112 replies to this topic

[Living The Dream]

The woodworking is looking great.  What kind of plywood are you using? - Tim

[Vic Harder]

That wood does look nice.  I used baltic birch for mine, and chose NOT to use framing at all, just small joining blocks or L brackets.  It has proven to be plenty strong so far.

[shellback]

About the plywood, not really sure? Most of the vertical surfaces you see will be covered with the 1/8" paneling. and the horizontal surfaces will have the cushions, upholstery or carpet on them. Fridge top and counter top will be formica I guess. I wish I was a better craftsman, but my next birthday will be my 70th, and my skills are lacking. I think I really bit off more than I could chew with this project. It's slowing coming together, after some doubts. Without the help from many fine folks on this site and another, it might not have happened. 

[longhorn1]

Rock and roll. It looks great. Keep the pictures coming. jd

[Vic Harder]

hey, enjoy the process... it will make the results even sweeter!

[shellback]

I was going to make up the cushions and staple them to the plywood, but after viewing a video on Sailrite's website, I think I'll make them  with zippers.  Seems like a fairly easy process. http://www.sailrite....x-Cushion-Video  Now to find an outdoor themed fabric at a reasonable price! 

[shellback]

Plugging away, getting the interior trimmed. Cut out the plywood for the counter top and fridge top. Heading to Canada on Tues for a couple weeks. When I returned I'll finish the counter tops then start on the roof install. 

Attached Thumbnails

• 
• 
• 

[dweb]

Hey, thanks for the early help and advice on the camper. I asked a lot of questions.  It helped out.  I built mine late april - early july 2017.

 

Sits beautifully on the truck, handles great on rough roads.

 

Shell only (panelled, carpeted, all trim completed), with only a couch/bench inside.  Came in at about 600 lbs.  I will eventually add a heat source (thinking a wood stove, but still considering all the options - yes I am considering propane too) along with a small sink, propane stove (thinking a combined stainless steel SMEV unit).  it's got a queen bed dimensions above the cab, and the couch/bench folds down 

 

I will do a build thread of my own - but thanks for being willing to share information!

 

 

Edited by dweb, 01 September 2017 - 11:55 PM.

[GoinBoardin]

Looking good Shellback! You're making progress and doing a fine job. As my build went on I realized there's no right or wrong way to go about bringing a 35 year old camper back to life. They do take a lot of time though.

Thanks for sharing.

[shellback]

Another milestone today. Got the canvas half installed, the tough part, stretching around the roof and body! It took some pulling and tugging to get it around the roof, but my brother and I did it and have the top trim in place. I didn't fasten it at the bottom. I wasn't sure where to place the D ring tabs I made for the bungee pulls for the lift panels. I didn't want to try and raise the roof for a measurement without the canvas. The whole thing can flip forward or backward without the canvas. Now that the canvas is on I can get the right placement for them on the lift panels. I may have to block the roof up and unscrew the bottom hinge to drill the holes in the lift panels and glue the D ring tabs onto the canvas. Such a real PIA when you have none of the original stuff to check measurements against!  I guess you pull the bungees pretty tight against the lift panels so the fabric pulls into the fold of the panels? Once that's done, the bottom trim should be a piece of cake. I also got the counter tops done with a granite style formica. Here's a few pics, couldn't get the outside of the canvas as I have a tight working area. Hopefully by midweek it may be done enough to load up and take to a scale. I'm really curious as to what it will weigh. The electric jacks and the battery added quite a bit.

Attached Thumbnails

• 
• 
• 
•