Jeep Wrangler Habitat Official Release

[elcoyote]

Hey Mario,

Are there plans for an awning of sorts at the "back" to cover the open tailgate area as mentioned by DingusKahn?

Thanks,
-Dan

Dan, the awning is attached to a zipper on the tent. It can be placed behind the JK as you have mentioned or on either side as shown in the picture of the 2nd prototype awning. Note the red circle mark up on the tent shows the zipper location. You could go for the full Taj Mahal effect and put up 3 awnings. When packed, it is about the size of a football.

 

[Dan Grec]

Dan, the awning is attached to a zipper on the tent. It can be placed behind the JK as you have mentioned or on either side as shown in the picture of the 2nd prototype awning. Note the red circle mark up on the tent shows the zipper location. You could go for the full Taj Mahal effect and put up 3 awnings. When packed, it is about the size of a football.

Ahh, very cool Thanks. I didn't realize there were three different "mounting points" for the awning.

That's such a great idea - if you want to leave a side rear door open for access, you can put the awning over that door.
If you want to leave the rear tailgate open for access, you can put the awning over that.

-Dan

 

[elcoyote]

Ahh, very cool Thanks. I didn't realize there were three different "mounting points" for the awning.

That's such a great idea - if you want to leave a side rear door open for access, you can put the awning over that door.
If you want to leave the rear tailgate open for access, you can put the awning over that.

-Dan

You've got the idea!

We will have the 3rd prototype awning and first prototype wall set on display at Off Road Expo in Pomona CA Oct 6 & 7 in case you live in the area and want to see it up close.

 

[DingusKahn]

There is a provision for hanging the wall structure.
View attachment 121509
http://www.nemoequipment.com/nemo2012-bugoutelite-tent

Define Provisions please. Zipper (I hope), velcro or a few tie points?

PS: you didn't answer my email...

 

[elcoyote]

Define Provisions please. Zipper (I hope), velcro or a few tie points?

PS: you didn't answer my email...

Tie points for suspension. When I have both in hand I will take pictures and post. A picture is worth a 100 words.

Last e-mail rec'd 9/7 was answered by Martyn. Did you send another? If so, please re-send.

 

[DingusKahn]

Another crazy idea from Dingus

I talked to Wade (kb7our) on my way home from picking up the JK Habitat. He shared some experiences he had with the water system. He didn't like the high pressure on the sprayer and a few other things.
I didn't like the idea of the shower/sprayer for everything other than a shower. Trying to wash dirty hands while one of them holds the sprayer, getting 1/2 cup of water for oatmeal etc. So I decided a Faucet would work better and came up with a way to use one.
Having it above the drop down table on the tailgate would be the idea spot. That is the kitchen after all. If the table is up the water falls to the ground. With it down I can set anything to catch the water in. I bought the red tub to catch waste water.
I started by cutting a steel plate to fit in the rear corner passenger side. I used the back bolt that holds the hard top down and added two more 1/4" bolts. I welded one of those long 5/8" coarse thread nuts to the bottom. A short piece of 1/2" steel pipe fits right over the bolt and I used that as the pivot/latch. Near the head of the 5/8 x 4-1/2" bolt I drilled a 1/4" hole and drove in a roll pin. I slotted the piece of pipe two ways so that the roll pin can hold it in the up and down positions. Between the rotating pipe and the nut is a spring to keep it engaged on the roll pin. Then I welded the arm to the pipe.
All I have to do is push the arm back to release the roll pin, rotate it down and let the spring push it back into the roll pin in the horizontal position. Quick and easy. The water lines stay hooked up all the time.


Plate in the corner


Bar rotates down on the bolt.



Then rotate it up to close up the back.
I plan on getting a rubber band or something to prevent the handle of the faucet from being pulled ON. If the pump switch is off nothing should happen. But you know how Murphy is....


Add a tub and the kitchen sink is complete. We strain the water and use it in the cassette toilet.



Had to move the gas lift over by 1-1/4" to make the faucet arm fit tighter into the corner. I just cut the bracket, added a piece and welded it back up.


As the arm comes down it sometimes touches the gas lift if you don't pull it out a bit.
The faucet and arm can be removed completely by taking out the 5/8 bolt and disconnecting the water lines.
Now I have to finish the pump and plumbing.

 

[DingusKahn]

Tie points for suspension. When I have both in hand I will take pictures and post. A picture is worth a 100 words.

Must be this dang digital photography. Back when they had to paint the pictures they were worth 1,000 words. :sombrero:

 

[Martyn]

Dirk, I explained in my e mail to you that the pressure delivered from the water pump was adjustable. It can be lowered by rotating the allen head on the pump. If the pressure is left at the factor setting then it will be on the high side for the system, when adjusted correctly it works fine.

 

[DingusKahn]

Pressure never was my complaint or problem. I like pressure. Being in the irrigation business I know how to handle it. Wade is the one that didn't like the high pressure. And with the faucet the pressure is the same as at home. I just wanted something more than the spray nozzle. I will not be turning it down. I am also adding a small pressure bladder to help manage the pump, just like we have on house wells out here in the country.

 

[keithro]

Now that there are a few of you with your habitats, how does the road noise compare to a regular hardtop?

 

[kb7our]

Pressure never was my complaint or problem. I like pressure. Being in the irrigation business I know how to handle it. Wade is the one that didn't like the high pressure. And with the faucet the pressure is the same as at home. I just wanted something more than the spray nozzle. I will not be turning it down. I am also adding a small pressure bladder to help manage the pump, just like we have on house wells out here in the country.

High pressure in the RV is great, but in the little Habitat with about 8G of usuable water in the 13G+ bladder and you pump it all out before you know it. Wish I had known about the little adjustment screw Martyn mentioned when I purchased my pump but unfortunately that little tidbit of information didn't accompany the pump. I can see how a faucet would be a nice add in place of the sprayer - nice job with that latest innovation DK! I will post up some pics once I get the garbage disposal and dishwasher installed

In the meantime, I'll be ready for some winter camping in Habitat 11 hopefully soon!

 

[DingusKahn]

Now that there are a few of you with your habitats, how does the road noise compare to a regular hardtop?

If anything I think it is quieter. But I have noisy tires. With the window down I don't hear any noise coming off the top.

 

[DingusKahn]

High pressure in the RV is great, but in the little Habitat with about 8G of usuable water in the 13G+ bladder and you pump it all out before you know it. Wish I had known about the little adjustment screw Martyn mentioned when I purchased my pump but unfortunately that little tidbit of information didn't accompany the pump. I can see how a faucet would be a nice add in place of the sprayer - nice job with that latest innovation DK! I will post up some pics once I get the garbage disposal and dishwasher installed

In the meantime, I'll be ready for some winter camping in Habitat 11 hopefully soon!

I didn't know about the pressure adjustment until Martin told me. There are pumps on the market with some kind of pressure sensor that adjust the pressure gradually, making for a smoother delivery and eliminating water hammer. I haven't looked into them.
Yea, the 8 gallons of water.... that is really disappointing. I haven't gotten my water system working. Too busy at work, family obligations etc...
About the water bladder; I found the Plastimo 13gal "flexible tank" on line. The specs are 27.3" x 27.3 x 9". I am assuming that when there is no water in it that the 27.3" is the full outside width. Usually anything like that is the full outside measurements (kb7our, if you have the tank out, lay it flat and measure it for us please.) Then just inside that is the weld that holds the top and bottom together, leaving about 26.5 inside that expand to hold water. I measured the space in the front AT cabinet "foot well" where the tank lays. I measured the circumference side to side and front to back. Side to side measures 58.75" and front to back is 61.75. The material in the Plastimo tank that can expand is 26.5 x 2 or 53". So it can never fill the space in the foot well. The next bigger tank Plastimo has is the same one but longer, so one of the dimensions is still not going to be filled. When you add the corners that come up short on two dimensions there could be 3 to 5 gallons of space not filled. That's why I bought a different one. I found one that is 36" x 36".
My plan is to measure the water I pour into it to fill it up and then pump it dry to see how much is usable. Report later.
I'm have installer's block. I can't figure out exactly how I want it installed and I can't get motivated to finish it...

 

[Ursa Minor]

Finally!

Look what showed up on the dock...time to get building campers! - John

 

[Dave Bennett]

Those are seriously beefy