Alu-Cab Canopy Camper Roll Call

[cug]

That makes sense. We have accepted the weight for better livability since we don’t go on difficult trails.

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[cug]

So, part one of the interior build is done.

Part two will be water hook-up and passenger side furniture unit. But first is some testing and then some time in Europe. So not much will happen on this in the next two to three months.

 

[Lowelife Explorer]

Looks awesome great work, that is next on my list!

 

[813 Fabrication & Design]

So, part one of the interior build is done.

Part two will be water hook-up and passenger side furniture unit. But first is some testing and then some time in Europe. So not much will happen on this in the next two to three months.

Looks awesome!!

 

[cug]

Installed the @813 Fabrication & Design Camera holder and filler plate:

The Canopy Camper fit kit should actually come with this for the Gladiator. It's easy to install, I used the cable that I took out of the tail gate harness, it works great. After removing the guide lines in the camera settings there are also no confusing lines.

Great product, highly recommended to give the Canopy Camper a finished look.

 

[813 Fabrication & Design]

Installed the @813 Fabrication & Design Camera holder and filler plate:

The Canopy Camper fit kit should actually come with this for the Gladiator. It's easy to install, I used the cable that I took out of the tail gate harness, it works great. After removing the guide lines in the camera settings there are also no confusing lines.

Great product, highly recommended to give the Canopy Camper a finished look.

Glad you like it!

 

[cug]

So, part one of the interior build is done.

Just in case anyone is wondering about the weight of the furniture:

What can be seen in the picture is 36.5kg (~80lbs) plus the bedplate. Not including any content, like batteries, other electrics or so.

It's not super light, but a comparison to Goose Gear or even to putting the same packed volume in via Zarges cases or such isn't all that bad. Given the information I have on Goose Gear [1], my furniture setup will be lighter overall, even though it packs more volume. It's about 10 to 20% heavier than simple storage cases though, and if you really want to save weight, there are lots of ways to do so.

So, it isn't as bad as I feared it would be given the complexity of the furniture.

[1] I had reached out to Goose Gear to get a weight estimate for a full build-out with bedplate, two drawer modules, two utillity modules and some other parts to build an interior – I'm basing my observation on that as there don't seem to be public weight numbers.

 

[cug]

Today's canopy camper "mod", "installed" a compost toilet by Trelino. It will be used mainly in the shower cube, but after testing (just sitting, not using) it can be used inside in a pinch (no pun intended) in emergency situations. ?

Quick question: have you had a chance to try it out? We have tried ours and aren't super happy with it. I guess it depends on how one wants to use it, but it doesn't seem to work well for us. We'd have to use it basically the same way as this one:

https://www.amazon.com/Cleanwaste-Go-Anywhere-Portable-Toilet/dp/B001TKGAKO

Using bags and changing them right away. Otherwise it isn't really all that "appealing" in the small space of the AluCab ... ;-) And for that it's rather bulky and expensive.

 

[Steven_B]

Quick question: have you had a chance to try it out? We have tried ours and aren't super happy with it. I guess it depends on how one wants to use it, but it doesn't seem to work well for us. We'd have to use it basically the same way as this one:

https://www.amazon.com/Cleanwaste-Go-Anywhere-Portable-Toilet/dp/B001TKGAKO

Using bags and changing them right away. Otherwise it isn't really all that "appealing" in the small space of the AluCab ... ;-) And for that it's rather bulky and expensive.

I haven't unfortunately, I have been super busy lately with photography assignments (a side job that pays for Jeep fun). We have only been out once since I got it and we were in a ski area that allowed us to use their super nice lodge bathrooms.

I got the Trelino mainly for my wife's #1's. I have had two of the Go Anywhere and they work great, but she hates swapping out the bags after a couple of #1's and I was always paranoid about the bag bursting in my Trasharoo. This way at least we can just dump the liquid when we come across a toilet.

I am doing some snow camping this weekend, maybe I will get to test it out finally.

 

[cug]

@Steven_B – thanks for the response. We are currently in Europe and thinking about just bringing back a BioToi. It's massively more expensive, but it works extremely well, even for "real" usage by two people. And it really is composting.

I was just wondering, whether we had too high expectations for the Trelino. If changing the bag(s) often is okay, then the Trelino seems to be very good. That's probably the case for most people anyways.

So, if somebody wants a Trelino Origin, size M, completely cleaned and sanitized for half price anywhere on the West Coast, let me know. Need to plan some trips anyways for when we get back.

 

[813 Fabrication & Design]

Quick question: have you had a chance to try it out? We have tried ours and aren't super happy with it. I guess it depends on how one wants to use it, but it doesn't seem to work well for us. We'd have to use it basically the same way as this one:

https://www.amazon.com/Cleanwaste-Go-Anywhere-Portable-Toilet/dp/B001TKGAKO

Using bags and changing them right away. Otherwise it isn't really all that "appealing" in the small space of the AluCab ... ;-) And for that it's rather bulky and expensive.

The Trelino is very similar to my Kildwick. The biggest benefit to these toilets is that they are diverter toilets. I went with the Kildwick because of it's size. I can use it any time needed even with the camper in drive position. It comes in very handy traveling when you have IBS :D I keep cat litter with me and swap the bag every time I use it. With the cat litter, you can sometimes use it a couple times before changing the bag, but I don't let it sit very long. The biggest benefit is keeping liquids separate. I would go with something completely different if you want a true compositing toilet. The BioToi looks like a good solution. But, the height (approx 15") may be too tall for easy use with the camper is in drive mode.

 

[cug]

But, the height (approx 15") may be too tall for easy use with the camper is in drive mode.

It certainly won't make it very comfortable if it is possible at all, that is true. It does work in our Land Cruiser with FiftyTen cabin, mainly because the bed platform does not have the extension like in the Alucab. Without that, it should be possible.

This is me on 450mm furniture:

So, given that the toilet is about 70mm (~3 inches) lower, it seems possible in a pinch, but not comfortable.

As said, we do have the BioToi and on a five day trip, using it with two people, there was no immediate need to empty it. There was some smell through the outlet the fan was venting through, but that was partly due to us prepping the toilet with a bit too moist "litter" material. The BioToi uses Cocos fibers as a base material which needs to be soaked in some water to expand and then dry out before use.

It's pretty amazing how drying and then composting makes it totally usable. The problem with the Trelino M is that the moisture doesn't really have a place to go. The BioToi, at least one we have, has an active fan as well an "agitator" (for lack of a better word). For a one week trip with two people, we wouldn't need any bags, just the prepped toilet and then we'd empty the liquids container from time to time. It's amazing how drying "the rest" reduces the volume. For longer trips, a single cocos brick lasts us about two to three weeks, if we empty every 7 to 10 days the perfectly dried, non-smelling "stuff".

Since we are in Europe right now and are flying back early January, we'll take the BioToi we have in the LC here and bring it to the US. Then get a new one for the Cruiser. It's obscenely expensive, but it works so well, I was totally blown away when we used it on the first trip. It doesn't sound very appealing, but it really, really works. We should have gone this route right away instead of trying the Trelino first.

And don't get me wrong, I think the Trelino is totally fine if the bags are replaced on a timely (daily probably) basis. That's just not what we were hoping for.

 

[caryt]

Question with a fully loaded out camper guessing 1000 lbs just how much sag would I expect frt/rear?
Diesel with 3.5" Clayton's in front and 3" Synergy in the rear. Sits 2" high now. I'm not running a spare or any of the tire lift. No back seat just a Goose gear delete.

Thanks.

 

[Steven_B]

Question for anyone who has lived out of their camper for a long period, how are you organizing your clothing?

At the end of the month, I will be living out of mine for about 9-10 days, mostly in the desert so washing really won't be an option. I have numerous sized soft bags by Bubba Goose Designs that I can fit in any available space, but I was curious as to what others are doing in case I am missing something easy and practical.

If you are curious, I will be traveling from the Seattle area via Route 395 and attending the King of the Hammers race. I have attended and worked the race (both as a vendor and photographer) from 2008-19. This will be my first time going and not having to work in any capacity.

 

[fourfa]

Great question. 9-10 days is my typical truck camping trip length. I've just used a duffel bag for decades but I'm sick of hunting around deep in the thing. Still I highly recommend soft over hard luggage, light interior color over dark (never black! Hunting through a coal bin at night sucks). I guess I need to shift to more interior organization, sub bags for small things. I'm a big fan of a ~10 liter lightweight drybag for dirty clothes (but a garbage bag does in a pinch).

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