Building an Adventure Van

[ian408]

Originally Posted by Geek

I think I'll wait and see what we decide the counter tops are going to be and perhaps match it?

Originally, I thought "match existing" but then I'm thinking Delrin can be some handy stuff to have on hand.
Nice cutting board too

[Geek]

ok.. the island is done enough for this trip:

..as it was when I started this morning:


due to the table I had to recess the backing... which created its own series of challenges due to limitations of what slots could be used due to the wood recessed in the slots..

I added a vertical rail to the left of the table and then that allowed me to run flush wood on that side. Then built in the recess in behind.



Orange trim just for looks


even some down in the gap between the base rails just as an accent (it was that or duct tape )





Temporary carpeted counter top bolted down for this trip:





inside the cabinet is just an ugly mess right now - I did laminate the back of each wood surface with Damplifier pro for sound deadening and anti-rattling. I'll finish the inside of it once we have the counter top/sink because the waterpump, etc will dictate the final interior layout.

Enough procrastinating... time to get the bed wood cut (cutting plywood sheets is such a pain in the arse )

[Geek]

Worked on the bed platform for a while but didn't get it done



I did get some cut (man cutting 4x8 ply by yourself is a PITA)



All of this wood will be wrapped in 1/8" foam and then covered in interweave fabric eventually...

On Cheryl's side I added 6 inches of leg room bringing it to 6 feet (a cutout into the forward counter)


On my side I added a full foot of "footwell" into the forward cabinet for my feet to have some extra space.

I.started sticking the other side in with duct tape and bailing wire (since I'm out of fasteners)



...but then I got distracted and decided to put the cart in front of the horse again

[Geek]

I got sidetracked again...

Ended up putting the San Juans (our favorite place in Colorado) in the door way....



...and then Colorado's front range in the fridge (where we currently live)



I couldn't bring myself to hack up $200 in maps.. so I only hacked up the Colorado one.




As I think I've mentioned... one of the big motivations to our wanting an island was "privacy".
Whether we're snowboarding or in a parking lot at the grocery store.. every time we open the side door with someone nearby they want to come over and check things out.
By having a big "obstacle" in the way.. I'm more comfortable with someone taking a look without seeing our private bed, pillows, etc.



Due to the height of the van, this works well. I'm 6' tall and I cannot see into the back half of the van whatsoever with the island's positioning. Perfect.

They way it is looking we might not make it out of here until Wed. morning.
We'll probably camp/ride the San Juans on Wed night and ride there Thursday and then Moab Thurs night thru Monday.

[Geek]

Looking at the photos.. I really need to make an effort to get some walls and ceiling up... it'll have a huge "visual impact" for when people look in.

When I look in all I see are connectors and joints and the things I've been figuring out.
Stepping away and trying to see it not through my eyes I'm sure it looks like a real mess to others -

[a1fa]

Today I passed a guy who just bought a Sprinter in Kentucky and was on his way back to San Diego. He is going to have fun in that thing! I wish new sprinters were in the low 20s.

[rthuey]

Originally Posted by Geek

I got sidetracked again...

snip

...and then Colorado's front range in the fridge (where we currently live)



snip

are you purposely blurring out your location so none of us stop by and sidetrack you even further?

[Geek]

You can drop by anytime... just drop me a PM for directions.

You can't slow me down any more than my neighbor's son.. Peyton. He's 8 years old and I'm convinced he's going to be either an engineer or a foreman.

He keeps dropping by to see if "I'm doing a good job" and then proceeds to climb all through the van analyzing every joint & connection

At one point today I was cutting wood and I went out to the van and he was laying down under the bed (which was assembled)

[a1fa]

Where you hiding candy? He knows.

[Geek]

Awnings.

I've decided I want a real one. The Noah tarp is a PITA and sucks in the wind (or should I say.. I don't have the patience to make it wind-secure).

One that doesn't require ropes and tie downs and stuff.. something mounted on the outside of the van that I can pull up, unroll and be done - almost-instant-shade.

Anyone know if you can get Hannibel Awning's in Sprinter Size? (I wish)
I'm almost tempted to make one out of 8020

Looking for suggestions

[neanderthal]

I think you're asking for wind noise there.

[ducnut]

Originally Posted by Geek

You can drop by anytime... just drop me a PM for directions.

You can't slow me down any more than my neighbor's son.. Peyton. He's 8 years old and I'm convinced he's going to be either an engineer or a foreman.

He keeps dropping by to see if "I'm doing a good job" and then proceeds to climb all through the van analyzing every joint & connection

At one point today I was cutting wood and I went out to the van and he was laying down under the bed (which was assembled)

You're being a positive influence, in that young man's life.

[bikepikespeak.com]

Originally Posted by ducnut

You're being a positive influence, in that young man's life.

x2!

[bikepikespeak.com]

Hey Geek,
Would you say that your fan works well enough to get the fumes out of the van if you're sleeping in it with your motorcycle? I know you have said it works well while driving etc, but if you ran it all night and were sleeping in there w/ a bike what's your thoughts? Here's my thread on my bed build. http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=834972 As I mention in there I am sure it probably won't be real often that I actually sleep in it w/ the bikes still in the van. But I certainly wanted to build it with the option to do so. Was thinking I'd eventually get one of those fans and hopefully that would allow me not to wake up drunk on fumes.

[Geek]

I would say it has plenty of power.. it has 10 speeds in and 10 speeds out.. on 10 it is like a 12" diameter hair dryer in force (i.e. it is moving significant volume).

When the van's been sitting in the sun with a dirtbike in it and I get in and it is full of gas fumes, I turn the fan on 10 for about 30 seconds to flush the air in the van.. then knock it down to 1-3 to maintain.

Hope this helps

p.s. thanks for the link to your thread! Subscribed