Author Topic: OverLanding Camper Build (Read 100120 times)

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1100 on:** March 14, 2020, 08:12:16 PM »

Vinyl fabric ordered. I purchased the same olive drab stuff that Army "temper-tents" are made of. That stuff worked in monsoons, it should work here!

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1101 on:** March 17, 2020, 07:02:56 PM »

Ready to paint this thing? Well I was! It got sprayed yesterday and had dried by hard this morning.

I took some time and sanded the whole thing off again just incase, and because the urethane had hardened beyond what I thought would be safe to just spray over with paint

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1102 on:** March 17, 2020, 07:04:02 PM »

This time I showed up with two quarts of urethane paint, and this time in the color of the Suburban, metallic and all

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1103 on:** March 17, 2020, 07:05:29 PM »

The paint looks darker than the burb, but who knows, the basement lighting vs natural sunlight. I splashed some on the gray I had used to showcase how much darker I was going

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1104 on:** March 17, 2020, 07:07:04 PM »

And then I began spraying and mixing and shaking and spraying and mixing and shaking like forever until I had exhausted all my urethane.

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1105 on:** March 17, 2020, 07:08:23 PM »

I had enough to finish coating the rest of the camper with a pretty thick coat, then I just dusted the rest of the exterior with the remaining can.

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1106 on:** March 17, 2020, 07:10:51 PM »

The urethane was a 4:1:1 mix

I sprayed it out of a new HF 20 oz HVLP gun that I picked up for $20!

And it sprayed just fine

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1107 on:** March 17, 2020, 07:13:44 PM »

I laid down two coats of urethane paint with hardener over top of the existing bed liner material

It came out OK, but not perfect. Because of the metallic, I picked up some shading and a little streaking

and

Know what?

I don't care...the flippin thing is done!

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1108 on:** March 17, 2020, 07:16:01 PM »

Some closeups. It's serviceable and with trail dust/dirt/mud will never be noticed

and

it will never be leaking through the wood either. That termite food is sealed for good!

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1109 on:** March 17, 2020, 07:17:38 PM »

I had time to paint the lifting mechanism parts too.

After reassembly of all the stuff I took off, that project is the next rung in the ladder to climb

Farmer Jon · « **Reply #1110 on:** March 18, 2020, 08:03:49 PM »

I like that color.

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Flyin6 · « **Reply #1111 on:** March 19, 2020, 11:43:53 AM »

Untapped and going back together

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1112 on:** March 19, 2020, 11:45:56 AM »

Coated hardware with epoxy paint instead of the powder coat it came with

And everything is fitting together just fine

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1113 on:** March 19, 2020, 11:47:17 AM »

Tail Lights wired in for the final time

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1114 on:** March 19, 2020, 11:48:16 AM »

Then I knocked out a simple template for the base of the spare tire mount

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1115 on:** March 19, 2020, 11:53:23 AM »

Assembled!

This is where I went into the mounting of the lifting mechanism.

I mounted it, and after watching it "work" I decided to can that whole idea. It would bind and push outward, attempting to bend the linkage and a blind man could see that it would eventually fail.

So with time running short, I moved on to a 4-post lifting system which will use four of these actuators, one at each corner.

Yea, I know Dave suggested that about a hundred pages ago, but if I am to get this to work in time for a vacation, the four motors possibly assisted by some gas struts is the best course of action.

KensAuto · « **Reply #1116 on:** March 19, 2020, 09:51:17 PM »

That color looks great!

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1117 on:** March 19, 2020, 10:44:23 PM »

Quote from: KensAuto on March 19, 2020, 09:51:17 PM

That color looks great!

Thanks Ken
A bit streaky, but at this point, I am pressing on. Once it gets trail dust on it you won't notice anything

So the lifting mechanism I had built that bolted to the exterior was scrapped, but here is what it looked like installed. It has hence forth been removed

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1118 on:** March 19, 2020, 10:46:48 PM »

I had covered the linear actuators with that abrasion resistant wiring wrap to make all that kinder to the roof rubber, but as it stands I am keeping that feature

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1119 on:** March 19, 2020, 10:47:52 PM »

Then the roof hold down latches were installed, one at each corner

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1120 on:** March 19, 2020, 10:50:17 PM »

And now getting tired of messing with the lift mechanism, I have decided to just add four actuators, one at each corner to directly push up and lift the roof. I ordered a duplicate set of the ones I already have. The ones I have tucked in pretty well. I hardly notice them being in there.

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1121 on:** March 20, 2020, 08:01:32 PM »

Here's some fun stuff. Picked up an extending/folding broom and a paper roll dispenser and mounted the latter above the folding table

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1122 on:** March 20, 2020, 08:02:53 PM »

And installed some pantry organization trays and holders in the pantry area

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1123 on:** March 20, 2020, 08:05:28 PM »

And finally cut out the sink slide-out to fit that piece

I have been using a technique of using a torch to melt candle wax onto a surface, then rubbing it into the wood grain in this case. The wax both lubricates and waterproofs the part.

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1124 on:** March 20, 2020, 08:07:53 PM »

Getting busy on installing the windows, first I cut spacers and glued them into place around the perimeter of the opening

A quick check fit showed things were spaced perfectly

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1125 on:** March 20, 2020, 08:10:24 PM »

With tape holding the window in place, I backfilled the space and cavity with black silicone. The caulk will be the sole mechanical means of holding the window in place much the same as the double sinks I have in the kitchen

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1126 on:** March 20, 2020, 08:11:45 PM »

I applied a generous bead of the smelly stuff to the door flange, then screwed that into place

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1127 on:** March 20, 2020, 08:13:07 PM »

Then the drip rail was screwed into place thus completing the exterior installation of this cool door

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1128 on:** March 20, 2020, 08:14:29 PM »

And it works as advertised

I slid the window down to expose the screen and air out the interior

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1129 on:** March 20, 2020, 08:15:57 PM »

Looking more and more like a camper!

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1130 on:** March 20, 2020, 08:16:47 PM »

The other window is setting up as well

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1131 on:** March 20, 2020, 08:19:33 PM »

I have a metal interior trim piece, but I swear that I cannot figure out how it attaches to the window. It almost looks like it would screw into something around the perimeter of the window frame, but screw it. That window will never come out with that silicone holding it in, and I think I want to create some cool inside wooden window trim piece...I'll think about it

Bigdave_185 · « **Reply #1132 on:** March 20, 2020, 09:20:10 PM »

There is a small channel on the inside. Some self rapper screws should do the trick to go through the Predrilled holes on your window trim on the inside.

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Flyin6 · « **Reply #1133 on:** March 21, 2020, 10:49:17 AM »

Quote from: Bigdave_185 on March 20, 2020, 09:20:10 PM

There is a small channel on the inside. Some self rapper screws should do the trick to go through the Predrilled holes on your window trim on the inside.

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Must have missed them, I didn't see any, but I'm on it
Those things are in there so well, they feel like they grew as a part of the panel

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1134 on:** March 22, 2020, 09:54:32 PM »

Door trim is in

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1135 on:** March 22, 2020, 09:57:19 PM »

And both windows as well

There is some detail work remaining, but at this point they work and are serviceable, so I'm moving onto other work. I may not get everything done before I pull up stakes here, but if it sleeps us, keeps us dry or warm or cool and doesn't fall apart, then it served its purpose

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1136 on:** March 22, 2020, 09:59:27 PM »

Punched out all the rubber holes to uncover the threaded inserts which the awning will bolt to. I'll cover the ones up I do not use with that rubber tape stuff. It closes off and seals up things pretty well...hmmm, I wonder if it would work on a person's yap?

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1137 on:** March 22, 2020, 10:00:37 PM »

And I mounted the I=Pad holdin' device. And yes, it clears the bed when i raise it

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1138 on:** March 22, 2020, 10:03:35 PM »

The frame plan was completed this evening and I'll be ordering the steel tomorrow.

Have to get ahead of the business closings. Governor Beshear just ordered the mandatory closing of all non-essential retail stores. Hardware stores along with grocery, pharmacy, auto parts and repair, and services remain open. I am hoping to get the steel while its a gray area.

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1139 on:** March 23, 2020, 08:12:07 PM »

Got the lift actuators wired in today. This simple module powers the top up or down by pressing the corresponding button

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1140 on:** March 23, 2020, 08:14:43 PM »

The wiring ran all over the place. The heavy wire supplies power to the switch panel, while the speaker wire (Yes, speaker wire) carries power to three of the four actuators.
Because of the way I set it all up, I can easily bring a wire in behind the secondary fuse panel to get power

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1141 on:** March 23, 2020, 08:16:30 PM »

The wiring spaghetti cleaned up nicely

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1142 on:** March 23, 2020, 08:18:18 PM »

Same with the other side. Wires are run, now just waiting for the second set of actuators to arrive

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1143 on:** March 23, 2020, 08:20:09 PM »

Those wires will be covered with a trim piece in due time.

With the simple touch of a button either on the switch panel or via a key fob remote, up goes the top!

Bigdave_185 · « **Reply #1144 on:** March 23, 2020, 08:51:31 PM »

What is the total time for full extension?

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JR · « **Reply #1145 on:** March 23, 2020, 09:30:17 PM »

Guess they have no issue lifting/raising the heft. Probably smooth too.

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1146 on:** March 24, 2020, 12:04:01 AM »

Quote from: Bigdave_185 on March 23, 2020, 08:51:31 PM

What is the total time for full extension?

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Dunno, only raised it a foot or so. The top of the things are not bolted to the roof yet. They are pretty slow, and rated at 225 lbs lift ea, they do slow down and grunt. I'd estimate that roof to be north of 150 but less than 175

Bigdave_185 · « **Reply #1147 on:** March 24, 2020, 12:26:09 AM »

Wonder also how much juice from the batteries they four will take, how many ups n downs till dead battery

Do you have a way to still lift the roof if need be with out power?

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JR · « **Reply #1148 on:** March 24, 2020, 03:36:19 AM »

You can get a cheap wattmeter that will show the load and draw for testing.

https://smile.amazon.com/Analyzer-Precision-Digital-voltage-Measurement/dp/B07PF67T3P/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=wattmeter&qid=1585035258&sr=8-1

For no electric use, just get the rangers and quick releases on one end of the struts.

Farmer Jon · « **Reply #1149 on:** March 24, 2020, 08:44:54 AM »

Where did you source the lifting mechanism? The boss man has an old pop up with springs. He is looking to retrofit with an electric jack of some sort.

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