Favorite Pricey Not-from-ci-accessory

[TheSongDogHouse]

Used prices are coming down...

It’s Impossible to Get Rid of a Tesla Cybertruck. I Want to Cut My Losses and Move On, but I Can't Give This Thing Away. I’ve Lost So Much Money Already; Help!

A Cybertruck owner shares his frustration following multiple failed attempts to sell his truck. After losing more than $20,000 in 2,800 miles, the owner says, “I want to cut my losses and move on, but I can't give this thing away.”

www.torquenews.com

 

[Sweeney]

Ahhh...two comments to share since last:
1. Talking with a dog guy
(meet the most interesting people at dog parks...maybe we need a dog topic here?)
...he said it not paint or rhinoliner, its a wrap...

Which revives my interest in Sweeneys thread awhile ago on paint on aluminum vs wraps...
Thread 'Wrapping'
Wrapping

So, I'm looking for rabbit holes:

@Cary Winch - what is the cognoscemti say about wraps on the aluminum used in CI's?

Is it comparable to CyberTrucks (iirc they are stainless steel...?)
And if not, has anyone tried a wrap, and what surface prep is needed?

I'm weird, I know, but here is my idea...CI as rolling hunting blind...plus cut the heat soak in desert with an FJ like roof...

@Sweeney thos would be kewl on the Cherokee, dude! Or as a way to advertise your biz on the Transit tow vehicle/workshop?

(Looks like Grok needs more data...CI images?

Ahhh...two comments to share since last:
1. Talking with a dog guy
(meet the most interesting people at dog parks...maybe we need a dog topic here?)
...he said it not paint or rhinoliner, its a wrap...

Which revives my interest in Sweeneys thread awhile ago on paint on aluminum vs wraps...
Thread 'Wrapping'
Wrapping

So, I'm looking for rabbit holes:

@Cary Winch - what is the cognoscemti say about wraps on the aluminum used in CI's?

Is it comparable to CyberTrucks (iirc they are stainless steel...?)
And if not, has anyone tried a wrap, and what surface prep is needed?

I'm weird, I know, but here is my idea...CI as rolling hunting blind...plus cut the heat soak in desert with an FJ like roof...

@Sweeney thos would be kewl on the Cherokee, dude! Or as a way to advertise your biz on the Transit tow vehicle/workshop?

(Looks like Grok needs more data...CI images?

Wrapping is what I was leaning towards, but have found that the local 'wrap' company won't do just a single color wrap -- they want logos. THey insist that "it is not a protective coating"

As for fading, yeah, I'm sure that is an issue --- but the cost to wrap a transit van isn't that bad if you say it fast. $4000 +/-, so if it lasts 18-24 months, $200 a month is cheaper than other forms of advertising. For my use, either dipping or wrapping the teardrop --- it sits in a garage when its is not in use, so I am thinking I'll get more like 4-6 years out of whatever I put on it. since UV will not be a factor.

MAYBE next summer. I've got to find time, money, and ambition at the same time.

 

[TheSongDogHouse]

Ya, I am only idly noodling when considering matching the CI to a nice Real Oak pattern on a G6 or the predecessor, @dustinp comes to mind.

Sort of a glamping while a hunting blind setup...set it up on the edge of a shelterbelt with a corn field left unharvested a few rows, and its venison tenderloins on the barbie!

Then of course you have to wrap to match the tow vehicle. Doing so on your new job truck is a business expense too, if that helps. Sweeney's Patented Snake Oil and RV Curative Services branding ideas to follow.

(Seriously I see a great need for helping people get solar-ified by add-on's to existing vehicles and towed campers. But a trip to Quartsite will confirm that as market research...)

I still say Tours metal decaled rig is THE best example of modern retro americana folk art, in actual use and thus more interesting than Thomas Dolby's take on steampunk, cool as that was; wasnt camped in so much as a fun bit of art.

Soeaking of glorious excess;
You should see the custom ice houses up north.

But ooops, seriously thread jacking here sorry OP.

 

[Beth & Kevin]

I'm home from CICO 2024. (Sad, I know). One of the things I do at CICO is wander around and ask people what their favorite accessory is which was in some way a "game changer". I found that some people had pricey add-ons and some had budget add-ons. In order to not compete too much, I've made two threads. I'm encouraging forum readers to add a post to this forum thread. In this case, I'm thinking "pricey thing", more than $100 for example.

I'm also going to ask that you do not post an accessory type which has it's own thread, like Awnings, fridge, or paper towel holder. Those have their own threads!

I'll start. I have multiple things not from CI themselves which certainly cost more than $100. This accessory often gets comments at CICO. Keep in mind I'm a single female, knees are starting to tell me hold old they are, and my driveway at home has a slight incline. With that in mind, pushing the trailer into position at home isn't fun without a second person. But this made it possible: Trailer Valet 5X - Trailer Hand Dolly 5,000 Lbs I think they no longer make the exact model I have, but the 5x is the most similar to what I have.

I had the stock jack replaced with this. For travelling, I do take the main assembly off and it travels in the back of the car, because although it 'probably' would be fine for clearance, I don't want to chance it.

Hello, this is Beth and Kevin. We bought our 560 a couple of years ago. Our trailer jack broke last week and we're interested in the Trailer Valet 5x. Was it difficult to install the mounting bracket?

 

[skissinger]

Hello, this is Beth and Kevin. We bought our 560 a couple of years ago. Our trailer jack broke last week and we're interested in the Trailer Valet 5x. Was it difficult to install the mounting bracket?

Not for me…because I asked my brother to do it, lol. So, sorry I can’t say if it was difficult.

 

[Beth & Kevin]

Not for me…because I asked my brother to do it, lol. So, sorry I can’t say if it was difficult.

Thanks for responding so quickly. If it's not too much trouble, can you share a picture of the mounting bracket attached to your trailer?

 

[skissinger]

Sorry I missed this, I am not near my 550 to take a picture, i will try to take a picture next week.

 

[TheSongDogHouse]

Not for me…because I asked my brother to do it, lol. So, sorry I can’t say if it was difficult.

@Beth & Kevin Have you seen this older thread?

D

Post in thread 'Camper Storage'

Nov 27, 2023

how about a trailer valet? New Home

Nope. Trailer Valet does not work with our frames. The mount requires two fully boxed edges. While the outward facing portion of the frame is a 2" box ... the inside facing portion of the frame is an "L" shape.

Returned my TV yesterday and quickly got good at backing trailer in single garage, as Ken & Peggy suggested above.

• DerekD

• 

 

[TheSongDogHouse]

Well, they had a special today so I bought the Delta 3 with the alternator charger for $836. I don't know when it will ship but I decided to give it a go. Pretty sure I can make the wiring work with a permanent battery connection and not mounting the charger at all. Hopefully I can replace my medium and large sogens with this one.

How's that working out for ya, @JohnC ?
Seems like a quick and easy solution with minimum wiring work.
Done Any good photography lately?
Really like your posts on the brown bears.

 

[TheSongDogHouse]

I gave up on the big carriers and moved to a smaller company that resells the same service -- this is how Cricket and some of the other companies work --- you're getting the same network just at a discount and possibly being "Deprioritized" a bit - but its never been a problem. I use 'Red Pocket' for both my phone service, as well as a hotspot plan. Its like $20 month for the phone, and $40 a month for the hotspot. 20 gigs of data for $40 isn't bad. They'v been really good so far, and aren't doing anything jenky like Nomad Internet or ConnecTEN are doing -- both fo which I have used.

The Data speeds are about 3-4 megabit, but I've seen much faster. This is enough for YouTube (not 4k, but HD), remote desktop, and video calling. I was able to work remotely using this a couple of times. Even with my wife doing the same -- the video did 'pixelate' a bit at that point but it was still usable. I mean, really, 9 times out of 10 on video calls I would turn off my camera anyway in which case audio was fine.

This might not be ideal in congested areas where the cellular networks aren't built up - but int he past 5 years, I've seen a marked improvement in coverage.

All that said...Starlink is faster than that, and theoretically has coverage everywhere. The only down side is that it doesn't fit in my pocket, needs a lot more power (7 amps) Stricly for the "RV" -- The Starlink value proposition is really good.

While in Texas last week, I saw a couple of mini's in front of the parked RVs. The "antenna" is really shrunk!!! I didn't see any people to ask if they liked it, but I assume it worked -- it was there. The trees were dense with exposed sky basically above the 'camp-ground loops. I'm not sure how being farther south impacted this...its got me thinking

The only downside is that you effectively need 110 volts --- the Starlink is 60 watts, which will suck a Group 24 battery dead in short order. 6 amps is a chunk of power. Even a LI battery would only give you about 10 hours if my arithmetic is right. Which is always questionable this early in the day

@Sweeney checking on the Starlink Mini, I see equipment and plan prices coming down:

Starlink Mini: The Best Portable Satellite Internet in 2025

Discover how the ultra-portable Starlink Mini delivers 100+ Mbps internet anywhere. Your current guide to satellite connectivity for travelers & remote workers.

www.outdoortechlab.com

And Starlink sells a DC power accessory, to now power off a TV or sogen.
Not cheaper than an iphone on cellplan as hotspot or a standalone mifi on a prepaid data plan, but if you are beyond cell range, and need to stream, and can legit write off as business expense it starts to make sense to me.

 

[JohnC]

How's that working out for ya, @JohnC ?
Seems like a quick and easy solution with minimum wiring work.
Done Any good photography lately?
Really like your posts on the brown bears.

To try and make a long story short, the Delta 3 works fine. I've used it around the house and it just got back from Yosemite where it worked fine. Wiring and charging is a bit more of an issue. I decided I don't want a permanent install in the car. (I'm considering replacing the car.) So I want to experiment using jumper cables to the car 12V battery from the alternator charger. But I need to find clamps that will fit the wiring that comes with the alternator charger. Easier said than done. How the cables attach to the clamps is not universal in size or attachment method. Don't trust ordering online when sizing can be an issue.

So, all that's currently on hold as I am leaving Friday for Yellowstone and Grand Teton. 18 nites in both parks combined. Hope to return with some nice photos. Will be curious to see if the crowds in Teton are diminished since the fall passing of Grizzly 399. Hopefully her offspring 610 will be out with new cubs this spring.

Here's 399 with her most recent cub "Spirit". This was taken last spring in Grand Teton.

 

[TheSongDogHouse]

To try and make a long story short, the Delta 3 works fine. I've used it around the house and it just got back from Yosemite where it worked fine. Wiring and charging is a bit more of an issue. I decided I don't want a permanent install in the car. (I'm considering replacing the car.) So I want to experiment using jumper cables to the car 12V battery from the alternator charger. But I need to find clamps that will fit the wiring that comes with the alternator charger. Easier said than done. How the cables attach to the clamps is not universal in size or attachment method. Don't trust ordering online when sizing can be an issue.

So, all that's currently on hold as I am leaving Friday for Yellowstone and Grand Teton. 18 nites in both parks combined. Hope to return with some nice photos. Will be curious to see if the crowds in Teton are diminished since the fall passing of Grizzly 399. Hopefully her offspring 610 will be out with new cubs this spring.

Here's 399 with her most recent cub "Spirit". This was taken last spring in Grand Teton.

Gotcha on the car charging dc to dc on sogen...there is a lot involved including how to connect the cables and will it kill your car by discharging vehicle battery faster than alternator can keep up.

I actually bot a victron dc to dc charger to charge a sogen, but both my fav guru VW shop ("we dont do aftermarket wiring")
and the best car audio stereo and various high tech toys installers say we cant do anything with solar/ lithium due to insurance,
so I'm past my limit on ensuring all the bits and pieces and wiring work.

So it means lugging a gas generator along, which is stupid, but works. Solar panels work fine except in the rain and snow...
My next pricey not CI accessory may have to be a 4x4 truck/suv with bigger alternator and room for all the power hogging stuff in back!

Have a great trip! Looking forward to more pics!

 

[dustinp]

To try and make a long story short, the Delta 3 works fine. I've used it around the house and it just got back from Yosemite where it worked fine. Wiring and charging is a bit more of an issue. I decided I don't want a permanent install in the car. (I'm considering replacing the car.) So I want to experiment using jumper cables to the car 12V battery from the alternator charger. But I need to find clamps that will fit the wiring that comes with the alternator charger. Easier said than done. How the cables attach to the clamps is not universal in size or attachment method. Don't trust ordering online when sizing can be an issue.

So, all that's currently on hold as I am leaving Friday for Yellowstone and Grand Teton. 18 nites in both parks combined. Hope to return with some nice photos. Will be curious to see if the crowds in Teton are diminished since the fall passing of Grizzly 399. Hopefully her offspring 610 will be out with new cubs this spring.

Here's 399 with her most recent cub "Spirit". This was taken last spring in Grand Teton.

You should be able to do a temporary install of it by just attaching the positive lead to your positive battery post, and the neg lead to a ground under the hood somewhere, or to the neg post. I had room to coil the cable under the hood behind the headlight, and in front of the battery on the drivers side on the VW Passat, so it was just a matter of uncoiling the cable hooking it up to the charger, which I carry in the trunk, and isn't physically attached to anything, then to the Detla 2 in our case. So changing vehicles is just a matter of unhooking the pos. and neg. leads, and taking it out for hooking into vehicle of your choice. The downside of the temporary install is that you can't charge while your driving unless you have a lot of extra room under the hood where your sogen can sit, which is unlikely. Instead you would need to hook it up while your parked at your campsite, and let the car idle for an hour or so while recharging sitting on the ground next to the TV. Not ideal, but probably quieter than running an inverter gen.

 

[JohnC]

You should be able to do a temporary install of it by just attaching the positive lead to your positive battery post, and the neg lead to a ground under the hood somewhere, or to the neg post. I had room to coil the cable under the hood behind the headlight, and in front of the battery on the drivers side on the VW Passat, so it was just a matter of uncoiling the cable hooking it up to the charger, which I carry in the trunk, and isn't physically attached to anything, then to the Detla 2 in our case. So changing vehicles is just a matter of unhooking the pos. and neg. leads, and taking it out for hooking into vehicle of your choice. The downside of the temporary install is that you can't charge while your driving unless you have a lot of extra room under the hood where your sogen can sit, which is unlikely. Instead you would need to hook it up while your parked at your campsite, and let the car idle for an hour or so while recharging sitting on the ground next to the TV. Not ideal, but probably quieter than running an inverter gen.

Thanks.

My issue is that my 12V battery is in the back of the RV under the lid where the spare tire goes. Based on the layout of the battery and the thickness of the alternator charging cables I'm limited to where and how I can bend the cable to ultimately install it permanently to the battery and be able to route it out. Ideally I would do that and then just run the cable up on the side of the lid where I can actually make space for it. The problem for the moment is that I can only make the cable fit the battery and not be able to bend it to the side so I can have the cable come out on top of the lid.

If I planned on keeping the car long enough I'm sure I could come up with a permanent solution. But that might involve taking it to a shop and paying somebody to do mods. My thought for now is to see if I can just buy some clamps to attach to the cables and then just connect it and idle the car long enough to charge it in place. Totally empty the Delta 3 only holds something like 880 watts. If it can actually charge at 800 watts an hour it would take less than an hour to top off if I don't wait until I run it all the way down.

Not the most efficient design plan but I'm hoping for the minimal use it will be needed, it could do the job.

 

[Ken & Peggy]

To try and make a long story short, the Delta 3 works fine. I've used it around the house and it just got back from Yosemite where it worked fine. Wiring and charging is a bit more of an issue. I decided I don't want a permanent install in the car. (I'm considering replacing the car.) So I want to experiment using jumper cables to the car 12V battery from the alternator charger. But I need to find clamps that will fit the wiring that comes with the alternator charger. Easier said than done. How the cables attach to the clamps is not universal in size or attachment method. Don't trust ordering online when sizing can be an issue.

So, all that's currently on hold as I am leaving Friday for Yellowstone and Grand Teton. 18 nites in both parks combined. Hope to return with some nice photos. Will be curious to see if the crowds in Teton are diminished since the fall passing of Grizzly 399. Hopefully her offspring 610 will be out with new cubs this spring.

Here's 399 with her most recent cub "Spirit". This was taken last spring in Grand Teton.

Sad news! Did not hear that 399 died...
Beautiful picture btw.

 

[JohnC]

Sad news! Did not hear that 399 died...
Beautiful picture btw.

Thank you.

Wyoming And The World Hit Hard By Death Of World’s Most Famous Bear, Grizzly 399

The long reign of the “Queen of the Tetons” came to an end late Tuesday, when Grizzly 399 was struck and killed by a vehicle south of Jackson. “Horrible…

cowboystatedaily.com

 

[dustinp]

Thanks.

My issue is that my 12V battery is in the back of the RV under the lid where the spare tire goes. Based on the layout of the battery and the thickness of the alternator charging cables I'm limited to where and how I can bend the cable to ultimately install it permanently to the battery and be able to route it out. Ideally I would do that and then just run the cable up on the side of the lid where I can actually make space for it. The problem for the moment is that I can only make the cable fit the battery and not be able to bend it to the side so I can have the cable come out on top of the lid.

If I planned on keeping the car long enough I'm sure I could come up with a permanent solution. But that might involve taking it to a shop and paying somebody to do mods. My thought for now is to see if I can just buy some clamps to attach to the cables and then just connect it and idle the car long enough to charge it in place. Totally empty the Delta 3 only holds something like 880 watts. If it can actually charge at 800 watts an hour it would take less than an hour to top off if I don't wait until I run it all the way down.

Not the most efficient design plan but I'm hoping for the minimal use it will be needed, it could do the job.

Gotcha, I remember your battery location situation now.

 

[skissinger]

Thanks for responding so quickly. If it's not too much trouble, can you share a picture of the mounting bracket attached to your trailer?

See attached. My brother drilled holes in order to attach on one side, because of the propane tank. Unsure if someone will say if that compromised stability. All I can say is it has been this way for years; hasn't appeared to be an issue.

 

[Sweeney]

@Sweeney checking on the Starlink Mini, I see equipment and plan prices coming down:

Starlink Mini: The Best Portable Satellite Internet in 2025

Discover how the ultra-portable Starlink Mini delivers 100+ Mbps internet anywhere. Your current guide to satellite connectivity for travelers & remote workers.

www.outdoortechlab.com

And Starlink sells a DC power accessory, to now power off a TV or sogen.
Not cheaper than an iphone on cellplan as hotspot or a standalone mifi on a prepaid data plan, but if you are beyond cell range, and need to stream, and can legit write off as business expense it starts to make sense to me.

I've checked several times, but I'm still grappling with cash flow. Last week was solid, but this week has slowed down again. We'll get there!

I see Starlink is now offering refurbished units for $350 and $50 for 50GB, which isn’t far from what I currently pay. But my current solution seems to do well enough. I use Red Pocket’s hotspot plan ($40 for 20GB), which has been plenty for my needs. Since I no longer live on web-ex calls. With RedPocket, speeds are decent—good enough for 480p or even 1080p YouTube videos. More than enough for email and web. I’m not sure if they still offer the "SIM-only" hotspot plan that I have.

My hardware is an older Netgear 4G hotspot. This setup works well, though I lack an outdoor antenna and have left the hotspot on the roof overnight once or twice. I do need to think about buying a new battery for it, but after this many years of hard use I'm fine iwh that. I MAY upgrade to an unlocked ATT 5G router as well.

Mobile data has come a long way. Eight years ago, it was awful—most parks, even near big cities, had terrible coverage. Now, I get usable internet almost everywhere I go. Even when I was in East Texas to the Deep South. Back then, it was either pricey or unreliable.

Here's some flashback memories! Did anyone else get burned by Nomad Internet? I sure did. I bought their "SIM-only" plan, which came with my hotspot. It worked great initially, but when the SIM stopped working, replacements took forever and kept "failing" as carriers caught onto their scam and deactivated them. Canceling was a nightmare—they demanded I return their hardware, their billing system changed and all of the records were lost that I had a SIM only plan. They kept charging me $120 a month through it all. The Texas government, FTC, and others got involved, revealing the founder was a felon with a fraud history. I was so furious I nearly drove to their office. I finally got it all closed out, $300 bucks or so under water. But that was a lot better...and I mean a LOT better than some people experienced.

I also tried ConnectTen, which was decent until my SIM failed. Not wanting to repeat that mess, I canceled and switched to Red Pocket. They’re legit—no shady games. What these cheap carriers are sometimes doing are getting corporate unlimited sims on the grey market - exactly how I don't know, but then packaging them. When the carrier shuts down the sim, they just send a new one with a "Oh, they go bad sometimes" story. I've never had one 'go bad' in my phone...duping people is the game.

But redpocket --- its been fantastic! Cheap voice phone service too.