Family Truck Expedition Examples on FUSO/ISUZU/ETC.

[whatcharterboat]

Yeah, understand about your budget..... just thought you might get some tips from the MAN build. The external kitchen, double awnings, staircase etc, were fantastic. If I can find some old interior pics I'll post them. The interior was really basic. Still had a shower, toilet, cooking, etc.

They planned to do most of their living outside but in the end were very thankful of the extra seating room inside as a couple of times they were caught in bad weather and had to all spend a few days inside.

 

[chosen]

I look forward to seeing some of the photos... in the mean time I will continue to plough my way through the ATW thread.

May years ago I was travelling down the east coast from Brisbane to Adelaide with my uncle, we got news that a small cyclone was going to hit the coast and that night the winds were crazy!!! His hard top caravan sheltered us from the wind well, if it was not for that we would have been very uncomfortable indeed! So seating inside is a must, even though we will most likely sit outside a lot!

Another time, my wife and I were on our honeymoon and booked a pretty place down in Wineglass bay, Tas. Sadly this fancy B & B was not completely air tight and allowed all the mosquitoes entry into our bedroom (it was a particularly bad year for mosquitoes there apparently). No sleep - so completely sealed area inside with a good door is a must!

 

[chosen]

By the way, does anyone know when the NPS 4x4's shifted from the drop down chassis to the rail chassis'?

 

[whatcharterboat]

By the way, does anyone know when the NPS 4x4's shifted from the drop down chassis to the rail chassis'?

2008.

I really liked the early NPS chassis though. Not as much as the current offering but the drop down chassis rails were continuous pressed rails , so no riveted "S" sections and from memory the steel was thicker than the Canters.

 

[chosen]

I really liked the early NPS chassis though. Not as much as the current offering but the drop down chassis rails were continuous pressed rails , so no riveted "S" sections and from memory the steel was thicker than the Canters.

Ahhh 2008, awesome to know! I have read that it was thicker... when I spoke to the local Isuzu dealership about the NPS and taking one for a test drive, they couldn't provide that offering. They were helpful with some information however, informing me that the straight chassis rails stopped the cracking to chassis' similar what has been evidenced in the Canters with some mounting systems and loads.

I hadn't heard of chassis cracking in the NPS's before he told me about it. Thought the thicker chassis help to prevent it. I also note that the springs on the earlier NPS's are apparently longer than the later ones which in my mind would mean a better ride and more articulation when modified, although parabolic springs aren't available through ATW as discussed in another thread.

Cheers,
Andrew

 

[4x4coaster]

NPS dual cab with extended chassis will give you same usable camper length, as evidenced by ATW, 3 bunks either across front wall or along a side and make the rear wall of the camper fold down to form a pop-out rear double bed.
There are some clever designs in caravans now with a complete pop-out section with hard floor and roof & soft walls.
Rear wheel carrier with swing outs to allow for rear wall to open.
This should allow enough room for shower & internal toilet.

 

[chosen]

Some good design ideas with the bunks and the rear bed, not sure where I would put the spare tires then though. Every solution with have its pluses and minuses I'm sure. How does the extended chassis cope with off-road. One of my main prerequisites will be awesome off-road capability... the kind you need to do the Kimberley during or shortly after the wet, with the longevity in its design to bug out there for a few months if it gets too wet to continue.

 

[whatcharterboat]

Ahhh 2008, awesome to know! I have read that it was thicker... when I spoke to the local Isuzu dealership about the NPS and taking one for a test drive, they couldn't provide that offering.

Hi Andrew,

Which dealership did you end up at? You did say you were in Adelaide right? If it was NE Isuzu speak to Tony Deleo. He sold two NPS chassis late last year that were converted to Global Warriors. I only say this because he should be aware of some of the issues converting an NPS to an expedition camper by now.......those two customers in particular were absolutely hard core offroaders. I'm sure if there were going to be problems he would be aware of them.

They were helpful with some information however, informing me that the straight chassis rails stopped the cracking to chassis' similar what has been evidenced in the Canters with some mounting systems and loads.

I hadn't heard of chassis cracking in the NPS's before he told me about it. Thought the thicker chassis help to prevent it.

I hadn't heard about that either except of course from some of the more serious commercial builds like rural fire trucks with massive water tanks or tour buses after 4 or 500,000ks in the desert corrugations. For 99% of private use they should be fine.

I also note that the springs on the earlier NPS's are apparently longer than the later ones which in my mind would mean a better ride and more articulation when modified........

No that doesn't sound right either. If my memory is correct, the current NPS has much longer front springs. I thought the earlier spring hangers were somewhere around 1200mm apart and now more like 1350mm. Is anyone with an NPS able to confirm that? My head doesn't have as much ram as it used too. Hahaha.

 

[chosen]

Mt Gambier, so a good 450km from Adelaide... Apparently it is order the thing without taking it for a test drive first down here, they don't have much demand for them apart from the forestry companies, although if fracking takes off there might be a new mining boom down here. It was the same with the Fuso dealer, although they let me take a 2wd fuso for a test drive... I think the ride would be much different in comparison to the 4x4 somehow.

 

[Maninga]

It'd make for a long day, but if you want to look at/take a drive of my truck, happy to show you. About 300ks from you

 

[whatcharterboat]

At your recommendation a while back, I made contact and spoke to the other John (very helpful) about the options for vehicles regarding suspension and wheel upgrades.

.
Hi Andrew,
.
I meant to comment on this earlier...... Yeah, Jon E. has been involved with the company for maybe 5 years now and used to drive Canter tour buses up on Fraser Island. He's a real gentleman and will go out of his way to accommodate where ever he can. Glad to hear he was helpful to you.
.
Jon is actually from Fresno, California so also has a pretty good handle on the North American scene too.
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Andrew, I sent you another PM about HPV racing....not sure if you saw it. A trip to visit Joe would be really worthwhile I reckon.
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Kind regards John.

 

[chosen]

It'd make for a long day, but if you want to look at/take a drive of my truck, happy to show you. About 300ks from you

That's a great offer thanks Joe, one that I may take you up on later on in the year, now work is going to pick up so my opportunities to travel on a weekend with a family might be limited for a while.

How is your vehicle set up if I may?

John - got your PM, have replied thanks.

Did anyone out there know the spring length on the older to newer NPS's?

 

[Maninga]

That's a great offer thanks Joe, one that I may take you up on later on in the year, now work is going to pick up so my opportunities to travel on a weekend with a family might be limited for a while.

How is your vehicle set up if I may?

No worries. Fuel tanks come out in about 4 weeks to be replaced so may be out of action for a month or so after as new one gets fabricated. But happy to show you any time.

Build thread on my truck. Page 14 has end shape and start of internals buildout
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/124471-FG84-Camper-Build

 

[chosen]

Hey Jo,

I've had a good read of your thread and love the design of your solid lifting top, well done! Now I'm even more pumped to come and check it out some time, especially to see how the timber tones finish up on your interior fit out :smiley_drive:

I was also reading through Uro-Camper Xplora II thread and came across an interesting system for mounting hammock type beds that pull out, this could make it much easier to set up a camper with beds for the whole family. I'm not sure on the quality of sleep one would get on a hammock though, and if it would be good on a long trip for a child's body?

 

[Maninga]

Thanks, really happy with how it's coming out.

Had a think on something that'd fit on a dual cab Canter. I'd have to check the math to make sure body would fit, but assumed 3.7m body with 25mm walls. Came up with



Big seating area to either convert into a queen size bed or have a drop down bed to keep one permanently made up. Doorway that converts into a shower, toilet inside. Small internal kitchen with 2 bunk beds, curtains to keep out the light if kids go to bed early. Storage under first bunk and the seats. Pass thru to cab, if third kid use the seating area in the truck.

Just a thought