45' moving van conversion

[samcrimm]

How did the camping trip go?


Sam

[Ttnj]

Well my idea and some folks idea of camping are probably different.
We are at a fairgrounds so we aren’t exactly roughly it. We pulled in yesterday and the first night in the new “camper” was great.
My wife shows horses so that’s why we are here and what this was built for.....I get the luxury of sitting around all day drinking beer!
The camper isn’t 100% complete and I am seeing some things I would do differently, if money and time were no object. For example, I put no insulation in the trailer. We will only use it for the summer months any way so that isn’t a big deal but it is a bit noisy, or I should say nosier than our class A.
The Pete pulled the trailer great and I think I actually am smoother getting through the gears with the added weight.
Here is a photo taken last night with the boys (a have 10 and a 5 year old) watching TV....a projection TV against the the front wall of the trailer.

[Proteus]

Wow! Yes! Looks good!

[hoodoo valley]

.........Awesome!

[samcrimm]

Neat! Kids must have loved it!



Sam

[Ttnj]

Have now spent 3 weekends in the rig, one at a horse show and two at the race track. Need to find time to finish the plumbing and get the windows in. Outside needs painted as well and I flip flop between painting and adding a thin polished stainless steel layer...again weight is nevwr going to be an issue.
We used it at the races to entertain a few customers and friends. Here is a photo I snapped of the setup before the craziness began.

[hoodoo valley]

That's impressive! Nice job!

[samcrimm]

You have plenty of room for sure!

[Weldman]

I would be screwed trying to fit at all the campsites I stay in with something that large. Better write a blank check for choices of places to park it.

[Ttnj]

Had another weekend camping at the race track...photo guys for the track took one from their perch for me.
Still undecided on what to do with the outside. I Checked into wrapping it and the cost would be about $8K. Would love to have some polished stainless but there are two many rivets to keep a flat face and have been told stainless would reflect and burn anything that it hits.....like my canopy. Don’t really want to paint it either, too much sanding. Thinking of going painted diamond plate sheets riveted to the outside...I don’t have to worry about weight.
Any cheap suggestions?

[Weldman]

Originally Posted by Ttnj

Had another weekend camping at the race track...photo guys for the track took one from their perch for me.
Still undecided on what to do with the outside. I Checked into wrapping it and the cost would be about $8K. Would love to have some polished stainless but there are two many rivets to keep a flat face and have been told stainless would reflect and burn anything that it hits.....like my canopy. Don’t really want to paint it either, too much sanding. Thinking of going painted diamond plate sheets riveted to the outside...I don’t have to worry about weight.
Any cheap suggestions?

Digital camo paint job

[bushpilot]

Originally Posted by Ttnj

Had another weekend camping at the race track...photo guys for the track took one from their perch for me.
Still undecided on what to do with the outside. I Checked into wrapping it and the cost would be about $8K. Would love to have some polished stainless but there are two many rivets to keep a flat face and have been told stainless would reflect and burn anything that it hits.....like my canopy. Don’t really want to paint it either, too much sanding. Thinking of going painted diamond plate sheets riveted to the outside...I don’t have to worry about weight.
Any cheap suggestions?

wrap wont last either - at best youll have to rewrap every 5 yrs.
You could paint it white and add some swoops and swirls (stickers)

[maveric]

It is nice to see another dry van conversion. As stated above, not many of them around. Especially that get used.

[hoodoo valley]

Man oh man there's got to be a lot of room inside, but those have got to be a mother trucker to land!

[samcrimm]

Put stripes on it and call it zebra!

[Ttnj]

Maveric would love to see some more photos in what you have done!
Decided to go polished aluminum on the outside . Got one side and the front done.

[Ttnj]

Here is the latest. Started today with the chicken lights....

[petrel]

I like the polished aluminum. Is it coated, so it won't oxidize, or will it require regular re-polishing.

There are so many great after market parts and lighting options for the Petes! I'm jealous.

I guess most campgrounds are just out of the question for that rig? However, I'm also guessing that isn't a priority for you?

Thanks for keeping us up to date on your build.

[Ttnj]

It is just a mill finish and is not coated so it will require some polishing down the road...….hopefully way down the road.
The chicken lights on the trailer shouldn't be that difficult but as it always goes it isn't exactly straight forward. I like lights so there will be plenty on the trailer to match the truck. I bought some LED lights already for the trailer and go figure the wiring is different. It did not have LED lights on it and there is only a hot wire running while my Lights I bought have two wires...….One hot and one ground. Im not an electrical guy but I will figure it out.
It is a big rig and you are absolutely right.....Im not worried about getting in any campgrounds. But, it can be a tight squeeze at the race tracks.

[petrel]

It may not be a bad idea to go ahead and add a ground wire and a turn signal lead (if there isn't one near the outside already) I'm a big fan of the "mid ship" turn signals, and plan to add two to my renegade one day. Also, a good solid hardwired ground is preferable to "screw ground" in my book.

Looking forward to seeing the lights.