MH2 Ducato, 11 weeks in (update 25 Sept)

[activecampers]

See vid below if interested, weeks 2 and 5 also have video walk throughs.

In summary, its a pretty much full time build, but taking ages as getting wife involved and trying to show her everything rather than JFDI lol.

Need to get "bed ready" for upholstery next week (Regal).

But so far, done a lot: Vinyl wrap; logos; windows; 1/3 skylight; towbar; step; b2b; air suspension; garage (not completed) batteries; heater; 240v (not completed) water tank/pump; sofa base; ;internal walls; hookup/water/hot water flue; floor etc etc

Anyway.... the main event

 

[Millie Master]

There is a lot of nice, clean work in your build so far, however I feel I have to ask 2 questions:-

1. What kind of insulation are you using as all I can see so far is a very thin wrap over the wheel box and nothing else?

2. Why did you go for an on-board fresh water tank rather than an underslung which would be no doubt of a larger capacity as well as freeing up some vital space for storage?

Phil

 

[SquirrellCook]

Two things jump out at me now that I've had a chance to watch your video on a better screen.
Why is is your water connection at the bottom of your water tank? If you have a leak you loose the lot.
The other thing, and I guess this is a commercial project. The timber used doesn't appear to have any damp or rot protection.

 

[activecampers]

Hi
1 - lots of different insulation, it will be fully insulated. Overhead cab, behind sofa, and door and floor is only thing completed. Mostly mix of 7mm and 12m thermoliner, and 12/25/50mm cellotex. Just not finished yet lol (Floor 7mm thermoliner in drops + 25mm cellotex, window frame 25mm, overhead cab 7+12+12 of thermoliner, under offside window 25+50 cellotex + 7mm thermoliner (to make it soft)). etc. So plenty there.

2 - We plan winter snowboarding, undersung will freeze much below -10 even with heater. its easer/safer onboard. Will have 80L of fresh on board, that's enough. (with 54L on first van that was enough for 4 days/4 showers), so 8- will be OK for our usage. Loads of storage there already Garage will have loads as will cupboards. We aren't huge carriers of cr*p - we can packpack for 4mths with 9kg rucksacks, cycle 1000 miles with small panniers etc.... So we'll be OK

Water connection at bottom to ensure tank can drain if needed. Yes if it leaks, but it won't. Tested/sealed and bonded fitting I did debate top n bottom and bottom won. However, I won't argue it better than top, just worked for me and for pumpless draindown. (Hmm - that said, I changed the path of the plumbing so can't do pumpless draindown now.... ). Oh well. It was done with thought at the time lol.

Its not a commercial project at all - 100% mine for me.
The framing timber is treated commercial roof battens of various sizes from specialist roofer company 200m away. The boards are vohringer ply mostly, and the plain is moisture resistant poplar ply.

 

[activecampers]

Now 11 weeks in....

Getting tough now, pretty much full time on it - so lots of hours!
Couple of disasters - make worktop and fitting the top laminate and the wind caught it and stuck wrong... Damn it. (also buggered the spare). Had to buy new ply (expensive lightwight stuff) and laminate. Expensive error an a waste of a day or so. On the brightside, we didn't like the laminate so changed it for the repurchase!
And the upholsterers cut the foam, perfect, but then laid it wrong and cut a cushion 3cm short. So awaiting replacement. Amazingly good though.
Starting to feel like a van and surprisingly spacious. Still, loads to do...

In the last 3 weeks we have:-
- Finished most of the sliding door
- Made water system live (loo only)
- Installed bathroom floor and loo (temporary)
- Installed 12v control panels, water control panels, and 12v wiring looms (90% complete)
- Installed 240v wiring (60% connected)
- Insulated and covered behind kitchen sink
- Created worktop with recessed smev 9722 sink and dual burner (not connected)
- Created panels for fridge
- Commissioned diesel heater with dedicated fuel tank
- Build bed framework (v2) and ordered/got cushions/upholstery - awaiting remake of incorrect cushion.
- Connected Truma Ultrastore 10ge heater (no gas yet)

Thats probably about it!