Campers

[DesignBuild]

If you are considering building a camper like the R. Q. Riley Phoenix you can find the complete set of plans and the build book on Scribd.com for free.

The original plans use the VW Bus chassis, but if you examine a bus chassis you can see that it would be easier to build an entirely new chassis using sheets of steel welded together with long z-strips of the same gauge steel with a gap of 2 to 3 inches. If you want to see a modern example look at the chassis pictures of a Tesla. If you use a 3 inch gap you can incorporate the fuel tank in the floor, i.e. make that tank a structural part of the floor.

Doing it this way you can chose the wheelbase you want. Construction of the body can be done per the plans or it could be made as a complete enclosure. You could make it high enough to stand upright without any bump outs.

If I were doing this I would use a diesel drivetrain and either front wheel drive or all wheel drive. Many different choices available. Choose one that you can easily get parts for well into the future. Modify the suspension chassis connection points to fit your floor pan. The skateboard chassis is very stiff and the addition of attachment beam sections using 9-gauge box sections will result in a very strong chassis. I would also create 3D-CAD drawings that could be analyzed using finite element analysis for strength and fastener layouts.

If you are into 3D-CAD check out ONDSEL ES which is based on FreeCAD, but is much easier to use.

[Tcash]

[Tcash]

[busdaddy]

He's had since 2017 to figure that out.

[W1K1]

[2bugtony]

I think this looks like a Adventure Camper what do you think. I would love to know more about it. It is a 1969

[Tcash]

[scrivyscriv]

My 1971 Riviera pop-up top:

What is the purpose of this faucet? I have a water tank and an icebox in that cabinet, but no sink or stove, and no place to put one either. Anyone got photos of a similar setup? I'd like to find out what all I'm missing.

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Robert in Memphis
Dünkelgrügen 1967 Java Green bug thread
Engine rebuild thread
If you're ever in the Memphis area, you are welcome to stop by for advice and help.

[rusty busty]

I don't see any mention of the super awesome Get-away camper. They're becoming quite popular

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1978 CEII Get-away hightop

[Volktales]

[skills@eurocarsplus]

[Xevin]

Ohhh, I thought it was one of them new millennial "Selfie Campers"
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Keep on Busin'

[Tcash]

Delfi Camper

[notchboy]

[72boughitnew]

There were so many different configurations by so many different converter, the majority of them dissapeared through the years. The Westfalia was by far the best with respect to workmanship. The cabinetry was top notch. Having had mine for 45 years and 31 countries later, it is still tight and the doors open and close perfectly. Us usa buyers were limited to one configuration because of the California regulations on plumbing and electrical. Westfalia only converted the sunroof buses in the early years, as VW didnt like the idea of cutting away the roof. The sunroof van had better structural integrity than the conventional vans. By 74 the changed their postion and the new roof assembly was introduced by Westfalia.

[Tcash]

Trakka

[Pinetops]

[Tcash]

[cliveawn]

[Tcash]