yager
Wake Forest, NC
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Joined: 06/06/2008
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ok a few quick updates.. Went on a camping/jeep trip last weekend up to Gore, VA. Was a short ~5hr trip. I'm towing 8500# and the van towed better than expected. I was very pleased and my 2 friends that went, even commented on how it didn't ride as bad as older vans. The breaking capacity is much improved over earlier models. And the quasi traction control/torque management junk actually worked great when pulling the dirt/gravel roads into the campground. I never even spun a wheel. (same pic i posted above)
Anyway onto camper stuff. The window screens worked great (still need to snap some pics) The trans cooler fan only kicked on one time. I got the switch installed on the dash just before the trip (see pic) was a little nervous drilling holes in the dash. I drilled holes on the corners and enough to insert a sawzall blade to cut it by hand..(blade only, me providing the movement)
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1) I got my order of Al's bed liner stuff, so this weekend I'll start on the prep for that.
2) I also got 2 almost new optima blue top group 31 bats on a trade deal. I plan to put one up under the van on the driver side and #2 on the trailer.
And to answer the previous questions:
* The microwave runs only on generator or shore power. I normally only boil water or heat up left overs. But I have a new coleman camp stove/grill I got to use it this weekend and I was very impressed. It grilled very nice and well boiled water just fine 
* The front grill has 6"+ in front of the AC condenser and 3" between the condenser and radiator. Very please with how they set it up. Lots of room for air flow.
* This post was
edited 07/31/08 08:06am by yager *
2004 Chevrolet G3500 6.0L\4L80e\3.73s
DIY - Cargo Camper
http://www.epgsoft.com/VisitedStatesMap/
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yager
Wake Forest, NC
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time for a quick update.
I've been busy getting the rear cargo area prepped to spray on the bed liner. I snapped quite a few pics (which are on my site) but I'll post just a few so you get the idea..
I scuffed the paint with a 3M yellow bristle brush type sander wheel. It screws onto an adapter that is used in an air tool. A small drill would have worked also, as I ran it at a slow speed.
Next was the taping and masking. I used some 1mil plastic sheeting to seal off the front area. The product didn't not leave much over spray. Most over spray seen on the plastic was caused by me shooting the last 3/4 gal onto the floor from the rear doorway.
way more prep than I needed, but never having used this brand or sprayed bed liner myself I figured the .50 worth of plastic was worth it.
all done...
I approve... Ok, my DW was snapping pics so I was screwing off (as usual)
I also masked and coated the shelving I plan to reinstall on 1 side, to help minimize the rattling and vibrations from it.
Note: I've had a ton of questions off my other boards/forums that I'm on. This was a difficult DIY task requiring a proper respirator and clothing in addition and air compressor, hoses, regulators etc... I'd say 8/10. The product was a 4 part epoxy based system and required some comfort in mixing the items and spraying it on with a HVLP hopper type gun within the 20min pot life. The product is called Al's Liner and is the DIY kit version of scorpion spray on bed liner. (alsliner.com) If your interested look for a dealer near you. BUT all that said I've got $450 in materials that a shop would charge $1200+ to spray a van interior in the same manor.
I do plan to insulate and wall the interior at some point, this was to help with cargo hauling in the mean time and help reduce interior noise.
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So anyway.... Last night I got most of the L-Track installed. It was a PITA but I got it fastened down where I wanted it... The further to the outside the easier it is to access the fasteners. I wanted 2 4' strips inside the wheel well area such that it would be accessible with the racking on one side.
The forward 2 sections will be to mount the fold down van seats I got off ebay. I'm not sure what they came from originally but the seat backs fold down flat to form a mini table. I like that the backs fold down for easier maneuvering when inside the van. Pics on this stuff later
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Hit The Road Jack
Treasure Coast of Florida
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Joined: 10/20/2005
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Very nice work!
BTW...Your fly's open...
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yager
Wake Forest, NC
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Joined: 06/06/2008
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Thanks.. Actually, I ummm had a blow out...
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yager
Wake Forest, NC
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Joined: 06/06/2008
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just a quick update, got some of my shelving reinstalled and configured how I want it. Bottom cabinet (door) is for van repair items and supplies, fluids etc.. I still need to attach hooks and such to secure items but you get the idea..
Next up is to integrate the futon better. I plan to make a different base structure that will raise it up a few inches such that it clears the wheel well better and slide it in closer to the wall.
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bananadanna
Cambridge, MA
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Joined: 11/30/2005
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Those shelves look good and useful.
I think you'll have a challenge beating that futon frame into submission. Fractions of an inch saved are so useful. I love folding furniture but there's a lot of structure there.
Sofas are usually more comfortable if the seat slants down a bit like your futon frame. But the tradeoff is the loss of a "daybed" that could be had if it the supports were simple and level. Good for solo trips. Typically, the back would drop flat somehow for "double bed " night use.
If you can't gain enough daytime aisle width with this frame I think you should consider building your own from scratch. I rebuilt my "folding-atv-ramp" bed about three times before the details improved to my liking.
Dan
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tvme
Medina, Ohio
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Joined: 04/10/2007
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Yager,
Really looking good. That bedliner shoud work well.
And thanks for the ideas.
Bob
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yager
Wake Forest, NC
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Joined: 06/06/2008
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Quick Update, a few shots of the screens I sewed up. Just basic bags that slip on the front doors. They have cut outs for the mirrors.
The rear screen. Velcro is sewed into the edges in areas where the screen curves around the perimeter. I initially was using a shower bar to provide some support for when I was going in and out. But as luck would have it, I forgot it. I found that a bungee cord worked just fine.
Also just using the van some more has given me some more insight as to what I need to do and add to things more functional for me.
* This post was
edited 09/18/08 05:55pm by an administrator/moderator *
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bananadanna
Cambridge, MA
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Nice job on the screens. We used them on our last van and would carry a tarp that could be quickly tossed over the front of the van in case it rained. We could keep the window ventilation that way.
Dan
02 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 long tall home brew conversion
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dixied
Mississippi & Montana
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Joined: 06/18/2005
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Nice job! Where did you get the screen material? I want to do that for my front doors.
Dixie and the Goldendoodles, Nikkibear and Gus
2007 Roadtrek Agile SS
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