The V2 - complete build

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The V2 - complete build

Postby BigRay » Sat Aug 26, 2017 6:15 pm

It's time for me to post our build. Every summer we go somewhere new but staying in hotels has gotten a little old and I wanted a camper so we could expand our summer vacation options before the kids move out. We do frequent the texas coast so it must handle the harsh conditions. We tent camp a bit in cooler weather so anything I build can carry those supplies when needed. So I wanted it garageable, pop-up standy, aerodynamic, sleeps about 5, with a tiny bathroom, kitchen and a/c for starters. I initially bought a donor '68 shasta but soon discovered the frame was very heavy and the frame layout was all wrong so I sold it and went for the HF 1720 capacity. Off we go...

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carefully squared frame and use new high grade nuts & bolts then welded.

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built out to 6x12-ish and added shim sticks to make frame level.

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painted frame

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3/4"floor. we trimmed to fit the lay-flat sheet flooring but still don't use it.

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before painting underneath

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the leftover exterior gingerbread paint was thick as mayonnaise.

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messy spray foam kit purchased online. main purpose was to seal where the metal meets the wood.

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testing removing tire if I get a flat.

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this was later water-proofed.

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no shortage of TB3 and pocket screws. used levels and strings and square to keep squared up.

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looking forward

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rear view

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slides in for travel

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1/4" ply for exterior

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front door and yes it is very small.

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back shelves and door

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measuring for kitchen shelves.

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driver side. note the hinged kick-out for more bed length. I ended up removing the hinges and covering it all. I plan on completing this later with a different design.

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outside back door.

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inside back door

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door skinned.

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that is the side door frame on the right.

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the bottom right cut out is for the power center.

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side door skinned and adding trim.

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for the outside.

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kids choice for the inside.

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every plywood edge has to be routed down smooth, at an angle

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what it takes to make the door handle fit snug.

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gotta recheck for areas I missed.

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added trim to the back door.

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painted and closed in license plate area.

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finished trim.

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kick-out area. I am standing on bed area, 2 side by side. one is higher above wheel wells.

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very small area for jack, temp and eventually will be metal.

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mount for tail light.

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more painting.

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to keep plywood from warping. I could have gone with smaller trim.

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at nose, ran thru pvc to keep it simple.

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testing an idea I had. It worked very good.

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working on front marker lights

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I chose pneumatic door closers after some spring ones were to bothersome.

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running license light.

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needs a temporary roof for an overnight camp test.

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fits easily without a permanent roof.

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temporary roof.

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didn't budge while traveling but I know it wasn't waterproof along the edges.

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on the camp trip at buc-ee's. :)

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the higher bed is on two wheel well benches and a table.

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thinking...

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yosemite trip is getting closer and the pop-up roof must get done.

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skinned both sides with luan.

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camper inside is also luan.

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steep roof, can not open tall side in garage.

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testing sheet bunk.

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this upper v-design is not exactly what i wanted but time did not allow for full box build.

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at least one end box will be similar to the hard-side vintage apache beds. crazy plan for sure.

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second sheet bunk finished. these work very good and can be slid out of the way. these were made for when the roof is down. sleeps 4.
Last edited by BigRay on Tue Jan 29, 2019 4:53 pm, edited 7 times in total.
BigRay
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Re: The V2 - complete build

Postby BigRay » Sun Aug 27, 2017 8:44 am

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trying to figure what hinges to use for attaching v-panels. ended up going with large piano hinges.


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hidden ventilation behind license plate.


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fitting a slide panel to control air flow.


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closed 72 in, opened the width is now 74.5 in, this is where I am trying to commit to a roof design for our very long road trip.


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v-panels weight- tall 12 lbs each, short 9.8 lbs each


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upper walls weight- short driver side 31.8 lbs, tall passenger side 42.6 lbs.


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testing tarp as roof.


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lots of little details to do.

more coming soon.
Last edited by BigRay on Sun Aug 27, 2017 12:07 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: The V2 - complete build

Postby BigRay » Sun Aug 27, 2017 8:57 am

My gallery images look like crud when they pop up in Tapatalk. What am I doing wrong?

Sent from my MotoG3 using Tapatalk
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Re: The V2 - complete build

Postby QueticoBill » Sun Aug 27, 2017 9:27 am

I see them all just fine on my desk top. Its an impressive build. Is current/final weight really under the HF trailer rating? I like The poor man's stabilizers (abbreviating that did not work). I was wondering how you enclose your feet/keep insects out with foot kick out.
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A tear with no name: viewtopic.php?f=50&t=67624
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Re: The V2 - complete build

Postby BigRay » Sun Aug 27, 2017 12:06 pm

Thanks. I took it to the certified scales and it weighed 1017 lbs. that was before the upper wall weights listed above which totals about 130 lbs. 300 lbs for equipment, supplies, food, luggage and all the unnecessary items everyone brought on our big road trip.

1017 + 130 + 300 = 1447.

The stabilizers worked better than expected. They were solid, not a bit of movement. Initially used bungies to secure for travel but it was difficult to mess with so I switched to 4 in. long pocket screws.

I am the tallest at 5'10", and since I sleep a bit fetal I fit fine. The plan for the kick out is hard wall like the camper. Thinking luan with thin insulation and it will look a bit like a small dog house hanging on the side.

Also planning a permanent hinged table along the passenger side.
Last edited by BigRay on Wed Nov 22, 2017 11:55 am, edited 2 times in total.
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Re: The V2 - complete build

Postby featherliteCT1 » Sun Aug 27, 2017 2:29 pm

Photos look good to me ... nice work!
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Re: The V2 - complete build

Postby BigRay » Mon Aug 28, 2017 9:05 am

Thanks

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using temp roof tarp as a template for white double layer tarp.


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adding lots of 1/2" grommets.


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what it looks like ready for travel.

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and what it looks like setup for use.


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plenty of natural light.


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Yosemite. two thousand miles and a lot of wind separated a factory seam on the tarp so we took it off. Had to use ratchet straps to hold down panels.


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girls setting up camper roof. we did patch the seam with industrial duct tape which held good the rest of the trip.


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our campsite with tent for whatever.


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couldn't get a good photo while driving but the tarp balloons up at the rear. will have a new design soon.


I plan on getting some better inside photos.
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Re: The V2 - complete build

Postby featherliteCT1 » Mon Aug 28, 2017 9:22 am

I bet your kids will never forget this vacation and will look back for years with many, many fond memories. The trips I remember the most about are the ones when some kind of adversity was overcome by ingenuity... especially when the outcome was good. Great saves on the torn tarp and the loose panels!
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