Having truck driving experience is a big plus for RV transporting. We had 5 kids and many dogs. The adult children still come and go from time to time, which is a big help to my wife when I'm on the road. I only have four more mortgage payments and I will be free from debt, but still poor by the world's standards, but free by mine. I was just in AZ the other day, I did some camping and small mountain climbing and now I'm back in Wisconsin enjoying the snow and cold.
That’s a nice set up. I used to travel in a Kia Sorrento but got a minivan for more space. So you deliver RVs and tow your car behind it so you have it with you after delivery? What a nice way to travel, see the country and get paid too!
@@buggzo I drive for Star Fleet but I don't think they are hiring at this time. There are several just search for RV Driveaway jobs. Most are in northern Indiana.
Very nice! I have a 2005 Matrix I bought new and now only has 90,000 miles. I plan to take the rear seat out and build a sleeping platform for two. It will be a little tight for sleeping, but it will work. If we find that we like it, I hope to buy a Toyota 4Runner hybrid when they start to make those in another year or two. I have a roof top carrier to give more storage space. I might put a small tow hitch on the back to carry a full size spare tire.
Very nice. I just got a 2007 Matrix 2 months ago, and have been thinking about how to set it up for camping. So glad that you have a fridge, cuz that's a necessity for me. Two questions. What kind is your fridge, how is it hooked up, how did you mount that solar panel to the roof, and what are you using for a wind deflector? I want the solar mainly to power a fridge. Hoping you're still replying to these posts. Thanks much.
Thank you! I did change it some. I moved the solar panel back some and put a wind deflector on the front of it. It has been a good reliable home away from home.
Great video and breathtaking view! By the way, your Amazon link is just going to the Amazon home page -- I wanted to take a look at your folding desk, if you'd had that in your affiliate links.
I love your creativity and smart lifestyle. I have the same car but a lot of different solutions... I'd suggest that for running a laptop, it's pretty standard now to run USB PD around 45W or 60W, sometimes around 100W for more powerful ones, but using any kind of inverter or AC is really unnecessary. If you are gonna use some AC, better to have an all-in-one "solar generator" with the MPPT, inverter, battery, USB PD, etc all-in-one unit about the size of your battery and maybe similar in cost compared to all those separate devices. So I think a 400W inverter is overkill. Also, the 100W inverter built into the Matrix is enough to charge any laptop, so you could just run some wires to that with a simple switch to go between the car battery input and a separate battery input depending on whether the car is driving. Any of that would remove a lot of bulk and complication from your setup. For the skinny back seat, which I also kept as a "desk" area, you can hang a table from the driver's seat headrest poles, using the various off-the-shelf items or a very simple cheap custom solution with PVC, aluminium or whatever. There are also tons of way more compact stoves than the typical bulky butane stove with disposable fuel cans. Flame King refillable fuel canisters and one of the folding, compact stoves designed for backpackers would be a big upgrade.
If it wasn't clear, I meant that you can run DC to DC for the laptop with no AC electric, just a USB C to C off PD, and if your laptop doesn't have a PD charging port, there are cheap USB PD trigger adapters easily available that match any voltage and barrel plug or whatever needed.
Thanks for your suggestions. I am in my car in Montana now. Just delivered in Spokane WA this morning. I had a solar genorator but it did not last very long. My lifepo4 battery is 12 years old and still working like new, it has been running my fridge for 4 years now year around.
Great video. Shopping for a Matrix or Vibe and your video popped up in my feed. We have a camper van but need to buy a versatile daily driver since our Odyssey was totaled. Cheers!
I am over 6' tall, I was 6'2" in my younger days. I took out my front seat and have my fridge there with my bed behind. You could be 8 feet tall and fit as long as you're not wide too.
@@Far-Beyond-Ordinary Thank you for the response. // Bought a Toyota Matrix 2009 today :) Good price, great mileage. Thank you for the tour of yours. It was part of my research. Gonna have to hunt around for a foldable front passenger seat though for mine is standard.
I have a 2004 Matrix. With the passenger front seat moved forward all the way there is 74 inches of sleeping room. So no need to remove the passenger front seat. Behind passenger front seat you can use all kinds of rigid items to support the bed platform extension, like strong water tanks--stainless jerry cans, heavy duty plastic water tanks, coolers, toolboxes, etc.
Been busy doing Motorhome deliveries and I am working on a solar-powered camper for free travel and off-road exploring. I will be making videos of it when I take it out for the first time. Hopefully soon.
sad place you can see how all the native forest have been destroy to plant mono culutre trees for logging and this why such fires explode in ferosity as climate gets worst and worst...
I have three kids a wife two good dogs and a mortgage. I drive a truck for a living and your lifestyle looks pretty sweet
Having truck driving experience is a big plus for RV transporting. We had 5 kids and many dogs. The adult children still come and go from time to time, which is a big help to my wife when I'm on the road. I only have four more mortgage payments and I will be free from debt, but still poor by the world's standards, but free by mine. I was just in AZ the other day, I did some camping and small mountain climbing and now I'm back in Wisconsin enjoying the snow and cold.
Way to work that Matrix dude! It inspired me!
I find that either canned chicken or chicken cooked in a pressure cooker rehydrates best. I also find that ground chicken works really even better.
I miss my 2003 XRS so much. Chased it by Vin and apparently it was shipped overseas. Heartache.
Neat little setup. Mine is AWD so I can explore a little in the path
That’s a nice set up. I used to travel in a Kia Sorrento but got a minivan for more space. So you deliver RVs and tow your car behind it so you have it with you after delivery? What a nice way to travel, see the country and get paid too!
I have traveled far more than I would have otherwise for sure.
@@Far-Beyond-Ordinary where would I apply to be a RV deliveryman?
@@buggzo I drive for Star Fleet but I don't think they are hiring at this time. There are several just search for RV Driveaway jobs. Most are in northern Indiana.
Very nice! I have a 2005 Matrix I bought new and now only has 90,000 miles. I plan to take the rear seat out and build a sleeping platform for two. It will be a little tight for sleeping, but it will work. If we find that we like it, I hope to buy a Toyota 4Runner hybrid when they start to make those in another year or two. I have a roof top carrier to give more storage space. I might put a small tow hitch on the back to carry a full size spare tire.
A 4Runner hybrid sound like a sweet vehicle.
Very nice. I just got a 2007 Matrix 2 months ago, and have been thinking about how to set it up for camping. So glad that you have a fridge, cuz that's a necessity for me. Two questions. What kind is your fridge, how is it hooked up, how did you mount that solar panel to the roof, and what are you using for a wind deflector? I want the solar mainly to power a fridge. Hoping you're still replying to these posts. Thanks much.
Cool vid I have a 2007 wanting to do something similar. Do you have info on the little table? Thanks for the video!
I picked it up a Walmart.
Awesome video!
Thank you! I did change it some. I moved the solar panel back some and put a wind deflector on the front of it. It has been a good reliable home away from home.
Beautiful brother
Great job - thanks for the video!
Great video and breathtaking view! By the way, your Amazon link is just going to the Amazon home page -- I wanted to take a look at your folding desk, if you'd had that in your affiliate links.
I picked that up at Walmart. I think they still have them.
Thanks. I have the exact same model Matrix and plan a similar use.
Cool 👍
Great setup! Do you know what the white film is you added to the windows?
One-Way Perforated Vinyl Privacy Window Film. They have it on eBay and Amazon. It does not conform to shaped glass like regular window tint does.
What are you using to attach your phone to the left side of your dash? (I haven't found any holders that clip into the round air vents on a Matrix)
It is a window suction type from Walmart. I have another one now that is a little different. That one failed.
I love your creativity and smart lifestyle. I have the same car but a lot of different solutions... I'd suggest that for running a laptop, it's pretty standard now to run USB PD around 45W or 60W, sometimes around 100W for more powerful ones, but using any kind of inverter or AC is really unnecessary. If you are gonna use some AC, better to have an all-in-one "solar generator" with the MPPT, inverter, battery, USB PD, etc all-in-one unit about the size of your battery and maybe similar in cost compared to all those separate devices. So I think a 400W inverter is overkill. Also, the 100W inverter built into the Matrix is enough to charge any laptop, so you could just run some wires to that with a simple switch to go between the car battery input and a separate battery input depending on whether the car is driving. Any of that would remove a lot of bulk and complication from your setup. For the skinny back seat, which I also kept as a "desk" area, you can hang a table from the driver's seat headrest poles, using the various off-the-shelf items or a very simple cheap custom solution with PVC, aluminium or whatever. There are also tons of way more compact stoves than the typical bulky butane stove with disposable fuel cans. Flame King refillable fuel canisters and one of the folding, compact stoves designed for backpackers would be a big upgrade.
If it wasn't clear, I meant that you can run DC to DC for the laptop with no AC electric, just a USB C to C off PD, and if your laptop doesn't have a PD charging port, there are cheap USB PD trigger adapters easily available that match any voltage and barrel plug or whatever needed.
Thanks for your suggestions. I am in my car in Montana now. Just delivered in Spokane WA this morning. I had a solar genorator but it did not last very long. My lifepo4 battery is 12 years old and still working like new, it has been running my fridge for 4 years now year around.
Great video. Shopping for a Matrix or Vibe and your video popped up in my feed. We have a camper van but need to buy a versatile daily driver since our Odyssey was totaled. Cheers!
Nice!. What is the white privacy film called on your windows? I'll be in my Kia Soul.
White Perforated Vinyl, I purchased it on eBay. It does not work like vinyl wrap as it only works on flat surfaces. I found out too late.
Will you make a video on how you built the high top with the solar panel?
Nothing other than what I have made already. There are several videos about updates etc. but no step by step.
How tall are you? I'm six foot and would like to fit in a similar setup for a toyota matrix, but Im skeptical.
I am over 6' tall, I was 6'2" in my younger days. I took out my front seat and have my fridge there with my bed behind. You could be 8 feet tall and fit as long as you're not wide too.
@@Far-Beyond-Ordinary Thank you for the response. // Bought a Toyota Matrix 2009 today :) Good price, great mileage. Thank you for the tour of yours. It was part of my research. Gonna have to hunt around for a foldable front passenger seat though for mine is standard.
@@christopherb.5350 Mine was too. I removed the front and rear seats on the passenger side and made a platform out of plywood.
I have a 2004 Matrix. With the passenger front seat moved forward all the way there is 74 inches of sleeping room. So no need to remove the passenger front seat. Behind passenger front seat you can use all kinds of rigid items to support the bed platform extension, like strong water tanks--stainless jerry cans, heavy duty plastic water tanks, coolers, toolboxes, etc.
What happened to hammock sleeping?
I can not use the van as a tow car and the car is too small for a hammock. Bummer for sure.
Haven't seen you in over a year. Are you still around?
Been busy doing Motorhome deliveries and I am working on a solar-powered camper for free travel and off-road exploring. I will be making videos of it when I take it out for the first time. Hopefully soon.
I have a hope 😂
sad place you can see how all the native forest have been destroy to plant mono culutre trees for logging and this why such fires explode in ferosity as climate gets worst and worst...