tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-340164172024-03-07T13:37:23.238-08:00The Super CamperThe trials and tribulations of building a camper
then taking it on the road.Holly Beckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05673720487366844778noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34016417.post-37099366029616986232016-05-11T07:38:00.000-07:002016-05-11T19:51:46.492-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsmAN82VhbB0826u-uUkDwA3mF43xDzvy-WBRLZydD-iMYy3G-Tnia3y9NS-By-lP5qEGb-qrFVcSzGrOGeBxRFFQ2BGyBHDPdL6UTFfoPONjTGhed5fGiVQJVx6jlVATY5osj/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsmAN82VhbB0826u-uUkDwA3mF43xDzvy-WBRLZydD-iMYy3G-Tnia3y9NS-By-lP5qEGb-qrFVcSzGrOGeBxRFFQ2BGyBHDPdL6UTFfoPONjTGhed5fGiVQJVx6jlVATY5osj/s640/photo.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
Things are moving along during the Great Overhaul...here's going to be the new paint color...Gillespie Carc 686 military flat tan from Rapco Parts Co.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH9jPvNSiLOKoFU7B5IZ7N7UQoJP_U0DTqnMqh0jIdbDk6UP2AlPtmMib-v6urYWGIXWdZvaprnPE-_hchIgjD0XR8yrriIYgMiu0CdZ9MrrdQrvwjyvEukVCr8dD0mLNhi4pX/s1600/photo+4+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH9jPvNSiLOKoFU7B5IZ7N7UQoJP_U0DTqnMqh0jIdbDk6UP2AlPtmMib-v6urYWGIXWdZvaprnPE-_hchIgjD0XR8yrriIYgMiu0CdZ9MrrdQrvwjyvEukVCr8dD0mLNhi4pX/s400/photo+4+%25284%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Spraying the inside of the doors, etc. All overspray is going to be sanded down next to do the final primer & paint spray with the doors closed.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk8X8bEFD8XjE4hWce2qxd1PF_GhX1WL2MnOQVweOxFOsyckhDTNt8IN1kmBEL-YBVPidUTEYXoO1Ia6bA3hpujcEuC3IfkdhaAwcmZhVmYYzAudVFhjy-bBlWT0sZelen84Tz/s1600/IMG_7304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk8X8bEFD8XjE4hWce2qxd1PF_GhX1WL2MnOQVweOxFOsyckhDTNt8IN1kmBEL-YBVPidUTEYXoO1Ia6bA3hpujcEuC3IfkdhaAwcmZhVmYYzAudVFhjy-bBlWT0sZelen84Tz/s400/IMG_7304.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The frame got a good coat of POR-15 to keep the rust away. Seems to be good stuff. A little goes a long way and soaks into hard to reach crevices. A bit of prep is involved with degreasers and acid etch spray, but sanding doesn't need to be perfect. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAPG8BSexq45pHyca70RaIckpVMBJV-rLzvGskEL4n5CXWN0JZ3K7BSwkUQu2y-6LVHdfdBz_PIhLVrRMzdcfHOH0_EdOjatRgzvbcRDfSIKgSLZ2qhOusACSpzaFRwpyBViSa/s1600/IMG_3999.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAPG8BSexq45pHyca70RaIckpVMBJV-rLzvGskEL4n5CXWN0JZ3K7BSwkUQu2y-6LVHdfdBz_PIhLVrRMzdcfHOH0_EdOjatRgzvbcRDfSIKgSLZ2qhOusACSpzaFRwpyBViSa/s320/IMG_3999.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Here's a before shot of how rusty everything has gotten from being near the ocean...</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLet4V7tLn1e8FZTqaBzS9OTQ8BqML8YPiTb4QGfsK51eXseZzYOHfS83UCc98gItCHVkJnwccD9EuuXuikzVyykI5vqiWKaXqJ2xEt02dv3ZMI6CncV9_WBVGPuKKwZsc8LDW/s1600/IMG_7482.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLet4V7tLn1e8FZTqaBzS9OTQ8BqML8YPiTb4QGfsK51eXseZzYOHfS83UCc98gItCHVkJnwccD9EuuXuikzVyykI5vqiWKaXqJ2xEt02dv3ZMI6CncV9_WBVGPuKKwZsc8LDW/s640/IMG_7482.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Blacking out the aluminum wheels and the chrome bumper. Painting aluminum, chrome, and plastic can have adhesion issues. After sanding everything down, I went over the aluminum with some POR metal prep (phosphoric acid). Then everything was wiped with acetone and then sprayed with some Bulldog Adhesion Promoter. Next a quality 2-part epoxy primer was applied and finally some Gillespie black enamel--flat for the bumper, semi-gloss for wheels. We'll see how it holds...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLk1uMSX0-IUMXaLeqiejXISmGFrwhY4tHpY-FEzC0F10PPB8aKa_CAkzR_NvIbWQbpEbUAhI6wVGVvzEWBAsoX9oxIdwGNUtvweGia255F6_iXcNxbvZ_a02KOTHSv_llA3A3/s1600/photo+2+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLk1uMSX0-IUMXaLeqiejXISmGFrwhY4tHpY-FEzC0F10PPB8aKa_CAkzR_NvIbWQbpEbUAhI6wVGVvzEWBAsoX9oxIdwGNUtvweGia255F6_iXcNxbvZ_a02KOTHSv_llA3A3/s400/photo+2+%25282%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-3609857381090453";
google_ad_width = 728;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "728x90_as";
google_ad_type = "text_image";
google_ad_channel = "";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11935501923231513309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34016417.post-3952201549965596832016-04-20T20:59:00.000-07:002016-04-22T21:10:28.794-07:00The Super Camper is still alive and (somewhat) well...Hi everyone!...just thought I'd give you a little update on the Super Camper. It hasn't been floating around cyber space as much lately but its wheels have still been kicking up dirt and has been doing many trips through the years without any major issues. But Baja has taken its toll (again)...<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQN7Eo4gzopCKvLL-3oZyuzc4ismLW32LGjLrPrFSKyEGIXoJ_GnaZO6FlpwyZXtfVNZAdOU1iESs2kZ1f12igy6i5o8Rs9f_VdfzmvkPn6T3DtO58a3ev53qsIIUei6nk1j_N/s1600/IMG_3920.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQN7Eo4gzopCKvLL-3oZyuzc4ismLW32LGjLrPrFSKyEGIXoJ_GnaZO6FlpwyZXtfVNZAdOU1iESs2kZ1f12igy6i5o8Rs9f_VdfzmvkPn6T3DtO58a3ev53qsIIUei6nk1j_N/s640/IMG_3920.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
The Super Camper's second trip across the border via a tow truck. This time a blown axle bearing and bent axle left us stranded near the infamous Coco's Corner. Great little place and super nice people there if you happen to be in the area...all the Baja 1000 guys are familiar with this spot.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhviuXM2JlkE4qLwljxXfRHocYYqBqWxaPPWFzxqsbEBxZsjCdsg3tiD1qE_DFbCbekFeHmaPpyCeg1S4lVi4r1vahpwFwrFr1WQQ4AhOsQaJPn-GD6JRP4DBDtCV9iY64G6_Dp/s1600/IMG_3909.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhviuXM2JlkE4qLwljxXfRHocYYqBqWxaPPWFzxqsbEBxZsjCdsg3tiD1qE_DFbCbekFeHmaPpyCeg1S4lVi4r1vahpwFwrFr1WQQ4AhOsQaJPn-GD6JRP4DBDtCV9iY64G6_Dp/s640/IMG_3909.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjat066BtwnR0bFrmX8iT7t4bI47kXdiMLTHS8mSTxllL8Swv4Ov8YUbiTHRIR3B4lB6desNtYiu99vT__swtvT1n2n0Lrl5NlJOPExhRJOpHhMris5j29loYLx2I9k2j4X978d/s1600/IMG_3903.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjat066BtwnR0bFrmX8iT7t4bI47kXdiMLTHS8mSTxllL8Swv4Ov8YUbiTHRIR3B4lB6desNtYiu99vT__swtvT1n2n0Lrl5NlJOPExhRJOpHhMris5j29loYLx2I9k2j4X978d/s320/IMG_3903.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPnbNnu9zfeFzAB0q-DLaz_pLHg9hbMLVs-WDMF5QVa5XNbVRS2cZjBYELmHErXsrFdZyCpUF6YXoPbYzZw1gK4rQiCO-1mvkUEobU3OVUe2KoNOEsPaHcOha5GQtDe80Jy2Ku/s1600/IMG_3902.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPnbNnu9zfeFzAB0q-DLaz_pLHg9hbMLVs-WDMF5QVa5XNbVRS2cZjBYELmHErXsrFdZyCpUF6YXoPbYzZw1gK4rQiCO-1mvkUEobU3OVUe2KoNOEsPaHcOha5GQtDe80Jy2Ku/s320/IMG_3902.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
Check out the ceiling!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLodz8J1xI1g2LcFhQkx1Pc6thKvamGKwwCAaFpmbF2T0n_LajnLn_f75qZavmLPCuq012hRGCHp1PODAqHyxAXFoYT3eH0RpDkZHfedTMFXb0DZcA7pII7yKK07wlmmSZujVk/s1600/IMG_3919.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLodz8J1xI1g2LcFhQkx1Pc6thKvamGKwwCAaFpmbF2T0n_LajnLn_f75qZavmLPCuq012hRGCHp1PODAqHyxAXFoYT3eH0RpDkZHfedTMFXb0DZcA7pII7yKK07wlmmSZujVk/s320/IMG_3919.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
Ok it's not the most ordinary place...<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNMWCRN0F2-rbY8fVkL5ewEqlWcnpayqsSKhvIuW3BdUS8kexahKdDeQ3IVIuXN99UOtgMrO9ud1p9F0jE8ki0OPra5d8nUEMVZxAkIAQjuHZDB_z11D9ucBZ_fExESrEhOumD/s1600/IMG_3907.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNMWCRN0F2-rbY8fVkL5ewEqlWcnpayqsSKhvIuW3BdUS8kexahKdDeQ3IVIuXN99UOtgMrO9ud1p9F0jE8ki0OPra5d8nUEMVZxAkIAQjuHZDB_z11D9ucBZ_fExESrEhOumD/s320/IMG_3907.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLF6BeMCET46fhYk_Zjm_W9UXD5yIdxogjsiBUxSYSuq_dsJ2NdfeLAdhCIObJky8MXra8-RL0WOokmSJFQWqOcnaIw0qbgIuj6F5Jrc4xOroKhPi7JvAvT2z5v47dKQSLhxga/s1600/IMG_3915.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLF6BeMCET46fhYk_Zjm_W9UXD5yIdxogjsiBUxSYSuq_dsJ2NdfeLAdhCIObJky8MXra8-RL0WOokmSJFQWqOcnaIw0qbgIuj6F5Jrc4xOroKhPi7JvAvT2z5v47dKQSLhxga/s640/IMG_3915.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
Nearby Rancho Grande...<br />
<br />
Ok more to come on the repairs...custom full float axle, new paint job, and oh yeah this happened:<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik5m22i4e2FbCdyhbWcbFP8RA-0VWdbCcZPZ26P8bzpUU0bv_X2TqXEKQSmcJ2jCoA5NPKLW76WCjE5gDJgwHw1fJcB8Z67JwDAq7rD9JST5SVvlMFQX9a7mBI7oSSgPGz6bZo/s1600/IMG_3928.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik5m22i4e2FbCdyhbWcbFP8RA-0VWdbCcZPZ26P8bzpUU0bv_X2TqXEKQSmcJ2jCoA5NPKLW76WCjE5gDJgwHw1fJcB8Z67JwDAq7rD9JST5SVvlMFQX9a7mBI7oSSgPGz6bZo/s320/IMG_3928.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
If you look back to older posts I guess I knew this was likely going to happen (mount failure)...anyways that's getting repaired as well...<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVfE7caDOKLzw4xtH7AbeByk1UjAiwN99x3nsYzkyOCz48ALrPLSuTaCeHerANYkX2BCnQdn2YK5fZMhzWLstYkP3fdWxsowM8S5WWRfj7ZoxJAqM9Mr8q-u5YzFdd-qgJChTZ/s1600/IMG_3994.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVfE7caDOKLzw4xtH7AbeByk1UjAiwN99x3nsYzkyOCz48ALrPLSuTaCeHerANYkX2BCnQdn2YK5fZMhzWLstYkP3fdWxsowM8S5WWRfj7ZoxJAqM9Mr8q-u5YzFdd-qgJChTZ/s320/IMG_3994.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJrzCIBi0jd4JWHwaflpFuNlFsETrhVpQM3Old66rzxmZzFQr3JV4x5DCGAAxqP7ab1rDysSw5FVLie5r7k1DdGIvZ9Dfx6kGN-jrd-Enl72j8UyR07Si91ETdwtzSJRX4lQGr/s1600/IMG_4023.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJrzCIBi0jd4JWHwaflpFuNlFsETrhVpQM3Old66rzxmZzFQr3JV4x5DCGAAxqP7ab1rDysSw5FVLie5r7k1DdGIvZ9Dfx6kGN-jrd-Enl72j8UyR07Si91ETdwtzSJRX4lQGr/s640/IMG_4023.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
In the meantime so it sits...<br />
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-3609857381090453";
google_ad_width = 728;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "728x90_as";
google_ad_type = "text_image";
google_ad_channel = "";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11935501923231513309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34016417.post-33581702920577259002010-06-07T06:10:00.001-07:002010-06-07T06:10:59.764-07:00Nicaraguan ConstructionIn case you're wondering what we've been up to and why we haven't been using the Super Camper much, here's a sneak peak at our new project. If you like what you see, check out our other blog: <a href="http://www.surflifenicaragua.blogspot.com/">http://www.surflifenicaragua.blogspot.com</a><br />
<br />
<object height="505" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/cBMEBOM6iCc&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/cBMEBOM6iCc&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="505"></embed></object><br />
<br />
So far we have two small houses on our lot. We built the first one for our caretakers then liked it so much we claimed it for ourselves and built them another one. Both are little studio-sized houses. Now we are finally starting to build The BIG House - a proper 2 story, 3 bedroom house with big outdoor patio/bbq area, balcony, etc. Check it out!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-3609857381090453";
google_ad_width = 728;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "728x90_as";
google_ad_type = "text_image";
google_ad_channel = "";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script></div>Holly Beckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05673720487366844778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34016417.post-62348028280907267222010-01-30T14:56:00.000-08:002010-01-30T14:56:34.006-08:00The Super Camper appears in a 2010 4Runner webisode<object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/IyG7baJL7-o&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/IyG7baJL7-o&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
A few months ago I was invited to spend a weekend test driving the new 2010 Toyota 4Runner. They gathered 4 current Toyota owners and set us loose in the new model. We surfed, ate, shopped, camped, and then tested the new ride offroad. Super fun experience! Check out the clip and watch for the Super Camper cameo!<br />
<br />
And if you are interested in what I thought about the 2010 4Runner, you can watch the video below as well.<br />
<object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/TNwHdGVcXgU&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/TNwHdGVcXgU&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-3609857381090453";
google_ad_width = 728;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "728x90_as";
google_ad_type = "text_image";
google_ad_channel = "";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script></div>Holly Beckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05673720487366844778noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34016417.post-72143860687090846012010-01-06T06:32:00.000-08:002010-01-06T06:39:08.976-08:00The Super Camper Survives BajaThose of you who are familiar with this blog know that we started building The Super Camper in 2004. By the end of 2006 it was finished and made it's maiden voyage to Baja. On it's second journey over the border it was broadsided by another truck and nearly totaled (see the second video clip embedded in this post for that story). Finally at the very end of 2009, The Super Camper returned to Baja and completed the mission successfully. Check out a few clips from the adventure.<br />
<br />
<object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/trjKy7PcWZw&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/trjKy7PcWZw&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br />
Music: <a href="http://www.motherhips.com/">The Mother Hips</a><br />
Camper POV and longboard footage shot with the <a href="http://www.gopro.com/">GoPro HD cam </a><br />
<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/F1o8pLCVqps&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/F1o8pLCVqps&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br />
Back in 2006, ten hours into a 14 hour drive we were hit in the side by an oncoming truck.<br />
Our vacation that had just begun was suddenly cut short and we spent the next two nights in a junkyard.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-3609857381090453";
google_ad_width = 728;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "728x90_as";
google_ad_type = "text_image";
google_ad_channel = "";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script></div>Holly Beckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05673720487366844778noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34016417.post-88366038450646687222009-10-13T17:34:00.001-07:002009-10-16T07:58:41.620-07:00The Super Camper goes to the Desert<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0MvsysS1eSc82xIvpUm4z6yuYeJyAjW0lbSv6dT12aJp2l2P2IcQfadv-KuAp0-c9Yqdxm0WdqC29m2EGSzDpv1I-GO5NrjSpARUgSwR2Z2D2L-p_-hzbS4chejt-Mzn14fz7Lg/s1600-h/desertarmswide.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0MvsysS1eSc82xIvpUm4z6yuYeJyAjW0lbSv6dT12aJp2l2P2IcQfadv-KuAp0-c9Yqdxm0WdqC29m2EGSzDpv1I-GO5NrjSpARUgSwR2Z2D2L-p_-hzbS4chejt-Mzn14fz7Lg/s400/desertarmswide.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392262873578088402" border="0" /></a><br />Cell phone turned off, computer left behind, we took off down a 4x4 track to let the mind unwind...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkPQJBmKB99D4v9oAYYyDbEVxLl4CBpTM7vd6NKiyTUvVQPcLdGwjBSibKx2WTWkpdwX3-6XUIz6SBOEaY_AyFwIMWq-12BPH1JjpB2auemZUIxf1DIsGuycAfg3pjDh144TFQbw/s1600-h/camperbacklean2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkPQJBmKB99D4v9oAYYyDbEVxLl4CBpTM7vd6NKiyTUvVQPcLdGwjBSibKx2WTWkpdwX3-6XUIz6SBOEaY_AyFwIMWq-12BPH1JjpB2auemZUIxf1DIsGuycAfg3pjDh144TFQbw/s400/camperbacklean2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392262841147511058" border="0" /></a>I'll admit that before this little weekend getaway, I wasn't too fired up on the desert. It's dry. It's hot. It's kinda empty.<br />"Can't we go to trees?" I asked Ryan.<br />"Let's go to open space." He responded.<br />Silly me for not trusting him. Open space was just what I wanted.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghAs8uhCzhlA4SU6JvsUZWrSH3OA8W__hHJUB8zZ7JxC7GQOmeuez2-HIn_8VGyd6jW9zzc9mUEZwKoEGBZnHhxfznGxlwXav-DxhtgUjnxeeO8ov9ZFfQ87JmOLznB0YafxpeoA/s1600-h/coffeedrinkerview_2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghAs8uhCzhlA4SU6JvsUZWrSH3OA8W__hHJUB8zZ7JxC7GQOmeuez2-HIn_8VGyd6jW9zzc9mUEZwKoEGBZnHhxfznGxlwXav-DxhtgUjnxeeO8ov9ZFfQ87JmOLznB0YafxpeoA/s400/coffeedrinkerview_2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392249910336531330" border="0" /></a><br />I sat for a couple of hours with no phone service, no internet connection, not even a magazine for distraction. I sipped my coffee and sat. I let my eyes take in all that open space and felt at peace to let my mind wander. He was right. It was exactly what I needed.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieszmuB8Fno_8xgTFxqsNc5P4v94OezvdvrG5mg8r2g4FTYEQCFHv49NBxzFkEgYOJOG29aSaasWvCWMVHlrRbTGqwZAs06SexmTu9joCRi-xrifo-HsLJ40czU4B3icudikg6XA/s1600-h/camperdriver.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieszmuB8Fno_8xgTFxqsNc5P4v94OezvdvrG5mg8r2g4FTYEQCFHv49NBxzFkEgYOJOG29aSaasWvCWMVHlrRbTGqwZAs06SexmTu9joCRi-xrifo-HsLJ40czU4B3icudikg6XA/s400/camperdriver.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392248443462378962" border="0" /></a>We had taken the camper off of pavement before, covered by <a href="http://www.quotezone.co.uk/van-insurance.htm">van insurance</a>, but it had been far too long. We were both stoked to get the camper back into the dirt.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_LYYEVXQvsRd9VDWkMBt1YfAKpmp7tOjm50mAWnERL_E9HFWNT4hyr3LocwgLYzcFs3xih458P5WiU1SevbvVrjXV3qw_Q_UYMROOw5Tc2y0dh7TIPxKrzBkFwTAGAqM2kZvcLA/s1600-h/driverview.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_LYYEVXQvsRd9VDWkMBt1YfAKpmp7tOjm50mAWnERL_E9HFWNT4hyr3LocwgLYzcFs3xih458P5WiU1SevbvVrjXV3qw_Q_UYMROOw5Tc2y0dh7TIPxKrzBkFwTAGAqM2kZvcLA/s400/driverview.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392251513133696018" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwahWbnKkVeMfWauv1GGACVtRQrKPJR5L_briEfP7KrUG51vtXfTrxzkr8aif5LOFijL79ZjV4MkLWh1dl8re2bRUIUAXLFTt-AW3zQsia47Z_AMLdolVE9j3z8waNo8qeBg9AfA/s1600-h/treegirl.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwahWbnKkVeMfWauv1GGACVtRQrKPJR5L_briEfP7KrUG51vtXfTrxzkr8aif5LOFijL79ZjV4MkLWh1dl8re2bRUIUAXLFTt-AW3zQsia47Z_AMLdolVE9j3z8waNo8qeBg9AfA/s400/treegirl.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392248451837335506" border="0" /></a>It was really nice to get away from people and appreciate different things...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlGE2hCC9k3iS9BVDg7rTTT7tbx-Dd7d1C6ZNt-662TY9JMKtZwEV20UVqfaVpvqHn4xLRrFc46MTYsrp9MFpEZAbuD0kyBhBo4EafRnByhV35jwFbc1v3n-lzlv3UjiL7qDdNnw/s1600-h/rockgirlwalking.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlGE2hCC9k3iS9BVDg7rTTT7tbx-Dd7d1C6ZNt-662TY9JMKtZwEV20UVqfaVpvqHn4xLRrFc46MTYsrp9MFpEZAbuD0kyBhBo4EafRnByhV35jwFbc1v3n-lzlv3UjiL7qDdNnw/s400/rockgirlwalking.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392248454632511874" border="0" /></a>new perspectives...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzG6b-BtyiDn4suAyXo88w3keEL80vWunluxSXL6DRSEYHV9QoZPGX-zLGqKidKLERiD596E-69lgLR-rmp-rk9qJD0gro3QD5FXmj_q3_d5we0YehQKzokRfGIuilV52KsWcKUg/s1600-h/STWwaterbottle.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzG6b-BtyiDn4suAyXo88w3keEL80vWunluxSXL6DRSEYHV9QoZPGX-zLGqKidKLERiD596E-69lgLR-rmp-rk9qJD0gro3QD5FXmj_q3_d5we0YehQKzokRfGIuilV52KsWcKUg/s400/STWwaterbottle.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392248463179134482" border="0" /></a>different views.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNLCn4nj-XWix5oCbgJ4q0Mz3IqPWNEdtBK69xfQ5aVeW2oEE0IpJm-e0oLB8V9Ek9bJSklQYotPpg2XRVH-yvqhidCStz7VCoIMVKtpoCsdAk00CdFN_3JBcDNrHJrYzttrCwHQ/s1600-h/tortoise.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNLCn4nj-XWix5oCbgJ4q0Mz3IqPWNEdtBK69xfQ5aVeW2oEE0IpJm-e0oLB8V9Ek9bJSklQYotPpg2XRVH-yvqhidCStz7VCoIMVKtpoCsdAk00CdFN_3JBcDNrHJrYzttrCwHQ/s400/tortoise.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392249173519283378" border="0" /></a>Ryan heard a desert tortoise shuffling under a rock while I was lost inside my head. Luckily, he pulled me down to check it out.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmY0k40b3ktsd1xMqMa7BzdPrWZqcX6hFwqADzeerPLehpt0oBKVmAjL_Geg2BbSvjT_r8HVaBaDDNiKWHY3ugQLDsHu3yPH4kTlPYpLFkODai0tTLBhyphenhyphenscGvuxVqAgU-AV1ddOw/s1600-h/girlcamper.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmY0k40b3ktsd1xMqMa7BzdPrWZqcX6hFwqADzeerPLehpt0oBKVmAjL_Geg2BbSvjT_r8HVaBaDDNiKWHY3ugQLDsHu3yPH4kTlPYpLFkODai0tTLBhyphenhyphenscGvuxVqAgU-AV1ddOw/s400/girlcamper.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392248473904321474" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtbK0x2YU23YZzOmKVJB__1WBa-lnQWEBw7di7roNEmewcXuhHLc8eHzyfQ_IphWeJZRuKGCOjV0OGx9yCgTV8_962b-lb7zGtrLfbHprFgUrkawvcX4lHGEmnOksWJM4Dj3wkig/s1600-h/IMG_2336_resize.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtbK0x2YU23YZzOmKVJB__1WBa-lnQWEBw7di7roNEmewcXuhHLc8eHzyfQ_IphWeJZRuKGCOjV0OGx9yCgTV8_962b-lb7zGtrLfbHprFgUrkawvcX4lHGEmnOksWJM4Dj3wkig/s400/IMG_2336_resize.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392249933920467762" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXLGRYYFovSe7OKhlCXHhCjtfBVFTwm-ugUlw_OCG2UZNcciaWpa_DzShlu6Qp8ND-cK7w9npQTBX9LidG5b8ThzQRUH2vCLcUgEEaJdlyZP_idolMPWLLrjTU4sZN0omwzue8Qw/s1600-h/campergirlheadd.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXLGRYYFovSe7OKhlCXHhCjtfBVFTwm-ugUlw_OCG2UZNcciaWpa_DzShlu6Qp8ND-cK7w9npQTBX9LidG5b8ThzQRUH2vCLcUgEEaJdlyZP_idolMPWLLrjTU4sZN0omwzue8Qw/s400/campergirlheadd.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392251520074309378" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg4OkOhqslIEuzhQkSsM627VUAGlf2beSDWL6sqBI5S7wYPA3TE5xHhbFeU4_RE4nOUXCwqzKPFJu0cs8-Z_wB4V1pCTlxwiQV_H0LRRXYyoVXKO1ox9Z_Izs70vhewMXLO-raXg/s1600-h/lizardlooker.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg4OkOhqslIEuzhQkSsM627VUAGlf2beSDWL6sqBI5S7wYPA3TE5xHhbFeU4_RE4nOUXCwqzKPFJu0cs8-Z_wB4V1pCTlxwiQV_H0LRRXYyoVXKO1ox9Z_Izs70vhewMXLO-raXg/s400/lizardlooker.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392249926642887826" border="0" /></a>Ryan took some time to go look for lizards,<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOqdve9d0mYAUjRJpy03eFbMn3IsuNCFsME7aL_xc0wkQUgsS0kpbLa8yVsXaCcK4kSPyvyidfeJ10wMNV0NQdHmzuhl6s_1xSRXKpjvdK53rQhob1Mewf2uL6Ejh7rXoeX51gvA/s1600-h/IMG_2388_resize_2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOqdve9d0mYAUjRJpy03eFbMn3IsuNCFsME7aL_xc0wkQUgsS0kpbLa8yVsXaCcK4kSPyvyidfeJ10wMNV0NQdHmzuhl6s_1xSRXKpjvdK53rQhob1Mewf2uL6Ejh7rXoeX51gvA/s400/IMG_2388_resize_2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392249919819944818" border="0" /></a>and take more pictures of heaven.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUgPvLjRicWOP-AGIIhyphenhyphen0_S1Z6FPwnfdGVT7ZC70W_J1hHTSiity4mDUeDZDfHReDjgYkN9Jra7ZAaaitxpprgz8rWn_wz5PgJzqove3ItPwJft0DQbIKQnCNJdUOF1uFXCjjiUQ/s1600-h/camperrockbackground.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUgPvLjRicWOP-AGIIhyphenhyphen0_S1Z6FPwnfdGVT7ZC70W_J1hHTSiity4mDUeDZDfHReDjgYkN9Jra7ZAaaitxpprgz8rWn_wz5PgJzqove3ItPwJft0DQbIKQnCNJdUOF1uFXCjjiUQ/s400/camperrockbackground.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392251502388001074" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8YvSSHabYP3_Ng09HjyE8G0EuLQv5IPtlRV5ZroVHwX5kR6NhuVPhFnyCwDdlSKJ97KUFDHiDDiDnQX1uJ-C9GouN6IrgLk5VKxFOHSZcTIl3hIWCmjqDxz_WuqBHQLKaxOJzXQ/s1600-h/hornytoad.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8YvSSHabYP3_Ng09HjyE8G0EuLQv5IPtlRV5ZroVHwX5kR6NhuVPhFnyCwDdlSKJ97KUFDHiDDiDnQX1uJ-C9GouN6IrgLk5VKxFOHSZcTIl3hIWCmjqDxz_WuqBHQLKaxOJzXQ/s400/hornytoad.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392249902249359922" border="0" /></a>My second favorite find of the weekend (besides that view) was a cute little "horny toad".<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3yZPyqmKN-DI3X-Af_TYDFHgPBrapU0BQGlY_m-Yogv_hifztK1riyLn2kWie63VSsPFNZwoKGad2YvvhVRom7iAmwavA5D9u2BD1JfUCwamJv3LW029qyTySLzT0Vp_KIB3VhA/s1600-h/insidelookout.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3yZPyqmKN-DI3X-Af_TYDFHgPBrapU0BQGlY_m-Yogv_hifztK1riyLn2kWie63VSsPFNZwoKGad2YvvhVRom7iAmwavA5D9u2BD1JfUCwamJv3LW029qyTySLzT0Vp_KIB3VhA/s400/insidelookout.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392251531752937922" border="0" /></a><br /><object width="660" height="525"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/TXnuZ0JdNKM&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/TXnuZ0JdNKM&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="660" height="525"></embed></object><br />Click here for the video of the trip!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-3609857381090453";
google_ad_width = 728;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "728x90_as";
google_ad_type = "text_image";
google_ad_channel = "";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script></div>Holly Beckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05673720487366844778noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34016417.post-80253286521275000302009-08-28T10:20:00.000-07:002009-08-28T10:21:31.027-07:00An inside tour of The Super Camper<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/XEDGXrOglMs&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/XEDGXrOglMs&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-3609857381090453";
google_ad_width = 728;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "728x90_as";
google_ad_type = "text_image";
google_ad_channel = "";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script></div>Holly Beckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05673720487366844778noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34016417.post-84705191257265278422009-02-24T11:18:00.000-08:002009-02-24T11:25:44.556-08:00The Super Camper goes to Palos Verdes<img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/january09/cove.jpg" /><br /><br />With a swell forecasted to pick up throughout the day on a warm sunny Saturday, we loaded up the camper with a few boards each and cruised up the hill to Palos Verdes.<br /><br />I know, I know, when are we going to take the camper somewhere more exotic you're wondering. I'm wondering that too. With the situation in Baja as sketchy as it has been lately, and any other surf destination requiring a long drive, right now we are stuck with local trips. It could be worse!<br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/january09/walkdown.jpg" /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">heading down to the cove...</span><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/january09/boy.jpg" /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Ryan, giving me his standard, "are you really taking another photo?" look.</span><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/january09/littlereef.jpg" /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/january09/boy2.jpg" /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">post-surf smile</span><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/january09/cove2.jpg" /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">The camper keeps the beers cold, but not when they are down on the rocks. </span><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/january09/beer.jpg" /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Even warm beer tastes good after surfing all afternoon!</span><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/january09/honies.jpg" /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/january09/cove3.jpg" /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/january09/sunset.jpg" /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/january09/camper.jpg" /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Loading the camper back up for the quick drive back home.</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-3609857381090453";
google_ad_width = 728;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "728x90_as";
google_ad_type = "text_image";
google_ad_channel = "";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script></div>Holly Beckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05673720487366844778noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34016417.post-31257734973244266462008-09-23T10:48:00.000-07:002008-09-24T08:58:58.217-07:00The Super Camper goes to the Stone Brewery<img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/super%20camper/campertime.jpg" /><br /><br />On a warm sunny Saturday we impulsively loaded the camper with a change of clothes, a surfboard and wetsuit each, and not much else for a mission we'd been meaning to take for a while; a first visit to our favorite San Diego brewery, the <a href="http://www.stonebrew.com/">Stone Brewing Co</a>.<br /><br />With such favorites as the Ruination IPA, the Levitation Ale, and the headlining Arrogant Bastard Ale, (and not one brew falling into the Lager category), we certainly appreciate the Stone options. The past few times Ryan cracked open a 22oz. Stone brew he once again reminded me that we really needed to take a trip to check them out. Facing a rare weekend without anything else going on (including surf), the time had come.<br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/super%20camper/stonehop.jpg" /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Ryan admired the hops growing along the path from the parking lot to the brewery.<br /><br /></span><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/super%20camper/stoneboy.jpg" /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Once inside, we grabbed a table and ordered from the long list of interesting beer options.<br /><br /></span><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/super%20camper/stonegirl.jpg" /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">I chose a Stone variety that i'd never seen in a store, the <a href="http://www.stonebrew.com/cali/index.php">Stone Cali - Belgique IPA</a></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">It turned out to be an excellent choice! I can't wait to see some in the stores so I can take home a few 22s.<br /><br /></span><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/super%20camper/stonecouple2.jpg" /><br /><span style="display: block;" id="formatbar_Buttons"><span class="on" style="display: block;" id="formatbar_CreateLink" title="Link" onmouseover="ButtonHoverOn(this);" onmouseout="ButtonHoverOff(this);" onmouseup="" onmousedown="CheckFormatting(event);FormatbarButton('richeditorframe', this, 8);ButtonMouseDown(this);"></span></span><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/super%20camper/stonegarden.jpg" /><br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/super%20camper/stonetour.jpg" /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">We then took a tour of the brewery and stood patiently while the tour guide explained to other tourists about the key ingredients of beer.<br /><br /></span><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/super%20camper/fridgeview.jpg" /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">We were impressed with the massive walk-in fridge which stored kegs and cases of Stone and other beers.<br /><br /></span><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/super%20camper/camperdixon3.jpg" /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">And since this is the Super Camper blog, here's a photo of the camper at Dixon Lake.<br /><br /></span><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/super%20camper/camperdixon.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/super%20camper/camperdixon2.jpg" /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">It was refreshing to realize that you can still show up to a campground on a Saturday afternoon without a reservation and get a spot. It might have been the last one, but at least we got it! </span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-3609857381090453";
google_ad_width = 728;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "728x90_as";
google_ad_type = "text_image";
google_ad_channel = "";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script></div>Holly Beckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05673720487366844778noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34016417.post-54892120477531965252008-08-20T07:56:00.000-07:002008-08-20T08:21:54.174-07:00Reconnaissance Mission to MexicoIt has been far too long since the super camper has been out of the driveway and on any sort of adventure. Poor thing! Lately, we've been flying down to Nicaragua every time Ryan decides to sneak away from work. But, we do have some plans in the works. Hopefully in March/April '09, we will finally begin the journey the camper was made for, and drive to Nicaragua.<br /><br />In the meantime, Ryan had a week off and decided to take the boys to Mainland Mexico for a little reconnaissance mission. He rented a 4x4 Jeep with which to explore and imagine where he would take the camper.<br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/rivercrossing.jpg" /><br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/sketchroad.jpg" /><br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/point2.jpg" /><br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/point3.jpg" /><br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/point.jpg" /><br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/beach.jpg" /><br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/beach2.jpg" /><br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/camper1.jpg" /><br /><br />We thought the camper would really stand out and be very noticeable, but Ryan found some strangely similar looking vehicles and figured maybe the camper would fit right in.<br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/camper2.jpg" /><br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/camper3.jpg" /><br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/beachcrew.jpg" /><br /><br />Hopefully next time we'll actually be in the super camper!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-3609857381090453";
google_ad_width = 728;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "728x90_as";
google_ad_type = "text_image";
google_ad_channel = "";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script></div>Holly Beckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05673720487366844778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34016417.post-20980385444999048852008-01-06T14:37:00.000-08:002008-01-06T15:59:23.341-08:00The Super Camper goes North for the Big Swell<br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/elcapcamper/IMG_0127.jpg"> <br><i>Sunset at home, the night before departure.</i><br><br />Months prior, Ryan had decided to take off the first week of December for a trip to Baja. It had almost been a year since our pre-Christmas accident on the way to the wall that nearly totaled our truck and our dreams. We lost motivation for a while. After 6 months, the camper was finally back in one piece and the truck was repaired. Still, our motivation was lacking. We took a month off in August and left the camper at home for a trip to Bali and the Maldives. Check out my other blog for that story and photos: http://hollybecksurfs.blogspot.com/2007/09/mutual-understanding-in-indian-ocean.html<br /><br><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/elcapcamper/campercarp.jpg"><br><br /> I was traveling most of September, October, and November, so that first week of December was our first chance to pack up the camper and actually take it camping since the accident. Our plan was to head back down to Baja, possibly hitting up the Seven Sisters, especially after seeing the solid swell forecast to hit mid-week. It seemed the perfect plan, except for all the recent sketchy reports coming out of Baja. We never assumed Baja to be perfectly safe. Still, the increase in reports and severity of car-jackings was enough to have us doubting our plan. Up until the day before our scheduled departure, we still hadn't decided whether we would head South over the border, or North to much safer but less exciting destinations. The night before, Ryan checked the surf and weather forecast one more time and seeing a likelihood of South wind and rain included with the big swell, we decided to skip the 14 hour drive and potential dangers and camp a little closer to home instead. <br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/elcapcamper/plaskett2.jpg"><br><i>Plaskett Creek</i><br><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/elcapcamper/girlwine.jpg"><br> <i>Wine, cheese, crackers, and a sunset. </i><br><br />With a few days before the swell hit, we started by driving North, all the way up to Big Sur to camp at Plaskett Creek. Arriving just before sunset, we were incredibly disappointed to see that probably due to all the wildfires in California recently, campfires were prohibited. A sign insisted that even a gas stove must be approved by the camp host before use. This wasn't lawless Baja at all. Ryan was outraged that we couldn't sit around a campfire, so we only spent one night and began driving back South. <br><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/elcapcamper/plaskett3.jpg"> <img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/elcapcamper/girlcoffee.jpg"> <br><i>Cold morning with hot coffee</i><br><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/elcapcamper/plaskettcamper.jpg"><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/elcapcamper/willow.jpg"><br> <i>We could have surfed, but it was cold and we were content to just check it from the cliff. </i><br><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/elcapcamper/carp.jpg"><br><i>Checking Carp. Still not in the mood to paddle out, even though the sun was finally warming things up.</i><br><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/elcapcamper/campercarp2.jpg"><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/elcapcamper/jalama.jpg"><br> <i>Next stop, Jalama! Where campfires are allowed!</i><br><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/elcapcamper/jalama2.jpg"><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/elcapcamper/handstand.jpg"><br> <i>Even though it was a much shorter drive than it would have been if we had gone to Baja, I was still happy to get out and stretch my legs.</i><br> <img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/elcapcamper/fly.jpg"><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/elcapcamper/jalamawater.jpg"> <br>With the swell scheduled to start picking up the next morning, we went to sleep excited. A short night later, we awoke to a howling wind and a clear increase in surf. The coffee was made quickly as we packed up, and continued driving South to El Cap. <br />As expected, the waves were pumping. Unfortunately, we were so busy surfing and catching up with old friends that the photo taking slowed down considerably. <img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/elcapcamper/fire.jpg"><br><i> Campfire at El Cap.</i><br><br />After checking every option in Santa Barbara and Ventura either ourselves or via phone reports from friends, we ended up spending the big day at Rincon, then headed back to El Cap for another night. Fortunately, there were more friends around to share stories around the campfire.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/elcapcamper/gage.jpg"><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/elcapcamper/jim.jpg"><br> <i> One of the greatest things about surfing is the variety of surfers that become friends. This is Jim. <br></i><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/elcapcamper/jimvanme.jpg"> <br><i> This is Jim's camper.</i><br><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/elcapcamper/campershower.jpg"><br> <i>Me, enjoying the shower feature after a session at El Cap.</i><br><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/elcapcamper/phone.jpg"><br><i> We were happy about surfing different spots, but started wondering if it might be pretty good at home too. We made some calls and decided to pull anchor and set sail for more familiar waters. It turned out to be a good call.</i><br /><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/BIYY33qQrbk&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/BIYY33qQrbk&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/elcapcamper/haggs.jpg"> <br><i>Home sweet home.</i><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-3609857381090453";
google_ad_width = 728;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "728x90_as";
google_ad_type = "text_image";
google_ad_channel = "";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script></div>Holly Beckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05673720487366844778noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34016417.post-43653169315231127902007-11-10T18:33:00.001-08:002007-11-10T18:35:31.881-08:00The Super Camper goes to the OC!<br /><br />After way too long without a surf trip, we finally hopped in the camper to explore a surf spot not too far away and were definitely rewarded. Check it out!<br /><br /><object height="355" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/PZGZQIsm2MQ&rel=1"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/PZGZQIsm2MQ&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="355" width="425"></embed></object><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-3609857381090453";
google_ad_width = 728;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "728x90_as";
google_ad_type = "text_image";
google_ad_channel = "";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script></div>Holly Beckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05673720487366844778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34016417.post-65898200274323613962007-05-08T07:12:00.000-07:002007-05-08T07:38:43.518-07:00The Super Camper: It's back on there!<br /><br />After nearly 6 months of separation, as of this past weekend the Super Camper is finally back in one piece!<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/campermods/onthere2.jpg"><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/campermods/cinco2.jpg"><br />On Cinco De Mayo we prepared everything. We tie-wrapped loose wires, cut 2"x4"s to be used in the lifting, tested out the farm jack, and celebrated the Mexican holiday...<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/campermods/cinco.jpg"><br /><br />On Sunday the sixth of Mayo, we lured a handful of friends with the promise of carne asada, salsa, guacamole, and cold tecates! Our friends are getting a little tired of doing so much heavy lifting. Hopefully this is the last time for a long while we will need their services. It was a beautiful day and the surf was really good, so they showed up a little tired.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/campermods/petro.jpg"><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/campermods/jack3.jpg"><br />Ryan promised them they wouldn't have to lift as much as last time since he purchased a Farm Jack from Harbor Freight to help out.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/campermods/jack.jpg"><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/campermods/jack2.jpg"><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/campermods/jacked.jpg"><br />My sister Helina showed up to participate and was very helpful!<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/campermods/dale.jpg"><br />Even Dale came by to lend a hand and a few crazy stories.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/campermods/onthere.jpg"><br />Finally, the camper and truck were reunited!<br /><br />Big thanks to Dale, Andy, Helina, Uncle Jimmy, Petrocelli aka "Fartsaresmelly", and the Butchman!<br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/campermods/suntea.jpg"><br />Finally, we could get back to our preferred hobby - gardening - without feeling like we needed to be working on the camper!<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/campermods/watering.jpg"><br /><br />Check back soon for photos and stories from our next adventure!!!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-3609857381090453";
google_ad_width = 728;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "728x90_as";
google_ad_type = "text_image";
google_ad_channel = "";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script></div>Holly Beckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05673720487366844778noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34016417.post-18006135580309199142007-04-15T07:23:00.000-07:002007-04-19T17:59:21.523-07:00The Super Camper: Rebuilding continues...<br /><br />Quite a few people have asked about the costs associated with the camper buildling project. From the first purchase we made (the truck itself) we put every receipt into a shoebox that after more than two years is now overflowing with bits of paper. We have been curious about the final cost tally as well and finally got around to adding everything up. So, here it is:<br /><br />Original price of New Truck in 2004: $25,000<br /><br />Nida-core: $3,638<br />Metal: $789<br />Fiberglassing supply: $531<br />Windows: $1,024<br />Refrigerator: $500<br />Mattress and cushions: $800<br />Wood: $160<br />Solar Panel and controller: $1,022<br />Tools, supplies: $879<br />Paint, adhesives: $417<br />misc items from Boater's World: $300<br />misc hardware items from McMaster Carr: $1,852<br />Carpet: $50<br />Towing Mirrors: $86<br />Truck upgrades (sway bar, lights, etc.): $950<br />Total not including truck: $12,838<br /><br />This is a rough estimate. It would definitely be cheaper if we made a second Super Camper as we learned quite a bit in the process.<br /><br />It took quite a while to get the truck back from repairs. On first inspection it looked pretty good. <br />Then we looked closer....<br />Ryan filled up the gas tank and it only took 14 gallons while the previous tank held 18. So, he took the truck back and demanded the proper tank. <br />Of course our main concern was the straightness of the frame. Ryan had me hose down the alley until a big puddle formed and then he drove the truck through to make sure the tracks were perfectly straight.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/campermods/straight.jpg"><br />We each had our own style of claiming the straightness, but as you can see, the frame seemed pretty good.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/campermods/straight2.jpg"><br /><br />Next, while we had plenty of room to work without the camper on the truck, Ryan wanted to strengthen the frame so that it would be less likely to twist in case of another impact. He decided to box the frame where possible and "double the web of the C" -- add a stiffening plate to the outside of the frame. <br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/campermods/boy.jpg"><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/campermods/welding2.jpg"><br />Ryan enlisted the help of his friend Sergio for the welding:<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/campermods/sergio.jpg"><br />Sometimes there were sparks flying in both directions with Sergio welding one side, while Ryan used the grinder to prepare for welding on the other.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/campermods/welding5.jpg"><br /><br />Ever since seeing this photo online of someone else's misfortune<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/campermods/mountcrumble.jpg"><br />Ryan has been worried about the strength of the bed mounts. Prior to the accident, he had installed mount supports which helped quite a bit but still the mounts caved slightly.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/campermods/mountsupport2.jpg"><br />So, Ryan decided to weld a plate to box the bed mounts as well.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/campermods/mountsupport-1.jpg"><br />After welding there was grinding...<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/campermods/grindingweld.jpg"><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/campermods/grindingweld2.jpg"><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/campermods/libertyale.jpg"><br /><i>mmmm.......Liberty Ale!</i><br />then there was priming...<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/campermods/priming.jpg"><br />then it was painted!<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/campermods/painted.jpg"><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/campermods/weld11.jpg"><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/campermods/weld10.jpg"><br /><br />Finally, he installed a metal "strap" that Xs in the middle to help prevent any twisting of the frame.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/campermods/strap.jpg"><br /><br />At last, he could sit on the porch and enjoy the last few sips of his Liberty Ale along with the last few moments of sunshine.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/campermods/libertyporch.jpg"><br /><br />In case you were wondering, it is gardening season once again....which means it is time for my favorite thing in the world (note sarcasm) indoor planting!<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/campermods/seeds.jpg"><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/campermods/babies.jpg"><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/campermods/tomatos.jpg"><br />Check back next time for the reunion of truck and camper!<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/campermods/couple.jpg"><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-3609857381090453";
google_ad_width = 728;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "728x90_as";
google_ad_type = "text_image";
google_ad_channel = "";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script></div>Holly Beckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05673720487366844778noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34016417.post-28258444280824841722007-01-14T17:37:00.000-08:002007-01-14T18:23:25.907-08:00The Super Camper: Rebuilding Begins<br /><br />After removing the camper from the truck (thanks again for all your help, friends!), we got a chance to take our time and really survey the damage to the frame from an easier angle. Ryan appreciated not having to be underneath the truck for once! <br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/mandown/tireholder.jpg" border="0"><br />One thing we didn't notice before was the severe kink and crack in the cross beam that supports the spare tire. <br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/mandown/brokenspring.jpg" border="0"><br />Here's another shot of the broken spring. Ryan was pleased with the strength of the extra bed mount support that he installed. For anyone who doubts the strength of rivets, these seven rivets allowed us to drive 20 miles, and sit for two hours in line to cross the border. If they hadn't held, we would have been in a far worse situation.<br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/mandown/bentbedmount.jpg" border="0"><br />Even with the supports, the bed mount buckled slightly. Imagine the damage had the supports not been installed!<br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/mandown/frametweak.jpg" border="0"><br />This photo is taken from above, looking down at the frame on the right side. You can see the little kink in the metal that pushes out along the bottom of the hole on the side of the frame. <br /><br />All this damage has made us understandably depressed ever since the accident. That combined with the fact that Ryan wasted a week of vacation from work and we didn't even get to surf, has made for little to be excited about. <br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/mandown/highwindadvisory.jpg" border="0"><br />So when the surf report lit up in bright red, I was relieved to see Ryan with a smile on his face. <br />It was after sunset, so he grabbed his binoculars to help see through the darkness to the flag that sits atop the post office and gives an accurate reading of current wind direction and speed. <br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/mandown/highwindbinos.jpg" border="0"><br />He liked what he saw...<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/mandown/highwindbinos2.jpg" border="0"><br />...and set the alarm to wake us early for what was sure to be the biggest wind swell of the season.<br />The morning dawned, and it was big alright.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/mandown/burnout3.jpg" border="0"><br />But far from perfect. There were lumps running this way and that, and often the waves would look amazing as they approached all the way up until the time they broke. We watched a few of our friends try it out but it looked like much more work than the payoff would warrant, so we just watched.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/mandown/burnout2.jpg" border="0"><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/mandown/lot.jpg" border="0"><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/mandown/burnout.jpg" border="0"><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/mandown/lot2.jpg" border="0"><br />We weren't the only ones choosing to watch instead of paddle out.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/mandown/lot3.jpg" border="0"><br /><br />Since the surf didn't provide us with an excuse for any more procrastination. It was time to begin rebuilding.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/mandown/native2.jpg" border="0"><br />Ryan donned his battle gear and got into it.<br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/mandown/boxrebuild3.jpg" border="0"><br />Since we had ordered just enough Nida-Core for the project, with only a little extra, we had to get creative and pull together a bunch of bits and pieces of scraps to make the shape of the utility box door that was blown apart in the collision.<br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/mandown/newdoor.jpg" border="0"><br />We then layed out layers of fiberglass tape and resined it into a complete piece.<br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/mandown/boxrebuild.jpg" border="0"><br />Ryan fitted the aluminum angle along the edges and riveted them on.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/mandown/boxrebuild2.jpg" border="0"><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/mandown/fixdoor.jpg" border="0"><br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/mandown/native.jpg" border="0"><br />This man looks like he needs a martini!<br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/mandown/martooni.jpg" border="0"><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/mandown/martooni2.jpg" border="0"><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/mandown/martooni3.jpg" border="0"><br />Ahhhhh..... that's better!<br /><br />The next step was to begin rebuilding the utility box itself. Fortunately we had plenty of extra aluminum and steel sheet metal left over from last time.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/mandown/drillboy.jpg" border="0"><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/mandown/newbox2.jpg" border="0"><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/mandown/newbox.jpg" border="0"><br /><br />We are very greatful that most of the damage to the camper itself is cosmetic. Only the front end was hit, so the very corner was smashed in which created a crease in the underside of the aluminum edge trim. <br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/mandown/straightening2.jpg" border="0"><br />Ryan drilled out the rivet, used his grinder to make a tear in the metal and then set up the jack underneath the pucker to use the weight of the camper to try to flatten it out.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/mandown/straightening.jpg" border="0"><br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/mandown/grindingmetal.jpg" border="0"><br />He then used his grinder to smooth out some of the scratches in the metal on the corner.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/mandown/grindmetal2.jpg" border="0"><br /><br />After receiving our estimate from the insurance companies appraiser, our depression level increased. Sure we didn't expect them to offer us the full amount at first, but the $4,500 appraisal seemed like a joke. It will obviously take much more than that to repair the truck. The Toyota was towed away to a body shop and now we just have to wait to hear their estimate, and find out what we can do next. In the meantime, we have been shopping for white 2004 Tacomas, with 4x4 and the TRD package. If you or anyone you know has one for sale for less than 50,000 miles, let us know!<br /><br />Finally, we went to the Redondo Beach Brewing Co. <br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/mandown/brewco.jpg" border="0"><br />for a beer.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/mandown/boybrewco.jpg" border="0"><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-3609857381090453";
google_ad_width = 728;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "728x90_as";
google_ad_type = "text_image";
google_ad_channel = "";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script></div>Holly Beckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05673720487366844778noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34016417.post-40278099448144238052007-01-08T07:09:00.000-08:002007-01-08T07:37:11.431-08:00A Little Help From Our Friends<br /><br />It's been a depressing holiday season. Not only is The Super Camper in need of intensive care, but we missed out on a much needed surf vacation. Coming back in time for Christmas and all the "what happened?"s was painful. <br /><br />You can't go on depressed forever. At some point, you just have to take a step forward and start rebuilding. After the insurance appraiser finally paid us a visit and lightly inspected the damage, we finally decided to remove the camper from the truck so that we could get a better look at the damage. <br /><br />Getting the camper on the truck was quite an ordeal in the first place. At that point, the camper consisted of just the fiberglass shell. Now, it has a 60 lb battery, a refrigerator, a heavy bed mattress, wooden cabinets, and a few other things that make it much heavier. Fortunately we have good strong friends that were happy to lend some lifting power. <br /><br />The first step was removing everything tying the camper to the frame. Ryan and I went around and disconnected the tail lights, the bumper lights, the air lift system, the funnel drain, the extra water tank, and finally the bumper itself.<br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/mandown/undo.jpg" border="0"><br /><br />Soon friends began arriving.<br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/mandown/undo2.jpg" border="0"><br /><br />We had help from a bartender, a surfboard sander, a tugboat operator, a longshoreman, a contractor, and with Ryan and I as an engineer and a pro surfer, there were a lot of theories coming from varying backgrounds on the best way to lift the camper from the truck and onto the sawhorses.<br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/mandown/undo3.jpg" border="0"><br /><br />First we slid a long 4"x4" with a 2"x4" nailed to it to add strength, under the front part of the camper, and rested it on two saw horses. Then we cut up some 2"x4"s and nailed them to one of the sawhorses to lift up the back end.<br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/mandown/undo4.jpg" border="0"><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/mandown/undo5.jpg" border="0"><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/mandown/undo6.jpg" border="0"><br /><br />Then the boys lifted the camper from the front, as Greg and I slid 2"x4's under the front end, one by one, to lift the front end. After a few lifts, the camper was raised enough to pull the truck out from underneath. The truck still didn't clear completely, so I hung onto the back end of the frame to lower it just enough while we slowly pushed the truck out from under the camper.<br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/mandown/undo8.jpg" border="0"><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/mandown/undo7.jpg" border="0"><br /><br />The next step was removing the 2"x4"s so that the camper rested safely on just the sawhorses.<br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/mandown/undo9.jpg" border="0"><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/mandown/undo10.jpg" border="0"><br /><br />Finally, Ryan could really see everything without having to be underneath the truck.<br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/mandown/undone.jpg" border="0"><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/mandown/undone2.jpg" border="0"><br /><br />Thank you so much to Greg, Butch, Fuj, Scott, and Charlie. We couldn't have done it without you!<br />The next step, is taking it to a frame shop for estimates...<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-3609857381090453";
google_ad_width = 728;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "728x90_as";
google_ad_type = "text_image";
google_ad_channel = "";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script></div>Holly Beckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05673720487366844778noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34016417.post-38698534381304138112006-12-25T07:13:00.001-08:002006-12-27T13:53:36.475-08:00The Super Camper : Nearly destroyed in Baja<br /><br /><strong><strong><em>Below is the story of the Super Camper's second trip to Baja which ended in disaster. If you don't feel like reading the full account, scroll down to the bottom for a video summary.</em></strong></strong><br /><br />December 20th 2006, 2:00pm. Almost ten hours into a fourteen hour drive, about to round a corner, following a Jeep at a safe distance, gnawing on teriyaki flavored beef jerky while discussing the feel of the ride after removing the anti-sway bar, suddenly I notice a large white utility truck coming towards us from the opposite direction, taking the curve ahead a few feet too wide.<br /><br />There’s that moment when you recognize impending disaster. You don’t have time to go through the thought process of what’s happening now or even what might happen next. You’re simply locked into the moment. And almost as if you’re watching a movie, you’re completely powerless to do anything but brace yourself and experience it. Those moments are not soon forgotten. So it is that those few seconds are painfully clear in my memory.<br /><br />The utility truck and Jeep swerved in opposing directions but not quickly enough to avoid impact. They bumped briefly and then bounced off like billiard balls. We watched the utility truck pass by Ryan’s window in a blur, and for a moment, believed we were clear. Then came the impact, the crunching sound, of metal on metal. The force knocked us sideways, shoving us into a ditch. We teetered at an angle long enough for me to look down, out the window at the pile of large rocks lining the road that had prevented any evasive maneuvers, and consider the possibility of us tipping over.<br /><br />Fortunately there was no cliff, and our low center of gravity served us well as we did not tip. The camper righted itself, and I struggled to get my mind around what had just happened.<br /><br />“Thank God we didn’t tip over”, I was thinking, when next to me Ryan started yelling, “get out, get out, there’s gas!”<br /><br />I jumped out. The video camera had been in my lap and I started filming the utility truck still driving down the hill. I thought he was going to run, so I tried to focus on the license plate with shaky hands. He pulled over at the base of the hill and Ryan was still yelling at me to get away from the camper.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/mandown/accidentditch.jpg" border="0" /><br />The truck had hit us just behind the driver’s door in the Xtracab section and completely annihilated the utility box holding our 5 gallon extra gas tank that we had just filled only a few miles before. It was now emptied in a pool on the pavement and gas was running down the road producing a very flammable slick. In the hours following, we would also give thanks that it did not ignite. Ryan tried to neutralize the risk by emptying our fire extinguisher onto the puddle, and we sat separately on the rocks on the side of the road in anger, frustration, and disbelief.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/mandown/accidentditch2.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/mandown/accident.jpg" border="0" /><br />The Jeep with California plates had pulled over up ahead and two well-dressed Mexicans were examining their damaged wheel well and flat tire while a boy of about 8 looked on from inside the vehicle.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/mandown/others.jpg" border="0" /><br />The Jeep was safely off the road, as was the utility truck, but the camper was stuck in a ditch and blocking most of the lone Southbound lane. I was impressed by how quickly and professionally the Mexicans began working together to control traffic. It seemed well rehearsed, as if this sort of thing happens all the time. After a semi-truck missed the front corner of the camper by less than a foot, we decided to try to move it off the road.<br /><br />Ryan got in, started it up, and put it in drive. Stepping on the gas pedal produced no result. He put it in 4-wheel-drive, and amidst the smoke from burning rubber, the front wheels caught hold and pulled the camper out of the ditch, across the road, and into a turnout on the other side. From there we could get underneath and really survey the damage.<br /><br />The driveshaft had been ripped free of the differential and was dragging on the ground.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/mandown/driveshaft.jpg" border="0" /><br />The driver’s side spring was broken completely and the other spring was tweaked.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/mandown/springbroken.jpg" border="0" /><br />The airbag we had just installed was ripped apart. The tire wasn’t just punctured, but completely blown to pieces. The aluminum angle that protects the edges of the camper fulfilled its duty, preventing the camper from crumbling, but it was crunched and the underside was mangled where the utility box had previously hung.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/mandown/boxrippage.jpg" border="0" /><br />I was standing there, video camera in hand, trying to imagine how we would ever get the camper home in that state, appreciating the fact that we hadn’t been hurt and that we had purchased Mexican insurance, but our cell phones had no service and help seemed far away. The guy who hit us, from here on referred to as “<em>El Culpable</em>” (the responsible one), began looking underneath the camper to see what could be done. Together, he and Ryan jacked it up and changed the tire. Then with the camper still perched on the jack, <em>El Culpable</em> and his partner, the logo on their hats told me they were electricians, got under the camper and started looking to see if the driveshaft and differential could be re-coupled. His partner seemed useless, and to prove my impression correct, he would soon resign himself to sitting on a rock on the roadside and smoking cigarettes while watching the cars go by, occasionally looking back at me with a creepy grin.<br /><br />Meanwhile, Ryan and <em>El Culpable</em> got to work beneath the camper. After much strain, they were able to loosen the bolts that held the drive shaft.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/mandown/fixingshaft.jpg" border="0" /><br />Once loosened they struggled with the long piece of unwieldy metal until eventually the ends slid together and the two parts were once again connected.<br /><br />The next largest impediment to driving was the broken spring. Of course that wasn’t going to be magically fixed on the side of the road, but they surmised that if they could get the whole spring moved forward enough, and then the front end pulled down and tucked under the piece of the frame that it was connected to in happier days, it would hold in place enough to drive to the next town. That was another interesting undertaking accomplished by employing many rocks of various sizes stacked together behind the tire to lift up the back end of the spring and force the front end forward. The back of an axe was used as a hammer to force the spring back into alignment, and finally, by jumping on the bumper to rock the spring forward further, the spring was eventually made to rest beneath the flange of steel that Ryan had attached to help support the bed mount under the weight of the camper. I’m sure he had no idea that piece of metal would actually help us in this situation.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/mandown/springrest.jpg" border="0" /><br />A police officer arrived on the scene at about this point, almost two hours after the accident. He circled the scene with that confident swagger displayed by men in uniform, flashed me a sparkling smile, and then launched into a fast-paced exchange with <em>El Culpable</em> wherein the driver admitted that he was in fact <em>culpable</em>, and explained that there had been another car involved, but had they changed their tire and left. The cop thought that over while looking at the dusty ground, then planted his feet wide apart, folded his arms over his chest, and asked what we wanted to do next. We told him we would try to drive to the next town, El Rosario, which was about twenty miles of hills and valleys away, call our insurance company, and figure out what to do.<br /><br />The cop immediately began discouraging us from contacting the insurance company. He was pushing for us to just drive to a mechanic and have it fixed there, with <em>El Culpable</em> picking up the bill. We weren’t sure of the full extent of the damage, but it seemed like something that should be fixed by professionals in the States, rather than a cheap Mexican job. The cop kept insisting that it would be much more of a hassle to get the insurance involved. He threatened that if we wanted a police report, both vehicles would have to be impounded and could be kept there up to a month before everything could be sorted out. After some arguing, I finally insisted that we get on the road and told the cop we would consider our options along the drive.<br /><br />As soon as my cell phone registered service, I dialed the insurance company. We had purchased our Mexican insurance through Sanborn’s, a distributor for General Electric. They answered almost immediately and seemed helpful. We gave a report of what had just taken place, and the representative told us that he would try to send an agent down that night to take a look at the damage. By the time the caravan of cop, electrician, and injured camper was nearing the next town of El Rosario, it was apparent that the cop was in a hurry to get this over with. Re-inserting the drive shaft into the differential brought the back wheels to life, but the spring was attached very precariously, and every revolution of the tire produced a rubbing sound. The brakes also felt squishy, so we were driving slowly over the hills and through the valleys. The cop pulled along side us and signaled to “hurry up!”<br /><br />Pulling into town, the speed bumps were torturous. The cop seemed to be on a parade route, waving, or pausing to chat with various people along the way. Eventually we were led to a dirt driveway with a small adjoining office lined with junk vehicles. Within minutes curious onlookers had us surrounded. The cop began issuing instructions to the short rotund mechanic, then paused to ask if we had called the insurance company. When I answered in the affirmative, his frustration level rose significantly. The mechanic shook his head and said that since we had already made the call, he couldn’t help us. We were a bit confused by all of this. No one spoke English, and while we both speak Spanish quite well, it was still difficult to understand the cop in his speedy tirades. He wasn’t making it easy on us. He was angry and blaming us for being difficult. He instructed the mechanic to attach the camper to the tow truck and told us that we would follow behind in his car on the way to the next big town of San Quintin. This didn’t sound good to us. We didn't want to risk further damage or let the camper out of our posession. I called the insurance company once more and told them of the developments. They said that since San Quintin was closer to Ensenada, if we were towed there, the adjuster could get to us faster. So we gave in and watched the swarm of Mexicans theorize on how to lift the camper.<br /><br />They first hooked the chain to the camper so that the chain was lifting the truck by the bumper. Since we had extended the bumper about a foot to accommodate the extra length of the camper, it was not sturdy enough to support the weight. Ryan tried to explain this to them, adding to the anger of the cop, who just wanted to get things moving. To change the angle of the chains to avoid the bumper, they then slid a long board under the spare tire so that it was taking the load. Ryan objected once again because the beam that supports the spare tire is even weaker than the bumper. At this point the cop was irate. We realized that he was late for a holiday party and in no mood to wait for us to make sure the camper was towed safely. The other Mexicans seemed to be siding with him. I tried to explain to the cop and a suave Mexican who I later learned was the owner of the Electrical company and the truck that had hit us, that this wasn’t just about getting money out of the insurance company. I explained that we had built that camper ourselves over the last two years and this was only its second trip. To us, it was worth more than money. We just wanted it fixed correctly. I think the owner understood but the cop was not to be swayed.<br /><br />Ryan got underneath and removed the spare tire from the harness, which had already been bent by the attempted lift. Then they were able to put a board on the chain that would be supported by the frame itself. We called it “good enough” and got into the cop car. Quite possibly the most surreal moment of the entire experience was looking out through the cracked windshield of the cop car at the camper, being dragged precariously by a tow truck, at a slight angle so that the front corner of the truck was riding about a foot into the oncoming lane, while the cop sang along to Mexican Oom-pa-pa music. We cringed every time a huge truck narrowly missed taking out the front end of the camper.<br /><br />Just after dark we arrived at the junkyard in San Quintin. The insurance adjuster called and said they would arrive first thing in the morning to take a look at the damage. We didn’t want to leave the camper, and since we were equipped for two weeks out in the desert, we decided to make camp in the junkyard. No one seemed to mind.<br /><br />That next morning, rather than opening the camper door to a view of a point break, we watched the sun rise over crashed cars.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/mandown/junkmorning.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/mandown/junkcoffee.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/mandown/junkcoffee2.jpg" border="0" /><br />The insurance adjuster arrived promptly at 8:00am, a short well-fed woman with a warm smile and her husband. Like everyone else, they spoke little English. She circled the camper, taking photos of the damage, as well as the truck that had hit us, which was parked conveniently alongside.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/mandown/elculpable3.jpg" border="0" /><br />We filled out a simple report. She said they had to tend to another situation further South, and would return at 1:30pm to meet with the cop and the responsible party. The cop showed up at nine, looking disheveled, still trying to get his tie situated beneath his collar, asking where the adjuster was. When we told him they had already came and left, he stormed off.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/mandown/junkliving2.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/mandown/junkliving4.jpg" border="0" /><br />There was a cute little dog in the junk yard that we named "Pinchy" as in "<em>pinchy perro</em>". Playing with him helped pass the time.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/mandown/junkdogs.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/mandown/junkliving5.jpg" border="0" /><br />Ryan called his Dad, who immediately offered to make the seven-hour drive down to pick us up. By the time he arrived, just before sunset, the adjuster still had not returned.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/mandown/junkdad.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/mandown/dad.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/mandown/dadscavenge.jpg" border="0" /><br />All afternoon the cop kept reminding us that it was our fault that this situation was so difficult. If we had just had the truck fixed in El Rosario, he insisted, we would be already on our way back home, or continuing on our camping trip. He didn’t realize the extent of the damage. Ryan had slid under the truck and saw that the broken spring was really the least of our worries. The transmission was leaking oil,<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/mandown/transmissionleak.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/mandown/transmissionleak2.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/mandown/gasline.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/mandown/gastankwounds.jpg" border="0" /><br />but much more worrisome was the realization that the frame itself was tweaked on both sides.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/mandown/tweakedtire.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/mandown/tweakedframe.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/mandown/tweakedbody.jpg" border="0" /><br />Ryan began to consider the fact that the truck might be totaled.<br /><br />Around 6pm, right when we had given up on the adjuster returning at all, they showed up. Apparently they had run out of gas. The cop was cursing and carrying on with a smile, giving them the jovial Mexican equivalent of “where the heck have you guys been, we’ve been waiting all day!” Throughout the day, his entire attitude towards us had changed. The night before, Ryan had given him a bottle of rum to take to his party, and we had won him over. The adjuster met with the cop, gave us a copy of the report, and took $1,200.00 from the responsible party. It was Friday, and she said that due to the holiday, the camper would be towed on Tuesday, the day after Christmas, back to the US to a mechanic in Chula Vista. She told us to take everything valuable out of the camper.<br /><br />With that resolved, we began moving everything to Ryan’s Dad’s van. There was quite a lot. The refrigerator was filled with marinated meat, sausages, and bacon, which we couldn’t bring back across the border, so we gave to the cop for his trouble. We also had several packs of cigarettes kept in the camper in case we needed to bribe any cops, which we also gifted to our new cop friend. He was pleased to say the least. We filled the van with everything else including the cushions and the cabinet doors. Ryan had spent so much time making them he couldn’t bear the thought of having them stolen. He unwired the auxiliary battery, and pulled off the electrical panel that held the solar controller. Then there was still the solar panel, the refrigerator, the mattress, and the compressor, none of which could be easily removed. Ryan sat there and thought it over. He decided there was no way we could leave the camper in the junk yard for four days unlocked, since it had to be inspected at the border. We decided we had to stay with it, so we spent another night in the junk yard with Ryan’s Dad camped in his van. The owners of the junkyard might have thought we were starting a gringo community within their gates.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/mandown/rescuedad.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/mandown/junkdepression.jpg" border="0" /><br />In the morning we were able to convince the junkyard owner to load the camper on their flatbed tow truck and take us to the border that day.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/mandown/towloaded.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/mandown/towcouple.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/mandown/campertow2.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/mandown/leftsag.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/mandown/gustavo.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/mandown/towTJ.jpg" border="0" /><br />There, we drove ourselves through the two-hour line, across into the US and had another towing service carry us the rest of the way home.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/mandown/merryxmasborder.jpg" border="0" /><br />The camper now sits peacefully in the patio where it was put together, awaiting its fate. We have filled out claim forms and are now waiting for the insurance company to send another adjuster out to let us know how much we will be awarded. Updates to follow…<br /><br />Press play...<br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/F1o8pLCVqps" width="425" height="350" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent"></embed><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-3609857381090453";
google_ad_width = 728;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "728x90_as";
google_ad_type = "text_image";
google_ad_channel = "";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script></div>Holly Beckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05673720487366844778noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34016417.post-47877788644988008632006-12-18T07:29:00.000-08:002006-12-19T20:03:04.587-08:00The Super Camper: Post First Trip Modifications<br /><br />While our maiden voyage of the Super Camper was certainly a success, there were a few things that we decided needed fixing.<br />First, the stock springs on the truck were pretty weak, especially when loaded with the camper. We decided to add a little more support by adding a set of AirLift air bags.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/campermods/airbags.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/campermods/airbags2.jpg" border="0" /><br />While the directions claimed ease of installation, like most things it is never as easy as you think it will be. Putting the springs together, lining them up, and drilling the holes was simple enough, but the self-tapping screws included with the springs would not self-tap. Ryan tried to use his tap and die kit to help the screws with their job, but still the screws would not go in. Ryan launched into a tirade on the cheapness of the whole setup and wondered aloud for the hundredth time why nothing ever works correctly. Eventually, he gave up and drove to OSH to buy nuts and bolts. This strategy added a new dimension of difficulty to the installation since the access hole on the other side of the frame is tiny. Getting the washer and nut onto the bolt involved an incredible amount of patience and finger dexterity. We lost several washers and nuts into the dark cavity of the frame despite many fishing attempts with a magnet. Finally we realized that my fingers are longer and thinner than Ryan's and my capacity for patience is greater as well. I was eventually able to get the harder-to-reach washers and nuts in place.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/campermods/airbags3.jpg" border="0" /><br />Here is one of the airbags, in place and inflated.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/campermods/airbagsboylook.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/campermods/watertank.jpg" border="0" /><br />In this photo you might notice the 6" PVC pipe that we added for extra water storage. This tank holds 7.5 gallons and is fitted with a pump and a long hose with several attachments for a sprinkling shower or a high pressure sprayer. I'm guessing we will still employ the portable solar shower in most instances, but in warmer weather or for hosing out sandy wetsuits this setup will be very useful.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/campermods/watertank2.jpg" border="0" /><br />Here's what the pipe looked like before it was attached to the camper.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/campermods/watertankinstall.jpg" border="0" /><br />Here's Ryan attaching it.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/campermods/tubing.jpg" border="0" /><br />This is the length of tubing and the filter to keep the pump safe from any debris that might somehow find its way inside.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/campermods/shower.jpg" border="0" /><br />Finally, here is the sprayer. It sprays about 15 feet, so watch out!<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/campermods/airbagsangletop.jpg" border="0" /><br />Back to the air bag installation, with the camper still resting on the jack stands, you can see that the air bags raised the camper a fair amount. Of course the angle became less extreme once the tires were back in place. Overall the air bags raised the bumper 1.5 inches.<br /><br />The camper also had a tendency to really rock side to side, especially after a big truck passed us on the narrow roads in Baja. So, we installed a Hellwig rear stabilizer bar.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/campermods/swaybar.jpg" border="0" /><br />Below is another view that shows how it attaches to the frame.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/campermods/swaybar2.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/campermods/beerholder.jpg" border="0" /><br />Another more basic need we realized while in Baja was a place to set drinks down. We purchased two drink holders from Boater's World and installed them in easy-to-reach places.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/campermods/mirrorextender.jpg" border="0" /><br />Before our first trip, we bought mirror extenders. They attach to the mirror with plastic hooks and a nylon strap, with a few suction cups to help hold it in place. The extender tended to vibrate and slip out of place. Cranking it down as tight as possible would result in the plastic hook snapping off. In wet weather the nylon strap stretched and caused the mirror to sag.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/campermods/mirrorextender2.jpg" border="0" /><br />Ryan decided to add a second strap with metal hooks. He made metal peices into hook shape and spray-painted them black:<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/campermods/mirrorextender3.jpg" border="0" /><br />I then sewed on a heavier nylon strap. Hopefully this will keep the mirror extender in place.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/campermods/mirrorextender2-1.jpg" border="0" /><br />In order to keep the auxillary battery charged to run the refrigerator and lights, we ordered a Kyocera 130-TM Solar Panel from Wholesalesolar.com.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/campermods/solarpaneltest.jpg" border="0" /><br />Unfortunately, due to a confusing specification explanation on their website, we didn't realize that the panel came with a 4" high junction box on the back that prevented the panel from being able to be mounted flush to the top of the camper. You can see it resting at an angle in this photo.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/campermods/solarpaneltest2.jpg" border="0" /><br />Ryan wasn't quite sure what to do about that. We were worried that cutting down the box might void the warranty and considered returning the solar panel. While he sat on the camper to ponder the situation, I was busy packing my surfboards for Hawaii.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/campermods/solarpanelhawaiipack.jpg" border="0" /><br />You can see my surfboard bag on the lower right corner of the photo.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/campermods/hawaiihaleiwa.jpg" border="0" /><br />I went to Hawaii to compete in the Op Pro at Haleiwa. Here I am in my jersey about to go out and compete against my friend Lisbeth Vindas-Dias from Costa Rica.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/campermods/hawaiibacksidecutty.jpg" border="0" /><br />Another part of my job in Hawaii is to get photos for my sponsors. The crowds and tricky conditions combine to make the job difficult sometimes. Here I am surfing at Rocky Rights on the North Shore of Oahu.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/campermods/hawaiisnorkel.jpg" border="0" /><br />The waves weren't the best the first week I was there (notice the flat ocean in the background) so I filled the time by snorkeling.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/campermods/hawaiiwaterfall.jpg" border="0" /><br />My friend, Lindsey Baldwin and I went hiking with a few of her friends and climbed a waterfall.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/campermods/hawaiiwaterfall2.jpg" border="0" /><br />It was a little scary without a harness because the rocks were slippery, but it definitely produced an adrenaline rush to make it to the top.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/campermods/hawaiirafting.jpg" border="0" /><br />Once the waves did pick up, O'Neill had a team challenge which broke the big group of girls into teams. We competed in boogie boarding, innertubing, and rafting. This was one of the biggest waves I caught on my trip. I never would have expected the biggest wave would be ridden in an inflatable raft with a couple friends. We actually made this drop, believe it or not!<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/campermods/hawaiitopturn.jpg" border="0" /><br />I love Rocky Lefts!<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/campermods/hawaiistall.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/campermods/hawaiiminitube.jpg" border="0" /><br />For more photos and a lot more stories about my North Shore experience, check out my other blog at : <a href="http://www.lat34.com/surf/holly_beck_blog">http://www.lat34.com/surf/holly_beck_blog</a><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/campermods/solarpanelboxcut2.jpg" border="0" /><br />Back at home, Ryan had decided it would be too much trouble and expense to return the solar panel. He didn't want to have to raise the overall height of the camper any more than necessary, so he decided he would have to cut down the box.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/campermods/solarpanelboxcut.jpg" border="0" /><br />He used his grinder to carefully grind down the plastic and then attached the wiring.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/campermods/solarpanelconnect2-1.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/campermods/solarpanelconnect3.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/campermods/solarpanelconnect4.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/campermods/solarpanelconnect.jpg" border="0" /><br />We then ran the wires along the inside and covered them in white heat shrink so that they would blend in better.<br />Here Ryan is sealing the outlet hole for the cables that attach the solar panels to the charge controller and battery so that no water leaks in.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/campermods/solarpaneluptop.jpg" border="0" /><br />Finally, we mounted the solar panel on top.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/campermods/solarpaneluptop2.jpg" border="0" /><br />The panel is 130 Watts, 10 Amps, at best. So far we haven't seen any more than 5 Amps because the panel is mounted flat and it is winter, so the sun isn't directly overhead. Our Norcold refrigerator only draws 2.5 Amps when cycling, so the solar panel more than keeps up with it.<br /><br />On our trip, we noticed that with the door open, water dripped along the edge of the door, ran under the corner and then fell onto the gas spring which would carry drips inside the camper. Ryan figured if he installed a little piece of metal along the edge that hung down slightly, it would keep the drips from running over the corner and make them fall straight down instead. We ended up cutting a strip from our mini-blinds and riveting that to the door since it was thin and light and a good size for the job.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/campermods/dripguard2.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/campermods/dripguard.jpg" border="0" /><br />We also decided to install a gutter to help keep the drip flow down. Here I am painting it (as well as the pieces that we used to mount the solar panel).<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/campermods/gutter.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/campermods/gutter2.jpg" border="0" /><br />Ryan, putting the gutter in place.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/campermods/gutter3.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br />There is a poem by Oliver Wendell Holmes called "The One-Hoss Shay" about a man who built a sleigh (shay) in "a logical way". Taking into consideration that there is always a weak link, he made sure that every inch was as strong as the next. Here is an excerpt:<br />"Now in building of chaises, I tell you what, There is always somewhere a weakest spot,-- In hub, tire, felloe, in spring or thill, In panel, or crossbar, or floor, or sill,<br />In screw, bolt, thoroughbrace,--lurking still, Find it somewhere you must and will,-- Above or below, or within or without,-- And that's the reason, beyond a doubt, A chaise breaks down, but does n't wear out.<br />But the Deacon swore (as Deacons do, With an "I dew vum," or an "I tell yeou," He would build one shay to beat the taown 'n' the keounty 'n' all the kentry raoun'; It should be so built that it couldn' break daown! --"Fur," said the Deacon, "t 's mighty plain Thut the weakes' place mus' stan' the strain; 'n' the way t' fix it, uz I maintain, Is only jest T' make that place uz strong uz the rest."<br />Ryan's performance of the poem in its entirety was quite a sight! Frank Robinson, founder and current president of Robinson Helicopter distributed the poem to all engineers with a hand-written title reading "Robinson Helicopter Company design philosophy." If you'd like to read the entire poem, it can be found here:<br /><a href="http://www.williamson-labs.com/one-hoss-shay.htm">http://www.williamson-labs.com/one-hoss-shay.htm</a><br />With this inspiration, we sought to strengthen our weakest links.<br /><br />Of course, weight has always been a big concern. After reading the posts on <a href="http://www.expeditionportal.com">http://www.expeditionportal.com</a> we finally motivated to do something we had been meaning to do for a while. We drove out to Long Beach and weighed the thing. It was a little intimidating pulling up to the scale amidst all the serious truckers. We learned that the truck with camper, dry, weighs 4,520 lbs. It turned out to be about 300 lbs heavier than we were hoping, which concerned us. Eventually we may purchase steel wheels to replace our aluminum set, and will probably weld support to the frame.<br />Ryan has been concerned with the weakness of the bed mounts for some time. After seeing this photo on <a href="http://www.earthroamer.com">http://www.earthroamer.com</a> demonstrating what could happen, and knowing how much the camper actually weighs, we decided to immediately add support to our mounts.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/campermods/mountcrumble.jpg" border="0" /><br />Ryan fastened two inch steel angle to support the bed mounts from every angle possible.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/campermods/mountsupport.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/campermods/mountsupport2.jpg" border="0" /><br />Ryan had purchased a flood light a while back and we have been trying to decide what to do with it. Reversing the camper at night is difficult due to low visibility. In order to help shed some light on the situation, we decided to install the flood light in the back. Ryan wired it so that it will come on when the camper is put in reverse. It also has its own switch in the back so that it can be turned on to help light up the camping area if needed.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/campermods/floodlight.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/campermods/camperready.jpg" border="0" /><br />On the subject of lights, we bought off-road lights to help see all the bumps in the road. Rather than buying a front bar as a mount, because they are expensive and heavy, Ryan decided to make his own pieces to mount the lights to the bumper.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/campermods/lightmount.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/campermods/lightmount2.jpg" border="0" /><br />After extensive research and debate we bought KC Hilites Slimlites in Titanium because we prefered them to the 8" size that most other companies offered. Plus, they look cool.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/campermods/lightinstall.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/campermods/lightinstaller.jpg" border="0" /><br />With that, our modifications are complete (for now)! We are leaving tomorrow for another test run in Baja. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, we're outta here!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-3609857381090453";
google_ad_width = 728;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "728x90_as";
google_ad_type = "text_image";
google_ad_channel = "";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script></div>Holly Beckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05673720487366844778noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34016417.post-1163544728179928252006-11-14T14:51:00.000-08:002006-11-18T10:13:22.623-08:00The Super Camper: hits the road<br /><br />It has been a long journey that spanned over about two years, but still hasn't added any miles to the odometer. The camper is finally almost done and it is about time we took it somewhere other than just around the block. In October 2006, Ryan finally had some time off work and I had a break in my travel schedule, so we decided to finally take the camper on its maiden voyage. The surf forecast looked promising, showing a mix of both South and North swells so we decided on Baja for our first destination.<br />Although the camper is ready for use, we still had a few details to finish up. We decided we should probably get an oil change. Ryan took the truck in to EZ Lube and the attendant was more than a little surprised to hear that our 2004 truck only had 500 miles on it!<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/killswitch.jpg" /><br />We also decided that we needed to install a "kill switch" for security. My mom thought that meant that if someone were trying to attack, a flip of the switch would then kill them! Nope, the kill switch is meant to make it so that even if they try to steal the truck, the engine won't start. This is a photo of Ryan taking apart the instrument panel on the truck to try to figure out how to wire the kill switch. Of course, we won't show a photo of him installing the switch. Some things must remain a mystery!<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/helperspring.jpg" /><br />With all the added weight of the camper, the truck was riding a bit low in the back, so we needed to beef up the suspension. I drove out to Compton to buy a set of Helper Springs from the 4 Wheel Parts warehouse. The box claimed that the springs would "install in minutes with just one wrench". Of course, the one thing that we learned while building the camper is that nothing is that easy!<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/helperspring2.jpg" /><br />Here you can see the helper spring placed on top of the leaves. It has a U-bolt that must be tightened into place. Even though these particular helper springs were made for our model of truck, they still didn't seem to fit perfectly.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/helperspring3.jpg" /><br />The bolt in the back was in line to hit the muffler, which wouldn't be good.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/helpermufflerkick.jpg" /><br />Ryan used his foot to try to bend the muffler back a bit.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/helpermufflerbang.jpg" /><br />That moved the muffler but not enough, so he broke out the hammer to bang the muffler bracket back.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/helperspring4.jpg" /><br />Eventually he decided to just shorten the obtrusive bolt. I always like a good spark show.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/helperspring5.jpg" /><br />Here you can see the shortened bolt.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/waterproofing.jpg" /><br />Before leaving on our trip, we also needed to complete a little apartment maintenence. A few months after moving all our stuff into the garage and Ryan even making a shaping room in the back, we realized the garage leaks really badly. Since the walls have been decimated by termites, we assumed that if the management installed a new roof they might just knock the whole thing down. We didn't want to bother with that, so about twice a year we buy plastic sheeting and staple it to the edges to waterproof it. This time I got the honor.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/baja/robinsonlot.jpg" /><br />Other than a few select friends and family, not too many people have actually seen the camper in person. Ryan wanted to show off his project to his friends at work, so we had a camper party in the parking lot of Robinson Helicopter. I brought pizzas, and at lunchtime the engineers came out to poke around and check it out. Unfortunately, I didn't get a photo of the engineers looking it over, but here you can see it peeking out of its parking space. It is definitely noticeable!<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/baja/packing2.jpg" /><br />Now, it is time to actually pack it up! Over the last two years we have been collecting camper supplies and they have been sitting in boxes here and there all over our apartment. I am very happy to have them finally in their intended places! This is a set of really nice stainless steel pots and pans that have removable handles and nest inside eachother. We received them from Ryan's parents as a gift. Thank you!<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/baja/packing.jpg" /><br />I'm putting them in the utility boxes, along with the stove.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/baja/packedchairs.jpg" /><br />Here is one of the chairs we bought on sale at OSH.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/baja/packed3.jpg" /><br />Here you can see the "dry goods" cabinet with paper towels, silverware, paper plates, aluminum foil, and even some tortilla chips.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/baja/packed4.jpg" /><br />This is our favorite cabinet, the snack cabinet! It is packed with plenty of easy grab snacking foods like Pringles, beef jerky, granola bars, bean dip, powdered gatorade, crackers, peanuts, etc.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/baja/packed5.jpg" /><br />We designed these cabinets especially to fit canned food on top and six packs on the bottom. I had started to load some things into the camper a few days before, like a couple of Red Bulls and some CapriSuns. Ryan wanted to take the camper on a jog around the block to test out how the Helper Springs affected things. He took some corners kinda fast and went over a few curbs to see how it felt and when we got back home I had to clean up our first explosion. One of the Red Bull cans had been punctured leaving a sticky Red Bull-smelling mess! So, when I packed up for real I made sure to pack everything in tightly.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/baja/waterboy.jpg" /><br />I bought two 5 gallon water jugs from the Army Surplus Supply store.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/baja/waterboy2.jpg" /><br />They were pretty heavy and we wanted to travel relatively light on our first trip. Ryan told me, "I don't drink water" so I figured ten gallons would be enough. Plus, we planned to spend a few days at Scorpian Bay which has a restaurant, so I wasn't worried about not having enough water.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/baja/waterboy3.jpg" /><br />Here's Ryan packing the water into the specially designed water cabinet.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/baja/packed2.jpg" /><br />Here you can see the camper loaded and ready for action! I made two longboard covers out of natural denim to keep wax from getting everywhere. We stacked 7 boards and strapped them to the wall (we were only supposed to bring 6, but I couldn't decide and had to bring 4 myself). I bought the "Super Jumbo" box of firewood from OSH and brought along a bag full of junk mail and paid bills to burn as kindling.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/baja/pullout.jpg" /><br />This three shot sequence shows us pulling out of the drive way and on our way....<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/baja/pullout2.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/baja/pullout3.jpg" /><br />CROSSING THE BORDER....<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/baja/flag.jpg" /><br />Viva Mexico! Our first shot of the camper South of the border!!!<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/baja/4casassunrisegirl.jpg" /><br />We had left Redondo Beach around noon, and after a quick stop at Harbor Freight to buy another flashlight and some green Slime tire repair, we got on the road. Upon first getting up to speed on the freeway, the camper was jumping around like crazy and the ride was very bouncy. Ryan started to panic. We were trying to figure out why it was so out of control and theorized that it might be due to the fact that we had added extra spring but not extra shocks. At one point we thought we might have to abort mission. Then I remembered that when we first bought truck, when it was still intact, I had driven it to Ventura for a Freestyle watches photo shoot. I recalled that on the freeway at certain speeds it had felt super bouncy, exactly like it was feeling then. I told Ryan about that and we expiremented with different speeds. He then explained the concept of resonance. We figured that the length of the wheel base was exactly perfect for the bumps in the freeway so that it bounced non-stop. He told me the story of some bridge that actually collapsed because of a strong wind that had the perfect frequency to start it vibrating and eventually it just crumbled apart. Soon the freeway smoothed out a bit and we continued on our journey.<br />We made it to a surf spot called Quatro Casas just in time for the sky to blacken and hopped in the back for our first night sleeping in the camper. We awoke to our first beautiful sunrise in Mexico. Here I am climbing back into the camper after brushing my teeth. This may sound a bit strange, but I love brushing my teeth while travelling. It's one of those rituals that you do every day, usually in front of your home bathroom sink. I remember the first boat trip I took to Indonesia, standing over the back of the boat with the stars blazing above me and the warm water shimmering below me, and spitting the toothpaste into it. It was such an amazing feeling. Since then I always get excited about brushing teeth outside in unusual surroundings. I felt that way about brushing my teeth and spitting into the bushes next to the camper in Baja.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/baja/4casassunrisecouple.jpg" /><br />Here we are, looking not quite awake with the early morning sun shining into our eyes.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/baja/coffeegirl.jpg" /><br />I am eagerly awaiting my first cup of coffee. We used a travel coffee percolator to just heat water and then used a cone and filter to make coffee directly into our cups. MMMMMmmmmmm! Coffee!!!!<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/baja/4casasset.jpg" /><br />The waves out front looked really fun, but the tide was rising and Ryan assured me that wouldn't help, so we decided to continue driving South.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/baja/4casasright.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/baja/4casasleft.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/baja/gassing.jpg" /><br />We were also carrying an extra 5 gallon can of gas. Gas stations are spaced very far apart in Baja. We actually had to dip into our secret stash of gas to make it to the next station.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/baja/cactus.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/baja/rock.jpg" /><br />We took a break to admire the big boulders and have a picnic lunch. It was a great photo opportunity. After taking so many photos of the building process, we felt the need to balance it with a ton of photos of the enjoying process! Hope you don't mind.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/baja/cactus2.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/baja/shadow.jpg" /><br />Admiring our shadow...<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/baja/abrefire.jpg" /><br />After a complete day of driving, we showed up to Abreojos just before sunset and set up camp along the sandy dunes. Here is a photo of our first campfire! The camera flash definitely takes away from the mood.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/baja/abrefire2.jpg" /><br />Flaming...<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/baja/abrepoint.jpg" /><br />The point at Abreojos. It wasn't epic, but it was very fun and uncrowded! The water was warm enough to wear just a wetsuit jacket.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/baja/abrewave.jpg" /><br />Here is an invitingly empty wave right in front of our campsite.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/baja/bird.jpg" /><br />I liked this bird.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/baja/abrechairs.jpg" /><br />If you look closely you can see Ryan in the wave just above the mirror. We bought mirror extenders at Meyer's RV in Torrance. They helped to see cars behind us since our rearview mirror has been made useless. They were a little difficult to get used to.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/baja/abreboycamper2.jpg" /><br />Here's another wave with Ryan on it.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/baja/abreboycamper.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/baja/abreboy.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/baja/abreboycamper3.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/baja/mousey.jpg" /><br />I was sitting by the fire, zoning out looking into the flames while Ryan was getting the meat ready to cook when I felt something tickle my toes. I thought it was just a leaf or something like that blowing in the wind, but then it went back the other way. I grabbed the flashlight to have a look and saw a cute little mouse hanging out with me! He was a little skittish and would run away and hide under the tire of the camper and then come back and hang out for a while. Ryan even pet him! I thought he was really cute and named him "Mousey".<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/baja/walllookingout.jpg" /><br />We had planned to head to Scorpian Bay the following morning, but were surprised by rain, loud thunder and lightning at 5 am. It felt really nice to be warm and dry in the camper with the raging wind and rain outside. I was very glad to not be in a tent! At dawn we made coffee and began to drive back towards the highway. The rain got worse and worse until it was really pouring down hard. Ryan kept saying he had never seen so much rain in Baja. The sky was dark in all directions. We got back to the highway and pulled over to consult the map. We had heard that the road into Scorp had been decimated by a hurricane a few months ago and was sketchy even when dry. We didn't want to chance it in that weather so we decided to head North instead. A text message from Bill Watt at home base revealed the news that Hurricane Paul was off the coast of Cabo, which only confirmed our decision.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/baja/walllookingatgirl.jpg" /><br />Pulling up at our next campsite, I was amazed to see this.... long overhead rights peeling down the point with only one guy out! I got really excited! It was all Ryan could do to keep me from rushing out there immediately. He slowed me down by suggesting we make some bacon and potato burritos. I was starving, so I gave in and agreed to wait. He assured me that the wind would only get better and the tide would help as well. As usual, he was right!<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/baja/wallboyoutfit.jpg" /><br />The water was a few degrees colder here. It was perfect for a short-arm-fullsuit unless the wind was really blowing. The rocks made booties a good idea, and Ryan had a bad rash on his neck from his wetsuit so he is wearing a longsleeve rashguard underneath. Not exactly winning any style awards, but the 4-fin he shaped made up for it. That afternoon the tide came back up, the wind turned offshore, the clouds parted just enough to create two complete rainbows that combined with their reflections made a full circle. It was amazing, one of those magical surf sessions that aren't easily forgotten. Basically, we scored!<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/baja/wallcampstickcollector.jpg" /><br />The Super Jumbo box of firewood didn't have nearly as much wood as the name suggested. Before building a fire each night, I scavenged for logs and sticks to add to the fire.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/baja/wallboyfire.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/baja/wallgirltrashburnwetsuit.jpg" /><br />We participated in the Mexican tradition of trash burning.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/baja/wallholeboy.jpg" /><br />One afternoon we took a walk to hunt for arrowheads. Ryan told me we had to think like Indians. He must have been doing a good job because he found one! Later on in the hike we came across this impressive structure. Long term campers at this spot have a lot of time on their hands and a lot of rocks to construct with.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/baja/wallrockpile.jpg" /><br />Ryan was inspired and constructed a rock pile of his own.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/baja/walllineupclose.jpg" /><br />We don't always agree on wave quality, but we both really enjoyed the waves here.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/baja/girlwallwaves2.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/baja/girlwatcheswallwaves.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/baja/wallset.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/baja/wallwave.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/baja/chrisrig.jpg" /><br />Ryan made friends with a guy from San Diego named Chris who had built his camper as well. He was a very nice guy and an entertaining surfer.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/baja/wallcamperdistance.jpg" /><br />The camper off in the distance. It's white paint made it really stand out!<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/baja/wallsausages.jpg" /><br />I'm cooking sausages for lunch.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/baja/camperlog.jpg" /><br />Ryan prepares some tequila shots while I make notes in the camper log.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/paddleout.jpg"><br />Ryan and I paddling out for a surf together.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/ryanandholly.jpg"><br />Me, on the first wave of the set, and Ryan on the second. We were hogging all the good ones!<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/baja/wallcampersunset.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/baja/birthdaygirl.jpg" /><br />On October 27th, I turned 26!!! Ryan offered to film my surf session since i'm usually the one filming him. I was happy about that and then when I came in he had a chocolate cake that he had smuggled down in his toolbox (probably the one place he knew I wouldn't look) filled with candles! I was totally surprised and excited!<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/baja/candleblow.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/baja/birthdaychange.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/baja/baloonheadgirl.jpg" /><br />He had also filled the camper with balloons! What a cutie!<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/baja/balloongirlcake.jpg" /><br />Happy Birthday to me!<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/baja/balloonboybed.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/baja/wallcampnight.jpg" /><br />I couldn't have asked for a better birthday week! It was the culmination of two years of work and yearning to be able to just enjoy it. The camper performed very well and we scored so much epic surf that in the end we actually drove away from really good waves. We were completely surfed-out!<br />The saga of the camper is still far from over though. We already have a list of modifications to make it even better, and of course more trips planned. This will probably be the last update for a few months.<br />Thanks for looking!<br />Holly<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-3609857381090453";
google_ad_width = 728;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "728x90_as";
google_ad_type = "text_image";
google_ad_channel = "";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script></div>Holly Beckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05673720487366844778noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34016417.post-1158279547491637232006-10-31T12:13:00.000-08:002006-10-31T12:10:41.846-08:00The Super Camper: Making the inside comfortable<br /><br />For a short video clip of me giving a tour of the inside of the camper click here (be sure to click your browser's "back" button when you are done: <a href="http://www.jettygirl.com/surfers/pages/vid.beck.holly.camper.html">http://www.jettygirl.com/surfers/pages/vid.beck.holly.camper.html</a><br />Some of the plans I discussed in the video did change as the project progressed as you will see below...<br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/roastinchiles05.jpg" /><br />After all the work that went into sanding and painting the exterior of the camper, we needed a break. The chile season had come to an end and we had a plethora of chiles on our hands. Ryan roasted some of the Habaneros, dried others, and used handfuls to make his famous Habanero Honey Mustard.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/toomanychiles05.jpg" /><br />The rest of the chiles were organized by type and stuffed into the freezer to help heat up the coming winter.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/hotwireboy.jpg" /><br />In thinking of how to construct the interior structures such as cabinets and storage dividers, Ryan considered using a hot wire to cut the Nida Core in half. He tied a wire between two milk crates, used a car battery charger to make it hot, and then used it to slice through the plastic core.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/hotwire2.jpg" /><br />It smoked, filling the kitchen with the smell of burning plastic. While it was difficult to keep the cut perfectly straight, the experiment did work.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/interiorboy.jpg" /><br />In the end we decided against using the hot wire technique and stuck to using whole pieces of Nida-Core to divide our baggage area into individually sealed compartments, complete with plugged drainage holes to accomodate wet wetsuits or even a ice filled beverage stash.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/interiorresingirl.jpg" /><br />In this photo you can see the cabinets that were specially designed to fit cans of refried beans (the upper cabinet) and six packs of beer and soda (the lower).<br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/interiorgirlresingfumes.jpg" /><br />Other than the fact that I probably should have been wearing a mask while working with resin in an enclosed space, this photo shows the "escape" hatch above the bed.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/babychilis.jpg" /><br />By now, it is springtime and next year's crop of chiles is germinating in the warmth of the window.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/babychili2.jpg" /><br />Here's a New Mex chile who turned out to be an early sprouter. Isn't he cute?<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/paintingprepboysandinginside2.jpg" /><br />The interior compartments and cabinets are complete, so it's time to paint the inside. You know what that means, more sanding! Sanding the inside was even more difficult than preparing the exterior because it involved sanding the ceiling upsidedown. The bed area was also a challenge and we would call it "good enough" without it being perfectly smooth. We are only human afterall.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/paintingprepboysandinginside.jpg" /><br />You will of course notice the cutouts for the windows. Choosing the windows was an involved process. Security was a high priority. We wanted to guarantee plenty of airflow without allowing an easy break-in. The majority of windows on the market are of the "slider" variety. This type restricts vision because of the bar in the middle, as well as airflow because only half of the window opens. We prefered the "crank-out" type since the entire bottom half of the window opens to allow a breeze of fresh air. We were able to order this type from Buccaneer Manufacturing in a dark tint and a skinny size so that even if the window was broken the <em>banditos</em> would not be able to fit through.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/windowsgoingin.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/windowsin.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/windowsboycutsseal.jpg" /><br />We used window putty purchased from Myer's RV Supply in Torrance to cushion and seal the windows, and then removed the excess with a razor blade.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/windowsgirlcutsseal.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/windowsboycaulks.jpg" /><br />Then we applied a sealant given to us by Jeff Biggs.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/utilityboxseal.jpg" /><br />On the topic of sealing, here is Ryan applying the seal to the utility boxes. We used this same type of seal around the door.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/windowsinclouds.jpg" /><br /><em>Voila!</em> The camper is painted inside and out, the windows are in, the boxes and door are sealed, the benches are attached and construction is complete!<br />Now it's time to make it comfortable...<br />One of the key features of camping is taking care of "business" in the great outdoors. However, there are some times when it would be really nice to be able to do that inside. For example, it might be raining, or the middle of the night, or we might be in Baja where there are very few bushes or trees to hide behind. I suggested that we come up with some way to relieve ourselves from the comfort of inside.<br />My Dad told me a story of his uncle drilling a hole in the floor of the backseat of their car so that the boys could relieve themselves on long car rides without having to stop. That gave us an idea.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/bathroom.jpg" /><br />We found a female friendly sized funnel at OSH, and Ryan fitted it with a long hose. We made a special compartment for it within the baggage area, drilled a hole, attached the hose to run outside discreetly behind the tire, and our indoor urinal was complete! Of course this is for #1 only, however we theorized that a bag could be placed inside the funnel to accomodate any sudden #2s, which after eating tacos in Mexico could be many.<br />It looks like a beer bong, but make no mistake, this is for eliminating beer from the system, not introducing it!<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/babychile.jpg" /><br />The weather is warming. Our original seedlings are already growing outside, but we decided to plant a few more to be sure we would end up with enough of our favorites. Last year we mostly grew exotic varieties that were interesting but not as useable. This year we stuck mostly to the New Mexican varieties that we could put on burgers, in salsas, or stuff. We also planted quite a few varieties of tomatoes.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/woodstainsgirl.jpg" /><br />After putting this much work into the camper already, we wanted to go all the way and make the interior as nice as possible. Ryan suggested using wood trim to give it that "finishing touch". We purchased Maple from Mouldings Unlimited to trim the cabinets, and even bought crown moulding! We stained them with Varathane Golden Pecan Woodstain and then weatherproofed them with Helmsman Clear Satin Polyurethane.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/COUNTE1.jpg" /><br />For the counter top, Ryan really outdid himself. He used Rich Wright's table saw to cut the maple and walnut into strips and then glued them together with Titebond wood glue in this beautiful pattern.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/counterwood.jpg" /><br />The doors for the cabinets were made with a simlar pattern, and he emptied the liquor cabinet (and Martinelli's from Uncle Ricky) tyring to keep it flat and together while the glue dried.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/woodbeauty.jpg" /><br />The pieces were cut to the appropriate sizes, sanded, stained, and finished.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/woodstaingoldenpecan.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/woodinside2.jpg" /><br />Ryan then used Gorilla Glue to adhere the wood to the Nida-Core. He employed popsicle sticks to assure the proper gap between the seat and the trim.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/woodinside3.jpg" /><br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/woodinside4.jpg" /><br />In this photo you can see the opening for the refridgerator (a Norcold marine fridge purchased from Boater's World), and on the left there are shelves for books and magazines. Above the refridgerator is the countertop which will open upwards to allow access to each of the three bins (only two visible in this photo).<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/batteryisolator.jpg" /><br />We upgraded to a better battery by installing an Optima 34R. In order to power the fridge and lights in the camper, Ryan installed a battery isolator under the hood,<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/battery2.jpg" /><br />and connected it to the Deep Cyle battery back in the camper. The isolator will charge the camper battery with the alternator while the car is running, but eventually we will also have a solar panel on top to keep the battery charged while camping in one place for several days.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/electoncontrolpanel.jpg" /><br />Ryan used a piece of 1/8" thick aluminum to make the electical panel to hold the switches, circuit breakers, solar controller, inverter, and electronic load controller.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/electriccontrolpanel.jpg" /><br />I was very impressed with his ability to wire it all together and make it work properly the very first time. The guy is pretty amazing!<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/electronboy.jpg" /><br />In this photo you can see that the refridgerator is installed.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/electronicscontrolpanelspagetti.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/electricalpanelcomplete.jpg" /><br />Here is the completed electrical panel. Notice the 12 Volt DC cigarette lighter oulets as well as the AC standard wall outlets.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/biggerpot.jpg" /><br />By Summer '06, the garden was thriving once again!<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/yellowpearlove.jpg" /><br />Against Ryan's wishes, I displaced a couple of chiles by growing some pretty Yellow Pear tomotoes. They were really cute in salads!<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/yellowpearsalad.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/gardendelight.jpg" /> Ryan doesn't even particularly like tomatoes, but he was fond of the Gardener's delight variety.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/habs.jpg" /><br />His favorite plants in the garden are the Habaneros.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/jalapenos.jpg" /><br />They Jalapenos are pretty good too.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/hops.jpg" /><br />This year we also planted hops. Ryan plans to make a batch of homebrew with these.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/beachview.jpg" /><br />Ahhh, a beautiful sunset at home. We're almost done!<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/counterlatch2.jpg" /><br />Here, Ryan is installing the latches that will keep the couter top from bouncing while offroading.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/counterlatch3.jpg" /><br />Here you can see the beautiful countertop installed with stainless steel hinges.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/screws.jpg" /><br />Ryan's collection of bolts and screws.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/cushionvelcro2.jpg" /><br />Finally, it's my turn to do some work on the camper on my own, rather than just filling the role of assistant or supervisor. We purchased foam from Evan's Upholstery Supply in varying softnesses. I first covered them in batting to help round the edges and then sewed covers for them from Sunbrella indoor/outdoor water resistant fabric.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/cushionvelcro.jpg" /><br />Here I am sewing on the velcro that will keep the cushions closed as well as attach them to the seats and walls of the camper. I am using Hayla Beck's machine (thanks again Hayla!) since mine decided it was tired of working and needed a rest.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/bedvelcro.jpg" /><br />I chose a denim fabric to use as a cover for the bed mattress. I first covered the mattress in muslin to allow the cover to slide on easier.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/bedmattress.jpg" /><br />The bed is 6' wide and 6' long except where it comes to a point in the center and stretches to 80". It is a California King size, so it was a bit difficult to get the cover on.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/tablesaw.jpg" /><br />There was still a bit more sawing to be done. We needed to make some strips to cover the edges of Nida-Core that form the baggage compartment dividers. Ryan didn't want to bother Rich Wright again to use his saw, but really needed a table saw to make accurate straight cuts. He clamped a piece of aluminum angle to the edge of the saw to use as a guide and once again solved a problem by modifying one of his tools.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/boyinside.jpg" /><br />Here he is reveling in his success with woodwork. You can see the crown moulding, the cabinet doors, as well as one of the strips he has just cut. If you look closely inside the compartment on the left, you can see the edge of the red funnel that serves as the bathroom.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/boyinside2.jpg" /><br />We decided that in order to make using the funnel more comfortable, we needed to have a way to keep the bench open without having to hold it. In this photo, you also notice small black squares on the edge of the open bench. They are rubber stickers that we stuck on to protect the edge of the bench from bouncing on the metal when it slams closed.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/rivetingpads.jpg" /><br />Ryan used pieces of aluminum primed and painted, and riveted on a stainless steel "footman's loop" and then used Sika-flex adhesive as well as rivets to attach it to the camper.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/bimini.jpg" /><br />We bought nylon strapping in a sand color to match our cushions and I sewed them onto clips called Bimini clips to attach to the footman's loop and then also hook onto the seat to keep it open.<br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/products.jpg" /><br />So we don't forget the products that we enjoyed using, here is the lineup of our favorites.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/redplanet.jpg" /><br />Lighting. You will first notice the moody red lights. These are LEDs. We like the moody red glow and the fact that they won't destroy our night vision. There is also an light with both red and white LEDs on the ceiling as well as a reading light that can be positioned to shine at any angle mounted on the countertop. You can also see the cushions in this photo.<br /><br />Well, that's about it as far as construction goes. We can hardly believe that the two year long project has finally come to an end! The camper is usable and we are very excited to use it. As of today 10/31/2006, we have just returned from the maiden voyage of the super camper. I will be updating photos very soon! Check back to see how it performs on the road and near the surf.<br />Thanks for looking,<br />Happy Halloween!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-3609857381090453";
google_ad_width = 728;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "728x90_as";
google_ad_type = "text_image";
google_ad_channel = "";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script></div>Holly Beckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05673720487366844778noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34016417.post-1158264957529082592006-09-14T13:15:00.000-07:002006-10-17T08:34:37.843-07:00Super Camper: It's time for details; tail lights, utility boxes, painting<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/taillightcutout.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />With the camper finally on the truck, it was time to give some attention to details like cutting the holes for the tail lights. Unfortunately, we couldn't use the tail lights that came with the truck, but decided that VW bus tail lights would work well and be easy to install. We ordered a pair online but when the arrived they didn't fit together perfectly. We filed some areas down and tried to make them work, but eventually had to send them back and wait for replacements.<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/taillightknockout.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/taillighthole.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />After cutting the hole with the jigsaw, Ryan used his surform to smooth down the edges.<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/jack.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The legendary Jack Cirrito stopped by to lend his support.<br /><br />Making the door of the camper involved many more steps than we have photos to prove. Originally, we looked into just buying a pre-made camper or RV door to install. We decided however, that it would be nice to have an extra wide door in order to be able to get in and out easily with a surfboard in hand. Ryan also came up with the genius concept of having the door open upwards so that it could also be used as a sun shade or rain shelter. Being able to hang out inside the camper but still feel "outdoors" was a top priority, and this door design really accomplished that. Of course, making our own door meant that we had to put a lot of work into making sure it sealed well. Putting together the trim that would allow a tight seal took a lot of work. We used rivets to attach two aluminum angles together and sealed them with silicone, then cut them to the desired sizes with the appropriate angles on the ends so that they would match up and line our odd shaped door opening, and then riveted them onto the camper.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/doortrim.jpg" /><br />Even more difficult than trimming the camper was making the trim around the door line up properly once the door was closed. We lined the door edges with aluminum C-channel.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/doormaking.jpg" /><br />After the pieces were cut to the correct size, we then had to rivet them on to the door. This is our premium riveter that performed much better than the others we had been using, but even it broke eventually and would need to be replaced.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/doorrivetgirl.jpg" /><br />That whole step was a lot of work. We were pretty amazed with ourselves when we finally riveted the door to the hinge and closed it, that it actually fit reasonably well the very first time.<br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/boyrelaxes.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />With the door finally hanging, Ryan could sit back and enjoy the afternoon sun.<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/rainforest05.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />By this time, the garden was going off! We had more Rainforest chiles than we knew what to do with, especially because they were pretty hot and didn't taste especially good, so there wasn't much we could do with them.<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/habs05.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Ryan was particularly proud of his Habaneros, even though they were a bit too hot for me to get excited about. One of these goes a loooooooong way!<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/manzano05.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Even though they are really hot as well, I appreciated the Manzanos just because they look so cute.<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/ajiamarillo.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The Aji Amarillos were my favorite because they had zero heat, so I could actually bite into them and enjoy them. They were great on pizza and in pasta.<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/handful05.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Ryan shows off a handful of his favorites.<br /><br />Back to work...<br />Once again, we probably could have just bought utility boxes, but where's the fun in that?<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/utilityboxconstr2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />We bought steel and aluminum sheets, cut them to the required size, and then riveted on aluminum angle to make the boxes. It took us an entire weekend to make the pieces for all four boxes, and then another weekend to put them together.<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/drillpressgirl2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I took my job drilling holes into the angle for the rivets very seriously, but somehow Ryan couldn't help making fun of me.<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/drillpressgirl.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I have no idea why! (Old school safety goggles rule!)<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/utilityboxteam.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Thanks to Laurina McGrath for the photos!<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/pumpkincamper.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Halloween 2005. Only one thing on our minds...<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/waterdoorknockout.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Once again we got a little lazy with our photo taking. Here you can see that Ryan has just cut out the door to what will become the water storage area. Our inspiration camper had a "table" that folded out of the side of the camper that held the stove. The propane was stored just below and the water nearby so that the cooking items were all near eachother. That was one feature that we really liked and wanted to add to our camper. In this photo you can see the utility boxes have been primed and attached to the camper on either side of the tire. We also made a door to the utility boxes that opens up to become the "table". We have cut holes in the door where the locks will go. The table and utility boxes will eventually be covered in Herculiner <a href="http://www.herculiner.com">http://www.herculiner.com</a>, a paint-on polyurethane and rubber coating, to add strength and durability. Unfortunately, we didn't take any photos of that step.<br /><br />The next step was very unglamorous and literally took months, mostly because we never felt like doing it and it was a ton of manual labor. We often joked about hiring day laborers to save us the effort. Since the next thing we had to do was paint the camper, first we had to sand it. We sanded and sanded and sanded it. Ryan went over the whole thing with 36 grit, then 80 grit with the disc sander, then I hand sanded with 120, and then 220. Finally, we went over the entire thing with Scotch Brite. The little divets in the Nida-Core made the whole experience a bit of a nightmare. Getting into those small indentations made for very sore fingers. We had to make sure there were no shiny spots, and I can't emphasize enough that it was a lot of work!<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/paintprepgirlcleans.jpg" /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"></a><br />After many long months we had finally sanded enough to be satisfied and decided it was time to paint. We used marine Interlux paints purchased from Boater's World. It was difficult to decide on the exact color but wanted to match the truck as closely as possible. There were about 10 different versions of white and each was either too pink, too grey, or too beige. We ended up mixing together Matterhorn White, Blu-glo White, and plain White. The color turned out to be reasonably close to the color of the truck, but we will most likely never be able to duplicate it.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/paintcustomstir2.jpg" /><br />Ryan engineered a paint stirring attachment for his drill that pleased him immensely.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/paintinggirl.jpg" /><br />We waited for a sunny, dry day and put on our first coat of paint.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/paintinggirl2.jpg" /><br />Some of the Nida-Core panels had tiny holes in the fiberglass, so we tried to coat them completely in paint. I used the end of the roller to really shove paint into them.<br /><br />After we finished our first coat, we had to get back to sanding! Once again, we had to go over the entire camper with the disc sander, followed by a lot of hand sanding, and the Scotch Brite to get rid of any shiny spots. It rained a few times so we had to wait before applying our second coat.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/paintedraindrops.jpg" /><br />Rain drops and dust on the first coat of paint.<br /><br />When the rain finally stopped, we towel dried the camper in the morning, hoping the sun would dry it out further and we would be able to paint by the afternoon. To our surprise, new drips would just appear on the roof. I would wipe them away and a few minutes later they would reappear. We were a bit confused until we realized that they were oozing out of tiny holes in the paint. In places where I had really forced a lot of paint into the tiny holes, there was no problem. In other places, it was a big problem. Painting was put on hold.<br />We bought lightning fast curing epoxy and experimented with coating the camper in that to seal it. That skill involved a steep learning curve. Sometimes the epoxy would harden long before we could even apply it. Other times, using slower cure epoxy, it would remain sticky for hours, and never harden 100%. Unfortunately, I had to leave for a WQS event in Australia and leave Ryan to solve the problem on his own. He ended up having to sand off most of the paint, apply the epoxy, re-sand, and then re-paint. We then of course had to sand again, in order to paint again. Like many other steps along the way, we expected painting would be fun, but the whole ordeal turned into a nightmare.<br /><br />To focus his attention on a more immediately rewarding project, Ryan decided to make Biltong.<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/biltong.jpg" /><br />Biltong is a South African form of beef jerky that involves thicker slices of meat that are seasoned with coriander and other spices and then hung to dry in the air. We used an open oven set at the lowest possible heat setting and a fan blowing on the meat to help it dry out faster. If you look close at the oven rack, you can see that he decided to make some traditional beef jerky, and dry some chiles while he was at it. I was definitely not overjoyed at having the oven open and on for several days, especially with raw meat hanging and blowing in the fan wind. But it did taste pretty good when it was finished.<br /><br />Speaking of finished, at this point the outside of the camper is painted, the utility boxes are coated in Herculiner and hung, the tail lights are installed...<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/taillightboyinbox.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/taillightboyscrewdriver.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/taillightboy.jpg" /><br />...and the camper looks like this:<br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/camperupdate.jpg" /><br />You'll notice we have two locks on the door. One is a house lock by Baldwin from Home Depot. We just liked the feel of the egg shaped handle. The lock on the opposite side is a combination lock so that we won't have to hide a key to go surfing.<br />In this photo, you also notice the bumper. Since we designed the camper to be a few inches longer than the bed of the truck, we had to make bumper extenders so that we could use the original bumper.<br />Looks pretty good, huh?<br /><br />I know what you're thinking....<br />Yes, we are going to install windows, but we'll leave that step for next time.<br />See you then!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-3609857381090453";
google_ad_width = 728;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "728x90_as";
google_ad_type = "text_image";
google_ad_channel = "";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script></div>Holly Beckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05673720487366844778noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34016417.post-1158262874612156722006-09-14T12:05:00.000-07:002006-09-28T19:15:31.143-07:00The Super Camper: Super camper, meet truck. I hope you two will be very happy together...<br /><br />With the main Nida-Core structure complete, we started work on the trim that would cover all the 90 degree angles. You've seen this photo before in the first post, but I love it, so here it is again. We used this saw to cut all the angles, although usually the saw was up on a table. It was crucial to cut the 45 degree ends perfectly, so that the corners all lined up smoothly. That was rarely easy and required a lot of patience and several second attempts.<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/mountimproveboysparks.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/trimdrilling.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />After the pieces were cut, holes for the rivets had to be drilled on the drill press (another item purchased from <a href="http://harborfreight.com">http://harborfreight.com</a>).<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/trimpriming.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Next, the pieces had to be primed.<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/lateconstructgirlcutssandpaper.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />But before we could get the pieces on the camper, we had to do a lot of sanding since it would be difficult to sand up to the edges of the trim once it was in place. Sanding was definitely our least favorite part of the whole process. Yes, it was much worse than sawing. The itchy dust flew everywhere! Before Ryan would begin sanding he would put on a longsleeve shirt and gloves and have me use masking tape to seal all the edges so that the bare minumum amount of skin was exposed. I wish we had a picture of him all taped up! Here I am cutting out circles of sand paper for the disc sander. The camper is tipped down so that we could get at hard to reach places easier.<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/trimriveting.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />After the sanding of the edges was finished, we held the trim pieces in place, match drilled a hole through the Nida-Core, squeezed on some marine grade structural adhesive called Sika-Flex that we purchased through <a href="http://jamestowndistributors.com">http://jamestowndistributors.com</a>, and then riveted them on. Using the rivet gun was one more trial to overcome. It was the most difficult tool we tried to use. The small rivet gun that we borrowed from Ryan's dad didn't have enough power to pull through the heavy duty rivets we were using, so Ryan made handle extenders to give it more torque. It was still incredibly difficult as you can tell by the look on his face in the second shot of the sequence. It broke about 90% of the way through the job, so we went to Harbor Freight to buy another rivet gun, which would be our second of five rivet guns (as of 9/21/06) used on the camper. Those things are just not made very well.<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/trimriveting2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Ryan, struggling through it.<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/trim-girlapplying.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/trimrivetinggirl.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Here's me putting in the rivets so that the super strong, super riveter could finish the job.<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/trimsealing-1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The excess Sika-flex squeezed out the top, so I had to go along and smooth it down. That was a sticky job!<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/gardenoverview05.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />With all the attention going to the camper, the garden got a bit jealous. Here are a couple photos of our jungle of chiles just to break things up a bit. Thanks to everyone who donated to our collection of pots!<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/boyingarden05.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />About this time, Ryan also decided that the mounts probably needed to be a bit more secure. He added some steel pieces on the side that would tie into the camper in a few more places and put more of the rivets in shear. "Rivets are strong in shear."<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/makingmounts-crazyhairhoney.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/mountimprovedboy.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />He was happy with his improved mount.<br /><br />Finally, it was time to actually put the camper on the truck! By this time the camper was getting heavy, but Ryan, Scott, and Fuj were still able to lift it together. In order for it to line up with the height of the frame, Ryan cut 2"x4"s and slowly slipped one after another under the camper to lift it higher.<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/camperraisingscottfuj.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Once the camper was elevated to the correct height, we backed the truck under the bed of the camper and lined everything up.<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/backview.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Fortunately, a few of Ryan's uncles were in town to help strategize.<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/grouptheory.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Ryan's uncles from left to right: Jimmy, Ricky, and Bobby<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/rickytheory.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Ricky and Ryan step back and consider the situation.<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/grouplift.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Practice lift with Ryan's dad, Dave, stepping in to assist.<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/camperraising.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Me, supervising as usual.<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/camperontruck.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Ta-da! It's on there!<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/camperraisingcrew.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Surveying our success along with Ryan's mom, Carol, and grandma, Marge.<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/camperraisingdriver.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Ryan gets in to see how it looks from the driver's seat.<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/ryanpop.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />So what if it isn't entirely finished? It's time for some champagne! Sequence please...<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/champagnepop0.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/champagnepop1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/champagnepop.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Thanks to Bobby for the photos!<br />Time for a celebratory dinner in the garden!<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/camperraisingparty.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/sourmargygirl.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />This margarita sure is strong!<br />Check back next time... you know you want to see what happens next!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-3609857381090453";
google_ad_width = 728;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "728x90_as";
google_ad_type = "text_image";
google_ad_channel = "";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script></div>Holly Beckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05673720487366844778noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34016417.post-1158259654243851342006-09-14T10:28:00.000-07:002006-09-25T07:47:47.506-07:00The Super Camper: Winter subsides and contstruction continues<br /><br />By April 2005, the horrendous wind and rain storms had finally begun to subside. The waves were still fun, but at least we were able to get back to work in the afternoons after the wind turned onshore. Around this time we began work on the second level of the camper.<br />The Nida-core panels had a glossy coating that had to be sanded away so that the fiberglass and resin would adhere completely. Before assembling pieces, Ryan sanded down all the edges. We would later wish that he had sanded the entire piece while it was laying flat on the sawhorses, but that's a story to tell when we begin preparing to paint the camper.<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/midconstboysands.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Since the core of Nida-core is honeycomb, it isn't completely smooth. There are little indented pockets in the center of each little honeycomb cell. The electric sander can't get into those pockets nearly as well as fingertips can. So after Ryan went over the panels with the sander, I had to go over them again by hand.<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/campersanding.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />"This is the way we connect the seams, connect the seams, connect the seams, this is the way we connect the seams, so early in the morning..." Here Ryan is demonstrating using a paint brush to spread on the resin. We went through countless 1" brushes along the way. We began saving them by tossing them into a cup of acetone but they were cheap, so often we just threw them away. Annoyingly, they would leave bristles (aka mohairs) behind and I would have to go through and try to pick them out without messing up the sticky seam.<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/midconstboyresins.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Things are really starting to come together at this point. Now, as always, keeping everything square is of utmost importance (as Ryan is constantly reminding me)!<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/midconstgirlsquares3.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/midconstgirlsquares2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Here we are sawing the pieces that will become the roof. Thanks to our neighbors for continuing to tolerate the noise and dust!!!<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/midconstteamcutting.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/lateconstbeforebed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />In this photo you should notice the angled roof. The original inspiration camper that we rented in Western Australia had a pop-up roof. This was nice because it kept the overall height of the camper down, but also annoying. In order to go to sleep, we first had to pop up the top and then rearrange things. On our trip, Ryan would often fall asleep after dinner in front of the soothing campfire and I would have to do it myself. In the morning, rather than being able to just hop into the cab and drive off to look for surf, we had to rearrange the surfboards again and then secure the top down. It was a lot of work, and we wanted to design something that wouldn't take as much effort. Of course, we also wanted to be able to stand up inside, but not make the camper too massive. The compromise came in the form of a slanted roof. The ceiling along the walkway inside is just high enough for Ryan and I to stand straight and have about an inch of clearance. Since he is only about 5'9" on a tall day, we were able to keep it pretty low. Any of our 6' tall friends are going to have to bend down a bit. We slanted it down on the side to help with wind resistance and add to street appeal. Standing next to the camper, an observer wouldn't even notice the taller section in the middle so the camper seems smaller than it really is.<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/lateconstgirltapes.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Once again, we used a lot of duct tape to hold the pieces together while the resin cured.<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/lateconstcornermolding.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Here, Ryan (aka David Putty) is making the corner a smooth radius with resin putty. The other edges will eventually be covered and supported by 3" aluminum angle, but this leading edge will not, so it needs to be nice and smooth.<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/teamworkboy.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />We found that the best way to seal the seams without any air bubbles was to first smear the seam with resin putty (resin mixed with cabosil and micro balloons available from <a href="http://www.fiberglassupply.com">http://www.fiberglassupply.com</a>), and then before it hardens, apply the layers of fiberglass tape, painting each with catalyzed resin, and then using a small square of cardboard to squeegee out the excess resin and make sure there were no air bubbles. In the photo above, Ryan is applying the putty with a tongue depressor. We also went through many boxes of popsicle sticks.<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/teamwork3.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />We had to work quickly and as a team in order to finish before the resin began to gel. Ryan was smart enough to wear a hat for this step, thus avoiding the drops of resin that I later had to rip out of my hair.<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/teamwork.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Thanks to Scott Cummins for his photography.<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/teamwork2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The final structural step was to put in the large piece that would serve as the bed and extend out over the cab of the truck.<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/lateconstbed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Ryan and Scott, making sure it is all square.<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/lateconstscott.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />With the bed in place, we spun the camper around to face the other direction.<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/camperviewbeforetrim.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/parentsinspect.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Ryan's parents stopped by to check up on our progress.<br /><br />Feeling rather accomplished with our success up to this point, and since the weather had improved so much, it was time to take another break and work on the garden.<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/plantinglimey.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />We came home from Home Depot <a href="http://www.homedepot.com">http://www.homedepot.com</a> with a couple new friends, some new pots, and our secret (don't tell anyone) to a happy and healthy garden, several bags of Supersoil. Here's Ryan introducing our baby lime tree to his new home.<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/babygarden05.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Chile seeds had been germinating for weeks upstairs in the warmth of our heated apartment and it was finally time to move them out into pots.<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/gardensalsa05.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />We celebrated the nice weather with an idle afternoon and fresh salsa in the garden.<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/PATIOL1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Thanks for looking. Check back next time to see how our garden has grown and attend the marriage of camper to truck.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-3609857381090453";
google_ad_width = 728;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "728x90_as";
google_ad_type = "text_image";
google_ad_channel = "";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script></div>Holly Beckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05673720487366844778noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34016417.post-1158199697271547112006-09-13T18:57:00.000-07:002006-09-17T15:37:57.703-07:00The Super Camper: Construction begins!<br /><br />Nida-Core would prove to be incredibly difficult to saw through. We made our first attempts with a jigsaw, but quikly realized that tool was horrible at making long straight cuts. To add to the the drama, the fiberglass dust was itchy beyond belief, making for a very uncomfortable situation. It got into our clothes and didn't come out in the first wash, or sometimes the second. It got into our skin and soaping up in the shower only added to the irritation. We tried everything to protect ourselves, but no matter what we did, sawing was always a nightmare.<br /><a href="http://s12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/?action=view¤t=constructingwayearlyboyjigsaw.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/constructingwayearlyboyjigsaw.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />We borrowed a circular saw from Ryan's dad, but it didn't work very well either. The tough material ate through saw blades almost immediately. After going through two blades while trying to make one 6' cut, Ryan nearly had a meltdown. I quickly drove home to my parent's house to borrow my dad's saw. My mom warned me that it was "ancient" and might not work since it had belonged to my great-grandfather. It didn't work perfectly but it was an improvement. Once we finally purchased and install a carbide-tip blade however, our problems were solved! That blade lasted the rest of the project!<br /><a href="http://s12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/?action=view&current=earlysawing.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/earlysawing.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Putting the first two pieces together was very exciting. Of course we had to make sure that everything was perfectly square.<br /><a href="http://s12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/?action=view&current=constructingearlygirlstquaring.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/constructingearlygirlstquaring.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/constructingearlyboyandrefreshments.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We toasted the first two pieces sitting together with a little Sierra Nevada refreshment. Since this was just before Christmas 2004, we celebrated with one of Ryan's seasonal favorites, the Celebration Ale.<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/constructingearlyrefreshments.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Ok, back to work...<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/constructingearlyboymeasuring.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Here's Ryan employing the jigsaw once again. It was useful for some cuts.<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/constructingearlycuttingwithjigsaw.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The view from above: (sometimes while he was sawing, I volunteered to run around taking photos, as far away as possible from the itch zone!)<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/constructingearlyfromabovenexttotru.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />As things got a little more intense, it became even more important to make sure everything started square and stayed square while we applied the resin and fiberglass and waited for it to cure. Ryan constructed a special tool by riveting aluminum angle peices to a square so that we could use clamps to attach it to the camper skeleton. His friends in the construction industry would marvel at the tool and suggest that we could sell them and make millions! They did help tremendously, but what would a project like this be without duck tape?<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/constructingearlyducktape.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />In order to speed up the resin curing process, we occassionally used solar-cure resin. I scored a big mirror in the alley behind our apartment and positioned it to blast sunshine right at the curing seams. I considered it a form of cross-training because it was really heavy to hold long enough for the resin to dry.<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/mirrorgirlworking.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I also used the mirror to take silly pictures of myself...<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/mirrorcrazygirl2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Maybe all those resin fumes did have an effect...<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/mirrorcrazygirl.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Here Ryan stands in what will be the doorway (code name: goal posts) and contemplates his creation. The winter of 2004/05 turned out to be one of the rainiest on record. It was probably not the ideal time to begin a project involving resin, that had to be constructed outside. The moisture inhibited a full cure, so following every rain dump we ended up soaking a full laundry load of towels trying to dry it all off.<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/earlyconstgoalpostcontemplation.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The fact that darkness fell not long after 4:30pm didn't help us either, significantly shortening our possible work time. Sometimes we had to do a little work in the dark. Here I am, removing ducktape, happy to finally call it a night.<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/earlyducktapenightshotgirl.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Once we had the first level of sides on, we felt it was really starting to take shape, and could finally get a better idea of what it would look like once completed.<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/midconstgirlsquaresup.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />With the lower half of the camper body constructed, we tipped it up on it's end in order to keep rain from pooling inside and be able to apply the resin and fiberglass tape to the underside seams without having to lay on the ground and work upside down. This only confused our neighbors further. We had moved to this apartment in October because it featured a stand-alone garage and a large concrete area to build the camper. By January we still hadn't gotten to know many of our neighbors. All they had seen was a young couple move in with a brand new truck, take the bed off, and start making a lot of noise with loud saws, constructing a very large and strange object with pungent chemical smells and even involving a huge mirror. They were certainly unsure what to think of us. Once the camper was up on it's side they started asking questions. "Is that a sauna?"<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/earlyconstisthatasauna.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />February and March 2005 were tough months in camperland. The incessant wind and rain, cold weather, and consistent NW swells made work on the camper nearly impossible. One weekend we forced ourselves to make some progress and applied the long seams on the underside of the camper. The following day they still hadn't hardened. There was too much moisture in the cracks, and fearing compromised strength we were forced to rip off all the work we had done and wait for the camper to dry completely before continuing. That little setback was bad for morale. Ryan experienced his second meldown of the project, claiming in frustration, "we'll have to wait until June!" With that, we took a few weekends off, just to go surfing.<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/me_burnout.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Ryan, pulling into a bomb at his home break on his homemade board named "the Seawing".<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/ryanbigbottomturn.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />"Proof" photos from <a href="http://www.sbsessions.com">http://www.sbsessions.com</a><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/ryancloseout.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Ryan, probably not coming out of this one.<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/1copy.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The photo below shows Ryan riding the fish he shaped and named "the Rocketship" with his resin swirl design, on a more playful day.<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/ryanrocketshipbottom.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I even got a few closeout barrels myself.<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/hollyfrontsidetube.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The lefts are never quite as good, so I was sometimes forced to go right.<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/hollybacksidenohands.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />"Look mom, no hands!"<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/Untitled-2copy.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/hollycloseout.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Thanks, SB Sessions!<br /><br />Tune in next time to see what happened when the rain finally stopped...<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-3609857381090453";
google_ad_width = 728;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "728x90_as";
google_ad_type = "text_image";
google_ad_channel = "";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script></div>Holly Beckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05673720487366844778noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34016417.post-1157642412459591982006-09-07T08:07:00.000-07:002007-01-04T20:01:35.497-08:00The Super Camper: Inspiration, concept, and design<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3818/3701/1600/supercampersummer06%20copy.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3818/3701/320/supercampersummer06%20copy.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />More than two years in the making, the Super Camper is finally approaching completion. Of course, we should have been updating a blog all along the way so that readers could follow along with our progress. I would have been able to point to a website as an answer every time I was asked, "how's the camper coming along?"<br /><br />Alas, I was only alerted to the ease of blogging recently. So I figured, better late than never!<br /><br />Above, you see the camper as it is in September 2006. Hopefully soon, this blog will be filled with stories of our journeys as we finally begin to take the camper on the road. In the meantime, if you are interested in how we got to this point, read along as we travel back in time to Spring 2004 when inspiration struck somewhere in Southwestern Australia... But first, I should introduce the characters.<br /><br /><p><a href="http://s12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/?action=view¤t=boy-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/boy-1.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p>Ryan Roelen is one of the most intelligent and talented people i've ever met. He shapes his own surfboards, grows his own chiles, and is an amazing cook. Unfortunately, he can't spend as many hours lurking in the garden as he would like. During the week he functions as a mechanical engineer at Robinson Helicopter Company in Torrance, CA.</p><a href="http://s12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/?action=view&current=girlmodelling.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/girlmodelling.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Holly Beck (your narrator) is a professional surfer, earning a living by travelling the globe with her surfboard competing in international events, representing her sponsors (Body Glove <a href="http://www.bodyglove.com">http://www.bodyglove.com</a>, Rusty surfboards <a href="http://www.rusty.com">http://www.rusty.com</a>, Freestyle watches <a href="http://www.freestyleusa.com">http://www.freestyleusa.com</a>, Sector 9 skateboards <a href="http://www.sector9.com">http://www.sector9.com</a>, and DaKine surfing accessories <a href="http://www.dakine.com">http://www.dakine.com</a>) in the media as a spokesperson for women's surfing, and modelling. Photo: Aaron Checkwood, North Shore Oahu, December 2005<br /><p></p><p>In Spring of 2004, I dragged Ryan along to a WQS surfing event in Margaret River, Western Australia. We rented a 4x4 camper-truck and hoped to camp overlooking the beach and surf uncrowded waves after the contest finished. Unfortunately (but happily for Ryan), the contest finished early for me, so we had plenty of extra days to explore. Contrary to our expectations, the Margaret River area featured more concrete and hook-up campgrounds than wild areas, although we did find one natural campsite in a beautiful forrest. </p><p><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/Apollo.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p>The camper was reasonably comfortable and performed very well on the deep sand access roads to some of the more remote beaches, but certainly had a few design flaws. At some point Ryan suggested we look into buying one at home, but also mentioned he might be capable of making something like this, only better. Either idea sounded pretty good to me!<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/Hollyryansanddune.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p>After browsing the internet's "camper for sale" listings and coming up empty, I encouraged Ryan to follow through on his claim that we could just make it ourselves. Many people along the way would ask, "why didn't you just buy one?" The answer to that is pretty simple. First, the majority of campers for 4x4 trucks on the market are the type that slide into the bed of the truck like these:</p><p><a href="http://s12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/?action=view¤t=inspriation2.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/inspriation2.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://s12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/?action=view&current=inspiration.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/inspiration.jpg" border="0" /></a> </p><p>This design requires the camper to be more narrow than it could be since it has to fit inside the bed (or inside the trunk in the second photo), and they also end up being heavier since the bed itself is still on there. We decided that by removing the bed and building the camper directly on the frame of the truck, we could gain space and save weight. We did find find some campers for sale online (like the EarthRoamer <a href="http://www.earthroamer.com">http://www.earthroamer.com</a><http:>) very similar to what we had in mind. Rather than have someone else build our dream camper, we figured we might as well just do it ourself. It would be more fun and meaningful that way!</p><p>The first step was designing what would come to be called The Super Camper. Ryan put his mechanical engineering skills to use, spending several months coming up with the concept and design. It was all completely custom. We sat on chairs and discussed the ideal height for the benches. We designed the ceiling to be just tall enough for us to stand tall inside and not bump our heads, and the benches to be just long enough for us to stretch out on comfortably. We discussed the best place to store our surfboards and wetsuits. </p><p>We decided that we would use a Toyota Tacoma 4x4 truck as the base of the camper and had to run around the neighborhood to find Tacomas to check out in order to try to see what the frame looked like so that Ryan could design the way the camper would mount to the frame. The next step was to actually go out and purchase the truck. With the help of my friend Stuart Hoshide and the good people at South Bay Toyota (<a href="http://www.southbaytoyota.com">http://www.southbaytoyota.com</a>), we got a great deal on a brand new 2004 Toyota Tacoma 4x4 with the offroad package. </p><p><a href="http://s12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/?action=view¤t=trucknew.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/trucknew.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p>Then it came time to try to figure out how to remove the bed of the truck. </p><p><a href="http://s12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/?action=view&current=trucknewboyabove.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/trucknewboyabove.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p><a href="http://s12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/?action=view¤t=bedcomingoff.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/bedcomingoff.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p>Here is Ryan and his friend "the Butchman" working on removing the bed.</p><p><a href="http://s12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/?action=view&current=bedoffgirl.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/bedoffgirl.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p>With the bed gone, we had a much better view of the frame of the truck and could finally decide on the best way to connect the camper to the frame. You might be wondering what we did with it. The bed is safely stored away in the garage. We plan to sell it at some point, but only after we have taken the camper on a few trips and are sure that we don't ever want to go back to having a normal truck.</p><p><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/figuringmount.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p>Ryan used 2"x4"s to help visualize the best way to design the mounts. It made me a little nervous to be drilling into the frame of our brand new truck, but I had faith in the Super Engineer.</p><p><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/closeupboydrills.jpg" border="0" /></a> </p><p>Ryan used a saw purchased from Harbor Freight (<a href="http://www.harborfreight.com">http://www.harborfreight.com</a>) to cut the steel angles for the frame. He was very excited about the sparks flying everywhere!<a href="http://s12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/?action=view¤t=mountimproveboysparks.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/mountimproveboysparks.jpg" border="0" /></a> <p><p>In order to prevent rust, the steel pieces were then sprayed with Rustoleum. <a href="http://s12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/?action=view&current=mountrustproofing.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/mountrustproofing.jpg" border="0" /></a> <p>The front mount is solid and stable, <a href="http://s12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/?action=view¤t=mountfront.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/mountfront.jpg" border="0" /></a> </p><p>while the back mount is able to pivot, in order to allow the frame to flex while travelling over rough terrain without cracking the camper.<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/backmount.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://s12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/?action=view&current=mountbacksideview.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/mountbacksideview.jpg" border="0" /></a> </p><p>This is a shot looking into the hollow center of the back mount. You can see the rubber spacer that allows the mount to flex.<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/truckbedoff.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p>During our research online we came across a product called Nidacore (<a href="http://www.nida-core.com">http://www.nida-core.com</a>) that seemed perfect to use as the structure of the camper. <a href="http://s12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/?action=view&current=nidacore-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/nidacore-1.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p>The Nidacore product we chose came in 4'x8' sheets of 1 1/4" polypropylene honeycomb sandwiched with fiberglass. It is lightweight and incredibly strong. As a bonus, we would use fiberglass and resin to attach the pieces together, which due to our surfing background, are familiar materials. Here I am copying a photo from the EarthRoamer's website, demonstrating the strength of a sheet of Nidacore.<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/hollybeck/girlstandsonnidacore.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p>We are now ready to start sawing pieces of NidaCore. Check out the following blog updates for the construction process....</p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-3609857381090453";
google_ad_width = 728;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "728x90_as";
google_ad_type = "text_image";
google_ad_channel = "";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script></div>Holly Beckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05673720487366844778noreply@blogger.com6