Once I figured out I wanted to travel across the continental North America, I had to figure out how I was going to do it. Naturally, I deliberated in good ol’ INTP fashion (I match that Myers Briggs type fairly well) to the point of mental constipation). In the end, I decided to go with a Toyota Tacoma. Honestly, I think the reason I wanted a Tacoma was because of the World of Warcraft commercial I saw as a kid where a bunch of World of Warcraft characters flew around in a Tacoma. Thank you TV advertising. I mean, the Tacoma is a highly regarded work vehicle and was the best fit for what I envisioned doing.
My two main goals in the build was to create a solution for sleeping in the truck as well as having mobile electrical power while parked away from the city electrical grid. Thank goodness school did not adequately prepared me for the task at hand. Let’s just say, my knowledge of electrical circuits involved taping wires to a AA battery and wiring them to a lightbulb. My skills in carpentry were no better off.
After months of reading, watching Youtube videos, and taking an introductory course in physics/circuits, I was able to put together rough schematic for the electric system. I had sourced out most of the parts and even found a topper for the truck. I was eager to start the build. However, I didn't have the tools to execute either idea. In my ignorance, I didn't even know I needed a miracle to happen for this to work out.
Here's my rough schetch of the system
