And yet another off road-ish camper build has begun.

[KingAirNeal]

We have insulated and skinned doors. Small steps as of late... but forward none the less.

And the nose box.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[KingAirNeal]

Interior skinning

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[KingAirNeal]

Todays progress. Forward interior skins, some bracing for the forward "head board", some wiring provisions and curved inserts for the doors.

Also, the "Executive Committee" decided that the screws in the very boring baltic birch was not an acceptable look. So she formed an exploratory committee to propose a solution to the esthetic issues.

So, I advised a veneer could be used. The CEO was presented with options, and it was decided by an overwhelming majority that Mahogany veneer would be installed on the walls.

That having been said, seams are no longer an issue. LOL

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Mushin_Noshin]

Democracy in action!

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

 

[KingAirNeal]

I have been slacking with my posts here. My bad.

Tons of progress since last post here, Ill toss up a bunch of pics.

So this is where we are at. One side skinned. We turned the trailer around in the garage and when I get back from this 3 day trip, I have 6 days off. Goal is entire exterior skinned before I go back to work.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Redline61]

Great build man. I think this is very close to what I would like to build. That little extra size compared to the small teardrops should make a huge difference in livability without sacrificing too much in terms of where you can go.

 

[KingAirNeal]

Nice camper.
Good thing your CEO is not a Professional Electrician !

Thanks!

And Nah. She is the decorator type.

The electrical work is all me. Did I screw something up?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[KingAirNeal]

Great build man. I think this is very close to what I would like to build. That little extra size compared to the small teardrops should make a huge difference in livability without sacrificing too much in terms of where you can go.

The box is 5' x 9'. LOA is about 13'.

My only issue is the interior dimension is narrowed up to just shy of 57 1/2". Queen mattress is 60" wide, so some squishing is going to be taking place!

Not too many options when using 5' square sheets of plywood.

When I do the next one, I will build it differently. By that I mean I would build the walls on a work table, flat, and do the interior skins and veneer it on the table, then set the walls up to a completed roof section.

Also, I would complete the box and then bolt it down to the frame.

I would not add the extra frame section to lift it like I did. I could still change that, and might someday.

Just changes to construction methods.

I already wanna build another one!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[KingAirNeal]

Well, yes & no.
Seriously, you can build what & however you like. (You have my permission ! :bike_rider
But displaying such pictures, You get commentary from professional electrician observers.

Conductors "just passing thru" that blue shallow box is poor electrical practice.
Shallow boxes with a wiring device are tight enough, its all the worse to have wires within what dont serve a purpose within that box.
It appears the red & black are lowvoltage circuits ? Under NEC, They would not be permitted inside that box along with highvoltage circuits present.
The highvoltage wiring appears to be ordinary type "S" cable, (extension cord) ? Another NEC violation.

I hope it works out problem free for years to come & it probably will.
Its just not a star example of good electrical practice.

You are right, and wrong.

The high voltage cable is NOT extension cord, but high quality, flexible , high voltage marine cable. There is actually plenty of room in the box for the outlet and the additional low voltage wire. They fit nice and loose, and have plenty of "breathing room".

And while you are correct in that it is probably not good practice, and I will probably not do it again, because I will probably run the two systems in different locations for layout purposes on my next build, I am confident everything will be fine.

The plan is for the outlets to charge cell phone or a laptop, nothing more. Also, the outlets, after being properly wired under the screws, not through the back, were wrapped around the conductors with 3M 80 electrical tape. And the low voltage is all Marinco 12ga marine wire, very expensive, and way over sized for simple 12v, LED lighting fixtures. And also soldered, not crimped, aerospace connectors, with the exception of the flag terminals on the switches. And those were crimped with a 200 dollar, ex Nasa owned aerospace crimper. The only thing that will be high draw will be the Fan-Tastic EZ-Breeze 600 fan that draws a whopping, 1 amp. So, I am confident the circuits will be fine. I have only ever wired airplanes and sailboats before... so this is a bit different. And trust me, if you didn't care for how I did this, do NOT look at the wiring of an airplane!!!
100 wire bundles tie wrapped to fuel and hydraulic lines...

 

[ROADRUNNER33]

Did you complete the build.

King,
How is the build coming? Did you complete it? I have been following and waiting to see the final pictures. You did a great job on this.

 

[KingAirNeal]

King,
How is the build coming? Did you complete it? I have been following and waiting to see the final pictures. You did a great job on this.

Not done yet. I have 6 days off, and hopefully will get the exterior skinning done. Last set of posted pictures above is where I am at right now.

Slow and steady wins the race...


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[KingAirNeal]

Skinning update. Only thing left to skin is the roof.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[KingAirNeal]

Major construction is complete.

Outside is now fully skinned.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[KingAirNeal]

Just about all lighting installed and tested. It will all be removed before paint.

Also, hitched it up to the Jeep to see how she looks and sits. I think a little more drop down on the hitch should make her a bit more level.

Ordered a bunch more little bits and pieces, should all be in in the next couple weeks. 12v power supply/charger, corner leveling jacks, set of four, LED bulbs, low amp fuses etc.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[KTM-Todd]

Great build, I just started looking into doing a build. I like the little bigger design you have. One must haves is big enough to store the camp gear we need for 2-3 day trip. I want to get home from work on Friday night and say "Lets go camping" and just fill the cooler grab some clothes and can be on the road in 20 minutes.

Any idea how much you will have $$ into it when done?

Thanks
Todd