August progress on the van build

High top gives us room to stand up, and the motorcycle carrier easily handles my 1970 Triumph, which weighs 400 lb with a full tank of fuel.
High top gives us room to stand up, and the motorcycle carrier easily handles my 1970 Triumph, which weighs 400 lb with a full tank of fuel.

During the first half of August we finally got the high top, which means we can stand up straight while moving around inside. The installer was a month late arranging delivery — the entire process, from deposit to drive-it-away, took eight weeks. It was a frustrating delay.

I installed the trailer hitch receiver, motorcycle carrier and the roof vent, with its electric exhaust fan. It’s a lot more comfortable working inside now.

Gail installs the fiberglass batts.
Gail installs the fiberglass batts.

We finished insulating the steel section of the interior with a layer of Reflectix and fiberglass batts, totaling (we hope) R13 or so.

Panelling goes in over the insulation.
Panelling goes in over the insulation.

Gail gave our birch plywood panelling a couple of coats of acrylic varnish and I cut the panels to shape with a jigsaw, then installed them with self-tapping screws.

Next I’ll run the 12-volt wiring and install the big 220 amp-hour batteries. Then the bed can go back in.  Next week, the kitchen cabinet with sink, water tanks and stove, and the refrigerator cabinet with drinking water dispenser.

Next chapter: September progress on the van build