The 'I shall build a Camper Van' epiphany - April 2020

No idea where this impulse came from. But here we are. Fast followed by a first draft on Sketchup (Make 2017 Free version). An absolute beauty:

The goal is to go 'adventuring & volunteering' for 4 to 6 weeks at a time across North America: mountain biking, ice climbing, desert slot canyons, Habitat For Humanity builds, trail restoration, parks maintenance, etc.

 

  User priorities

  1.  4 season van for 2 people (1 week of autonomy in winter at -25oC / -13oF,  AC in summer)
  2.  All electrical system (water & space heating, cooking...). 3 charging sources (solar, alternator, EV plug)
  3.  Semi-stealth. Compatible w regular parking spot
  4.  Quasi full size toilet & shower
  5.  No hunchbacking for my 6'4 frame 😩 Standing head space in at least 1/2 the 'house' area
  6.  Queen size bed. No doing & undoing the dining area / cushions / sheets every day...
  7.  2 mountain bikes stored inside
  8.  All the outdoor preparation & completion activities feasible inside the van (gear, ropes, un/packing, storing). No standing outside or opening the cargo doors in bad weather (except access to bikes or skis)
  9.  3 distinct living areas minimum to not go bonkers when stuck inside for days
  10.  Everything else is only nice to have (roof deck, skylight, pantry, awning, disco ball...)

 

 Ok, now I see why I never finish projects 100%...

   Fabrication priorities
  1.  Safety (transportation accidents / roll over)
  2.  Safety (electricals)
  3.  Safety (construction)
  4.  Regulatory compliance (transportation, electrical, building code...)
  5.  Repairability (ex: no breaking down walls to fix an electrical / plumbing issue...)
  6.  Durability 15 years minimum (ex: no nails / glue / self tapping screws on anything important. Van on the road = daily earthquakes)
  7.  Anything else (schedule, costs, accessories, looks...)

 

Conclusion... need more of this:

😅😅😅


SPOILER:   Unicorns 🦄 !!!

We could not find any van layout out there that met all the requirements above in a non-extended wheelbase van. So it is no wonder that it ended taking me almost a year to develop all the innovative design solutions needed to get there...

Long story short, here is the 🦄 that I will be building:

'Summer' mode, from the front...











... and from the back (1 battery pack, mountain bike tray)

'Winter' mode (2 battery packs, full dining area)

 

Wait, but where are the full size toilet & shower, queen bed, 3 living areas ? Hang on, we'll get there. In later posts...

===> Stoked ! 😁 <===
 
 
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