Author Topic: OverLanding Camper Build (Read 75085 times)

TexasRedNeck · « **Reply #1600 on:** May 15, 2020, 08:33:07 PM »

Quote from: Flyin6 on May 15, 2020, 11:47:40 AM

Quote from: TexasRedNeck on May 15, 2020, 07:46:53 AM
Looks great Don. Was thinking about that AC. What if you made the cover removable when stationary to get better airflow?

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It opens up Tex...

K. I thought a while back you were talking about needing to create more airflow. CM

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Flyin6 · « **Reply #1601 on:** May 15, 2020, 10:34:54 PM »

Quote from: TexasRedNeck on May 15, 2020, 08:33:07 PM

Quote from: Flyin6 on May 15, 2020, 11:47:40 AM
Quote from: TexasRedNeck on May 15, 2020, 07:46:53 AM
Looks great Don. Was thinking about that AC. What if you made the cover removable when stationary to get better airflow?

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It opens up Tex...
K. I thought a while back you were talking about needing to create more airflow. CM

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I remember that conversation, but I guess I didn't. Probably forgot to cut in another vent, but it is cooling the inside of the camper well enough. I'm just going to press on with what I have and see what works and what doesn't. Thinking about it using the features that work will be great, and dealing with what doesn't will likely be fun too.

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1602 on:** May 15, 2020, 10:39:18 PM »

So the big bad bear today was the generator. Get it running, check it all out, see if it powered the unit, what works and what doesn't.

I started with a light disassembly and checkout. Everything was great, so I topped up the gas and pulled it four times before it rumbled to life.

It is way quiet. Like you can hear it, but it is not bothersome at all. I ran it a good six hours and had the AC unit on for part of that and then on and off several times to load it all up.
Once when it was running in eco mode, I flipped on the AC while the frig was running. THe motor sped up, then threw an overload code and rolled back to the idle mode. I reset it and it never did that again.

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1603 on:** May 15, 2020, 10:41:32 PM »

You can see the fuel level after 6 hours. Very little fuel was used. I'd venture to say it would go almost 24 hours at that load, but with the AC on all of the time, I think it would run maybe half that time. The AC compressor kicking on causes the motor to spin up to full speed right away, so it is definitely taxing the little generator.

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1604 on:** May 15, 2020, 10:44:41 PM »

My little assistant held the big nut while I tightened the small fitting.

The gas line is now in and complete, save for one worrisome fitting I need to carefully examine. Some sort of flat face technology and not the flare I was thinking. Inside those lines are all in now except for the branch running off to the stove. I think we'll just do this trip out of bottle coleman gas.

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1605 on:** May 15, 2020, 10:46:29 PM »

The water system is almost completed. The clear poly tube will serve as the water level indicator and get mounted in a protective fixture on the side. The other side is a utility drain in 3/4" pex

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1606 on:** May 15, 2020, 10:49:16 PM »

That and some little stuff is how far I got today. Had to run down parts in the morning, then I could only work part of the day. The pastor asked to have the whole security team show up for tonight's service. I had to start cleaning up at 1745, so it turned out to be a short day

Now, open discussion. Anyone think I should add a sway bar to the suspension? I am about to add air bags to either side which will control sway some, but should I add in a real sway bar?

Bob Smith · « **Reply #1607 on:** May 15, 2020, 11:51:40 PM »

If you travel in side winds coming through the draws you will wish you had one. I don’t have one on my dump trailer but one time with a load of wood going down hill I wished I had one.

Bigdave_185 · « **Reply #1608 on:** May 16, 2020, 12:24:28 AM »

I was concerned about that HD ratchet strap holding the propane bottle. Please tell me that’s not a permanent thing? That edge can cut that strap in no time at all

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JR · « **Reply #1609 on:** May 16, 2020, 01:22:34 AM »

I doubt a swqy will help the low profile.

I'm not sure about the exposed rear gas line?

Hows the hot water.

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1610 on:** May 16, 2020, 09:48:40 AM »

Hot water? Not yet. no water in tank yet and I don't like a gas line fitting...

Ratchet strap on gas bottle, HD, yes, permanent, well for this trip, yes. Just pulls downward. the steel straps hold the bottle. Strap applies pressure down to pinch and hold the 2X4 blocking

Sway bar, still undecided, thanks for the input

Rear gas line: No more exposed than some in my travel camper. It has a steel lip below and a whole lot of camper hanging above, and spare tire yet to come

Sammconn · « **Reply #1611 on:** May 16, 2020, 03:39:58 PM »

I’m not sure on sway bar.
Those torsion springs are pretty good at not bouncing.

Square foot wise not sure if you need or not.
And we have yet to see a scale ticket.
Weight would play in as well, not just to get it on a scale for others.

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1612 on:** May 16, 2020, 06:13:42 PM »

Quote from: Sammconn on May 16, 2020, 03:39:58 PM

I’m not sure on sway bar.
Those torsion springs are pretty good at not bouncing.

Square foot wise not sure if you need or not.
And we have yet to see a scale ticket.
Weight would play in as well, not just to get it on a scale for others.

Well the air springs came in today, so likely get to those after the church tomorrow

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1613 on:** May 18, 2020, 10:20:34 PM »

Finished wiring in the tail lights and other rear lighting

And did some crude labeling which will work for the Mrs if she's doing the chores inside

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1614 on:** May 18, 2020, 10:21:29 PM »

Air spring parts:

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1615 on:** May 18, 2020, 10:23:27 PM »

This is one of those kits designed to rapidly slam a low rider conversion, so I guess I'm perverting the intended purpose of these things

The mounts add a convenient angle which I'll use in this application

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1616 on:** May 18, 2020, 10:25:32 PM »

Bu trial fitting the parts I discovered they would work with very little modification. This kit was designed for a late model Dodge Charger.

I cut down the mount and used the top plate as is. It fitted in there quite well actually

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1617 on:** May 18, 2020, 10:26:22 PM »

Left side installed with line hooked up

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1618 on:** May 18, 2020, 10:28:00 PM »

No air in the bag just yet but resting on the suspension. I'll pump it up a bit higher than this and adjust for the 400 pound increase it is about to get with a full tank of water.

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1619 on:** May 18, 2020, 10:29:46 PM »

I was almost finished with the right side when the welder went on the fritz. For some reason the wire will not feed through the tip. Almost as if the OD of the wire suddenly increased.

I'm out of new tips, so tomorrow I'll run out and pick up some and get back at it.

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1620 on:** May 20, 2020, 06:44:10 PM »

Self explanatory

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1621 on:** May 20, 2020, 06:46:05 PM »

Here's how the water tank fluid level indicator will look, fit:

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1622 on:** May 20, 2020, 06:48:17 PM »

I finished bolting the body to the frame, running a couple more bolts to fasten things together. The shock bushings are cheap body mounts. Above I filled the void with silicone a week ago. Compressing it effectively has the cabin structure riding on flexible rubber like material

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1623 on:** May 20, 2020, 06:50:31 PM »

And both sides air bags are installed, lacking only a couple schrader valves and the fitting of the front snubber which I can't do until I set final ride height. You can see the difference between compressed and flexed suspension modes

TexasRedNeck · « **Reply #1624 on:** May 20, 2020, 10:52:41 PM »

Don, I feel ya! At least you had gloves on. My wound is just starting to heal enough for me to bend the finger all the way without splitting it back open

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Bigdave_185 · « **Reply #1625 on:** May 21, 2020, 09:13:02 AM »

Rub some sawdust in it. It’ll be just fine lol

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Flyin6 · « **Reply #1626 on:** May 21, 2020, 09:16:37 AM »

Quote from: TexasRedNeck on May 20, 2020, 10:52:41 PM

Don, I feel ya! At least you had gloves on. My wound is just starting to heal enough for me to bend the finger all the way without splitting it back open

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I knew you would "feel" that.
This sanded away a grove in my joint. The skin/covering is completely gone. It sawed about 1/8" into the bone. We were looking at it after cleaning it out. I'd say 3-4 stitches would do it, but I am trying a field repair. Pulled together with bandaids, after packing with antibiotic cream, then covered with masking tape. Going to give it a week and see what I have going on.

JR · « **Reply #1627 on:** May 21, 2020, 12:37:56 PM »

I did that a while back, but not to the bone. Wouldn't that call for duct tape?

Project is official, blood has been drawn.

TexasRedNeck · « **Reply #1628 on:** May 21, 2020, 01:30:09 PM »

In my med kit i carry the 3m steristrips, superglue/dermabond in addition to the stapler and sutures.

Ive only had one that came close to having to use the stapler.

Those grinder type mishaps often leave so much of a ragged edge that its hard to suture or staple. Better just using the steristips to hold it together while it heals a bit. I put a piece of a tongue depressor under the finger and taped it to keep me from bending it too

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Flyin6 · « **Reply #1629 on:** May 21, 2020, 03:43:56 PM »

Quote from: TexasRedNeck on May 21, 2020, 01:30:09 PM

In my med kit i carry the 3m steristrips, superglue/dermabond in addition to the stapler and sutures.

Ive only had one that came close to having to use the stapler.

Those grinder type mishaps often leave so much of a ragged edge that its hard to suture or staple. Better just using the steristips to hold it together while it heals a bit. I put a piece of a tongue depressor under the finger and taped it to keep me from bending it too

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It's not painful (Nerve damage?) and I am not all that hampered. Burning metal at the moment...life goes on!

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1630 on:** May 21, 2020, 07:48:47 PM »

Air suspension is now complete. It will go higher, but this is the ride height I think I'll work with

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1631 on:** May 21, 2020, 07:50:10 PM »

Water tank level installed and that is complete now. Next step is to fill the tank...tomorrow maybe

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1632 on:** May 21, 2020, 07:53:06 PM »

Those runs in the paint are really wearing on my nerves. To have put that much effort in it and to have it looking like this...

I can see it coming, I'll paint it again.

Anyway, I sealed most the compartments now with weather stripping. I have a very tight seal. With the new rubber, the pressure is stressing the hinges and the hardware. We'll see where it all sits tomorrow

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1633 on:** May 21, 2020, 07:53:49 PM »

The electrical compartment is not cooperating!

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1634 on:** May 21, 2020, 07:56:05 PM »

The seal in the frig compartment is very good!

I installed latches top and bottom to suck the door down. With the rear of the big sub so close, in rain, a lot of spray is going to be directed backward, so a good seal is essential

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1635 on:** May 21, 2020, 10:24:50 PM »

Next up is the construction of the spare tire carrier. Starting with a sheet of 11 gage, I laid out the pattern and first drilled the many holes that will evenly distribute the weight over a large area. I will weld in some stiffening ribs here and there but I wanted to keep it on the light side if possible.

stlaser · « **Reply #1636 on:** May 21, 2020, 10:56:26 PM »

Don, don’t worry about the paint. If that rig makes the trip and it doesn’t need body work when it’s over I’ll be surprised.....

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1637 on:** May 22, 2020, 09:26:00 AM »

Quote from: stlaser on May 21, 2020, 10:56:26 PM

Don, don’t worry about the paint. If that rig makes the trip and it doesn’t need body work when it’s over I’ll be surprised.....

Yikes!

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1638 on:** May 22, 2020, 09:28:49 PM »

Let's build this tire carrier. The plate was ground down and prepped

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1639 on:** May 22, 2020, 10:15:30 PM »

Next I welded in four 14mm X 1.5 pitch bolts, one long and three not so long to give me a guide to hang the wheel on when lifting. That was fitted to a thick wall 3X3

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1640 on:** May 22, 2020, 10:16:18 PM »

And that was then attached to the backing plate

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1641 on:** May 22, 2020, 10:17:00 PM »

And then reinforced with two angle sections

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1642 on:** May 22, 2020, 10:18:17 PM »

That was thoroughly cleaned, then sprayed with acid etch primer, then several coats of bed liner

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1643 on:** May 24, 2020, 06:07:37 PM »

That came out OK. The spare is now securely mounted, aired and ready for the trip

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1644 on:** May 24, 2020, 06:10:32 PM »

I'm trying to finagle this pipe into the design as storage for prop rods and fishing poles. You know the bamboo things we have in the tuck...

Anyway It's drain pipe, 6" ID which I added stiffeners to to create a more robust mount. It will mount above the AC and span the front which will expose it to branch rash, but will in turn deflect some of the pounding the front plate would have taken.

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1645 on:** May 24, 2020, 06:12:10 PM »

Here is the awning getting prepped for the install. You may recall the threaded inserts I set and glued to the inside of the roof. This will bolt into those in eight different places

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1646 on:** May 24, 2020, 06:13:06 PM »

First few holes drilled but things are fitting nicely

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1647 on:** May 24, 2020, 06:13:59 PM »

I used stainless allen socket head bolts which allowed me to tuck them in there tight to the side rail

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1648 on:** May 24, 2020, 06:15:44 PM »

So I have it sorted with the roof closed, but things will change drastically with the roof raised so I am working on a design to give me a sloping roof that is more rain and wind resistant.

JR · « **Reply #1649 on:** May 24, 2020, 07:19:57 PM »

It just squatted 2 more inches.