AmbuLand build thread

[Abitibi]

Also a couple pics from the 2nd BC Overland Rally last month. Great bunch of people as usual.

Also meet this very nice Spanish couple who've been traveling around the world in their 4x4 Sprinter for the last 3 years. They stayed at my place for a few days, time to visit Vancouver and carried on with their adventure. Wish I could have tagged along!

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[Bikersmurf]

I’ve seen someone boondocking across the road from my place and I’ve been tempted to go say hi. It was good of you to let them stay at your place. :cheers:

 

[Abitibi]

We had so much in common it would have been my loss not to invite them.

And now I have someone else to go visit next time I'm in Spain!

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[FDM2012]

Great pics!

Florida sucks for OverLanding. I need to move out West.... lol

 

[Ozrockrat]

We had so much in common it would have been my loss not to invite them.

And now I have someone else to go visit next time I'm in Spain!

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I whole heartedly agree with this sentiment. We have hosted over 300 international travelers in the last 6 years( mostly motorcycle travelers staying inside our house). Sure it ends up costing a bit of money but the friendships gathered and the educational experience gained by our grand daughter talking to them about the places they have traveled greatly out weighs the dollars expended.

And as you so rightly pointed out now we have a places to stay in a whole lot of different countries.

But probably the biggest driver for us to host people has been the willingness of complete strangers in foreign countries to take us during our travels. Some of these locals will never travel outside their country and some have been very poor (financially not in whole of life values) and they have been willing to share with us.

But just for reference I have noticed that people were a lot more open when I traveled solo by motorcycle rather than as a couple in 4 wheel vehicles.

 

[Abitibi]

I whole heartedly agree with this sentiment. We have hosted over 300 international travelers in the last 6 years( mostly motorcycle travelers staying inside our house). Sure it ends up costing a bit of money but the friendships gathered and the educational experience gained by our grand daughter talking to them about the places they have traveled greatly out weighs the dollars expended.

And as you so rightly pointed out now we have a places to stay in a whole lot of different countries.

But probably the biggest driver for us to host people has been the willingness of complete strangers in foreign countries to take us during our travels. Some of these locals will never travel outside their country and some have been very poor (financially not in whole of life values) and they have been willing to share with us.

But just for reference I have noticed that people were a lot more open when I traveled solo by motorcycle rather than as a couple in 4 wheel vehicles.

So true isn't it! I just love to share people's experience and most of the travelers I've invited over were happy to just have a place to park, maybe a shower, place to re-fill their water tank... and get to know the area a little more. Just like when I travel in my van I'm not looking for a bed, more looking to share a seat by the fire Even when I visit my family I still prefer to sleep in my van instead of in their home, just more comfortable in my own place and that's what I've found with most people stopping by. I'm a bit surprised you had better luck solo on your bike, I guess they figured you were already in good company and already had a roof while in your 4 wheel vehicle

 

[Abitibi]

Good day everyone, long time!

I'm getting ready for another short roady down California next month and one special request from my kids was to get better windows at the back. True enough, when the kids sit at the back there's only one small dark window on the passenger side and the front windshield. Basically, all they can see is the back of their parent's heads, some of the sky and not much else. No point to go on roadtrip if you can't enjoy the view right?

My goal was to replace the small window on the camper side door with a larger one and add a new one on the opposite door so both kids could see what's going on outside. They never roll down their windows when we drive so they only need to open when parked. Hence, I don't want sliders but windows that can be used when it's raining.

I looked at Seitz, CL Lawrence and other RV windows and was not impressed. They either don't have the size I need, are just too cheap, single pane or stupidly expensive.

So?

Keep on doing what I've been doing all along... Improvise and do it myself and this is what I came up with (still work in progress btw). I'm built an aluminum frame (sandwich style) and the actual windows will be double pane tempered glass on a wooden sash. The wood insulate better than aluminum and will be very cozy. Painted on the outside and stained/varnished on the inside. The outside frame is built with L channel and the inside with T channel (so that it also acts as a stopper for the window. Not sure if the pictures will make more sense than whatever I'm typing, lol. It's a little hard to tell but the outside frame slides inside the inner frame.

I got the frames done, just need to get them powdercoated before I start hacking my doors. And these are the two doors I'm talking about (sorry for the xl pictures of the doors).

 

[Abitibi]

Now that I'm here might as well catch up on what I've been up to since the summer! One improvement that I really like is this programmable thermostat for my Webasto. I set it to start on high 15 min before getting into my truck in the morning and same before driving back home from work, nice and toasty! I looked at the 7 days one from Webasto or Espar but they are pricey and had a few things I didn't like. This is the one I got, looks decent.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07JN1LZDK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00__o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[java]

Impressive! I have the motion windows double pane, they are great other then the alu frames......

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[Abitibi]

This one was bugging me for a LONG time! The section that separate the camper to the front cab was never done. It was a little tricky to make it work but I'm very pleased with the result. I also added more cubbies storage by the side door and had fun with an old piece of driftwood that I had saved for year. It looks like a snake and even has a stone where they eye should be. Pretty cool!

The last picture is the door where one of the window will be installed...

I've got a few more mods done but didn't take pictures so it will have to wait

Cheers!
David

 

[Abitibi]

Impressive! I have the motion windows double pane, they are great other then the alu frames......

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I had not seen those Motion Windows, they look good. I'd have to check how much they'd charge for a 2'x3' window (that's my frame size). Can't really get away from the aluminum frame but hey, my entire box is made of aluminum

 

[java]

I had not seen those Motion Windows, they look good. I'd have to check how much they'd charge for a 2'x3' window (that's my frame size). Can't really get away from the aluminum frame but hey, my entire box is made of aluminum

Yeah mine is aluminum too, but they sweat.... Walls dont They can make any custom size. I wish someone would do a vinyl/PVC etc frame with round corners!

 

[Abitibi]

Time will tell how bad they sweat but my doors are 2" thick and insulated. Might not be too bad. And when it's cold, heater is on and Maxxair as well so I have very limited condensation. The worse is obviously the front windows but im working on fixing that issue as well...

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[s.e.charles]

are the Motion Windows reliable (company) and service oriented? I need (2) for the cap. thanks

 

[MountainsAreCalling]

The side awning started above the rain gutter but once my van got lifted it was getting a pain to use. So I sealed the old holes and re-mounted it directly against the body panel with a good dose of sealant at each bolts. Bolted right through the body panel, nice and flush!

Was the rear awning also mounted directly to the body? Or did you utilize the drip rail somehow? Do you have a detailed pic of the rear awning attachment? Thanks!