Pre birth of a camper - No laughing!

[ianc]

Everything is moving depressingly slowly at the moment. I went out a visited the workshop of the guys doing the box this morning. They are still waiting for the composite panels. They are due in 1-2 weeks time and it will take a little over a week for them to fabricate and spray the box from that point. This is actually slightly faster than they had originally said. On the very small plus side, they have completed the sub frame and sprayed the cab.





To try and address my frustration I went on a buying spree!
Retail therapy works for my wife and two daughters, so I thought it was time to give it a go.....

"Single wheel" conversion
5 Silver painted 8.25 x 19.5 wheels (+ 98mm offset) @ XXX
5 x 285/70 R 19.5 Continental HDR tyres @ XXX

2nd hand Webasto 5Kw diesel water heater (ebay)
Sterling Pro universal Alternator regulator (ebay)
Sterling ProCombi 2500w Sine Wave inverter and 70 amps charger (ebay)
Seitz windows and roof hatches ( 8)
Frames for all the hatches
Dometic HB2500 AirCon unit
Hob and extractor
Waeco 140l compressor fridge
All stuff for US RV style "bog" aka toilet
All the internal and external lights
and a bunch of other related stuff.
I know this looks like a bit "shoot from the hip" but there is an anally retentive plan behind it all. Honest!....
Buying it all at the same time pushed it into trade prices which made a big difference. Plus it simplifies the shipping to this bankrupt island on the north west of Europe.

 

[Nigel Evans]

Before they fit the back are you going to tap into the tank for the heater?

 

[ianc]

I'm looking for a replacement tank to up the range, but I haven't identified one yet.
I know I have about 1600mm length by 550mm height by about 600mm depth available. Any suggestions?

 

[Nigel Evans]

I wonder if one of the DAF ones on ebay will fit?

I've had a chat with these guy for bespoke tanks: http://www.adrad.co.uk/fuel-tanks/

Half a tonne of diesel, £700 to fill up, make sure you've some good brackets!

 

[ianc]

Did you get any costs from them?

I was also looking at the 340L one here: http://www.tek-group.co.uk/acatalog/Series_A_Tanks_Tanks.html
But they have not answered my Q as to its suitability for being suspended under the vehicle.

This would be a mere 1/3 of a tonne but would still give a range of..... well a lot. I'm guessing >2000Km.

 

[Ullie]

340 liters
18 liter/ 100 km

(340 / 18)* 100 = 1888,88888888888.... km

 

[ianc]

340 liters
18 liter/ 100 km

(340 / 18)* 100 = 1888,88888888888.... km

I was dreaming of 15L/100km

 

[Nigel Evans]

These guys were at the Overland Adventure show: http://www.ft-design.de/ They make plastic diesel tanks and seem to know what they are doing. He suggested emailing the design for a quotation. He estimated my 138 litre tank would cost around 220 Euro.

 

[ianc]

Interesting company. I've ended up buying a secondhand plastic tank off an Iveco truck. It's about 190l. I'm able to get away with the extra width and depth because of the width of the custom body.

 

[ianc]

I got my aspect wheels and fitted them today. I went with Continental tyres as the Toyo's were too difficult to source.




The wheels comfortably clear the bumper and arches. I was a little surprised to find that they were solid with no holes as per the standard ones. But I'm pretty sure it will not be a problem since the front discs are still visible on the inside and the lorry (my wife insists on calling it a lorry) has an exhaust brake fitted as standard.







I also fitted the bigger tank. I doctored the original sender to deal with the deeper tank. I just have to save up enough to be able to fill it now but I'm guessing it's about 180L.



One concern I now have is the level of exposure of the rear brake disks, callipers and wiring. Has anyone else who has done this conversion taken any steps to protect them?

On the plus side, I don't think I'll have heat issues with them.



The contractor building the box tells me the panels will arrive Monday week at the latest.....

 

[docka]

Looking good ianc but i do share your concern re the exposed callipers...
Re the suspension you mentioned in another thread had you considered softer springs from one of the lighter weight variants, depending on retaining your payload...

 

[ianc]

I have but I'd discounted for a number of reasons
1) Mercedes springs are more expensive than the bags (I'm blithely ignoring the fabrication work here)
2) There will be +1000Kg difference between laden and unladen just based on the tank capacities
3) I like the idea of being able to adjust the height

But someone (was it you?) pointed me at a Vario specialist breaker. So I'll have a chat with them once I know my weight a bit better.

 

[docka]

Nope, wasn't me, I'm only a newbie!
I follow your logic though, and please share your findings incl cost on the bag system, I'd be really interested.
Who was the specialist, Erith?

 

[ianc]

Yep it was Erith. I've not contacted them yet though

 

[docka]

Talking of wheels and 4wd, I've just been having fun getting my 4x2 unstuck in the mud. I can feel the need of a DA beginning to grab me by the short and curlies!
I saw your post re the Irish auctions, how much have the DAs been going for? I'm leaning towards a MWB high top like Nigel Evans's, do they come up for sale much does anyone know?