|
Post by X on Jul 23, 2014 20:03:10 GMT
Am thinking of building something but this is the 21st century so I really do want all the modern conveniences ! Diesel heating a wood burner and maybe Alde heating too also a marine toilet with a massive holding tank as am fed up with that cassette nonsense ! Maybe aircon to habitation and a genny to power ? At least 400 litres fresh water tank too ! Just been looking at Concorde motorhomes and yes they fit the bill but could I do it myself for less ? Do not want to use campsites ever ! Toilet to be emptied in manholes or self dug pits I think ? Like the idea of the diesel heating as can use red for that when not on free wood but that is not as instant . Ok I know hardly camping but then is any of it really ? Any idea`s ?
|
|
|
Post by edina on Jul 23, 2014 20:11:31 GMT
Am thinking of building something but this is the 21st century so I really do want all the modern conveniences ! Diesel heating a wood burner and maybe Alde heating too also a marine toilet with a massive holding tank as am fed up with that cassette nonsense ! Maybe aircon to habitation and a genny to power ? At least 400 litres fresh water tank too ! Just been looking at Concorde motorhomes and yes they fit the bill but could I do it myself for less ? Do not want to use campsites ever ! Toilet to be emptied in manholes or self dug pits I think ? Like the idea of the diesel heating as can use red for that when not on free wood but that is not as instant . Ok I know hardly camping but then is any of it really ? Any idea`s ? You've near enough described a narrowboat or widebeam, or has it got to have wheels??
|
|
|
Post by Firefox on Jul 23, 2014 22:02:33 GMT
You can do it yourself for a lot less. Cut out builders and dealers mark ups. Loads of labour though, 4 months solid. By choosing your own base vehicle you will avoid cut corners and "flimsy" construction to quote the self builder's mantra.
Big tanks - could be up to 1 tonne in tanks the way you are talking. I'm not a fan of diesel heating but the size of vehicle you are talking you could afford to have woodburner, red diesel, and propane tanks. Use whatever is to hand and cheapest. Propane as LPG is pretty cheap. Just have tanks and/or adapters to avoid the exchange bottle rip-off.
It's going to be big and fuel heavy. A boat could also an option except you can't go anywhere fast and they have hidden costs.
|
|
|
Post by Lee & Linda on Jul 23, 2014 22:08:42 GMT
Keep an eye on Force Cars on ebay they have ex library and police vans which could be an excellent base vehicle. I've just had a quick look and found a library van it's listing number is 221470597316, it might be food for thought.
|
|
|
Post by X on Jul 23, 2014 22:23:27 GMT
You can do it yourself for a lot less. Cut out builders and dealers mark ups. Loads of labour though, 4 months solid. By choosing your own base vehicle you will avoid cut corners and "flimsy" construction to quote the self builder's mantra. Big tanks - could be up to 1 tonne in tanks the way you are talking. I'm not a fan of diesel heating but the size of vehicle you are talking you could afford to have woodburner, red diesel, and propane tanks. Use whatever is to hand and cheapest. Propane as LPG is pretty cheap. Just have tanks and/or adapters to avoid the exchange bottle rip-off. It's going to be big and fuel heavy. A boat could also an option except you can't go anywhere fast and they have hidden costs. In an ideal world it would have a dishwasher and a washing machine too ! Just do not want to do the whole house ownership thing but do want all the modern luxuries . Yes a fixed gas tank would be good too . It is when you start to look at the price of all the kit I am not sure you would save that much builing it yourself if you go to town ?
|
|
|
Post by n brown on Jul 23, 2014 22:49:48 GMT
it's not such a big deal,i did one a couple of years ago with built in genny,webasto heating,woodburner,washing machine etc .took about 4 weeks. no aircon though. did a massive Scania lorry,oak kitchen,2 bedrooms,verandah,200 litre water tank etc etcthat was about 6 weeks,so much of it !
|
|
|
Post by outtolunch on Jul 23, 2014 23:07:10 GMT
build one like his all the comforts of a Victorian home
|
|
|
Post by Etienne Le Croq on Jul 24, 2014 6:00:44 GMT
Sounds like a good plan chap,and definatly cheaper.Sourcing the right base vehicle is probably the hardest bit!
|
|
|
Post by Is it spring yet, dormouse? on Jul 24, 2014 8:52:08 GMT
Sounds like a good plan chap,and definatly cheaper.Sourcing the right base vehicle is probably the hardest bit! The base vehicle would be the biggest hurdle for me. I love merc vans, but don't like the modern ones. What's the modern equivalent of the merc 508d?
|
|
|
Post by Firefox on Jul 24, 2014 10:20:17 GMT
For what X is planning a van would not likely be big enough, you would need a truck!
You would def save building yourself, but where you may not match up is the external finish. It could be very difficult to get the modern look with all those fancy mouldings, graphics and finishes.
|
|
|
Post by Is it spring yet, dormouse? on Jul 24, 2014 11:01:49 GMT
For what X is planning a van would not likely be big enough, you would need a truck! You would def save building yourself, but where you may not match up is the external finish. It could be very difficult to get the modern look with all those fancy mouldings, graphics and finishes. Yeah, but who actually needs them?!
|
|
|
Post by Firefox on Jul 24, 2014 11:39:10 GMT
They are important if you are image conscious ... it's a consideration for some. Mr X and Mrs Woodcutter would have to decide what level of finishes they want.
|
|
|
Post by Etienne Le Croq on Jul 24, 2014 15:45:29 GMT
Sounds like a good plan chap,and definatly cheaper.Sourcing the right base vehicle is probably the hardest bit! The base vehicle would be the biggest hurdle for me. I love merc vans, but don't like the modern ones. What's the modern equivalent of the merc 508d? Its a sprinter.
|
|
|
Post by Is it spring yet, dormouse? on Jul 24, 2014 16:14:27 GMT
The base vehicle would be the biggest hurdle for me. I love merc vans, but don't like the modern ones. What's the modern equivalent of the merc 508d? Its a sprinter. Too skinny!
|
|
|
Post by n brown on Jul 24, 2014 16:18:54 GMT
there are so many great looking lbrary,display and other speciality vans a\round . a mate of mine got an ex-artists dressing room in a nice sprinter box van for 2 grand,there's some bargains around
|
|