-
Loki Repairs and Maintenance Update
One of the benefits and main objectives of doing a shakedown trip, aside from the actual trip experience, is that you get the opportunity to test out all the improvements and additions that you have added to the build. Another benefit is that you can identify additional modifications and upgrades you would like to make.…
-
A Week Around Florida: Tampa to Tamiami Day 2
Our second day heading south started at our iOverlander trailhead parking lot just outside Inglis, FL. We were up pretty early and left in a deep fog before daylight. We headed over to a Pilot on I-75 to have breakfast and get ready to head towards the Keys along the west coast. We made it…
-
A Week Around Florida: Auburn to Tampa Day 1
If you have been following our progress on the van you know we were ready to test everything out on a trip someplace warmer than South Alabama. Since there isn’t a whole lot of land south of South Alabama, Florida was it. We finally left on a freezing morning with frost covering all the windows…
-
Installing a MaxxAir Maxxfan Plus Vent Fan
This week we finally managed to get the long awaited vent fan installed. As you can tell from the first photo below, it is starting to get a bit chilly in the mornings here. While this weather is not the time that we really need the vent fan, it is something of a must have…
-
NBD! Upgrades and Insights on Trek Allant+ 8S
After a long wait, I finally got my new Trek Allant+ 8S e-bike, a versatile commuter bike suitable for various terrains. Despite my initial lack of knowledge about e-bikes, I made key upgrades and look forward to enjoying the smooth ride. Further thoughts will be shared as I gain experience.
-
We Reaquired Our Red Tacoma
This is the first time I have ever done this, but this week we re-purchased our 2011 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport PreRunner. We originally traded our red Tacoma to get the 2017 blue Tacoma, but after about 4 months of being without the red one my seller’s remorse got the better of me. Lucky for…
-
Installing Dometic FreshJet 3 in Our Van
Now that we have dealt with the ceiling thickness issue, and installed all the shore power connections, we are ready to install the FreshJet 3 AC unit in the van. Technically this wasn’t our first time installing one of these units, see a long time ago post Installing the AC Units on our MCI Bus…
-
Installing Shore Power for the Camper Van
This is part of our ongoing installation of the AC, which started with Making an AC Frame for Dometic FreshJet 3 and the Review on How to Install a Dometic SmartStart Accessory Kit. Today, we had to wire the inside of the van to accept the 120V power from the source and then transfer it…
-
How to Prep a Van for a Dometic FreshJet 3 AC Install
Living in the Southern USA, one undeniable fact is the intense summer heat. Before air conditioning, it’s hard to imagine how people managed. Personally, I can endure cold weather without a heater—just light a fire. However, when faced with 90-degree temperatures and humidity exceeding 60%, all you can do is sweat. There’s only so much…
-
How to Install Dometic SmartStart for Your AC
We are in the middle of a van conversion with LOKI our Ford E250 Econoline extended van. Most van conversions I see on the internet don’t include air conditioners on the roof, but where we live, you either install one, or you just don’t use the van—there’s really no other option. This actually wasn’t our…
About
We have a passion for living and traveling on a shoestring budget and want to pass along what we have learned.
