It’s like your begging for a reason to head out to the desert in the AT4 lol
CK5
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'91 K5 Four Wheel Camper
This is the build for my 1991 V1500 Blazer, AKA the K5.3. It started out life being sold to the U.S. Government with a 350 TBI/700r4/241 combo. 4 years with a 5.3/700r4 Combo and now moving to an 8.1L Vortec and NV4500 5-speed.
We got n problem if he wants to come find us. My garmin will be on. Though he’s gonna have to figure out his own sleeping arrangements.
Back of the truck, all good
Offering a brother some help if needed, but wouldn’t be against it
You might be missing your only chance to see death Valley with/as a lake.
Enjoy the trip either way or any place you choose to see
Enjoy the trip either way or any place you choose to see
We saw that and that’s part of why we wanted to go. We are going to work our way in the direction.
I thought I’d try something different too. I started a trip report just now and am going to try to update it nightly in camp. Here’s the link:
Adventure
Make it back?
Martin
Martin
I did. You missed the link in the post above yours where I did a day by day report as we were going for the most part. A little different than I’ve done before. Just click on “adventure” above.
Any thoughts on making the exhaust a heat exchanger of some kind? Also, can it draw combustion air from outside? Drawing it from inside just brings more cold air into the camper.
On the RVs I've had, you had to be careful walking past the furnace exhaust. I'd be surprised if they were more than 60% efficient.
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I’m sure one could use the exhaust as a heat exchanger. Partly why I didn’t hear is the pipe without the wrap got very hot. Like well over 200 degrees. Since I’ve got the heater mounted to a wood structure I was concerned with it catching fire from the pipe.
I guess one could plumb in outside air for the combustion intake. At least in my case the camper leaks enough air it really won’t make much difference.
There is no doubt the outlet temp of the exhaust is hot. But it dissipates quickly only a few inches from the outlet.
I think these little diesel burners are pretty efficient. I doubt I used any more than a gallon of fuel over a weeks worth of use. 3-4 hours a night and 1-2 hours when I woke up. I would have burned through a 20# bbq cylinder in the same time. I’m sold on it for sure. I wouldn’t have a problem picking up another that is portable unit and run on 110v to use as a garage heater.
Running the exhaust through a heat exchanger would restrict the air flow enough to stall combustion one you don't remove the exhaust fast enough.
For sure that happens at some point - the question is how much is OK. Maybe a couple of bends would be OK. Removing the heat wrap and replacing it with a heat shield would theoretically put more heat in the camper. Maybe it's not worth overthinking for occasional use.
Honestly, if the camper was a bigger space the little diesel heater might need some help. But seeing how the camper interior space is so small I had to shut it off. If I had it running 3-4 hours it was easily 80 degrees in the camper. That’s running it on a lowest setting. Since mine doesn’t run a true thermostat style system it just gets warmer and warmer in there.
Which given the fact when I have it on it’s constantly running it is impressive how frugal it is on fuel consumption. Getting a thermostat style controller would make it better for sure.
I’ve already got a 7,400 pound Blazer, what’s another 150 pounds of cast iron added into the mix?
Plus the space it would eat up. But for heating up a two car garage? Hell yeah. That’s a pretty cool idea.
I saw a guy use one for a side by side and he mounted it all in the bed and ran the heat through into the back of the cab.
I installed a LOT of those diesel heaters (Esbar brand) in semi sleepers. They work really well.
Martin
Martin
Welp it’s getting to the time of year to prep the big dog for our annual desert trip. First thing up is shoes. The Cepeks served their purpose well. The tires worked good on dirt, rocks and snow. Road manners were pretty solid too. They are pretty chewed up from three years of use. Wear was consistent at least.
Here is where my problem came in for replacement I’m still rolling on 16” wheels. Selection of 16’s anymore sucks if you’ve looked lately. So I went on the hunt for some 17” wheels. I almost pulled the trigger set of H2 wheels for $650. But as I found those I found a set of American Racing Baja wheels in black and had some 315/75 17 Goodyear Duratrac on them. Two were new and the other three had decent tread left. Price was $1000 for the 5.
I picked them up Friday and threw them on the truck. Wheels cleaned up pretty easy, no curb or rock rash. The wheels alone were worth the price compared to buying new.
I’ve got another exhaust leak to fix before the trip, oil change, grease job and general nut/bolt check. I’m pretty sure the leak is at the head so new gaskets are in order. I’ve torqued the studs cold and hot and still have the leak. It’s enough it’s throwing off the o2 sensor and fuel trims as the mileage is pretty consistent in the 11pm range.
The trip is in June so I’ve got time to knock it all out.
Here is where my problem came in for replacement I’m still rolling on 16” wheels. Selection of 16’s anymore sucks if you’ve looked lately. So I went on the hunt for some 17” wheels. I almost pulled the trigger set of H2 wheels for $650. But as I found those I found a set of American Racing Baja wheels in black and had some 315/75 17 Goodyear Duratrac on them. Two were new and the other three had decent tread left. Price was $1000 for the 5.
I picked them up Friday and threw them on the truck. Wheels cleaned up pretty easy, no curb or rock rash. The wheels alone were worth the price compared to buying new.
I’ve got another exhaust leak to fix before the trip, oil change, grease job and general nut/bolt check. I’m pretty sure the leak is at the head so new gaskets are in order. I’ve torqued the studs cold and hot and still have the leak. It’s enough it’s throwing off the o2 sensor and fuel trims as the mileage is pretty consistent in the 11pm range.
The trip is in June so I’ve got time to knock it all out.
