Railfan Technology > If you could add anything

I can build any kind of cabinets for my railfan chase truck.
What would you have to have in here?
There will be a camper on the back for sleeping.

---

A padded-inside cabinet to hold the camera plus at least one lens, with some kind of quick release to grab the camera really quick.

A cooler

Space for a scanner, maybe use the rear window for a flexible T-shaped antenna on suction cups (yes, I know a orof mount gets better reception, but feeding the cable out the window is a pain)

Space to stash a coat when the weather changes.

Room for paper maps (remember them?  I still use them)

Friend of mine, a curator at the Smithsonian, had a bookcase in his car with ever yone of the 30-oddPetersonnwildlife guides: Tres, butterflies, Reptils, birds, etc. I's want Kalmbach's guide to diesels -- several editions -- Guide to hotspots.The big map books.Old official guide, employee timetables, etc.

Put an iPad holder in and locate it where you can see it while seated.  You will need some means to cover it while driving. 

 

I installed some reflective insulation under the carpet on my truck, made a huge difference in the summer and winter.

Since your almost there, Id start out with a new or clean carpet.

TomG Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Since your almost there, Id start out with a new
> or clean carpet.

Ditto, but I'm sure that is already planned.  Probably wants to wait until the new "floor plan" is established.

Also concur on the insulation installed under the carpet.  My friend rebuilt a 1970 Barracuda from the frame up.  He installed that insulation in the roof, on part of the side panels and on the floor.  A fantastic difference in sound, and weather insultation.
 



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/05/18 18:07 by norm1153.

Concur on the insulation.  While you have the interior torn apart,
it is a good time to put an antenna mount in the middle of the roof
and to install sound dampening / thermal insulating material on
the interior surface of the roof.  Will reduce cabin noise. 
Also a good time to run wire for speakers on the left and right
sides of the cab.  If you get the railfan techno-bug, you may
choose to use multiple radios or a radio with multiple audio
outputs like the IC-2730A.  Now might be a good time to run
a heavy (at least #12) power lead directly to the battery +
and chassis.  Be sure to have the lead fused at the battery.

Consider a sturdy, lockable metal box bolted to the floor behind
the seats to secure  cameras, computers and other valuables.
Choose steel over aluminum as material.
If you are thinking about a battery-powered cooler (sometimes
called a Peltier device cooler)..don't.  They will drain your battery
in a hurry.  You are far better off with a large cooler with frozen
gallon jugs of spring water. 

Since you plan on snoozing in the truck, you may wish to look
into a separate, isolated deep cycle battery for the sleeping
area.  You will need an RV battery isolater.  Run the lights, fan
and radio from the deep cycle battery. 

Be Well,

Tim Colbert  K3HX

Gotta have drone storage space, quickly accessible.  Padded pockets to hold insulated bags for LiPo battery storage.  
I agree with others on the radio, laptop, iPad, and camera setups.

HH

Maybe a mount you could use to shoot pacing shots out the passenger side window.

Thank You All for your suggestions
As I work on this I will post more photo's
Rick