✅You may want to watch "10 Things We Don't Bring Anymore (Learn From Our Mistakes)" th-cam.com/video/LOFAZqIg2W4/w-d-xo.html. Also, don't forget to share the gear you think we all should know about. It is here in the comment section where many of us benefit most!
I use a can that's bent in the right places to fit better for liquid and a Tupperware canister with a doggie doo bag for the rest instead of large plastic bags.
@@michaelpearce8661 Could you explain these a little more. I'm not quite sure what you are using the can and bags for. Love learning new tricks and tips on here.
@@PlayingwithSticks the can is bent with a point and it fits comfy in front for urine. My bladder doesn't hold much and a 16oz can is big enough for me but I had a friend who needed a large coffee can to pee in. She filled it. I also have used antifreeze bottles. I'd cut them and have a handle and dump it in a old kitty litter plastic container with a screw cap that sits in an old laundry detergent bucket with a handle. The kitty litter container fits inside the laundry bucket which is very nice because the laundry bucket has two raised areas in the bottom. If pouring the urine from the can into the kitty litter container and I miss. The piss can drain into the bottom without the kitty litter container being flat on the laundry container. Being in the city, I can grad the handle on the laundry bucket and carry it into a porta potty to dump the container. It does take up more room than a fold up. I'm hanging out in a use U-Haul box truck.
@@michaelpearce8661 This kind of stuff is priceless to read. Thank you. Have you ever tried this with kitty litter inside the container? I have heard of folks using kitty litter for absorption to reduce the sloshing if having to travel to a toilet. But, then again with the lid on sloshing should be no issue.
@@JackFalltrades the five gallon bucket would be taking up more room then my setup and have used it for years and I don't need to purchase the kitty litter.
Thank you for pointing out the expense/size/weight of the Zamp panels that all too many trailer builders swear by. Yes, they are well made and very durable but they are heavy, bulky and not for all of us. I think that there is a lot more healthy competition in the portable solar market than there was even 2 years ago. Competition and diversity in choices gives all of us great options. Mix and match. Safe camping!
Thanks Richard for sharing this. Like you mentioned the current healthy competition has been a much needed change in the industry. I am hoping soon that this will push manufacturers to consider allowing others to integrate their own panels into builds. Like you said, mixing and matching would be a great option to have.
Rich, we have a tiny camper that we tow with an electric car so weight plays a big concern with us,, the thing with ZAMP power is made in the USA they go through great lengths to keep US manufacturers employed, also if you call or email, they get back at you quickly, and usually broke items get replaced free. They do the dirty or reverse the connections to monopolize on their connections.
To aid with this, legislation on the type of connector can help greatly! This helps with eliminating the need to repurchase something just because you need a different connector. This creates unnecessary rubbish/garbage in some cases. This is why I think that the recent EU legislation on having the same port (I think it is USB C) on all phones and devices (such as tablets etc.) is a great idea. Somethings are just best standardised and what type of connector is best for solar panels to battery packs is the best, I am not sure, but whatever it is, standardise it!
Always appreciate your videos. Check out the folding Tucktec kayaks - hard shell, no inflation, less than 30 lbs, 5' setup and $350. Plus US made and customer service is very responsive. They are good folks!
We have one of those Sportneer tables and like it. We have not put it to the test as you have. Our square drop was “solar ready” which meant a Zamp plug on the outside wall with some short cables. I did what you mentioned. I tied into the short cables and installed a solar charge controller and use 100 watt Dokio panels. I also put in a battery selector switch on the lead in from the Zamp plug and another Zamp type connector on the inside of the camper. This allows me to use a solar panel to charge the camper battery or I can connect into my power station and charge it while it is in my camper. Gives me flexibility with using a solar panel and charging.
It honestly was/is our favorite table as well. I really wish I could use it on uneven surfaces though. But that is just me being nitpicky. Haha. I love hearing what you did with the solar. I have a feeling a lot of folks will be benefiting from reading this comment in the future. Okay, I think I understand this. Are you saying from the same port you can choose to either charge your power station or your camper's battery based on which one you select with the switch? That sounds like a great setup.
@@PlayingwithSticks Yes, that is correct. Using the battery selector switch in “reverse”. The solar panel wire connects to the “main output”. The charge controller for the camper battery is wired to one of the battery lugs on the switch and a plug which allows me to connect to the power station is wired to the other batter lug. Plug the solar panel into the plug/connector on the outside of the camper and selecting 1 or 2 on the selector switch determines where the solar goes. Hope it makes sense for everyone and gives someone an idea.
I have been watching a lot of teardrop and camper videos because I want to get or make one some day. This video is the first time I'm hearing about the Zamp stuff. Thanks for the heads up. I had no idea.
I’m with you, I also enjoy a taller poopin stool. My RPod is “wired” for solar as long as the panel has a controller on it. That really makes no sense. Really enjoyed this one. Thanks Drew
Oooohhh! This one is new to us and it looks neat. Thank you for sharing this. Seems like many of these great camping accessories are coming out of Australia and South Africa.
I love it when people go in depth about RV-mounted solar, then in real life, park under trees to avoid the sun. A portable solution to “chase the sun” seems like a much better choice. If such a portable solution can effectively get at least 80W out of 100W, that’s better than a couple 100W mounted on top of an RV parked under trees get only 20-30W each.
Yes, our thoughts exactly. This summer we came across basically a community in the middle of the Big Horns. Everyone was decked out with solar, but parked under the trees. Lots of gas generators being used. And we get it. Going full time and moving solar all around the campsite may get old after time. But, when you are only doing it part time like us it is actually kind of fun.
I’ve read some posts about camping not being cheap anymore. It can be done. I don’t watch this channel because I want a teardrop, I don’t I use a tent. Mainly because I live down south and it’s not cold. I have a 1993 4Runner I got for cheap and I use it for camping at the coast. But it makes it easier to afford accessories I probably wouldn’t buy if I had monthly payments on a new teardrop. We like our tent set up and most what we’ve learned about getting outdoors and enjoying ourselves we picked up here from experts 👍
I totally agree with your assessment of the Zamp solar panels, not to mention that they're expensive! As much as I want to go green/renewable energy, I noticed the following issues: 1) the solar panel can lose efficiency rapidly with cloud cover. 2) The danger of adverse weather/rain/hail can damage the solar panel. 3) My energy consumption is still higher than what can be generated through the solar panel, meaning my battery still depletes. 4) The Zamp cord is flimsy with little insulation. 5) Obviously, a solar panel cannot be used at night. It's hard not go with a Honda EU2200i generator over the Zamp solar panel. I honestly wish that Jackery would get into the solar panel game. Even though you praise the legacy solar panels over the new ones, the new solar panels are still way lighter, cheaper, more efficient, and more packable than the Zamp solar panel.
Great points here. On point number one I think the mppt controllers play a big part in this. To me they don't all seem to be created equal. Our poorest quality power station our Rockpals 300. Is by far the best at pulling strong solar on cloudy days. For some reason all our other power stations really struggle at this. And I have to assume it comes down to the mppt controller inside. And you are absolutely right. In comparison to the Zamp the new panels look like feathers next to their boulder like counterpart.
@@PlayingwithSticks Yup, I learned a lot by watching your video on solar generators. That kind of real world testing made me think that performance is not always about simple paper specs. Please keep adding those kinds of videos. I got the latest Jackery Explorer 300 and the 100W solar panel. That setup has been a workhorse for my energy needs, and it's light, packable, and still cost like 30% less than the Zamp solar panel. Solar technology/innovation is slow to respond to demand, even if it's been around for 50+ years.
@@jolier1313 We are finding like you that our solar demands are pretty low. We only need our 500 watt power station because of fall and winter. But, for the rest of our camping season 300 is perfect. Now take out the fridge from the equation and we wouldn't even need solar panels. The 300 would get us easily through a week or two.
Great run down! Somehow I've already filled up my whole truck with gear, time to downsize!! I'm always impressed to see you guys getting it done with half the storage and twice the people!
I found my fridge always was running while in my gallery. I now put it in my truck with a separate battery. Runs WAY less . The lack of room in a 4x8 compounded by the fridges hot exhaust = runs all the time. I'm glad its working for you, take care 🙂
Hahaha the dishes 😂 This video contains a lot of useful information, when we transitioned to solar we couldn’t find many videos discussing pros and cons of different setups. Like you, we’ve found that the combination of a portable solar generator and foldable solar panels is not only a great (flexible) set up, but generates more than enough power for what we need in our teardrop. We are huge fans of Jackery, but agree that the solar panel tends to feel large and tricky to pack.
Thank you for sharing this Amber. We are big fans of Jackery as well. I probably should have pointed out in the video that it wasn't a Rockpals vs. Jackery statement. But more of a 2 panel vs 4 panel. It seems like the 4 panels are on the verge of being cycled out. I understand the reasoning from a marketing perspective, but from an actual camping perspective I will miss the 4 panels when they eventually go away entirely.
Great information! We want to go from tent camping to a small trailer of some kind & the information out there is sometimes overwhelming. We really like your channel. We feel like we get honest, great info & ideas.
You sound like us. Big tent camping fans, but at one point in time we were ready to sleep up off the ground. We think small campers are a great move up. You get a lot of the comforts of a trailer, but still get the feeling of living and sleeping a bit closer to the ground. Glad these videos are helpful.
My wife and I have been camping for years. We started with tents, went to pop-ups and have had travel trailers for the last 20 years. All sizes have been in our driveway. Recently we wanted to down size. We purchased a Rockwood UltraLite. Most of this unit is 12 volt. It has a solar panel ont the roof that keeps the batteries(2) charged for refrigerator and lights. Haven't been enough to give an indepth evaluation. Your video on camping gear was great, but the time spent on solar panels was very informative. Thanks for the video!
We ended up just taking our Ryobi tools. They have an air pump, chainsaw, shop/camp light, all run off their one batteries. If you need a tool that is battery operated, they make about everything. Works good at home too, so I don't need as much dedicated camping equipment.
This is a great comment Kevin! This is something we have considered as well. When out camping we see folks using their cordless drills to raise and level their campers. And after having our roadside breakdown just before hitting Canada this year I am even more convinced to bring a few more power tools as backup.
I must admit, I was somewhat overwhelmed by the amount of stuff. It does indeed add up. In fact, I decided to add up all the items on the list. I substituted a similar SUP pump I found for $70. Grand total=$4400.58. This is only for the stuff on the list. This is something that I struggle with - nothing about camping is inexpensive anymore.
Yeah. Tent, sleeping bag, and a cooler with hotdogs, drinks, and a bag of marshmallows. That was pure joy 😃. With my old knees, I’m now looking for camper with a Jacuzzi 😂
I'm glad you did the math for all of us. And remember, this is really only my larger gear. The smaller items at $20 really add up. I didn't show our camp chairs, rug, stoves, cooking supplies... The list goes on and on. One of these days I would like to make a video where we camp for a week without a majority of this gear. You really don't need most of this. It does enhance the experience if you are doing this week after week. But, if you are camping for just a few trips a season sometimes it is just more fun to go primitive. I mean that is why most of us get into this anyway to get away from all the junk.
There is a choice and like most of American consumer society, we tend to choose more rather than less. I bought a 6-person tent, a couple lanterns, and I'm getting some totes this weekend to build out our car camping box of tricks. I'm coming from 30+ years of backpacking perspective so I already have a mom/dad tent, pads, sleeping bags and I'm going to let the kids bring their own bedding and use an exercise mat inside their tent. Hey....they are kids. We slept on the ground when I camped as a kid. I have the money to buy expensive stuff but hey.... the reason I have money is that I've always lived on less than I can afford.
@@kevinhaskins6619 Yeah. All we had too for years. 6 person tent. I thought it was really cool I had a sleeping bag! My dad made a frame to use drawers from the house, so packing/unpacking was just moving drawers back and forth. The fun camping was during the day and the fire: frying fish, roasting hot dogs on STICKs (so cool), s’mores, and playing with the fire! Then night time pump-up lanterns, and more fire cooked food. Good times. Good times. Went to a cabin tent, then a small popup. We were not travelers though unless raining - just parked at our favorite lake. I need more convinces as I get older. Although some of the gadgets I think are just plain mind tickling toys - got-a have more toys as I get older too.
We say it often, but May and I believe our refrigerator was our greatest addition to our camping gear list. It really enhances the camping experience in many ways. That front window on your trailer looks like a great feature by the way! Love the large windows on campers.
I have a 12volt refrigerator which I was able to run one 25watt Harbor Freight solar panel, controller and one RV battery. If you have a solar generator for electrical storage? It will last you years longer.
@@PlayingwithSticks I'm definitely still feeling stuff out. We been out on four weekend trips, including the weekend we accepted delivery of the trailer. No awesome locations yet. Might change that in 2022. As I understand it, finding a picture worthy camping location is more difficult here (on the east coast).
@@michaelpearce8661 Thank you for sharing this. I had no idea when we got into this that fridges could run out here with such little energy. Neat to see how far they have come.
@@codeman99-dev Yes, the East Coast can be a bit more of a struggle finding those views. However, if it was me I would look into Hipcamp. This may help you get off the beaten path and find some beautiful views. Many of the most beautiful locations in more populated areas tend to be on private property. Hipcamp has the ability to open some of these places up to you and allows you to skip the crowds as well.
I love your content Drew. You got me hooked by adding the click here playlists at the end. Made it really easy to go down the Playing With Sticks Rabbit Hole watching 20 videos at a time or falling asleep and waking up to then still playing. Glad I did. Im currently building a DIY Teardrop after getting older and It being so hard to get the old crew together for tent camping I will be able to just hook n book whenever I get the itch.
I really appreciate this comment! For us the ticket. Like you I just wanted everyone to get outside. This immediately eliminated the excuses for us. And then once we got a refrigerator that was the icing on the cake. Basically we transitioned into a very low maintenance camping lifestyle, but still feel close to the ground. Out of curiosity what teardrop design are you building?
Lots of great info, as always. Just got back from Yellowstone, would have been nice if our paths had crossed. Hope you've had a good lower 48 trip. Thanks for sharing.
That Yellowstone trip was our dream for this summer. But unfortunately we never had the chance to make the loop we had planned. A few too many holidays and birthdays caused us to veer off path this summer. It was great to see the family and friends, but has us itching to make that path through the Tetons and Yellowstone. We really enjoyed our time in the Big Horns. We will be adding that to our itinerary again. Maybe next summer we can get those paths to cross. :)
Future topic idea: How did you find your boondocking campsites in CO, WY, UT? Was your technique different than in Alaska where you lived? How much was using word of mouth? Did you use many developed campgrounds and if so, what was the attraction?
To answer your question, why trailer are wired with zamp connections (which are reverse polarity of most standard connections) used to be because zamp provided the connectors & “solar ready” stickers to the trailer manufactures.
It may not be all about gear but your gear can make or break a fun trip. Great video Drew cool to see what has worked for you through the test of time and usage. Thanks
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it. I used to not be much of a gear guy. But, in recent years I have really come to appreciate quality gear. I think the addition of the refrigerator really changed my mind on gear. We used to think minimalism was key to a good trip. But, then we found many minimalists were carrying fridges. After trying one ourselves we realized sometimes adding a piece of gear can quickly subtract a number of other elements that were wasteful. For example, running to the store to pick up ice, throwing out soggy food, the time spent cleaning the cooler, etc.
Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it. I am finding the more I do these videos the more comfortable I am just being me in front of the camera. . I wasn't sure if everyone would be ready for this BIG nerd so I thought I would slowly bring this side of my personality into the videos.
@@Unflappabledelladuck It is funny there is something about that lens. My first couple of years I tried to be sincere. But, for some reason it still made me feel like I was giving a speech at a podium. Haha. Today it feels like I am just talking with my friends. It is a really good feeling. Especially beings I get to talk about the thing I love.
Nice video and reviews. I LOVED our Luci lights (the cheapest kind that doesn't charge). Unfortunately, despite the meticulous storage and organization of all of our own gear (separated depending on whether we are tent camping, boondocking in my own truck, or boondocking in my old CRV)...I did NOT count on our newest rescued stray tabby, Jojo. Joe is a tall cat with paws that can open just about anything, and the boy (sweet as he is) got into just about every place I was storing the Luci lights (backpacks, potty gear bag, etc.) and put dozens of teeth marks in each one. Arghhhh! They are pretty neat lights however, although I loved your lantern too. Thanks.
Love it! My wife and I are arguing between a Safaricondo Alto and a Tab 400. Bigger and more expensive than the Bean, but want it to be a backyard office and possibly a guest room for visitors. Also needs to be able to travel up to New England in the winter.
Nice one! A lot of good stuff in there. Those Luci Lights are so useful, inexpensive and fairly durable. You can still get some use out of yours sans handle. And that cardboard toilet is pretty interesting. So what I did with my Zamp connector on my teardrop, and those are just SAE connectors good for 20 amps, is to install a charge controller between it and the battery as those SAE's are typically wired directly to the battery. My controller is tucked away in the trailer and out of the elements. This allows me to run any single or combination of unregulated 12 volt panels that I desire as long as I keep it 20A or below. 300 watts of solar panels easily fits within that 20a limit which is far more than enough for a teardrop. Actually 300w is 25a but your panels will never put out a full 100w. You might see 19a tops for a short time in perfect conditions but more likely 8-12a most of the time. I digress. I have a single 100 watt hard panel on my roof rack in a simple quick release mount of my own design and a couple of 50 watt flexible panels I stash under my bed in the trailer when not in use. I also built up a small kit of cables (using parts from Bouge) that has a 30' extension, an MC4 Y connector and a few MC4 to other connectors adapters like SAE and 8MM barrel. This gives me options. If I'm parked in the sun I just leave it alone, on the roof. Or I can take that down and chase the sun. Or I can add in the flexibles if the sun isn't so good. Or I can charge my small power bank and the trailer separately. Like you I use the power on the trailer for fridge and fan primarily and the bank for all the gadget charging. It looks to me like you could deconstruct that Zamp kit pretty easily. If I had the same items I would do that and hard mount the panels to the roof somehow. Put the controller (or a different one) in the trailer as I described and build up a simple wire kit to suit the charging needs of the trailer and power banks. That still allows you to use the Jackery and Rockpals panels as you do now with the benefit of being able to tie them into the trailer system if you ever needed to. Additionally with the Zamps on the roof that's one more thing out of your way. And if you're not comfortable with building your own cables and adapters Hobotech sells practically any solar and power bank connector adapter you could ever need. They're fairly inexpensive so you should be able to cobble together the perfect, versatile wiring kit to fit your needs.
You are absolutely right. The Luci light still gets some action. But I really miss being able to hang that thing anywhere. By the way I appreciate the digression. That is where we get the good information from folks in the comments. I really appreciate your suggestions here. We have been toying with the idea of a semi-permanent mount. So this comment was very timely.
@@PlayingwithSticks Yeah, last year I was headed down that typical path as of late being to throw a bunch of lithium and other expensive stuff at it until Brian at DIY Outdoor gave me second thoughts. Now I'm focused on repurposing what I already have from this trailer and older things I had on hand, augmenting what came with the trailer just a little and now I'm leaning towards spending more on a better power bank when that need comes around. Other folks in your comments are doing likewise too with regards to power banks. On little trailers the modularity makes a lot more sense. $500-$1500 for one box with batteries, a charge converter and an inverter that can run it all is a lot of bang for the buck for a little trailer! We're powering teardrops here, not a 5th wheel ;-) I think it would be pretty cool if more RV manufacturers start thinking that way too and maybe ditch the more traditional hardware. Some teardrop makers are already. Think along the lines of panels with simple/clean mounting and wiring options to allow the customer to move things around if they want and the customer can choose the core bank (or banks) they need and maybe even some scaling options like parallel wiring banks or adding more batteries when needed. And what of the space and weight savings? One ~1Kw power bank takes up considerably less space than my current 2x 80ah wet batteries and mppt controller which doesn't even include an inverter. I think I just talked myself into a system redo, haha!
That TV tray toilet made me chuckle. A few years ago when my grandkids were younger, the little granddaughters hated using the vault toilets or sani-cans at the rustic "free" campgrounds we camped at, so I purchased the folding stand/toilet seat for them to use. However, after watching both of their mothers take a turn using it--and it collapsing both times--they wanted nothing to do with it and realized the vault potty wasn't so bad after all 🤣. BTW, neither one of the little girls liked to squat behind a bush to pee either. I am now the proud owner of a T@B 320 with a cassette toilet. My squatting days are long gone! Stay safe in Thailand. Looking forward to seeing your posts from there.
TV tray toilet. I think we are going to steal that term. I could see how the bathroom situation in the T@B 320 would be a great upgrade. We have quite a few folks in the community who want a small trailer, but need a bathroom. I think the T@B fits that need well.
We are just about to commit to a separate channel. We have been toying with it for a while. We are thinking the Thai camping content will still be shown on this channel mixed with our North American summer conent. But the random Thai living will be a separate channel. Shooting for a run and gun, less edited 2-3 minute per video style. We thought this would be a fun way for staying up to date with us without forcing it on people in our regular channel.
@@PlayingwithSticks Disclaimer: The one I bought at Walmart wasn't as sturdy looking as yours, and we were dealing with some uneven terrain. Was good for a lot of laughs and a priceless camping memory 😄 👍
Hey, stranger! I thought this did not look like Alaska! And I could hear the 17-year cicadas in the background. I have marked my life by them, starting when a young teen in Kentucky. They are so deafening that you can hardly think! My aunt once varnished the shell of one and made it into a pin! Haha. Nice to see you all. Can't believe you survived all that hot weather. Whew. Fall is so beautiful down there and my favorite season there. Hope you can enjoy it.
You heard right. The cicadas were everywhere this summer. I loved the sound, May was not a fan. haha. We admit there was some warm days where we didn't have water nearby to jump in. That was quite tough. But most of the summer we did surprisingly well. I wish we could have done fall. We made our way over to Thailand. Feels like the never ending summer here. Found a great campsite. Now, we need to find a trailer.
If you're looking for a balance bike the Woom 1 should be a finalist in your selection. I'm not saying anything bad about Strider. However there are two important features of the Woom 1. First it has a very low saddle (seat) height option and is simple to adjust as they grow. The balance bike we had been gifted would not have fit our child until he was four! He was ready for a balance bike at two. Second, and most importantly, the Woom 1 is the only balance bike I could find with a hand brake (right hand only). The goal for is to get kids comfortable with hand brakes from the beginning and therefore never have to use coaster brakes. This enables a huge step in the bike learning progression at an early age.
Dude! Loving you video style. So polished, engaging and awesome cuts. Guilty- we run the Zamp suitcase panel, but our is 70 watts each side which is 140 watts total. In good sun it’s like 6 plus amps. Pain to move around, fits in a shelf in the back of the Jeep, but I do feel it soaks up the sun.
Yup, ‘wired for solar’ is just a selling gimmick. Nothing more. Most folks I’ve come across in my various Facebook groups don’t do zamp, or do it and later sell them. Not only are their panels cumbersome and underpowered, they are also way too expensive. Newbies who know little about 12v systems get sucked into buying them at the dealer at rig purchase, only to later realize they could’ve done it themselves for a heck of a lot cheaper. The industry is switching to GoPower for solar I’ve noticed however, as they have solar controllers that are mounted inside the rv, not on the panel themselves. Still expensive though to add, and for most folks, unneeded as a decent pair of batteries should be able to carry most folks thorough a boondocking weekend, if they know enough about battery conservation that is, but that’s another video lol Great video as always. I’m going to have to try pooping under the stars one day 💩 🌟
If anyone is reading this comment. Go check out YOOPH ARND's channel. There was a video of theirs I enjoyed about selecting their small camper trailer. If you are new to all of this you may want to watch it and see what is out there. th-cam.com/video/c1KpGTpIGTg/w-d-xo.html
@@PlayingwithSticks Thank you for your amazing support!! Means a lot for starting youtubers like ourselves~ Hope to grow our channel as strong as yours one day! Haha! 😆
I have a heavy Renogy solar suitcase, 200 watts. I think the weight is a good thing if you're out in the desert a lot. It seems to be able to stand up to the wind better.
Okay Drew, I watched your video again for a quick refresher. And one thing that struck me was… you need to lose your hat. At the end of the video you are sporting a cool outdoor hair style… your gonna miss it when it’s gone. I think the one thing that really makes camping better is lights! So I’m gonna look into your light setup for next weekend. Wish us luck and keep doing what you’re doing:-)👍🏼
David I have been taking your advice for a few videos now. Actually in real life. .I have worn a hat outdoors almost 100% of the time since I was in middle school. And when I say outdoors, I literally mean anytime I leave the house. I bet May would thank you for this comment. Haha.
Hit it on the head…our squaredrop is solar ready with Zamp. And the fact it is reverse polarity is so annoying. We bought the small rock pals panel and plan to add the charge controller eventually. For now we have a great EcoFlow power station that we can charge with the rock pals. What a racket!
I have a lot of issues with solar my trailer has a gopower 200w solar panel, which only half of it works, because my stepdaughter dropped it on the ground and broke the glass I have a solar panel for the Eco flow battery bank. And a solar panel for the Lion Energy battery bank and none of them have the same wires or plugs or connectors so that adds up to quite a bit of space in the trailer. I’m hoping to come up with some kind of a universal adapter so I can use one panel system to charge everything. But with the larger eco-flow max and the Lion Energy battery banks I can stay out two weeks without having to worry about power even running three refrigerators, of course, one of those plugs into the vehicle.
Thank you! Yes, the solar stuff takes quite some time. I think the quickest route to gain some knowledge is to check out Will Prowse's video. Then once you feel comfortable with the science behind it I would jump over to HoboTech's channel. He is highlighting it all from higher end to budget. Will Prowse can be a little tough on the budget panels and power stations. But in all reality many of the budget models are great for us campers. Will puts them through stress tests that are great and accurate, but they typically are tests that we wouldn't do when camping. His are more for keeping your home appliances going in an emergency. They truly are stress tests not actual camping scenarios.
We have an order in for a different off-road trailer but it's the same way for solar; "Solar Ready" for Zamp. I'm not going to use Zamp, I already have a 120w portable panel from Bluetti. My plan is to get an MC4 -> SAE adapter and install a solar charge controller inside the box where all the DC power equipment is. Not sure if I'll go with a Victron 30A MPPT w/ Bluetooth or the Renogy 30A MPPT with Bluetooth, I'm leaning towards the Victron since it's more compact and offers a 5-year warranty. That seems reasonable for the price difference between the two units. Also happy to hear even the lower-wattage panel is able to keep your batteries topped off when off-grid for weeks at a time, I was thinking of buying another portable panel because I was worried about power consumption and being unable to maintain enough charge but I'll just run the panel I have first and see how things go.
I have heard good things about both MPPTs. Either way I think you will be happy. And you won't have to haul around that Zamp 😀 You will be surprised how far your power goes. And if you are nearing your limit we usually suggest switching over all your power adapters and appliances to DC before increasing your solar panels. Sometimes it can be that simple.
70 watt panel running everything! That is good useful information! I got 500+ watts , and I assumed I needed more, so avoided campers I could not mount my huge panels. I think I run a little more electric though by adding the electric mattress pad and crock pot. Still, that information opens up some paths. Thanks!
Good point Mike. In the fall and winter that 70 watt panel wouldn't do me a whole lot of good. Haha. I have actually never tried solar during the winter. In regions that have 4 seasons do people use solar panels in the winter? I am a bit naïve on this one. I think mainly when I camp I don't see anyone around in the winter months so I have never even considered it before.
@@PlayingwithSticks Solar in the winter at like Duluth latitude (close to the Canadian border) is just a bit less than 1/2 power if angle for best sun for the month each month, but not tracking the sun all day. So tracking during the day with a portable panel would yield a bit more. I camp in Arizona in the winter when I camp, so winter power is like 85% Duluth summer power - bit more to work with. Hourly tracking will yield more. Anchorage Alaska is like 8% power at its worst during the winter. March and October are about 1/2, then increases between those months. If you ever want power numbers per month, I can print them out.
@@mikemead2315 This is neat. Yes, I would like those numbers. Where are you finding them. I have a little printout from NASA I wanted to share with you as well. You have probably seen it. It is about aerodynamics.
Great question. This model is the Venture size. We chose this for a number of reasons. If you go one size smaller you only get 4 sides vs 5. This one is large enough to fit over any picnic table at a campsite. But here is the #1 reason we chose this model. It is big enough to fit 3-4 adults, but not too big. The size up is really ideal for 3-4 in terms of space. But, it tends to be a bit on the big side for some campsites. Many of the campsites where all you really get is your little asphalt pad and a little grass on each side of it requires a smaller tent like this. Any larger and you struggle to find enough space for the footprint. A downfall of this model, like many of the Clam models is that you have to purchase your own sidewalls separately. Where one of the models the sidewalls are built in. I wish they all came that way.
@@PlayingwithSticks I have the venture as well... had bought the larger 12x12 first but being a svertically challenged older gal I could not push up the center of the tent ... too high up for me and too hard to push... venture has tons of room and I really don't mind the side panels being separate, I have gotten to where I will fold down the top half of the panel for ventilation (mainly after rain) and leave them hanging in place until pack it out
@@bikingal4283 We really appreciate you sharing this. It is always valuable for the community to hear feedback from others using this gear. We get you on the vertically challenged. Even the venture can be a bit tricky getting it up at times.
Thank you. Sorry Joyce I don't quite understand your question. Meaning videos about the areas we visit? Or videos about where we are staying currently in Thailand?
I really want to learn about Solar before I put out any money. Every RVer video is all over the place. Some I feel are overkill and some I feel may not be enough with what people want to power. Then I watch some people who are like engineers and they know so much about the specs and design they tend to speak over your head. As far as the Gorilla Glue please make sure you put it on the feet of the toilet and not the seat unless you want to be attached for life. I really like the idea of the cardboard toilet. Who'd a thunk it? Any updates on Thailand? I think I told you before I was moving back to the US from Peru in November however plans have changed. My residency is good until 2025 so I think I will be staying here until then. Three weeks ago my son and I finally went to Machu Picchu. It was a blast. Definitely a must do for your family.
We like to get our scientific background from solar from Will Prowse. Then take that knowledge and use it when watching Hobo Tech's videos. Will gives you the base. Hobotech gives you the deals. That is how I see it. Sometimes Will's stress tests are much more difficult than anything you would put them through when camping. What he often calls a bad power station or panel, may work great for you when camping.
Okay, I just read the gorilla glue comment. You had me rolling here! Glad to hear the Peru life is back on the table. That trip you took sounds amazing by the way! We made it to Thailand. We have been over here almost 1 month now. 2 weeks in quarantine and then we were able to setup our home life. Feels good to have a home base after being homeless for 4 months.
Portable solar is just the easiest and CHEAPEST option to start with, but it's not the best IMHO. I have a portable 200 watt Renogy panel with weatherproof controller. I concede, it's ridiculously huge and heavy. I run a small electric dometic cooler fridge which uses about 1amph to keep things cold, or ~24 amp hours per day. My 200 watt panel only adds 9-12 amph in full sun. So I have to leave it out 2-3 hours a day, and I need to stay around so it doesn't get stolen. A 20-30 amp dc to dc charge controller could top off my battery with just 1 hour of driving, safely using my truck alternator and barely adding any gas consumption. Permanent solar would solve the theft concerns but I often don't have the roof space. Ski box one side, kayak rack on the other; I might fit a single 100watt panel.
Good point about using an alternator charge controller. If traveling a lot vs staying put, it is a very good option used on almost every RV sold. Using just the alternator to charge the camper battery without a dc-to-dc charge controller would work, but every report I read about mixed-battery-types/mixed-state-of-charge indicates early demise one or both batteries. Yeah. Good points about bigger heavier panels with shorter charge times, and the possibility of portable panels escaping. I struggle with the same tradeoffs.
We are right with you. In terms of the annoyance of guarding your panels. I need to mention that in one of these videos. And our need to charge off the vehicle between sites. Our issue with permanent panels is that we never seem to be parked in direct sunlight. I think at some point we need them, but we will still have to rely on some form of portable panel to chase that sun.
Thanks for the video. I learn a lot from your videos. I know you chose a Bean because of the fiberglass construction but is that really more beneficial than the option of a TAB Clamshell with a bathroom? My wife is Brazilian and they to like 3 showers a day. She says she can't go to bed with out a shower so I feel like we would have to have a bathroom.
Great information as always. I'm a new subscriber because i'm interested in getting the 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness and a teardrop trailer. We were settled on a Nucamp T@b 320 Boondock until i watched a video about stressing the CVT to where the transmission oil became very dark too early even though the wet weight was within the towing range of the OBW. Then i see this video where you're towing the Bean with the OBW. So my questions are, how heavy was the Bean you were towing, did you climb any long hills, and how did the OBW perform when towing the Bean? Thanks for such great content btw!
This one is always tough. Typically we find in the Subaru forums nobody has issues with their CVT transmissions and towing. But outside of Subaru owners everybody seems to be very leery. That’s interesting to hear about the dark oil. We have a CVT transmission on a small scooter. We noticed that once it’s up to speed it tows and pulls well, but very tough getting out of the hole. We kind of assumed it would be the same for the Subaru. But the Subaru roars out of the hole even up steep hills in Colorado. No issues in terms of strain or hot transmission etc. all throughout the mountains of the west of summer. But that was just one summer. Hard to project how it would do overtime. For our family I think we wouldn’t pull over mountainous terrain enough to worry about it in the long run. But I think if this is something you were doing every weekend you might want to look at something else just to be safe. I find that even though we go to mountainous regions a lot of are driving is on flat roads or nice gradual ascents up switch back roads.
Acclimation to heat and altitude. How is everyone doing with it? West dry heat is a bit different than humid heat. Here in the UP, 85 degrees at 95% humidity is way worse than the 100+ 10% in Phoenix I experienced. You are all young. Probably never noticed! 😂
Great question. Typically May is much more sensitive than me to altitude. Not sure why. I spent a small portion of our honeymoon in South America taking care of May from a trip too high into the mountains. Since then we have learned to take it slower acclimating. The boys and May did have a bit of the altitude funk this summer when we hit Colorado. As for heat, I thought everyone did surprisingly well this summer. I think it was because we spent our time in fairly dry climates. Thailand is a whole different story. Haha. Rye seems to sweat head to toe the second we get him out the door, I am next, then East, and May looks like she is never sweating at all :)
Drew-love all your videos. We’re newbies (just bought a teardrop-transitioning from tent camping). Quick question-need to buy our first 12v frig, solar set-up and generator. We’re headed to Yellowstone and need to run the frig all the time (I guess). Can we run it off the truck battery while driving? What should we buy? We are on a budget :) Thanks so much!
i was thinking the same thing about your roof tote. i was expecting you to pull your kids out of there too. love the outback, very cool car. you really make good videos. as far as pooping outdoors, couldn't agree more but i prefer digging a hole and squatting, too much info? i hope not. have a wonder filled day, God bless
You had me laughing out loud with the clown tote and kids comment. 😂 When we go camping with friends everyone's eyes get big when they start seeing how much gear comes out of there. When we first get to site we pull out the larger items. But then as the days go on we keep pulling out gear. People think the thing must be connected to a portal. Haha. Definitely not too much info. We are cat hold diggers ourselves from time to time. The only reason we don't highlight it on the channel is a year or two ago Cosmo Weems made a good comment to us. He said we shouldn't encourage it because there are folks like him on the East Coast who camp in areas that are more frequented by people. Meaning it is okay in the west where we all spread out a bit more. But, he said imagine if thousands of people come to the same camp site and dig their own cathole what that can do to the natural environment over time? He has a pretty good point. Again, we still do it. But, don't preach it just in case there are folks camping in those type of areas Really appreciate the blessings. God bless you as well Dave. Always love reading your comments!
Hi drew, can I hook. Up the rockpal solar panels to my Jackery 500? Oops I see that it has adapters for the Jackery. This is the one in your video that you liked the most?
Yes, you can hook up a rockpal panel to Jackery 500. It really isn't necessarily the brand that I love. It is the style of panel. Most panels, including Jackery's are just too big. I like panels that are trifold or even more.
So were you able to connect the rockpals to the Bean? I have a GoalZero Boulder 50 (bulky and heavy) and just picked up the Rockpals 100w. Not sure I will be able to connect them to my Bean…that I just ordered.
Your Yakima skybox, how much weight can your Subaru hold? (What model is the Yakima roof box) And are you using integrated rail bars? Keep up the awesome content!
I don’t actually know the static or dynamic roof ratings for the wilderness. But my guess is it would be pretty hard to hit that limit with just a box. Even when they look pretty large on top of the car the boxes are very lightweight and you can’t fit too much in them. At the time we picked up the wilderness folks were saying it was the first one released in the country. I don’t know if that’s true but we were definitely one of the earliest ones on the road. So because of this they didn’t have any integrated roof rails at the time anywhere in the country. So I used rails from Amazon for like $20. I was a little nervous they wouldn’t do the job and cause a ton of whistling and noise. To my surprise they worked great. I was going to change them out mid summer with the rails I had in my cargo trailer but I never needed to.
@@PlayingwithSticks why i ask i have a 2018 outback and just want to get a second opinion from someone with real life experience versus the manual. Thank you for the insight!
Power Station. That Bluetti 50s really does stand out. Bluetti has beat themselves. Bluetti has 2 more just like it now (EB55, EB70) that are basically the same package, charging-inputs and outputs as the 50s except the EB55 and EB70 use the better LiFePO4 battery like the Bluetti big boys. The LiFePO4 battery allows increasing AC wattage out from 300 watts to 700 watts, and it increases longevity from 1,000 cycles to 2,500 cycles - significant for $50 more. The more expensive EB70 just bumps up the electrical-gas-tank to over 700 WattHours from around 500 for the 50s and EB55. Weight is manageable on the 50s, EB55, EB70 with weight less than 21 lbs - unlike the Bluetti big boys of up to 60lbs 😳
I think they are the best in the industry. They are built tough. Not a lot of quality control in terms of looks though. When you receive a stove it comes with a piece of paper that says watch out for sharp edges and burs. Haha! You don't see that on many finished products. But the simmer control is decent and the boil time is near the top of the industry. We damaged the hose this summer. User error. And just to replace the hose it was over $100! So we get what you mean.
Is that an Outback you’re using to pull? I have a 2020 XT and am looking at pulling a teardrop under 1500 lbs. I’m concerned about how it will handle over passes.
Love a great poo, under the stars, sunrise, or when people are packing, we use 2 commodes, (1) is a pilot pee with lady attachment, for the mrs, and a luggable loo
Thank you for sharing! Big fans of the luggable loo and Hassock style toilets. They are our favorite toilet in terms of comfort. But we rarely take it out due to size. Even lined May won't let me use the bucket for multiple uses 😂 And if it can't do double duty, no pun intended, then it can't come with us.
So wait. I'm new to all of this and don't know much about solar powering. Do you still need the Zamp panels with the controller, or do the other ones work? I feel like I'm missing something. Thanks
It is kind of a long answer. Basically Zamp has a propriatary input installed in many of these trailers. Do we need them? No. Do I want them? No. I find the Zamp panels to be overbuilt, heavy, and you get very little watt input in comparison to the size of the panel. To answer your question. If your trailer has a solar controller with mppt built in then your panel does not need a controller. These standalone controllers are very small and quite affordable. I am still dumbfounded that most campers of this size do not come with them standard. Beings they are so small and affordable.
Do Bean trailers only work with Zamp or are you able to use your other solar panels? Apologies if I missed the answer to this in the video or other comments, but I'm looking at the Bean right now (apparently I visited the factory right after you and Mark was still very excited about your visit), and this is something I hadn't considered before.
I don't think you missed anything. I am pretty sure I haven't mentioned it yet. Almost everyone in the industry is wiring for Zamp. And if they are not, they typically are not wired at all. I kind of made this comment hoping some of the manufacturers will watch the video and course correct. Bean wires for Zamp as well. I'm not sure though if they have an upgrade to wire with a charge controller or not. Like I mentioned in the video it would be a very simple addition. The components are not pricey and they would take up very little space in the build. The good thing though is it is something a DIYer could do after a purchase. Glad to hear you went to the factory. I think that seals the deal for most folks. Its that quality control factor that got me.
Balance bikes are so much better for kids to learn on from an early range than training wheels! Training wheels teaches negative habits. Just don’t forget to teach them the importance of using a helmet. One crash or fall onto a rock, and you have brain damage for the rest of your life, end up paralyzed, or worse, dead. Strider makes good bikes. Just wait until you find out they make ebalance bikes, and full GD carbon framed balance bikes.😂 Absolutely insane, they’re like $1k! You can get a really good entry level MTB bike for that much.
Not quite sure what that commercial was for. A bunch of outdated budget gear? I don’t think there was anything new on there that any company would push on people. That’s just how we do it. Sharing gear we use, tips and tricks from the field, etc.
✅You may want to watch "10 Things We Don't Bring Anymore (Learn From Our Mistakes)" th-cam.com/video/LOFAZqIg2W4/w-d-xo.html. Also, don't forget to share the gear you think we all should know about. It is here in the comment section where many of us benefit most!
I use a can that's bent in the right places to fit better for liquid and a Tupperware canister with a doggie doo bag for the rest instead of large plastic bags.
@@michaelpearce8661 Could you explain these a little more. I'm not quite sure what you are using the can and bags for. Love learning new tricks and tips on here.
@@PlayingwithSticks the can is bent with a point and it fits comfy in front for urine. My bladder doesn't hold much and a 16oz can is big enough for me but I had a friend who needed a large coffee can to pee in. She filled it. I also have used antifreeze bottles. I'd cut them and have a handle and dump it in a old kitty litter plastic container with a screw cap that sits in an old laundry detergent bucket with a handle. The kitty litter container fits inside the laundry bucket which is very nice because the laundry bucket has two raised areas in the bottom. If pouring the urine from the can into the kitty litter container and I miss. The piss can drain into the bottom without the kitty litter container being flat on the laundry container. Being in the city, I can grad the handle on the laundry bucket and carry it into a porta potty to dump the container. It does take up more room than a fold up. I'm hanging out in a use U-Haul box truck.
@@michaelpearce8661 This kind of stuff is priceless to read. Thank you. Have you ever tried this with kitty litter inside the container? I have heard of folks using kitty litter for absorption to reduce the sloshing if having to travel to a toilet. But, then again with the lid on sloshing should be no issue.
@@JackFalltrades the five gallon bucket would be taking up more room then my setup and have used it for years and I don't need to purchase the kitty litter.
Thank you for pointing out the expense/size/weight of the Zamp panels that all too many trailer builders swear by. Yes, they are well made and very durable but they are heavy, bulky and not for all of us. I think that there is a lot more healthy competition in the portable solar market than there was even 2 years ago. Competition and diversity in choices gives all of us great options. Mix and match. Safe camping!
Thanks Richard for sharing this. Like you mentioned the current healthy competition has been a much needed change in the industry. I am hoping soon that this will push manufacturers to consider allowing others to integrate their own panels into builds. Like you said, mixing and matching would be a great option to have.
Rich, we have a tiny camper that we tow with an electric car so weight plays a big concern with us,, the thing with ZAMP power is made in the USA they go through great lengths to keep US manufacturers employed, also if you call or email, they get back at you quickly, and usually broke items get replaced free. They do the dirty or reverse the connections to monopolize on their connections.
To aid with this, legislation on the type of connector can help greatly! This helps with eliminating the need to repurchase something just because you need a different connector. This creates unnecessary rubbish/garbage in some cases. This is why I think that the recent EU legislation on having the same port (I think it is USB C) on all phones and devices (such as tablets etc.) is a great idea. Somethings are just best standardised and what type of connector is best for solar panels to battery packs is the best, I am not sure, but whatever it is, standardise it!
Agreed! I can’t tell you how frustrated I get when I purchase a new item and find out my old cord does not fit from the same company!
Always appreciate your videos. Check out the folding Tucktec kayaks - hard shell, no inflation, less than 30 lbs, 5' setup and $350. Plus US made and customer service is very responsive. They are good folks!
We have one of those Sportneer tables and like it. We have not put it to the test as you have. Our square drop was “solar ready” which meant a Zamp plug on the outside wall with some short cables. I did what you mentioned. I tied into the short cables and installed a solar charge controller and use 100 watt Dokio panels. I also put in a battery selector switch on the lead in from the Zamp plug and another Zamp type connector on the inside of the camper. This allows me to use a solar panel to charge the camper battery or I can connect into my power station and charge it while it is in my camper. Gives me flexibility with using a solar panel and charging.
It honestly was/is our favorite table as well. I really wish I could use it on uneven surfaces though. But that is just me being nitpicky. Haha. I love hearing what you did with the solar. I have a feeling a lot of folks will be benefiting from reading this comment in the future. Okay, I think I understand this. Are you saying from the same port you can choose to either charge your power station or your camper's battery based on which one you select with the switch? That sounds like a great setup.
@@PlayingwithSticks Yes, that is correct. Using the battery selector switch in “reverse”. The solar panel wire connects to the “main output”. The charge controller for the camper battery is wired to one of the battery lugs on the switch and a plug which allows me to connect to the power station is wired to the other batter lug. Plug the solar panel into the plug/connector on the outside of the camper and selecting 1 or 2 on the selector switch determines where the solar goes. Hope it makes sense for everyone and gives someone an idea.
I have been watching a lot of teardrop and camper videos because I want to get or make one some day. This video is the first time I'm hearing about the Zamp stuff. Thanks for the heads up. I had no idea.
Glad we could share something new. It wasn't that long ago that it was new to us as well.
I’m with you, I also enjoy a taller poopin stool. My RPod is “wired” for solar as long as the panel has a controller on it. That really makes no sense. Really enjoyed this one. Thanks Drew
Yay, I am not the only one!
You should look into the thunderbox outback toilet. It’s metal. Higher than most. Folds completely flat. Saw it on Mandy Lea’s channel.
Oooohhh! This one is new to us and it looks neat. Thank you for sharing this. Seems like many of these great camping accessories are coming out of Australia and South Africa.
I love it when people go in depth about RV-mounted solar, then in real life, park under trees to avoid the sun. A portable solution to “chase the sun” seems like a much better choice. If such a portable solution can effectively get at least 80W out of 100W, that’s better than a couple 100W mounted on top of an RV parked under trees get only 20-30W each.
Yes, our thoughts exactly. This summer we came across basically a community in the middle of the Big Horns. Everyone was decked out with solar, but parked under the trees. Lots of gas generators being used. And we get it. Going full time and moving solar all around the campsite may get old after time. But, when you are only doing it part time like us it is actually kind of fun.
I’ve read some posts about camping not being cheap anymore. It can be done. I don’t watch this channel because I want a teardrop, I don’t I use a tent. Mainly because I live down south and it’s not cold. I have a 1993 4Runner I got for cheap and I use it for camping at the coast. But it makes it easier to afford accessories I probably wouldn’t buy if I had monthly payments on a new teardrop. We like our tent set up and most what we’ve learned about getting outdoors and enjoying ourselves we picked up here from experts 👍
I totally agree with your assessment of the Zamp solar panels, not to mention that they're expensive! As much as I want to go green/renewable energy, I noticed the following issues: 1) the solar panel can lose efficiency rapidly with cloud cover. 2) The danger of adverse weather/rain/hail can damage the solar panel. 3) My energy consumption is still higher than what can be generated through the solar panel, meaning my battery still depletes. 4) The Zamp cord is flimsy with little insulation. 5) Obviously, a solar panel cannot be used at night. It's hard not go with a Honda EU2200i generator over the Zamp solar panel. I honestly wish that Jackery would get into the solar panel game. Even though you praise the legacy solar panels over the new ones, the new solar panels are still way lighter, cheaper, more efficient, and more packable than the Zamp solar panel.
Great points here. On point number one I think the mppt controllers play a big part in this. To me they don't all seem to be created equal. Our poorest quality power station our Rockpals 300. Is by far the best at pulling strong solar on cloudy days. For some reason all our other power stations really struggle at this. And I have to assume it comes down to the mppt controller inside. And you are absolutely right. In comparison to the Zamp the new panels look like feathers next to their boulder like counterpart.
@@PlayingwithSticks Yup, I learned a lot by watching your video on solar generators. That kind of real world testing made me think that performance is not always about simple paper specs. Please keep adding those kinds of videos. I got the latest Jackery Explorer 300 and the 100W solar panel. That setup has been a workhorse for my energy needs, and it's light, packable, and still cost like 30% less than the Zamp solar panel. Solar technology/innovation is slow to respond to demand, even if it's been around for 50+ years.
@@jolier1313 We are finding like you that our solar demands are pretty low. We only need our 500 watt power station because of fall and winter. But, for the rest of our camping season 300 is perfect. Now take out the fridge from the equation and we wouldn't even need solar panels. The 300 would get us easily through a week or two.
Great run down! Somehow I've already filled up my whole truck with gear, time to downsize!! I'm always impressed to see you guys getting it done with half the storage and twice the people!
Yeah! I take so much camping-cooking stuff now that i cant find anything and end up eating at McDonalds🤣
@@mikemead2315 lol lol
I love the gear videos!! Always looking for the next thing to make camping more simple, enjoyable and, just... BETTER!
I found my fridge always was running while in my gallery. I now put it in my truck with a separate battery. Runs WAY less . The lack of room in a 4x8 compounded by the fridges hot exhaust = runs all the time.
I'm glad its working for you, take care 🙂
This is a great tip! Thank you.
Hahaha the dishes 😂
This video contains a lot of useful information, when we transitioned to solar we couldn’t find many videos discussing pros and cons of different setups. Like you, we’ve found that the combination of a portable solar generator and foldable solar panels is not only a great (flexible) set up, but generates more than enough power for what we need in our teardrop. We are huge fans of Jackery, but agree that the solar panel tends to feel large and tricky to pack.
Thank you for sharing this Amber. We are big fans of Jackery as well. I probably should have pointed out in the video that it wasn't a Rockpals vs. Jackery statement. But more of a 2 panel vs 4 panel. It seems like the 4 panels are on the verge of being cycled out. I understand the reasoning from a marketing perspective, but from an actual camping perspective I will miss the 4 panels when they eventually go away entirely.
Great information! We want to go from tent camping to a small trailer of some kind & the information out there is sometimes overwhelming. We really like your channel. We feel like we get honest, great info & ideas.
You sound like us. Big tent camping fans, but at one point in time we were ready to sleep up off the ground. We think small campers are a great move up. You get a lot of the comforts of a trailer, but still get the feeling of living and sleeping a bit closer to the ground. Glad these videos are helpful.
Quickly becoming my go to channel. Good work!
That means a lot to us Justin. Thank you!
My wife and I have been camping for years. We started with tents, went to pop-ups and have had travel trailers for the last 20 years. All sizes have been in our driveway. Recently we wanted to down size. We purchased a Rockwood UltraLite. Most of this unit is 12 volt. It has a solar panel ont the roof that keeps the batteries(2) charged for refrigerator and lights. Haven't been enough to give an indepth evaluation. Your video on camping gear was great, but the time spent on solar panels was very informative. Thanks for the video!
Would love to hear more from you about the UltraLite once you feel you have had enough time pulling it around. Sounds like a good setup.
We ended up just taking our Ryobi tools. They have an air pump, chainsaw, shop/camp light, all run off their one batteries. If you need a tool that is battery operated, they make about everything. Works good at home too, so I don't need as much dedicated camping equipment.
This is a great comment Kevin! This is something we have considered as well. When out camping we see folks using their cordless drills to raise and level their campers. And after having our roadside breakdown just before hitting Canada this year I am even more convinced to bring a few more power tools as backup.
I must admit, I was somewhat overwhelmed by the amount of stuff. It does indeed add up. In fact, I decided to add up all the items on the list. I substituted a similar SUP pump I found for $70. Grand total=$4400.58. This is only for the stuff on the list. This is something that I struggle with - nothing about camping is inexpensive anymore.
Yeah. Tent, sleeping bag, and a cooler with hotdogs, drinks, and a bag of marshmallows. That was pure joy 😃.
With my old knees, I’m now looking for camper with a Jacuzzi 😂
I'm glad you did the math for all of us. And remember, this is really only my larger gear. The smaller items at $20 really add up. I didn't show our camp chairs, rug, stoves, cooking supplies... The list goes on and on. One of these days I would like to make a video where we camp for a week without a majority of this gear. You really don't need most of this. It does enhance the experience if you are doing this week after week. But, if you are camping for just a few trips a season sometimes it is just more fun to go primitive. I mean that is why most of us get into this anyway to get away from all the junk.
😂
There is a choice and like most of American consumer society, we tend to choose more rather than less. I bought a 6-person tent, a couple lanterns, and I'm getting some totes this weekend to build out our car camping box of tricks. I'm coming from 30+ years of backpacking perspective so I already have a mom/dad tent, pads, sleeping bags and I'm going to let the kids bring their own bedding and use an exercise mat inside their tent. Hey....they are kids. We slept on the ground when I camped as a kid. I have the money to buy expensive stuff but hey.... the reason I have money is that I've always lived on less than I can afford.
@@kevinhaskins6619 Yeah. All we had too for years. 6 person tent. I thought it was really cool I had a sleeping bag! My dad made a frame to use drawers from the house, so packing/unpacking was just moving drawers back and forth. The fun camping was during the day and the fire: frying fish, roasting hot dogs on STICKs (so cool), s’mores, and playing with the fire! Then night time pump-up lanterns, and more fire cooked food. Good times. Good times. Went to a cabin tent, then a small popup. We were not travelers though unless raining - just parked at our favorite lake.
I need more convinces as I get older. Although some of the gadgets I think are just plain mind tickling toys - got-a have more toys as I get older too.
11:26 I envy that fridge setup. I own a much larger trailer too: Apex Nano 194BHS. Which is totally a resort rig. I still want that fridge, lol.
We say it often, but May and I believe our refrigerator was our greatest addition to our camping gear list. It really enhances the camping experience in many ways. That front window on your trailer looks like a great feature by the way! Love the large windows on campers.
I have a 12volt refrigerator which I was able to run one 25watt Harbor Freight solar panel, controller and one RV battery. If you have a solar generator for electrical storage? It will last you years longer.
@@PlayingwithSticks I'm definitely still feeling stuff out. We been out on four weekend trips, including the weekend we accepted delivery of the trailer.
No awesome locations yet. Might change that in 2022. As I understand it, finding a picture worthy camping location is more difficult here (on the east coast).
@@michaelpearce8661 Thank you for sharing this. I had no idea when we got into this that fridges could run out here with such little energy. Neat to see how far they have come.
@@codeman99-dev Yes, the East Coast can be a bit more of a struggle finding those views. However, if it was me I would look into Hipcamp. This may help you get off the beaten path and find some beautiful views. Many of the most beautiful locations in more populated areas tend to be on private property. Hipcamp has the ability to open some of these places up to you and allows you to skip the crowds as well.
Just made it to oak harbor from texas in a retro riverside 135.
Thank you with the pointers Leader!👍
I love your content Drew. You got me hooked by adding the click here playlists at the end. Made it really easy to go down the Playing With Sticks Rabbit Hole watching 20 videos at a time or falling asleep and waking up to then still playing. Glad I did. Im currently building a DIY Teardrop after getting older and It being so hard to get the old crew together for tent camping I will be able to just hook n book whenever I get the itch.
I really appreciate this comment! For us the ticket. Like you I just wanted everyone to get outside. This immediately eliminated the excuses for us. And then once we got a refrigerator that was the icing on the cake. Basically we transitioned into a very low maintenance camping lifestyle, but still feel close to the ground. Out of curiosity what teardrop design are you building?
Lots of great info, as always. Just got back from Yellowstone, would have been nice if our paths had crossed. Hope you've had a good lower 48 trip. Thanks for sharing.
That Yellowstone trip was our dream for this summer. But unfortunately we never had the chance to make the loop we had planned. A few too many holidays and birthdays caused us to veer off path this summer. It was great to see the family and friends, but has us itching to make that path through the Tetons and Yellowstone. We really enjoyed our time in the Big Horns. We will be adding that to our itinerary again. Maybe next summer we can get those paths to cross. :)
Future topic idea: How did you find your boondocking campsites in CO, WY, UT? Was your technique different than in Alaska where you lived? How much was using word of mouth? Did you use many developed campgrounds and if so, what was the attraction?
To answer your question, why trailer are wired with zamp connections (which are reverse polarity of most standard connections) used to be because zamp provided the connectors & “solar ready” stickers to the trailer manufactures.
Haha. I laugh. But I assume this is actually true. Definitely would make sense.
Valuable info all in one vlog for solar and camping gear, even if you have to replay it a couple times, novices out there! Thanks!
Glad this was helpful. We do the same thing when watching videos from others. Rewind, write down the word, search it on Google.
It may not be all about gear but your gear can make or break a fun trip. Great video Drew cool to see what has worked for you through the test of time and usage. Thanks
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it. I used to not be much of a gear guy. But, in recent years I have really come to appreciate quality gear. I think the addition of the refrigerator really changed my mind on gear. We used to think minimalism was key to a good trip. But, then we found many minimalists were carrying fridges. After trying one ourselves we realized sometimes adding a piece of gear can quickly subtract a number of other elements that were wasteful. For example, running to the store to pick up ice, throwing out soggy food, the time spent cleaning the cooler, etc.
Good job mixing up the pacing a little. Your videos are already stellar but a little goofiness is fun.
Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it. I am finding the more I do these videos the more comfortable I am just being me in front of the camera. . I wasn't sure if everyone would be ready for this BIG nerd so I thought I would slowly bring this side of my personality into the videos.
@@PlayingwithSticks I think it's best when creators are sincere and having fun. I'd hate to see you exhaust yourself or force yourself make a video.
@@Unflappabledelladuck It is funny there is something about that lens. My first couple of years I tried to be sincere. But, for some reason it still made me feel like I was giving a speech at a podium. Haha. Today it feels like I am just talking with my friends. It is a really good feeling. Especially beings I get to talk about the thing I love.
Wow, learned so much about camping equipment, plus the very practical and fine details about solar panels.
Nice video and reviews. I LOVED our Luci lights (the cheapest kind that doesn't charge). Unfortunately, despite the meticulous storage and organization of all of our own gear (separated depending on whether we are tent camping, boondocking in my own truck, or boondocking in my old CRV)...I did NOT count on our newest rescued stray tabby, Jojo. Joe is a tall cat with paws that can open just about anything, and the boy (sweet as he is) got into just about every place I was storing the Luci lights (backpacks, potty gear bag, etc.) and put dozens of teeth marks in each one. Arghhhh! They are pretty neat lights however, although I loved your lantern too. Thanks.
I love Bob Wells to dearh but I so appreciate the true tested feedback on your fridge. I needed that. Great video!
Glad it was helpful Carrie! As usual thanks for all the support.
Thank you for this video and all the product reviews! Your channel has really helped me with our teardrop camping.
👍
I use Lightleaf solar panels attached to my teardrop and powered in to my battery. Very thin panel.
Love it! My wife and I are arguing between a Safaricondo Alto and a Tab 400. Bigger and more expensive than the Bean, but want it to be a backyard office and possibly a guest room for visitors. Also needs to be able to travel up to New England in the winter.
Great gear review! I love the clam tent! And the bean trailer is awesome!
Thank you! I completely agree on the Clam and Bean. They have been a great combo.
Nice one! A lot of good stuff in there. Those Luci Lights are so useful, inexpensive and fairly durable. You can still get some use out of yours sans handle. And that cardboard toilet is pretty interesting.
So what I did with my Zamp connector on my teardrop, and those are just SAE connectors good for 20 amps, is to install a charge controller between it and the battery as those SAE's are typically wired directly to the battery. My controller is tucked away in the trailer and out of the elements. This allows me to run any single or combination of unregulated 12 volt panels that I desire as long as I keep it 20A or below. 300 watts of solar panels easily fits within that 20a limit which is far more than enough for a teardrop. Actually 300w is 25a but your panels will never put out a full 100w. You might see 19a tops for a short time in perfect conditions but more likely 8-12a most of the time. I digress.
I have a single 100 watt hard panel on my roof rack in a simple quick release mount of my own design and a couple of 50 watt flexible panels I stash under my bed in the trailer when not in use. I also built up a small kit of cables (using parts from Bouge) that has a 30' extension, an MC4 Y connector and a few MC4 to other connectors adapters like SAE and 8MM barrel. This gives me options. If I'm parked in the sun I just leave it alone, on the roof. Or I can take that down and chase the sun. Or I can add in the flexibles if the sun isn't so good. Or I can charge my small power bank and the trailer separately. Like you I use the power on the trailer for fridge and fan primarily and the bank for all the gadget charging.
It looks to me like you could deconstruct that Zamp kit pretty easily. If I had the same items I would do that and hard mount the panels to the roof somehow. Put the controller (or a different one) in the trailer as I described and build up a simple wire kit to suit the charging needs of the trailer and power banks. That still allows you to use the Jackery and Rockpals panels as you do now with the benefit of being able to tie them into the trailer system if you ever needed to. Additionally with the Zamps on the roof that's one more thing out of your way. And if you're not comfortable with building your own cables and adapters Hobotech sells practically any solar and power bank connector adapter you could ever need. They're fairly inexpensive so you should be able to cobble together the perfect, versatile wiring kit to fit your needs.
You are absolutely right. The Luci light still gets some action. But I really miss being able to hang that thing anywhere. By the way I appreciate the digression. That is where we get the good information from folks in the comments. I really appreciate your suggestions here. We have been toying with the idea of a semi-permanent mount. So this comment was very timely.
Great ideas on re-purposing the zamp. That is good. Thanks!
@@PlayingwithSticks Yeah, last year I was headed down that typical path as of late being to throw a bunch of lithium and other expensive stuff at it until Brian at DIY Outdoor gave me second thoughts. Now I'm focused on repurposing what I already have from this trailer and older things I had on hand, augmenting what came with the trailer just a little and now I'm leaning towards spending more on a better power bank when that need comes around.
Other folks in your comments are doing likewise too with regards to power banks. On little trailers the modularity makes a lot more sense. $500-$1500 for one box with batteries, a charge converter and an inverter that can run it all is a lot of bang for the buck for a little trailer! We're powering teardrops here, not a 5th wheel ;-)
I think it would be pretty cool if more RV manufacturers start thinking that way too and maybe ditch the more traditional hardware. Some teardrop makers are already. Think along the lines of panels with simple/clean mounting and wiring options to allow the customer to move things around if they want and the customer can choose the core bank (or banks) they need and maybe even some scaling options like parallel wiring banks or adding more batteries when needed. And what of the space and weight savings? One ~1Kw power bank takes up considerably less space than my current 2x 80ah wet batteries and mppt controller which doesn't even include an inverter. I think I just talked myself into a system redo, haha!
That TV tray toilet made me chuckle. A few years ago when my grandkids were younger, the little granddaughters hated using the vault toilets or sani-cans at the rustic "free" campgrounds we camped at, so I purchased the folding stand/toilet seat for them to use. However, after watching both of their mothers take a turn using it--and it collapsing both times--they wanted nothing to do with it and realized the vault potty wasn't so bad after all 🤣. BTW, neither one of the little girls liked to squat behind a bush to pee either. I am now the proud owner of a T@B 320 with a cassette toilet. My squatting days are long gone!
Stay safe in Thailand. Looking forward to seeing your posts from there.
TV tray toilet. I think we are going to steal that term. I could see how the bathroom situation in the T@B 320 would be a great upgrade. We have quite a few folks in the community who want a small trailer, but need a bathroom. I think the T@B fits that need well.
We are just about to commit to a separate channel. We have been toying with it for a while. We are thinking the Thai camping content will still be shown on this channel mixed with our North American summer conent. But the random Thai living will be a separate channel. Shooting for a run and gun, less edited 2-3 minute per video style. We thought this would be a fun way for staying up to date with us without forcing it on people in our regular channel.
@@PlayingwithSticks Disclaimer: The one I bought at Walmart wasn't as sturdy looking as yours, and we were dealing with some uneven terrain. Was good for a lot of laughs and a priceless camping memory 😄 👍
Great Video As Always!!
Thanks again!
Hey, stranger! I thought this did not look like Alaska! And I could hear the 17-year cicadas in the background. I have marked my life by them, starting when a young teen in Kentucky. They are so deafening that you can hardly think! My aunt once varnished the shell of one and made it into a pin! Haha. Nice to see you all. Can't believe you survived all that hot weather. Whew. Fall is so beautiful down there and my favorite season there. Hope you can enjoy it.
You heard right. The cicadas were everywhere this summer. I loved the sound, May was not a fan. haha. We admit there was some warm days where we didn't have water nearby to jump in. That was quite tough. But most of the summer we did surprisingly well. I wish we could have done fall. We made our way over to Thailand. Feels like the never ending summer here. Found a great campsite. Now, we need to find a trailer.
@@PlayingwithSticks wow, cool. Are you there now? It's fun to keep up with your travels and live vicariously through that. :)
If you're looking for a balance bike the Woom 1 should be a finalist in your selection. I'm not saying anything bad about Strider. However there are two important features of the Woom 1. First it has a very low saddle (seat) height option and is simple to adjust as they grow. The balance bike we had been gifted would not have fit our child until he was four! He was ready for a balance bike at two. Second, and most importantly, the Woom 1 is the only balance bike I could find with a hand brake (right hand only). The goal for is to get kids comfortable with hand brakes from the beginning and therefore never have to use coaster brakes. This enables a huge step in the bike learning progression at an early age.
Love this! I have never heard of the Woom. Thank you for sharing.
I use a goal zero yeti 500x and a nomad 100 panel and have never had any power issues.
Dude! Loving you video style. So polished, engaging and awesome cuts.
Guilty- we run the Zamp suitcase panel, but our is 70 watts each side which is 140 watts total. In good sun it’s like 6 plus amps. Pain to move around, fits in a shelf in the back of the Jeep, but I do feel it soaks up the sun.
Yup, ‘wired for solar’ is just a selling gimmick. Nothing more. Most folks I’ve come across in my various Facebook groups don’t do zamp, or do it and later sell them. Not only are their panels cumbersome and underpowered, they are also way too expensive. Newbies who know little about 12v systems get sucked into buying them at the dealer at rig purchase, only to later realize they could’ve done it themselves for a heck of a lot cheaper.
The industry is switching to GoPower for solar I’ve noticed however, as they have solar controllers that are mounted inside the rv, not on the panel themselves. Still expensive though to add, and for most folks, unneeded as a decent pair of batteries should be able to carry most folks thorough a boondocking weekend, if they know enough about battery conservation that is, but that’s another video lol
Great video as always. I’m going to have to try pooping under the stars one day 💩 🌟
Great video as always! Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the products that you have been using! giving me ideas for our teardrop! 😆🙌🏼
If anyone is reading this comment. Go check out YOOPH ARND's channel. There was a video of theirs I enjoyed about selecting their small camper trailer. If you are new to all of this you may want to watch it and see what is out there. th-cam.com/video/c1KpGTpIGTg/w-d-xo.html
@@PlayingwithSticks Thank you for your amazing support!! Means a lot for starting youtubers like ourselves~ Hope to grow our channel as strong as yours one day! Haha! 😆
On it!
I have a heavy Renogy solar suitcase, 200 watts. I think the weight is a good thing if you're out in the desert a lot. It seems to be able to stand up to the wind better.
I was just sharing this comment with May . That is a really great point. We never thought about that.
Okay Drew, I watched your video again for a quick refresher. And one thing that struck me was… you need to lose your hat. At the end of the video you are sporting a cool outdoor hair style… your gonna miss it when it’s gone.
I think the one thing that really makes camping better is lights! So I’m gonna look into your light setup for next weekend. Wish us luck and keep doing what you’re doing:-)👍🏼
David I have been taking your advice for a few videos now. Actually in real life. .I have worn a hat outdoors almost 100% of the time since I was in middle school. And when I say outdoors, I literally mean anytime I leave the house. I bet May would thank you for this comment. Haha.
Hit it on the head…our squaredrop is solar ready with Zamp. And the fact it is reverse polarity is so annoying. We bought the small rock pals panel and plan to add the charge controller eventually. For now we have a great EcoFlow power station that we can charge with the rock pals. What a racket!
I am going to start calling it "solar ready" in quotation marks. haha. The Ecoflow and the Rockpals sounds like a great combo!
I have a lot of issues with solar my trailer has a gopower 200w solar panel, which only half of it works, because my stepdaughter dropped it on the ground and broke the glass I have a solar panel for the Eco flow battery bank. And a solar panel for the Lion Energy battery bank and none of them have the same wires or plugs or connectors so that adds up to quite a bit of space in the trailer. I’m hoping to come up with some kind of a universal adapter so I can use one panel system to charge everything. But with the larger eco-flow max and the Lion Energy battery banks I can stay out two weeks without having to worry about power even running three refrigerators, of course, one of those plugs into the vehicle.
Zamp is popular with RV types. Not overlander types who typically install a controller and find a panel size that fits😆😆.
Great video! And you kept it funny. Your knowledge on those solar panels is admirable. We are trying to figure the solar stuff out 😀😀😀
Thank you! Yes, the solar stuff takes quite some time. I think the quickest route to gain some knowledge is to check out Will Prowse's video. Then once you feel comfortable with the science behind it I would jump over to HoboTech's channel. He is highlighting it all from higher end to budget. Will Prowse can be a little tough on the budget panels and power stations. But in all reality many of the budget models are great for us campers. Will puts them through stress tests that are great and accurate, but they typically are tests that we wouldn't do when camping. His are more for keeping your home appliances going in an emergency. They truly are stress tests not actual camping scenarios.
Loving the Alt NPS t-shirt!!
🌳🌲🌳🌳
We have an order in for a different off-road trailer but it's the same way for solar; "Solar Ready" for Zamp. I'm not going to use Zamp, I already have a 120w portable panel from Bluetti. My plan is to get an MC4 -> SAE adapter and install a solar charge controller inside the box where all the DC power equipment is. Not sure if I'll go with a Victron 30A MPPT w/ Bluetooth or the Renogy 30A MPPT with Bluetooth, I'm leaning towards the Victron since it's more compact and offers a 5-year warranty. That seems reasonable for the price difference between the two units.
Also happy to hear even the lower-wattage panel is able to keep your batteries topped off when off-grid for weeks at a time, I was thinking of buying another portable panel because I was worried about power consumption and being unable to maintain enough charge but I'll just run the panel I have first and see how things go.
I have heard good things about both MPPTs. Either way I think you will be happy. And you won't have to haul around that Zamp 😀 You will be surprised how far your power goes. And if you are nearing your limit we usually suggest switching over all your power adapters and appliances to DC before increasing your solar panels. Sometimes it can be that simple.
Great points!
Thanks Joyce! Nice to see you on here.
70 watt panel running everything! That is good useful information!
I got 500+ watts , and I assumed I needed more, so avoided campers I could not mount my huge panels. I think I run a little more electric though by adding the electric mattress pad and crock pot.
Still, that information opens up some paths. Thanks!
Good point Mike. In the fall and winter that 70 watt panel wouldn't do me a whole lot of good. Haha. I have actually never tried solar during the winter. In regions that have 4 seasons do people use solar panels in the winter? I am a bit naïve on this one. I think mainly when I camp I don't see anyone around in the winter months so I have never even considered it before.
@@PlayingwithSticks Solar in the winter at like Duluth latitude (close to the Canadian border) is just a bit less than 1/2 power if angle for best sun for the month each month, but not tracking the sun all day. So tracking during the day with a portable panel would yield a bit more.
I camp in Arizona in the winter when I camp, so winter power is like 85% Duluth summer power - bit more to work with. Hourly tracking will yield more.
Anchorage Alaska is like 8% power at its worst during the winter. March and October are about 1/2, then increases between those months. If you ever want power numbers per month, I can print them out.
@@mikemead2315 This is neat. Yes, I would like those numbers. Where are you finding them. I have a little printout from NASA I wanted to share with you as well. You have probably seen it. It is about aerodynamics.
@@PlayingwithSticks or i can take some screen shots and email them to you. 30 seconds worth of work since i use it all the time.
@@PlayingwithSticks Love NASA stuff! They do Interesting research too! Send it on!
Great information! Thanks for sharing.
Glad it was helpful. Looks like you also have a really helpful channel. I can tell you put a lot of work into it all.
Great video Drew! What size clam tent are you using in this video? What size do you think would be best for 3-4 adults to hang around in?
Great question. This model is the Venture size. We chose this for a number of reasons. If you go one size smaller you only get 4 sides vs 5. This one is large enough to fit over any picnic table at a campsite. But here is the #1 reason we chose this model. It is big enough to fit 3-4 adults, but not too big. The size up is really ideal for 3-4 in terms of space. But, it tends to be a bit on the big side for some campsites. Many of the campsites where all you really get is your little asphalt pad and a little grass on each side of it requires a smaller tent like this. Any larger and you struggle to find enough space for the footprint. A downfall of this model, like many of the Clam models is that you have to purchase your own sidewalls separately. Where one of the models the sidewalls are built in. I wish they all came that way.
@@PlayingwithSticks I have the venture as well... had bought the larger 12x12 first but being a svertically challenged older gal I could not push up the center of the tent ... too high up for me and too hard to push... venture has tons of room and I really don't mind the side panels being separate, I have gotten to where I will fold down the top half of the panel for ventilation (mainly after rain) and leave them hanging in place until pack it out
that is supposed to say "single vertically challenged" but my puter decided to send my message early... dang puters
@@bikingal4283 We really appreciate you sharing this. It is always valuable for the community to hear feedback from others using this gear. We get you on the vertically challenged. Even the venture can be a bit tricky getting it up at times.
@@bikingal4283 Haha. Love it! That happens to us all the time on here.
You are so honest. Are you guys going to start videoing where you have been camping?
Thank you. Sorry Joyce I don't quite understand your question. Meaning videos about the areas we visit? Or videos about where we are staying currently in Thailand?
Love the shirt. You’re an info master!
I appreciate that!
I really want to learn about Solar before I put out any money. Every RVer video is all over the place. Some I feel are overkill and some I feel may not be enough with what people want to power. Then I watch some people who are like engineers and they know so much about the specs and design they tend to speak over your head.
As far as the Gorilla Glue please make sure you put it on the feet of the toilet and not the seat unless you want to be attached for life.
I really like the idea of the cardboard toilet. Who'd a thunk it?
Any updates on Thailand? I think I told you before I was moving back to the US from Peru in November however plans have changed. My residency is good until 2025 so I think I will be staying here until then. Three weeks ago my son and I finally went to Machu Picchu. It was a blast. Definitely a must do for your family.
We like to get our scientific background from solar from Will Prowse. Then take that knowledge and use it when watching Hobo Tech's videos. Will gives you the base. Hobotech gives you the deals. That is how I see it. Sometimes Will's stress tests are much more difficult than anything you would put them through when camping. What he often calls a bad power station or panel, may work great for you when camping.
Okay, I just read the gorilla glue comment. You had me rolling here! Glad to hear the Peru life is back on the table. That trip you took sounds amazing by the way! We made it to Thailand. We have been over here almost 1 month now. 2 weeks in quarantine and then we were able to setup our home life. Feels good to have a home base after being homeless for 4 months.
Thanks for your ideas.
Portable solar is just the easiest and CHEAPEST option to start with, but it's not the best IMHO. I have a portable 200 watt Renogy panel with weatherproof controller. I concede, it's ridiculously huge and heavy. I run a small electric dometic cooler fridge which uses about 1amph to keep things cold, or ~24 amp hours per day. My 200 watt panel only adds 9-12 amph in full sun. So I have to leave it out 2-3 hours a day, and I need to stay around so it doesn't get stolen. A 20-30 amp dc to dc charge controller could top off my battery with just 1 hour of driving, safely using my truck alternator and barely adding any gas consumption. Permanent solar would solve the theft concerns but I often don't have the roof space. Ski box one side, kayak rack on the other; I might fit a single 100watt panel.
Good point about using an alternator charge controller. If traveling a lot vs staying put, it is a very good option used on almost every RV sold.
Using just the alternator to charge the camper battery without a dc-to-dc charge controller would work, but every report I read about mixed-battery-types/mixed-state-of-charge indicates early demise one or both batteries.
Yeah. Good points about bigger heavier panels with shorter charge times, and the possibility of portable panels escaping. I struggle with the same tradeoffs.
We are right with you. In terms of the annoyance of guarding your panels. I need to mention that in one of these videos. And our need to charge off the vehicle between sites. Our issue with permanent panels is that we never seem to be parked in direct sunlight. I think at some point we need them, but we will still have to rely on some form of portable panel to chase that sun.
for the ultimate in pooping decadence check out the Aussie Thunder Box!! ohhhhhh buddy!
Thanks for the video. I learn a lot from your videos. I know you chose a Bean because of the fiberglass construction but is that really more beneficial than the option of a TAB Clamshell with a bathroom? My wife is Brazilian and they to like 3 showers a day. She says she can't go to bed with out a shower so I feel like we would have to have a bathroom.
That outback wilderness do be bussin
It really is quite the vehicle!
Happy camping!
I really like your sound. Since I was young I have gravitated more towards folk and americano. That steel guitar vibe you have is fun.
@@PlayingwithSticks Our fam is hooked on your videos. Camping and Family…!!!
Another great video! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you! As usual we really appreciate all your support of our family and the channel. It has been a fun journey this far.
Great channel Drew!
Glad you enjoy it Annemarie! Thanks for the kind comment.
Great video, I will def use your Amazon links, Thanks!
Thanks!
Skybox looks like it would make a good canoe 👍👍👍👍
Haha. Challenge accepted!
Great information as always. I'm a new subscriber because i'm interested in getting the 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness and a teardrop trailer. We were settled on a Nucamp T@b 320 Boondock until i watched a video about stressing the CVT to where the transmission oil became very dark too early even though the wet weight was within the towing range of the OBW. Then i see this video where you're towing the Bean with the OBW. So my questions are, how heavy was the Bean you were towing, did you climb any long hills, and how did the OBW perform when towing the Bean? Thanks for such great content btw!
This one is always tough. Typically we find in the Subaru forums nobody has issues with their CVT transmissions and towing. But outside of Subaru owners everybody seems to be very leery. That’s interesting to hear about the dark oil. We have a CVT transmission on a small scooter. We noticed that once it’s up to speed it tows and pulls well, but very tough getting out of the hole. We kind of assumed it would be the same for the Subaru. But the Subaru roars out of the hole even up steep hills in Colorado. No issues in terms of strain or hot transmission etc. all throughout the mountains of the west of summer. But that was just one summer. Hard to project how it would do overtime. For our family I think we wouldn’t pull over mountainous terrain enough to worry about it in the long run. But I think if this is something you were doing every weekend you might want to look at something else just to be safe. I find that even though we go to mountainous regions a lot of are driving is on flat roads or nice gradual ascents up switch back roads.
Awesome video - Thanks for sharing
Glad you enjoyed it. Looks like you are building a nice little hiking channel there. We are going to have to check it out once we get some free time.
Acclimation to heat and altitude. How is everyone doing with it?
West dry heat is a bit different than humid heat. Here in the UP, 85 degrees at 95% humidity is way worse than the 100+ 10% in Phoenix I experienced.
You are all young. Probably never noticed! 😂
Great question. Typically May is much more sensitive than me to altitude. Not sure why. I spent a small portion of our honeymoon in South America taking care of May from a trip too high into the mountains. Since then we have learned to take it slower acclimating. The boys and May did have a bit of the altitude funk this summer when we hit Colorado. As for heat, I thought everyone did surprisingly well this summer. I think it was because we spent our time in fairly dry climates. Thailand is a whole different story. Haha. Rye seems to sweat head to toe the second we get him out the door, I am next, then East, and May looks like she is never sweating at all :)
Drew-love all your videos. We’re newbies (just bought a teardrop-transitioning from tent camping). Quick question-need to buy our first 12v frig, solar set-up and generator. We’re headed to Yellowstone and need to run the frig all the time (I guess). Can we run it off the truck battery while driving? What should we buy? We are on a budget :) Thanks so much!
Would you like to test suv doorstep and rv propane quick connect fitting?
i was thinking the same thing about your roof tote. i was expecting you to pull your kids out of there too. love the outback, very cool car. you really make good videos. as far as pooping outdoors, couldn't agree more but i prefer digging a hole and squatting, too much info? i hope not. have a wonder filled day, God bless
You had me laughing out loud with the clown tote and kids comment. 😂 When we go camping with friends everyone's eyes get big when they start seeing how much gear comes out of there. When we first get to site we pull out the larger items. But then as the days go on we keep pulling out gear. People think the thing must be connected to a portal. Haha. Definitely not too much info. We are cat hold diggers ourselves from time to time. The only reason we don't highlight it on the channel is a year or two ago Cosmo Weems made a good comment to us. He said we shouldn't encourage it because there are folks like him on the East Coast who camp in areas that are more frequented by people. Meaning it is okay in the west where we all spread out a bit more. But, he said imagine if thousands of people come to the same camp site and dig their own cathole what that can do to the natural environment over time? He has a pretty good point. Again, we still do it. But, don't preach it just in case there are folks camping in those type of areas Really appreciate the blessings. God bless you as well Dave. Always love reading your comments!
Hi drew, can I hook. Up the rockpal solar panels to my Jackery 500? Oops I see that it has adapters for the Jackery. This is the one in your video that you liked the most?
Yes, you can hook up a rockpal panel to Jackery 500. It really isn't necessarily the brand that I love. It is the style of panel. Most panels, including Jackery's are just too big. I like panels that are trifold or even more.
Can you provide a link for your tongue box with the side opening?
Do ya all use AC on your Bean ? If so what, where and how . Great Vid TY
So were you able to connect the rockpals to the Bean? I have a GoalZero Boulder 50 (bulky and heavy) and just picked up the Rockpals 100w. Not sure I will be able to connect them to my Bean…that I just ordered.
Your Yakima skybox, how much weight can your Subaru hold? (What model is the Yakima roof box) And are you using integrated rail bars? Keep up the awesome content!
I don’t actually know the static or dynamic roof ratings for the wilderness. But my guess is it would be pretty hard to hit that limit with just a box. Even when they look pretty large on top of the car the boxes are very lightweight and you can’t fit too much in them. At the time we picked up the wilderness folks were saying it was the first one released in the country. I don’t know if that’s true but we were definitely one of the earliest ones on the road. So because of this they didn’t have any integrated roof rails at the time anywhere in the country. So I used rails from Amazon for like $20. I was a little nervous they wouldn’t do the job and cause a ton of whistling and noise. To my surprise they worked great. I was going to change them out mid summer with the rails I had in my cargo trailer but I never needed to.
@@PlayingwithSticks why i ask i have a 2018 outback and just want to get a second opinion from someone with real life experience versus the manual. Thank you for the insight!
Power Station. That Bluetti 50s really does stand out. Bluetti has beat themselves. Bluetti has 2 more just like it now (EB55, EB70) that are basically the same package, charging-inputs and outputs as the 50s except the EB55 and EB70 use the better LiFePO4 battery like the Bluetti big boys. The LiFePO4 battery allows increasing AC wattage out from 300 watts to 700 watts, and it increases longevity from 1,000 cycles to 2,500 cycles - significant for $50 more. The more expensive EB70 just bumps up the electrical-gas-tank to over 700 WattHours from around 500 for the 50s and EB55. Weight is manageable on the 50s, EB55, EB70 with weight less than 21 lbs - unlike the Bluetti big boys of up to 60lbs 😳
I noticed you have the new wilderness Outback. I'm having trouble finding out what model of crossbar and towers to buy. What are you using?
What are your thoughts on the Partner Steel stove? Considering one for our Hiker Trailer. The prices have risen significantly over the last year.
I think they are the best in the industry. They are built tough. Not a lot of quality control in terms of looks though. When you receive a stove it comes with a piece of paper that says watch out for sharp edges and burs. Haha! You don't see that on many finished products. But the simmer control is decent and the boil time is near the top of the industry. We damaged the hose this summer. User error. And just to replace the hose it was over $100! So we get what you mean.
great video!
Thank you Osvaldo!
Is that an Outback you’re using to pull? I have a 2020 XT and am looking at pulling a teardrop under 1500 lbs. I’m concerned about how it will handle over passes.
Love a great poo, under the stars, sunrise, or when people are packing, we use 2 commodes, (1) is a pilot pee with lady attachment, for the mrs, and a luggable loo
Thank you for sharing! Big fans of the luggable loo and Hassock style toilets. They are our favorite toilet in terms of comfort. But we rarely take it out due to size. Even lined May won't let me use the bucket for multiple uses 😂 And if it can't do double duty, no pun intended, then it can't come with us.
So wait. I'm new to all of this and don't know much about solar powering. Do you still need the Zamp panels with the controller, or do the other ones work? I feel like I'm missing something. Thanks
It is kind of a long answer. Basically Zamp has a propriatary input installed in many of these trailers. Do we need them? No. Do I want them? No. I find the Zamp panels to be overbuilt, heavy, and you get very little watt input in comparison to the size of the panel. To answer your question. If your trailer has a solar controller with mppt built in then your panel does not need a controller. These standalone controllers are very small and quite affordable. I am still dumbfounded that most campers of this size do not come with them standard. Beings they are so small and affordable.
Do Bean trailers only work with Zamp or are you able to use your other solar panels? Apologies if I missed the answer to this in the video or other comments, but I'm looking at the Bean right now (apparently I visited the factory right after you and Mark was still very excited about your visit), and this is something I hadn't considered before.
I don't think you missed anything. I am pretty sure I haven't mentioned it yet. Almost everyone in the industry is wiring for Zamp. And if they are not, they typically are not wired at all. I kind of made this comment hoping some of the manufacturers will watch the video and course correct. Bean wires for Zamp as well. I'm not sure though if they have an upgrade to wire with a charge controller or not. Like I mentioned in the video it would be a very simple addition. The components are not pricey and they would take up very little space in the build. The good thing though is it is something a DIYer could do after a purchase. Glad to hear you went to the factory. I think that seals the deal for most folks. Its that quality control factor that got me.
Biolight not available.
Great t shirt
🌳🌲🌳🌳
Great vlog...really informative ...thankyou
Thanks Mark. Glad you enjoyed it.
Your kids are sooooo cute!
Ahh, thank you Jody!
Left as soon as I heard what you named that poor kid..sheez
That sounds like a logical reason to leave. 😂
Balance bikes are so much better for kids to learn on from an early range than training wheels! Training wheels teaches negative habits. Just don’t forget to teach them the importance of using a helmet. One crash or fall onto a rock, and you have brain damage for the rest of your life, end up paralyzed, or worse, dead.
Strider makes good bikes. Just wait until you find out they make ebalance bikes, and full GD carbon framed balance bikes.😂 Absolutely insane, they’re like $1k! You can get a really good entry level MTB bike for that much.
I think I just watched a commercial!
Not quite sure what that commercial was for. A bunch of outdated budget gear? I don’t think there was anything new on there that any company would push on people. That’s just how we do it. Sharing gear we use, tips and tricks from the field, etc.
300 uses huh?
... 300 bags of shit.
True, true.