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Old 06-30-2019, 03:38 PM   #1
Fishin2dMax
Seasoned Camper
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: South Jordan
Posts: 80
M.O.C. #20689
Modifications to my HC for boon-docking

Some of our favorite places to camp doesn't have power or water available. While we like our HC 305 RL, it wasn't exactly set-up well for Boon-docking.

1, The first thing that drove me nuts was the need to have 110 power to operate the recliners. I easily solved this with a small (150 to 300 Watt) 12VDC to 110 VAC mini inverter wired to the 12 volts found in the little box in wall corner behind the recliner. All I do now is reach down between recliner and wall and turn on the mini inverter to operate my recliners and shut it off when not using the recliners for a extended period of time.

2, A real challenge when boon-docking is the inability to fill fresh water tank via gravity feed inlet on exterior of the 5'er (using water portable water containers). I simply changed the fresh water tank vent (on driver side rear skirt) to a gravity feed water inlet, with vent (some reinforcing behind skirt is required) - very easy to do and it looks OEM.

3, Rear wheel landing gear pad. I found the landing gear pad (behind the rear wheels) was just a little too close to ground level when traversing uneven or gravel road terrain. While there isn't much more clearance available, I was able to gain approx 3/4" more clearance by raising the rear landings gears to the next hole up on the frame mount. This isn't much, but it makes a big difference when going over uneven terrain and possibly hitting or dragging a landing gear pad.

4, I added additional USB charging ports above Coffee station counter and in and around entertainment center. Where you can find 12 volts, there are wall mountable USB ports that work great to keep you're electronics charged.

5, Use of portable solar panel has worked well, but the wiring from and the furrion solar panel connector is maxed out at 100 to 150 watts. I'm adding solar panels to the roof to reduce the need to run a generator to keep the batteries up.

Hopefully, Keystone will realize that while the Montana HC is a full time rated unit, there is still a need to maintain basic ability to Boon-dock - as they did in earlier years of the HC and Mountaineer versions. With a few minor modifications, I now have a very nice boon-dockable 5'er.
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2018.5 Montana HC 305 RL
2019 GMC 3500 HD Denali
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