[anku94]

But a retractable roof will involve a whole new lot of engineering stuff, and I doubt if DKG would want to do that, especially seeing now that he's got the basic skeleton ready...

[DKG]

Originally Posted by Anandg

Make the roof retractable--means when camper is moving you can have lever to bring the height of the camper down.

Originally Posted by anku94

But a retractable roof will involve a whole new lot of engineering stuff, and I doubt if DKG would want to do that, especially seeing now that he's got the basic skeleton ready...

You are right Anku

Originally Posted by Anandg

ensure that the roof of the camper is a flat surface so that you can use it as a base of those portable tents in case you go to area where you cannot camp on ground.

Four adults can live and sleep inside the camper, why would I need to carry any tents?

I have camped out way too many times to know what a drag it is to set up a large tent and eventually pack things away when you need to move. Main reason why I don't think much of the Overlander project. Its too much to setup.

I wanted something that is fully self contained and requires zero setup. That's what I have designed and built. The fun starts the minute you reach the site, no setting up of anythng. And nil packup time too

Ask someone who camps regulary how precious that can be !!

[leadf00t]

Originally Posted by DKG

Now that I am close to finishing the interiors I will have to finalise and make the toilet and kitchen arrangement

That means we now deserve more recent pics.

was trying to look out something for your portable toilet.
Found this site
Portable Toilet Systems delhi india,Portable Toilet Systems service providers delhi,Fresh Water Portable Toilet Systems delhi india,Portable Toilet Solutions delhi,Portable Wash Basin

They seem have have some interesting solution. They are looking out for franchisees around India maybe they could give a demo if you request them. You could mod up some features out of their solution for your use.

[MileCruncher]

@ Deepak: I came to know about this project of yours from Raj Kumar Goli. Holy Mother of God!!! You surely do have a whole spectrum of hobbies.

As about the toilet, one option could be something like what Jeremy Clarkson / James May did on their Polar Expedition trip. On a serious note, I think you may want to look at Chemical Toilets in buses along with a electrical / Mechanical compactors.

As regards to cooling, how about having a desert cooler kinda system which can be made to run on batteries.

Also are you planning to have a water tank onboard the camper and if yes, where will that be?

[Finject]

I want to build a combination sleeping platform/storage compartment in the back of my XYLO to allow me and my mates to sleep back there, during a cross-country ride we are planning.
I am based outta Mumbai right now, and having shifted here recently, I don't know who specialises in these sorta jobs. I was looking at something like this.



Do help me out.
TIA

[DKG]

Originally Posted by Finject

I want to build a combination sleeping platform/storage compartment in the back of my XYLO to allow me and my mates to sleep back there, during a cross-country ride we are planning.

If its just for this trip and not a permanent mod to the Xylo then take out the rear and middle row seats and get a carpenter to fabricate just what you posted. It won't cost you much and once you are done either you can throw it away or store it someplace should you ever require it for future travel

If you want it to be a permanent feature and versatile in changing from bed to seating then try out Dilip Chabbria's workshop or similar. They do some great stuff.

[Anandg]

I want to build a combination sleeping platform/storage compartment in the back of my XYLO to allow me and my mates to sleep back there, during a cross-country ride we are planning.
I am based outta Mumbai right now, and having shifted here recently, I don't know who specialises in these sorta jobs. I was looking at something like this.

Finjet- I suggested DKG to go for inflatable air bed-cum-sofa that would not only adjust itself to the floor space of your xylo but also would not disturb the weight / dynamics of the vehicle.The air support would also be helpful while you lie on them.It would also be easier to maintain and replace if required. Check out sony tv late night adverts for those funny ads.

[getsurya]

DKG,

one word-AWESOME! Great passion with perfect execution(As I see it coming!)

One request-keep all the specs recorded along with costs, we might need it for building our very own campers! Scribed as DKG!!

[s3va]

DKG, OMG wow !

calling this 'DIY Project' would be diminutive, instead this is an Art !

I have already started imagining how cozy it would be to spend a night inside the camper in the deep woods !

patent the idea and sell it to TATA

I salute your spirits !

Something I noted in the pics. I know it would have been taken care, but I thought I should highlight it. After mounting the camper on the truck, is it slanting towards the right when you look at it from the front ?

[Rehaan]

Perhaps heres some inspiration for the next project

YouTube - Hong Kong architect turns shoebox apartment into 24 rooms

cya
R

[Finject]

Originally Posted by DKG

If its just for this trip and not a permanent mod to the Xylo then take out the rear and middle row seats and get a carpenter to fabricate just what you posted. It won't cost you much and once you are done either you can throw it away or store it someplace should you ever require it for future travel

If you want it to be a permanent feature and versatile in changing from bed to seating then try out Dilip Chabbria's workshop or similar. They do some great stuff.

DC would turn out to be too expensive. Yes, its just a trip but I would like to have this feature for all my future trips as well. I was actually planning to approach some design students from NID and ask them to help me with the design. I am willing to pay them for the project. And once the design is ready, any one can execute it. Let's see how it works out.

[anjuna mark]

I built a big camper in Goa some years ago.

It has an integrated generator, AC, hot and cold running water, etc.
But no toilet. That was just too hard in India, as there are obviously no dump facilities.
I carry 400 liters of water, and 450 of diesel; but I should have made that 600 water and 250 diesel. we always had to move to get water.
My bike is carried on a motorized lifting rack at the rear.
recently, staying in my other camper in Europe, I found a solution to the water problem; I have 3 35 liter plastic jerry cans, 2 sit in sadle bags and 1 goes on my backcarrier on my motorcycle [in Europe a 650 honda bros, in India I supplied my house this way sometimes with my 1977 KZ400 Kawasaki].
Have you found a fridge?
I have a lot of experience with the technical details if you want it.

[Finject]

Originally Posted by anjuna mark

I built a big camper in Goa some years ago.

It has an integrated generator, AC, hot and cold running water, etc.
But no toilet. That was just too hard in India, as there are obviously no dump facilities.
I carry 400 liters of water, and 450 of diesel; but I should have made that 600 water and 250 diesel. we always had to move to get water.
My bike is carried on a motorized lifting rack at the rear.
recently, staying in my other camper in Europe, I found a solution to the water problem; I have 3 35 liter plastic jerry cans, 2 sit in sadle bags and 1 goes on my backcarrier on my motorcycle [in Europe a 650 honda bros, in India I supplied my house this way sometimes with my 1977 KZ400 Kawasaki].
Have you found a fridge?
I have a lot of experience with the technical details if you want it.

Geez, that's awesome Just that we are taking two Xylos along and nothing more. So, building a full fledged camper is out of question. Just need to build a sleeping area in the back of one of the XYLOs, in case we feel like sleeping under the stars. And yeah, we found a fridge. Its also called an Ice box

Will Pm you in case the NID guys can't help me out. A very good friend is a prof there.

[DKG]

Originally Posted by getsurya

keep all the specs recorded along with costs, we might need it for building our very own campers! Scribed as DKG!!

Anytime, would be a pleasure to help out with info and specs

Originally Posted by s3va

I have already started imagining how cozy it would be to spend a night inside the camper in the deep woods !

I am counting on that. Its really come out well, the bed over the cabin. It will also have a large sunroof which can be left open so you sleep under the stars !

patent the idea and sell it to TATA

The RV industry may still be a long way away here in India. We are yet to get a decent 4x4 offering so RV's are definitely long way off

is it slanting to the right when you look at it from the front ?

the ground may be uneven causing it to look so. There's no uneven weight distribution within the camper to cause it to tilt one side

Originally Posted by Rehaan

Perhaps heres some inspiration for the next project

Guess what - for the past week or two I have been toying with the idea of fabricating a tiny portable room with a toilet which I can park in our yard as I need to break down some stuff and build a bigger workshop. The challenge is to do an extreme low cost room with bath !!

Originally Posted by Finject

I was actually planning to approach some design students from NID and ask them to help me with the design. I am willing to pay them for the project. And once the design is ready, any one can execute it. Let's see how it works out.

Very interesting thought. Set a budget for them and have them give you proposals with costing. Should be a great way to have one built plus you give the students a wonderful opportunity to be creative

[quote=anjuna mark;1862908]I built a big camper in Goa some years ago.

Great to meet a fellow Rv'er. Many movie stars have had similar motorhomes made here in the Telugu movie industry.

Have you found a fridge?
I have a lot of experience with the technical details if you want it.

No I haven't reached the stage of appliances. Would appreciate any leads you can give. Basically my challenges yet to be solved are

1. efficient toilet
2. Airconditioning which can cool both car and camper while being installed completely on the truck

BTW one option I am considering for water is, I can carry an empty rectangular sintex water tank (very light when empty) on the roof till I reach the camping site. Once I reach the site I can set the camper down and use my truck to carry the tank filled with water. I can connect the same to a pump and fill a small tank in the camper for various uses

[anjuna mark]

I've done a lot of AC work, including the powerful AC in my own camper [which has 2 compressors, 1 on the main engine for when driving and 1 on the gen engine for night or when parked].

If you must have an engine driven AC only for when underway, then you could add an evaporator unit somewhere on the top/back of the truck cab, and have a soft rubber seal [use door seal rubber] around the duct as it passes into your camper.

Automotive AC units are usually very powerful to overcome heat gain from the engine, road surface radiating up as you pass over it, and solar heat through the windscreen. Your camper, being a small space with smaller windows and far less heat gain, can do with a much lighter unit.

I would have a local shop fabricate a 1/2 ton electric unit to sit in the roof, with as low a profile as possible. then run it from an inverter connected to a beefy alternator on your vehicle engine [you need a battery in between].
If you don't have a modern multigroove serpentine belt, get one or use double V-belts.
I never found belts in India that would carry a load so I always imported mine...
Another advantage of this system would be the possibility of running it from an external generator or power connection if you can get one.

Don't leave the truck engine idling for hours to keep the AC on though; that will damage it [so they say].

I like your water idea, but it means you'll have a big extra task as you set up camp. Of course, there isn't much alternative with a light truck like yours.

Watch the weight! mine got shockingly heavy; just 1000 pieces that were each a kilo too heavy, and I had to add extra suspension.
And turbocharge the motor.