Rig Detail
TRUCK
2000 Stalick International 4700 with the following
features: 4 door cab; DT-530 engine
with 275 H.P., 800 lb. torque w/extended warrantee; cruise control; Jacobs
brake; Tachometer; speedometer; hour meter; oil pressure; water temp; ammeter;
air pressure; trans oil temp; low oil pressure/low coolant/high water
temperature lights and alarms; Allison (MD3060) 6 speed automatic transmission
with push button controls and extended warrantee; H.D. fan drive (air locking)
H.D. radiator w/transmission cooler; special air-ride rear suspension; Detroit
Locker no spin differential; 130 gallons fuel capacity; 15 ABS front and rear
disc brakes; chrome aerodynamic front bumper; power steering; 12 X 4 H.D.
parking brake; high volume air compressor with external air hose fitting; black
leather wrapped steering wheel; tilt and telescoping steering wheel; 12V 100 Amp
Delco alternator; 2 H.D. (total of 1850 CCA) batteries on slide in body
compartment; C.B. radio w/dual mirror antennas; Sony AM/FM cassette with 10 CD
changer w/4 speakers; intermittent windshield wipers; cargo light back of cab;
clear fog lights; long life halogen headlights; daytime running lights; dual
electric horns; dual roof mounted chrome
air horns; circuit breakers (main panel) interrupter switch blinks cab and
trailer clearance/marker lights (w/headlights on); 120 V 1250 watt engine block
heater; special heated motorized mirror heads (both driver and passenger);
driver and passenger air suspension seats including arm rests, seat heaters and
vibrators; rear bench seat;
storage pockets in both front doors; power windows on front doors; heater and
air conditioning; tinted glass on all windows (except windshield) with extra
tint in rear; interior and exterior grab handles for easy access; low profile
22.5 tires mounted on polished Alcoa aluminum wheels; oil bath wheel
bearings; custom carpeting including pads and mats front and rear (in gray);
blue/gray leather/vinyl interior; sun visor (exterior eyebrow type); pull
release for air tank drain valve; special built easy access full length
reinforced entry steps; custom side mounted dual exhaust; custom striped to
match trailer; bug screen mounted behind grill; keyless door entry and alarm
(all 4 doors); compartmentalized
sport utility truck body built of galvanized steel; 24 deep compartments;
stainless T handles w/twist latches; 5th wheel and travel
trailer plugs; aluminum diamond plate compartment tops; front rock guards;
32,000 LB Trailer Saver Air Hitch w/Binkly head and gauge/control in cab;
electric brake controller; 2 receiver hitch w/5 way plug; spray-in bed liner
(urethane coating); altimeter; outside/inside thermometer; center console
with sliding lid (rather than hinged); laptop computer table attached to
center console; dual fire extinguishers (under each seat in front); roof rack
with bicycle mounts; 12,500 watt Onan Quiet Diesel generator with two 50
amp outlets at rear of storage boxes (one came with truck) and additional
outlet for remote control cable to trailer; additional storage box between hitch
and generator (top loading, with locking T handle).
TRAILER
1998 Mountain Aire 33 RKWD by Newmar. Factory options
included: Arctic package; plumbed and wired for washer/dryer; 2-40 lb LP bottles
w/automatic regulator on slide-out tray; ceiling fan; 3 extra telephone jacks;
extra TV jack in b/r; 10 gal water heater; Tandem dual wheel axles w/16
frame; battery disconnect switch; flexible 50 amp power cord; fluorescent
lighting recessed in ceiling; exterior 110v receptacle; wired for solar power;
roof rack & ladder; built-in hitch pin stabilizer; recessed pull down vinyl
stone guard; natural oak interior cabinets; 110v heater for holding tanks;
sewage holding tank rinse; water filtering system for drink dispenser in
kitchen; 19 A&E Awning; exterior lighted acrylic assist handle; skylight
in shower w/soft shade; two Fantastic fans w/rain sensors, one in bath one in
kitchen with remote thermostats; double pane safety glass windows; porcelain
sink and stool; custom built computer desk & floor to ceiling bookcase;
15,000 BTU A/C; home entertainment center with 6 speakers; combination lock
safe; prep for generator; prep for satellite; prep for solar; electric
stabilizer rear jacks; jack snaps on front jacks; pergo flooring in kitchen and
entry; day/night shades; door bell; vanity stool in bedroom; exterior washdown
(shower) station; 12v plug at desk, phone jack at desk, CB radio antenna at
desk, cell phone antenna at desk; bedroom and living room slides; 2 pair
exterior security lights; 2 Elite Slidetoppers; remote control panel for
generator including on/off switch, oil pressure, temperature, voltage gauges;
RotoChocks to block wheels; 4 wheel covers (shades);center awning support and
leg; digital inside/outside thermometer/humidity gauge; Motosat Starchaser 18
automatic satellite dish; 2000 watt inverter; 8-d AGM Lifeline battery; inline surge
protector; Shademaster California Screen Room with snapless sides; two LA-Z-BOY
chairs, (one rocker, one glider); CD player; window awnings; Mr. Coffee under
cabinet coffee maker; roof mounted 21cu ft storage pod; custom built nose
skirt; upgraded kitchen, bath, and shower faucets; custom made table
between La-z-boy chairs.
This trailer weighed 13,480 pounds when it left the factory. Its rated at 18,000 pounds. That gives this trailer a Net Cargo Capacity of 4,520 pounds!!!
The axles were replaced under warrantee in April, 2002, and the new ones have another 10 year warrantee which is transferable, of course. The tires were replaced with load range E tires at the same time, so their mileage is fresh. The rubber roof has a 10 year warrantee as well, so there are about 6 years left on that.
On the left is the screen room as we were putting it up, and on the right, you can see both the nose skirt and the method of having the generator plugged into the trailer with it's remote control also plugged in. The generator has it's canvas cover off, and you can see it's pretty green cover in the truck. We got many compliments on how quiet the generator is compared to some of the portables around us, and we supplied another rig with all their power as well on several occasions.
At the suggestion of someone (thanks, Dave-in-Ohio) who was looking at the truck, here's additional pictures of the interior of the truck. On the left I've shown the rear from the passenger side, and then the front. I'm standing on the ground taking these pictures, and I'm 5'11" tall, for perspective. The tissue box in the front is sitting on a small plastic box that holds all the atlas' and books we look at while on the road. It sits between the firewall and the center console. The little silver box just above it and to the right is the inverter I use to run the computer which sits on it's table bolted to the center console. The GPS antenna sits on the dash, and just to the right of the computer is the compass (lighted). The altimeter is there on the dash above the inverter, and there's a 3-way 12v outlet just above that. The inverter gets it's 12v power from the original (factory installed) 12v receptacle. My 22oz mug is in it's holder in the console, and just to the right of that is a multi-colored little box that Barb built to hold the cell phone.
Now to the drivers side. The gauge to the lower left of the dash is the air pressure gauge for the TrailerSaver hitch. It also has the toggle switch for increasing or decreasing the pressure. The yellow bungee cord on the center console in the picture on the right is holding the wastebasket, and above that is a MagLight.
Here is the "cut 'n hack" I did on the lid of the console. We got bothered by the lid always having stuff on it, and then wanting to get into the box below. I installed some drawer slides and removed the hinge, and now the drawer/lid just slides rearward and nothing gets upset in the process. The little purple thing on Barb's seat between the seat and the console is the little container she built to house the control for the seat heater/vibrator. The seats have pockets for the controls, but they're a tad tight and sometimes will activate the mechanism involuntarily. The little box prevents that from happening.
On the left are my knees. Yeah, so what. Well, I'm 5'11" tall, fairly normal proportions, and as you can see there's plenty of leg room. The drivers seat is in the position it's in when I'm driving. On the right is a shot of the additional box we installed between the hitch and the generator. The front wheels of the bikes like to ride back there between the box and the generator, and I tie them together to keep them from putting too many miles on while we're going down the road.
Couple of shots showing the bike rack. Hard to see the cable we run through them and padlock to the pipe rack to make stealing them a little more difficult. We also remove the seats and other accessories, and those all fit nicely under the rear seat of the cab along with the gallon fire extinguisher, 10CD changer, a couple of blankets, spare oil, extra windshield washer fluid, grease for the hitch, and a couple of small boxes holding odd bits and pieces and gloves. I'm standing on the center box looking to the right and left, and of course, that's the PortaBoat in it's blue bag all strapped down to the pipe rack as well. The rack is held on by clamps on the rain gutters and the straps from the boat are also routed over the pipe and hooked under the rain gutters. Seems to hold well.
A shot of the generator, bike wheels and center box while I'm standing on one of the side boxes, and then a shot of the pipe rack and it's contents showing room for a couple more bikes or whatever.
The left is a drawer that is built into the body over the rear wheel. This happens to be on the passenger side, there's a duplicate on the drivers side. This one has dividers in it to help keep things sort of sorted. On the right is the slide out drawer with the toolbox I put in there. On the left of the tool box are the extra engine belts and spare oil filter. To the right of the box is some hand cleaner (thanks, Marc!) and other little things. Behind the box in the drawer are things like the crowbar, level, 200# torque wrench and carpenters square. Why leave it behind if you can take it with you?
On the left is the drawer pulled out and the tool box lid held up with a dowel. Drawer doesn't come out quite far enough for the lid to open fully. On the right I'm attempting to show the advantages of a Stalick International body. These doors have double seals and the twist "T" handles for positive locking and an airtight seal. When we first got the truck I was complaining about condensation inside the cabinets, and Brian Kelly (the salesman at Stalick) told me to get out of the Pacific Northwest and go where it was warm! Since Barb was still working and we couldn't leave just yet, I pulled the rubber plugs from the bottom of the cabinets and that solved the problem until we could leave. Now that we're on the road, I've never seen any more moisture in there. Oh, yeah, I replaced the plugs as soon as the weather got nice.
These last shots show the "little" storage bin at the rear with it's shelves, and the dual 50 Amp outlets for the generator. One on each side. The black plug/cover on the left side of the body is for the remote control panel in the trailer, and the little outlet/cover on the right is a 15A receptacle that I've not finished wiring in yet.
And while we're doing pictures of details, here's some of the trailer:
About the only thing not showing real well, is the closet across the nose of the trailer. It's behind the mirrors forward of the bed. This is of course, a slide-out bedroom. Under the vanity we've added some plastic storage bins we needed when we were both working full time. We've just not bothered to really "slim down" our wardrobes much since then. There's a window behind the sliding mirror in the vanity, and there's a stool for it as well. And a bedspread that matches the window valance.
The bathroom has china sink and stool, upgraded shower head and sink faucet. The tub is a bit tight for me, but Barb likes it. The mirrors above the sink are doors to storage, and the mirrors to the left of the sink are used as a coat closet currently. It's wired and plumbed for washer/dryer. The small door at the bottom of the storage doors behind the toilet contains our dirty laundry hamper. The electrical panels are in the upper cabinet behind the toilet.
The remote control for the generator with it's gauges is right inside the bathroom. The floor to ceiling bookcase was custom ordered from the factory, and the door to the right is the entrance to the bathroom.
The tall table between the La-Z-Boy recliners was custom built, the short one came with the trailer. The kitchen is pretty standard except for the upgraded faucet with the hose/sprayer. Stainless sinks, and storage drawers beneath the stove under the microwave/convection oven. We added the under shelf coffee maker and of course, the paper towel rack. The tall skinny door on the right is hiding the huge pantry.
When we got the trailer, it had this tiny useless storage area under the refer. I built a spice drawer for Barb, and the only drawback is that now she has to write on the lids what is in the little bottle/can! On the right, on the wall next to the microwave are the controls for the inverter (the larger of the little black things) and the warning lights for the built in surge protector.
I'm sitting in one of the La-Z-Boy chairs taking this picture of the computer desk and TV to give you an idea of the comfort involved in watching the tube. I suppose I could have cleaned up the wire mess under the desk, but then you might think I was a geek. That's a flatbed scanner next to the laptop, and the printer and CD/RW on the Closet Maid shelf above it all. On the right is what might have been just plain storage, but I built it so the bottom shelf houses the contents of a large two drawer filing cabinet. Those baskets house the hanging folders, and the platform they're sitting on rolls out. The top shelf contains the VCR, Satellite controls (put in the zip code, push the button and the dish finds the satellite automatically) and other "stuff".
Now we're outside showing off the MotoSat automatic satellite dish and the 21 cubic foot storage box we call the attic. It houses the portable satellite dish, the screen room that hangs from the awning and connects to the side of the trailer seen above, some spare luggage, the electric heaters, the portable propane stove and lantern, and who knows what else. On the right is the stone shield pulled down like an old fashioned window shade on the front of the trailer. The truck is connected, and you can see it in the corner of the picture.
On the left, I've run the stone guard up into its cubby hole, and opened the cavernous storage bin. There's two mini-motorbikes (see www.diblasi.com for a good view of the bikes) two sets of golf clubs, two pull carts for the golf bags, a 4hp outboard engine, seats and transom for the Porta-Boat, a 5 gallon bucket of used golf balls, a couple of stadium seats, and bits and pieces that happened to fit nicely in there that we don't use every day. We've played golf once in the past 2 years, as an example. Oh, yeah, the nose skirt is stored in there too. And it fastens to the trailer with the "C" channels I tried to take a picture of here on the right. The channels are those aluminum thingies alongside the rubber trim strips. I'm looking up at the underside of the nose here, and you can even see a few bug splats from our last trip. That's a clearance light at the top left. It's yellow/orange. The funny pattern is the sun reflecting on the diamond plate of the truck body.
It's a good thing those propane bottles are on a tray that slides out. They're heavy when they're full! And then the "basement" that goes clear through the trailer from one side to the other. This half is "my" half, you'll see "her" half later. I have the bar-b-que, scrub brushes, push-broom, 3 chairs, three tables (one large, two small), 3 large tackle boxes and 6 fishing rods on my side, and the ladder. The ladder is that thing on the lower left of the compartment. It lives in a 4"X4" plastic/vinyl fence post I cut part of one side out of. That way, I can put the ladder (it's one of those folding ones) away once I've pulled it out. Pulling it out is a snap, but if the junk above it falls down, it won't go back in, and this hollow fence post solves that problem nicely. There's a green coffee can sitting right on top of it at the moment.
Below the "basement" is another compartment that is huge. It's one of the two locations a generator could have gone into. The other one was under the rock shield. I have 35' of 50 amp cable in here (spare extension and the cable we use with the genset) along with the Autoformer, and the remote cable for the generator controls. And of course, any guy has to have a work bench, and here's where I store my WorkMate workbench. Pretty cool, huh? Oh, yeah, the dolly for hauling the boat lives in here too. And then the standard stuff. The utility cabinet. External shower, sewer tank flush system, fresh water hookup, freshwater tank filling valve all live in here along with our added filters, and the short water hose. The valves for the holding tanks are also in here. The hose comes through the floor so this door is shut all the time. To the right of that is the storage for the extra sewer hose (I forgot to show the pipe that houses the regular hose -- it's just behind the front jacks) and connectors, and the different sewer connections we all have to carry. "Slunky" lives in here too when we're traveling and he's not working like he is right now. That's him holding up the sewer hose in the lower right corner of the picture.
Continuing back on the street side (or drivers side, or left side) after the slideout for the living room is the compartment where I keep all my cleaning/waxing supplies. And in the right picture, you can see another benefit of having dual tandem wheels. The manufacturer had to use 16" I-beams to accommodate the axles, and that gives us two more storage bins under the slideout. That's one of the two electric rear leveling jacks you can see there too.
At the rear, you can see just one of the reasons we like the Newmar product so much. It's the thoughtful little things, like making a step in the bumper that makes getting on the ladder that much easier. And under the license plate is where the shorepower cord lives, along with the heavy-duty surge protector we added. And the there's this shallow wide storage area in the rear, where I added a pipe across the top to hang extra hoses and cables for TV or whatever.
And the bumper slides out and houses the battery(s). In this case, a Lifeline 8D Absorbed Glass Mat battery that needs no maintenance. Ever. There's room along side for another one, but so far we've not seen the need for it. The spare tire used to live back here, but with 8 tires on the ground I couldn't justify a 9th one back here when I wanted a big honking battery instead! In the picture on the right, going from left to right, is the compartment housing the 2000 watt inverter (with the control panel next to the microwave, remember?) and the flopper-stoppers and hurricane straps for the awning. The other two compartments belong to Barb and I haven't a clue what's in them. We've gone around the back and are coming up the curb side (or passenger side, or right side).
The other 3 lower compartments on this side that belong to Barb (household stuff like the crock pot) and "her" side of the basement with the red box that has Christmas wrapping paper in it and two more chairs, and then the last little compartment that has...... um, I should know what else but I don't. On the right I went back to take a shot of the controls for the electric rear jacks. Keep looking, it'll make sense eventually. Maybe.
Last, but not least is the storage for the hitch triangle stabilizer. It lives in the front of the trailer in it's own little compartment all folded up when not in use. The compartment doors slide off, the wing nuts are removed, and the legs unfold with the chain attached to them. I put a chain tensioner on and tighten it up, and voila, the nose is stabilized. Slick little hinged sections in the compartment doors let me put the doors back on with the legs down, too. And there you have it. Drop me a line with your comments and questions, OK?
Questions/comments? daveandbarbj(at)etcetera4.net Sorry, but you'll have to replace the (at) with a @ . The spam is killing us. Or our cell phone, 702-556-2244.