The Dutch build

[Marcogs]

Hello there,

Just introduced me last week to your beautiful forum.
I started my build two months ago, and hope it is interesting enough to share with you all.
It's gonna be a full build from the ground up.
Started with a old caravan that i striped to a bare chassis.

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Next job is the coupler that need to bee refurbished.
Kit is ordered online.

Frame is being split in half. I only need the front section. That's where the registration plate is:-))

[Marcogs]

Also bought two main items that I really wanted.
Now I can measure the depth and height of the drawers.

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Very happy whit it

[noseoil]

We used the same type of stove, but it gets hot when the oven is lit. Fastened an aluminum angle at the bottom of the stove to attach the drawer guides, then set it up for tracking in the opening. The sliders from a bathroom stall work to keep the stove in the closed position when traveling. It works well enough.

[Marcogs]

Nice set-up, i am planning to place it side ways to make more room for a bit bigger center cabinet. Maybe with a sink over it.
Can be changed in de build process , but thats the plan so far.

Is it in the states common to build your walls mostly with a sheet of plywood covering with aluminum? I see that a lot.
Here i want to use Dibond. It is a sort of sandwich material. Two layers of 0.3mm aluminum with a insulating core. totally thickness 5mm.
So the core from 19mm plywood take out some chunks for weight reduction and covering that on the outside with Dibond. On the inside a thin piece of plywood as a finishlayer (is that correct englisch )
They use it for advertising signs.

Thanks for your reply.

Gr. Marco

[noseoil]

Marco, a lot of aluminum is used for teardrops in the USA, it won't rust & bends easily on the large radius roofs of most builds. I used 3/4" plywood (19mm) for the walls, which was skinned inside & outside with 3mm Baltic Birch. The birch was protected with a couple of coats of urethane, then the aluminum went on last. The Dibond will work well for the walls, but it won't bend very well on a radius. You might want to use some 1mm aluminum for the roof if it has curves.

My build log has a lot of information & pictures to look at, but it's just one way to build. Look at a lot of builds to see how people make their campers. There are a lot of good ideas. Tony Latham's book is very well done, so you might consider a copy from Amazon. Looking forward to your build progress!

[Marcogs]

The draw bar had to be " restored". So i ordered a kit online and made it new again.
Also the clamp lever powder coated. (had no red anymore, but gloss black looks nice by me.)

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[Marcogs]

Last night the undercoating came in.
Zink based spray coating
Should be good.
When the position of the axel is clear and the guardrails in place. Then I'm gonna build me a spray cabin.
So much to do and so little time

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[Marcogs]

Finally,

My brand new 3000pound axle arived last weekend.
So it's Go time. A litle adjustment here and there, but nothing serious.

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[Marcogs]

Here we are again,

Did some things to the base.
Did the frame with anti stone chip and put the underfloor in place.
Now pre insulation work in progress.

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[Shadow Catcher]

Looks good. We have a much older version of the refrigerator, now more than 14 years old.
We do hope you will share your travels and country with us.

[Marcogs]

Looks good. We have a much older version of the refrigerator, now more than 14 years old.
We do hope you will share your travels and country with us.

of course, but first the build its self :-))

[noseoil]

Very nicely done. That should last for ever the way it's built! Should be nice for towing with a smooth ride & good handling.

[Marcogs]

Very nicely done. That should last for ever the way it's built! Should be nice for towing with a smooth ride & good handling.

Thanks :-) It's my first time and trying to do it right.
May take a while, because i need tot do it alone, but no rush.
Yesterday started with the insulation of the floor.

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[TallGuy7]

Hi Marco,

Great looking build so far. I am also planning to skin my skeletonized plywood with dibond. But for the roof it is necessary to score the material on one side so it can make the curves needed so it can be done. I am thinking of using 1.5mm GFK-plating for the roof. This is hail-proof and comes in large sizes to cover your roof with one piece of material.

How did you modify your chassis? Did you cut-off the towbar and welded on a new chasis and put on a new axle? If so, dont you need to have the chassis appoved bij the Dutch Vehicle Authority (RDW)?

[Marcogs]

Hi Marco,

Great looking build so far. I am also planning to skin my skeletonized plywood with dibond. But for the roof it is necessary to score the material on one side so it can make the curves needed so it can be done. I am thinking of using 1.5mm GFK-plating for the roof. This is hail-proof and comes in large sizes to cover your roof with one piece of material.

How did you modify your chassis? Did you cut-off the towbar and welded on a new chasis and put on a new axle? If so, dont you need to have the chassis appoved bij the Dutch Vehicle Authority (RDW)?

Hi There,

Teardrop inspector in the Netherlands, and then this question?! Do i need to hide my creation :-))))

For the roof i will use also Dibond i need 2 sheets from 4x2 meters. (13.1x6.5)