Howdy folks! Here's a truth about living in a build: you don't really know what works until you've spent some time in it. While cleaning out the Tramper before another adventure, I realized two things had quietly become problems — and one quick weekend mod fixed both. This is the story of relocating the Bluetti, freeing up storage, and tidying the wiring.
The Problem: Wasted Features and Wasted Space
Once I added the refrigerator and freezer up in the cab, the old cooler stopped earning its place — it was just taking up real estate. At the same time, my Bluetti power station was tucked up underneath the counter, which meant the handy charging pad on its top was completely unusable. I was still plugging phones in every night despite owning a feature built to solve exactly that. A wasted feature bugs me, so it was time for a little home improvement.
The Mod: Moving the Bluetti Closer to the Bed
The plan was to relocate the Bluetti so its top charging surface sits within reach of the bed, and to convert the freed-up cooler spot into usable storage. A quick run to the big orange store for supplies and I had about an hour and twenty minutes of daylight to get it done — so naturally it ran until 11:20 at night. Here's the gist of the work:
- Refinishing the cabinet: I used Varathane in Classic Black on the interior cabinets, sealed with their water-based polyurethane. (Not sponsored — it's just what I used and liked.)
- Cutting a clean pass-through: A 1⅓-inch Forstner bit gives a clean cut that won't splinter out, perfect for routing cable through the back corner of the cabinet.
- Extending the wiring: The existing 12-volt cable feeding my fuse box wasn't long enough, so I made a jumper to cover the new distance, then ran everything in split flex tubing to protect the cables and secured it with cable clamps.
- Reconnecting power: Main 12-volt plug to the power supply, the solar plug, and an appliance extension cord split between the on-demand hot water tank and the microwave (I only ever run one at a time). Proper cable management is a good thing.
The Payoff
I grossly underestimated how long it would take — sound familiar to anyone who's done a build? — but the result was worth the mosquito bites. I gained extra storage where the cooler used to live, and the Bluetti now sits close enough to the bed that I can set my phone on top to charge overnight. The fridge and freezer in the cab plug in easily through the window instead of running a cord the whole length of the truck bed. Small changes, big quality-of-life improvement. Sometimes you just don't know until you live in it for a while.
The Gear & Materials
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Bluetti AC200PL Power Station
The heart of our off-grid power, now positioned so the top charging pad finally gets used. (Replaces the older AC200P.)
Varathane Classic Black Stain
The interior cabinet color used in this mod.
Water-Based Polyurethane
The clear topcoat that seals the stained cabinets.
Forstner Bit Set
For clean, splinter-free pass-through holes in cabinetry.
Split Wire Loom Tubing
Flexible tubing that protects and tidies the cable runs.
Cable Clamp Assortment
Keeps the wiring secured and rattle-free underneath the shelf.
More builds and adventures coming
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▶ Subscribe on YouTubeDisclaimer: The information provided in this article and its video is for entertainment/educational purposes only. By following any advice from this article, video, or any provided links, you do so at your own risk. Please consult with a professional before attempting any construction, plumbing or electrical work.