The Turtle V – Update #5 – The Cab – 2019
The cab is our office on the road. First we applied Rhino Lining to the floor, and to further reduce road noise, the floor and doors are insulated with vibration-dampening Dynamat. Kraco floor mats are easy to clean. For ease of entry, Kodiak Sidewinder automatic folding steps were installed that drop down when the door is opened. Recaro Style Orthopedic seats incorporate seven adjustments, a heater and ventilation fan. Four-point Mastercraft Safety Harnesses hold us securely and comfortably in place. A custom walnut center console contains maps, flashlights, auxiliary locks and all small travel accessories. It incorporates cup holders specifically sized for our Aladdin travel cups and a very hidden secret storage compartment for a complete spare set of keys and other items that even you couldn’t find. On the front, a 12-volt plug outlet powers our Rugged Radios communication system and a small Statpower PRO Watt 125 inverter can charge phones and computers on the road. On the side of each seat a Kiddy Safety Halotron fire extinguisher is securely mounted. Behind each seat hangs a 3-liter Platypus hydration bag with a sucky-tube Velcoed above the door for easy use. The Platypus can be removed for hiking trips.
While eating breakfast in the Karakol Valley, Kyrgyzstan, Gary was watching local traffic pass by.
Driver’s Control Station
A quick look at the dash, left to right, will show a switch for the side flood lights on the rack over the cab, a fuel tank selector switch, a inside/outside temperature gauge, a hand controller for our roof-mounted GoLight, and the information screen for our SmarTire pressure/temp tire monitoring system, which keeps us informed of the pressure and temperature of each tire and warns us if there is any sudden pressure or temperature change. A switch engages our front differential ARB Locker, and next to it another switch turns on our dual ExtremeAire 12-volt compressors by Extreme Outback Products. These compressors feed an AccuAir 5-gallon aluminum reserve tank which serves to operate our twin Fiamm marine air horns, the front ARB Air Locker and to inflate our Hellwig Air Assist suspension bags. Air is also used to re-inflate tires, reseat beads if tire repairs are needed, and just a general use of high-pressure (120 psi) air for air tools. Loud air horns are an international language!
Rugged Radio and air pressure gauges
Our Rugged Radios intercom system allows us to communicate in a normal voice and also listen to music fed by Bluetooth.
In the center we upgraded to a Kenwood AM/FM radio with CD and flash stick ports. These power a factory premium 4-speaker sound system or can go via Bluetooth to our Rugged Radios intercom headsets. This communication system has greatly increased the safety and pleasure of overland travel, allowing us to speak in a normal voice and be heard every time. Two 12-volt auxiliary plugs are factory standard. Air pressure gauges show the condition of left and right Hellwig air bags and the pressure in the AccuAir 5-gallon aluminum reserve tank. Where the ashtray used to be we placed the controls for the Passport SR1radar/laser detector.
Mechanical Auto Meter gauges
At eye level there is an Auto Meter 14-psi oil pressure warning light, mechanical Auto Meter gauges for Volts, Water Temperature, Oil Pressure, Boost, Exhaust Gas Temperature and a Garmin GPS. Overhead is a custom walnut console that holds a Cobra CB radio, JRV map lights and control switches for fog, driving and four backup lights.
Total Vision remote cameras
Where the rear view mirror normally goes there is 5-inch monitor that is fed by our three Total Vision remote cameras, one on the front bumper, a second on the rear above the spare tire, and a third inside the camper. A switch allows us to toggle between the three cameras from the cab.
Extra Safety Measures
Vehicle doors are so easy to open without a key using a Slim-Jim, we installed an auxiliary padlock on both cab doors. Thieves will need to break a window to get, and that’s noisy and messy. As a further theft deterrent, we fabricated special window covers from Space Blanket material (purchased at REI). They attach in seconds with Velcro tabs. If a thief can’t see what there is to steal, he usually just walks away or doesn’t even cross the street. The Space Blanket material also keeps the cab cool when we are parked in the sun. Car alarms are useless most of the time. The blinking red LED on a KC rechargeable flashlight set on the dash at the bottom of the windshield gives would-be thieves something to worry about.
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- Recaro Orthopedic seats incorporate seven adjustments, a heater and a ventilation fan.
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- Four-point Mastercraft Safety Harnesses hold us securely and comfortably in place
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- Behind each seat is a 3-liter Platypus hydration bag with a sucky-tube behind our shoulders.
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- On the side of each seat a Kiddy Safety Halotron fire extinguisher is securely mounted.
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- A custom walnut center console holds maps, flashlights, auxiliary locks and all small travel accessories. It incorporates cup holders specifically sized for our Aladdin travel cups.
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- On the front of the center console a 12-volt plug outlet powers our Rugged Radios communication system and a small Xantrex 125 watt inverter can charge phones and computers.
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- Overhead, a custom walnut console holds a Cobra CB radio, JRV map lights and control switches for fog, driving and four backup lights.
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- On the lower dash, left to right on the left hand side of the steering column: A switch for the side flood lights on the rack over the cab, a fuel tank selector switch, and a inside/outside temperature gauge.
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- To the right of the steering wheel, there is a remote hand controller for our roof-mounted GoLight, the information screen for our SmarTire pressure/temp tire monitoring system, switches to engage our front differential ARB locker and to turn on our dual ExtremeAire 12-volt compressors, and a switch to toggle between front, rear or in-camper Total Vision cameras.
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- A roof mounted Golight® is controlled by a hand-held remote on the dash and in the camper.
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- Lower and center, gauges show the condition of left and right Hellwig air bags and the pressure in the AccuAir 5-gallon reserve tank that powers our Fiamm air horns and the ARB Air Locker.
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- Twin Fiamm stainless steel marine air horns mounted above the cab are an international language.
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- At driver’s eye level, an Auto Meter 14-psi oil pressure warning light will warn us if there is a problem.
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- Also at driver’s eye level are mechanical Auto Meter gauges for Volts, Water Temp, Oil Pressure, Boost, Exhaust Gas Temp.
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- Instead of the non-used rear view mirror, a 5-inch monitor controls our three Total Vision remote cameras; front bumper, rear and one inside the camper. A switch allows us to toggle between the three cameras on the road.
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- Visible from both driver and passenger, a Garmin GPS supplies navigation information.
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- Our Rugged Radios intercom system allows us to communicate in a normal voice and also listen to music fed by Bluetooth.
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- By law, the driver can only use a headset with one ear open.
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- Kraco floor mats catch mud, gravel and snow and they are super easy to clean.
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- With 41-inch tires, the Kodiak Sidewinder automatic folding steps drop down when the door is opened which greatly facilitating getting in and out.
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- We fabricated door and windshield covers from Space Blanket material bought at REI. They fold easily and are stored above the sun visor.
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- Velcro tabs secure the covers to door frames and windshield.
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- Monika made a paper pattern, then cut the Space Blanket material a bit larger as it shrinks in the heat. She edged it with binding before sewing on the Velcro tabs.
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- In addition to keeping the heat out of the cab, they are also a measure of security. What you can’t see you don’t want to steal.
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- The blinking red LED light on a KC rechargeable flash light gives night time thieves something to worry about.
You need an altimeter
We used to have one before GPS. And yes, sometimes it would be fun but also, there would be another “gadget” on the dash. We have a Garmin that shows altitude.