EarthRoamer XV-JP "Northwest Edition"

[GR8ADV]

Why...???... We have been friends and coincidentally, me a patron of their business...Friends help friends... All of my business relationships are based on that from the beginning...

Why...???... My friends at Fiberglass Supply appreciate several things with their friends, creativity, communication on new applications for their products, and maybe most important, I have supported their families and communities since 1977, as long as I have been building surfboards... Loyalty counts for a lot...

Why...???... I have introduced a lot of surfboard builders, worldwide, to them...A simple thing to is to say to someone asking for a recommendation is these guys are my friends, they threat me well, do what they say, quickly, offer awesome products, and are interested in what you are doing...

Why...???... When they do screw up, they take my beratings in style, we shake hands and wrong is made right... We always laugh later...

Why...???... I told them, sincerely, as friends you can use the Jeep whenever you want... Really...

You said this is a paid project owned by a rich guy... Partially incorrect...The Jeep was generously gifted to my by my fiend Mike Hiscox... He is my friend... He is in no way funding my project...

We both are rich guys.... Rich in experience... Rich in ideas... Rich in shared interests... Rich in our common respect and friendships... Only bean counters consider the finacially blessing of weath to be the only definition of "Rich" ... With a rich life it is second nature to give away what you have in abundance... Mike did it with me, I do that for others... It just goes round and round...

Perfect answer Paul. Some people just don't get it.

 

[ABCanuck]

Interesting how "rich people" is used as an insult by some. I think Tim McGraw wrote a song about it.

I realize I'm a complete stranger to the circle of affiliated people here but the gracious replies by Paul and Mike continue to impress me. I'd be reaching the end of my rope with some of the ignorant and snide comments. Hats off to you fellas, excited to see how this thing progresses.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[IdaSHO]

Good progress Paul

Keep at it.

I giggled a bit when I saw the roof mold cut into pieces :sombrero:


Im still waiting for the OMG-MADE-OF-WOOD-IS-HEAVY-AND-WILL-ROT-BY-END-OF-DAY comments.

 

[Healeyjet]

Paul, I for one am a fan through and through. I love craftsmanship and your boards totally display that. Was there ever any thought about adding some carbon fiber to the build just for fun or is it too expensive a material to just add for no reason? Is carbon fiber any lighter than fiberglass in a build like this?
Ward

 

[goodtimes]

Good progress Paul

Keep at it.

I giggled a bit when I saw the roof mold cut into pieces :sombrero:


Im still waiting for the OMG-MADE-OF-WOOD-IS-HEAVY-AND-WILL-ROT-BY-END-OF-DAY comments.

I've turned enough wood into sawdust to know that wood is, in fact, heavy. Adding fiberglass and epoxy doesn't make it any lighter.

But I'm certain that Paul has his reasons for using it - and since he's building it, his reasons are the only ones that matter. I'll leave the howling to others who are seem far more vested in the project that they should be.

I'm just glad Paul is sharing the story. It's cool to see how other people approach projects.

So thanks for sharing Paul - naysayers be damned!

 

[skibum315]

This:

[...] I realize I'm a complete stranger to the circle of affiliated people here but the gracious replies by Paul and Mike continue to impress me. I'd be reaching the end of my rope with some of the ignorant and snide comments. Hats off to you fellas, excited to see how this thing progresses. [...]

... and this:

[...] I'm just glad Paul is sharing the story. It's cool to see how other people approach projects.

So thanks for sharing Paul [...]

... seconded on both counts. I'm watching this build with continued interest ... thanks to all involved for providing the entertainment.

 

[Mud Dawg]

VERY excited to see this thread back on the right track. When Paul wasn't up to to something, I checked in maybe once an month. Now, I'm back to checking in once a day...

 

[PaulJensen]

I've turned enough wood into sawdust to know that wood is, in fact, heavy. Adding fiberglass and epoxy doesn't make it any lighter.

But I'm certain that Paul has his reasons for using it - and since he's building it, his reasons are the only ones that matter. ...

1/4" ply varies a lot in weight depending on the species... This underlayment grade is mid way on that scale... Alone it is too flexible and far from dent resistant... Epoxy and glass resolve those issues... Creating a composite sandwich with the next layer being foam insulation then another 1/8 skin of plywood will stiffen the shell further... Not that it needs it now... Weight wise I can easily pick it up and walk it around the shop... Compared to the previous roof it weighs a fraction of what that did... That old roof was heavy and at times the pneumatic lifters needed a manual assist to get the roof to lift... In the end the weight saving will be significant and noticeable...

 

[PaulJensen]

... Was there ever any thought about adding some carbon fiber to the build just for fun or is it too expensive a material to just add for no reason? Is carbon fiber any lighter than fiberglass in a build like this?
Ward

There was carbon fiber in the previous build... The pull-out bed was made of foam and CF...

Although CF is strong and light, it is pricey... A simple way to get nearly the same strength and stiffness is to use "S-cloth"... S is for strength... The other standard cloths with lesser qualities are "E" for electrical and Volan, which is a finish... They all work about the same... Strong, flexible, waterproof...

The roof would not benefit in a huge way with CF instead of fiberglass... If you did a Gatorboard foam core, CF would make sense...

This build is also being funded by me and my wife... She was less than enthusiastic about me taking on another project and I told her that I would do everything possible to keep the build fast and cost effective... A happy wife equates to a happy life...

 

[IdaSHO]

Looking at my weight sheets, 6mm BS1088 weighs in at roughly .62 lbs per square foot.

Glass and a traditional 3-coats of epoxy on average weighs roughly .12 lbs per square foot.



Its good stuff, and weight is often severely misunderstood and incorrectly assumed.

The ongoing belief that wood is an inferior product, regardless of construction methods used certainly doesn't help.

Done right it will be more rigid and just as light as being done in aluminum, yet will be miles ahead in terms of insulation.

Have no clue about carbon. That's something I've never dealt with.



6mm exterior, 1x2 VG FIR framing, XPS foam(1.5"), and luan interior is exactly how I do it.

And the result is a finished wall section that weighs an average of just 1.82 lbs per sq ft.

 

[PaulJensen]

The Earthroamer shell is 1/2" end grain balsa with polyester resin and significant fiberglass... It is rigid... It is heavy... A solid foundation to work with...

 

[PaulJensen]

08 - Roof Components...

(above) Solar up front to take advantage of the sun angle, the fan forward so my head does not hit the switches, and the roof rack overhanging the center section of the roof just slightly... Using what I have...

(above) Didn't think I wanted to use this, but it a great rack and more important, the load points are perfectly placed... Next, maybe this weekend, internal reinforcements for the roof rack and fan...

Pretty sure the rear cabin will be only 12 volt... Why put a big inverter in if it really isn't needed...???... Refrigerator, fan, lights, hot water, etc. are all 12 volt... I have never used 120 volt in my Sprinter for anything other than old camera battery and laptop chargers... Your thoughts...???...

 

[screwball48]

One of my high school english teachers always told us "when in doubt leave it out".


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Maninga]

I'm putting a 1000w inverter in to handle the wifes nespresso machine and blender, otherwise wanted to avoid one. Only push towards a big one would be if using an induction cooktop or air conditioner.

Can always be put in later if needed.

 

[nick disjunkt]

I have a 1200w Studer inverter in my truck 95% of the usage is <100w charging laptop and camera batteries. The only time that I ever use the full capacity, is to run the immersion heater in the hot water tank, if the diesel heater is broken or unsuitable (parked inside). Like you I tried to make everything in my truck 12/24v, and I dare say with a bit of planning I could have replaced the chargers with low voltage items. Having 110/240v available, just encourages use of inefficient appliances which aren't well suited to vehicle living.