Van Building Techniques that are Repairable or Not

3520 Views 31 Replies 20 Participants Last post by offgridengineering, 6 d ago

Dennis CampMaker

Discussion Starter · May 31, 2022

I think a lot of van builders install "permanent" walls or other things that cause problems in the future. I'm interested in starting a thread about the importance of building vans in a way so they can be repaired. I'd like to hear examples from people who created easy access to fix their van or be willing to share examples of when you did something more permanent in the van build and then had to work extra hard to fix the problem.

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Lolaeliz

· #21 · 12 mo ago

Dennis CampMaker said:
Could you take a few photos and explain how you anchored your walls and ceiling with L track?

If you follow EXPLORISTlife They are filming their latest van build which will be entirely modular. So far they've just done basic stuff -- floor, insulation, lights.... But if you are interested in this sort of design, they will be worth following.

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Dennis CampMaker

Discussion Starter · #22 · 12 mo ago

Lolaeliz said:
If you follow EXPLORISTlife They are filming their latest van build which will be entirely modular. So far they've just done basic stuff -- floor, insulation, lights.... But if you are interested in this sort of design, they will be worth following.

Thank you! I do follow them. Most of their content is excellent.

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GaryBIS

· #23 · 12 mo ago

Hi,
Its nice to be able to remove stuff for changes and repairs, but there are also some advantages to bonding and gluing stuff together. Bonded joints are often several times stronger than just fasteners. This helps with structural integrity, crash worthiness and noise. Have to say I probably leaned too far toward gluing every joint on mine - it would be a bear to take some of it apart

Gary

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Dennis CampMaker

Discussion Starter · #24 · 12 mo ago

GaryBIS said:
Hi,
Its nice to be able to remove stuff for changes and repairs, but there are also some advantages to bonding and gluing stuff together. Bonded joints are often several times stronger than just fasteners. This helps with structural integrity, crash worthiness and noise. Have to say I probably leaned too far toward gluing every joint on mine - it would be a bear to take some of it apart

Gary

That is a good point Gary. I think part of my reason for this thread is to bring up good ideas to help build vans that are secure, crash worthy and fairly easy to repair.

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diytech

· #25 · 12 mo ago

And here's a link to my post showing a fixture mounting system using cheap strut channel: Strut System
The cost is very low, and I didn't drill a single hole in the van to put it all in place. This system could serve as yet another way to attach interior panels.

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Dennis CampMaker

Discussion Starter · #26 · 12 mo ago

diytech said:
And here's a link to my post showing a fixture mounting system using cheap strut channel: Strut System
The cost is very low, and I didn't drill a single hole in the van to put it all in place. This system could serve as yet another way to attach interior panels.

That is an excellent idea! I think it would be helpful to mount cabinets, etc.

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elkwoman

· #27 · 12 mo ago

Very intriguing idea. My van, although beautiful, is so customized there is no way it could be removed and reinstalled in something else. Iwill be watching for ideas where I might be able to make some changes.

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rmrozinsky

· #28 · 12 mo ago

Dennis CampMaker said:
I think a lot of van builders install "permanent" walls or other things that cause problems in the future. I'm interested in starting a thread about the importance of building vans in a way so they can be repaired. I'd like to hear examples from people who created easy access to fix their van or be willing to share examples of when you did something more permanent in the van build and then had to work extra hard to fix the problem.

I'm just finishing my first build out of a 2019 Promaster high roof extended van. Threads like these have been very valuable. I've made extensive use of extruded aluminum (EA) and have only drilled/cut holes for the Maxxair fans, sliding door window, roof top wiring (solar, lights, weboost) and 1 1/2 hole for composting toilet ventilation. Other than these, I've made use of existing holes. I used screws, plus nuts and t nuts. As such, everything is "reversible" and repairable (insulation and sound deading was glued so being completely "reversible" would be difficult). Obviously, some easier than others.

Given my first build, it allowed for correction, and from a potential accident/repair perspective if I needed to fix something, it would be possible. Not to mention the material strength, and subsequent safety, is the best. Repairing the wiring that is routed in the roof chase(s) would be the most difficult, but I did add additional spares as a preventative measure. Not the cheapest route, but very happy I went with this.

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eaklander

· #29 · 12 mo ago

Everything in my modest DIY build is removable -- and in most cases extremely easy to do so.

Well, except for the 3M Thinsulate Acoustic/Thermal Insulation that we spray-mounted to the interior panels.

For example, I used existing PM threaded rivnuts bolts where possible, inserted very few self-threading screws and, where possible, secured 1/8" Baltic birch ply to the walls & ceilings with Scotch Extreme Fasteners, 1" x 10', Clear (RF6760) 2 Roll/Pack (also referred to as "dual lock" Velcro). Additionally my wife and I did not install a permanent floor on the bed of the van.

Without going into more detail, I simply offer this link to a Forum discussion describing my build: My Modest Camper Conversion - Part One.

One final point: an additional reason for installing an easy to de-install build is (in my opinion) to help in reselling the van at some point in the future; it will be fairly easy for any future owner to keep or removed any part of my build.

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Dennis CampMaker

Discussion Starter · #30 · 12 mo ago

eaklander said:
One final point: an additional reason for installing an easy to de-install build is (in my opinion) to help in reselling the van at some point in the future; it will be fairly easy for any future owner to keep or removed any part of my build.

You bring up an important point that hasn't been mentioned earlier. What if the next owner wants to do something different? I have seen a number of vans for sale where the build is partially done, but I saw a lot of things that were not done correctly or done the way I would do it. If it was easier to fix and/or finish properly, the van would have been more sellable.

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aaronmcd

· #31 · 11 mo ago

Dennis CampMaker said:
You bring up an important point that hasn't been mentioned earlier. What if the next owner wants to do something different? I have seen a number of vans for sale where the build is partially done, but I saw a lot of things that were not done correctly or done the way I would do it. If it was easier to fix and/or finish properly, the van would have been more sellable.

Next owner? Partially done?
I just assume if I ever sell, I'll be selling to someone that want's a completely done build.
They better like music and cooking.

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offgridengineering

· #32 · 6 d ago

Dennis CampMaker said:
...like to hear examples from people who created easy access to fix their van or be willing to share examples of when you did something more permanent in the van build and then had to work extra hard to fix the problem.

I figured everything is temporary, so all our cabinets are freestanding 8020 builds (actually 25 and 30 series) and bolted to the van using the built-in bolting points. Except where panels are attached, and for those I used plus nuts and bolted. All comes out pretty fast and in pretty big pieces.
Tim

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