GRP Body Construction in the UK

[Neil]

Hi

New to this site, first post.

I am about to embark on the construction of an overland camper which will be based on a Daimler Benz 1017A ex miltary vehicle.

I am looking for any information that might point me towards a company that can construct the Habitation box for me. in GRP 5mt long / door / windows etc.

I am in the UK ( Essex ) so it has to here or northern europe

I would also love to hear from anyone who has constructed a similar vehicle in the UK to swap ideas etc


Many thanks

Neil

 

[charlieaarons]

There are number of expedition camper mfgs, mainly in Germany. Some of them will make you a camper shell:

http://www.woelcke.de/
http://www.ormocar.de/index.php?id=21&L=1
http://www.unicat.net/en/info/GTC45flight.html
http://www.fuess-mobile.de/index.htm

There are many many others.
There's a list somewhere.
Be sure to read "choosing an overland campervan" and "building your own campervan" under "Equipment" at
http://www.xor.org.uk/silkroute/index.html

Charlie

 

[nick disjunkt]

Hi there,

On my search for suitable coach builders for my own truck (mercedes 1823) I came across a coachbuilders in Essex (what are the chances!) called Essex bodies:

http://www.essexbodies.co.uk/

It seems the majority of their work is regular truck bodies (pantechnicons, curtain siders, boxes, etc) but one of their case studies is an interesting looking merc atego 4x4.

http://www.essexbodies.co.uk/portfolio/P1010035.jpg

I have not used this company but I intend to in the next month or two so I will let you know my experiences.

As far as I can tell if you want a decent grp body in the UK the experts are the coachbuilders who build outdoor broadcast vehicles and race service vehicles. Unfortunately these companies tend be extremely expensive for smaller jobs; they may be more competative on the huge 45ft artic trailers they normally build.

Nick

 

[Neil]

GRP Bodies

Thanks for info Nick

The image you sent me looks very interesting

I would be very appreciative if you could let me know how you got on with them

It would appear that the hot bed for these type of companies is germany, It might be that i have to go there .

I would prefer it to be in the UK

Good luck with your build

Neil

 

[UK4X4]

Neil

There's also a method that people have used in the US using an
simple aluminum frame and then sticking in the GRP / foam panels

http://www.turtleexpedition.com/vehicles/turtle5.php

There are also a few specialised vehicle preperation companies too in the UK

www.neneoverland.co.uk
Foley Specialist Vehicles

Both work mainly with landrovers but can probably help as they do full body conversions too.

There's lots of info here too on sub frames and articulation, so your new box does not fail through twisting of the frame.

If your looking for a simple box- most any GRP fabrication shop can build one
even ones that do telecoms shelters etc.

The local boat yard too may have some underworked grp people.

I quite liked the turtle simple method, quite easily done

 

[haven]

Here's a page that lists two companies in UK that build GRP bodies
to your specification:
http://www.xor.org.uk/unimog/ukbody.htm

 

[Neil]

Many thanks

All food for thought

Neil

 

[Dmarchand]

Look for a box-truck or delivery truck builder in your area. They will have the capabilities to build a mold and create the body you want, locally.

 

[Victorian]

Another one would be Arche Mobil In Germany. A former co-worker of mine at Unicat started that company. http://www.archemobil.de/de/expedition/bis-18-tonnen.html

 

[nick disjunkt]

Hi Neil,

as with all things in life it took me longer than expected to take my truck down to essex bodies.

Anyway, I have it back now and theit work has been excellent.

I specced the windows and other equipment myself but they have fitted eveything well, and have done a great job on the respray.

 

[Anton2k3]

Any more pictures?

 

[nick disjunkt]

I'm still working on the truck and it is far from complete but I'll take some more when I get a chance.

Here's another one in the meantime: