Camper van

[royce]

Making some headway on the cabinetry
Added some pics to the album

Royce

 

[KMScott]

Really nice Royce, I like how you angled the corners on the cabinets and the corners. Enjoy watching your progress. Thanks for sharing your project.

 

[LXCam]

The cabinets are just awesome bud, you did a really nice job on styling those. But the kamode looks mighty chilly

 

[royce]

Really nice Royce, I like how you angled the corners on the cabinets and the corners. Enjoy watching your progress. Thanks for sharing your project.

Thanks Kevin, the progress seems painfully slow, maybe for the desire to be out in the country!

Royce

 

[royce]

The cabinets are just awesome bud, you did a really nice job on styling those. But the kamode looks mighty chilly

Thanks LXC,
Beats the snot out of frosty log!!!!!

 

[dkroth]

Since this is royce's project you just know it's going to be waaay out on the tail of the curve. This is super.






.

 

[royce]

Since this is royce's project you just know it's going to be waaay out on the tail of the curve. This is super.






.

Thanks much dkroth

Royce

 

[mikegt4]

Royce, your project looks great!

I made my Dodge B3500 (one ton) cargo van into a camper, I did just enough modifications to meet my state's definition of an RV which cut my annual registration cost in half. I am not a camping person but I do spend nights in the van during road trips. I use my van for towing more than anything (9K tow rating).

I made my interior easily removable for cargo use and lined the walls and ceiling with inexpensive indoor/outdoor carpeting (Lowes-HD) in a grey that matched my seats, front doors and dash. The carpet takes much more abuse than bare wood and doesn't show any scuffs or scrapes. If you glue any carpet or upholstery in use 3M #90 or equivalent as the #77 will release with the summer heat inside the van. I ran out of #90 mid panel and finished with some #77 that I had, the carpet came unattached where I used #77.

I bolted some low profile Superstrut along the wall for light tie down use. Without tying stuff down in a van it moves around like it's in a blender. My cabinets and bed are attached to the Superstrut and can be released in seconds for removal or just rearranging the floor plan.

 

[royce]

Royce, your project looks great!

I made my Dodge B3500 (one ton) cargo van into a camper, I did just enough modifications to meet my state's definition of an RV which cut my annual registration cost in half. I am not a camping person but I do spend nights in the van during road trips. I use my van for towing more than anything (9K tow rating).

I made my interior easily removable for cargo use and lined the walls and ceiling with inexpensive indoor/outdoor carpeting (Lowes-HD) in a grey that matched my seats, front doors and dash. The carpet takes much more abuse than bare wood and doesn't show any scuffs or scrapes. If you glue any carpet or upholstery in use 3M #90 or equivalent as the #77 will release with the summer heat inside the van. I ran out of #90 mid panel and finished with some #77 that I had, the carpet came unattached where I used #77.

I bolted some low profile Superstrut along the wall for light tie down use. Without tying stuff down in a van it moves around like it's in a blender. My cabinets and bed are attached to the Superstrut and can be released in seconds for removal or just rearranging the floor plan.

Thanks Mike,
That is a nice, clean set up you got there.
The boat looks fantastic too, is it a CLC and did you build it?

Royce

 

[frank001]

I have a 2006 Sprinter that has been great. Been to Alaska twice in it. We camped and slept in the van about half the time. It started out as a passenger van.

 

[royce]

I have a 2006 Sprinter that has been great. Been to Alaska twice in it. We camped and slept in the van about half the time. It started out as a passenger van.

Right on Frank

Royce

 

[nelstomlinson]

I like the radiant floor idea. I'm thinking about putting a Webasto in my poptop slide in camper, but I'll probably hook it up to a Cat heater. It would be extra nice if I could figure out a way to tie it into the engine to preheat the engine at a trailhead. My IDI diesels start better when they're warmer.

 

[mikegt4]

Thanks Mike,
That is a nice, clean set up you got there.
The boat looks fantastic too, is it a CLC and did you build it?

Royce

You have a good eye, it is a CLC Chesapeake 17LT made from a kit. I bought the kit for my son about 20 years ago when he was in the Boy Scouts. I keep it at my place as he is now in his mid 30's and isn't into boats anymore. I use it very little as I have to use a step ladder to get it up on the roof rack and at my age it is hard to lift it up there about 8' off the ground. I keep toying with the idea of building a shorter SOF kayak and reduce the weight of the lift (now 45#) to something that I can handle. I have several small sailboats that I would rather use any way.

 

[royce]

I like the radiant floor idea. I'm thinking about putting a Webasto in my poptop slide in camper, but I'll probably hook it up to a Cat heater. It would be extra nice if I could figure out a way to tie it into the engine to preheat the engine at a trailhead. My IDI diesels start better when they're warmer.

Warm toes are hard to beat.
If you google Rixon heating, there are some schematics on his webpage that may help.

Royce

 

[royce]

You have a good eye, it is a CLC Chesapeake 17LT made from a kit. I bought the kit for my son about 20 years ago when he was in the Boy Scouts. I keep it at my place as he is now in his mid 30's and isn't into boats anymore. I use it very little as I have to use a step ladder to get it up on the roof rack and at my age it is hard to lift it up there about 8' off the ground. I keep toying with the idea of building a shorter SOF kayak and reduce the weight of the lift (now 45#) to something that I can handle. I have several small sailboats that I would rather use any way.

Beautiful work Mike,
I hear you and need to design some sort of hoist to help get boats up on the roof.
This is the one my wife and I like to paddle the most.

 

[royce]

Been slowly nibbling away at it.
Bunk fab complete.
Drawers milled and installed in fridge cabinet.
More pics added to album.

 

[Growlertdi]

this seems like a good one to follow along with. I like the style you are building the cabinets with.

 

[royce]

Thanks Aaron

 

[royce]

Big milestone, exterior coated with bedliner.
Pics added to album.

Royce

 

[KMScott]

Wow, I like the look of the outside of your Camper Van. Having a good time with this project aren't you Royce. The drawers and the adjustable table are looking good. Enjoy watching the progress.

 

[royce]

Thanks Kevin,
Yes, this is a fun design and build project.
Looking forward to hitting the road.

Royce

 

[coldh2o]

Here is another approach
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/rvs/d/2007-mercedes-sprinter/6760606880.html

Nice, but a bit small. Larger option...

 

[royce]

Windows, wall and ceiling panels installed.
Good progress and now on to getting the cabinets coated.
Pics added to album.

Royce

 

[KMScott]

Looks good Royce.

 

[NASTYZEN]

Big milestone achieved Royce. looking cozy in there. Now get back to it, slacker, if you want to make it out here some time.

 

[royce]

Thanks Kevin and Nasty,
I may not be very fast, but by golly I am slow!
I still have high hopes of getting on the road this summer to visit and pester both of you.

Royce

 

[shoot summ]

Just found this thread!

Very nice work.

My youngest Son and DIL are off living 'van life". We built out their Ram Promaster, interesting dealing with the inside intricacies of the vans. We did a similar side window, was a PITA building out the trim on the inside as it angled from every direction.

They had a Colorado Camper pop top put on thiers, we built the bottom with sleep bunks with storage underneath also, but they prefer sleeping up top when they can.

 

[48RON54]

Really nice work

 

[royce]

Thanks Shoot Summ and 48RON54,
Yes, there is nothing straight, square or flat on a sprinter, other than the floor, somewhat.

Royce

 

[royce]

Cabinets etched, alodined, primed and monstalined.
Pics added to album

Royce

 

[theoldwizard1]

Anyone else in this kind of a build, Ford will offer a 4WD version of the Transit in 2020MY.

 

[NASTYZEN]

Looking awesome Royce. Looks like your hitting your cruising speed! You sure are putting a lot of effort into your build. Do you have any plans for a kayak rack? I just cheated and bought a Palomino slide on camper for my pickup today and I'll have to find a way to get them up there easily somehow. I'm thinking an inverted L pivoting on a clevis at the bottom and a latch or two on top to lock it in.

 

[royce]

Looking awesome Royce. Looks like your hitting your cruising speed! You sure are putting a lot of effort into your build. Do you have any plans for a kayak rack? I just cheated and bought a Palomino slide on camper for my pickup today and I'll have to find a way to get them up there easily somehow. I'm thinking an inverted L pivoting on a clevis at the bottom and a latch or two on top to lock it in.

Thanks Nasty,
She's starting to comalong.
I mounted full length aluminum unistrut on each side of the roof, to mount solar panels, as well as some cross members to haul boats and what not.
I also need to build a hitch receiver and hope to build a hingeing boat hoist and cargo box off of that.
So so many projects and only 24 hours in a day!

Royce

 

[royce]

Been getting a bit done here and there.
Hydronics are around 80% done.
Electrical 40%
Just finished some seat swivels and lowered the passenger seat base.
Pics added to album

 

[foghorn1966]

Royce, how did you mount the uni-strut on the roof rails?
For future info.....

 

[royce]

Royce, how did you mount the uni-strut on the roof rails?
For future info.....

Hello Foghorn,
I through bolted them, using the stock holes, with urethane sealant.

Royce

 

[royce]

Royce, how did you mount the uni-strut on the roof rails?
For future info.....

I reread your question and I mounted the unistrut to the roof, not to the roof rails.

Royce

 

[royce]

Been getting pulled in a lot of different directions, but are making some headway on the van project.

Batteries, inverter, solar controller, main fuse, buss bars, battery monitor shunt, battery to battery charger, master switch all in and the 12V cables in.

Royce

 

[royce]

Inverter remote Panel and battery monitor in and wired.

Royce

 

[royce]

Boiler control panel, t-stat, high altitude control and boiler code reader installed and wired.
Shore power and 110volt breaker panel next.

Royce