E350 Chinook Build

[willywalderbeast]

Coach, are you saying 10mpg will be an improvement after gears/tires? I haven’t measured my Chinooks MPG yet. Was hoping it broke double digits stock...

When my Chinook was stock I got 13mpg on the trip home from WA to CT. That was with driving 80mph on the highways.

 

[eporter]

Wow. That’s pretty good MPG for that speed.

The v10 drives nice. I’m enjoying it over the 7.3 in my old ambo since it’s quieter and less stinky. Not towing anything so that’s not a concern.

 

[eporter]

Curious how that hatch is working out? I'm looking to replace the temporary cover on my Chinook where the AC was. I'm leaning towards the cheaper, less functional square of clear acrylic up there. Those hatches look real nice though.

My back ladder is broken, and I'm considering just fully removing it and carrying a portable/collapsible ladder. OR using a roof hatch for roof access. Is it easy for you to get through the 19" hatch? I'm not sure how much it opens?

 

[willywalderbeast]

Curious how that hatch is working out? I'm looking to replace the temporary cover on my Chinook where the AC was. I'm leaning towards the cheaper, less functional square of clear acrylic up there. Those hatches look real nice though.

My back ladder is broken, and I'm considering just fully removing it and carrying a portable/collapsible ladder. OR using a roof hatch for roof access. Is it easy for you to get through the 19" hatch? I'm not sure how much it opens?

I love it. It opens completely if you want, access to the roof thru the hatch is easy for me (5’10” 180lbs)

 

[eporter]

So this seems to be what you have, 19.75" square cutout, smoked acrylic hatch? ~315 cheapest I could find.
Bomar 995: OD 22 1/16" x 22 1/16", cut out 19 3/4" x 19 3/4", flange 21 7/8" x 21 7/8". Includes trim ring and screen.

 

[willywalderbeast]

So this seems to be what you have, 19.75" square cutout, smoked acrylic hatch? ~315 cheapest I could find.
Bomar 995: OD 22 1/16" x 22 1/16", cut out 19 3/4" x 19 3/4", flange 21 7/8" x 21 7/8". Includes trim ring and screen.
View attachment 472015

Yes looks about right ??

 

[eporter]

Cool. Wasn't sure which cutout to go with. Looks like the whole top roof is 1.25" Divinycell foam, so easy to cut regardless. Did you shift the added opening forwards or backwards?

Now that I've been looking at boat hatches I want to replace all the rv access hatches with boat hatches...

 

[willywalderbeast]

Cool. Wasn't sure which cutout to go with. Looks like the whole top roof is 1.25" Divinycell foam, so easy to cut regardless. Did you shift the added opening forwards or backwards?

Now that I've been looking at boat hatches I want to replace all the rv access hatches with boat hatches...

I cut mine in a totally new location to the rear of the AC. So I have an AC, fan, and this hatch!

Boating equipment is built so much better then RV stuff. If you can afford it always go with boat equipment for your RV when possible.

 

[willywalderbeast]

Some photos of the rig from my last trip. 7,000 miles in 18days hitting Glacier Banff Jasper Yellowstone and Grand Tetons NP!

 

[willywalderbeast]

The glacier fed lakes are amazing up north

 

[java]

Amazing! Rig looks ************** too

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

 

[GNTY]

Great pics!! Your rig is looking amazing!

 

[68camaro]

Do you have the MorRyde system on your Chinook and were you able to keep it with the new leaf spring pack?

 

[eporter]

Wow, I just scored a free 22” square Lewmar aluminum and smoked acrylic deck hatch off Craigslist! It’s from the 90s but in good shape. Just needs some new bedding tape and gaskets. Thanks for the inspiration!

 

[willywalderbeast]

No updates on the camper but I did get a new bike to hang off the back ?