Distance to date: 13,140 miles / 21,147 kilometers
Days to date: 136
Nights in camper: 126
Roads: mix of freeway, two lane paved, unpaved,
non-maintained, flat and mountains, grades up to 16%.
Temps: mid 30s F / 1.6 C to >110 F / 43.3 C
Elevation: sea level to >11k feet / 3,353 meters
Performance and Efficiency:
Deepest water crossing: ~ 46 inches / 116.84cm -
1.168m high
Chassis Miles per gallon: ~10.5 / Kilometers per
liter: ~4.46 / Liters per 100 Kilometer: ~22.4
LP / Propane duration: 4-8 weeks depending on utilization (Estimated,
this has not been tested with any rigor or accuracy. Update: We just went 18
days
on 1/2 tank. During that time we ran the refrigerator exclusively on LP, ran
the water
heater 100% of the time, used the furnace/heater every day, grilled almost every day and
regularly used the stove
(hob/rangetop). I rate this rate of use as the maximum possible. The only
way we could have used more would be to leave the door open with the furnace
on. Which we did a few times... )
Black tank capacity: 12 days, 100% utilization
Fresh water capacity: 2-4 weeks depending on utilization (Estimated, this
has not been tested with any rigor or accuracy. We have ~75 gallons fresh
water tank capacity and have never come close to using it all, but have not
been away from sources of fresh water longer than 7-10 days.)
Genset hours: 30.5
Reliability / Repair / Maintenance:
Custom fabrication and components failures / defects:
raw water tank corner seam weld split (flawed design and
construction), modified and repaired
Custom lighting, electronics and electrical systems failures / defects:
installed two relays for auto genset start controller (custom
interface design flaw)
genset overheats when ambient temp > ~90˚
F / 32.2˚ C (requires operation with access
door open, design flaw on cover panel louvers, will fix before
departure)
unhappy with Lifeline battery performance but have not researched
the problem sufficiently to resolve it
Custom water system failures / defects:
slow drip on direct gravity fill for camper tank if overfilled
(custom connection design and construction flaw)
Custom LP / Propane system failures / defects:
tightened two joint connections due to slow leaks
disassembled and reinstalled float pivot assembly for tank level gauge sender -
was stuck
leaking tank output solenoid, replaced under warranty
Custom compressed air system failures / defects:
compressor has limited output capacity at elevations > 9,000 feet
tightened two joint connections due to slow leaks
currently have another very slow leak but haven't tracked it down
yet
Custom sewage macerator system failures / defects:
zero (0)
Bigfoot camper structural failures / defects:
zero (0)
Bigfoot camper component failures / defects:
cooling unit failure on Dometic refrigerator,
replaced under warranty
screen door latch failure (day 112)
Bigfoot trim and decorative failures / defects:
rear step non-skid adhesive failing
Bigfoot camper and components maintenance:
tighten Phillips screw that holds the bathroom
vent handle (twice)
Bigfoot dealer installed options flaws / defects:
dealer did not seal vent installed above berth - field repair, sealed
with 3M 5200
Mitsubishi Fuso FG 140 failures / defects:
zero (0)
Mitsubishi Fuso FG 140 maintenance / repair:
one (1) oil and filer change
one (1) four wheel alignment (required after
installation of custom springs)
Systems Utilization:
Water filtration (100%)
LP/Propane (100%)
Inverter (100%)
Shore power / surge protector - often due to use of retail and state
campgrounds when making passages
Genset - daily if dry/wild camping, zero otherwise
TV/DVD - 4 June to 14 September < 3 hours
Camper stereo - zero
Cab iPod / stereo - ~50%, mostly for listening to books on CD
Tools - minimal
Spares & repair parts/supplies - nearly zero, no failures
Grill - nearly every day
Microwave - once or twice a day, mostly use the timer for coffee press &
tea timer
Data array & electronics - 100% if I'm working on a project, occasional
otherwise
Motorcycles - never for stops of 1-3 days, essential mobility &
exploration tools for longer stays
Systems / Items added since departure:
Wireless external and internal thermometer in cab,
currently use the same one in the camper. Plan to buy a dedicated display
for the camper.
Coat hooks in camper
Rolling shade for vent over berth
Dual Rear Wheel (DRW) valve stem extensions
Folding rear view mirrors on the bikes
Battery monitor/chargers for the bikes
Major operational discoveries /
characteristics:
On and off-road handling was dramatically improved
by custom springs, aftermarket shocks and pivot frame shocks
The vehicle is capable of doing more off-road than
we will probably ever ask of it in a non-emergency situation
At altitudes over 5,000 feet and temperatures over
85 F on steep or extended grades chassis engine overheating can be an issue
The chassis is very road-crown sensitive. It will pull to the downhill
side on either slope. Four wheel alignment has been done, with no
improvement or change in this characteristic.
Very easy and comfortable to drive. Continues to be eerily quiet in the
cab
At altitudes over > 9,000 feet the air compressor
cannot reach a pressure over ~115 psi
The Skymate system is much more valuable than anticipated for
off-the-grid text communications
Very happy overall with the design, systems and capabilities
Biggest Design Flaws discovered:
Omission of water pressure gauges pre-and post-filter.
Makes it impossible to measure pressure drop across the filter to signal
replacement.
Raw water tank corner joints. The subcontractor
used butt welds on the corners instead of lapped construction. Inadequate
strength for a vehicle application.
Inadequate cooling for the genset. We should have louvered the entire
genset cover panel, and possibly the access door. Also could have mounted
cooling fans on the panel.