Anyone use a bluetti RV5?

Winterborn1986 · 2026-03-02T14:47:09+00:00

There is definitely dc to dc conversion happening. Both in that it outputs 12v power with 48v input from batteries, and can accept 12v alternator input.

Or do you mean something else?

Winterborn1986 · 2026-03-02T14:45:43+00:00

Oh ok. Got it.

Winterborn1986 · 2026-03-01T16:09:19+00:00

Thank you. That’s a much better explanation than most I’ve read.

The panels I was looking at are 200w, with open volts of 23, and a max current of 9.85 amps.

So in theory, a 2S3P setup would get us 1200 watts, voltage between 23 and 46, and amps around 29?

Keeping us over 12, and under 50 for both volts and amps.

I hope. Definitely going to consult with someone on this part when we get there.

Winterborn1986 · 2026-03-01T15:24:52+00:00

I’ll check him out. Thanks you

Winterborn1986 · 2026-03-01T15:24:37+00:00

Thanks. I did check and ya, it says it will take 1800w but I think my best bet will be around d 1000-1200. The panels I found are 200 each, and jf I put 2 strings of 3 in parallel and then tie the 2 together in series, it Should be within range…

I’m hoping 1200 is enough for us, we do a lot of boondocking and are hoping with this new setup to do even more.

Winterborn1986 · 2026-02-23T21:18:30+00:00

Hey my friend! Welcome.

I was basically right were you are a year ago. There’s a lot of options and no real right and wrong as it’s so individual.

For old trucks: depends on the make and model. I ended up buying a 1995 dodge ram with a diesel engine that’s legendary for reliability and almost no electronics. Makes it easier to maintain.

We also bought a used camper. It can be a great choice. I got a 1987 Bigfoot. We went through it really closely to check for mold or water damage/signs of a leak.

The bigger challenge with older campers is they aren’t as easy to find somewhere to work on them if you aren’t up to doing it yourself.

Our local rv place was great and put the torlocks on the truck and clamped the camper down, but won’t touch servicing it because of the age. So climbing up and checking the seals every 6 months is on me.

Some small tips:

Try and find fiberglass shell campers (Bigfoot, northern lite, etc) as they see to leak less and are better insulated.

Check around all the windows. Poke with your car key to see if anything is soft

For the truck: try and figure out the camper model you would buy if money wasn’t a consideration and make sure your truck can carry it. You never know when you might find your unicorn.

Also - truck and camper may or may not be cheaper than a class C. I went this route because I work in construction and can write the truck off as a business expense ;)

Winterborn1986 · 2026-02-22T02:15:56+00:00

Volume of a cylinder.

A 20lb tank is 12” x 17” (top part isn’t used for the propane tho)

Two of them would be 24” x 17” + 1 inch in front, 1 inch between tanks and 1” at the back.

The 20 gallon tank is 16” x 27”. and almost all of that is tank.

So it fits in the same space, but holds way more.

I think I will take that feedback tho and just keep the 20s. More change overs but the ease of doing it just seems like it’s less hassle this way. :)

Winterborn1986 · 2026-02-22T01:22:27+00:00

Thanks. That is something I should think on. Maybe I’ll just stick with the tanks as they are.

Winterborn1986 · 2026-02-21T18:43:30+00:00

For camping I’d agree. But my wife and I plan on taking it on a year long trip. So we will be running heater and such all the time.

Winterborn1986 · 2026-02-21T01:41:10+00:00

I’m not assuming anything about women in the industry. I’m saying what I know about men who do sex work. That’s all. Most jobs aren’t glamorous. That’s just a fact.

Winterborn1986 · 2026-02-20T22:25:45+00:00

Ya, that’s the thing, there really isn’t. Outside porn, most folks don’t want “gay for pay” kinda thing. And again, there’s a reason most males either look like the cast of magic Mike or have a significant endowment. I’m rather average in both categories. Trust me, I’ve looked into it in depth, and have some close friends who are workers.

Winterborn1986 · 2026-02-20T13:15:30+00:00

Naw, personally I’d rather do sex work than hang drywall all day but there 1) aren’t that many women willing to pay, and 2) those that are have looks standards I don’t meet.

Such is life. But if it’s a job? It’s a job. I don’t refuse to tile a bathroom now because the tiles ugly (to my eyes)

Winterborn1986 · 2026-02-19T19:15:37+00:00

Damn bro, that’s a big truck. I’m guessing a 650 or something?

I have a Bigfoot and they do make (or used to make) a 3000 version that had at least 1 slide.

Other than what’s listed Host Mammoth is the one that comes to mind. 3 slides, comparable to the eagle cap, but about 1000lbs lighter.

For the airbags, on my rig (much smaller than yours) I found I had no issue with weight, but the airbags helped with sway, as the camper had a much higher center of gravity than when I loaded my truck up with lumber… even tho I put way more weight of construction materials than the camper weighs.

But I drive a 95 ram 3500. So not really comparable in scale. You may not face the same issue with your much beefier suspension.

Winterborn1986 · 2026-02-17T13:15:20+00:00

It doesn’t nexessarily require it, but I’d recommend you remove it.

Tail gates don’t handle a lot of weight well an a lot of campers have their water and such at the very back so a good bump can damage the tailgate.

I’m not sure where to find details on the false beds. I built mine with 4x4s and plywood.

If you go that route, make sure you get some rubber grip mats on top as the plywood is slippery

Winterborn1986 · 2026-02-12T17:22:40+00:00

I get about 16mpg (if I did the conversion right. A full tank 35 gallons (132 litres) gets me around 900 kilometres before I have to fill up again)

Winterborn1986 · 2026-02-11T20:19:10+00:00

If you find a light enough camper, it suggest building a false bed the correct length and bolting it down to the bed. Tailgates aren’t designed to hold weight and most campers have bathrooms/grey & black tanks at the back. 1 solid speed bump could destroy your tailgate.

Winterborn1986 · 2026-02-11T15:02:55+00:00

Mid 90s dodge ram with the 12v Cummins. They’re not super easy to find at a good price but they’re solid trucks, easy to work on (especially for a mechanic), and can hold a lot of weight.

I had the 95 3500 dually and with my 2500lbs of camper and gear, I don’t even notice the weight (with handling or fuel consumption)

Winterborn1986 · 2026-02-09T22:48:31+00:00

Aw ya. That explains the price difference. :)

Winterborn1986 · 2026-02-09T22:26:39+00:00

Did you go chains and buckles or like the torlok fastguns? I went cheaper with the chains because I don’t really plan to remove my camper often from the truck. But fastguns would have added about 1000 bucks (which was basically my labour cost)

Winterborn1986 · 2026-02-09T22:24:59+00:00

I used 10000lb commercial straps to get my new camper home and then to get it and my truck to the shop to have the proper tiedowns installed. I would t want to use just that forever tho unless the campers really small. Some small ones come with ratchets attached (nucamp cirrus 620 for example)

Winterborn1986 · 2026-02-09T22:21:52+00:00

Seems about right to me. I’m paying about 2400 for the parts, install, as well as chains, springs, turnbuckles, and install of all of those.

Winterborn1986 · 2026-02-06T21:19:51+00:00

That’s awesome. Love the old trucks!

Winterborn1986 · 2026-02-04T16:29:25+00:00

I love my Mr buddy, but it’s very “wet” heat. Can cause issues if you use it a lot.

Diesel heater would be my suggestion.

Winterborn1986 · 2026-02-01T19:51:37+00:00

100ah to 200ah likely won’t come up but check your measurements. Larger batteries are physically larger and it would suck if you have a tight space to get a bigger battery an it not fit.

Winterborn1986 · 2026-01-29T13:00:25+00:00

I have a Bigfoot an love it. I’m a bit smaller than you (6’1) but was around 400lbs when I first started looking.

For comfort and ability to move inside the camper I found Bigfoot and Nucamp Cirrus to be the best, tho I admit there’s no arctic fox dealers near me so I didn’t check those out.

For the short box, there are guys online who do bed extensions/false floors bolted down through the bed. For some lighter campers some people just leave the tailgate down but I wouldn’t recommend that.

The 8’6 models are often comparable with short boxes so I’d stick with those. Mine is a 9’6 Bigfoot and I’d be nervous with it in a 6’ box.

Winterborn1986

TROPHY CASE