out with the old in with the new

[AceRider]

I sent you a message after seeing a picture of your setup in another thread what "brand" of manufacture your box was - then I found this and learned it's a Westyss....

It's brilliant and makes me fantasize like an 11 year old boy in the Hot for Teacher video.

Are you an engineer/mechanic? How did you get these fabrication skills?

[westyss]

Oh man, I answered your Pmail thinking that you meant the Rubbermaid storage box, so disregard my pmail, the camper box is my design and build.

[AceRider]

Rubbermaid - that's a good one!

What about the last part of the question above - what is your background that you have the skills to do this? This isn't something you start on a whim and learn as you go.

Also, is the composite material strong enough to walk around on the roof?

[westyss]

I was trying to avoid that question, I am a pilot, but used to be a contractor and have worked previously in the manufactured home and RV industry. I had no experience with composite materials, all I had was an idea, and pushed it through, so I guess i did learn as I went.
The composit is very strong, walking on the roof is no problem at all, up or down. The walls are a little thicker and a little stronger having an extra thin layer of glass in the middle. The material could be alot thinner in general, I cant imagine needing the strength of this material in the outside world, I really dont worry about bashing through the woods with this thing.

[lugu]

Its not Nida Core, its a composit made in British Columbia to specific sizes.

I can't see where I missed it, but is there a website or contact info for the honeycomb manufacturer? I work in the aviation field and have access to aircraft grade honeycomb just not to the budget to afford it.

[pods8]

Its not Nida Core, its a composit made in British Columbia to specific sizes.

I can't see where I missed it, but is there a website or contact info for the honeycomb manufacturer? I work in the aviation field and have access to aircraft grade honeycomb just not to the budget to afford it.

See post #27, its rhinocore: http://www.expeditionportal.com/foru...363#post699363

[westyss]

Its not Nida Core, its a composit made in British Columbia to specific sizes.

I can't see where I missed it, but is there a website or contact info for the honeycomb manufacturer? I work in the aviation field and have access to aircraft grade honeycomb just not to the budget to afford it.

Yup, just like pods8 said, its Rinocore in Armstrong BC, Associated with Bigfoot, some where on this site I listed all the manufacturers that I found in 2010 in Canada and the US that do similar products.
here they are
http://www.amerimaxbp.com/home
http://www.rhinokore.com/products.html
http://www.ccvbc.com/composite_panel_systems.html
http://www.cranecomposites.com/facilities.asp
http://www.bellcomb.com/rail.aspx
http://www.portafab.com/aluminum_honeycomb_panels.shtml
http://www.ebertcomposites.com/contact.html
http://www.monopan.ca/

http://www.compositesworld.com/articles/ct

found in this thread
http://www.expeditionportal.com/foru...tc.)-materials

[Jata]

Please tell me what tires did you fit make size etc
What type of panels did you use

[westyss]

Taken from somewhere in this thread.

"BaseCamp, the rims I had made from 'Stockton wheel' they are 19.5 x 8.25 and I have michelin XDE2+ mounted on them, I went with these due to the amount of paved road travel I do and the fact that they are good for alot of miles, I was looking at Toyo 303 but could not get them here, I am a big michelin fan, every vehicle I have had I install them on, except my westy, no sizes available for it, but I really like the ride that they give me, and it sure changed the ride on the FG but apperantly they are not too good in mud, so far the mud I have gone through, around 16" deep, I had no problems, again everything is a compromise, give and take every where."


Walls are made by Rhinocore in BC

[URY914]

I'm getting in on this a little late as you can see from my post count, but I have a few questions:

-What is the height above the cab when the body is raised completely? Do you think the added complexity of the lifting body is worth the slight gain in MPG? I understand that you also reduce the height for clearance of trees, rocks, etc on the trail.

-I was thinking of your side door layout. I personally like a rear door layout as a safety exit feature. I know it is rare but if the camper were to ever be rolled on it side due to wind, washout, falling tree, etc, during the night you could still exit out the back. I know this may never happen and you could of course jump out a window but it's just a thought. I also find a rear door to be easier and quicker to get to from the driver's seat. I suppose the side door is better if you can just tell your wife to jump out and get a cold drink for you as it will be quicker for her than you. A rear door also allows for both sides of the unit to be uninterrupted in relation to the layout of the interior components.

-Do you ever wish it was about a foot longer or six inches wider? What were your driving factors for setting the width and length?

All this being said, I fully understand that everything is a tradeoff when it comes to designing and building a rig as nice as yours. I'm sure you are proud of it, as much as I would if it were mine.

Paul