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

RVflyfish

Fishing is life. The rest is details.
Man such a compact unit to do both jobs.

How is reliability with these? I’ve always wondered what happens if one function fails on a trip? Do you lose the other also? And if it’s not reparable do you have to replace the entire unit?
 

coguzzi

Adventurer
Man such a compact unit to do both jobs.

How is reliability with these? I’ve always wondered what happens if one function fails on a trip? Do you lose the other also? And if it’s not reparable do you have to replace the entire unit?
the Truma Combis are very very popular over in Europe, and just starting to catch on here and some of the high end units like overland explorer ect. even the new EKKO is using them. 100% reliable from what i have seen, never see post about weird errors or any of that stuff. last one i installed has been running on its 2nd winter now in -40C temps every 3 day weekend and some 1 week plus trips. tons of hours on it and never a fault. that said, since they are not popular and Truma North America is kind of weird, parts and service might be an issue this side of the pond. There are some chinese copies out there now as well

PS, both functions operate independently of each other. can run water heater with out air heater and vice versa
 

RVflyfish

Fishing is life. The rest is details.
PS, both functions operate independently of each other. can run water heater with out air heater and vice versa
Yes I understood this. I guess I’m thinking back to the days of TV/VCR combos. When the VCR failed, you had to buy both again. Or phone/fax/copiers.
 

coguzzi

Adventurer
One weekend at a time.....feels like a Johnny Cash song....

slowly moving along still, finally got the cabinet together that i have been working on for several weekends now. probably the longest cabinet ive ever made at 93"-ha.
IMG_9941.jpgIMG_9965.jpg
counter tops next then ill actually be functional (bed design rest on counter top when down). getting there
 

coguzzi

Adventurer
Classy.

How much does the empty cabinet weigh? And I assume it will have drawers in most of those spaces(?)
i didnt actually weigh it, but me and wife 1.0 who has been having major mobility and strength issues in her shoulder moved it no problem. BUT, i know whats in it and square inch wise it is about 1 full 4x8 sheet of 1/2" Baltic/russian birch (i have preplanned cut sheets i made on the 'puter). maybe slightly more, maybe slightly less. 1/2" RB 4x8 sheet specs at 56lbs. them some laminate, so maybe another 5 lbs give or take, so im gonna say roughly 60lbs which i dont feel is terribly high.

I build cabinets with 1/2" for the main structure and 5/8 for the door panels (which is absolute minimum for hidden hinges and need to be real careful). most builder just use 3/4" for everything because its the easy way out but pay for it in weight. i can move a sheet of 1/2" RB easily myself. 5/8" is more of a struggle. 3/4--forget about it (for me-ha).

4 drawers only (drawer slides to weigh a lot-ha) in the upper part of the first 2 sections. rest are open cabinets and electrical
 

coguzzi

Adventurer
IMG_0106.jpg
Not only was today eclipse day, it was also snow tire removal day (had 3 cars to do). Which meant the sprinter needed to go outside and the first time she has been outside since i put the snow tires on last fall, think October. been moved from shop to shop a few times but its only 17 feet of outside time--ha. Figured i havent posted much because 99% of my time is dedicated to the Delica project (just finished the most challenging cabinet ive ever built) so let y'all know im still alive and will be back to the sprinter full time soon. sadly its just needs finish work.....but not enough time in a day

ps: pic taken just past totality
pps: ignore my neighbors construction site mess, worst contractors ever
 

texasnielsen

Outdoorsman
1.0? Are you working to upgrade? If yes, to 2.0 or 1.1? I guess a 1.1 version is a lot easier and cheaper than a 2.0 version. Good luck either way!
Okay, briefly off subject.
1.1, 2.0, 2.5, etc. infinitely cheaper speaking as a member of the 3.0 club.

Now, back to your normal broadcasting.
Oh and an excellent thread to follow by the way. 😉
 

Farfrumwork

Well-known member
Odometer reads not in Kilometers or Miles... but in FEET!

I swapped 2 sets of snows this last weekend too (not my usual 3 sets, as the Alltrack wore it's summer/'no-season' tires all winter). But, it was ~1200lbs of wheels that I moved (Sprinter and the ID4)

You should post a few pics of that Delica cabinet.
 

coguzzi

Adventurer
Not to derail my build thread but people have asked to see pics of the Delica project. Also means its done and this thread/project can get back on track (even though i have odd job request that have been waiting, like today im welding on a trailer). Here is a small sample but if you want to see more can go to my FB page https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057598833148

it was full build with propex heater, fridge, goal zero 1500x power station and even reupholstered the front seats that were beat up needing foam work, cigarette burned and stinky
IMG_0415.jpegIMG_0316.jpegIMG_0361.jpegIMG_0382.jpegIMG_0392.jpegIMG_0368.jpeg
 
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Farfrumwork

Well-known member
The Delica build is sick. Small spaces are much more difficult than the cavernous interior of a Sprinter/Transit.

How are the side curtains mounted? I see some slides at the top/bottom of the window... is that some OTS system?

Seats look great too.

fun fact - I had the very first re-upholstered seats that coguzzi did (iirc) in our Syncro.

front pass side seats.JPG
 

Spencer for Hire

Active member
One weekend at a time.....feels like a Johnny Cash song....

slowly moving along still, finally got the cabinet together that i have been working on for several weekends now. probably the longest cabinet ive ever made at 93"-ha.
View attachment 821626View attachment 821627
counter tops next then ill actually be functional (bed design rest on counter top when down). getting there
Looking back at your transit build, I am curious why you didn't have any overhead storage? Seems that you didn't take advantage of the top area. Are you doing the same and omitting overhead with this build?
 

coguzzi

Adventurer
The Delica build is sick. Small spaces are much more difficult than the cavernous interior of a Sprinter/Transit.

How are the side curtains mounted? I see some slides at the top/bottom of the window... is that some OTS system?

Seats look great too.

fun fact - I had the very first re-upholstered seats that coguzzi did (iirc) in our Syncro.

View attachment 833984
I was able to sucker someone into trusting a student in an upholstery class....and i can see my upholstery life has been cursed with armrest--ha

This van came from Japan with curtain tracks already installed, with some not so pretty curtains. We made new curtains incorporating the tracks and also made some mesh bug screens to cover the pop out windows. as i say, "In Quebec after winter we get 1 nice week to enjoy outside before bug/humid season starts, if you miss that 1 week it sucks to be you"
 

coguzzi

Adventurer
Looking back at your transit build, I am curious why you didn't have any overhead storage? Seems that you didn't take advantage of the top area. Are you doing the same and omitting overhead with this build?
I do generally not really like overhead cabinets because of the added weight up high, the worst location for it. BUT, i had planned on doing an overhead in the transit and just simply ran out of steam and time on that build. The buyer didnt really need it so thats how it got left. The sprinter is slatted to get an overhead cabinet because of how i planned the convertible shower design--guess that really could change but probably not. My wife really likes storage and having a home for everything vs clutter everywhere when on the road and the explosion of stuff outside the van when you get somewhere. i still have some steam left right now so it will probably happen
 

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