Sleepin Around, New Zealand. The Build

[Sheddie]

After another couple of little trips away we finally got to fitting the inner liner to the hatch. We used the same plastic sheet that we used for the head liner in the cabin. Although it is quite a flexible product, it is amazing how much it stiffened up the hatch. Previously there was quite a bit of twist in the hatch and it usually required two hands to line it up as you closed it, or it would catch on one or other of the bottom corners. Now it is a one handed job and it sits into place every time. We fitted towel rails across the inside of the hatch as well.

The gas struts are working well. We are able to release the catch and give it a slight pull, then let go and it glides up on its own.
I also removed the guards and painted them black to match the red and black theme on the sides. We hadn't done them first up, to give the galvanising time to weather a bit. There can't be much left to do?
Frank

[KCStudly]

Very well appointed!

[Sheddie]

Not really a build item, but it sure adds to the usability is the side awning.

We couldn't find one of these in NZ, but we were able to get a friend to bring one back from Australia. The ones we had seen advertised in NZ only had the top and back, but no sides. They call them a RV shade, to hang off the back of a van or 4X4. This would be handy for us to put over the side door as a changing room/covered lounge etc and we could then use the gazebo over the galley. This would also be good for touring trips when we would only be spending one night in each place and leave the gazebo at home. It all rolls up into a little bag about 18" long and about 6"diameter, and that includes the pegs and poles.

[dales133]

Great idea.
If you want another the sales are coming up here I might even get 2 for myself one for the cruiser and one for overnighting

[Sheddie]

Thanks for that Dale.
My wife cousin was over from Oz recently and bought a second one with her. Only problem was that she was travelling light with only cabin baggage and they confiscated the tent pegs before they let her on board. They were probably worried she would peg the pilot to the ground. We got ours from Anaconda free or reasonable delivery in Oz, was going to be about three times the cost of the shade to post to NZ.
Frank.

[dales133]

Yea postage between oz and nz is a disgrace especially from here to there.
Bloody mongerals

[noseoil]

I generally use 5/16" (8mm) carriage bolts for tent stakes. Just buy some 6"-8" long bolts (longer if it's sand) and grind a point on them in the shop with a bench grinder. They have a nice curved head, threaded shank, are very robust and I have yet to have one bend when hitting a rock. Find a fastener supply for the best prices, hardware stores & home centers can be much too expensive for longer bolts.

[Vedette]

Years ago, when I worked in Recreation, I used to buy all the bases for our Softball & Baseball programs.
They came with these great Base Pins. They have a flat loop at the top to slide the base strap thru. They have made the greatest tent pegs.....Because they have a large enough hitting surface that even the wife can't miss with a hammer in the dark, they are easy to hook onto with the claw hammer to pull out (even in clay) and those little hooks that are attached to your fly or ezee up side walls just hook right to them.
How is that for side tracking a thread on a snowy winter day!
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi

[Sheddie]

Hi Tim & Brian,
Thanks for the ideas on pegs. Fortunately we can buy packs of pegs in all sorts of sizes for bugger all at the hardware & camping stores.
Funny thing Tim, with bolt prices. We can buy a box of bolts at one of the building supple/hardware stores (using a discount card) cheaper than the same product from the manufacturers own store. And the manager there does me good deals, as I mow one of his lawns. The carriage bolts should give good grip though. As far as the size of the hitting surface, we have a big rubber mallet the we have always used. It is probably older than me as my dad had it when he took us camping as far back as I can remember. It doesn't burr the tops of the pegs and is much quieter when you arrive late at a camp site.
Brian you can side track all you like.
I don't see any snow here, so I had better go mow my own law.
Frank.

[Sheddie]

Finishing touches. We located a set of early Ford Mustang wheel trims on Trade Me.

Then I decided I needed to repaint the wheels to suit.

[Vedette]

Nice Choice Frank!
I used 1955 Chrysler 300 hubcaps on Miss Piggy.
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi

[felixx]

This is a great build. I am painting my Anglia in Feb then it is time to build my TD
(2 small kids means $$ are thin on the ground)
My plan is to have her on the road for next xmas

I am no carpenter but I will try and emulate some of your innovative ideas.

I am trying to go as light as possible, was alucore lighter than ply?

[Vedette]

This is a great build. I am painting my Anglia in Feb then it is time to build my TD
(2 small kids means $$ are thin on the ground)
My plan is to have her on the road for next xmas

I am no carpenter but I will try and emulate some of your innovative ideas.

I am trying to go as light as possible, was alucore lighter than ply?

No Carpenter??
Why not build it out of an Anglia then??
Can you weld?
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi

[Sheddie]

Hi Felix
I'm not sure about the weight difference between the acl & ply, but I would think that 4mm acl would be heavier than 4mm ply. On the other hand I probably would not use 4mm ply on the outside unless it had a skin over it, alloy or fibre glass etc, and then the weight would probably be getting near the same. About the only change I would make to the side wall construction, would be to cut bigger holes in the main sheets where I have put the Polly. Because we were "suck it and see","design as you go", I wasn't sure of a lot of fixing points for interior stuff, practically in the gally, so left the ply there to make sure. The other thing is that we do get a bit of condensation on the interior walls some nights when sleeping in it, BUT not where the Polly is. A little bit of extra weight doesn't hurt when you are towing, as it will ride a lot better, and have a wind cheating shape.
The other good thing with that acl, as we were short on time, once it was on there was no finishing to do. No painting or sanding.
Frank

[dales133]

That composite sheet comes in at about 5.5 kg m2 from memory