Back in a van-FINALLY or Overland-ish style build: take 2

[coguzzi]

I now have 25 nights and 8000km/5000miles on the van, hasnt been sitting still any more (did manage a trip in the Jeep to Maine in there as well). After the WI trip we took the dogs up to one of their favorite places to go swimming, Lac St Jean. Got to test the VC 4.3 on some washboard roads this time, still a must do IMHO


4 days after that we headed east thru New Brunswick and Nova Scotia to do the Cabot Trail in Cape Breton. Highlight was Meat cove where we bagged a stellar spot with stellar views and a very nice beach (water was just warm enough to swim) Saw whales, seals, eagles etc.



8000km and Quebec still has the worst roads/infrastructure/signage/drivers or just general livin . BUT, happy to report everything about the build has been rock solid with zero problems. The ONLY thing maybe i would change is add another zone of lights for more ambiance (already have 4 zones). I put in plenty of overhead lights on a dimmer because i hate it when its to dark when you need light, BUT, the dimmer just doesnt dim it down enough sometimes. past that, wouldnt change a thing

 

[coguzzi]

So i got really behind on my time lapse video stuff because i just wanted to finish the thing! I've been slowly plugging away at editing it down, figure it is about 900 hours worth the time lapse (tons of photos to go through). got it down to about as short as i can to keep it still relevant, so 900 hours down to 5:54 minutes-ha.

 

[Farfrumwork]

Good job wearing your shop tee's through most of that 900hrs!

 

[coguzzi]

Good job wearing your shop tee's through most of that 900hrs!

and the other times wearing a raggety old flannel that should have gone to the trash long ago (days i spaced on the shop shirt). flannel is now been in the trash for a while

 

[coguzzi]

After spending many nights in the van and generally having a good summer for a change, its time to finish the items that ended up on the back burner so we could enjoy the rig. #1, finishing the back doors. Long story short, technically this is not the van we had ordered, our ordered one had rear door windows. So I wasnt 100% that maybe i would add windows, but turns out i see no reason to do so. So, i have a few ideas i wanna try back here and best to get them insulated for winter. Stay tuned

 

[coguzzi]

Something i have been planning since day 1 on this build is tying my 2 passions together. I have a love for vans/overland vehicles but also a love for motorcycles (mostly dirtbikes/dual sports but also vintage or fast sport bikes). I've done several trips in the past where the van/vehicle is a base camp and exploration done on moto, even so much as trailering my URAL side car bike. I specifically bought this little CRF300 Rally before i even had the van to use as a tag along bike, and sold my Triumph Tiger XC because i just wasnt using it to potential. Finding local good riding in dirt--well, lets just say ive ridden the ONLY trail to many times to even count, need to get further away and basecamp is always nice. Tough coming from Colorado where dirt is right outside your door to Quebec where nothing is accessible.

I test fit with the existing rack i had, which i never liked. Anyway, the van seemed happy enough only squatting 1/2", so i ordered up the Mototote M3 with the optional longer main bar to clear back door/ladder more. I have it assembled so it is 4" longer but still have more room to go if need be, but more you go out the less weight you can carry. Bike is 330lb wet, wouldnt want to go much heavier on a hitch rack (but KTM is rumored to be releasing a "holy grail" bike this November which might be just slightly more). my vintage Moto Guzzi's will probably never go back there-ha. I really like the Mototote racks, very sturdy and structural but weigh less than most. the M3 is 60lbs where next best rack is a Versahaul which comes in at 90+.

Anyway, next spring I'll be ready to do parts of the NEBDR or everytime i cross the border in Maine i see plenty to ride. Sad im just getting to it now, just in time to store it for the winter-ha. I guess nothing is stopping me from a SW desert trip this winter is there-hmmmm!

PS, this moto is also somewhat of a compromise for both the wife 1.0 and I. She rides to, when we met we both rode MX and she is just as passionate about motos as i am (well--my sickness might be worse). There was a time we trailered 2 dirtbikes or 2 dual sport bikes, but reality is i hate trailering. exception was the sidecar bike on a trailer so dogs could ride with us to. Last several years in CO we took a 81 CT110 on a hitch rack and had so many laughs on that thing 2up. So the CRF is meant to be a fun bike for either one of us to ride solo or 2up. BUT, it is slightly tall for the vertically challenged wife 1.0 though---soo maybe the plan will have to be revised some. But having owned over 50 bikes in my years i do really like this lil 300, doesnt do really anything exceptionally well but it does do pretty much everything i ask of it without much complaint (stock suspension does complain some and way to soft)

 

[coguzzi]

So back door finish i started talking about a while ago. I have several ideas for back here, but the base of everything starts with a nice L-track system to attach things i have planned. and easily switched out from trip to trip depending on what activity that trip includes. I personally prefer L-track to a Molle panel since things can use the multitude of L-track fittings vs just strapping down to a Molle. Hell, i can even attach a Molle panel to the L-track if i want (and might).

So the 4 panels i needed to make, wrapped in Vinyl (remember door panels get wet if its raining so prefer vinyl here), affix and install



Since we are coming into winter my priority has switched for the #1 item I wanted to develop for the L-track system. Snowboarder here and wife is a 2 planker skier (never hears the end of it). We spent a lot of time chasing powder when we lived in Colorado. Quebec skiing--MEH! So hopefully this winter i get to spend some time chasing powder either here in the NE US or toying with idea of an outwest trip. That said, "If your cold, your gear is cold--bring it inside" or "friends dont let friends carry ski's outside in the salt". I just cant bring myself to keep my gear outside and the rusty edges that come with it. I thought about roof box or outside ski locker on an exterior rear door panel system Ive thought of making (and still might make). BUT, with the elevator bed and the shape of the sprinter i have several inches available between the bed/dinette and the back door--nature of the curved wall beast. Enter interior ski/snowboard storage.



Prototype stage right now, but had the insight to make it work with both of my boards (I like both for different reasons/snow type-but one does get ridden more than the other). Maybe make it out of aluminum later after testing. Is also going to include a catch pan under to catch the inevitable snow melt. or let them melt in the shower while enjoying the after riding adult beverage-ha.

Rest of the planned rear door items will come later, so patience

 

[RVflyfish]

Slick. As I read I was thinking, “He needs something to catch the melting snow.“ Of course you thought of that.