The Ritz

[migal0412]

G’day, another newish member from from downunder. I have already made a couple of posts here but I think it’s about time I put up some pics of what I have been up to in my spare time over the past five or so months. After finding this site early in the year I caught the bug and here’s the result. I still have to finish off the galley but 'The Ritz' is campable.













[URL=http://s577.photobucket.com/user/mikeh0412/media/13Readyforregistraltion.jpg.html]

[flbikejunkie]

Nice job! Love the Wiley windows

[KCStudly]

Very nice work there; a "clean" build.

[noseoil]

Very nice design & build, welcome. Are you planning on a tongue box for a little extra storage? Have a rolling weight & tongue weight yet? How about a tow vehicle, what are you pulling it with.

[Falcon]

Great build, What did you cover it with?

[migal0412]

I will be pulling it with a 2 door Suzuki Vitara 4x4 and my targeted empty weight was 250kgs and I was very happy when it weighed in at 240kgs but that was before the galley was finished. I am guessing that with the galley finished and fully loaded for camping it should weigh somewhere around 300-320kgs depending on how much beer I have on board.

I didn't really follow any set plans although I knew from the start that I wanted it strong and lightweight, and with that in mind I did consider the weight of everything that went into the build. I just looked at lots of pics on here and the build just evolved from there and seemed to work out OK. Nothing drawn on paper, all in the head which is probably the hard way but works for me, if it looks right it usually is.

I have used the West System epoxy on many previous projects and really like the stuff so I used 3 coats of it plus a quality undercoat and then 2 coats of marine paint rollered on as a final finish which should take care of any water problems in the future.

I have kept the electrics to a minimum with only 12V LED lights and a 12V fan with a small deep cycle battery and will probably use a portable solar panel to keep the charge up. I will probably have to make a tongue box to carry extra gear as well but I am not sure about that at this stage, I will make that decision after our first camping trip.

[Vedette]

Great Job!
You are going to enjoy many of wonderful nights sitting in your lawn chair behind your galley drinking icy cold beer.
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi

[Falcon]

Great build, What did you cover it with?

[migal0412]

Falcon, I did mention what I covered the ply with in my last post.

Here's what I said
I have used the West System epoxy on many previous projects and really like the stuff so I used 3 coats of it plus a quality undercoat and then 2 coats of marine paint rollered on as a final finish which should take care of any water problems in the future.

Cheers Mike