Cargo Carrier
Cargo Carrier
Thank you for your time. I have added a folding cargo carrier to the van. The video below shows how to assemble it. I have had mine for three years and it is holding up pretty well. I put a cargo bag and a standard cargo box in the carrier. I keep wood and other essential items for camping and travel on the road. This created more room in the van because I can put more things in the carrier.
- FOLDABLE SIDE RAILS: cargo carrier hitch mount with 13.8″ side rails that are foldable to 2.8″, foldable when not in use.
- CAPACITY: 500 lb. distributed weight. Distribute the weight evenly on the platform when hauling a load to keep it balanced, or place load in the center. Hitch mounted cargo basket is ideal for traveling, camping, tailgating, and road trips.
- 2″ RECEIVER: folding cargo basket hitch mount fits 2” vehicle receivers, high folding leg for ground clearance.
- SPRING HOOKS: hitch luggage carrier with spring hook design, easy to pull and fold or open side rails.
- 1 PIECE CONSTRUCTION: strong 1 pc construction, easy assembly, Matte black powder coating finish that resists the elements, rust and scratches.
Also, the cargo bag is holding up for about 3 years. It has been on the carrier permanently, sitting outside in the wind and rain, keeping things dry.
Cargo Carrier Bag
- Constructed from PVC material with polyester reinforcement and UV coating
- Features welded seams and a heavy-duty zipper that is placed around the 3 sides of the bag
- The zipper is covered with hook loop flaps to improved water protection. Zippers come with large holes allowing use of padlocks for extra security.
- (8) 1-1/2″ wide polypropylene straps keep your bag secured to your cargo carrier.
- When in use, approximately 47″ long x 20″ wide x 20″ high with a maximum of 11 cubic feet volume capacity. Can be easily folded for compact storage.
As an Amazon affiliate, I may receive a percentage
When I’m not using it, I can fold it up.
If you wish to rent a trailer. https://www.uhaul.com/Trailers/
Item List and Cost
Item List and Cost
Before I begin, I want to emphasize the build was driven by cost. That is finding the best deal. How much does it cost to build a solar generator? Buying a solar generator can be costly. Building your own generator allows you to expand the amount of power for substantially less cost. Basically, more power for less money.
Solar generators provide a reusable source of energy using solar panels. Gas generators can provide power as long as you have access to fuel. The point is during a natural disaster, these resources may not be readily available. Once you build your solar generator, you can use sun as a power source. Weather allowing of course.
Solar Panels – my cost for 2 120 watts 12v – 300.00
MPPT Tracer Solar Controller – my cost for 30 amp – 129.00
AGM Deep Cycle Batteries – my cost for 2 100 amp 12v – 340.00
Pure Sine Wave Inverter – my cost for 1000 watt 2000 surge – 200.00
Mt-5 or MT-50 meter – my cost for meter programmer – 35.00
Wiring 8 gauge – my cost for panels to solar controller – 30.00-50.00
Wiring Battery – my cost for 2 gauge battery to battery – 10.00-20.00
3M Double sided tape – my cost for flexible solar panels Tape – 20.00-30.00
MC4 Connectors – my cost making connectors – 15.00
Branch Connectors – my cost – 8.00
Fuses and breakers – my cost – 40.00
Misc. unforeseen cost – my cost – 100.00 buffer may more or less
and finally – Dual Battery Isolator – my cost – 100.00
- Hilipert KF94 Mask
Hilipert KF94 Fish Type Face Mask Questions? Is your mask comfortable? Do you have an upgraded mask? Staying safe is an issue we all face. I came across this mask by accident. I didn’t even know its worth. I just knew, it was more comfortable than my former masks. It turns out the Hilipert KF94… Read more: Hilipert KF94 Mask - Lithium Battery price drop
Lithium Battery price drop. I have added another link for the next seller until this item is restocked, This seller is AMAZON’s choice with 5 year warranty. Link at bottom of page I keep seeing prices drop for lithium batteries. This is a new low price for a LiFePO4 Deep Cycle Battery at 100-amp hours with… Read more: Lithium Battery price drop - Portable Gas Generator BAN
Portable Gas Generator Ban has passed in California. Will it be illegal to run your portable generator at a campsite? Will you be able to own a portable generator at your place of residence? The California Air Resource Board (CARB) was considering a regulation to ban small off-road engines, which included portable gas generators used… Read more: Portable Gas Generator BAN - Harmony Borax Works
The Harmony Borax Works Interpretive Trail is located in Death Valley. At its full operation three tons of borax was produced per day. The Harmony Borax works employed 40 men. To transfer all this borax required a 20-mule team. The operation became famous because of the large mule teams and double wagons. - Furnace Creek Visitor Center
Furnace Creek Visitor Center features small museum and small bookstore. You can speak to rangers, pay park fees, or buy a yearly national park pass. Some exhibits include short films about Death Valley. There is a large 3D display map showing where all the popular sites and attractions are located. You can verify weather conditions… Read more: Furnace Creek Visitor Center
Quick Van Build
Quick Van Build
This video is about how I started my YouTube Channel. Along with many, I became homeless in 2008. I never want to be unprepared again. So, I began to make plans to build a disaster recovery vehicle. Eventually I began my search for a van. Number one, I added Solar Panels one by one. Number two, I built a solar generator, which includes a solar controller, AGM deep cycle batteries, and a pure sine wave inverter. Number three, I customize the interior with a folding bed and small kitchen.
This website is also about the Honda Odyssey itself, covering maintenance issues and modifications. This van conversion or quick van build camper is going to be my disaster recovery vehicle if a natural disaster occurs. As a Amazon Affiliate I receive a small percentage from purchases made from this website. I wish everyone the best.
https://www.vantasticodyssey.com/staging/3055/angels-landing-hike-in-zion-national-park/
foldable bed for van or rv 
Installing Solar Panels On Honda Van Back 
conduit 
Fuses or Breakers 
Pure Sine Wave Inverter 
Solar Controller AGM Deep Cycle Batteries 
Solar Generator and Refrigerator Fit
As a Amazon affiliate I may receive a small percentage at no cost to buyer
Baofeng UV-5R and UV-5RA Dual Band Radio
If you lose phone service, what will you do. Imagine no cable, internet or phone service. Do you have a back-up plan? Communication during an emergency is vital. This is an entry level solution for communication. Currently, the Baofeng UV-5r (暴风影音) runs about 25.00 to 35.00 dollars. During a crisis the price will increase and availability may be limited. I recommend to you to at least check it out. This is the lowest cost solution I can find.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases
This is my pick:
Ham Radio Baofeng Radio Upgraded Baofeng UV-5R Walkie Talkie with 2 Rechargeable 1800mAh Battery Handheld Radio with TIDRADIO Driver Free Programming Cable
Dante’s View
Death Valley is part of the Mohave Desert located in the eastern part of California. Dante’s View is 13 miles up on Dante’s View Road off HWY 190. It is located 11 miles southeast of Furnace Creek or 18 miles North of Death Valley Junction. There is a 25-degree temperature change at the top of this mountain range, so fair warning, Dress warm… even though this is Death Valley, the hottest recorded temperature on recorded is 134 F.
Once you reach the top of Dante’s View, you will see a panoramic view of Death Valley. Furnace Creek is visible to the North 31 miles away. To the south is Owlshead Mountains. Looking west and down is the Badwater Basin. Looking straight across to the west is Telescope Peak. Dante’s View is part of the Black Mountains along the Amargosa Range.
Cooking while camping
I use an electric cooker which runs off solar. It’s great. While you can use propane or butane, an electric cooker is another way to go. I even use it while I am driving. I plug it into my pure sine wave inverter and when I arrive at camp my meal is ready to eat.
https://www.nps.gov/deva/index.htm
- Hilipert KF94 MaskHilipert KF94 Fish Type Face Mask Questions? Is your mask comfortable? Do you have an upgraded mask? Staying safe is an issue we all face. I came across this mask by accident. I didn’t even know its worth. I just knew, it was more comfortable than my former masks. It turns out the Hilipert KF94… Read more: Hilipert KF94 Mask
- Lithium Battery price dropLithium Battery price drop. I have added another link for the next seller until this item is restocked, This seller is AMAZON’s choice with 5 year warranty. Link at bottom of page I keep seeing prices drop for lithium batteries. This is a new low price for a LiFePO4 Deep Cycle Battery at 100-amp hours with… Read more: Lithium Battery price drop
- Portable Gas Generator BANPortable Gas Generator Ban has passed in California. Will it be illegal to run your portable generator at a campsite? Will you be able to own a portable generator at your place of residence? The California Air Resource Board (CARB) was considering a regulation to ban small off-road engines, which included portable gas generators used… Read more: Portable Gas Generator BAN
- Harmony Borax WorksThe Harmony Borax Works Interpretive Trail is located in Death Valley. At its full operation three tons of borax was produced per day. The Harmony Borax works employed 40 men. To transfer all this borax required a 20-mule team. The operation became famous because of the large mule teams and double wagons.
- Furnace Creek Visitor CenterFurnace Creek Visitor Center features small museum and small bookstore. You can speak to rangers, pay park fees, or buy a yearly national park pass. Some exhibits include short films about Death Valley. There is a large 3D display map showing where all the popular sites and attractions are located. You can verify weather conditions… Read more: Furnace Creek Visitor Center
There are a couple of hiking trails. One short trail and a few longer ones. All of them have great views. I went for the sunrise. I watch the shadow of the Black Mountains falls, I here sunsets are amazing from Dante’s View and Zabriskie Point.
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/dantes-view-trail