with the trailer? I aways thought an FJ with a teardrop would be sweet.

Here's my FJ & Teardrop...love it!

Untitled by kenbelt, on Flickr

 

[Chris Cordes]

Best color fj, best wheels. Love it. Plus texas plates which is a plus! I was sad I had to register the tear in AZ and couldn't do texas plates to match my truck

 

[Yulli]

How come you couldn't register it in TX? Isn't it your trailer?

 

[mvbeggs]

Poles? What stink'n poles?

... It also keeps my drivers side open and away from the awning when I jack knife the trailer for camp. It sucks being cold and half asleep walking to your car and then running into a pole haha.

Or you could do this:

 

[awol]

Or you could do this:

Camp in your garage? That does make not having to change in the cold much easier.

 

[Chris Cordes]

How come you couldn't register it in TX? Isn't it your trailer?

Lol because I live in Arizona now. I purchased the 4Runner while living in Texas.

Or you could do this:

Ahhhh touche. Those awnings are sweet! How do you like that roof basket?

 

[Chris Cordes]

So some rather unfortunate situations have spurred on the build of this faster than I was planning. My girlfriends grandfathers heart condition has sadly worsened and he has a surgery tomorrow. We dont know what the outcome will be but we're praying he makes it. In an attempt to spend Christmas with him (god willing) were prepping the teardrop for a cross country trip. Sorry for the brief descriptions as we go but its a fast timeline.

Electrical - there were some rather sketchy electrical bits done by a previous owner (not So-Cal) that needed to be addressed so we are putting in new wires, a new fusebox, and relocating the battery up front. To boost the electrical systems capacity when parked we are adding two goal zero solar panels. We also installed a National Luna Battery monitoring system so we can actually tell where the levels are. Pics of nose box and rest of install tonight

 

[Titanpat57]

Safe travels...prayers for Grandpa's recovery.

You might want to also think about a trickle charge line from the TV to trailer...especially if you're going to be driving long days.

The solar is a great idea, and takes up minimum space and weight.

 

[Chris Cordes]

The vehicle is definitely going to be running a charge to the trailer. Since I had the stock tow package I had assumed it would put out a charge but Im going to check for sure tonight with a wiring kit.

 

[Chris Cordes]

Got the tongue box on and the electronics mounted! Now its time for a new battery

 

[Yulli]

Doesn't the 7 pin harness provide a charge while driving when the trailer is hooked up to the tow vehicle?

 

[Titanpat57]

Doesn't the 7 pin harness provide a charge while driving when the trailer is hooked up to the tow vehicle?

It should...but sometimes the manufacturer runs like a 14/16# wires which won't put out too much amperage due to a "choking" effect by the wire size. Historically I've run a #10 from the battery, with a 30 amp fuse, and going dicrectly under the truck to the battery on the trailer.

I think a #16 wire will allow about 10 amps on a 25' run....vs 25 for a #10 wire.

I'm sure you don't need another project at this stage of the game, and the truck wiring will be adequate.

 

[Chris Cordes]

I have one of the Adventure Trailers techs working with me outside of office hours so we dont have issues time wise until thursday. (Her grandfather surgery was delayed because they needed a more advanced surgeon for open heart surgery now.)

We will run diagnostics tonight when installing the brake controller and find out what kind of power were putting out.

Titan what did you find with your 4runner? I assume since we both have 5th gens they will be similar.

 

[Titanpat57]

I don't charge from the truck. I used that hot leg to charge the break away battery. I installed two 6 volt golf cart batteries, and charge up before leaving.

For on site I either carry a Honda 2000 or a 120 watt solar setup. I put an Iota 40 amp converter in that can run off shore/generator that keeps the batteries topped off. Everything is LED, and I've never run out of power even after 4 days.

On the truck side I have a group 31 and 34 AGM Diehards in the front. I ran a 6 circuit Blue Sea accessories box under the hood, and ran another back where the jack is tucked away (8#) for fridge while on the road...but also have a bunch of 12v sockets and USB's. I actually drilled 2 12v sockets in the front fenders if I want to hook the solar in there.
I relocated the trailer plug socket on the truck side to a vertical location by the hitch. Getting too fat and old to fight plugging the trailer in every time. Thats when I got a good look at the wiring going into the rear of the socket. If it's a piece of 18# I'd be surprised. If AT is on the case your in good hands....that's for sure.:ylsmoke: