1124 AF Double Cab

[DiploStrat]

Toby.

I wouldn't really worry about all the extra seats and fitting the kids in.

We first spoke about this in circa 2012 in Germany .

By the time you finish the project the kids will be grown up and have their own trucks.

Only joking , good luck with it and don't forget to get some pictures on here

Neil

Gotta share that with a friend who would loooooove to buy our truck - but needs seats for two kids. Ironically, we got the truck because the original owner/builder had one seat for their child, and then his wife announced two more!

 

[Toby3]

Toby.

I wouldn't really worry about all the extra seats and fitting the kids in.

We first spoke about this in circa 2012 in Germany .

By the time you finish the project the kids will be grown up and have their own trucks.

Only joking , good luck with it and don't forget to get some pictures on here

Neil

HI Neil, wow, amazing how time flies, I knew it had been a bit from when we first started going to Germany looking. Too many projects but all good, Hopefully this is the year.

 

[Toby3]

I had an ideal to repurpose a Zepro unit, you can get the medium sized ones here used almost for free. A bit of a challenge adapting it to horizontal load i suspect ill end up using a specialist truck builder (PTO here in oslo) and consult with them about my options. We want it to be able to handle a light motorcycle too for longer trips dun south

something used like this is is dirt cheap..

Hi Geo.Lander, that looks like a really good idea. I had wondered on doing something like this. Do you know how does it cope carrying load whilst moving. I guess normal use for loading it doesn't carry load whilst moving. Looking at I think one of the unicat videos, they had a hydralic lift but then seemed to lock into position. Thinking with two wheels and a motorbike its quite a bit of weight but unicat and others seem to do something like this so possible

 

[Toby3]

Hi, current plan for the box. Played around with a few different designs, think this works. Only real concern that is that whilst I like the toilet and shower facing each other so with opposing doors they can join up to make space when using the bathroom, it does divide up the cabin a bit so not going to feel as open as other designs. Haven't figured out a better design for us that deals with the bunk beds etc and keeps the large garage under the bed. Open to ideas if anyone has any thoughts on it

Had a few considerations - trying to accomodate 4 of us, I'm 6ft 5 so need long enough beds etc. Boys not that tall yet but eldest will be getting close in another year or so so trying to make sure it still works. Trying to have top bunk folding up so can use lower bunk as seating during the day. Similar to sleeper train set up, Trying to keep large garage ideally getting motorbike below bed but alternatively will be on the back

 

[Toby3]

Truck getting worked on, tender off which is great

 

[Toby3]

Hi, anyone have any experience of using incineration toilets?

What is an incineration toilet? (cinderellaeco.com)

Looks like quite a good solution, particularly not having to empty cassettes etc but interested whether doing work that well. Also looks to be able to run off gas or electric so any one either. Still trying to work out whether we need to carry gas at all.

 

[Neil]

Toby

A friend of mine has fitted the gas version. Although the technology is fantastic, their gas consumption is huge . With a family your size you could be using several litres a day , refilling your gas tanks will soon become the aim of your journey.

The electric version is also very power hungry .

There is a good tgread on another forum of some real time use over about 6 months.. i will dig out the figures they produced, but i have to say I was horrified .

I do believe a diesel version is in the pipeline.

I will come back to you with their findings

Neil

 

[Neil]

Hi Toby

I have had chance to have a look at the real life reviews on another forum , Both the reviewers have fitted the toilets in their trucks and have been using them , so i think they are sound.

The gas version uses 110 g of gas per flush. Each flush takes approx 45 mins . Odour from the burn is released to the atmosphere during the Burn.

We are only 2 persons in our truck ( Of a certain age ) and I reckon between us we flush our toilet 10 times per day . This would consume 1100 g gas which is about 2 litres per day.

The electric version testing showed the following .

Each cycle took 56 mins and used 1.41 KW of energy to complete.. On a 24 v battery bank this is nearly a 60 amp hit on your batteries every flush. So using our habits that would be nearly 600 amps per day.

Now whilst some battery banks might be OK with this , that energy has to be replenished every day to break even and this could be challenging.

With a family on the road I expect the number of flushes would be higher.

In addition to this the toilet bowl has to be lined with a paper lining each time.

These cost 8 pence ( UK ) each . So for us and our habits this would be almost an additional £300 (UK ) per year and the storage of 8 Boxes of liners as they are hard to source worldwide.

My understanding that once the cycle has been started you can use the toilet but cannot flush until the cycle has ended.

The technology is fantastic, but I would still have reservations about the robustness of the device and how it would stand up to weeks of the violent vibration you get on Ripio roads.

I would also be concerned about sourcing parts and bowl liners when out on the road.

I understand that a Diesel version is on the horizon.

I can put you directly in touch with the reviewers if you are considering going down this road as they are very expensive ( £3500 to £4000 UK ) , so some real life experiences might be useful .

Neil

 

[Madoxen]

I have read somewhere that you do not need to flush for every wee but can double or tripple up to save on gas/electric do you know if that is acurate? As that could drop the 10 flushes to 4 or 5 . By flush i mean incineration as i was also told that a flush and incineration are 2 seperate things flush take the contents to the oven then incineration burns it. I might however be wrong on this as have no first hand experience.

 

[Neil]

have read somewhere that you do not need to flush for every wee but can double or tripple up to save on gas/electric do you know if that is acurate? As that could drop the 10 flushes to 4 or 5 . By flush i mean incineration as i was also told that a flush and incineration are 2 seperate things flush take the contents to the oven then incineration burns it. I might however be wrong on this as have no first hand experience.

Not sure , I will make contact with the owners I know. Good question

Neil

 

[Joe917]

When placing your vents and skylights don't forget your solar panel layout.
I would go with a composting toilet over the incinerator.

 

[Neil]

I have read somewhere that you do not need to flush for every wee but can double or tripple up to save on gas/electric do you know if that is acurate? As that could drop the 10 flushes to 4 or 5 . By flush i mean incineration as i was also told that a flush and incineration are 2 seperate things flush take the contents to the oven then incineration burns it. I might however be wrong on this as have no first hand experience.

I have spoke to my friend who has the gas version. He says the incinerating bowl in the base couls maybe accomodate 2 small deposits. After that you could accumulate deposits in the upper bowl. He says this would work when stationary, but not on the move.

In my view this toilet, although technologically amazing, would not work for us ( 2 persons ) and would struggle with a family.

Neil

 

[Geo.Lander]

I have spoke to my friend who has the gas version. He says the incinerating bowl in the base couls maybe accomodate 2 small deposits. After that you could accumulate deposits in the upper bowl. He says this would work when stationary, but not on the move.

In my view this toilet, although technologically amazing, would not work for us ( 2 persons ) and would struggle with a family.

Neil

these toilets (cinderella) are quite common in remote cabins here (Norway). I am not sure they are really designed for RV campers in mind

 

[Toby3]

HI Neil, that's really useful thank you. Had no idea that it was that demanding on gas / electric. Looks like a great idea but that and the cost doesn't make it look viable, particularly to your point about family usage. Was waiting back on another couple who are using it but again to your point, its potentially a lot less demand than we would have as a family.

I would go with a composting toilet over the incinerator.

Thanks for this Joe. So is the general consensus that composting toilets are the next best option or any other thoughts?

 

[Joe917]

The first change we made was eliminating the flushing toilet and black tank and adding a composting toilet, Natures Head.
Five years of living with it and could not be more happy.
Two adults require emptying the urine tank every second day, the compost every 5-8 weeks.
I would advise you install the unit in a wet room, sooner or later you will forget to check the tank. Probably only once! With kids I would say it is essential.
Composting toilets is a big subject of discussion. Those in favor of them, have them, and those against have usually never lived with them!