Ian Anderson
Lifetime Supporter
I see a new Paris Dakar support truck in the making
Adventure RV
- Thread starter ckouba
- Start date
Chris Kouba
Supporter
Floor is in!
Getting close to being able to use it in a primitive manner!
Getting close to being able to use it in a primitive manner!
Chris - what is the top speed of the vehicle? Must be geared very low as an Army truck?
Chris Kouba
Supporter
OEM is a whopping 58 MPH. The final drive is just shy of 8:1, but there is an alternate R&P which fits and brings it down to a sensible 6.3:1. Thankfully, my rig already has these in the pumpkins. I've been to the low 70's in it, and that is plenty fast enough. The whole point is to take in the scenery. RPM at 60 becomes much more tolerable, and there is a minor mileage bump as well.
But 70-something is possible!
That would explain it. I was trying to figure out the tilted framework with a pivot at the bottom.
Bill Kearley
Supporter
Looking good Chris, I'v done quite a bit of overlanding in B.C. and thought I'd like something different so I just bought an old 24ft pontoon boat. Restoration under way as an of grid live aboard, solar power, lpg on demand hot water, fresh water tank, fuel tank, 12v fridge and a bunch of other stuff. The plan is a river trip of about 500 miles on the Yukon river.
Chris Kouba
Supporter
That sounds like fun Bill! Maybe get a thread going here too... It is the Wings, Wheels, and KEELS forum! Would love to follow your experience and adventures.
How much vertical drop over 500mi? Sorry for the tangent, but I'm picturing a heavy pontoon in whitewater.
Chris - thanks. Check out the Earth Cruiser vehicles. My buddy just bought a used one. They base the vehicle on the Mitsubishi truck frame.
Bill Kearley
Supporter
Dave, the drop is about 880 feet over a little less than 500 miles. No white water to speak of. The flow is plus or minus 5 mph.
Agreed! It would also help us keep this thread on track!
Chris Kouba
Supporter
Back on track, it was a big week this week: cargo doors functional so I can open them remotely, remaining exterior panels have been installed, and the stairwell has been panelled off to close out the space for the step actuator. I just need a few days to dry things out a bit and then I will cover all the panel seams with the alu trim and call it sealed. Time for another round of pics:
A couple additional pics are posted in the build thread:
What a week, and what a machine!
A couple additional pics are posted in the build thread:
M1088 camper conversion
I am floored with my progress!! Thinking about a side hustle renting it out as a mobile dance hall. It's HUGE! The punchlist before we can "use" it: panel in the back seal up stairwell install accordion seal or at least the camper side cover plate over the passthrough make a motor/trans...
www.steelsoldiers.com
What a week, and what a machine!
No plans for windows/skylights, Chris?
The tubular framework appears to have been designed to provide for side windows.
'Just haven't gotten to it yet...or...?
(Build thread said: "With the box complete it was time to roll it out and get another round of glamour shots.")
The tubular framework appears to have been designed to provide for side windows.
'Just haven't gotten to it yet...or...?
(Build thread said: "With the box complete it was time to roll it out and get another round of glamour shots.")
Chris Kouba
Supporter
Well-spotted Larry. You are correct- the framing is in for the windows but I am getting the box set up before worrying about the accessory stuff. I eventually will poke the holes through the side walls for 5 windows, 2 roof hatches, and 1 vent in the bathroom/shower. We will have plenty of opportunity to view the outside from the inside, although the point of the vehicle is to go be outside...
Framing for the galley skylight and the 2 large and one bathroom window (fwd on the right) is visible in the pic here:
You can also see the framework for the side cargo hatch (left side) which still needs to get cut into the skin as well.
The remaining two windows are in the bedroom area at the far aft end.
Framing for the galley skylight and the 2 large and one bathroom window (fwd on the right) is visible in the pic here:
You can also see the framework for the side cargo hatch (left side) which still needs to get cut into the skin as well.
The remaining two windows are in the bedroom area at the far aft end.
Howard Jones
Supporter
What are you going to use for insulation?
Chris Kouba
Supporter
XPS foam sheet. Cutting out the various needed shapes and assembling like a puzzle. They will be sandwiched between the outer skin, structural members, and inner wall (1/2" ply). I will tape up over all the seams to seal it all up as well as possible.
I have been considering spraying it all in and trimming/shaving to thickness, but the sheet seems a cleaner way to go at it.
Floor will have a nominal ~4.5" of insulation and the roof will have ~3".
Cheis,
Take also in account condensation between the insulation material and the outer skin ,glue as much as possible against the outer skin the insulation material .....
Take also in account condensation between the insulation material and the outer skin ,glue as much as possible against the outer skin the insulation material .....
Chris Kouba
Supporter
That's the plan Paul- both for the moisture issue as well as the structural benefit of solidifying the exterior skin a bit.
