The Focus is dead, long live the Transit Connect

[sleazy rider]

Design change ongoing.  I laid down on the platform as it sits and deemed it big enough for me and two small dogs.  One of my wife's relatives does commercial sewing and she's agreed to make me a cushion to fit.  Tomorrow, carpeting!  It's pretty well flat again.  I may end up with a roof fan eventually to suck air thru the RV windows in the sides.

Fantstic Fan is in Imlay City. Hear the people there are nice-might cut you a deal. The go-to RV fan people.

I'm loving this build BTW-keep 'em coming.

Thanks!  I'm waiting on cutting the roof to see how the solar power install will fit next spring.  Also considering a roof or hitch mounted cargo basket to keep the interior clear, leaning towards the roof mount version.  For now, a couple really small (5" diameter), really powerful desk fans will move air pretty well inside.  I've used them to move air around in my 10x12 tent as well.

[sleazy rider]

We've got a good steady rain going on and that's good with me. We're shy a few inches for the month.

The van doesn't fit in the garage - too tall by about 3" unless someone pushes the door up all the way. It may take a small adjustment on the opener to get it to retract fully.

I backed the van up to the garage door and the rear clam doors *just* clear.  The top panel is out, the carpet for it is cut and waiting on the big air compressor to fill. Air stapler is loaded with plenty of backup staples on hand.

Coffee break!

Smoking on the rear access underneath and how to clean it up for appearance. I think some 1X2 pine will trim it out nicely.

[sleazy rider]

    Next up, covering the panel behind the rear seats. 

[Virginian]

It's coming along nicely Tom.

[sleazy rider]

Maybe I can get my own tv show on Velocity. 


Actually, I got banned over at ADV for a month for a somewhat serious screwup on my part.

[CLAY]

I too love these types of builds.  I love the ingenuity!

[Max Wedge]

Actually, I got banned over at ADV for a month for a somewhat serious screwup on my part.

  ??

[jadziadax8]

Actually, I got banned over at ADV for a month for a somewhat serious screwup on my part.

visitors can't see pics , please register or login

[tankhead]

Actually, I got banned over at ADV for a month for a somewhat serious screwup on my part.

visitors can't see pics , please register or login

BAAAAAHHHHHHHHH. LOLOLOLOL

[sleazy rider]

   Mea culpa!

Someone asked for some help with an early steamer Tiger rebuild and needed a bunch of info on various systems.  I just happen to have purchased a digital version of the proper manual while I had my Daytona.  The early manuals cover a lot of models.  Not thinking a thing of it, I sent him a link to download it from my Google Drive.  The forum management frowns on digital copyright infringement and I earned a 30 day vacation.  Totally deserved. 


I just wish it would have happened in two weeks while I'll be on the road for  30 days or more.      It wouldn't sting as much, but oh, well. 

[melville]

Well, that isn't a stealth nipple deployment.

[sleazy rider]

Well, that isn't a stealth nipple deployment.

No kiddin'!  I was kinda leaning towards full frontal on Monday of Labor Day just because. 


 

[mxvet57]

XM.

90% of the time it's on the Sinatra channel.

You are old.

[mxvet57]

All the goodies arrived yesterday and I installed today.  Sirius is nice to have again.  Now I wish I wouldn't have sold my Zumo 665 with the XM antenna.      Not all upgrades are that.

I have a 550 now.   Neener Neener Neener

[sleazy rider]

The mattress pad components are in the seamstress's hands now.  Hopefully, next weekend I can buy her lunch and a drink while swapping the completed pad into the van.

All the goodies arrived yesterday and I installed today.  Sirius is nice to have again.  Now I wish I wouldn't have sold my Zumo 665 with the XM antenna.      Not all upgrades are that.

I have a 550 now.   Neener Neener Neener

I have bluetooth streaming Sirius tunes on the ST1300 thru the 590!      Welcome to the 2000s.    And what's wrong with Sinatra?

[mxvet57]

  And what's wrong with Sinatra?

 

[sleazy rider]

M'kay, the plan is coming together.  Back roads to Boca in a pikey van and the budget is $500.



Four driving days, 18 days on the road. Departure is Tuesday, Sept 4th.  Lots of National Parks on the list.


Day 1 ends at a USFS campground at N37.10013° W82.67770°. 480 miles. $17 with water and electric provided.


Day 2 ends on Strom Thurmond Lake at N33.68920° W82.31514° for 6 days of nothing. 350 miles. We'll run into Augusta for some Park stamps one day. $10 a night water/electric on site


Day 3 ends in Lake Pond, Georgia at N30.65624° W83.23542° for a week of chilling by the water and walking a couple miles every day. 250 miles. $56 for the week water/electric


Day 4 ends at my kid's apartment in Boca and a three day stay until Linda flies in. 415 miles.


The three hotels on the south end are Hilton Boca, Speakeasy Inn in Key West and the Gulf Coast Inn in Naples. We've been to the GCI in Naples before and it's awesome, especially for the price. Of course, I'll introduce Linda to Key West proper.

[sleazy rider]

You should see the route coming home!       Budget is $1000 for the whole month.


Leaving Florida around the 5th of October, gotta be in Bloomsburg, PA on the 26th.  Whatever shall I do?  I know!  Let's go up the east coast to Maine!  Madawaska to be factual.      About 40 stops for National Park Passport stamps enroute.  All camping nights at various and sundry military bases, NP campgrounds and a few places off the www.freecampsites.net pages to keep the budget in check. 

[sleazy rider]

Stylin' and profilin' with a good camera this trip.  Linda managed to grab a Nikon D3400 with a couple lenses on Visa points. It'll be nice to post actual photos to accompany the tale.


- The tupperware storage bins are being packed this week. 
- All the non-perishable food supplies will be acquired over Labor Day weekend. 
- Cooking bin is done! 
- I have a new thermoelectric cooler to keep the meats and drinks cold. 
- The convertible air couch/bed has been pressure tested for a week and slept on quite comfortably for a couple nights.  It stretched out after a couple days and I had to add air, but it's been good since.  All repacked in the original box for safety.

[viffergyrl]

I am really enjoying this thread. If you ever decide to come west, you can hook up in our driveway.

[sleazy rider]

I am really enjoying this thread. If you ever decide to come west, you can hook up in our driveway.

I have a plan for that!  2019 westbound.  Dates and duration still uncertain because California is twice as expensive on camping, but I want to do the same National Parks thing to the west coast.  San Ysidro to Whidbey as close to the water as I can get except for Crater Lake.  I gotta go back there! 


Probably do Route 66 southwest from Chicago.      I found the complete GPX file online with all the tourist attractions and photo ops. 


Dreaming the life! 

[Vulcanbill]

I'll be interested in seeing camping options in FL.  That's on the list for us.  3 parks down there so take good notes, please.    I realize you'll not be thinking about camping in a 25' rig but if you see some stuff, ya know.  We prefer corp of engineers, BLM, Nat Forest stuff too. 

[sleazy rider]

Bill:


  Shell Mound County Park
17650 SW 78th Pl
Cedar Key, Florida, 32625, United States
352-221-4466

Comes highly recommended.  It's on my radar to stop and see at least.


I'd check www.freecampsites.net for options.  Plenty of dry camp options down there.  Everglades NP has $$ camping, several free or cheap along Alligator Alley too.


I'm fortunate to have the option of camping on military bases where available.  Cheap, usually high end and have utilities.


https://www.freshfromflorida.com/Divisions-Offices/Florida-Forest-Service/Our-Forests/State-Forests/Picayune-Strand-State-Forest


https://www.nps.gov/bicy/planyourvisit/bear-island-campground.htm


https://freecampsites.net/#!170091&query=sitedetails

[sleazy rider]

A few over on the west side shore of Louisiana.


https://www.sunrisereservations.com/reservation/landingPageHandler?campgroundName=Calcasieu

I was planning on Intracoastal for a couple nights on another adventure.


Some more Florida budget options based on Florida Wildlife Conservation parks.  Escribano Point is familiar to me and nice.


http://myfwc.com/viewing/recreation/camping/

[Cookie]

I am really enjoying this thread. If you ever decide to come west, you can hook up in our driveway.

Same here. I have Transit envy. Our driveway is also at your disposal. (East)

[sleazy rider]

I am really enjoying this thread. If you ever decide to come west, you can hook up in our driveway.

Same here. I have Transit envy. Our driveway is also at your disposal. (East)

You tell me?  This is the projected travel.  When I get to Fort Dix in New Jersey, I'll be counting dollars and days left to make the call whether I continue north or go west and find a place to hide for a week or so.


The light purple blotches are National Park Passport Stamp sites.  The little brown squares are military campgrounds.  The little badge up in the corner is a National Wildlife Refuge.  They do stamps too.

[Cookie]

The light blue line goes right past my house. Or at least within minutes of it.
01543.

[bungie4]

Sleazy living the dream. I'm envious.

[melville]

The light blue line goes right past my house. Or at least within minutes of it.
01543.

I dated a chick from Hubbardston once.

[Cookie]

The light blue line goes right past my house. Or at least within minutes of it.
01543.

I dated a chick from Hubbardston once.

Next town over.

[sleazy rider]

I was worried about fitting everything in the allotted cargo space.  The list of stuff was LOOOOOOONG.  Today was get it all together, see what fit where and if I needed an external cargo carrier.  Everything but my one luggage bag is in and some room to spare.  I'm not skimping on luxuries either.  I've even got a 19" LCD TV and amplified OTA antenna packed for those long nights solo.      The phone is loaded with ebooks and games too.


If I need to sleep in the van overnight, the rear seats will fold and stuff will fill the space to free up the bed area. 



Still have the last minute grocery shopping and pre-cooling the TE cooler two days prior to liftoff, but it's looking good.  I've added a few campground to the route down as just in case stops too.


ETA:  I'm going to get the cargo carrier for the hitch.  I forgot to take into account Linda's luggage when I get her in Boca.  I can move the two large Tupperware bins out onto the carrier and everything else will fit in the area under the bed.

[Vulcanbill]

Shim it. That cargo carrier will bounce unless you take up the extra slop in the receiver. Makes for a very annoying noise on every bridge abutment and RR xing and scrambles your stuff too.  Really fun when its gas cans.

Love travel tales.

[sleazy rider]

 

https://www.harborfreight.com/500-lb-capacity-deluxe-cargo-carrier-66983.html


With the 20% off coupon, at $40 it should be good enough for a couple max 75# bins.  I'll check on hitch fitment when it gets put together and installed.  The bin contents will be cooking supplies in one, the other will be bedding and the air couch.  They also have what looks like a nice contained cover for it.


https://www.harborfreight.com/54-1-2-half-inch-long-expandable-nylon-cargo-carrier-cover-95165.html


I thought about a small 2 or 3k genset for remote camping, but damn, they're proud of them little things and I hate the noise.  I guess the solar rig will have to happen sooner rather than later.  I like cold stuff to stay cold and my electronics to stay charged without draining the vehicle system.  The roof space should allow for three 100w panels and there's room enough for a couple or three batteries inside.  I'll add wiring to integrate with the car system for the possibility of a dead car battery.


This looks like it'll suffice.    I'll shop around for price and quality locally first.  Some stuff will have to be added to the shopping list for the vehicle integration.


https://www.ebay.com/itm/Renogy-300W-12V-Solar-Panel-Complete-Kit-200Ah-Battery-1000W-Inverter-Off-Grid-/302467501882?hash=item466c77cf3a

[sleazy rider]

Picked up the completed mattress pad today.  I need to add another 1" of eggcrate foam on top to tighten things up per plan.  The van is 90% loaded out now.  All that's left are the dog supplies, my bag and the cooler.

[sleazy rider]

Shying away from laying out for a camper or RV for now.  The TC conversion is a go.

Ordered the roof racks for the Transit this morning.  Time to start the solar install for the van.  I've been pricing solar kits.  Renogy seems to be the highest rated for RVs.  A 200w kit for the fan is under $500 shipped direct from them.  If needed, I can add the third roof crossbar and two more panes to get to 400w down the road.  The controller will handle up to 400w.  I tried finding a deal on the kit, but direct is the cheapest!

Two panels direct mounted to the racks will fit perfect. Just gotta get it all installed, then find some deep cycle batteries and a 120v inverter.  I'll wire up both types of outlets - 12v and 110v.

https://www.renogy.com/renogy-200-watt- ... ar-rv-kit/

I'm going to do a similar camper install to this:  https://www.cheaprvliving.com/conversio ... t-connect/

Single bed on one side, cabinets on the other side and mount the DR on the rear hitch.  Buy the add-a-room for the awning to get some bug free sitting room at the campsite and modify from there as needed.  Camp stove and my moto-camping kit will take up no room.  The 12v cooler will work just fine and best of all, it's all paid for already.   visitors can't see pics , please register or login
  Any and all cooking will be done outdoors.

Couple things to figure out.  Ventilation with a fan and/or a compact portable a/c unit for 110v shore power.

This will be much cheaper than a camper right now, will be handy even if I do buy a camper down the road and all could be moved to an RV if needed.

[bungie4]

I asked the same question of tankhead and his promaster City...

How do you think the connect would deal with towing a 1300lb trailer?

[sleazy rider]

I asked the same question of tankhead and hoods promaster City...

How do you think the connect would deal with towing a 1300lb trailer?

It's rated at just over 1500# tow capacity for the early ones like mine.  I think it'll be fine for even a mid-weight pop up camper or a small travel trailer.  There are class 3 hitches available now.  Mine seems to have enough power to keep me on the borderline of trouble.  Mine's averaging 22.5 mpg for the 8 months owned and that's been with a rough winter and long warm up times to melt the crud off.  If I keep my foot out of it, it easily reaches 25 mpg with a light load.

[bungie4]

Tnx. Your mileage Jives with what i would expect from fuelly ratings. I'm just exploring options at the moment. Looking at pulling the trigger on something before next fall.

My wife had a 4cyl rav4 and it's in the running as well. It'll pull down 30+and has the ability to pull a trailer of that weight. Lots of them around these parts and here has been bulletproof. Plus, awd.

[sleazy rider]

Correction on the towing numbers.  Cargo capacity is 1550# internally.
Towing is rated at 350 Pound Tongue Weight/3500 Pound Towing per the eTrailer website.
https://www.etrailer.com/hitch-2010_Ford_Transit+Connect.htm

[sleazy rider]

Lots of reading, research and questions asked/answered on setting up the solar install.  I *think* I have it figured out, but we'll see.  Need to do a bit of measuring on the roof size to determine if I can get three monocrystalline 100w panels up there. The other option is a $350 300w single panel, but I really have to find a local reseller because shipping is insane due to size.  It's 65"x 40" and I know it'll fit up there, but truck freight is about $150!
This guy has been the most clear and concise on actual info.
https://www.cheaprvliving.com/electrical/installing-renogy-200-watt-solar-kit/

[sleazy rider]

First step for the solar conversion is done.  I ordered some roof rack bars for the TC early this week.  They arrived yesterday and got installed this morning.  50" wide and bolt directly to the factory mounting points.  30 minute install at 15* this morning.  Once I decide on the actual solar power needed, I can weld an angle iron rack to mount the solar panels in and then attach that to the rack.


The van's going in this afternoon to have the trailer hitch wiring done.  $150 all in for parts and labor.  I'm good with that.      My cost for parts alone was about $100 and now I don't have to lay in the snow to wire it!


My mind is still working on interior layout.  I will have a 26"wx72"lx24"h mattress bed with storage under, but the rest is still in planning.  Do I want cabinets across the other side or will adding them to the rear be good enough and leave me more floor space for a table.....  Rearward vision from inside is nearly useless anyways.

[sleazy rider]

 
My remember module must be failing.  Went back out with the tape measure this morning.  Erased some drawn stuff, recalculating smaller.  The bed's staying the same, but the cabinet space is shrinking a bit.  The width across the back is just 52 floor inches, not the 57 I thought.  The storage height available is adjusted downward too at 24" max from the floor.  To remedy the table I thought I had, I'll be ordering a van conversion pedestal table that's removable.  Full custom self built cabinets on the agenda too.

I ordered the roof cargo basket this morning too. 64"x40" to fit the full roof.  Delivery @ the end of the this week.  Need to locate a rear door ladder now.

Solar install is delayed until I decipher how much power supply I need.  I'll wire for 110v inside for now and just stay at regular camping sites. 

Still planning on being at the Spring STO meet with it.

[smoker]

Still planning on being at the Spring STO meet with it.

 

[sleazy rider]

While I'm waiting on the big solar conversion purchase, I started ordering some of the niceties like door window vent shades and a front license plate "bull bar" driving light mount.  I have a set of nice LED driving lights here with a wiring harness that will go on to help fill in the night lighting gaps.  The vent shades will help keep it cool with air flow combined with the rear opening screened RV windows and a fan.


A proper sleeping mattress has been located to fit the planned bed design for not a lot of money.  26x72 - 6" thick pillow top.  My other option is a full size futon mattress as backup.



Once the roof stuff is squared away, I want to see if I can fit a Fantastic Fan up there for powered air movement.  I worry about the channeling on the rooftop allowing me to seal it properly.  I really need to make a trip to Camping World to drool over interior stuff too


I'd love to start on the interior tear out, but it's a whopping 10* today.  Got rear seats, seat belts/loops/retractors and a tatty cushioned floor mat to remove and store.


Stuff is still selling to fund the couple ongoing projects. 

[sleazy rider]

I love Google search. 

 

I found a local supplier for LARGE output solar panels as in 360w and he will sell me one in a couple weeks for about $250.  They're currently on order and he's so freaking local, I could walk over to his house.   

I can fit one on the roof racks.  Now to order up the rest of the system from Renogy. 

[Max Wedge]

How do you wire one of those things basically?

[sleazy rider]

I got some inspiration today.   


It's about 20* and the sun's out.  Time to start tearing out everything from the front seats back.


All the seatbelts, latches, tie downs and folding seats are out and stored.  Next up, the floor mat will be replaced with sound deadener under 1/2" plywood and then nylon low pile carpeting stapled to the plywood.  The carpet's been waiting patiently for this day.  I need to run up and get the deadener and plywood bought, sliced and loaded now.  Four feet between the wheel wells with filler pieces to level it all out on the sides.  I kept all the scrap from last fall's aborted attempt.

[sleazy rider]

How do you wire one of those things basically?

Honestly?  It's damn simple.  Two wires from the panel to the controller, two charging wires from the controller to the batteries and I'm adding a bluetooth programmer module to ease the controller setup from my phone.  I'm getting an RV wire pass thru to keep the roof leak free.  Drill the two holes, a large dab of RV roof sealant and bolt it down.  Connect the panel wires to it and go inside to run the other wires to the box.


Once that's all set up, add an inverter wired to the batteries to use the free power.  There will be pitchers when it goes together.


https://www.renogy.com/renogy-cable-entry-housing/

[sleazy rider]

Roof racks and cargo box installed.  Trying to order the solar kit today, but no one wants to answer their phone.

[tankhead]

Roof racks and cargo box installed.  Trying to order the solar kit today, but no one wants to answer their phone.

If you have some time could you measure the width of the load bars themselves were the cargo rack attaches to on the Van Tech or Ulti Rack rack?   I have some attachments from my old Thule system but I think they will not work because the van tech bars are too large in diameter.  I have been looking at the same rack.  Thanks.  Looking good.

Also could you tell me which vendor you used to buy the roof rack not the cargo rack.   Did you go to the source over the pond or did you use the guys in Ny?