[Tyler-98-W68]

Have had the trailer for a few days now and a few observations.

The Fresh Water tank was 3/4 full when we picked it up, not ideal but a decent test to see how it handles when its loaded up.

1. I'm glad I have the Hemi I couldn't imagine towing a 3500lb sail with a V6, the Hemi get up to speed alright but it does work hard.
2. Quadralift Air suspension made adjusting the WDH a bit of a pain in the ass but once it was all set up (measurements ect) the vehicle stays completely flat
3. I'm a bit hesitant to try towing with the Cherokee, behind my WK2 it towed straight as an arrow but I did know it was back there, the hitch weight is over 400lbs so that's quite high when you factor in the 1000lb CCC of the KL (My grand Cherokee is 1270, and is rated for 720lbs tonque weight)
4. Don't really have any decent scales but stopped at a weigh scale station and got the following

Front Axle = 2932lbs
Both Axles = 6327lbs
Rear Axle = 3417lbs

Trailer Axle = 2998lbs

Factory tonque weight is around 420lbs add on the WDH hitch and it was probably getting close to 500lbs,

I'm very happy with how my Grand Cherokee tows it but I don't think i'd want much bigger. I see people pulling 25ft trailers with WK2's all the time but that would be out of my comfort zone.

Was driving into a large headwind, about 8-10mpg, at least it has a big fuel tank!

 

[Tyler-98-W68]

Decided to try a few things out with the trailer, main thing being will my 12v Fridge/Freezer fit in a nice location?

It absolutely does






Since the trailer has a 1000w inverter that is designed to have all the AC outlets works when not plugged in to shore power this setup works just fine. I might get motivated and wire in a 12v plug near the back so it can run right off the batteries, but with all the roof mounted solar I don't see it being an issue.

I also have a Zero Breeze Portable AC unit, and one thing I was hoping to do is try to rig something up so I could use it while not being plugged into shore power, mainly use it while driving down the road and keeping the trailer relatively cool until we reach the destination.

Yes its a rather primitive set up right now and I didn't feel like trying to modify anything else to vent the hot air out, it turns out the hood fan does a fine job.






I've also ordered a 100ah lithium battery to replace the garbage single 60AH battery that the dealership supplied with the trailer. From reading online it appears the converter in the trailer will only charge the lithium battery up to 80-90% SOC, however the solar controller has a lithium setting that will take care of the final stage of charging. The battery comes with a dedicated lithium charger as well if I need to use it. Should be getting that in the next few days.

 

[Dan Burby]

Decided to try a few things out with the trailer, main thing being will my 12v Fridge/Freezer fit in a nice location?

It absolutely does






Since the trailer has a 1000w inverter that is designed to have all the AC outlets works when not plugged in to shore power this setup works just fine. I might get motivated and wire in a 12v plug near the back so it can run right off the batteries, but with all the roof mounted solar I don't see it being an issue.

I also have a Zero Breeze Portable AC unit, and one thing I was hoping to do is try to rig something up so I could use it while not being plugged into shore power, mainly use it while driving down the road and keeping the trailer relatively cool until we reach the destination.

Yes its a rather primitive set up right now and I didn't feel like trying to modify anything else to vent the hot air out, it turns out the hood fan does a fine job.






I've also ordered a 100ah lithium battery to replace the garbage single 60AH battery that the dealership supplied with the trailer. From reading online it appears the converter in the trailer will only charge the lithium battery up to 80-90% SOC, however the solar controller has a lithium setting that will take care of the final stage of charging. The battery comes with a dedicated lithium charger as well if I need to use it. Should be getting that in the next few days.

that looks awesome! Great job! Happy camping!

 

[arudlang]

Those Zero Breeze units are really cool (haha, cool ❄❄❄) Something to add to my wish list, not much left I'm missing from our gear collection but THAT would be a sweet addition someday.

We just bought our first generator, a lightweight, efficient, quiet inverter-style unit that runs on only propane. Super happy with it so far, highly recommend. Its too small to run some big air conditioners but its a perfect match for something like the Zero Breeze that doesn't gobble up huge amount of wattage. This sucker can run for days on a 20 lb tank and I can just pump 150-500 watts into my battery bank steady and keep using my inverter for the things with a spike load. I don't want to haul tons of gasoline for a traditional generator, and dual fuel units are always a compromise in size/weight/efficiency. We always travel with propane for our stove and hot water heater so its a perfect match for us. This is the new way I will keep my power going when the sun inevitably refuses to cooperate. Twice this year I've set up my solar panels and had conditions not give me enough wattage to recover what we want to consume.

ALP Generator 1000 W - Orange / Black

ALP Generators is your home for high-quality propane generators and accessories, including the ALP Generator 1000. Find out more information in our shop today!

alpgenerators.com

 

[Tyler-98-W68]

Funny you mentioned that generator as i've been looking at that one for a few reasons

1. It is propane only
2. I can hook it into the quick connect propane line on the side of my trailer (which has 2x20lb tanks)

The only thing stopped me from getting it is its just not quit powerful enough

My Ecoflow Delta draws about 1200w when recharging and my R600 Pro draws about 750w.

Basically I need something that will charge the trailer(battery) and one of my lithium battery packs. I'm looking at around 1200-1500w ideally.

I may just make a concession and get the ALP generator but the pricing while good, is not good when you factory in that you can't buy it anywhere in Canada. So i'm looking at almost 1000$ cdn to get it here, and at that price I can get a 2000w dual fuel generator. Since the camping season is almost over i'll probably just wait until spring to get a generator.

I do however have a 1100w inverter in my Grand Cherokee and I use that to charge my R600 Pro, so in theory I might be able to plug the trailer in to that to recharge in a pinch if I needed to.

 

[Dan Burby]

Those Zero Breeze units are really cool (haha, cool ❄❄❄) Something to add to my wish list, not much left I'm missing from our gear collection but THAT would be a sweet addition someday.

We just bought our first generator, a lightweight, efficient, quiet inverter-style unit that runs on only propane. Super happy with it so far, highly recommend. Its too small to run some big air conditioners but its a perfect match for something like the Zero Breeze that doesn't gobble up huge amount of wattage. This sucker can run for days on a 20 lb tank and I can just pump 150-500 watts into my battery bank steady and keep using my inverter for the things with a spike load. I don't want to haul tons of gasoline for a traditional generator, and dual fuel units are always a compromise in size/weight/efficiency. We always travel with propane for our stove and hot water heater so its a perfect match for us. This is the new way I will keep my power going when the sun inevitably refuses to cooperate. Twice this year I've set up my solar panels and had conditions not give me enough wattage to recover what we want to consume.

ALP Generator 1000 W - Orange / Black

ALP Generators is your home for high-quality propane generators and accessories, including the ALP Generator 1000. Find out more information in our shop today!

alpgenerators.com

Way cool! I have a gas generator and your right I have to carry 2plus gas cans or more every were we go. Great choice!! Looks like your all set and ready to. Have fun

 

[Tyler-98-W68]

Did my first "camping" trip with the trailer this weekend at a campground in the city where I live, just to make sure everything worked. I have to say if anyone hasn't upgraded their batteries to lithium in their RV's DO IT, the lightweight quick recharge, and nearly 100% capacity make it super easy to go without services if they aren't available.



This battery weighs 22lbs, the factory KL group 94 battery weighs 52lbs.

It was a rainy cool weekend and our spot was covered in trees quite nicely so my solar didn't do a whole lot.



Managed to go about 33 hours before my 100ah battery hit the low voltage cutoff. Was running the 12v fridge, the 12v fridge in the trailer, lights water pump and the furnace overnight as it was cold, even cooked using a waffle maker off the inverter for breakfast.

I really need to get a shunt based battery monitor because lithium batteries hold a constant voltage until about 10% life left then the voltage drops like a brick. Once the battery was discharged, I could let the converter in the trailer charge it up, its compatible with lithium batteries but doesn't charge them past about 90%, so what I did was mount the 10A lithium charger that came with the battery in a battery box and added a noco plug, once the solar is done charging for the day I just plug this in to shore power or one of my Ecoflow battery backups and everything is good to go.

This weekend I never plugged in, just utilized my Delta 1000 to run the microwave (won't do the AC) and charge the battery back up, I could also use the R600 Pro I have or the River 600.





End of season is coming up soon so I've only got a bit less than a month to make a few more trips, I can get used to the "glamping" life.

 

[JeffD]

We are heading to Reno in a couple of days and will be staying there for two weeks for a consulting gig I have. On my off time, I will be looking at a full replacement to Lithium which in my case is going to be EXPENSIVE (6 - 100 ah batteries) for my Class A. 90% of our RV time will be with hookups so not going to go solar just yet. My Magnum 3K inverter should be up to the Lithium task, and I will upgrade the remote to the ME ARC50 so i have state of charge. Trying to get a bid from someone to do the work, as I know cables will need to be adjusted for the installation. I probably should insulate the battery compartment, but the Battle Born's I am looking at have a heater kit for charging below freezing.

 

[Dan Burby]

Did my first "camping" trip with the trailer this weekend at a campground in the city where I live, just to make sure everything worked. I have to say if anyone hasn't upgraded their batteries to lithium in their RV's DO IT, the lightweight quick recharge, and nearly 100% capacity make it super easy to go without services if they aren't available.



This battery weighs 22lbs, the factory KL group 94 battery weighs 52lbs.

It was a rainy cool weekend and our spot was covered in trees quite nicely so my solar didn't do a whole lot.



Managed to go about 33 hours before my 100ah battery hit the low voltage cutoff. Was running the 12v fridge, the 12v fridge in the trailer, lights water pump and the furnace overnight as it was cold, even cooked using a waffle maker off the inverter for breakfast.

I really need to get a shunt based battery monitor because lithium batteries hold a constant voltage until about 10% life left then the voltage drops like a brick. Once the battery was discharged, I could let the converter in the trailer charge it up, its compatible with lithium batteries but doesn't charge them past about 90%, so what I did was mount the 10A lithium charger that came with the battery in a battery box and added a noco plug, once the solar is done charging for the day I just plug this in to shore power or one of my Ecoflow battery backups and everything is good to go.

This weekend I never plugged in, just utilized my Delta 1000 to run the microwave (won't do the AC) and charge the battery back up, I could also use the R600 Pro I have or the River 600.





End of season is coming up soon so I've only got a bit less than a month to make a few more trips, I can get used to the "glamping" life.

Sounds like y’all had a camping trip!how much was your battery?we were camping in upper Wisconsin, did a little bourbon 🥃 tasting as well

 

[Tyler-98-W68]

Its this battery

SCREMOWER LiFePO4 Battery 12V 100Ah Up to 7000 Deep Cycle Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery with BMS for Campers RV Solar Marine Golf Carts Energy Power Supply Emergency,Run in Series or Parallel, Batteries - Amazon Canada

SCREMOWER LiFePO4 Battery 12V 100Ah Up to 7000 Deep Cycle Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery with BMS for Campers RV Solar Marine Golf Carts Energy Power Supply Emergency,Run in Series or Parallel in Batteries.

www.amazon.ca

 

[MikeR.]

LiFePO4 batteries are great, and the prices has come down significantly. Far cheaper in the long run than anything lead acid. 1 100ah battery will already give you 2 times the useful capacity of a lead acid deep cycle, not to mention the weight savings and if it makes it to 7,000 cycles, that's over 19 years if you fully discharged and charged every day, with an end of life still having an 80 Ah capacity. A single deep cycle won't even make it through the night on a furnace (at least when it's cold out).

 

[Flybynightcru]

Well Tyler, you have all winter to get everything set up for next season. That's a perfect unit, I don't think there's many better options in the class...😎

 

[Dan Burby]

Its this battery

SCREMOWER LiFePO4 Battery 12V 100Ah Up to 7000 Deep Cycle Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery with BMS for Campers RV Solar Marine Golf Carts Energy Power Supply Emergency,Run in Series or Parallel, Batteries - Amazon Canada

SCREMOWER LiFePO4 Battery 12V 100Ah Up to 7000 Deep Cycle Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery with BMS for Campers RV Solar Marine Golf Carts Energy Power Supply Emergency,Run in Series or Parallel in Batteries.

www.amazon.ca

Thanks much I’ll look into it

 

[Tyler-98-W68]

Adding to the surprise purchase, The Geo Pro was traded in today............





Decided I wasn't going to be as mobile as I thought, and found a decent permanent seasonal sit with an amazing view.

I didn't tow it, someone else did with a GMC 3500 1 Ton, even that was a bitch sketchy in the wind today

 

[UmpJJ]

Adding to the surprise purchase, The Geo Pro was traded in today............





Decided I wasn't going to be as mobile as I thought, and found a decent permanent seasonal sit with an amazing view.

I didn't tow it, someone else did with a GMC 3500 1 Ton, even that was a bitch sketchy in the wind today

That looks darn near as big as the 16x80 single wide I LIVE in! Sweet!

 

[Dan Burby]

Adding to the surprise purchase, The Geo Pro was traded in today............





Decided I wasn't going to be as mobile as I thought, and found a decent permanent seasonal sit with an amazing view.

I didn't tow it, someone else did with a GMC 3500 1 Ton, even that was a bitch sketchy in the wind today

Nice camper! And a more beautiful view!! We’re jealous! We’re camping this weekend ourselves in some woodsy area in Wisconsin, the beer is still cold! We pull ours with a 2019 Silverado duramax! Diesel is 5.75$ a gallon here but we still get out there! Happy Jeeping and Happy camping 😃

 

[Dan Burby]

That looks darn near as big as the 16x80 single wide I LIVE in! Sweet!

I pictured you as a trailer parker! Happy 4th of July 😃