Overlanding and Camping Mod Thread

dudleyfj40 · January 5, 2022

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.

mobilelists · January 22, 2022

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 · January 23, 2022

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 · January 23, 2022

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.

Do the train horns blare out SOS?

mobilelists · January 23, 2022

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.

Transient · January 25, 2022

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 January 25, 2022 by Transient

mobilelists · January 25, 2022

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 · January 26, 2022

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 · January 26, 2022

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 · January 26, 2022

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

matienzone · February 1, 2022

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!

Transient · February 1, 2022

Everybody's build is special. It's a reflexion of their individual uniqueness.

SC4R3C120W · February 15, 2022

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.

Edited February 15, 2022 by SC4R3C120W
weird object signs

SC4R3C120W · February 15, 2022

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

Edited February 15, 2022 by SC4R3C120W
weird signs and added spaces