CPT (Composite Panel Technologies) Slide In Camper Shell Build, AKA "Yes, Dear, I think this will definitely be my last one...."

[NOPEC]

Hey Bob, how 'bout an update on your build progress? Pretty please...

Absolutely Dean will do soon. I'll do a non-overlander trip report on our summer paddling expedition and an update on our CPT camper build on this thread. It has been great so far and we are really enjoying the less is more theme!! Here is a before and after from Hay River....

Public Beach in Hay River, NWT just prior to leaving. Camper and the boats look great!


Same public beach 74 days later. Trail Talk knows some of the story which I will elaborate on later here on ExPo but reader's digest is that I had to be medivacked out on day 68 of our planned 80 day kayaking trip around Great Slave Lake. The suspected Stroke and/or TIA assessment turned out to be wrong thankfully. However, where we were plucked off is inaccessible by anything other than a helicopter or a kayak so sadly, the boats and gear was unrecoverable. However, even with no boats on the trailer, the camper still looks great!!

 

[Trail Talk]

Nice looking rig! A blank canvas for graphics?

 

[simple]

Dang! Sounds like a mostly great adventure. Glad your ok.

 

[wilbo2402]

There are a number of builders in BC using different sandwich panels using different types of panels composites. Total composites, off grid customs, and CPT. I'm wondering if you considered the various panels and decided in CPT for a reason.

 

[NOPEC]

Wilbo
I picked CPT because they are only five hours down the road from me, they have a proven industrial manufacturing background and they manufacture their panels and completed shells all in house. When I ordered my shell, they were just starting into the camper end of production so with CAD and their monster CNC capabilities, I was able to work with their engineers to basically design my own camper, within the bounds of the structural limitations and design. I am not sure they would still do that. I looked hard at the other manufacturers shells and would definitely have gone a different route, had this option not been available.

On another note, I see you are from the Island. I just got back to the Kootenays from Cape Scott last night after the weather gong show!! Here is a pic of my rig at the CScott trailhead parking, it wasn't crowded....... Sneaked in a couple great oceanside hikes prior the craziness!

 

[wilbo2402]

Very cool. Would love to get up and do the Cape Scott and North Coast Trail.

Thanks for your thoughts on the panels.

I'd love to know how your unit holds up over the years. Keep posting on this thread about any maintenance it may require.

 

[gator70]

Curious about heating inside a composite camper. Do you find heating is easier, less LPG demanding?

 

[NOPEC]

Curious about heating inside a composite camper. Do you find heating is easier, less LPG demanding?

Curious about heating inside a composite camper. Do you find heating is easier, less LPG demanding?

My camper has been very good so far with LPG consumption. I think the wall/roof envelopes are usually well engineered and built with most of the composite shells available out there, giving good thermal performance. Of course, once a number of holes are cut into the the walls and roof, that changes everything. Other than the narrow factory windowless door and two Arctic Tern windows, my only holes are a floor sump in a sealed LPG interior cabinet and a small cabin vent, also into the floor.

I really like the Arctic Tern windows, this was the second build I used them on, but I think there are more thermally efficient windows available. Because I rely on the windows for ventilation, I need the louver feature so I can keep them open in all types of precipitation. Everything is a compromise.....

 

[gator70]

My camper has been very good so far with LPG consumption. I think the wall/roof envelopes are usually well engineered and built with most of the composite shells available out there, giving good thermal performance. Of course, once a number of holes are cut into the the walls and roof, that changes everything. Other than the narrow factory windowless door and two Arctic Tern windows, my only holes are a floor sump in a sealed LPG interior cabinet and a small cabin vent, also into the floor.

I really like the Arctic Tern windows, this was the second build I used them on, but I think there are more thermally efficient windows available. Because I rely on the windows for ventilation, I need the louver feature so I can keep them open in all types of precipitation. Everything is a compromise.....

My habitat has 55mm composite walls, ceiling and floor. I'm trying to get and idea about heating requirements. Temp insulation over normal construction methods.

 

[rruff]

My habitat has 55mm composite walls, ceiling and floor. I'm trying to get and idea about heating requirements. Temp insulation over normal construction methods.

After 3 days mine was about 13 W/F with no people. Your camper is bigger but also has thicker walls.