EXD 350 - EarthCruiser on flat bed

[Andyoxon]

Looking forward to this weeks update, i assume there is only sleeping for 2, really need sleeping for 3 not sharing the queen bed,

 

[Britboaters]

I am very impressed with the speed of this project. Looks like late April you started to build something, till now. Also the incredible resources of experience, skilled people, knowledge of components etc. Very impressive its all coming together so fast !!
I'm building a camper myself, and am just plugging along with a final vision, but solving problems in a "series" approach, one after another. You guys have got everything going all at once !! https://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/gmc-topkick-4x4-expedition-camper-build.183972/

One thing in particular that caught my eye was 12 volt A/C. Could you give us more details, please.
Good luck
Bob

 

[lanceatm]

G`day Bob

Thank you for the post, much appreciated. I am very fortunate to work with some
very smart people,
My greatest business achievement is being the dumbest person that works here.
Stay tuned on the DC Air con. We do use a system designed for us in our EXP and FX models ( does not really work in other applications) that we may or may not use in this truck.
The electrical system is arriving late this week, we can talk more in a couple of weeks.

Lance

 

[lanceatm]

Time for the weekly update.

Sub frame parts are back from laser cutting - we mock truck tomorrow.

There has been a number of lay out changes, we are very close. Small changes here and there but we are good to start cutting the counter tops. Centre cut out is fridge ( draw type won the day) . Two draw banks, one with deep draws for pots and pans. Heaps of counter space and a rubbish bin. Not shown is the pantry.


To make shopping and loading easier there is inside/outside storage.


Lots room for shoes or what ever makes sense. This is the view from inside out.

This view out side in.


We are cutting the real panels today. So good bye MDF!

 

[Buliwyf]

That walk through shower is genius. Nice to see a company that actually gets dirty and knows about such.

 

[lanceatm]

Looking forward to this weeks update, i assume there is only sleeping for 2, really need sleeping for 3 not sharing the queen bed,

For this first unit we plan on two. Playing around with ideas for a bunk bed/s as well. Other random ideas is roof top accommodation (There are some very nice rear entry hard shell units out there) with access from the camper.

 

[Andyoxon]

For this first unit we plan on two. Playing around with ideas for a bunk bed/s as well. Other random ideas is roof top accommodation (There are some very nice rear entry hard shell units out there) with access from the camper.

Hi thanks I thought this one was for 2, we have a f350 crew cab with an 8 foot bed which we bought for a Sirrus slide in camper and then found out the payload wasn’t what we first thought. So we have the truck but no suitable camper and I am/was really hoping that this product would work possibly with some sort of floating bunk it is only for a 6 year old but she can’t share our bed as she wriggles too much. The Granby on a flatbed was a consideration but no AC and small fridge and the shower isn’t ideal, your product looks better hopefully you will think of a way on your second build to add a option for a third person. I would be ready to purchase other than the bed!

 

[Ozrockrat]

Oh and its getting a decent bull bar.

Ah mate. That’s only a roo bar. This is a bullbar.

Seriously though it’s a great well thought out concept and I will be looking forward to seeing the finished product.

 

[lanceatm]

Hopa Nocka from Toowoomba me thinks?

 

[Andyoxon]

Our German caravan which we owned whilst in the U.K. had a king size bed that came down from the roof it was a “Burstner Averso 440” the bed was directly above the dining area which could also be made up as a bed or left read for breakfast in the morning! The drop down bed is found on lots of European motor homes/RV’s but not many caravans/trailers. It allows for good sleeping accommodation without making the overall size too big.

 

[lanceatm]

Our German caravan which we owned whilst in the U.K. had a king size bed that came down from the roof it was a “Burstner Averso 440” the bed was directly above the dining area which could also be made up as a bed or left read for breakfast in the morning! The drop down bed is found on lots of European motor homes/RV’s but not many caravans/trailers. It allows for good sleeping accommodation without making the overall size too big.

Very smart use of space that unfortunately we can not take advantage of. The system works great on straight walls, where the ceiling is roughly the same dimension of the floor.
We made EarthCruiser for off road first, on road second. Those pesky trees grow straight and tracks are often at an angle, hence one of the reasons EC`s have moulded walls.

 

[lanceatm]

G`day All
A couple of extra bed (we call them sky beds- sounds more fun for the kids) options we have done before and would work in the EXD.
All of these the bed stays made roof up or down and is easy to remove and stow.

 

[Andyoxon]

Yes those sky beds look promising

 

[lanceatm]

Weekly update time...


CAD is completed, material is on the CNC being cut for final assembly. There will always be tweaks, always.
With the inside all but done we get back into the chassis stuff.

Truck bed back off again ( we are getting faster at this) , these new Ford all alloy bodies are incredibly light. We have to pay attention to isolating the camper. This chassis is not going to flex very much at all.

CAD is great, but it still has to put together by humans. As a point of interest the Ford body builder guide hole placement has not been 100%, i guess it takes time for there revs to get into the system. And they use metric!

We have these bushes made, we figure out how much flex and go from there. Trouble free and don`t squeak.

The plastic dowels I deal for mock ups like this.


The mock up looks pretty good, needs some fine tuning but not bad for a first try. The boys did well. In production they will be laser cut and fabricated, not built from stock tube, to many compromises. We can greatly reduce the welding and potential problems in years to come.


Step mounts etc ( no ladders for the EXD , real steps that come out and in with a push of a button) trial fitted, all look good.

Since all of this has been built in solid works we can update parts and changes real time.

Have a great week end
Lance.
Oh one more thing - We are thinking of a Dodge 3500 single cab ( Cumins of course) as a demo , what do you think?.

 

[Christian P.]

Lance

yes do the Dodge....single cab...even a gas engine would be fine for some us who intend to go to Africa or South America...