M1085 Camper Build

[yertnamreg]

I've been lurking for a while, but I feel it's finally time to introduce myself and my project. I'm Trey and last year I purchased a M1085 with the intention of building it into an expedition rig. Most of the time this past year has been spent getting the vehicle legal and in road worth condition, but the build is finally starting. Please forgive the clickbaity titles on the videos...you know how the youtubes are these days...


I'm using a standard box truck body that is 22ft long for the envelope of the camper but the frame rails were only 20ft long, so I extended them.


Yes, I'm fully aware that this greatly decreased my departure angle and that I should have split the frame in-between the front/back axles and lengthened it there. I just didn't have the time or resources ($$$) to do that.

I just recently got the box installed and have been getting it ready to build out.


Right now the box is installed with the standard U-bolt setup and I'm aware frame flex will be an issue when I take this off road. In the future I plan on altering the mounting setup to use the spring mounts I've seen on many other campers here.

Let me guess... "Damn that thing is tall...maybe even too tall!"
You're absolutely right. Currently its sitting at 13.5ft. Once I get everything in and compress the suspension I should gain an inch or two of clearance, but I would like to be lower. Currently I have the stock top frame rail the original bed was mounted to still installed. I may end up pulling this when I do the spring mount subframe job.

I've got a pretty good plan for how I'm going to build out the inside as well as all of the systems for the things like electricity and pooping hahahaha. That's it for now though. I'll post future updates as I make progress. I also have a patreon where I post additional content and early previews if you're so inclined.

Big thanks to everyone here. I've learned a lot browsing through the site

 

[yertnamreg]

I'm trying to keep the truck single fuel source (diesel), so I built a generator!

 

[Fugly]

Lookin good....

 

[ohiobenz]

Curious why you went to 120vac generator.
On my LMTV RV project I will have a 24vdc battery bank and 24vdc solar. I bought the same 28vdc generator as you didh so that I would have single fuel - and single primary voltage. If you're charging a battery bank you will need an inverter for the 120vac input. With my system I'll have a 24vdc-120Vac inverter for the AC and possible cooktop, and a 24vdc-12vdc for small stuff, laptops etc.
Do I'm having a hard time seeing the advantage of a 120vac generator. Appreciate your insight.

 

[yertnamreg]

Curious why you went to 120vac generator.
On my LMTV RV project I will have a 24vdc battery bank and 24vdc solar. I bought the same 28vdc generator as you didh so that I would have single fuel - and single primary voltage. If you're charging a battery bank you will need an inverter for the 120vac input. With my system I'll have a 24vdc-120Vac inverter for the AC and possible cooktop, and a 24vdc-12vdc for small stuff, laptops etc.
Do I'm having a hard time seeing the advantage of a 120vac generator. Appreciate your insight.

Couple reasons:
First, More power. The stock alternator on the BAPU is 3.5kW. The gen head I put on is 6kW.

Second, it works better with my planned power system architecture. I plan to use a Schneider Electric inverter/charger to power the box using some spare Hawkers in a 24V configuration. If I connected the BAPU directly to the bank, I wouldn't be able to use the automatic generator start function of the inverter because once the BAPU began charging the batteries the inverter/charger would see the batteries at full voltage and would likely get confused since it wasn't doing the charging.

By switching to the gen head I also get 240VAC. This makes it much easier to run a high efficiency ductless mini split AC, and 240VAC lets the inverter/charger run at its full power levels. The inverter/charger also has a nice feature where it can augment power coming from a generator such that total supply power is the sum of the generator and inverter.

I'll also have a contactor based automatic transfer switch so I can also use shore power.

 

[ohiobenz]

Hmmm food for thought...
My system will be more like this one:
http://www.mortonsonthemove.com/toms-tech-stuff/solar-phase-2-the-tesla-battery

 

[yertnamreg]

Not a bad setup. I'd definitely like to move to LIPOs if/when I can find a good deal on them. Integrating a BAPU into that setup, you'll have to monitor system voltage unless you rig up some type of automatic start. Their system also seems to be missing a way to charge the battery with shore power (at least in the diagram).

 

[ohiobenz]

There are several inverter/chargers out there. I believe his Victron has that capability.
His system is actually more like yours in that his gen is 120vac output as well.

 

[Coachgeo]

update?

 

[yertnamreg]

Progress has been slow because I've been waiting for parts to come in. I've got most of the tubing put up for the snow melt system and about half of the interior is framed. Current project is installing windows and a door. I'll do another video once I get the door in.

 

[Coachgeo]

Progress has been slow because I've been waiting for parts to come in. I've got most of the tubing put up for the snow melt system and about half of the interior is framed. Current project is installing windows and a door. I'll do another video once I get the door in.

waitttt..... what did you just try to slip past us here slyly, like we wouldn't catch it........ "snow melt system"!!! Do tell more what your planning

 

[yertnamreg]

Hahahaa not trying to sneak anything by you. I picked up a diesel water heater from an old GL auction and plan to use that to heat coolant. Coolant will be passed through a normal marine/rv electric water heater that has a heat exchanger loop and will also be passed through PEX tubing on the roof and floor to do snow melt and interior heat.




For the windows I'm using Marvin Ultrex fiberglass windows. They're double pane sliders so the insulation value is a little better than standard RV windows and they're much cheaper than the super expensive euro expedition vehicle windows. Got the first one buttoned up yesterday. The flashing tape on the outside will be hidden by a casing that snaps on around the frame. Hopefully they will stand up to the abuse of life in a truck.

 

[yertnamreg]

Been a while since I posted an update...

 

[Third]

Quick question...

Have you run the Yanmar 9 HP with that 6K gen head much yet? I know that the gen head req's 13 HP gas, but I'm just wondering how the diesel is pushing it..

 

[yertnamreg]

I have not. I've verified it puts out power on both phases, but have not loaded it down anywhere near its rating. I will say this, having a gen head that is too big for your motor won't hurt anything. Worst case is the engine can't keep up. If that happens I'll just downsize the circuit breakers I put on it.