2013 NV 2500 Camper Build Pics

[DennisV]

Well , I'm finished and I got the pics to prove it.  :)

 

5 1/2 months / 300 hours +/-

$8500 in parts & materials

1209 lbs build weight

Did everything but the upholstery.

 

If you click on a pic, it will take you to a photobucket album with 80 odd pics.

 

Man, I'm glad that's finished . . .

 

 

 

 

 

[Bates]

Looks absolutely fantastic.

[radin2son]

I agree, it does look great. 300+ hours of labor. No wonder conversions are expensive!

 

What type of trips do you plan?

[DennisV]

Short duration 2-3 day weekender fishing trips mostly.  Longer than that and I will need shore power and shower facilities

[wollip]

Wonderful job - excellent work!      Reminds me of a boat cabin - very sleek.     You have every right to be very proud

of this project.     Thanks for sharing!

 

(If anyone is having trouble seeing the additional pics, I had to go to my desktop computer to get the photobucket link to work - wouldn't work from my iphone.)

[radin2son]

Yes, got a blank page with my iPhone. Have not tried to open photobucket on my MacBook. Suspect it won't work on an iPad either, but I'll try it.

The photos may answer this. Are the van driver/ passenger windows the only ventilation besides the roof fan? Do you have screens? If not, screens made for Sprinters work. (We had to custom make our side door screen. At the time, the 2 manufacturers did not know what an NV was.)

 

edit: Able to open up some of the photos on my macbook, up to the one where the middle cushions are removed near the rear door, before error warnings popped up. The side door window photo shows you have the same window we have. Your panel underneath is much better done than ours. Ours is vinyl, which is easy to clean, but SMB can be sloppy in their work. 

 

Thought I recognized the rolling brown hills in the first photo on your post. We are tying to plan a 2-3 week trip west of AZ for next month, but almost everywhere has extreme fire warnings. 

 

edit 2: Able to open up all the photos.  Impressive fit, finish and use of space. Plans for water?

Edited August 12, 2014 by radin2son

[DennisV]

Just gallon jugs and bottles of water.

No plumbing or tanks on this build

[vanfan]

That is totally awesome! Now you need custom exterior paint. I have provided a link for some ideas.   :)

http://selvedgeyard.com/2009/11/22/ultimate-rock-n-roll-on-wheels-the-1970s-van-customization-craze/

[DennisV]

Nope

 

I already have a Viking princess holding an axe over my head. She don't like the competition.

[MrOlaf]

Looks great!  $8500 seems like a lot in parts and materials, do you have a rough break down of what cost the most?  I was thinking of doing something similar and my prices were way lower, I wanna know where I went wrong with my thinking!

[DennisV]

Olaf

 

It all adds up frighteningly fast. Keep in mind this is all top shelf high quality stuff.

The little LED reading lights in the back for instance = $150 each.

And it goes on and on.

 

But the reality is this. Even at $8500, the parts and materials cost isn't that big compared to the labor involved to pull off a build like this.

 

It takes just as long (or longer) to build using cheaper stuff than it does the good stuff. And after you busted your butt for all that time,

you'll be glad you didn't go cheap. Do it once, do it right, and then never have to mess with it again.

 

I'd rather be fishing than working on the van.

 

There's a reason that a garden variety Class B is over $100k.

[Chris_CommercialManager]

Wow, I find what you did very impressive.  Have you done something like this before or was it your first shot?  I'm guessing you have, it looks to clean to be your first time lol.

 

Job well done!!

[DennisV]

Thanks Chris

 

I've built houses, boats, furniture, fountains, cars, vans, and state highways.

 

I'm just one of "those guys".  :shift:

[Chris Dempsey]

Looks great- what type of wood did you "side" it with?

[DennisV]

3/8" laminate flooring.

[Chris Dempsey]

Great idea- looks really good. I'm getting my 2500 today. I'm going to use it as a mobile workshop / showroom. What are you doing for power and heat?

[DennisV]

2 group 27 agm batteries , on board 20 amp charger, 1250 watt inverter, isolated from the van's charging system.

 

I use the vans heater by remote start for 8 minutes in the morning and that's it for heating.

Edited October 28, 2014 by DennisV

[Chris Dempsey]

Dennis- it looks like you have a Fantastic fan installed? Did it fit between the roof supports? Also, how did you seal the roof where the ribs are? Thanks.

 

Chris

[DennisV]

Dennis- it looks like you have a Fantastic fan installed? Did it fit between the roof supports? Also, how did you seal the roof where the ribs are? Thanks.

 

Chris

 

 

Yes it fits between the ribs.

Build up with butyl putty tape and seal with Sikaflex.

#8 quality stainless screws.

 

Be very careful when you place the fan onto the tape. You only get one shot.

You'd have a hell of a time pulling it off of that putty tape.

[Chris Dempsey]

Thanks, Dennis. By the way, I've decided to set up my electrical independent of the NVs, like yours. Do you find 1250 watts to be enough capacity from your inverter?

[DennisV]

Yeah, but I'm not a watt hog.

 

I hooked up a wired remote on/off switch from the inverter and ran it to the back of the van where I can reach it while in bed.

 

Pre-load a 1100 watt percolator with coffee the night before. When I wake up, I hit the switch and start the percolator.

Then I hit the remote start for the van and fire up the engine with the heater on full blast.

 

In 8 minutes I've got a warm van and hot coffee.  Downright civilized . . .

 

That and some quality low draw LED lighting and that's about it for my power needs.

[Chris Dempsey]

That is civilized! And The Viking Princess hands you a hot cup of coffee: perfect.

[rolliew]

Very nice work. :thumbsup: That's what is nice about a van, you make it exactly how you want it.

[KMG]

Nice build.  Great photos.  I have a similar Pelican cooler.  Where did you get the drain valve?  Thanks, Kevin