Adventure RV

[Chris Kouba]

Thanks Randy, it is quite a machine. There were some off camera moments where I was genuinely in awe of what this thing would do- huge ruts, large rocks, washboard surfaces, even narrow ledges. I have been super impressed by it, and love getting out with it!

I carry a pole saw and chain saw (both of which are electric and powered by solar and the inverter). I will say they are quite handy around camp...

 

[Chris Kouba]

B and I were out in eastern Oregon last week- out in the backcountry for 5 days without cell service. It was delightful! Had one buddy meet us for 2 days and another for the next 2.

 

[Chris Kouba]

Fun stills from the trip:

Glamour shot

Hot springs for the first night

Getting to camp 1

Camp 1

Camp 2

Actually on the Oregon Trail

 

[Randy V]

Wowzers! Most excellent indeed! Wonderful photography too! Thanks for sharing this marvelous build and journeys with us!

 

[Chris Kouba]

Been working my butt off lately...

Got the shower/bathroom done:

Coolest pic of the bunch- check out the running water!!

And then I built the world's most complicated combination roof rack/windshield protection/light bar:

Top tilts up and slides forward to allow crane to hoist the cargo, in this case the inflatable boat we picked up:

The aforementioned boat:

 

[Chris Kouba]

I also did more motor work, convincing the electrical system to charge again and got the exhaust brake functional again as well. It's been a very productive ~3 months.

Pic from the "during" process while fiberglassing up the shower stall, lots of stinky work:

And did I mention the fashions!!

Glad that's in the rear-view!

Looking good for our trip, although it's going to start a little later than expected.

 

[Brian Kissel]

Looking good Chris. It’s amazing the amount of work and thought you put into this project. Please keep the updates coming.


Regards Brian

 

[Randy V]

Absolutely mad skills at work here! What an amazing build this is!!

 

[Kevin L]

Fantastic progress and pictures. Thank you for sharing!

 

[Chris Kouba]

With our big trip coming up, we are out on a systems check. It's stereotypically miserable PNW weather, but found a pleasant spot to hang with the wife and dog to give everything a shakedown.

 

[Chris Kouba]

 

[Larry L.]

From day-one I've wondered if you had ever entertained the idea of creating a storage space over the cab!
Well, know I know! ;-)

(That whole project is nothing short of mind boggling.)

 

[Chris Kouba]

We have been out and about now for almost two weeks, and having a lovely time. Cruised south through SLC, spent a day and change around Kanab, met up with Steve outside Page, and just got back from our second trip on Lake Powell- one at the west end out of Page, and another out of Hall's Crossing, for 7 total days. Scenery has been fantastic:

Steve and me:

Bethany and Bigsby:

Forrest Gump Hill in Monument Valley:

Valley of the Gods:

Lake Powell, east end:

More to come...

 

[Chris Kouba]

Lake Powell, from out of Hall's Crossing...

The Rincon:

Me on top of the Rincon:

The view:

Cathedral in the Desert:

The Cathedral in the Desert was flooded by Lake Powell in the 80's and has only been back above water a handful of times since. With the current drought conditions and the state of power consumption, the lake has been drawn down enough to reveal it again. It is a pretty magical place.

 

[BenL]

Cruised south through SLC

How easy is it to drive the truck in urban locations?

 

[Chris Kouba]

I imagine it'd be equivalent to a school bus or so. It's big but not unmanageable. The rear overhang always makes you calculate any close quarter maneuvers in advance.

 

[Randy V]

What an amazing trip! Thanks for sharing the photos!
?? Are you thinking about an automatic leveling system ??

 

[Brian Kissel]

Beautiful scenery. Thank You for posting.

Regards Brian

 

[Neil]

I imagine it'd be equivalent to a school bus or so. It's big but not unmanageable. The rear overhang always makes you calculate any close quarter maneuvers in advance.

Great trip. Did you make it up to Rainbow Bridge?

 

[Chris Kouba]

What an amazing trip! Thanks for sharing the photos!
?? Are you thinking about an automatic leveling system ??

I have two bumper jacks which I will stabilize the camper body with when we park. It allows a minor amount of compensation for anything not level. They will really solidify the rig, which is especially appreciated when it's windy. We're high off the ground and the size of a billboard... when it sways, we swing back and forth. You can see the jacks in place in the pic below- although a little heavy, they are super easy to deploy, and I built a nest for them in the cargo bay so they are always at the ready:

I have also thought about adding scissor jacks between the front axle and the frame to serve the same purpose. That still leaves sidewall flex though, but anything would be better- and scissors in the front and bumpers in the back might be just about right...

But nothing automatic planned...

Great trip. Did you make it up to Rainbow Bridge?

Not yet. We have another full week planned on the lake in May and will be going right by it. We were there in 2008 or so already though. Lake level is 3,558' as of my last check, so 30' lower than I have seen here.