Getting the Ford Super Duty ready for off-grid use

After leaving Hartly, NSW, the Super Duty pulled our caravan up the short but steep mountain (6.75% gradient) to Lithgow without any problems, with more than sufficient power, even though I’d started loading it up.

The Super Duty came standard with the steel tray, to which I added an Aussie Tonneaus Wildback canvas canopy incorporating ladder racks on which I mounted 2 x 250w solar panels.

Under the canopy, I installed :

•  2 Kings drawers behind the passenger side and a steel 1m x 1m cupboard from Bunnings (flat-packed), to which I cut out and installed a number of air vents,
• a KickAss plug & play solar bundle. (Power Boss canopy base kit, 230Ah slim line battery) with a remote app and alternator wiring kit.
• A negative and positive 12v connection bar (installed in the cupboard)
• A bank of switches, Anderson plug connectors, cig lighter connectors, a 220 caravan connector plug and a 220v switch (with mobile charging ports)

• An 80 litre fridge/freezer (behind the driver’s side)
• An 800 x 600 toolbox with an added shelf. (carrying our cooking appliances, such as a Weber, air fryer, toaster, etc.)
• Canopy lights (a blue and white strip) – just because I could.

I decided not to install the alternator charging kit and am still of two minds as to whether I’m going to, seeing that the Super Duty does have a trickle charge set up already, meant for the trailer/caravan – which I haven’t found yet (I haven’t tested the hitch connecting plug)

The solar setup runs the fridge freezer, kettle, and hair dryer when we need them to, with plenty of spare capacity. I also set up the wiring so that I can use the Super Duty’s 500w solar panels to charge the caravan batteries.

Nevertheless, towing from Lithgow through Bathurst on the A41 to the M31, the road was a bit rough, shaking the van’s contents around a bit. We stopped at the Ettamogh pub overnight, where we adjusted the load to try to even out our towing profile, and then onto Melbourne, where we took the M8 up to Kryle Castle just before Ballarat. Again, no issues other than a very uneven road and a very busy motorway (long weekend).

We’ve found that the Super Duty can take the load as advertised, but it lags at the back. After speaking to Ford at Ballarat about possible suspension options, such as additional springs (or bags, which I don’t favour), they couldn’t really recommend anything, as the Super Duty is still too new to have developed an aftermarket.

We’re parked at the Sundowner caravan park for the week, playing a badminton tournament after which we will be back to Ballarat Windmill caravan park for another badminton tournament and then across the Nullarbor to WA for the end of March.

Author: John Ievers