Big Rig Newbie help

[Sanibel3602]

Awaiting the release of my Sanibel 3602WB (44.5" 4 slides Big Rig) pulled by a Ram 3500. Picking it up in Ohio hopefully in June '22. Wading through the endless google searches for most trustworthy information like AllStays.com. I intend on doing small excursions to get acquainted with the monster and operations/handling. I am a veteran and national park pass holder. Long term I want to install the solar panels and reinforce the battery capacity to extend boondocking capability.

What recommendations for travel planner, GPS, pitfalls to avoid, websites that are actually useful for this venture? Assistance requested to navigate through numbers of searches to get something comprehensive to make traveling smoother if possible.

[pddgm]

Originally Posted by Sanibel3602

Awaiting the release of my Sanibel 3602WB (44.5" 4 slides Big Rig) pulled by a Ram 3500. Picking it up in Ohio hopefully in June '22. Wading through the endless google searches for most trustworthy information like AllStays.com. I intend on doing small excursions to get acquainted with the monster and operations/handling. I am a veteran and national park pass holder. Long term I want to install the solar panels and reinforce the battery capacity to extend boondocking capability.

What recommendations for travel planner, GPS, pitfalls to avoid, websites that are actually useful for this venture? Assistance requested to navigate through numbers of searches to get something comprehensive to make traveling smoother if possible.

I think you will find that most National Parks and a lot of state parks can't handle a rig of that size. Now, I am not saying all, but a lot. Some do to site size some do to roads in and out. steep inclines, etc....especially those in the mountains...Go luck and thank you for your service..

[bfisher003]

We tow a 36’ Montana fiver (I’m also a veteran (Vietnam)). We mostly travel out West (from home in Florida). For a GPS we have been using a Garmin RV890 the past couple of years and it works well for us. Big screen, you enter your length, height, width, weights for your trailer and tow vehicle and it steers you clear and/or provides warnings of problem areas like low overpasses. Trip routing can be done on it or with Trip Wizard, etc. you might also want to look into TSD Logistics and get their EFS card that allows you to use the diesel pumps in the truck lanes at truck stops. Way easier to navigate a fiver easily and pretty good fuel discounts at some truck stops. We’ve saved hundreds of dollars using it and their Open Roads app.

[Sanibel3602]

Thanks for the information both of you. I have downloaded allstays military famcamp, looked at BLM and COE sites. I have the rv-life Trip wizard. I will certainly look at the information for truck stop diesel EFS.

Still looking at a solar generator, upgrading to larger lithium-ion batteries (need to see the battery housing first for dimensions) installing solar panels.

Ill check other forum post to see how people effectively set up the system. With the truck bed electrical I wonder if I can charge the solar generator in the back of the truck using the alternator...

[Goingsouth]

RVPARKY.COM I have been using it for over 10 years and have found it a great partner. Also a vet Vietnam

[hamm2018]

Originally Posted by Sanibel3602

Awaiting the release of my Sanibel 3602WB (44.5" 4 slides Big Rig) pulled by a Ram 3500. Picking it up in Ohio hopefully in June '22. Wading through the endless google searches for most trustworthy information like AllStays.com. I intend on doing small excursions to get acquainted with the monster and operations/handling. I am a veteran and national park pass holder. Long term I want to install the solar panels and reinforce the battery capacity to extend boondocking capability.

What recommendations for travel planner, GPS, pitfalls to avoid, websites that are actually useful for this venture? Assistance requested to navigate through numbers of searches to get something comprehensive to make traveling smoother if possible.

You will find that some NPs cannot handle rigs of our size. For solar we are having a whole rig system installed this by Soar Energy Systems in Nappanee, Ind. According to our tax guy this is the last year to be able to get the 26% tax break. Next year it decreases to a lower level. So, we are making the jump to the complete rig solar system.

For a GPS we use the Garmin 770, for the last 3 years we have been
full-timers, it works pretty good for us.
Planning trips we use the RV Trip Wizard, it does a great job for us. We use several different apps to help locate parks and places to stay.

One upgrade I would recommend right off the bat, would be to upgrade to disc brakes on the rig. The stopping power is so much better. We used Performance Trailer Braking for our upgrade.

We also upgraded to the MorRyde Independent Suspension, which for us, was worth the money, but expensive. It is around $1000/wheel.

If you are considering a satellite system, we went with the RF Mogul, https://www.rfmogul.com/, it works great for us.

[jacknife]

You can stay at military campgrounds if retired military , 100% disabled or some DOD positions . Just being a veteran will not get u in .

[hamm2018]

Originally Posted by jacknife

You can stay at military campgrounds if retired military , 100% disabled or some DOD positions . Just being a veteran will not get u in .

If you are service-connected disable vet you can use some of the bases. You do not need to be 100% disabled.

https://www.navymwrmayport.com/progr...b-5435e193860e

download the RV Park reservation instructions on the right side and it will list all
Eligibility requirements.
"The Morale, Welfare and Recreation Department operate the Pelican Roost and Osprey Cove RV Parks. These parks provide family outdoor recreation facilities for the following
eligible personnel:
• Active Duty
• Reservists/National Guard
• Military Retirees
• Military Disabled (VA member that are service connected)
• DOD Employees
• DOD Contractors working only at Naval Station Mayport – can only make
reservations from May 1 – September 30."

[cwall59]

Originally Posted by Sanibel3602

Thanks for the information both of you. I have downloaded allstays military famcamp, looked at BLM and COE sites. I have the rv-life Trip wizard. I will certainly look at the information for truck stop diesel EFS.

Still looking at a solar generator, upgrading to larger lithium-ion batteries (need to see the battery housing first for dimensions) installing solar panels.

Ill check other forum post to see how people effectively set up the system. With the truck bed electrical I wonder if I can charge the solar generator in the back of the truck using the alternator...

If you go Lithium batteries they will most likely need to be relocated to a interior bay compartment that has some heat . Most lead acid batteries are located in a well ventilated area and climate doesn’t matter. Lithium batteries don’t need to be in a ventilated area but do need to be in a warmer location. They do not charge well below a certain temperature so they are usually in a climate controlled location. When we ordered our 5thwheel a rack was built inside the cargo bay that is heated in cold conditions.

[xc-mark]

I would say that Garmin line of RV gps is the way to go. As for Solar , Victron energy is my opinion is the best product on the market. I can may some suggestions but in My opinion if you have the room leave the battery in the oem location and get heated battery for the few times a year you need to charge them with its below 32* its a easy way to keep your install simple. You will want to have a system or just a small battery charger ? Send me a PM if you want .

[Sanibel3602]

So a massive storm in Ohio caused another camper to hit the back of mine before I could take delivery. Fiver has to go back to factory for repairs and inspections. no timeline established.

[Sanibel3602]

Originally Posted by hamm2018

You will find that some NPs cannot handle rigs of our size. For solar we are having a whole rig system installed this by Soar Energy Systems in Nappanee, Ind. According to our tax guy this is the last year to be able to get the 26% tax break. Next year it decreases to a lower level. So, we are making the jump to the complete rig solar system.

For a GPS we use the Garmin 770, for the last 3 years we have been
full-timers, it works pretty good for us.
Planning trips we use the RV Trip Wizard, it does a great job for us. We use several different apps to help locate parks and places to stay.

One upgrade I would recommend right off the bat, would be to upgrade to disc brakes on the rig. The stopping power is so much better. We used Performance Trailer Braking for our upgrade.

We also upgraded to the MorRyde Independent Suspension, which for us, was worth the money, but expensive. It is around $1000/wheel.

If you are considering a satellite system, we went with the RF Mogul, https://www.rfmogul.com/, it works great for us.

Thanks for the info. I went with starlink for the satellite. Ill have to do a full run through to see about the brakes and suspension. thanks for the post and information!

[Sanibel3602]

Originally Posted by xc-mark

I would say that Garmin line of RV gps is the way to go. As for Solar , Victron energy is my opinion is the best product on the market. I can may some suggestions but in My opinion if you have the room leave the battery in the oem location and get heated battery for the few times a year you need to charge them with its below 32* its a easy way to keep your install simple. You will want to have a system or just a small battery charger ? Send me a PM if you want .

1/https://trophybattery.com/index.php/product/48v220e-1/
These batteries are beast, I am looking at maximizing my solar based on space and putting 4 of these batteries in to have 45kWH of 48V 220A power reserves.
Im between victron and MPP for the solar charger inverter.