The Build On The Fly

[Roger450]

Looking good, I think I'm going to learn alot and get some good ideas from this.

 

[WheelEstate USA]

It's good to see a regular height van conversion.

I'm wanting to cover the old carpet in my van with something easy to clean -- without pulling up the old carpet. I'm not sure linoleum is what I'm wanting as it may have to stay flat without being tacked down. Anyone have any ideas??

We might raise the roof in the future. Since we'll cook, etc sitting on a stool or outdoors, the ceiling isn't really all that confining. The plan is ever evolving at this point.

The problem with leaving old carpet is not only old odors you may not notice now, but it can hold moisture, causing mold issues. Personally, I'd shuck the carpet and put down 1/2" pink foam with foil moisture shield. Cover that with tempered hard board and glue the linoleum down.

Consider nylon cargo strap for a bed if you want webbing. We prefer the flat surface and out posture-pedic mattress for good back support (we're too old for sleeping in a "sling").

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Looking good, I think I'm going to learn alot and get some good ideas from this.

Thanks Roger. If we can make a difference for just one vandweller it will all be worth it. We read of so many who sit in one place working on a van for months, itching to travel. The wanderlust is eating at our souls and there's no way we can sit still that long.
Our build on the fly will evolve as it will, but by winter we'll be snug and cozy...and have enjoyed our summer travel

 

[LeeRevell]

Jay, the van is coming along! I watched the Day One video and look forward to more. Still getting ideas and collecting equipment and items for my own van build - it still needs some TLC and bodywork before converting. Nearly thirty years old.....
One thing you'll need.... a new avatar pic! ;-)

Lee

 

[WheelEstate USA]

Thanks Lee....LOL, hadn't even thought about the avatar. Guess I need to do something about that today

TLC and a few road trips will make that 30 y/o baby feel like a champ.
Looking forward to seeing you on the road.

 

[WheelEstate USA]

Day 3 vid coming to you shortly.

Meantime...here's a couple pics of today's project.
We needed to block off some of the back windows for privacy and summer sun. I wanted something semi permanent, as we well probably black out and panel the 2 large rear side (bed area) windows in the future. I didn't want Velcro and tape all over the place, so I took screws out of the interior trim panels and tucked a fitted piece of Reflectix in between the trim and the window (black) seal. It gives a good snug job that won't flap in the wind when we cruise with other windows open. There's a 3/4" space between the glass and the material.

 

[WheelEstate USA]

Ok, here we go with today's project....

[video=youtube]

I hope y'all find this informative and useful.

 

[WheelEstate USA]

Wow, those curved windows on the back corners were bugger bears, but they came out smooth and looking good.

 

[flying kurbmaster]

looking good Jay, something to keep in mind, every 100 pounds, is estimated to reduce fuel economy by 1 to 2%.

 

[WheelEstate USA]

Yup, we'll be watching those pounds. I told Margie she needed to loose a few also

 

[janncoo]

Hi folks! Just watched day 3 video of your build and am enjoying each one. It is wonderful that everyone is so willing to share their knowledge and experience

 

[WheelEstate USA]

Janncoo...Thanks for viewing.
Hope we throw something useful out there for ya

 

[Lucky mike]

Jay ,with you doing all this filming and the time your spending on the internet......poor Marge and Bindi must be exhausted form doing all the build labor by themselves!!!!!!,,......LOL

 

[WheelEstate USA]

Mike....

Its hot out there. Don't want me to melt, do ya??

 

[Bdog1]

I painted an unused window with black spray paint on the inside. From the outside they look tinted (and match the used tinted glass). I used insulation and Refletix then also.

The small one in the back is painted, others tinted.

 

[SoulRaven]

It's good to see a regular height van conversion.

I've just finished my own bed frame (24" x "72" x 14") -- mostly from lumber at Home Depot from the 70% off pile -- I found several long heat-treated 2x4s -- rather than a board for the platform, I'm thinking of using straps, for comfort and ease on my back -- I might come up with recycled rubber straps from something or other. I considered spring sides like a trampoline, but I'll likely go with rubber strapping.

I'm wanting to cover the old carpet in my van with something easy to clean -- without pulling up the old carpet. I'm not sure linoleum is what I'm wanting as it may have to stay flat without being tacked down. Anyone have any ideas??

In helping a friend build a bed, we used metal conduit for the frame, then got a $5 campers hammock, and laced it on using paracord. It gives the feeling of a springed cot with no springs needed. It was also plenty sturdy enough for 3 of us to sit on it and bounce, purposely trying to break it. Held up perfect with no damage and no extra stretching or sagging. With a foam campers mat, it made a very comfy bed for her, she loves it.

Carpet runners are cheap if you catch them on sale, and they can be put down easily over the existing carpet. My original carpet was old and had a couple of stains, but no noticeable odors, so I opted to steam clean it, and just keep it. The stains came out, and it was left 100% clean, even though obviously worn, so I just topped it with a 4 foot wide by 12 foot long runner which was the exact width between the wheel wells. Plus I was able to pick a visually appealing design. The stuff along the walls hides all of the remaining original carpet, except for the 12" strip immediately inside the side doors, where I put a shoe drying welcome mat, two of them, cut in half lengthwise, side by side, with half in the step well, and the other half covering the original carpet. I like this set up because the rest of my carpet never gets wet, because my shoes get automatically dried when I enter, and it is relatively slip proof too.

 

[WheelEstate USA]

Bdog...Good lookin van.
I plan to paint and insulate those windows I just covered. For the time being we needed to cut some heat and provide some sleeping privacy.
Its a matter of doing some quicky stuff immediately and get out of the heat down here. We just can't work long out there like when we were younger

Off Grid...The conduit frame sounds nice. I like firm, so the hammock doesn't work for my. I don't think a double size frame would hold up to the 2 of us bouncing on it tho

 

[SoulRaven]

I painted an unused window with black spray paint on the inside. From the outside they look tinted (and match the used tinted glass). I used insulation and Refletix then also.

The small one in the back is painted, others tinted.

I'm not sure whether this is still true or not, but it used to be that the large black garbage bags were actually transparent, and made better limo tint than the real limo tint, and was a whole lot cheaper. The same was true for the el cheapo mylar emergency blankets, they would give you those mirrored outside windows, but look just like tinted windows from the inside.

If the garbage bags aren't transparent anymore, they could still be used for blackout purposes that would look like limo tint from the outside.

Just spray your window and your tint with a spray bottle that has water and a few drops of dish soap in it, put your tint up and smear it just a little to help disperse the water for better coverage. Use a spatula to smooth out all of the air bubbles then use an exacto knife to trim the edges flush.

This stuff is WAY more durable than most of the official window tint films, and whole lot cheaper too.

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Bdog...Good lookin van.
I plan to paint and insulate those windows I just covered. For the time being we needed to cut some heat and provide some sleeping privacy.
Its a matter of doing some quicky stuff immediately and get out of the heat down here. We just can't work long out there like when we were younger

Off Grid...The conduit frame sounds nice. I like firm, so the hammock doesn't work for my. I don't think a double size frame would hold up to the 2 of us bouncing on it tho

For double size beds, or for those who like firm, I like to do a woven heavy duty rope design. Makes it real sturdy while keeping the weight down.

I like to take worn out lawn chairs that people throw away, and restring them with colorful rope designs too. Sometimes the local dollar store will have 100' hanks of sturdy nylon rope in many different colors. Now I sell them faster than I can make them for $40 each. I was only charging $20, but everybody told me I should charge more, so I thought I'd give it a try, and even at $40 they still sell like crazy. Not bad for free frames and maybe 50¢ worth of rope and 30-45 minutes worth of time. The biggest problem is finding the frames and the space they take up to transport them to sell. I only have room for about 20 at a time in my van. I usually sell out within an hour, wish I could take 100 or so at a time, but just no room.

 

[WheelEstate USA]

That sounds like a cool deal with the chairs.
When you do a conduit bed frame, what diameter do you use??

 

[SoulRaven]

That sounds like a cool deal with the chairs.
When you do a conduit bed frame, what diameter do you use??

I usually just use the 1" and then use the ready made rounded corners & T's and L's. Between them you can build darn near anything, and crutch tips fit them well to keep your floor nice, or for bumpers on open ends.

If I'm making cabinets, I will sometimes use conduit to build the frames for those as well, then I can use cheap light weight plastic woodgrain paneling for the sides without sacrificing structural sturdiness. Makes things more moisture proof and cuts weight too I believe. I can't swear about elsewhere, but around here I can buy a 10' piece of conduit cheaper than I can buy a 8' 2" x 4". All the wood prices are through the roof around here.

I visited a camper van conversion place in Elkhart, Indiana a few years back, and they were using PVC to build their frames. They had a neat system, but I question the long term integrity of the PVC.

 

[compassrose]

... I usually just use the 1" and then use the ready made rounded corners & T's and L's. Between them you can build darn near anything, and crutch tips fit them well to keep your floor nice, or for bumpers on open ends...

Depending on where you are, you can have a hard time finding some of the contectors. Here is an outfit that hase some very interesting connectors made to fit conduit. They also have a canopy design app that you can use to make your own, low cost, tarp covered canopy. I have not used them because the wind in NM destroys canopys and awnings. After we move, THEN we will build a canopy and sit under it.

https://creativeshelters.com/
Check out the acessories page too. Some of these acessories I have only seen alavailable on high end popup event tents.