Thread: Spudboy's super-sized camper replacement for a 130 - and no it's not a Unimog!

Made some steps last weekend, to make it easier to get in/out of the canopy. The ladder is OK if you're not carrying anything, but steps make it much easier.

I cut out 4 steps on the plasma cutter, putting in perforations to make them non-slip.


The steps sit on 2 rails and pivot, which makes them compact for storing away.


This is the finished product, with the yellow 'landing pad' pulled out to give side access:


This is how they pivot:
[ame]http://youtu.be/6uH3tmdoRZM[/ame]

Lots more details on how they were built here: Stairs

Plasma cut holes are going too reduce mass, don't know about non slip! If the holes were punched out to produce a raised edge that would provide something to bite into the soles of the shoes.

Clever arrangement results in compact storage.

I tried punching the holes out on an earlier prototype, but the steps got badly distorted. Punching gave each hole a nice raised 'lip' which was super non-slip, but just having the holes cut also stops the Ali being slippery.

And yes - it is quite compact when folded up.

This is quite a belated post to say we are on our way. Actually, we are 3 weeks into our 8 week trip and currently sitting in Fitzroy Crossing, near to Broome in WA. Not all that many spots with internet connectivity out this way!!

So far we have done just over 4,500Kms from Adelaide. Some days we do a lot of KMs, other days we do none. Today we went for a small cruise at Geike Gorge but then we spent the rest of the afternoon by the pool Mostly we are free camping as we are fully self contained, but every so often we wimp out and stop at a nice park or lodge for proper (long) showers and 240 volts and pools and things.

Our big unknown was the Tanami Track, which is 1000Kms from Alice Springs to Halls Creek. We were a bit worried how the truck would go with all the corrugations and wash-outs, but it did extremely well. Zero dramas. Which has given us a lot more confidence in it.

Here's a report of the drive up the Tanami: Tanami-Track

And a couple of photos:




Fuel usage was really good (for a 10 tonne truck) at 23.2 litres per 100Km.

Next stop is Broome to re-supply, and then up to Cape Leveque for some beach time and some fishing.

Cheers
David

Same fuel usage as my 101... Except yours weighs 5 times what mine does...

Good to hear the trucks doing its job well.

Thanks!

Are you sure a 101 only weighs 2 tonnes though? I thought they'd be something like 4 or 5 tonnes....

Yep, just on 2 tonne. It may look big, but it's a big aluminium and canvas box full of fresh air...

Stripped down it gets to around 1,800Kg. They were designed to be air portable using the Wessex helicopter.

I probably had around 1/2 tonne of stuff in the back while towing the van though (mostly cases of wine...)

David, would it have been possible to make the cab/camper body walk thru ?
I understand this brings up a lot of complications but wondering if it was a consideration at any point ?