Best Of
Newbie questions.
We have now made a few trips in our 2021 TAG Boondock, mostly good but there are some questions.
1. Why does the radio randomly turn itself on? It has happened several times with no obvious cause.
2. Where is the best place for the fire extinguisher since ours fell off. The official position is guaranteed to be banged into. Since the tiny screws holding it and the smoke and Co2 alarms have all pulled out of the plastic, what is the best way to reattach them.
3. Whats with the square and sharp corners on the interior shelves and cabinets? Boat builders used rounded corners; safer and stronger.
4. My last question for now, how do I remove the external washdown unit for repair/replacement? I have unscrewed it but it appears glued in.
On the plus side, we survived winds up to 50 mph/80 kmh and torrential rain with no fuss, staying cosy and comfortable.
Close-able Vents
Hello, recently inherited my parents '14 T@G, after having it out a few times, learned that the vents on either side of the AC pull cold air in right on my feet, I don't care for it (My wife doesn't mind cause her feet don't reach down that far) so I fired up the 3d printer and made some vents that close so I can sleep with warm feet when it's cold out, or allow the trailer to vent when it's warmer...
Vacation 2025 Gas Usage
Summer 2025 is winding down.
I got one seven-week extended trip completed and am now looking forward to some shorter Colorado River trips.
Traveled with my wife and 10lb dog.
For my own enjoyment, I did a gas usage tabulation of my 7-week trip.
The period was from the end of May through early July.
Trip went from San Diego to Raleigh North Carolina.
Went into 19 states, traveled 6,564 total miles.
Besides getting lost for over 75 miles on a forest service dirt road in Colorado without cell service or a downloaded map and a vet visit in Kansas due to a dog fight, we had no significant problems.
My tow vehicle is a 2012 Toyota RAV4 (4cl).
Average miles per gallon was 18.22 (range 21 - 14 MPG)
Highest elevation driven was 12,183 (Colorado Rocky Mountain National Park on Trail Ridge Road)
The average cost per gallon of gas was $3.40 (highest was in Estes Park CO for 91 Octane = $4.61)
My total fuel cost was $1,227
I would have liked to do more multi day camping stops, but a destination timeline kept us driving to meet our schedule.
I hope everyone had a good summer camping.
Sleeping 3 people in a T@G XL comfortably!
This is a mock up for space planning. The RV park I made reservations for this summer insists we all sleep in the trailer! No one in our annex tent, 8’x8’. No one in the back of the car either! Ok then, here are my thoughts. I have ordered a 69”l x 25”w x17”h camp cot from Camping World. This is considered the petite size. Our kid is just over 5’ tall so this will be their sleeping bunk. We will need to remove the blinds to accommodate the size of the cot. Interior is 70” long, under the window. Blinds are removable, as my husband reminded me, since he had been handling their repairs. The height brings the cot to about the middle of the window over 4” of memory foam and padding. The sleeping pad for cot will be a petite size 66” x “20” from Big Agnes, still in the works. Basically this will just be our bunk space for a few nights. Ear plugs and eye masks are encouraged. Will need to make black out curtains and a removable or Velcroed bug screen. (As seen in overland trailer videos!) Will update with the end results. The tv mount will be removed. Also, with shore power, no need bring the power generators so the tv cabinet is now available for daughter to store items. That’s the space, this is my vision. Wish me luck!! The interior space is very generous for our T@GXL, just love it! The galley is finished with the stainless steel toe kick! The table was reconfigured to access the top drawer of our pantry. Wood office cabinets have silverware, cooking utensils, tea, honey, cocoa and spices. Got those on Wayfair. The trash can rules! Holds regular grocery store bags and hangs on the cabinet door, got it on Amazon. The boho bags are for fruit, vegetables and cleaning items. Got those on Amazon as well. Have a great adventure!
Curtains Added
DW wanted to add curtains for personalized look. We both wanted the windows open for ventilation and keep out peering eyes. Hooks just stick on and can be removed easily. Earlier this year I replaced both the smoke & CO detector. The waterproof bags https://www.amazon.com/IDRYBAG-Waterproof-Floating-Lightweight-Kayaking/dp/B083BQGSF4/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=IDRYBAG+Clear+Dry+Bag+Waterproof+Floating+2L/5L/10L/15L/20L,+Lightweight+Dry+Sack+Water+Sports,+Marine+Waterproof+Bag+Roll+Top+for+Kayaking,+Boating,+Canoeing,+Swimming,+Hiking,+Camping,+Rafting&qid=1628195164&sr=8-1&th=1&psc=1 on the door mesh are to hang your shoes on the Boondock handle. I’ve got to get started on the maxxfan install.
Vanilla Issue
You may have noticed that a new post remains highlighted and the “New” indicator is persistent following reading of a post.
Vanilla is aware and they are working on a fix.
Vanilla is aware and they are working on a fix.
Re: T@G Power Usage Grid
Thanks for sharing your power usage chart.
I appreciate the effort!
I did one myself in 2019, using the common items on my 2018 T@G.
I look forward to finding the time to compare the two charts.
I installed a 100Ah lithium battery and found it to be a game changer.
I can run my Norcold NRF-30 refrigerator for about 3+ days without solar reliance. My best so far with 100-watt solar suitcase has been 10 days without resupply. For that trip in the desert, I failed to have enough solar extension cables to keep my panel in the sun. My priority is the trailer in the shade for desert camping.
Since that point, I have incorporated more extension cables, as well as building a 100Ah power station, which brings my battery capacity to 200Ah as needed.
Recently I tested my 100Ah power station and found I could run my AC for 3.5 hours. (AC directly plugged into power station to avoid 15-watt converter loss)
T@G Power Usage Grid
I converted my T@G to 170ah lithium battery a couple years back. As long as I’m going to have a little solar I no longer bring my Honda 1000 generator with me. Wanted to really understand my daily usage so I made this grid. Using my Victron I turned on each appliance and recorded its power usage and noted how long I usually leave them on in a 24hr period. In the case of the Norcold frig it only ran about 15-20 minutes every hour to cool down. That would be dependent on outside temp of course. Couple discoveries for me is that the Jensen stereo uses more amp when the camper power is initially turned on. If you turn it on and power it down it drops to a dimmed display and uses far less power constantly. Also in the galley there’s a gas shut off switch in the hydraulic lift arm by the sink. It tells the gas to shut off if the lid is closed. While I don’t recommend bypassing that safety device, I have a 1/2 piece of rubber hose with a slit that I slide down that to shut it off as it uses quite a bit of power also. You can’t close the hatch with the tube on the arm, so I still have the safety of the gas being monitored. I’ve got 2 solar panels. Suitcase one at 200 I put out by the camper. Lucky to get 3 hours of charge if I remember to move it during the day when it gets shaded. Flexible solar panel 100 
I usually throw on the roof so I estimated at least an hour a day of charging. Your usage times will vary depending on how you camp. I find even without charging I can now go a few days before needing to charge with the 170ah battery. Really a game changer for me.
I usually throw on the roof so I estimated at least an hour a day of charging. Your usage times will vary depending on how you camp. I find even without charging I can now go a few days before needing to charge with the 170ah battery. Really a game changer for me. Covering the A/C and door windows on our 2021 T@G
Made the cover removable. Hung a dowling on hooks and made a casing at the top of cover. Velcro is all the way around. It helps with remotes, cards and movie snacks! The AC is not used very often, but still is useful
Re: New Fridge
My installed battery is a 100Ah Renogy lithium battery ($800) since then I have purchased two LiTime Smart 100Ah lithium trolling batteries. I highly recommend them. My last one cost me only $203.
My suggestion is don't spend a lot.
Do your homework on electrical wiring.
I would run 14-12 AWG and make sure your connections are good. 10AWG is overkill, but it only hurts your pocketbook.
Good luck.
My suggestion is don't spend a lot.
Do your homework on electrical wiring.
I would run 14-12 AWG and make sure your connections are good. 10AWG is overkill, but it only hurts your pocketbook.
Good luck.