Author Topic: OverLanding Camper Build (Read 75042 times)

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1550 on:** May 12, 2020, 07:38:26 PM »

We kept lifting and adjusting the chassis position, shoring up the camper body as we got higher

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1551 on:** May 12, 2020, 07:40:11 PM »

I directed the boys as they carefully lowered the body a click at a time. We had to use a jack to move the frame laterally, and roll the nose around on the nose wheel, but eventually, I got it all where I wanted it to be

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1552 on:** May 12, 2020, 07:42:25 PM »

Then came the magic moment when the two were joined. I quickly drove in 16 wood screws to hold things as they are until I can motor the thing back up into the garage for its final fitting out to be made road ready.

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1553 on:** May 12, 2020, 07:44:00 PM »

And the first thing I noticed is it sits too low. The tires have barely 2" clearance with the wheel well, so I'll have to address that tomorrow.

Bigdave_185 · « **Reply #1554 on:** May 12, 2020, 07:44:30 PM »

Now I have to ask why is the man door on the driver side of the camper, seems backwards for no other reason then. That’s not where they go

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Flyin6 · « **Reply #1555 on:** May 12, 2020, 07:54:53 PM »

Quote from: Bigdave_185 on May 12, 2020, 07:44:30 PM

Now I have to ask why is the man door on the driver side of the camper, seems backwards for no other reason then. That’s not where they go

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You just noticing that?

Cause I wanted it there

No place it has to be

Custom build, I could put it in the roof if that's what I wanted

I can see where it would work on the opposite side like most campers, but I was thinking it would be just a quick sprint to the truck drivers door in the rain.

Sammconn · « **Reply #1556 on:** May 12, 2020, 08:18:13 PM »

Looks good boss.
Unfortunate that you glued the suspension on so well. Could have been an easy add 2” if they we only tacked. I suppose you likely have a plan already in mind though.

JR · « **Reply #1557 on:** May 12, 2020, 08:29:59 PM »

Was going to ask about the GVW, but the squat covers that. Can you address the height or do you need to space it up?

But, its ON!!!

TexasRedNeck · « **Reply #1558 on:** May 12, 2020, 08:30:13 PM »

Doors in the US are on the drivers side. My fifth wheel had a door into the second bath on the passenger side. It made bathroom stops easier because it was opposite the traffic

Edit. Backward. Is is passenger but I had a door on drivers to the rear bathroom supposedly because in Australia they require a door on the side opposite traffic for roadside stops.
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oklawall · « **Reply #1559 on:** May 12, 2020, 09:25:46 PM »

Looks great, you do good work Sir.

stlaser · « **Reply #1560 on:** May 12, 2020, 11:34:40 PM »

A little jab saw work should fix the clearance issue.....

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1561 on:** May 13, 2020, 12:19:03 AM »

Quote from: JR on May 12, 2020, 08:29:59 PM

Was going to ask about the GVW, but the squat covers that. Can you address the height or do you need to space it up?

But, its ON!!!

Plan to shim the rubber block
Needs about 2-3 inches to make me feel OK

Not a lot of bounce though

TexasRedNeck · « **Reply #1562 on:** May 13, 2020, 07:12:17 AM »

I’m awaiting the scale ticket....

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Farmer Jon · « **Reply #1563 on:** May 13, 2020, 07:31:22 AM »

Quote from: TexasRedNeck on May 13, 2020, 07:12:17 AM

I’m awaiting the scale ticket....

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Nate · « **Reply #1564 on:** May 13, 2020, 08:23:00 AM »

Quote from: Farmer Jon on May 13, 2020, 07:31:22 AM

Quote from: TexasRedNeck on May 13, 2020, 07:12:17 AM
I’m awaiting the scale ticket....

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Flyin6 · « **Reply #1565 on:** May 13, 2020, 09:54:36 AM »

Why on earth is that so important to you all?

If its light, it's light. If its heavy, its heavy

Whatever it is, its still going on trips...

Girls...

cruizng · « **Reply #1566 on:** May 13, 2020, 10:07:33 AM »

Looks great. Close to end of job!

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1567 on:** May 13, 2020, 10:09:17 AM »

Quote from: cruizng on May 13, 2020, 10:07:33 AM

Looks great. Close to end of job!

Yessir

JR · « **Reply #1568 on:** May 13, 2020, 01:23:44 PM »

I agree, looks good. Even the suicide door

Think we all thought it would ride way higher, looks like a low rider.

How is the attachment happening?

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1569 on:** May 13, 2020, 03:52:24 PM »

Quote from: JR on May 13, 2020, 01:23:44 PM

I agree, looks good. Even the suicide door

Think we all thought it would ride way higher, looks like a low rider.

How is the attachment happening?

About done...

But have to raise it about 3". Tires almost touching.

I had no way of really knowing how it would all fit together. The only way was to just toss it together and adjust the result to arrive where I need to be.

Short break, just washed it, cleaned out the bay and backed it in

Back to it

dave945 · « **Reply #1570 on:** May 13, 2020, 09:02:49 PM »

I don’t know Don. I think it’s beyond fixing and will probably end up being an emotional drain on you during this already stressful. Pandemic. My deep respect for you as a fellow military man makes me feel obligated to say this: I’ll take it off your hands, that way you can take everything you’ve learned from this one and make one that won’t hurt as much. I only say it because I care. Just think about it at least.
:D

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Flyin6 · « **Reply #1571 on:** May 13, 2020, 09:09:14 PM »

Quote from: dave945 on May 13, 2020, 09:02:49 PM

I don’t know Don. I think it’s beyond fixing and will probably end up being an emotional drain on you during this already stressful. Pandemic. My deep respect for you as a fellow military man makes me feel obligated to say this: I’ll take it off your hands, that way you can take everything you’ve learned from this one and make one that won’t hurt as much. I only say it because I care. Just think about it at least.
:D

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OK, Air Force, I took two seconds to think about it...No!

Anything else?

Zoomies...

;-))

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1572 on:** May 13, 2020, 09:13:20 PM »

Passing by the burb. Color is way off, and I have to say, the paint job on that camper is horrible. I can't believe I sprayed that. Seems that the metallic ran after I sprayed it. But the whole thing is going to have to be resprayed. Probably after the trip, but if I can spool a buddy's body shop in a day or so, you just may see the worlds fastest camper paint em up you've ever seen!

Oh and it's light. The J Deere pulled it with no spinning, no labor and almost no RPM

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1573 on:** May 13, 2020, 09:14:20 PM »

Just washed and ready to enter the bay where it will be finished

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1574 on:** May 13, 2020, 09:15:46 PM »

And so it begins, final fitting out

Batteries going in, fuel can mounted, electrical shore power plugged in and checked

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1575 on:** May 13, 2020, 09:16:54 PM »

Frig dropped in and plugged in. With the AC running it cooled right down...Check!

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1576 on:** May 13, 2020, 09:19:31 PM »

Next, to the suspension. It needed a couple inches of lift, I pulled it down, then fashioned up a spacer and reassembled. I retorqued the spacer bolts while I was in there. The fat hockey puck is the up limiter which I will have to cut to size once I get the height I want

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1577 on:** May 13, 2020, 09:20:28 PM »

Spacers in, wheels back on and resting on the suspension, I realized a 2" lift...About right

TexasRedNeck · « **Reply #1578 on:** May 13, 2020, 10:00:11 PM »

Quote from: JR on May 13, 2020, 01:23:44 PM

I agree, looks good. Even the suicide door

Think we all thought it would ride way higher, looks like a low rider.

How is the attachment happening?

It rode low because ......

It’s heavy

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wyorunner · « **Reply #1579 on:** May 13, 2020, 10:19:42 PM »

Have you filled your water tank yet?

Had to remind myself that puts some good weight behind the axle, and balance out the trailer and tongue weight. Sure a nice build.

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1580 on:** May 13, 2020, 10:23:09 PM »

Quote from: wyorunner on May 13, 2020, 10:19:42 PM

Have you filled your water tank yet?

Had to remind myself that puts some good weight behind the axle, and balance out the trailer and tongue weight. Sure a nice build.

No, has the drain plugs out, that is coming right up though

JR · « **Reply #1581 on:** May 13, 2020, 10:40:57 PM »

Look, the sub is playing in the green mulch!!!

Metallic is hard to spray, a pewter grey would look nice though.

Still think it needs more lift. No water or gear really. Have you contacted the axle company yet?

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1582 on:** May 13, 2020, 11:08:33 PM »

Quote from: JR on May 13, 2020, 10:40:57 PM

Look, the sub is playing in the green mulch!!!

Metallic is hard to spray, a putter grey would look nice though.

Still think it needs more lift. No water or gear really. Have you contacted the axle company yet?

I think I figured it out.

The suspension components are for a 5K or a 6K trailer, but the rubber block (Spring) is for a 3,000 lb trailer, so it compresses a lot more than it would if it were a more robust soring.

I think I'm going to add a pair of air bags to it so that I can adjust the ride height. Maybe keep it low for going down the highway and raise it a bit when negotiating high-center obstacles

KensAuto · « **Reply #1583 on:** May 14, 2020, 12:03:55 AM »

The color is pretty close, probably a perfect match after the sun goes down.

Seriously looks darn good.

JR · « **Reply #1584 on:** May 14, 2020, 03:32:22 AM »

Why not just get the 5-6k puck?

cj7ox · « **Reply #1585 on:** May 14, 2020, 12:56:59 PM »

Looks good, Don! I think the paint is fine. Has a bit of a weathered look, plus, once you roll down a gravel/dirt road, the dust gathered will mask any imperfections. ;-)

EL TATE · « **Reply #1586 on:** May 14, 2020, 01:44:54 PM »

Quote from: cj7ox on May 14, 2020, 12:56:59 PM

Looks good, Don! I think the paint is fine. Has a bit of a weathered look, plus, once you roll down a gravel/dirt road, the dust gathered will mask any imperfections. ;-)

agreed. looks like bedliner shot over wood grain to me. a pretty perfect example actually. different angles catch the light differently etc. just let it be. not a whole lot of wood construction, off road, hand crafted trailers out there for comparison;-)

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1587 on:** May 14, 2020, 02:50:59 PM »

Quote from: cj7ox on May 14, 2020, 12:56:59 PM

Looks good, Don! I think the paint is fine. Has a bit of a weathered look, plus, once you roll down a gravel/dirt road, the dust gathered will mask any imperfections. ;-)

Thinkin' like a tanker!

I always thought it was amusing the pains we would go through to camo our M-60A1's with paint and things, when really after one road march the thing was always the color of its surroundings!

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1588 on:** May 14, 2020, 02:52:19 PM »

Quote from: JR on May 14, 2020, 03:32:22 AM

Why not just get the 5-6k puck?

JR, I ordered the air bag kit last night.

When one of U's mentioned the weight of the water, I came to realize the weight will vary widely as will the conditions I find myself in, so might as well make the suspension adjustable to accommodate

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1589 on:** May 14, 2020, 02:54:53 PM »

Quote from: EL TATE on May 14, 2020, 01:44:54 PM

Quote from: cj7ox on May 14, 2020, 12:56:59 PM
Looks good, Don! I think the paint is fine. Has a bit of a weathered look, plus, once you roll down a gravel/dirt road, the dust gathered will mask any imperfections. ;-)

agreed. looks like bedliner shot over wood grain to me. a pretty perfect example actually. different angles catch the light differently etc. just let it be. not a whole lot of wood construction, off road, hand crafted trailers out there for comparison;-)

My concern is with what looks like runs. There aren't any runs per see, but the metallic grain seems to have settled in a waterfall pattern that makes it look like it is full of runs. It does not look good and will drive me crazy. I'll eventually fix it but for now it is game on with just a couple weeks to go.

cj7ox · « **Reply #1590 on:** May 14, 2020, 03:04:22 PM »

Quote from: Flyin6 on May 14, 2020, 02:50:59 PM

Quote from: cj7ox on May 14, 2020, 12:56:59 PM
Looks good, Don! I think the paint is fine. Has a bit of a weathered look, plus, once you roll down a gravel/dirt road, the dust gathered will mask any imperfections. ;-)
Thinkin' like a tanker!

I always thought it was amusing the pains we would go through to camo our M-60A1's with paint and things, when really after one road march the thing was always the color of its surroundings!

My point, exactly.

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1591 on:** May 14, 2020, 10:50:22 PM »

Propane line got a "Y" fitting and is starting to get connected. Front side:

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1592 on:** May 14, 2020, 10:51:26 PM »

Back end, I had to make a hole to bring the gas and the trailer harness into the inside

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1593 on:** May 14, 2020, 10:53:23 PM »

I also shoved some extra wires into the bundle for future uses I do not yet envision.

Once zip tied together, the area was given a liberal coat of RTV and the top cover screwed down

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1594 on:** May 14, 2020, 10:55:54 PM »

I did some plumbing of H2O lines, but did not take any pics, I'll get them tomorrow

Here's the exploded view as this thing continues to grow in size and operational abilities

Looks like some of the weather stripping peeled off and stuck to the roof panel!

JR · « **Reply #1595 on:** May 15, 2020, 12:20:16 AM »

TexasRedNeck · « **Reply #1596 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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Flyin6 · « **Reply #1597 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...

Bigdave_185 · « **Reply #1598 on:** May 15, 2020, 12:13:11 PM »

I think the whole thing looks great honestly, The fire drill after you break wind in it for the first time will be fun to hear about

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Dawg25385 · « **Reply #1599 on:** May 15, 2020, 03:14:40 PM »

Wow, that’s awesome. Great work. And who cares if it’s on the heavy side... biggest gripe with production campers is that they’re flimsy and weak.

Besides, it’s the aerodynamic drag that would hurt you more than an extra 1000 lbs, and you’re not going to have any drag to speak of.

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