PhoTow: A Transformer PhotoRig

[Scalf77]

Glad to see you out and using it, Got to love the Oregon coast.

-greg

[Otter]

Originally Posted by Scalf77

Glad to see you out and using it, Got to love the Oregon coast.

-greg

Thanks Greg! Your electrical system performed flawlessly! I sure loved how the batts just kept going and going and going.
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[Kibo]

Man, I love your setup--so many great ideas, and well implemented! I couldn't agree more on the heater though, a real game changer for the shoulder seasons.

Question about your window covers, do you consider the light leakage around them an issue? We've been working on our covers lately, and I wonder if we're overthinking the need for zero light leakage.

[Otter]

Originally Posted by Kibo

Man, I love your setup--so many great ideas, and well implemented! I couldn't agree more on the heater though, a real game changer for the shoulder seasons.

Question about your window covers, do you consider the light leakage around them an issue? We've been working on our covers lately, and I wonder if we're overthinking the need for zero light leakage.

Thanks, Kibo. There’s just the smallest amount of light coming in with a couple of the shades. I got tired of being quite so exacting. But it hasn’t been a problem at all. And for us, sleeping upstairs, it’s completely black-dark, especially where we camp. Maybe if you’re sleeping in a city or some big parking lot. But I just haven’t felt the amount of light was significant enough to worry about. Most of my edges are overlapping the trim by nearly an inch. Have fun!

[jeff.depaul]

Otter, thanks for posting and the inspiration. We are building our SMB out with many of the same amenities and it is interesting to see your progression. I too want the versatility of a semi-camper van as well as use for towing on trips and hauling cargo from the hardware store.

Ours is a factory 2010 SMB pop-top that we gutted - found we just didn't use the sink, micro, cook top or fridge and the Groucho bench/bed was not conducive to traveling far with 5 people and a large dog. It had TONS of storage but we are changing over to towing a formal trailer now which would have all the same (much newer) equipment onboard.
We eliminated the fresh water and onboard propane systems (heat and cook top) as well as two sealed coach batteries all in effort to create more space and reduce on weight - not to mention all the SBM cabinets that took up so much room and probably weighed half a ton.

We heavily contemplated just getting a modern pickup for towing capacity and in the end decided to go "all-in" on our v10 E350 we already owned. It has more travel room/configurability and does decent at towing (compared to today's vans) especially with the upgrades below. Our trailer would be 'base camp' and we could also venture into parks or harder to reach places for overnights with just the SMB from there. Special thanks to carrinb on this forum for help on the rear dually axle swap.

Some of our upgrades completed or in progress include - new floor, down to the metal (welding 67 holes cut by SMB) - added sound deadening, new insulation (floors & walls) with 1/2 plywood flooring and L-track for seating/cargo as well as 3 sienna seats on Unwin lockers

We are adding fold-away swivel desktop surfaces to each Sienna seat for the kids to do full-time school on the road (just need Starlink to get me hooked-up with connectivity!)

Rear 55 gallon tank with MG conversion along with factory mid-ship 35 gal tank, gives us quite the range for our thirsty v10 and SCT tuner. Aluminess rear bumper tire mount.
Vantage hood mounted spots - may go full headlight LEDs (if I can figure out all the options on the website) as well as we don't mind towing at night when traffic is down.

E350 RV dually axle (Dana 80) with 4.10 - up from 3.73 for increased towing and sway/roll stability
Firestone airbags with manual valves
New bigger Power Stop Z36 front brakes on slotted rotors (original hubs, not the dually hubs)
HD E450 Hellwig sway bars front and rear along with new bilstien monotubes all around
New Derale Hyper-cool trans-cooler up front with switchable/temp controlled fan
Victron DC-to-DC 12v and inverter - 1 (maybe 2) Lion UT-1300 LiPo coach batteries
Two custom undermount storage boxes - outside of rear frame due to the 55 gal tank conversion for tool and extra storage

Still on the upgrade list are:
Likely future 4x4 conversion (currently 2wd only and accumulating parts for the MG conversion)
Webasato gas heater and 12v Dometic fridge
massive 10'x4' cargo net on ceiling for all sorts of storage while the pop-top is down and also put my mind at rest a bit about a rollover ejection situation - 6 point ratchet straps with easy removable carabiners. Was seriously considering fabricating a full roll-cage before I looked into the dually axle upgrade!
Considering a power CCV pop-top replacement at some point - our manual SMB top works fine but is tired and I would love more "top down" storage. Not sure if they can convert a SMB top to CCV? Oh, and then there is the cost.
Upgraded rear leaf springs from factory ones (will do for sure).
Reunel rear bumper upgrade and possible front as well - weight and cost would be a major factor there.
Full (including trailer) TPMS and factory radio upgrade
On board air (need a good reason why first) as well as sPOD kit to keep all my switches organized
Finally, would also consider a solar panel or two up top to keep the onboard batteries going longer but only if we upgrade to a motorized top. It is heavy enough with just the empty Thule up there!

Keep up the good work, it is worth it once you get it out on the road.