Short time lurker with questions

[Nomadcat]

thank you both. and jage, you're right. I have actually done my fair share of heavy-duty stapling. we have a place in the city called "economy foam." you can guess what they sell. I can just buy it, get some microfiber cloth and fabricate my own cushioned pieces.

I am getting excited and now am just waiting for the weather to break. I cannot tell you the envy I have for you guys with garages. my whole youth, I don't think I truly appreciated living in a house with a garage nearly as much as I do now that I do not have one.

cue the country music "you don't miss your water....till your well runs dryyyyyy......"

[02Chevytonner]

OK, time to update the build process with some new pictures. I finished the ceiling with some 1/8" white coated masonite. It's the same stuff you use for dry erase boards. At first I didn't think it would work, but I couldn't find anything with a finished surface, so I bought 2 sheets. I think I like the end result. The white kind of takes on the color of the surrounding surfaces. Installed the fantastic fan and two ceiling lights that are wired to the house battery. The walls and ceiling are insulated with 2 layers of 1/2" foam board and the walls are then covered with 3/8" plywood. I wanted a fairly substantial wall surface so I could attach the finished wall covering to it and screw cabinets to it without having to worry about it falling off and at the same time flexible enough to conform to the van wall contour.
I boxed in the wheel wells on both sides with 3/8 plywood over a 1" x 2" framework screwed to the floor and walls. The passenger side has a 45 amp converter/120 volt/ 12 volt distribution box with 4 stage charging of the house battery/batteries.
The roll over sofa is mounted to the drivers side wall and is working out beautifully for me. My wife found some soft side storage boxes that fit perfectly under the sofa.
I have installed a rear auxilliary heater that will help keep things warm in the back while on the road.
Still to come--figure out how to mount the 40# propane tank. Install the 12,000 btu furnace and water system.

[02Chevytonner]

More pictures (2)

[02Chevytonner]

More pictures (3)


Got to go eat supper. More pictures to come-----later.


Rick

[02Chevytonner]

Even more.

[WVvan]

Very impressive. Really nice looking finish work.

[floorguy_724]

Looks good man! Keep up the good work!

[webbmac]

That gaucho rocks! I really love the space it creates. Kind of like a Murphy bed for an RV! That is really a fantastic design.

[saabman]

What a great start! Keep it going
Little question: don't suppose you have any pics of the roof vent you fitted from the outside? Or even better how you fitted it? I have been thinking of this option for a while now and haven't dared go ahead ...
Than x

[02Chevytonner]

saabman,

Here are a few shots of the fan. Installation is fairly easy once you get past cutting a large hole in the roof of your van. Just make sure you are not cutting through any structural pieces or electrical. The fan comes with a template. I taped it on the roof and then traced the opening with a black marker. I used masking tape outside the line so as not to scratch the paint. I used a pneumatic nibbler to cut the opening but a saber saw or similar would work just as well. Use a good grade of sealant and run a bead around the opening, then install the included foam gasket. Run another bead on top of the foam and drop in the fan. Use all the screws and snug down the flange but not so tight you distort the frame. Run a bead of sealant around the perimeter and also the screw heads and you are done on top. Fantastic Fan has a tutorial for installation on their web site. These fans are amazing. I have installed 2 in my Airstream trailer. Set 1 to blow in and 1 to blow out and the trailer is cool in minutes. I also have the the endless breeze 12 volt fan for spot cooling.
Please excuse the dirtyness of my roof. I haven't had time for spring cleaning topside yet.

Rick