2014 Cascadia Evolution Qustions

I have two friends with Evolutions who both bought refrigerators in the last month. Their reviews boil down to "looks great, holds more than I thought." Your Pure Sine inverter puts out cleaner power than the modified sine wave inverters sold at truck stops. Replacing it with a larger pure sine wave inverter will be costly, and what you have will probably keep up with a 1500 watt cheapo. Assuming that you're wanting to run a microwave (and not a hair dryer or something!) I would keep the inverter and buy a smaller microwave.

 

1. Stereos are pretty standard these days. You either buy a single DIN or double DIN size. Yours should have a pocket under the stereo which is a common filler in a Double DIN opening. In other words you have a single DIN stereo in a double DIN opening and that pocket fills the rest of the space. So you are good to go with either size stereo. You will need an adapter plate and an adapter harness. They do make a few single DIN stereos with a motorized flip down face but the double DIN is more popular for that type unit. You should have plenty but take note of your mounting depth for any obstructions.

2. Sure they make remote starters but you have to cut a bunch of factory wires under the dash. Make sure your lease allows that. That is more of an OO choice and a permanent installation unless you spliced them back together if you took it out. I'd think the company would frown upon that and possibly void the warranty.

3. I never had experience except with dorm fridges and they are about a half inch bigger than your opening. You have to get creative. I happen to have my old truck dorm fridge by my computer now. It's 18 5/8" x 33 3/8".

4. You should be able to add factory fog lights as the wires should be in the harnesses. You're just missing the lights, switch and relay. You can add aftermarket foglights as long as they have the words DOT on the lens. Those you have to run your own wire but it's not difficult.

5. 1000 watt is about good enough for a TV, computer, DVD, game console but not a microwave. You need at least a 1500 watt inverter for a 700 watt microwave. About twice the wattage is required to start one. Having used them all a 2500 watt inverter is an all around perfect size for a trucker. You have to replace the cables to the batteries as the bigger the inverter the bigger size wire is required. Inverters have holes you slide the cable into. That hole is the size wire you need, not smaller. The most important part of any inverter install is to protect the hole penetration in the floor. You don't want to rub a hole in the wire insulation and cause a short. Most are protected with a rubber grommet and silicone. The second most important thing is to keep the cables under 4 feet long if you can to prevent voltage drop. You can slide with up to 6 feet but shorter is better. You can use up to a 12 foot extension cord on the output. The Cobra inverter will suit you fine. They are cheapest on Amazon. Pure sine wave inverters are not a perfect 60 hertz either like household current. About the only thing that requires it is a variable speed motor or a clock. They are nicer/truer but not necessary.

6. All that is required is that bottom bunk and it's safety harness net by the regulations. You reconfigure but it would be easier just to add a shelf or two. I had a Pete and the cabinets were built with individual panels. I removed one behind the drivers seat to fit my fridge and put the microwave on top of it. My top mattress I also removed and used that bed tray for storage. I had my luggage and 300 DVDs up there at one time, lol. Anything big make sure it's secure because in a wreck everything becomes a projectile. Keep that in mind.

 

I bet a dollar to a dough nut your lease has a section about modifying or making changes to the equipment, some will allow it with permission

 

Read your lease. The facts are you don't own the truck, and most likely don't have permission to alter the truck. You will pay for any alterations the company allows, but you can only do to it what they will allow, until if and when you own the truck. Most lease trucks are leased by several drivers before being traded in. There are contracts with the manufacturer as to the trade terms on the trucks. If you go changing their trucks (notice I said their trucks, which it is until paid for, you just lease) you will be chaged for the alterations after you are fired.

 

Back when trucks were cheaper, I ran with a guy that bought a new truck every 2-3 years. He liked to run a lot, and wanted a reliable truck. That was back in the days when 400-500k was a lot of miles on an engine.

 

Good post here! I hope he listens.

 

And for cabinet the lower one behind the drivers seat holds the parksmart fans n Motors so that one can't b moved. And FYI if parksmart goes tuts up they have to remove that whole cabinet to get to it. Not fun.