Tray would be 2400mm long. So there would be the floor which id need 1.5m, same for roof. Side walls would need 1.1m each and end walls would require 1.5m for the both. I'll keep looking into materials and let you know if I can find anything. Problem is I have no idea the quality of any of them from China and many places have a minimum order.
The ultimate Aussie expedition camper
- Thread starter graynomad
- Start date
Hi Rob
Here is another panel manufacturer on the Sunshine Coast
http://www.rvinnovations.com.au/
Rick
Here is another panel manufacturer on the Sunshine Coast
http://www.rvinnovations.com.au/
Rick
graynomad
Photographer, traveller
I did look at the Endlessair compressors, I like the idea but couldn't see anywhere to mount it on the Cruiser. So I rang them and they said it mounts down the bottom of the engine (I forget exactly where). There's not much room there so I think the mounting would be something of a mission.
All in all it would be a lot easier to mount the ARB dual and IIRC the CFM rating is not all that different.
Thanks for that link Rick, the panels look good and they have a nice extrusion for the corners (although I think I'll do the joins a different way). No prices, I'll give them a ring to get some idea.
All in all it would be a lot easier to mount the ARB dual and IIRC the CFM rating is not all that different.
Thanks for that link Rick, the panels look good and they have a nice extrusion for the corners (although I think I'll do the joins a different way). No prices, I'll give them a ring to get some idea.
Yes it may be out of our reach in that respect, MOQs are often an issue. And even if you can afford it you'd want to see samples first, or find someone who's used the material.
Custom Coaster Conversion
Custom Coasters
Rob dude, howzit going??
You want composite panels??
There is this company in Melbourne, LogisticGo P/L, that we are buying body panels of for a motorhome we're building next year, they do 20mm honeycomb - smooth and shiny (gloss fibreglass both sides with plastic core honeycombe.
They sell that stuff for 88 per metre!!
They do pretty big sizes and have a online store too I believe.
Let me know if you can find them or I'll look them up for you
Oh theyre phone number is 1300 567 691
Regards HUGO
CCC
You want composite panels??
There is this company in Melbourne, LogisticGo P/L, that we are buying body panels of for a motorhome we're building next year, they do 20mm honeycomb - smooth and shiny (gloss fibreglass both sides with plastic core honeycombe.
They sell that stuff for 88 per metre!!
They do pretty big sizes and have a online store too I believe.
Let me know if you can find them or I'll look them up for you
Oh theyre phone number is 1300 567 691
Regards HUGO
CCC
graynomad
Photographer, traveller
Hi Hugo, good to see you here on ExPo.
I'll be giving those guys a ring, $88 per metre is half what Vanglass charge and it seems to be almost the same product.
Do you know what CAD formats they accept for CNC cutting?
Here's their URL for reference
http://logisticgo.com.au/truck-body-panels/
I'll be giving those guys a ring, $88 per metre is half what Vanglass charge and it seems to be almost the same product.
Do you know what CAD formats they accept for CNC cutting?
Here's their URL for reference
http://logisticgo.com.au/truck-body-panels/
mog
Kodiak Buckaroo
While looking at old downloaded 'expo photos' last night, I came across this photo:
It looks kind of like the layout you are planning, other then the door location.
Sorry, no other info other then I downloaded it on 11/16/2008.
ersatzknarf
lost, but making time
graynomad
Photographer, traveller
Yes I saw that recently when "Victorian" linked to it and other made by the same bloke. At first I thought someone had nicked my idea, but I guess I've nicked theirs 
That rig has been all over the place, so at least it seems that the fundamental idea appears to be sound. I do like the ali frame but I think that's a bridge too far for me.
That rig has been all over the place, so at least it seems that the fundamental idea appears to be sound. I do like the ali frame but I think that's a bridge too far for me.
Ford Prefect
Expedition Leader
Facinating! I love this idea. Now when I look at the European market, I see a LOT of different styles by various manufactures. I should think that it could be very easy to get someone else to build this thing for you, and for not much more than your estimated build costs. On top of that if you are pondering shipping to the USA, you could ship the truck as it sits over to the EU state of choice, and have them install it. Then just go pick the thing up in person. Saves the shipping costs, and sort of gets you to Europe all in one.
I would be interested to know if you looked at Yves' build, (westyss), to see what he has going on in his. The FG would seem like a possible option for you, and I know you already picked up a vehicle, but I would like to inquire as to why you ruled that vehicle out?
I will whole heartedly sustain your choice of the ARB locker on your vehicle. I think that is a great help, and in my experience the ARB is a wonderful choice, well worth the price. I think a slight lift, of say two inches, would not go amiss for you as well. Just a touch bigger space, and some slightly larger tires, I believe, you will find will give you a tremendous advantage.
It will be a shame to have to leave your motorcycle behind, but such is life. At least you will be less likely to require a vehicle that can scout ahead than you might currently need in the W2.
Oh, yes, I almost neglected to ask... Why did you not choose to go with glass? I do not know much about the weight characteristics of fiberglass, but it seems like a very easy medium to work in, and furthermore it also would appear to be a fairly budget friendly material.
Well I look forward to the day that you complete your vast research efforts, and show us some photos of your highly anticipated build.
V/R
Brian
I would be interested to know if you looked at Yves' build, (westyss), to see what he has going on in his. The FG would seem like a possible option for you, and I know you already picked up a vehicle, but I would like to inquire as to why you ruled that vehicle out?
I will whole heartedly sustain your choice of the ARB locker on your vehicle. I think that is a great help, and in my experience the ARB is a wonderful choice, well worth the price. I think a slight lift, of say two inches, would not go amiss for you as well. Just a touch bigger space, and some slightly larger tires, I believe, you will find will give you a tremendous advantage.
It will be a shame to have to leave your motorcycle behind, but such is life. At least you will be less likely to require a vehicle that can scout ahead than you might currently need in the W2.
Oh, yes, I almost neglected to ask... Why did you not choose to go with glass? I do not know much about the weight characteristics of fiberglass, but it seems like a very easy medium to work in, and furthermore it also would appear to be a fairly budget friendly material.
Well I look forward to the day that you complete your vast research efforts, and show us some photos of your highly anticipated build.
V/R
Brian
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graynomad
Photographer, traveller
My problem is Brian that I could never farm out the build because I like to make every decision and in fact it's common to change the design based on something you just did. If you get someone else to build it then you have to get the design 100% right before you start, something I've never been able to do I guess they will make adjustments as they go but at some point they will say enough is enough.
I hate the fact that on a 4x4 you lose so much space to the bonnet, but OTOH if you put the bed over the cab (something it's hard to do with a Fuso) you get most of that back so there's not as much difference as one might first think.
The panels I'd like to use are a fibreglass composite, they are definitely not "budget friendly" but they are self-coloured and include insulation so that helps. If you mean glass panels over a steel frame that would probably be cheap although if I build a frame I would probably be inclined to use materials I have experience with.
I love the idea of a monocoque body with composite panels, but I confess I'm a lot more comfortable with a steel frame. Very rough calcs indicate ali over steel would weight about twice composite panels. Glass panels would probably weigh about the same as thin ali.
The other option is a full glass monocoque body, that's so far out of my comfort zone I can't even see it.
I guess they will make adjustments as they go but at some point they will say enough is enough.There is the Uro-camper guys. I love what they are doing and they have a Cruiser version prototype, maybe I should get a price from them.
Yes I reckon a Canter/Fuso is possibly the sweet spot re the size, small enough to go most places and large enough to be comfortable. I could have gone either way I think, there just happened to be a good Cruiser for sale nearby and I'm impatient and lazy
I hate the fact that on a 4x4 you lose so much space to the bonnet, but OTOH if you put the bed over the cab (something it's hard to do with a Fuso) you get most of that back so there's not as much difference as one might first think.
In what way?
The panels I'd like to use are a fibreglass composite, they are definitely not "budget friendly" but they are self-coloured and include insulation so that helps. If you mean glass panels over a steel frame that would probably be cheap although if I build a frame I would probably be inclined to use materials I have experience with.
I love the idea of a monocoque body with composite panels, but I confess I'm a lot more comfortable with a steel frame. Very rough calcs indicate ali over steel would weight about twice composite panels. Glass panels would probably weigh about the same as thin ali.
The other option is a full glass monocoque body, that's so far out of my comfort zone I can't even see it.
Ford Prefect
Expedition Leader
Thanks for the info.
Yes I was thinking of a full fiberglass system. One this I have seen used to great effect was simply making a thing plywood body, and the coating it with fiberglass. Lay down the webbing, paint on the resin, and poof. It seems like a very easy way to go, and I suspect that learning to do the fiberglassing would not take all that terribly long. I guess if you wanted to get really crazy you could even do it with carbon fiber (bet that would be spendy, but so cool!). Obviously the last way would be to build the camper in wood, then use that as a mold for fiberglass, some form of material to prevent bonding would be required, but then you can take the wood out of the inside. This is something that I know absolutely nothing about, but it is interesting.
Well, anyhow, looking forward to a cool build sometime in the next year or so...
Yes I was thinking of a full fiberglass system. One this I have seen used to great effect was simply making a thing plywood body, and the coating it with fiberglass. Lay down the webbing, paint on the resin, and poof. It seems like a very easy way to go, and I suspect that learning to do the fiberglassing would not take all that terribly long. I guess if you wanted to get really crazy you could even do it with carbon fiber (bet that would be spendy, but so cool!). Obviously the last way would be to build the camper in wood, then use that as a mold for fiberglass, some form of material to prevent bonding would be required, but then you can take the wood out of the inside. This is something that I know absolutely nothing about, but it is interesting.
Well, anyhow, looking forward to a cool build sometime in the next year or so...
Heifer Boy
Adventurer
That's how I built mine and there is no question I would build the same way again. A torsion box/monocoque design is really strong and lightweight once complete. It seems pretty flimsy as you build it though but comes right in the end. I'd use lighter materials next time (4-6mm ply maybe) but keep a stronger floor and backbone (12mm). So floor/seat framing and bulkheads for strength, lightweight walls and roof structure
Fibreglassing is pretty straight forward to learn and many many tutorials and how-to's to help out. Especially on the wooden boat forums. It makes a very lightweight but strong structure with the benefit of having a plywood substrate so you can simple screw small stuff to the walls if needed like lights etc. The problem with honeycomb composites walls is they are hollow so you need to scoop it out and glue in blocking for all your hard points. No insulation either.
Great design BTW Rob. I'm looking forward to seeing it come together.
HB
theburtseoni
Observer
Rob's build should be 'over the top' just like MK1 and MK2 were.
But I can't help but wonder- Rob, would you have bought a used Mitsu Fuso 4X4 had one been readily available instead of the LC?
I would love to see you build such a vehicle, altho the LC build will be a joy to watch also!
Dennis
But I can't help but wonder- Rob, would you have bought a used Mitsu Fuso 4X4 had one been readily available instead of the LC?
I would love to see you build such a vehicle, altho the LC build will be a joy to watch also!
Dennis
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