The Joys of XM Radio

For Christmas Dan's family very generously gave us XM Radio for our camper. We were so excited; until we learned what a project this would turn out to be.

Note to Goddard Family: We still love the gift and now, 4 months later, we think we may have figured it out- thanks again.

Now that I have covered my derriere with the in-laws let me tell you about the joys of XM Radio. First you have to be able to get a southern signal for the antenna. This is problematic because when you get the radio installed the logical place to put the antenna is on the roof of the truck, but then you add the cab-over and you can't get a signal to save your life. So you have to find a way to get the antenna up to the roof of the camper.

Again this is where Dan and Rachel realize that engineering would have been a useful major for one of us. After much deliberation we have come up with the solution featured in the pictures below. Now I must tell you that I am a bit apprehensive about posting this pre-trial, as in before we have driven the newly modified truck at 60mph for a day or two. Who knows if this will hold up.

However, after some thought I decided that this blog will contain our victories and our defeats, so I am posting this and you may keep your eyes out for a future posting entitled "The #@$*& Joys of XM Radio- Part II".



The antenna is magnetic, so we had to affix a metal plate to our aluminum roof.




Note: Dan his been properly scolded for his non-osha-approved ladder usage.
The antenna wire runs through the truck's fire wall, then up the rubber on the outside of the windshield to the truck's roof. The there is about 6" of expeosed wire between the truck roof and the cab-over bottom. The wire runs from underneath the cab-over, along the edge up to the roof.


Dan used self-adhesive clips to run the wire up to the roof.

Non-recommended modifications.

In the Moab installment I spoke about our non-lance recommended rack modification, and many have asked for pictures. Well it seems that the snow has finally stopped here so last night we uncovered and loaded the camper, and I had a chance to take some photos.





We need the rack to carry two whitewater kayaks and two surfboards- that is what the towers (which are folded down in this picture) are for. The "rocket box" on the other side will haul our snorkel, fishing and kayaking gear. Then in the winter we'll switch out some of the gear for ski equipment.





The kayak towers.


To install the rack we had to drill in the rails for the rack towers to go into. This required drilling aprox. 10 self sinking screws into the roof and 4 lag-bolts THROUGH the roof.


The rails that support the rack.


The towers that go into the rails to support the rack.


We wanted the lag-bolts to come through to the interior INSIDE the cabinets. In this pic, the bolt is inside the cabinet over the dinette, the door is folded down for the picture, but i assure we accomplished our goal. :)


The Rocket Box.


This shows how close to the roof the rack really is.


Dan admiring his handy work, and the river.