Installing one of the best Expedition Camper doors

[@yolysun7420]

That is a very solid & well built door. It even sounds like it's vacuum sealed when you open it. And what a space saving idea to put the shower at the entrance door. Thanks to your friends who are helping you. And congrats on this well-planned & solid expedition vehicle build!

[@vantripping]

Thank you much! I'm excited to put this door to use in the outdoor climes as I get my camper build out completed.

[@Beardinc]

BIG step forward in the build! Beautiful door, sounds awesome too haha.

[@vantripping]

Thanks!

[@RVGlobeTrekker]

Great choice in a door and windows. We really like the Motorcraft products.

[@vantripping]

Yes, the quality is very nice.

[@VitalySalsa808]

Hi! Great job! Can I ask for a link to the door manufacturers?

[@vantripping]

Thanks! This entry door is made by Motorcraft Adventure Development, aka MAD, out of England. It's a very nice door.

[@DE-li7jt]

nicely done, when are you atrtaching some stairs?

[@vantripping]

Thank you. Stairs and an entry platform are ready to be installed once I have some more things done inside the camper, mostly due to space within my garage and final design of a few more components for what is going to be a very cool entry system.

[@livingworkingoutsidebox]

Great to see progress . Can't wait to see the graphics. Are you using the color wheel to get opposite colors?

[@vantripping]

Thanks. This is great that it's all sealed up, and ready to be painted. I have chosen colors available from a manufacture and that don't scream military truck yet are light and easy to the eyes in any environment.Here is my latest video of the paint color schemes: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fYjZnnurpMuDm80

[@yanobou]

That really looks great. With your buddies helping out i began to wonder where are you at in terms of man hours for the project. You seem incredibly detail oriented… are you on budget for your own time spent?

[@vantripping]

Great question. I have had some help from friends which has been amazing! I've been trying to keep track of my time building and will report when done, but more time is spent on design, procurement/ordering, research and even just basic administrative things like breaking down and recycling boxes, returning items, clean up and organization, etc. that I have to been tracking. This project takes a lot of time.

[@woolengrappler]

I’ve really enjoyed watching your videos. Thanks! My wife and I are researching the Core Chassis with a Total Composites box for our family of 4. We’d probably go for the Isuzu NPR crew cab, 150” wheel base with a 12’ to 13’ box. What are the dimensions of your box? How tall is the vehicle? I assume it’s got 37” tires?

[@vantripping]

Thanks and good for you. I think it makes a great chassis for balance of size, carrying capacity, space for camper and performance. Here is a good overview of my camper design and dimensions: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f2Wyi3yIos9jb9E. My box is 82" wide externally, which is just under 1" wider than the cab per side. And 84" internally in order to accommodate my tall height and the bike garage with bed on top. Total length is 16' but only about 13.5 feet at the floor, then steps up over the bumper and again for the spare tire bumper out before the bed platform. I will emphasize that width and length really adds value, let also needs to be balanced with trail/parking performance. Height is mostly only trail performance, yet very much adds to space and allows for steps internally to store things like batteries, bikes in a garage, and other things like that. I''ll go over more of my finished build and dimensions that works well when done soon.

[@woolengrappler]

@@vantripping awesome, I appreciate the info! We’d probably go with internal dimensions of 78” x 78” with a 12’ long floor and an extension off the back to get us to 13’ a foot of so off the floor.

[@vantripping]

@@woolengrappler Yeah, that's about the same as mine, except mine is 6" taller to accommodate bikes and other gear inside the gear garage. You can easily extend over the bumper a foot or more, and if your spare tire is mounted on the rear wall, you can extend the width of the tire over it like I did with my bed platform. That gained my another 1.5 feet, which is about ~10% more space.

[@woolengrappler]

@@vantripping nice! Are the walls, floor, ceiling all 2” thick? I’ve seen some models where the floor and ceiling are maybe 3.25” thick.

[@vantripping]

@@woolengrappler Yes, only the walls are 2" thick while the front and rear walls, as well as the ceiling and floor are 3.23" thick. They are thicker for optimizing for strength, weight, insulation, imbedded structural supports and wire chases, as well as for window and door frames. Many things to think about regarding thickness and all have their pros and cons.

[@tonycolicchio5505]

Do you have any pics how you finished out the inside of the door install?

[@vantripping]

Great question, and not yet, as I am still working on that portion of this project. I should have that pretty well completed in the next couple of months and will be sure to share,

[@livingworkingoutsidebox]

Great progress the door looks great 👍 I have a dilemma 😕. I really like the LMTVs and was thinking of getting one on Gov planet. Then after research am finding they always breakdown. Really like the fuso but comes across a little small but that can be changed a little with 4x4 lift kit, suspension changes etc. Just found out they stopped N.American sales as of 2020. I would buy used anyway Could get a German MAN truck body from a 1998- German fire truck . Still pricy for age and now add transatlantic shipping but has that international Expedition truck look I really like. And easy to get 4x4 or even 6x6 Or thinking of staying with E450 or F650 chassis only from uhaul under $10k plus 4x4 conversion +$10k-$15k steal frame aluminum box build $4k-$6k ikea cabinets, Lowes appliances Walmart ac fixtures bed etc be done with it faster and get to traveling. My face is cringing 😬 as I type this. Trying to find that balance 🤔

[@vantripping]

Yes, we are very limited in the US with good expedition camper truck chassis. Watch my video of overview of options and analysis spreadsheet here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/opq9mqaAYqaghc0 The MANs and Mercedes are excellent but do have to import 25 years old or older. The E series is great but the engine doghouse was a deal killer for and especially for passenger comfort. I have several friends with LMTVs, and I considered it and drove two but very large, air brakes very touchy, a lot of effort to create comfortable cabin, and they do have consistent issues with the CTIS.

[@livingworkingoutsidebox]

@@vantripping I've watched that video multiple times. Very good but the way. I've even considered buying one of those TruGreen trucks. A mix between a van and truck. Isuzu or fuso front and van-like body in back. Gut it all and convert to a surfing / beach cruiser used only for road driving. Since it's different would make a cool rig easily wrapped. Great build series content. I could even put an outdoor digital screen(s) on the back and half of each sides. Then rent rotating images out and some video ads. Additional revenue stream and promote the documentary film with it. But when all else is said and done I still want a real international Expedition Truck. So looks like a Fuso or Isuzu will be what I end up getting. 👍🤔😉 With a diy habitat from Globe Trekker 🌎

[@vantripping]

@@livingworkingoutsidebox a four-wheel drive Fuso or NPR is a great option for compact, capability, value, and capacities. You have good ideas; now just decide and make them happen.