2015 HR Adventure Rig

31974 Views 65 Replies 25 Participants Last post by SummerWind, Apr 13, 2017

Chatski

Discussion Starter · Apr 4, 2016 (Edited)

we've been looking at cargo vans after spending the last six years in VW Vanagons. I walked into a pretty good deal on a '15 3.5 HR that I couldn't turn down. I quick trip to NY confirmed I made the right choice. Here's the van in Wilmington NY.

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Chatski

Discussion Starter · #2 · Apr 4, 2016 (Edited)

First thing a campervan needs is a place to sleep. An inflatable mattress and a sweet rug works, but not really an elegant solution.

During the trip to NY I grabbed my father in law and a grip of nice plywood and fabbed up a set of benches with a drop table. We used some nice 3/4" AA plywood that I got taken for a ride on, but you pay a premium on material in the Adirondacks. Pocket screws on the whole shebang. I set up cubbies from and back, mostly because our dogs like to hang out in them. The rear ones 'should' be for mountain bike gear. Throw a memory foam mattress on it, and we're getting closer.

Funny story: there's a guy in Afghanistan who's probably still mad at how little I paid for that rug from MeZ.

Mattress courtesy of Amazon.

Maxwell approved.

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Chatski

Discussion Starter · #3 · Apr 4, 2016

I'm going to have to clean these up from a laptop. The phone interface is a little buggy.

I'll reserve this post for the roof vent this week.

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Chatski

Discussion Starter · #4 · Apr 4, 2016

Solar install.

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smacdiesel

· #5 · Apr 5, 2016

Look forward to seeing your build!

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Chatski

Discussion Starter · #6 · Apr 12, 2016

Okay, so I thought I would be able to go back and edit posts. looks like that's not the case?

Roof vent.
What's a campervan without a roof vent? We're currently in SW Georgia, an area not exactly known for pleasant weather. It's remarkable what a little shade and a breeze will do. We went with the Fantastic Vent with rain sensor and remote. we had neither on our Airstream, and thought why not?

My buddy Adam helps out with pretty much any kind of fabrication work.

I ran the wiring down the C pillar right next to the fuse block.

We ended up using the 4200, as we might change it out for a low profile unit here in the near future, no screws. Just 4200 and self leveling lap sealant. Without screws, we were worried there would be crazy gaps. We tried a sandbag made with kitty litter to weigh it down, then ended up framing the edge and using an old jeep tire and rim to get it tight. Worked like a champ.

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Chatski

Discussion Starter · #7 · Apr 12, 2016

Started playing with the electronics side. I wanted solar, but don't want to fix it to my roof until I lock down a roof rack from Aluminess. I went with the 100w Renogy panel from the Texas Vanagons review, and it couldn't have been simpler.

I pulled the house battery out of the Vanagon for testing purposes until I figure out a game plan for my house bank.

I'm digging the 25' extension. Will I lose some power over drop? Probably. But I'm moving to Nevada, and I'm sure the nuclear sun will make up for it.

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Chatski

Discussion Starter · #8 · Apr 12, 2016

I am not an electrician, but here's the general design I'm going for. It's a work in progress, and if you have recommendations for additions or wire gauges or shunts, or any thing else that will keep me from burning my van down, I'm all ears.

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crescent

· #9 · May 23, 2016

Looks nice. You are doing a great job!. Question, we are modifying a wagon[mid roof, long wb] for camping and travel. Did you anchor the bed setup to the walls?.W/ wagon, it will be more difficult and we are thinking about building an elevated bed w/ storage for bikes etc underneath, but somewhat freestanding. Using 2x4s and4x4s. Wondering if it will be stable enough.

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Chatski

Discussion Starter · #10 · May 30, 2016

I anchored at the rear corner tie down point and at a couple of spots on each side into the threaded inserts in the walls. But even before that, the rear setup was incredibly stable. I can't say enough good things about the rigidity and support of 3/4" plywood.

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Chatski

Discussion Starter · #11 · May 30, 2016

Looks like it was time for an update!

Stained the rear setup with Minwax Gel Stain, and hit it with polyurethane. It's pretty durable but still scratches.

We wrapped the 'seat' portion in some fleecy headliner material we found at a local outlet. Probably $15 bucks. And I finally got the cushion covers sewn up!

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Chatski

Discussion Starter · #12 · May 30, 2016

We also decided to go with a sweet Army field desk for a kitchen for the time being until we finish the move to Nevada.

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Knot Yett

· #13 · May 30, 2016

Nice work Chatski, I always admire clean, simple, design. The use of the table top and BOTTOM to complete the bed was a clever idea. Your "lifting top" over the wheel wells is efficient because you can pack a ton of stuff in there.....unlike mine....I must poke stuff in from the ends, and a lot of the space is wasted. Round corner openings always look nice, no doors necessary, doors only get in the way. If you build in stages and road test like you are doing, it's easy to catch mistakes and correct them as you proceed.

I know you'll be busy moving to Nevada (anyway it's a dry heat) :laugh: keep us posted when you can.

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Chatski

Discussion Starter · #14 · Aug 5, 2016

We're all moved over and back in van business.

Decided to update power. It's not technically robust: two 6v Costco batteries, wired to a moveable solar panel, as well as a Boondocker Powermax I pillaged from the Airstream build.

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Chatski

Discussion Starter · #15 · Aug 5, 2016

Capitalizing on the west coast proximity from Vegas.

San Onofre from the State Beach, and the Camp Pendleton side.

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Chatski

Discussion Starter · #16 · Aug 5, 2016

Sandia Park, New Mexico

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fargy483

· #17 · Sep 28, 2016

yeah Old Man's! You still in town?!

Chatski said:
Capitalizing on the west coast proximity from Vegas.

San Onofre from the State Beach, and the Camp Pendleton side.

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Chatski

Discussion Starter · #18 · Nov 3, 2016

Drop in kitchen. Scientific testing this weekend. I'll let you know how it goes.

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Armenian

· #19 · Nov 3, 2016

Are you a previous Airstream owner? Looks great! I see similiarities with the new Basecamp they just released. Do you think the Transit is more valuable and useful than pulling an airstream? Is the front A/C alone enough for when it's 90+F outside and idling? Okay no more questions from my sorry ass

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bicyclist

· #20 · Nov 4, 2016

Be interested to learn how the water drains from the sink.

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