Slow Build in Oz

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Re: Slow Build in Oz

Postby MickinOz » Sat Oct 17, 2020 1:40 am

After all that the day saw advances.
I found a way to mount the TV antenna. For the moment, I am using an $11 K-Mart cheapy that works amazingly well given it's price and design.
Of course, I'm only about 10 miles from the transmitter, so even a coat hanger would probably work.
Still, it gives me hope that I'll be able to receive TV most places I plan to go.
If not, there's always DVD. I have chosen to mount the thing on the ceiling inside the cabin cupboards.
I used stick on velcro tape and set it up so I can try 3 different orientations.

We tidied up the TV wiring, and cleaned out the cabin. I'd been holding off installing the mattress due to wanting to put in the mudguard bolts first, and I didn't want to install the mudguards until I'd painted the exterior, etc. etc.
I realised I could set the mudguard bolts in place with a decent amount of sealer under the washer, snug up the nuts on the outside and let the sikaflex 252 glue the bolts in place. They'll stay right where I put them when I slip the mudguards on.
We let the sealant skin up, then put in the mattress.
Clarke Rubber premium 6" foam queen size. Fitted like a glove.
It folded in three easily and three tie down straps held it while it went through the door with minimal effort.
Decided we'll need two more pillows.
It works out. The comforter, which is black one side and grey the other came with two pillow cases, and the sheet set came with two.
So we'll have 4 pillow cases.
I'm very tempted to sleep in it tonight in the garage, just for kicks.
Any concerns about being cramped or getting claustrophobia have ebbed. There is a lot of clearance everywhere. I may even fit another shelf under the cupboards.
We definitely need some little shelves for drinks.
I'll do some thinking about that.

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Re: Slow Build in Oz

Postby edgeau » Sat Oct 17, 2020 2:06 am

Looking good. Pity about the weather. Bedside shelves are definitely worth putting in.

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Re: Slow Build in Oz

Postby tony.latham » Sat Oct 17, 2020 9:01 am

I'm very tempted to sleep in it tonight in the garage...


Hell, yeah!

As we used to say on those Alaskan wildfires, "every day a picnic, every night a campout."

:thumbsup:

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Re: Slow Build in Oz

Postby MickinOz » Sun Nov 01, 2020 3:03 am

I have made some small advances.
The beast has had 2 coats of zinsser primer, followed by two coats of white enamel. Both primer and paint are oil based, with sanding between coats.
I put the first coat of primer on with a brush. Horrible. Swapped to a roller after that. Slightly less horrible results.
When the paint has set up for a few weeks, I'm thinking I'll give it a hand polish with T-cut, just to take off the lumps and bumps and bits of lint, and stuck insects.
I refitted the latches and, with no excuses left, fitted the hatch seal. I'm calling my seal setup successful, even if I haven't actually used it yet.
It sits about 5-6mm proud of the groove, and when I snag down the latches I can watch the hatch move in several mm more, after the seal contacts the hatch
Jobs left before first trip:
Paint drawbar black, fit trailer lights and reflectors, fit midguards, weigh it and convert registration per local regs from trailer to caravan.
Then its get it valued and insure it.
white paint.JPG
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Seal sits just right for 4mm or so of compression
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Re: Slow Build in Oz

Postby MickinOz » Fri Nov 06, 2020 10:17 pm

There has been progress of sorts.
The mudguards and mudflaps are fitted.
The beast comes in under the correct width for reflectors on the sides. Much more and I'd be required to fit lights.
Don't want to, so I'm pleased.
I sometimes ask myself whether I'll ever be finished, but each weekend I advance things a little.
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Re: Slow Build in Oz

Postby edgeau » Sat Nov 07, 2020 3:00 am

You won't ever be finished but you will use it then keep improving it. That is all part of the fun.

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Re: Slow Build in Oz

Postby MickinOz » Wed Nov 11, 2020 6:16 am

Put some lights on her after work.
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Re: Slow Build in Oz

Postby MickinOz » Fri Nov 13, 2020 9:42 pm

I took the beast to a weighbridge today.
With bedding, battery, water, fridge, TV, but no cooking utensils, food, clothes, spare tyre or solar panel, it came in at 580 Kg tare.
1279 lbs.
You don't normally weigh them with the water in it, but I thought this would substitute for the missing spare tyre.
There is 45 Kg on the jockey wheel.
That leaves 535 Kg on the wheels.
Here in Oz, the GTM (Gross Trailer Mass) determines the need for brakes.
The GTM is the weight on the wheels.
If the GTM does not exceed 750 Kg, no brakes are required.
So, I am looking at being able to carry 750-535 = 215 Kg of clothes, cooking gear, food, etc. without the need for brakes.
470 lbs.
Should be alright.
I dreamed of being a quite a bit lighter. But that was before I double skinned it, added fridge slides, bigger axle, etc.
Doors weighed more than expected, too.
Still a few things to add, spare tyre, solar panel and awning will soak up about 50 Kg

OK I guess. (Has to be OK, not much one can do about it! :) )

I looked here http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=60392
Seems 1275 lbs isn't far off the centre line for 46 square foot trailer.
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Re: Slow Build in Oz

Postby MickinOz » Sat Nov 14, 2020 8:08 pm

Well, what a difference a day makes.
Granted I've only been estimating as I go along, but dang I was struggling to understand how my camper grew from 190 kg with the chassis and floor to 580 kg with the walls, roof, doors, cupboards, mattress, etc.
Did I really throw nearly 400 kg more materials at it? Hard to fathom. I had no trouble carrying that mattress by myself, I could lift a whole wall panel or a door by myself, how the heck did I bolt so much weight in? :shock:

So I went back and weighed it again today. This time only the weight on the wheels.
420kg! It's still 45kg on the hitch, so total weight at present is 465 kg. Call it 470 kg for safety sake.
Now that's better. :D

Different weighbridge operator today.
I reckon the lad yesterday took the weight while I was still standing on the bridge unhooking the trailer from the ute.
Today's operator came to the door and checked I was set before taking the weight.
So I am a happy man.
I swear the thing towed lighter on the way home. :lol:
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Re: Slow Build in Oz

Postby MickinOz » Sun Nov 15, 2020 3:38 am

Assuming the missus is up to it, next Friday night will see us snoozing in the camper for the first time.
About 12 months since I bought the trailer home.
Pretty much just need to throw in some clothes and food. Plenty of small stuff to do -
Mount the fire extinguisher.
Provide a point to latch the door in the open position on each side.
Padlocks for the hatch.
Black paint n the visible frame parts.
Head down to the rego office and convert the registration.
Still have to stock the galley with a nice set of campware - plates, cutlery, cookware, dish for washing up, etc.
Outdoor light, awning, etc.
Full size spare tyre (taking one of the orginal tyres for now.)

Still, an overnighter to the pub where this all started is all doable.
I'll just throw in my mouldy old camp gear I keep in the boat for now.

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Re: Slow Build in Oz

Postby MickinOz » Mon Nov 16, 2020 2:46 am

Dunno where my previous post went. Apologies if this is a double up.
My incandescent downlights look cool but, as much as I like them, they draw 1.91 amps between them.
So I bit the bullet and bought a couple of LED bulbs.
Now the current draw is 0.24 amps.
They only cost $3.60 and the missus says she likes the whiter light.
Pretty happy with that.
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Re: Slow Build in Oz

Postby noseoil » Mon Nov 16, 2020 5:22 pm

Looks really good, an overnighter at the pub is a certainly a celebration.
Build log: viewtopic.php?f=50&t=60248
The time you spend planning is more important than the time you spend building.........

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Re: Slow Build in Oz

Postby MickinOz » Tue Nov 17, 2020 9:21 pm

State just got put in total lockdown from midnight tonight. Currently sitting in the eye clinic waiting for the wife to have a check up. If they admit her for treatment again, then we are stuck 125 miles from home for the next 6 days.
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Re: Slow Build in Oz

Postby MickinOz » Wed Nov 18, 2020 6:19 am

Made it home with an hour and a half to spare.
Would have made it sooner, but there was a wreck on the highway.
3 cars and a semi.
No one dead.

Still, reminds me of a song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHeyGj4bIJs
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Re: Slow Build in Oz

Postby MickinOz » Wed Nov 18, 2020 6:44 pm

Fire safety has been bothering me.
In particular, I had a mate who lost the lot on the Birdsville Track when his camper trailer burst into flames not long after they stopped to cook lunch.
They either slid it away too hot, or IMO more likely they forgot to turn a burner off.

After much deliberation I have come up with a safety interlock I like.
I will be using a butane can stove setup.
Seldom is Oz too cold for these to work, and doing away with plumbing is a big attraction - no certification of gas installation required.
These little stoves come with a lever that must be pushed down to engage the gas canister and render the stove operational.
I will screw the stove to the slide-out, and align a spring loaded pin with the lever.
With the lever in the operating position, the pin will protrude below the slide-out and prevent it from being pushed back under the counter.
I think I can make it look neat.
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