[christover1]

pezz wrote:

coming along well chris..
white melamine paneling would be handy as it wipe over easy and you can use it a a giant white board
i think you can get it on 3mm mdf

I have been researching panelling, mdf melamine colourboard 3mm was high on my options list.
My brother used it in motorhome converted from a truck.
It does come in mnoisture resistant and high moisture resistance.
But thin ply has won, because it is very much lighter, and a bit tougher, and a lot cheaper.
I will just have to live with more painting, and maybe some wallpaper..

[christover1]

I found 4 foil nails under the bed base, so now I have 1 left over
Perfect timing before starting on the panelling.
Panelling took much longer than I expected, and was a bit of a brain strain with all the angles.
High School Geometry paid off, though I had to think hard to remember it all.
Been fighting a Man Cold, so that could explain it.
Didn't know I could get screws with painted heads, found them by chance.
I think they will be much better for painting over.
Happy with the cover straps over the framing angles, fit nicely.
I will be running future cables and wiring through them.
Next is a little shelf near bed head area, near roof level, for mobiles and other things to go on.
Then I have to wait for pay day to get started on painting.

[bohuler]

Woodgrain finish all the way!!

[christover1]

bohuler wrote:

Woodgrain finish all the way!!

A lot of hickeys in the wood, paint will be easier, it hides cheap ply more .
Will be using a mould resistant paint, maybe a bathroom type paint,
as my immune system can't handle fungi.

Besides the white screws would look silly if I stayed woody.

[pezz]

i think this is the best most updated thread of late...
i blame you for me buying some steel to start my trailer project

[christover1]

I dribble on a lot So much so, they needed to create a new category

[christover1]

Finished the 2 shelves today, and then took them off to get ready for sanding and painting.
Removed the cover plates from roof so I can paint behind them.

[christover1]

Still plodding away on bits n pieces, but nothing that would show on a photo.
Sanding/cleaning inside panels is done,
except for the vent holes which will be getting enlarged to match the butterfly vents available.
Only painting the visible side of the panels,
except for the panels with vents, they will get a coat of mould resistant paint on the back.
If this becomes a mistake, all the panels are removable and easily replaced.
Panels are hard up against the foil, so unlikely to get damp.(I hope)
BCF only had 1 vent, so got that for hole marking, so I can get on with the painting.

[christover1]

Finished painting the interior, decided shelves needed to be a different colour.
Finished the top coat on the grey bits round the door.
Chose the same charcoal grey as outside bits, keep the theme going
Only fitted one inner vent closerer, the rest are on order, but needed that one to get hole size right.
I'm happy with the result, but paint fumes have me in LALA LAND a bit now.

[striker99]

I Like the look of the shelf and the butterfly vents look awesome too! Did you consider building a simple draw that would pull out from under the bed when you originally designed this? Obviously would add some weight to the build but just a thought

[christover1]

striker99 wrote:

I Like the look of the shelf and the butterfly vents look awesome too! Did you consider building a simple draw that would pull out from under the bed when you originally designed this? Obviously would add some weight to the build but just a thought

All sorts of draws/kitchens etc. were considered, but decided against.
The under bed compartment size was planned around the 2 plastic draws I used in my old trailer.
They are 2 halves of a suit case that used to carry a resusc dummy.
There is enough room to drag out one at a time, as they need to skew to get thru the door.
Saves me having to reach underneath.
A proper draw may not come out far enough to be easy to access.
Will upgrade to something posh at some time in the future.

Stuff stored under the bed will be the seldom used stuff most likely.
The foot area at foot of the bed was sized to fit milk crates type boxes.
That is were my cooking/lunch etc type stuff may go.
Water in boxes will go in the front section, on longer trips.

This could all change after living with it of course

[christover1]

In the shelf building process I kept finding myself trying to use them like handle bars,
to get up from horizontal.
(I am not very agile )
They were a lot lighter weight at first.
Knowing I probably wouldn't be able stop myself, I toughened up the build, so they can be handles, too.
Originally was going to fit some Zook tailgate handles, but this is better.

[zukenutter]

needs a ceiling mounted LCD TV

[christover1]

Good plan, it is in the dream list...maybe in a couple of years.
I have the wiring channels to hide any cabling already built in

[pezz]

looks smick!

[christover1]

Note to self: masking tape don't work on rough plywood.
Had a nice black edge for the arches planned out, but it all seeped through the tape and looked horrid.
A big grey hand painted section was needed to fix it up.
I mixed my last bit of white and black, and got a color close enough to the other bits.
Was an annoying day, but quite pleased with result.
Battle scars are needed to finish the job

[zukenutter]

is that white paint running down the solar panel?

[christover1]

zukenutter wrote:

is that white paint running down the solar panel?

It looks like that doesn't it.
It is just sun flare on a cheap mobile phone camera.

[christover1]

All the big jobs, that I am aware of, are all done.
Only got some wiring for the solar panel, lights, power outlets, fuses, battery etc,
a bit of door sealing, and the 3 vents I am waiting on.
Then I will live with it and see if anything needs tweaking.

[Mike57]

Less than 2 weeks to the high country outing to see how it performs then!

[Samurai81]

Thank you Chris. This has been a fantastic and inspirational read, just like building Tadpole in the first place.
Steve.

[christover1]

Mike57 wrote:

Less than 2 weeks to the high country outing to see how it performs then!

Can't wait to get dirt on it, should be fun.
Have also booked in for a Victorian gathering of Myswag forum in May
(Off road camper forum http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=35950.0)

[christover1]

Samurai81 wrote:

Thank you Chris. This has been a fantastic and inspirational read, just like building Tadpole in the first place.
Steve.

Thanks, appreciate that.
Tadpole took a lot longer to build, I am fitter and healthier now.
Tadpole has been good to me, thus deciding to stick to a proven chassis set up, and cheaper, too.

[christover1]

Got started on the solar panel wiring.
Had a perfect piece of rubber hose in the shed, to seal the wire entry points to the panel.
It was a left over spare from a previous car.
Bunnings flexible electrical conduit was only $9 for more than I needed.
Saddle clamps were 40c each and fit perfectly with the existing screws in the flashing.
Sometimes Ya win

[got_bar_work]

Looking great.
Keep a eye on the corro. It isn't that strong and it splits when it's been in the sun for a while
If it splits get the Grey hose they wire ovens in.its uv stable and heaps strong. And flexible so if a tree hits it it won't shatter

[christover1]

got_bar_work wrote:

Looking great.
Keep a eye on the corro. It isn't that strong and it splits when it's been in the sun for a while
If it splits get the Grey hose they wire ovens in.its up stable and heaps strong. And flexible so if a tree hits it it won't shatter

Thanks. I will look into that.

[christover1]

We now have power, and all the vents in.
My box ain't pretty but it works.
Ran out of money again, so couldn't finish without a fuse box,
but while looking for a long screw I found the fuse box from my old Sierra.
Sometimes Ya win.
7AH battery should be plenty for a light and a phone charger.
Battery only weighs 2 kg, better than the 11kg of my spare car battery.
It is an AGM non spill.
Power board has a USB outlet also, which will be handy.

[zukenutter]

very cosy

[christover1]

Has a dim switch, too, in case I need mood lighting

[zukenutter]

never know who you'll pick up out on the trails