The Big Lorry to Camper Conversion

[bigguspeckus]

The only way to "get" skills is to start doing it yourself. Every single time i let my guard down ( be lazy) and pay someone else to do something, it is nearly always a half arsed job I could have done better myself. The recent full valet and ceramic coat i had half baked being a fine example. ?
Take your time, research what you have to do, don't skimp out on cheap tools and just get stuck in. No one taught me how to fix cars, diagnose electrics, rewire a house, build a shed, weld steel, roof a building, lay pipes, put up a fence, or wire up a solar system, You just... learn. ????

I employed a bloke once who advertised Imself as HandyAndy,,, self taught, apparently, so E told me (at length)
E woz crap! ??

 

[bigguspeckus]

I employed a bloke once who advertised Imself as HandyAndy,,, self taught, apparently, so E told me (at length)
E woz crap! ??

JusJosshunBorr ??

 

[bigguspeckus]

Also I haven't been able to drive it as I don't have a licence for it yet?? That's another grand for fork out. Curse of being 28

You're ONLY twennyfeckinEight?!!!
That has so pizzed me rite orrfth,,,
Completely ruined my day and tarnished this excellent thread

 

[houdini]

BeJASUS, SIX of ya Inna VDubya Transporter,,, COSY! ?

You should have seen the one next to us!

We were amazed at how many Chinese were in one motorhome near us on a campsite in Queenstown at the time of the Chinese New Year holidays. No way could they all have had seat belts, we did wonder if their hire company knew how many there were!

 

[bigguspeckus]

And some recommend the use of inserts into the end of the pipe.

Using speedfit connectors with plastic

And some recommend the use of inserts into the end of the pipe.

Using pipe inserts with speedfit connectors and plastic pipe isn't a recommendation, its a requirement,,, a 100% requirement!

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[bigguspeckus]

although it is perfectly ok to saw the pipe neatly and remove swarf, a proper pipe cutter in my opinion is essential to guarantee a good seal every time with push fit fittings

Sorry Big1 (well, actually I'm not that sorry) but wot youse saying there is a complete contradiction,,, how, on the one hand, can it be perfectly ok without a bespoke pipe cutter,,, but "essential" on the other hand???
From my many years in the trade, using several different makes of push on fittings (never had a leak with any of em) I learned that the essential guarantee to a good seal isn't a bespoke pipe cutter,,, its fitting the connector as per the makers instructions,,, and to use a pipe insert when using plastic pipe.
Ass essential,,, innit Borr ????

 

[bigguspeckus]

My brothers an MOT tester.... He won't MOT his own car.

Yer, well mabbee yew'cun tell me where ya Bruv works Borr,,, I wunt wun'im wiv'in fortee feckin foot of my veeacul!!!

 

[MANGOFORTH]

You're ONLY twennyfeckinEight?!!!
That has so pizzed me rite orrfth,,,
Completely ruined my day and tarnished this excellent thread ☹

I'm 29 in two weeks ?‍

 

[olley]

Sorry Big1 (well, actually I'm not that sorry) but wot youse saying there is a complete contradiction,,, how, on the one hand, can it be perfectly ok without a bespoke pipe cutter,,, but "essential" on the other hand???
From my many years in the trade, using several different makes of push on fittings (never had a leak with any of em) I learned that the essential guarantee to a good seal isn't a bespoke pipe cutter,,, its fitting the connector as per the makers instructions,,, and to use a pipe insert when using plastic pipe.
Ass essential,,, innit Borr ????

Its not essential but its a damm sight easier.

 

[Campervan_man]

I need heavy duty. I'm 21 stone and this will be walked on all the time. Im getting it weighed next week so l make adjustments of needed.

Wickes etc sell plastic 'loft legs' of 2 varying heights. I would use these if I did another conversion with a dual floor. Light and strong.

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[mitzimad]

ply on edge is extremely strong two bits of 18mm would be a lot lighter

 

[MANGOFORTH]

Looking for bathroom layout ideas.

Im thinking big shower tray, bog in the corner, whole room as wet room. Cant work out how to do the door?

Any ideas, links, photos ect would be much appreciated ?

 

[Campervan_man]

Remis folding perspex shower doors. Easy to fit, waterproof, lets the light in.

 

[MANGOFORTH]

Whats the usual procedure for mounting solar panels? Does anyone rely just on glue? Not sure i want to put any holes in the roof..

 

[Two on Tour]

Whats the usual procedure for mounting solar panels? Does anyone rely just on glue? Not sure i want to put any holes in the roof..

The proverbial shit to a blanket, roughen the area to be bonded and use Sikaflex primer.

Sikaflex 292i High Strength Marine Adhesive

Sikaflex 292i is a super strong Marine Construction Adhesive that's resistant to seawater, is suitable for structural joints that are subject to Extreme Dynamic Stresses. Having roughly twice the sheer strength of Sikaflex 291i it's ideal for bonding and

www.uksealants.co.uk

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[Campervan_man]

Sikaflex with Solar Panel long mounting brackets.
*More surface area* to be bonded to the roof than just brackets or feet.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/710-...0001&campid=5338547443&icep_item=252257787138

 

[MANGOFORTH]

That looks perfect. I read somewhere that your suppose to leave a gap underneath them?... ??‍

 

[MANGOFORTH]

£18 a tube!!!! Strewth

 

[Two on Tour]

Whats the usual procedure for mounting solar panels? Does anyone rely just on glue? Not sure i want to put any holes in the roof..

I used aerodynamic mounts full length along the front edge of my panels to help reduce drag from wind turbulence.

 

[Two on Tour]

£18 a tube!!!! Strewth

Use gaffer tape if you want, your choice.

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[MANGOFORTH]

The aerodynamic mounts are a really good idea!! Nice one. Im going to investigate that now but looks ideal ??

Also im worried I'll need two tubes ?

 

[Campervan_man]

Sikaflex dries like white rubber when it sets.
You will need a hot knife or chisel to remove anything that has been fitted with Sika.
I removed a 2FT square piece of Chequer plate that had been bonded on a roof with Sika, damn near killed me trying to get it off.

 

[Two on Tour]

The aerodynamic mounts are a really good idea!! Nice one. Im going to investigate that now but looks ideal ??

Also im worried I'll need two tubes ?

Start a crowd funding page, before you know it will have enough money to cover the cost of your truck build and a new house.

 

[Two on Tour]

Sikaflex dries like white rubber when it sets.
You will need a hot knife or chisel to remove anything that has been fitted with Sika.
I removed a 2FT square piece of Chequer plate that had been bonded on a roof with Sika, damn near killed me trying to get it off.

No problem with a cheese wire.

 

[MANGOFORTH]

Start a crowd funding page, before you know it will have enough money to cover the cost of your truck build and a new house.

Spare some change for an ex leper?

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[Top Hat]

Whats the usual procedure for mounting solar panels? Does anyone rely just on glue? Not sure i want to put any holes in the roof..

I used ABS plastic spoiler supports when glued mine (the other one was already there) they support the full length of ether end of the panel, they also come in aluminium.
I would hate to have the job of removing it

 

[bigtwin]

The aerodynamic mounts are a really good idea!! Nice one. Im going to investigate that now but looks ideal ??

Also im worried I'll need two tubes ?

I wouldn’t bother for two reasons:

1. Increasing the frontal area to reduce drag is rarely successful; unless you add something to the rear as well to allow the turbulent air to leave the obstruction cleanly (think about the classic tear drop shape).
2. The amount of turbulence coming over the front of the motorhome would prevent these ’lips’ from acting on the airflow in any case.

Ian

 

[Two on Tour]

I wouldn’t bother for two reasons:

1. Increasing the frontal area to reduce drag is rarely successful; unless you add something to the rear as well to allow the turbulent air to leave the obstruction cleanly (think about the classic tear drop shape).
2. The amount of turbulence coming over the front of the motorhome would prevent these ’lips’ from acting on the airflow in any case.

Ian

Don't agree with you, smoothing the air over a radius will always reduce drag more than hitting a flat surface 90 degrees to the airflow also you reduce the effect of the over and under turbulent airflows combining on the trailing edge of the solar panels.
The wind defectors I have fitted in front of the debris on our roof has vastly reduced the buffeting and wind noise we had prior to fitting them.
I have also fitted vortex generators on the rear edges of our motorhome which stabilises the airflow leaving the rear of our van and before you say snake oil, they are proven to be effective and I wool tufted and videoed before and after fitting to confirm their effect.

 

[MANGOFORTH]

I wouldn’t bother for two reasons:

1. Increasing the frontal area to reduce drag is rarely successful; unless you add something to the rear as well to allow the turbulent air to leave the obstruction cleanly (think about the classic tear drop shape).
2. The amount of turbulence coming over the front of the motorhome would prevent these ’lips’ from acting on the airflow in any case.

Ian

I wasn't necessarily thinking for aerodynamics. Just thought it would prevent air from getting under the solar panel and stop it from lifting?

Or is that what you're sayin and i haven't understood?

 

[bigtwin]

Don't agree with you, smoothing the air over a radius will always reduce drag more than hitting a flat surface 90 degrees to the airflow also you reduce the effect of the over and under turbulent airflows combining on the trailing edge of the solar panels.
The wind defectors I have fitted in front of the debris on our roof has vastly reduced the buffeting and wind noise we had prior to fitting them.
I have also fitted vortex generators on the rear edges of our motorhome which stabilises the airflow leaving the rear of our van and before you say snake oil, they are proven to be effective and I wool tufted and videoed before and after fitting to confirm their effect.

If they work for you, stick with it.

Do you have the videos still?

Ian

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