Help me make my truck a better chase truck!

[Shawn Gossman]

Okay, I been wanting to make my 4x4 truck a better chase truck. I'd like to have various weather instruments on it and so on but I want to easily be able to take it all off as I use my truck for other reasons and I don't want the stuff getting stolen.

I need to know a cheaper but good mobile weather chasing solution and what all I will need (like what instruments, software, receivers, etc.). I plan to get a HAM license soon so I will worry about that part.

Thank you in advance for helping me out.

 

[Skip Talbot]

http://inspeed.com/anemometers/Stormchaser_Window_Wind_Sensor.asp

Check out these anemometers. Pretty cheap and the window mount will let you take it down easily when you are not using it.

 

[Jason Foster]

What kind of truck

What is the truck....make, model, trim level. Any photos?

First tip.....get a welder and learn to weld....if you really want to make a nice set-up. Otherwise, get a grinder, and chop saw with metal cut off wheel, a dremel tool, and start looking for local suppliers of steel and aluminum.

You really are going to need at least a few hundred dollars to fit a vehicle out if you don't go bone stock to chase.

Laptop tables (Jotto) if your using a laptop.
Inverter (I recommend 500watt cont. as a minimum).
Davis (the weather package I recommend).

You'll need heavy gauge wire routed to the battery
fuses for that wire
a power distribution block
ring terminals, shrink wrap, soldiering iron, electrical tape and other electrical needs.

Also, go and get yourself the Hayes (or similar) repair manual for your vehicle. Can be found at any parts store or online. They are invaluable when working on a vehicle.


We'll talk software and specifics later, but that's where to start.

 

[Shawn Gossman]

Its a 2001 4x4 4-door dodge Dakota. It has a short bed and I was hoping to rig something up where I could put the instruments in the bed. I have these tie-down latch things in the bed and was thinking those would make a good "harness" or latch for the rigged equipment cartridge.

Also, what is a good warning light to get? I don't want anything fancy with different patterns and I want only orange. I don't want to look like a cop or anything

And, know of any good places to get custom magnetic vehicle decals made?

Thanks fellas

 

[Skip Talbot]

Also, what is a good warning light to get?

I knew it! hhhhhh-whacker! http://www.whackerusa.com/

 

[Brandon Sullivan]

I knew it! hhhhhh-whacker! http://www.whackerusa.com/

LOL.. from working with them, i can say those lights are a PAIN to work with, nothing like a real name brand company.

Sho-Me has good, cheap lights, but great quality..

Shawn, I live in Western Illinois.. PM me sometime!

 

[Bart_Comstock]

http://inspeed.com/anemometers/Stormchaser_Window_Wind_Sensor.asp

Check out these anemometers. Pretty cheap and the window mount will let you take it down easily when you are not using it.

I have had nothing but bad luck with these anemometers. I ran with one in 2007 and went through a set of cups a day. They can not take anything 60mph or higher with out blowing apart. The owner was really good about sending me free replacements but really it was fairly useless. I finally gave up when the mast its self snapped after a few months of use. If you do get one do note that you must NEVER drive with it still on your roof or window as it wont make it more than several miles while on the interstate.
This is the one I had....

originally I had it where I wouldn't take it down but after my 5th set of cups broke I only set it up when storm side but I still went through them like crazy.

Also as far as laptop mounts go I reallllllly like Jotto and would like to see you buy one as they are a local business (their hq is in NW Ark) but I got a ram mount simply because it is very sturdy and just as stable imho and although its more bulky and not quite the same quality it still seems to be more than perfect and 100 dollars cheaper even after Jotto offerd to give me a discount since I live near them and chased in their back yard.
http://www.ram-mount.com/

 

[Robert Edmonds]

Since we're on the topic of anemometers, has anyone tried one of those airmar ultrasonic weather stations? Just wondering how well it works on a car. I always thought that a weather station that could give me true wind speed while driving, and having no moving parts, would be nice.

 

[Skip Talbot]

If you do get one do note that you must NEVER drive with it still on your roof or window as it wont make it more than several miles while on the interstate. [ /quote]


Interesting, I have driven with mine well over 80 mph on several occassions and for hours at expressway speeds and they have never broken because of wind alone. I did break one set though because they hit the cargo pod on the roof. I also snapped the mast too, but only because I drilled too large of a hole through it to fit a #10 bolt, and it snapped where the mast was thinnest at the drilled hole. Both times were my fault I guess. I wonder if we could possible reinforce the cups somehow.

 

[Dan Robinson]

I had an Inspeed for a couple years, it was the standard (non-mag-mount) version and it worked great. I left it on my truck full-time and probably put 50,000 miles of driving on it. Finally the bearings went bad (not unexpected after that much use) and one day the cups eventually cracked under the stress and desintegrated on the interstate. I really put that thing through some abuse though to get to that point.

I couldn't get it to work right since, despite getting free replacement parts from the manufacturer (a great company to work with by the way). When I installed it on my new car in 2005, it would vibrate loudly and transmit the constant, irritating noise through the roof of the car. I had to remove it as it was driving me crazy.

They are great instruments, but I think when one goes bad you're better off getting an entire new unit rather than trying to repair it. They are inexpensive enough to do that. I miss having the wind speed measurement capability and may buy another one someday.

 

[Jason Foster]

Again....Davis is the way to go with the anemometer. I've had mine see 120mph (highway speeds with head winds combined) and no problems. I don't like the idea of having to take the weather station on and off in the middle of a chase. In hurricanes it is double that I like to keep it up on the chase vehicle, so that I can see the high winds at a moments notice. My Davis stations have seen 90mph winds on a regular basis within hurricanes (and while driving on the interstate), although one did fail at 94mph (Hurricane Frances)...but I chalk that up to not having the set screw on tight enough.

 

[D. Hayes]

Just the other day I had the Inspeed up to 78mph while stationary. I rarely pay attention to it while driving though I know I've had well past 100mph combined wind speed. I've had mine on the truck for nearly 2 years running 24/7 in Wichita KS, so that speaks for it's quality. I like the Inspeed with it's small display I can put anywhere I want with out it getting in the way and the simple install option for the sensor is nice. Plus it's really affordable when compared to any home weather system converted to mobile. Don't worry about direction on these anemometers. Unless you always plan to face north in your truck the direction is always going to be wrong on those pretty displays. You can get a simple vane or shoot, just tape a vane on top of your radio antenna. There are other sensors like a barometer and temps but you can get that information online or get a kestrel handheld unit that you can put in your shirt pocket.

Get a good cell plan with unlimited data that you can tether to a laptop. If you don't have a laptop get something rugged and you don't need a power house gaming system. I was able to get a car charger for my Dell so I don't need an inverter although I have one. You can buy an aftermarket charger for your laptop. Get your FCC amateur radio license and a quality multi-band radio. You'll want a hand held weather radio or do what I did and use a CB with the weather bands. My cobra 29 will power itself on when a weather warning initiates which is very nice when I'm snoozing.

Really there's not much to do to the truck besides good MT/AT tires and a tune up. I'm surprised you didn't get slammed on asking about light bars. 99% of people don't know how to properly use them so they have a bad rep on here.

Now I drive a spotter truck that I do a lot of recovery in so if you look at my truck don't use that as example for a chase truck since I am way overbuilt. Tow hooks and a tow strap would always be good so I can pull you out of mud haha!

 

[Steve Worthington]

My Inspeed anemometer (Mag Mt) took a crap last week. It`s only a week old and just quit. Gotta call em and see what they want to do. I thought I broke a wire so I cut off the wireing and it all checks good.
It is a little loud at 70mph but I already miss it....lol

 

[Bart_Comstock]

If you do get one do note that you must NEVER drive with it still on your roof or window as it wont make it more than several miles while on the interstate. [ /quote]


Interesting, I have driven with mine well over 80 mph on several occassions and for hours at expressway speeds and they have never broken because of wind alone. I did break one set though because they hit the cargo pod on the roof. I also snapped the mast too, but only because I drilled too large of a hole through it to fit a #10 bolt, and it snapped where the mast was thinnest at the drilled hole. Both times were my fault I guess. I wonder if we could possible reinforce the cups somehow.

It has been a few years since I had one and I remember talking to the owner about my issue and he had told me at the time they were working on a redesign of cups. The problem was that once they got up to speed while driving along the highway they would hit their resonance point and break apart (at least that is my theory). At least that is the only thing I could figure out. I literally went through over 10 sets. They were good about replacing them all for free.

The one I owned was this one http://www.inspeed.com/anemometers/Stormchaser_Mag_Wind_Sensor.asp
I purchased it right after they had released the first version of the current cup design. I do know since I finally gave up on fixing mine they have redesigned the brace to better secure the anemometer.

 

[Robert Edmonds]

Since everyone keeps talking about these anemometers failing, anyone ever try the ones with no moving parts?