New build under way

[Funluvin001]

So I managed to shoot an interior pic of the switch unit, then got on with laying out how things will go, and added some button screws to the ceiling as planned. We'd debated on painting them or leaving them their stainless finish. we opted to wait and put them in after painting to add character. Don't like the fridge being over a part of the rear window, but may be a necessary sacrifice. We don't have a lot of choices at our disposal. The switch is crude and made from parts lying around, it seems buying SPDT relays is next to impossible in these parts. Everything is migrating to online anymore.

Switch unit:


Regulator:


Inverter & switch unit:


Ceiling button screws:


Wide angle view of interior:

[Funluvin001]

New flooring put in today! This can let me get busy building the interior now!!

[Funluvin001]

Now that the floor is in, I can get on with the build. The furnace, fridge, inverter and switch-box are now hard installed, and I've started building the cabinets. I scored an unused counter top from kijiji for $40.00 and a used futon frame (unsure if it will go in the camper or not yet, but most likely will.) also for $40.00. The cook top was also a used one we scored last year for $70 or $80.00 I don't remember exactly. I don't want to even contemplate the man hours of effort though! LOL 2 months in and counting on the actual construction and add a week for the salvage efforts., But alas light at the end of the tunnel is visible! May soon be done with until the spring!!

Thus far we've got~ $1700.00 CDN into it which is under the allotted $2K, which seems within reach for the entire build.

[Funluvin001]

So the last couple of days were spent working on the rear bunk. Bought a used futon frame hoping to put it in as one unit, but it was really too large, so ended up pilfering the mechanism from it, and using a set of old bunk sliders from a pop up we salvaged a few years ago, to come up with something that works not too badly.





Here is the slider mechanism, with the main rails cut down to about half their original length.


The framing underneath is pretty much done (not pictured) and still have some work to do under there in terms of wiring for the furnace, propane detector, amplifier,and some remaining lighting, I also have to install the heat ducting as well, but I think I'll get the front bunk build and installed before moving back to that stuff. The front bunk will just be a hinged set of slabs w/o the fancy futon mechanics, but I'm sure it will be sufficient.

There's light at the end of the tunnel!

[Funluvin001]

Got the front bunk it today! First, I framed the slab & backrest, then tore apart the last remaining bit of salvaged cabinets and set it up as a base for the bunk. Then created a frame and installed the sliders for the bunk itself. It's now in and essentially complete, short of a paint job, and some drop-down support legs. Still undecided what I'll do for those just yet. Time for some research perhaps.





With a week's worth if tying up loose ends and building a potty room, I will be putting things on hold until the spring, unless I decide to build the propane tank/battery box as well.
We''ll have some work to do with cushions and some interior trimming to do but can do that literally any time.

[Funluvin001]

So the last few days have been spent focusing on finishing up the cabinetry, building the potty stall, and preparing to cover in under the main bunk. I still have to run the heating ducts/vents, wire up an amp, make a TV mount, build a shelf and a few other smaller things, but all in all there's progress worth showing.





For the potty stall we might just install a privacy curtain, and call it a day. The really nice cabinet we have for in there is almost half the wall height, so we ended up putting in a much smaller one.

I'm kicking myself now for not having pre-routed wires for speakers, but I chose not to because I hadn''t decided what I'd do with them. Still not certain. For the TV I want to build a suspended/hinged cage and mount it to the ceiling with the ability to fold it up and out of the way. Ya gotta love days when you do a bunch of work and at least you can see something to show for it all!

[Funluvin001]

Today I decided to put in a support for the front bunk when in a bed position. While there I decided to lower it by just shy of 2"'. Hadn't planned on it but it was definitely too high and so while I was there, I figured I might as well get it done. Don't mind the cushions - they're going to be resized and recovered eventually.

Also framed up and put in a removable cover for above the rear bunks, after setting up the furnace ducts and installing the propane detector.


Still have to:
Build a shelf for above the rear bunk.
Track down a regulator for the feed to the outdoors & above rear bunk lights.
Wire up the stereo
Fabricate a TV mount setup.
Construct the box on the back
Clean up and finish up some trimming & painting.

It can be surprising how time consuming all those little details can be.

[KCStudly]

It can be surprising how time consuming all those little details can be.

Amen to that, brother.

[dales133]

Looking good.
Your making good headway too

[Funluvin001]

Didn't accomplish so much today due to limited time, But did fabricate a TV mount which will allow me to strap it to the ceiling when not in use. Need to find some good pins as opposed to the nails in there presently but at least that's done. Also did some more framing under the main bunk, installed wall supports for it when its in "bed" mode, and did a little trimming here and there.

[Funluvin001]

Looking good.
Your making good headway too

Heading into 10 weeks... hard to believe that much time has been spent already!

[dales133]

Adds up quickly!
10 weeks is nothing compared to most of us

[Funluvin001]

So yesterday was a wash as real work got in the way.
But alas we woke up to this wonderful mess:


Did manage to get the rear storage box started today. Simple design and plywood construction. Plan to skin as much of it as possible with whatever filon remains. Hopefully there's enough to fo 5/6 sides. Will put aluminium underneath it as well.

Big enough for the battery, propane and some extra storage for folding chairs, perhaps levelling jacks etc.



Almost forgot, added these day before yesterday:
Shelf over rear bunk for speakers... errr stuff!!

Drop down table. Lousy location but literally nowhere else to put it.

[Funluvin001]

So today, finished the construction of the rear storage box and skinned it. Had enough filon left to skin it all but the bottom (aluminium covered) and the back, which I'll probably just paint. Started trimming it but didn't get too far with that, yet.

[S. Heisley]

You're making good progress and everything is looking very nice!