Jump to content

Overlanding and Camping Mod Thread

Robert Peters
 Share

Recommended Posts

dudleyfj40 Enthusiast

dudleyfj40

Posted
Posted

I added a canvas to keep the snow off the tonneau cover. I think I might keep it on for good. I added plywood on top for a shooting platform.

 

Then some ditch lights and train horns to make it mine. 

PXL_20211218_143654160.jpg

PXL_20211218_143721252.jpg

  • Like 3
  • 3 weeks later...
  • Replies 115
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

Popular Days

Top Posters In This Topic

Popular Days

Popular Posts

Robert Peters
Robert Peters

Using your truck for Overlanding/Camping/Light Offroad duty? Post your mods and details of products here.    Truck: 2019 Trail Boss Custom with 5.3 and 6L80   Rear Rack: I cut up a

Robert Peters
Robert Peters

Went to Colorado a couple weeks ago and made some big upgrades before leaving. I needed to get my tent up higher so I could close my tonneau cover. I used 1.5x.120" DOM tubing for the new bed rails. T

Gangly
Gangly

I've seen that video and its very simplistic, clean, and well done.  I also found where an individual used a hidden winch mount from the prior generation silverado/sierra and was able to mount it to h

Posted Images

mobilelists Enthusiast

mobilelists

Posted
Posted

I have a truck on order (scheduled for build the week of 31JAN) so I don't have it in front of me to figure out a possible solution.  So I seek the wisdom of the net.  What is the "best" way to route a couple 1/0 cables from the 2nd battery/alternator to a slide-in camper?  For protection in the engine compartment I will have a t-fuse feeding a solenoid.  Then feed the cable under the truck to the front of the truck bed.  I could just have a length of excess cable to an Anderson connector that would plug into the camper, but then where is a safe place to store this excess cable when not in use.  Another suggested option is to mount bulkhead cable connectors (https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-g1431-red) through the truck bed and then a short cable to an Anderson connector.  Is there a corner section of the truck bed that would work for this option?  Somewhere that is protected from the stuff that would be in the truck bed when not used for camping and could store a short coil of cable when not is use?  A variation to this would be a gland (https://www.mcmaster.com/cable-glands/) to provide the cable pass through.

 

Thanks for any suggestions.

Transient Senior Enthusiast

Transient

Posted
Posted
16 hours ago, mobilelists said:

I have a truck on order (scheduled for build the week of 31JAN) so I don't have it in front of me to figure out a possible solution.  So I seek the wisdom of the net.  What is the "best" way to route a couple 1/0 cables from the 2nd battery/alternator to a slide-in camper?  For protection in the engine compartment I will have a t-fuse feeding a solenoid.  Then feed the cable under the truck to the front of the truck bed.  I could just have a length of excess cable to an Anderson connector that would plug into the camper, but then where is a safe place to store this excess cable when not in use.  Another suggested option is to mount bulkhead cable connectors (https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-g1431-red) through the truck bed and then a short cable to an Anderson connector.  Is there a corner section of the truck bed that would work for this option?  Somewhere that is protected from the stuff that would be in the truck bed when not used for camping and could store a short coil of cable when not is use?  A variation to this would be a gland (https://www.mcmaster.com/cable-glands/) to provide the cable pass through.

 

Thanks for any suggestions.

GM has its wiring for the sport bar and offroad lights running through the front stake pockets and into the space between the bed and fender.  At the top of the front sides is a round rubber plug you could pull and route the cable into the bed.  Use a velcro wrap and secure it to the nearby tie-down loops.  Just a thought.  Somebody may come up with something better. 

Transient Senior Enthusiast

Transient

Posted
Posted
On 1/5/2022 at 5:49 AM, dudleyfj40 said:

I added a canvas to keep the snow off the tonneau cover. I think I might keep it on for good. I added plywood on top for a shooting platform.

 

Then some ditch lights and train horns to make it mine. 

PXL_20211218_143654160.jpg

PXL_20211218_143721252.jpg

Do the train horns blare out SOS?

Transient Senior Enthusiast

Transient

Posted
Posted (edited)
On 1/23/2022 at 5:49 AM, mobilelists said:

Transient,

 

I found this link:

https://f01.justanswer.com/edhunt0r/0e3be21d-c69c-4fa1-8d71-37c382481bcd_Pickup+Box+Ornamentation+Bar+Package+Installation+(Sport+Bar).pdf

 

Looks like this can help, just need to look at the truck if it ever appears.

Page #4 in that document, where the bracket is being installed, is exactly what I was talking about, but it's round in the 2019+ trucks. 

 

I recommend the passenger side because that's where the battery and fuse box are located in the 2019+ trucks.  2018 and older trucks have the electronics on the driver side. 

Edited by Transient
mobilelists Enthusiast

mobilelists

Posted
Posted

Transient, thanks for the feedback.

 

Related issue, what is the recommended grounding method?  Long cable from battery ground or short cable from grounding spot on frame/body near truckbed?

Transient Senior Enthusiast

Transient

Posted
Posted

Every GM Accessory I've bought for my 2020 that involves electrical seems to ground at the battery.  Every aftermarket mod I've installed grounded elsewhere.  Seems to be 6 one way, half dozen the other. 

mobilelists Enthusiast

mobilelists

Posted
Posted

Under ideal conditions, the amount of conducting steel and iron in the frame and body serving as a ground would be a far better conductor than a single 1/0 copper cable.  But GM must know and I have always observed on detroit vehicles, is that they rust.  So in the long run, grounding directly to the battery must be better which could explain why GM does that with their accessories.

 

Now If the existing holes in the corner of the truck bed can handle 2 cables I will be set and not have to drill anything.

 

Thanks

Transient Senior Enthusiast

Transient

Posted
Posted
3 hours ago, mobilelists said:

Under ideal conditions, the amount of conducting steel and iron in the frame and body serving as a ground would be a far better conductor than a single 1/0 copper cable.  But GM must know and I have always observed on detroit vehicles, is that they rust.  So in the long run, grounding directly to the battery must be better which could explain why GM does that with their accessories.

 

Now If the existing holes in the corner of the truck bed can handle 2 cables I will be set and not have to drill anything.

 

Thanks

Imo, this is a great point to liken the truck bed to a girl -- just pick a hole and go for it

  • Haha 1
matienzone Enthusiast

matienzone

Posted
Posted

This is exactly the thread I was looking for. Love the functionality and aesthetics of an overland build. I haven't seen anyone on this thread with a 2.7L...I guess I volunteer as tribute! Ya'll keep posting those inspiring pics and I'll be sure to build something special! Thanks again for the inspiration!

  • 2 weeks later...
SC4R3C120W Enthusiast

SC4R3C120W

Posted
Posted (edited)

Had a folding tonneau and wanted to keep the sealed aspect of it, but didn't want to spend tons for a rack/ cover system that was compatible. Saw that my stake pockets were out of the sealed zone, so built a frame using uni-strut that I got free from work. Allows me to still open the folding cover if needed for access, but keeps everything underneath dry/locked while expanding storage. Loaded up with a waterproof bag and worked perfectly. Keeps close to roofline to keep gas mileage.

 

20210714_170831.jpg

20210714_170841.jpg

Edited by SC4R3C120W
weird object signs
SC4R3C120W Enthusiast

SC4R3C120W

Posted
Posted (edited)

Went from southern California to Montana, Wyoming, Colorado. Average 28mpg going up mountains fully loaded with 2 adults, a child, and all camping gear. 

 

20220215_102746.jpg

20220215_102607.jpg

Edited by SC4R3C120W
weird signs and added spaces
  • Like 4

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.

  • Forum Statistics

    250.4k
    Total Topics
    2.7m
    Total Posts

  • Member Statistics

    342,762
    Total Members
    8,960
    Most Online
    Chris80s
    Newest Member
    Chris80s
    Joined

  • Who's Online   4 Members, 1 Anonymous, 688 Guests (See full list)

  • Latest Articles

  • Posts

    • BCGM
      Recalls 2024 Chevrolet HD

      By BCGM · Posted

      JW2024 and Others is this site for Oshawa built Trucks as well ? Thank You !
    • BCGM
      Remote Start Noise 2024 2500 HD Gas

      By BCGM · Posted

      Thanks JR that would be great if you could do that !!! Do you have a link to where this was discussed before ? I cant seem to find it  Thank You Again !
    • Another JR
      Remote Start Noise 2024 2500 HD Gas

      By Another JR · Posted

      Oil pump noise was discussed before.  I will try to remember to record a remote start later this morning. 
    • Chuck FB
      MPG at 600 miles

      By Chuck FB · Posted

      There are probably a few threads talking about fuel mileage but this one seemed to fit the stats I have seen based on my typical local driven route but with different outcomes based on different seasons/temperatures. I have a few hundred pounds of items that consistently ride on the truck at all times such as a bak flip cover, rubber bed mat, tools and extra fuel so I would be something over 8100 lb without me in the truck. All these examples are based on a 100 mile round trip to a town plus running around town so maybe 110 to 120 miles in total for a trip. Using regular fuel and I assume it always has some ethanol in it but don't know the percentage they blend in. Also speed wise I am going at 62 mph and non aggressive driving although less speed yet if its crappy winter condition roads. I am going by an initial reset of the computer generated fuel use numbers averaged over a couple of thousand miles or so for each weather/season so they may be more optimistic then actual hand calculated numbers. Basically this is painting a picture of doing the same drive but seasonal conditions and temperature being the major variable to the end result. Oh and although I am in Alberta Canada, I am converting it to miles per US gallon so there is no confusion.    So winter time it gets cold here, no real surprise there and the roads can be clear at times but also often have packed rough snow or are are driving through loose snow ( they do a poor job of plowing the highways ) and yes this includes the extra idle engine time due to trying not to freeze ones butt off. 12.7 mpg is what I was getting during the winter months on average.    Then during the spring when it was around the freezing point and the highways are clear of snow, I was getting around 14.25 mpg.   Summer time, I have been getting around 15.15 on average but certainly some of the trips showed quite a bit better fuel mileage, so much depended on how much or little I had driven around town and number of engine restarts after sitting for a while at each location. But stating a best fuel mileage trip to town pretending that is what the truck gets on average is fooling ones self for sure !.      As I said in a different post, I had driven a 645 mile trip over a couple of days stint to a different destination then these other daily to town examples above, and was done during the summer with nice weather and not bucking a head wind, also keeping at 62 mph and its a rolling landscape type highway drive ( this isn't southern Alberta or Saskatchewan flat lands ) Hand calculated fuel mileage in this case though and it came out to 17.65
    • Chris80s
      Factory front brake rotors...defect?

      By Chris80s · Posted

      On my wife's 2020 Blazer (~69000 miles), we started to notice the brakes pulsating at faster speeds. Typically around town you don't notice anything, but highway/interstate driving you will notice it. I decided to pull of the front tires and look at the brakes. I figured with the milage, the pads should be wearing out to their life span, but they actually looked decent. Still with "meat" on them. One pad has a ridge wearing in it, and that same rotor is showing the ridge too. That's not the concerning part...the other rotor appears to have a raised bump on it!  The picture make it look like a pimple! Very odd and strange! NOTE: These are the factory brakes and rotors.   I'm attaching pictures of the front brakes and what they look like ate ~69000 miles.

  • GM-Trucks.com Clubs

  • Popular Contributors

×
×
  • Create New...