Author Topic: OverLanding Camper Build (Read 75089 times)

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1500 on:** May 04, 2020, 07:36:08 PM »

Then it was collapsed and turned into a couch.

I'll have to do something about the exposed framing

JR · « **Reply #1501 on:** May 04, 2020, 07:53:06 PM »

Looks good. Just 15 min, mine are much longer!

Is there a min distance or cover for the water heater? Looks close to the mattress.

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1502 on:** May 04, 2020, 10:34:09 PM »

Quote from: JR on May 04, 2020, 07:53:06 PM

Looks good. Just 15 min, mine are much longer!

Is there a min distance or cover for the water heater? Looks close to the mattress.

Now look man, I use cardboard boxes as weldin' tables. A mattress sittin on a propane water heater ought to be OK!

Geez...

;=)

rpar86 · « **Reply #1503 on:** May 05, 2020, 12:15:28 AM »

Know what you could use on the inside for pulling the fabric in? One of those truck bed bungee spider net things.

JR · « **Reply #1504 on:** May 05, 2020, 02:03:53 AM »

Quote from: rpar86 on May 05, 2020, 12:15:28 AM

Know what you could use on the inside for pulling the fabric in? One of those truck bed bungee spider net things.

Just turn the fan on full blast,,,,,,,,,

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1505 on:** May 05, 2020, 11:20:10 AM »

Quote from: JR on May 05, 2020, 02:03:53 AM

Quote from: rpar86 on May 05, 2020, 12:15:28 AM
Know what you could use on the inside for pulling the fabric in? One of those truck bed bungee spider net things.

Just turn the fan on full blast,,,,,,,,,

Frikin' brilliant JR!

Really, good idea!

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1506 on:** May 07, 2020, 10:09:24 PM »

JR, as it turned out the fan was not necessary, it worked great as planned as you will see in just a bit

First, I spent the day experimenting and doing doo-dads here and there.

The wood frame part of the bed was an eyesore and uncomfortable, so I covered it with some carpet

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1507 on:** May 07, 2020, 10:10:49 PM »

Then I started testing the top retraction with 48" bungees attached to those previously glued in straps

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1508 on:** May 07, 2020, 10:15:25 PM »

It was about now that I realized I could simply create rope loops that spanned the wooden hinges from side to side and those should pull the fabric inward, and I was correct. That's some very old 11mm dynaflex climbing rope the 10th special forces group guys gave me back in the day. Sort of nostalgic! If you recall the crazy night I dropped those crazies into a lake at the base of a mountain under NVG, and they somehow climbed that rock all night long and I picked them up in the morning. The story where I had to back into the cliff and my aft rotor started pruning pine tree branches. This is one of those very ropes, still serving the nation!

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1509 on:** May 07, 2020, 10:16:20 PM »

So here is the bungee jungle:

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1510 on:** May 07, 2020, 10:19:18 PM »

And now for the collapsing roof and what happens inside whilst all that is going on. It was so easy, and worked so well, I had to check to make sure I actually did the work. Seriously, no splinters, no holes, no tearing, ripping, crushing, breaking, cracking, stretching, nadda! It just folded down and that was that!

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1511 on:** May 07, 2020, 10:20:34 PM »

Still folding just fine!

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1512 on:** May 07, 2020, 10:23:15 PM »

And all the way down!

If we wanted to we could easily sleep inside with the top down.

I ran the air conditioner for awhile and it powered down the temp very nicely, but really heated up the exterior enclosure. I'm thinking I may have to install a marine bilge fan to keep temps down in there.

JR · « **Reply #1513 on:** May 07, 2020, 10:27:56 PM »

Outside picture

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1514 on:** May 07, 2020, 10:28:25 PM »

With that done, I corrected the top hold down latches mounting location. I had them a bit too high. It appears as if I will need to install a spacer/collar between the top and the body to tidy things up. I'll build that tomorrow.

After that I taped a bunch of wires against the wall in the cabinets making ready those spaces for clothing that will not tangle sparky stuff.

Then i finished the water connection thing, adding a valve to the contraption. I plan to add a visual water level gage below the fill neck, the valve will help me top up, but not overfill the tank

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1515 on:** May 07, 2020, 10:30:07 PM »

I did a couple of other things I can't recall and didn't take pics of, so that's it for now...

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1516 on:** May 08, 2020, 10:11:17 PM »

JR, the pics you wanted:

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1517 on:** May 08, 2020, 10:13:52 PM »

I'm still fixing and adding things before I push it out. Maybe I'm stalling...psychological thing, dunno.

I always wanted to install a weather station in my other camper, but haven't remembered to get around to it. But I remembered to put one in this build, here it is:

JR · « **Reply #1518 on:** May 08, 2020, 10:18:57 PM »

That looks great, tucked in nice.

With all the electronics, did you add Wifi?

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1519 on:** May 08, 2020, 10:20:32 PM »

I wanted one with an anemometer to measure wind speed. I figure it will be good to know if its safe to have awnings deployed. I'm thinking 13-15 knots constant wind or a five knot gust spread anywhere in there would be starting numbers to call it quits and pull the material things in and lock them down. I very well remember a night in the california desert where the wind picked up and we were later told gusts hit 70 mph. Well the short story is that it wiped our "Campsite" out. I was not sleeping in the temper tents or the GP mediums, but in an old hex tent I purchased surplus and would take to the field with me. I literally had the only piece of fabric that was not totalled, and my tent suffered several broken joints. The troops had to run for the trucks or the insides of the chinooks.
Well, I learned and therefore wanted something other than rocks hitting the side that things were getting bad so I added it.

As you can see it is remotely mounted and is battery powered and folds for transport

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1520 on:** May 08, 2020, 10:22:16 PM »

Quote from: JR on May 08, 2020, 10:18:57 PM

That looks great, tucked in nice.

With all the electronics, did you add Wifi?

I do not have wifi, but plan to use my I-Pad as a local hotspot for internet. I will bluetooth link my TY and computer to it to stream movies and post here while on the road

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1521 on:** May 08, 2020, 10:24:43 PM »

I used some farm raised cedar which I was shaping to use as main bearing saddles in an oak engine I'm building with cypress pistons and a safarass cam.

But until I turn that hickory root into a decent crankshaft, I'll use the cap right here!
;-)

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1522 on:** May 08, 2020, 10:26:55 PM »

I have a remote temp sensor which I have temporarily beneath a solar panel, but will prob move to the back end somewhere

Anyway, now I have a rudimentary weather station

TexasRedNeck · « **Reply #1523 on:** May 09, 2020, 07:49:54 PM »

Looking good. I’ll leave this here.

https://www.wilsonamplifiers.com/vehicle/rv-and-campers

You’ll be in some remote places.

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Flyin6 · « **Reply #1524 on:** May 10, 2020, 03:17:10 PM »

You're a bad man!

rpar86 · « **Reply #1525 on:** May 10, 2020, 07:21:33 PM »

My brother just bought something like that so they can work from the road. Takes two SIM cards and picks which one has the best signal. They won’t be as remote as you though.

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1526 on:** May 10, 2020, 09:06:32 PM »

Ryan, Tex, I'll have to look into that

We discussed it when I was building the burb, and I never got around to getting anything.

Well today two big things happened. First it was Mother's day, and although my mom has long since passed on, My wife is still very much a mother. So that took a sizeable bite out of the day, and the other thing ate its good measure. We had real church! We were one of the churches represented by the foundation for freedom who took our governor to court on Friday. The lower court held that he could order a church closed but allow a liquor store to remain open, labeled as an essential activity...yea...human depravity...

Well, the lower court which has an activist judge was surprised when the freedom foundation immediately filed an appeal. Now get this. They filed Friday at 1400 with the courts closing at 1700 for the weekend. But the appellate court decided to remain open for the weekend to hear the case. That judge struck down the lower courts ruling and labeled us and other churches in the law suit as essential services. So today for the first time, just one day after stuffing that communist judge's decision we opened our doors.

We were flooded! Trying every way we could to stay six feet apart, we still got some 350 people into the sanctuary. We even had bikers who heard we had fought and won show up. There were people in waiting areas, outside the doors and our parking lot, two of them were filled.

People are hungry to hear the word of the lord and meet in his house again.

Oh and to hell with communism if I didn't say that already!

So where were we, build thread I think...

Here is how the anemometer installation turned out:

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1527 on:** May 10, 2020, 09:08:05 PM »

Next I installed the final top trim/seal piece

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1528 on:** May 10, 2020, 09:09:40 PM »

After doing that I lowered the top, then adjusted the accuatorers to level the top. I raised it back up, then laid down some weather strip foam tape.

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1529 on:** May 10, 2020, 09:11:25 PM »

And then lowered the top to a perfect seal against the foam. The latches are really not necessary, but I adjusted them and locked them down. At this point the top is completely done and ready to go

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1530 on:** May 10, 2020, 09:13:21 PM »

Then I went over the whole structure, sealing everything with RTV, making all final adjustments and began removing things for the lift/rotate/drag/rotate/and lift again exercise that could come as early as tomorrow

JR · « **Reply #1531 on:** May 10, 2020, 10:47:26 PM »

Sure looks good.

Curious, why the weatherstrip on the bottom vs the top?

Bigdave_185 · « **Reply #1532 on:** May 11, 2020, 12:02:51 AM »

I sure can’t wait for that lift and rotate levitate video

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JR · « **Reply #1533 on:** May 11, 2020, 12:06:13 AM »

And the sub going through mall mulch.

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1534 on:** May 11, 2020, 11:38:13 AM »

Quote from: JR on May 10, 2020, 10:47:26 PM

Sure looks good.

Curious, why the weatherstrip on the bottom vs the top?

The weatherstrip is on the top and not on the bottom

JR · « **Reply #1535 on:** May 11, 2020, 01:04:44 PM »

Quote from: Flyin6 on May 11, 2020, 11:38:13 AM

Quote from: JR on May 10, 2020, 10:47:26 PM
Sure looks good.

Curious, why the weatherstrip on the bottom vs the top?
The weatherstrip is on the top and not on the bottom

Not protected much down there, just wondering.

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1536 on:** May 11, 2020, 08:03:27 PM »

Quote from: JR on May 11, 2020, 01:04:44 PM

Quote from: Flyin6 on May 11, 2020, 11:38:13 AM
Quote from: JR on May 10, 2020, 10:47:26 PM
Sure looks good.

Curious, why the weatherstrip on the bottom vs the top?
The weatherstrip is on the top and not on the bottom

Not protected much down there, just wondering.

Doesn't really need anything. All the sealing is going on inside the red filler piece. It just dresses things up some, provides a flat platform for the top to rest on, seals the bottom fabric velcro attachment, and provides for a dust seal for motoring. It is paint on bedliner on the bottom and will allow any liquids getting in behind it to weep out

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1537 on:** May 11, 2020, 08:05:25 PM »

We started the day with a three man, massive cleanup of the shop. Figured it was easier to work around this bulky camper with nothing to slip on.

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1538 on:** May 11, 2020, 08:06:40 PM »

Then little bit by bit, we raised the end while padding the opposite side.

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1539 on:** May 11, 2020, 08:08:34 PM »

As we approached the critical tipping angle, we set up a ramp of 2X4's with carpet and cushions to keep it from going all the way.

Although a tense moment it was all about nothing at all. It just tilted and rolled a little and came to rest on the ramp

JR · « **Reply #1540 on:** May 11, 2020, 08:10:43 PM »

Close to going on the frame!!

Love the shirt,,,,,,,,,,,

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1541 on:** May 11, 2020, 08:13:22 PM »

From there with a floor jack supporting the weight, the 2X4's were removed and the camper was rolled up onto a few furniture dollies.

From this point we will push the thing over just a few feet, then winch it out of the door to the outside

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1542 on:** May 11, 2020, 08:14:26 PM »

Quote from: JR on May 11, 2020, 08:10:43 PM

Close to going on the frame!!

Love the shirt,,,,,,,,,,,

Yea that boy is West Point or grunt style (or Grunt life??) all the way. Single minded pre ranger.

Like he says, "Yea, but dad you helicopter pilots don't really do anything!!!"

TexasRedNeck · « **Reply #1543 on:** May 11, 2020, 08:15:41 PM »

Mamma know you had her couch cushions out there?

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Flyin6 · « **Reply #1544 on:** May 11, 2020, 08:18:12 PM »

Quote from: TexasRedNeck on May 11, 2020, 08:15:41 PM

Mamma know you had her couch cushions out there?

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old sofa, but I can neither confirm nor deny the actual useage of a real cushion or a stage prop

*No furniture was injured, damaged or abused in any way in the making of today's installment

JR · « **Reply #1545 on:** May 11, 2020, 08:49:45 PM »

See you got the batteries on the bench. Load that puppy up!

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1546 on:** May 12, 2020, 10:29:55 AM »

Quote from: JR on May 11, 2020, 08:49:45 PM

See you got the batteries on the bench. Load that puppy up!

We're gettin' after it!

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1547 on:** May 12, 2020, 07:32:57 PM »

Coming through the door. It fits with very little room to spare

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1548 on:** May 12, 2020, 07:34:42 PM »

I had plenty of help from the wrestlers from high school. This time we shoved it over onto a pile of 2X4's and cushions.

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1549 on:** May 12, 2020, 07:36:44 PM »

Then I attached to three come-alongs to some temporary blocking I screwed into the joists overhead and began to lift...slowly

But the boyz had plenty of goof off time during the work