The Dirt Sherpa Build

[riveroceanandmountain]

Awesome !

Looks like you are using tape to hold on the siding..... what product are you using and where did you order it?

I would also like to know the source of the interior panels.... looks great!

Inspiring

[GCecchetto]

Awesome !

Looks like you are using tape to hold on the siding..... what product are you using and where did you order it?

I would also like to know the source of the interior panels.... looks great!

Inspiring

Thanks. Yes, I'm using 3M's VHB Commercial Vehicle Tape CV62F. Unbelievably strong bond, it's used for installing the exterior panels on semi trailers. I bought it from SRI in North Carolina, super nice guys and the pricing is great. You can reach them at 1-888-752-7272 or http://www.sri-supplies.com The interior panels are 1/4" marine grade teak ply that I bought locally from Macbeth Hardwoods.

[SLO_F-250]

Thanks. Yes, I'm using 3M's VHB Commercial Vehicle Tape CV62F. Unbelievably strong bond, it's used for installing the exterior panels on semi trailers. I bought it from SRI in North Carolina, super nice guys and the pricing is great. You can reach them at 1-888-752-7272 or http://www.sri-supplies.com The interior panels are 1/4" marine grade teak ply that I bought locally from Macbeth Hardwoods.

Those panels are NOT coming off! Looks great! You are sure doing some nice work. Looking forward to seeing how the interior turns out.

Are you keeping the original lift panels? With all the work you are putting in the camper you might think of upgrading to the new composite ones from FWC. Just a thought, the thin plywood seems SO easy to break and or wear out as mine did.

[GCecchetto]

Are you keeping the original lift panels? With all the work you are putting in the camper you might think of upgrading to the new composite ones from FWC. Just a thought, the thin plywood seems SO easy to break and or wear out as mine did.

Mine are dead already, so I'll be either building my own lift system or buying the new composite lift panels. They're just soooo expensive, don't have the extra $900 right now.

[GCecchetto]

Finished routing the openings in the teak wall panels today and started installing the windows. Sure hurts putting those old windows in my otherwise new camper.

The rear and side windows are in but will come back out after being masked to make the detailing of the caulking easy. Also, due to the 1/8" wall tubing I'm attaching to, I have to pre-drill for every screw. Fortunately I'm using some really good #10 hardened stainless steel thread forming screws. The fog has come back again this evening but I'm still hoping to get all of the openings filled tomorrow ao I can start on the trim on Sunday.

2012-08-03_19-20-04_858.jpg

[Overland Hadley]

Looking really good!

I am so jealous of your teak interior. But that 1/4'' of teak must be heavy-heavy.

What are you doing for insulation? Also, have you run the nessisary wiring inside the walls before you close them in?

[GCecchetto]

Looking really good!

I am so jealous of your teak interior. But that 1/4'' of teak must be heavy-heavy.

What are you doing for insulation? Also, have you run the nessisary wiring inside the walls before you close them in?

The 1/4" teak ply is actually light, surprisingly. My siding was shipped protected with 1" Foamular 250 insulation (earth friendly formula) so that will be used for the walls. I've bought some wire from West Marine but no wiring in yet. It will be roughed in prior to installation of the teak.

[GCecchetto]

Foggy all day, didn't get started till 2:00 but managed to get all of the opening I can fill at this time done.

The business side of the camper. The Girard tankless water heater is just sitting in the opening, I have a little work to do before it can be installed. In addition to the openings you see here I still have to install a bulkhead fitting for the sink drain and the shore power plug.

2012-08-04_18-58-05_910.jpg

The back end starting to look like a camper. These openings are done aside from installing the screw cover on the windows and caulking around the door.

2012-08-04_18-58-31_383.jpg

[GCecchetto]

Here's a shot of the Dirt Sherpa on the truck with the steps out.

2012-08-05_15-56-53_191.jpg

Here a shot of the steps in the stowed position. These are still in the prototype phase and work still remains to be done. Yes I know they block the license plate. I'll probably move the license plate of to the side when I get the Expedition One rear bumper.

2012-08-05_19-57-10_269.jpg

[SLO_F-250]

Man that thing is looking good! Nice. Those steps are sweet too!