Project Dino Evo - How we build our camper van

[fexlboi]

I think where the problem arises is when the "camperization" process occurs; the builders(mostly in Europe) just don't have the long experiences of RV manufacturers in terms of weight & efficiency. After their "homemade" mods are made, it definitely looks "top heavy" to me.

Isn't that the case with every camper build up. For many people it is the first time they build something like that and they probably went the home-made route because of budget limitations. If you want a perfectly built set-up, you need to spend a lot of cash to get it built by someone who understands expedition vehicles inside out, unless your are an expert already. Nevertheless 50% of the people I have met with Unimog & Co campers wouldn't do any crazy offroading anyway, so I guess it doesn't really matter if the weight is not perfectly balanced.

Oh, have you thought of putting "sand ladders" on your Exped delica?

Haven't decided yet. Due the limiting usage and space I probably go with something more practical than the usual military aluminum sand ladders. I saw a few comparison test and this piece looked quite promising:



The only disadvantage is you can not build a bridge to go over steep washouts.

[ABdelica]

"The only disadvantage is you can not build a bridge to go over steep washouts."

A few years back, I saw a site which offered not only steel sand bridges (8' sections) but also steel or aluminum bridges (5' sections) which can support the full vehicle weight. If I remember right, the quoted price for the Aluminum bridge $500/pair at that time.

[fexlboi]

"The only disadvantage is you can not build a bridge to go over steep washouts."

A few years back, I saw a site which offered not only steel sand bridges (8' sections) but also steel or aluminum bridges (5' sections) which can support the full vehicle weight. If I remember right, the quoted price for the Aluminum bridge $500/pair at that time.

You can buy more advanced sand boards with full vehicle support (up to 3t) already for about $280, but again these boards are bulky, heavy and you can not do much more than what they are designed for. If I have a lot of room and don't need to worry about weight I wouldn't think twice.

[Firesong]

Heaters:
I installed a propane furnace in my old westie a couple years back
Very slick and easy although you still need to affix or figure out
where you want to stick a propane tank. Then if it's permanent
like mine happened to be (it had a propane tank for the old fridge
and stove) it still has to be approved by whatever body governs over
that.
I would have loved to put a diesel heater in. I took the old gas heater
out because I didn't have the parts to keep it properly maintained.
The diesel heaters are the cats' rear-end. Very efficient and safe. A
little pricey if you don't look for the deals. I do a lot of camping in the
winter and sleeping in the van/bus was a great way to go. I didn't
pop the top in the winter, damn that was cold. I had seen some
setups where people insulated the canvas but that gets silly
for time if your on the move a lot.

FS

[Firesong]

Another post, although a question this time.

Can a person use the rigid frame aluminum ramps you get at
Princess auto to drive across little washouts etc? I know they
are for ATV's etc but would they be strong enough to support
a vehicle one tire at a time over small washouts? (you need two
obviously) They aren't too heavy and can strap them to the
towers, racks on the roof.

I wonder if they can take the weight. This summer we were in
the mountains and came to a deep but narrow washout. Started
to fill it with rocks and my wife said 'park it, you aren't driving
over that'. Darn wife ;) I wonder if two ramps would have
been enough to get me over the 2 ft of gap.

FS

[RichD]

I saw your windows out front the other day. Very cool.

[smanson]

Hi!

my camper l300

I hope that it will help
http://i50.tinypic.com/316vl0j.jpg

http://i47.tinypic.com/f0262f.jpg

http://img811.imageshack.us/img811/3491/dscf1092v.jpg

http://img704.imageshack.us/i/dscf1093s.jpg

My modifications
http://www.furgovw.org/index.php?topic=20221.0

[ABdelica]

Nice to hear from a L300 camper in SA.

I really like the "drop-down" table tops inside.

Roof top tents would'n't work too well in Canada ......... too cold.

[BCDelica]

Hi!

my camper l300

I hope that it will help
http://i50.tinypic.com/316vl0j.jpg

http://i47.tinypic.com/f0262f.jpg

http://img811.imageshack.us/img811/3491/dscf1092v.jpg

http://img704.imageshack.us/i/dscf1093s.jpg

My modifications
http://www.furgovw.org/index.php?topic=20221.0

Welcome

Awesome Reimo pop top! Posted for detail on the window fill, not as tidy as Fexlboi's eloquent solution but certainly rugged.

[smanson]

Nice to hear from a L300 camper in SA.

I really like the "drop-down" table tops inside.

Roof top tents would'n't work too well in Canada ......... too cold.

I´m from Spain

[mararmeisto]

Nice to hear from a L300 camper in SA.

I really like the "drop-down" table tops inside.

Roof top tents would'n't work too well in Canada ......... too cold.

My roof-top tent, same one by the way Eezi-Awn, works just fine here in Canada. It's only cold if you're in it when driving down the highway, what with the wind and all...

[ABdelica]

"Eezi-Awn, works just fine here in Canada."

Lower Fraser valley, BC ..... yes.

Alberta ........ no way (Oct - April). Last Dec/09 - edm dropped to -46.5C one night; coldest place on the planet that night.

[mararmeisto]

"Eezi-Awn, works just fine here in Canada."

Lower Fraser valley, BC ..... yes.

Alberta ........ no way (Oct - April). Last Dec/09 - edm dropped to -46.5C one night; coldest place on the planet that night.

Did you remember the sleeping bag?

[ABdelica]

"Did you remember the sleeping bag?"

I don't know what kind of sleeping bag you have .... I doubt very much you have experience anything remotely close to -46.5C.

[Jaz]

Alberta ........ no way (Oct - April). Last Dec/09 - edm dropped to -46.5C one night; coldest place on the planet that night.

Were you camping then, AB?