rb panel van conversion begins !

[MitchandJenny]

There are a lot of really clever materials and fixings a round nowadays and it seems you have found and are using most of them.. I suppose the thought HAS crossed your mind that you could make a nice living out of building conversions like this for others ???
I am sure a LOT of folk out there would love to avoid the "minefield" of buying from large manufacturers and all the "poop" that can entail !!!
But of course, FIRST, you have to go enjoy the fruits of your labour..
When's the big "test" trip ??
PS.. Fantastic thread Ralph-n-Bev..
Thank you..
Mitch and Jenny.

 

[mitzimad]

ralph how have you achieved the carpet fillet around the bottom edge of the carpeting?

 

[Ralph-n-Bev]

There are a lot of really clever materials and fixings a round nowadays and it seems you have found and are using most of them.. I suppose the thought HAS crossed your mind that you could make a nice living out of building conversions like this for others ???
I am sure a LOT of folk out there would love to avoid the "minefield" of buying from large manufacturers and all the "poop" that can entail !!!
But of course, FIRST, you have to go enjoy the fruits of your labour..
When's the big "test" trip ??
PS.. Fantastic thread Ralph-n-Bev..
Thank you..
Mitch and Jenny.

Hi Mitch & Jenny,
As it happens It has crossed my mind to build to order , and I may do so down the line.
For now i am happy working and training my apprentice son , constructing things in brick and stone.
I am a bricklayer by trade and run my own business, I have done for the past 27 years. I now work mainly on electric substations all over Yorkshire and still really enjoy it

As for building bespoke you only get what you want and get to choose every part you put in. So many people look round for the perfect motorhome and never seem to tick all the boxes. I too have bought a motorhome and then recovered all the furnishings added solar and battery to battery chargers, battery monitors, inverters LED lights, etc.... We all do it.

So why buy from the big converters , if you can do it all yourself knowing that you properly sealed that window and properly insulated everywhere.
I am keeping track of all my costs on the build but estimate to save around 25k against a Top range , dealer PVC.
As you have seen so far , i am not scrimping on the build and in most ways fitting better than you can buy I am talking panel van conversions BTW.

Not sure on the big test trip but i would love to get back to Scotland this year. I don't have a deadline and its done when its done
But we will be going to Whitby goth, with the funsters. Unfinished.
But we will manage.

Thanks for your interest in the thread hopefully the pictures will start to get more interesting than Sheep's wool and Kingspan

Cheers Ralph

 

[Ralph-n-Bev]

ralph how have you achieved the carpet fillet around the bottom edge of the carpeting?

I have just cut some 3mm ply to fit around the wheel arch and then covered in Veltrim and stuck down.
This area will be seen when the back doors are open ( Terry stop getting excited )

 

[Ralph-n-Bev]

My good neighbor over the road has been taking in all my conversion parcels for me while we are out.
He has had it all from a full pallet of insulation to 8x4 sheets down his drive and once had hallway full of windows for me.
He never shows much interest in what thing are, but tonight i came home to the red and white card on the mat so off i went to pick up my parcel.
Unusually he asked me...So whats part is this then ? Well it was only the Sog toilet ventilation kit to stop sh@tty smells coming back into your motorhome It took some explaining

This conversion lark must be getting to me, there is something wrong with a man when he gets excited over a through the floor Sog kit
I am sure i will return to normal when its finished

Honestly though it looks like a great bit of kit. Cant wait for Saturday to fit it....

God i want the old me back

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[Peter & Elaine]

My good neighbor over the road has been taking in all my conversion parcels for me while we are out.
He has had it all from a full pallet of insulation to 8x4 sheets down his drive and once had hallway full of windows for me.
He never shows much interest in what thing are, but tonight i came home to the red and white card on the mat so off i went to pick up my parcel.
Unusually he asked me...So whats part is this then ? Well it was only the Sog toilet ventilation kit to stop sh@tty smells coming back into your motorhome It took some explaining

This conversion lark must be getting to me, there is something wrong with a man when he gets excited over a through the floor Sog kit
I am sure i will return to normal when its finished

Honestly though it looks like a great bit of kit. Cant wait for Saturday to fit it....

God i want the old me back

View attachment 57599 View attachment 57600

Are You tea total yet ralph

 

[MitchandJenny]

Thanks for your interest in the thread hopefully the pictures will start to get more interesting than Sheep's wool and Kingspan

Hi Ralph.
Thanks for your reply. Don't worry about keeping our interest up, I like many others am riveted to your updates on "the big build".. I admire your attention to detail and patience.
I'm sure many of us would have been tempted to "rush on a bit" and thereby would have cut corners and inevitably made mistakes..
Keep the pic's coming (( when you can fit it in between work and working)).. or get your "secretary" Bev to do the biz..
. Mitch..

 

[LilacMoss]

Ralph & Bev...only just seen this thread...and love it! Wow! What an absolutely cracking job guys! It's even made me forget about breakfast till my stomach started groaning in protest...and it's actually lunchtime now!

Keep up the fantastic work...and seriously, its worth considering doing another conversion...an "exclusive" just for another yorkshire member...me!

Looking forward to reading thro to the end of your "blog" though...& seeing the final finished "Pug". Keep us all updated on pics when you can...and thank you very much for sharing!

Ps At least you don't have to "cuddles & snuggles" with a stranger now at Witby Goth

 

[Ralph-n-Bev]

Ps At least you don't have to "cuddles & snuggles" with a stranger now at Witby Goth [/QUOTE]

Thats a shame, its the only reason i go to Whitby Goth weekend

 

[Ralph-n-Bev]

Are You tea total yet ralph

No gone off the amber nectar, but the long working hours have been affecting my drinking habits
Its bad enough holding a Router tool straight when i am sober

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[Ralph-n-Bev]

Just a bit of progress to report after a wet and windy weekend here in Wakefield.
As you know my SOG kit arrived so i fitted it into the Thetford C400 toilet. It was very easy to fit when the toilet wasn't in situ.
Just one 35mm hole to drill and the rest fits onto existing parts.

The dark corrugated pipe fits onto the through the floor vent which will be situated under a bed locker. From the cassette access door you wouldn't even know a SOG was fitted as there is no vent pipe to pull off the cassette

Like i said we had a terrible weekend so had to build a temporary work shelter above the bench.

I now have all the furniture ply so apart from the weather, there is no stopping me now
The job for Saturday was to finish the toilet wall, and install all my first fix plumbing, heating and waste outlets in the cavity.
The work here was very time consuming ,making sure everything was fitted and put together right first time. When building you not only have to think about the best way to fit things together ,but how you can take things apart later for maintenance.

Sunday i started on the wall where the TV and radio will go. This wall is going to have a cavity between it, and the back of the bathroom.
This will give me an area for all the pipes and wires.

So we don't lose any leg room here, the bed base will extend into the wall around 100mm.
The hole below the shelf is where i am on about, it will become clearer as i move on with things
I will be doing the same on the other side giving us valuable extra worktop space. Both beds will still be 6 foot 5 long to meet requirements.

Hope the weather picks up for Easter I have 11 days off work to really get this build on the road


Thanks again for all your encouraging comments

Have a great Easter........ Ralph

 

[JockandRita]

It's certainly coming on Ralph.

You're doing a grand job.

Cheers,

Jock.

 

[LilacMoss]

Just a bit of progress to report after a wet and windy weekend here in Wakefield.....my SOG kit arrived so i fitted it.... .it was very easy to fit when the toilet wasn't in situ.

Just had to show you how I read this the first time round.... Sorreeeee....and Ive still got giggles....

 

[Wildbill]

just caching up bloody hell you haven half knocked it out well-done bud
bill

 

[Ralph-n-Bev]

Just had to show you how I read this the first time round.... Sorreeeee....and Ive still got giggles....

........ Off to bed now with a big grin on

P.S.... I did say big grin

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[Ralph-n-Bev]

just caching up bloody hell you haven half knocked it out well-done bud
bill

Thanks Mate

Only problem is i am out of Home brew now, and too busy to get one on.
Even drank all those bottles us home brewers save away maturing.

I might just find time for a Coopers Stout. Be ready in two weeks

 

[weekenders]

Coming along nicely as they say Ralph, can't wait to see it at Whitby, if you need anything if not fitted just let us know, got a spare double bed if you need it

 

[Kool Kroozer]

coming on a treat Ralph - doing a top job chap Just looking forward to seeing the next job

 

[John.]

Looks better each time I log on

Top job Ralph & Bev

 

[Wildbill]

Thanks Mate

Only problem is i am out of Home brew now, and too busy to get one on.
Even drank all those bottles us home brewers save away maturing.

I might just find time for a Coopers Stout. Be ready in two weeks

at the moment not allowed to brew no allowed to pick up nothing heaver than a pencil
bill

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[Mousy]

Going great Ralph, well done.

Have you considered sending a small sample of your laminate to the plastic plug people and asking them to match it? Might save the guess work?

 

[Ralph-n-Bev]

Going great Ralph, well done.

Have you considered sending a small sample of your laminate to the plastic plug people and asking them to match it? Might save the guess work?

Good idea, but i think these plugs are mass manufactured. They are also a weird shape and would be very costly to make for individual projects.

Thanks for your interest .....Ralph

 

[Cal54]

I love watching the progress, the quality looks out if this world, looking forward to more pics as it progresses.

 

[Mousy]

Hi Ralph, I didn't mean have them made to order just that they could choose which of their plugs would match best.

If it's a choice of those above, surely it's either the far left or far right?

 

[Wildman]

Yes , that's the easy bit . Under slung and additional Removable onboard Tank for hard winter motorhoming. Or should I say campervaning now !

how about campering, hee hee

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[Ralph-n-Bev]

Hi Ralph, I didn't mean have them made to order just that they could choose which of their plugs would match best.

If it's a choice of those above, surely it's either the far left or far right?

Ahh got you now
I had to take the plunge the other day and order like you said, The one on the left and the one on right.
Just had the shipped confirmation

I have a funny feeling that one is too dark and the other will be too light

 

[Ralph-n-Bev]

I love watching the progress, the quality looks out if this world, looking forward to more pics as it progresses.

Thanks Carol, Glad your enjoying the thread.
Just finished work today so i have 10 clear days to crack on with the job

 

[Ralph-n-Bev]

What great weather for my week off building the camper Could have done with it when i put the windows in
Things are moving at a better pace now. I have built the fridge housing with wardrobe above. To the right hand side of that are a couple of small cupboards the lower one one will house the inverter charger and 12v fuse board. The top cupboard is for storage. I have also set out the kitchen area, this will be completed when the overhead lockers are in place. The swivel seat bases have been fitted so i can check the seats don't catch any furniture. Just on with the seating area top lockers at the moment. I need the hinges to set them out but hopefully should be here tomorrow. I have ordered some with soft close function

Here is a few pictures of whats been happening....

 

[Ralph-n-Bev]

More Picks.....

Thanks again for looking

Ralph

 

[Chockswahay]

Dudes............ it looks AWESOME!

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