Frame Welding

[Kenn-TC]

even more pictures

The first is the holding tank compartment, then the generator compartment, the 6' storage compartment (Mikes bedroom) and a shot of the floor framing.

 

[Kenn-TC]

entry door

Yesterday my sister came out and helped me trial fit the entry door. It felt good to see the door on the truck and that it fits. I can now build the upper door frame with confidence.

 

[haddixj]

looking good.

 

[#90-GTSC]

Huh ... first there was door, then a frame. Rather than building a frame and then the door. Learn something every night.

 

[andyg-TC]

Looking good. I really like your steps. Mine were built in the inside of the coach and they eat up a lot of floor space.

 

[haddixj]

Do you have any pics of yours Andy?

 

[andyg-TC]

I can get a picture or two. I do not have any exterior steps they are built inside. I don't have to remember to fold up my steps but therr is also a big stair pit inside of my rig. Give & take.

 

[andyg-TC]

Here are some pics of the steps

 

[bushpilot-TC]

one suggestion on the (interior) steps before you finish them....they make a GREAT place for "hidden" storage....Hinge the step/tread - it makes a great place for folks to throw their shoes and it keeps the dirt down / reduces interior carpet wear too !

 

[377pete]

Ken, can you send some pics close up of your entry steps, they look great, did you fab them or purchase them? thanks, Pete

 

[Kenn-TC]

steps

Pete, the outside steps are Kwikee electric steps. You can find them online. They extend out from the body about 27" and the bottom step is about 10" off the ground. I think they have an 8" rise. I built the inside steps. I have a two step Kwikee electric that I bought thinking it would be the correct height and then discovered a three step would work better. I would make you a good deal on the two if it would work for you. The two best pictures of the steps show the steps out and then in. When in mine are 8" above the bottom of the bodywork, which is 15" off the ground. I hope that helps.
Kenn

 

[Kenn-TC]

waste dump valve

Today I made an adapter for the waste dump valve. I used aluminum so I can weld it to the bottom of the holding tank.

 

[#90-GTSC]

Wow! Did you machine that out of billet aluminum? What about aluminum and the corrosive stuff in the tank? I suppose if the tank is aluminum, then its fine for this piece to be aluminum. Do the insides of the aluminum waste tanks corrode badly? I hadn't thought about it until right now.

Nice work.

 

[bushpilot-TC]

nice to have or know someone w/ a CNC machine !
i thought i was lucky knowing someone w/ a metal lathe

 

[Kenn-TC]

great question

90-GTSC when I got home late lastnight from bowling, I saw your question about the aluminum holding tank contents being corrosive. I got a sick feeling in the gut and then spent some time on the net trying to find information on aluminum and corrosion. At 8 am I called my aluminum supplier and put a hold on the order I made on Friday for cutting and floding $370.00 worth of .125 5052. You may have saved me $370.00. If it turns out that the aluminum won't work, then I just spent a day using the lathe to make the adapter to mount the dump valve. I like when people ask questions. I will spend what ever time it takes to educate myself on the subject. I will include a picture of my made in China lathe and my friend making an oil pan for his race car on my used mill I got at an auction. Keep the questions coming. Thanks again Kenn

 

[#90-GTSC]

I just pulled this from the Liberty Coach web site:

"Metal fresh water and holding tanks, specifically stainless steel and aluminum, instead of plastic with reduces greatly the odor and bad taste."

Do you think stainless steel for the gray and black with aluminum for the fresh? Or stainless for the fresh and aluminum for the gray and black?

What do the NRC, Showhauler, and Renegade guys have in their coaches?

Mr. Hawk ... what do you put in your coaches for the water tanks?

BTW ... check out this video from Liberty Coach web site. Frank Jr. is at the Florida RV Super Show show in Tampa this week in their $2.3 million coach!

Florida RV Super Show | Custom Coaches-Liberty Coach

Dick

 

[bushpilot-TC]

Ive got:

1 - 65 Gal Black Plastic Gray Water Holding Tank
1 - 65 Gal Black Plastic BLACK Water Holding Tank
2 - 110 gal PLASTIC (clear/white) Fresh water Tanks

 

[Bob86ZZ4]

My gray and black holding tanks are both black plastic of some sort.
My fresh water tanks are kind of white plastic, barely able to see through it enough to see the water level inside it.
Same material as Don's but different quantities.

 

[SHORTS]

I spent 3 days last october in the Elkhart area going thru rv manufacturers and truck conversions company's and everyone was using black plastic waste tanks and white plastic fresh water tanks.
shorts

 

[bushpilot-TC]

my bet is -

1) PLASTIC is CHEAP
2) Plastic is LIGHT
3) Plastic allows for expansion & shrink-age
4) FOOD GRADE plastic is less prone to corrosion