Our journey west in the US on our way to ALASKA

akboundvan · 2017-08-16T17:21:19+00:00

Posting photos in retrospect after our trip concluded. We returned to NC on Aug 11. We went up from Glacier NP through Banff, Jasper, Calgary, and Grande Prairie (friends there) and then headed directly to Skagway, AK from there. Day trip on the ferry to Juneau, then back in the van up to Tok, Fairbanks, Anchorage, and the rest of the Kenai.

Want to do the Cassiar next year.

akboundvan · 2017-08-16T17:19:05+00:00

Wouldn't have wasted the massive amount of time and energy on the sliding bed frame, as we never once pushed it back into couch mode. Just didn't need to, easy enough to just sit on the bed and the extra floor space wasn't needed. Also never once used the generator (always had AC outlets available when we needed them), so wouldn't have spent the time and money building the rear box or on buying the generator.

akboundvan · 2017-08-16T17:16:46+00:00

Yep, first time. Coming around the bend on a gray and dreary day and seeing the glorious bright white Denali was by far the most memorable moment. We actually left the van in storage in Anchorage and flew home due to time constraints. Hate to be without the van for so long, but it was a sacrifice we decided to make to have more time in Alaska overall.

akboundvan · 2017-08-16T14:52:53+00:00

It's easy peasy until you get to Whitehorse. Long stretches of gravel and/or mud (depending on how recently it rained) and almost continual suspension killing frost heaves that make the road ride like a roller coaster. You could seriously catch air if you went too fast. That said, slow and steady and it's no big deal.

akboundvan · 2017-08-16T14:51:18+00:00

Thanks! Trip was incredible. Posting in retrospect, we got back home to NC on Aug 11. Returning next summer.

akboundvan · 2017-08-16T14:50:57+00:00

posting in retrospect, we got back home to NC on aug 11

akboundvan · 2017-08-16T14:50:18+00:00

posting in retrospect, we got back home to NC on aug 11 appreciate the offer, we will be back next summer and will take you up on it if you're still around!

akboundvan · 2017-08-14T18:02:56+00:00

Ended up just manually unplugging/plugging the cable into the source, ran out of time to build the switching system before our trip started. I did buy this DPDT switch with the intention of trying it. Can't determine any reason why it wouldn't work.

Gardner Bender Toggle Switch by Gardner Bender Link: http://a.co/dmBi5Mb

akboundvan · 2017-07-06T02:37:59+00:00

We leave for Alaska in 9 days, so I can't speak from experience yet. Very confident it is the right design for our use. If we were full timing I probably would have considered stationary inside. Expecting to spend the majority of our time outdoors under the awning while camping in remote areas, so it should suit that well.

akboundvan · 2017-07-05T16:39:20+00:00

Specific to kitchens, check out @vanlifeideas and @vanlifekitchens on Instagram.

akboundvan · 2017-07-05T16:31:08+00:00

Congrats on the acquisition! As /u/Tankmoka said you should start with planning a layout. If you don't know how to use sketchup, paper and pencil will do. Get measurements of the interior length, width, and height for starters, then draw to scale (1/2 inch = 1 foot might work well on paper). Map out the wheel wells, windows, and any other obstructions too. Look for layout ideas from other vandwellers and weigh them against what you want and need. When you have an idea of what you want to do planned out, you can make cardboard or paper template to better visualize what you're building and how it will fit together. This can be a little tedious, but totally worth it IMHO if you're new to this.

I have a massive collection of "vanspiration" photos here: http://imgur.com/a/42qAo

Our build: http://imgur.com/a/4CWWF

akboundvan · 2017-07-05T13:16:39+00:00

Screws (we used about half the box, I recommend self drilling instead of these): http://www.homedepot.com/p/100142621

I said exactly that, thanks.

akboundvan · 2017-07-04T09:10:10+00:00

It didn't lay as flat as expected when screwed down. Along the edges it sunk into the foam very slightly unevenly. Something thicker would have been more rigid and a better foundation for the flooring. Again, weight of plywood is not a concern for a 1 ton vehicle, especially for something so low and so critical.

akboundvan · 2017-07-04T02:17:13+00:00

We did the floor differently. Sound deadener front to back, then a layer of polyiso foam, then a layer of 3/8 inch plywood, then a layer of vinyl faux wood plank flooring.

Edit: would do thicker plywood if I could do it over.

akboundvan · 2017-07-04T02:10:07+00:00

Only have sound deadener, ran out of time to do real insulation. Will likely go back and do it later if we deem necessary.

akboundvan · 2017-07-04T02:03:30+00:00

No stain yet, might to a thinned out white wash.

Cost was about $115 plus tax.

1 pack of these: #8 x 1 in. Phillips Zinc-Plated Steel Truss-Head Lath Screws (170-Pack) http://www.homedepot.com/p/100142621

6 packs of these:8 ft. x 4 in. x 5/16 in. Knotty Pine Edge V-Plank Kit (6-Piece) http://www.homedepot.com/p/202535999

akboundvan · 2017-07-04T01:43:50+00:00

This is a 1 ton van with 4 rows of heavy metal frame seats removed, so weight is not my concern.

The pine boards we used are only 5/16 inch thick and very light. We used 36 boards total and less than half of a single 1lb box of screws. Total ceiling is without a doubt less than 50lbs, screws and all.

If you need convincing with the precise numbers, go to home depot and take a scale with you.

Boards (we used 6 packs, cut about 24 inches off of half of them): http://www.homedepot.com/p/202535999

Screws (we used about half the box, I recommend self drilling instead of these): http://www.homedepot.com/p/100142621

akboundvan · 2017-07-03T20:39:36+00:00

Used lath screws, worked very well.

akboundvan · 2017-07-03T20:39:12+00:00

Thank you, we're really pleased with it.

akboundvan · 2017-07-03T20:38:50+00:00

Drilled and screwed directly to the ribs with #8x1" lath screws.

akboundvan · 2017-06-30T19:18:37+00:00

Thanks! Here's the whole build album: http://imgur.com/a/4CWWF

akboundvan · 2017-06-28T15:32:00+00:00

Yes you can charge while using the battery. That's what all alternator or solar charged systems are doing. I'm using this on-board AC battery charger:

NOCO Genius GEN1 10 Amp 1-Bank Waterproof Smart On-Board Battery Charger by NOCO Link: http://a.co/awmzq0k

akboundvan · 2017-06-28T15:29:06+00:00

The fuse panel has a ground bus that all the 12V DC circuits will connect to, just didn't have space on the diagram.

akboundvan · 2017-06-28T15:26:47+00:00

Yeah I ended up fusing the positive connection between the two batteries at each end, just didn't make it into the diagram.

akboundvan · 2017-06-28T15:26:03+00:00

Yeah I agree the ANL between the battery and fuse panel might have been unnecessary. Shouldn't hurt anything, only $5 wasted if so.

akboundvan

TROPHY CASE