NR Tow Pig - Page 2

NRdomepiece · 06-29-2019, 04:59 PM

Got another sheet up on the drivers side yesterday. Only one sheet left to do. Getting rid of the first 3 windows behind the escape door. There will just be closets in that area.

Speaking of the escape door. Once I’ve got the inside done, I plane on building about a 6’x14’ steel deck on the side of the bus that will fold up when traveling and down when stopped. Should be a good spot to have a few beers and relax.

o1marc · 06-29-2019, 05:19 PM

I ran the metal up to the rivets from the roof drip edge. I'll just have the welder tack every other rivet to the skin and then a layer of sealer here, and then a bead up under the drip edge. Do you still have window frames to secure to, or do you mean the lip of the hat channel rib?

NRdomepiece · 06-29-2019, 07:57 PM

I meant the hat channel. Mine run up under the drip edge too but there isn’t alot of overlap to seal it up. The piece inside will just give me more area to seal it up better.

EastCoastCB · 06-29-2019, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by o1marc

I ran the metal up to the rivets from the roof drip edge. I'll just have the welder tack every other rivet to the skin and then a layer of sealer here, and then a bead up under the drip edge. Do you still have window frames to secure to, or do you mean the lip of the hat channel rib?

I thought you are a welder.

o1marc · 06-29-2019, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

I thought you are a welder.

I own a welder and have used it. I NEVER claimed to be a welder.

EastCoastCB · 06-30-2019, 04:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by o1marc

I own a welder and have used it. I NEVER claimed to be a welder.

I guess I heard wrong then!

We're both in the same boat then. I'm no welder but I own one.
After looking at some school bus welds I'm thinking we're ALL welders!

NRdomepiece · 07-09-2019, 09:56 PM

Got the last three whole windows i have panned on covering up.

Also got the passenger side top of the metal all secured with some bent pieces we made. The window opening with the top secured doesn’t yin can or anything. It’s pretty damn solid. Should get the metal on the drivers side 100% secured tomorrow. Then I’ll etch prime, prime and paint the steel. Not the whole bus as I have a trip in less then 2 weeks.

I also ordered some chrome top hats and spiked lug nut covers to dress up the steel wheels until I get tires for the 24.5 directionals.

The Ol lady also started figuring out how to insulate the ceiling. I’ve got to get a lot more insulation.

I also ordered some 7” clear lenses for the 8 bus lights up top. I’ll wire the lights into a switch to kick on during camping. Should look cool and provide a little light when needed.

o1marc · 07-09-2019, 10:55 PM

I've been using Polyiso at $10/ea. I saw that RTech yesterday for $7.50 and snagged 6 sheets because they only had 4 of the polyiso in the store. Hopefully it is comparable in performance.

NRdomepiece · 07-09-2019, 11:20 PM

After doing some math I may end up doing spray foam on the ceiling and walls. Anyone ever use the “touch-n-seal 1000” kit? $875 shipped on amazon to cover 1000’ at 1” thick.

NRdomepiece · 07-14-2019, 10:46 PM

Well my top hats and spikes showed up. And they don’t fit. Guess I have to change out my wheel studs. Oh well, another project for later.

I did get my new AC put on top and cut in. Works great. Also got a used one cut in and working too.

Front turn signals are put in and wired up.

Rear taillights are in and wired up. I plan on putting a clear reverse light in between the red ones but I’m gonna wait till after I get all the holes welded up first.

Also started getting it cleaned out. Planning on driving it to indiana on this coming Thursday. When we get back we’ll start prepping it for spray foam.

NRdomepiece · 07-17-2019, 01:07 AM

I’m not as far as I want to be right now but it’ll make the trip and be better then a tent. Got the bed frame half ass done. Hung some shower curtains so me and the Ol lady have a little privacy from the 3 other dudes staying with us.

Moved in and bolted down a couple futons for the weekend. Gotta do some hard core cleaning tomorrow then wire up a trailer and a generator plug. I’m ready for a weekend away to enjoy this thing even if it’s not where i wanted it to be.

Yukon Cornelius · 07-18-2019, 07:45 AM

Any progress no matter how slow is still progress.

Along the same note, nothing is ever perfect and waiting for it to be perfect will result in lost experiences, sometimes the best experiences/memories are when things are incomplete or slapped together if you will.

you're rig is transforming, and personally I think it's also a blessing to have an opportunity to utilize it during the construction to ad conviction and confidence to your design or permit changes before things are finished.

enjoy the trip

NRdomepiece · 07-22-2019, 02:59 PM

Thanks Yukon!

Well we made it! Almost 1350 miles this weekend.

Only got about 20 miles from the house and had our first issues. I had planned to check fluids before we left but was up really late the night before we left and figured it’d make it the 45 miles to where we were meeting a buddy at Walmart. I was wrong and the bus was pretty low on coolant. Lucky there was a gas station i was able to limp it to and get enough coolant to keep on.

Then about 40 miles East of St. Louis the bus wasn’t acting right. Like it wasn’t getting enough fuel. Found a Carquest in Highland, Illinois that had the filter on the pump. Had to send a buddy that was following us 20 miles back west to get the main cartridge filter. After hugging a hot engine and some awkward hand movements i got them both replaced and we were back on the road. Bus ran flawlessly from then on.

Before the filter change we were only getting 6.5 MPG. Of course I was trying to maintain 65MPH and was towing a car trailer with my buddies show truck on it.

Couple thing we figured out over the weekend:

Campsite power is not as good as expected. Couldn’t power both roof top units.

No insulation and only one AC means it’s effing hot in the bus when the suns hitting it. Calling about spray foam ASAP.

Park in as much shade as possible. 1 AC kept it pretty nice inside as long as the bus was in the shade. It was even cool enough at night in there we needed blankets.

Besides a few fluid leaks on the way home that I have to track down I’m very happy with the bus. My Queen size memory foam mattress is very comfortable. Even in its bare bones state everyone thought it was pretty damn cool.

I did end up having to buy a new generator on the way home. Stopped at harbor freight in Terra Haute and bought their 9000watt Generator. The thing started on the very first pull, has electric start, and powered both roof top units, lights and a couple fans. I’m going to build some mounts and put it under the drivers seat.

Also my buddy doesn’t know how to strap down a truck! 🤦🏻*♂️ His truck and trailer so i didn’t even look at it. Only made it 20 miles. Lol.

PNW_Steve · 07-22-2019, 08:04 PM

If you had a 50A service at the RV park it should handle two roof airs with no problem.

If you have 30A service you will have issues trying to run two at the same time.

NRdomepiece · 07-22-2019, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PNW_Steve

If you had a 50A service at the RV park it should handle two roof airs with no problem.

If you have 30A service you will have issues trying to run two at the same time.

It was just 30A service at the camp. The 30A plug on the generator had zero issues running both of them and whatever else we wanted. I just figured it was everyone else pulling on the same post also.

tugboater · 07-23-2019, 05:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by o1marc

My pin access will be behind the bumper , keeping the exposed short to avoid knee banging. That access hole will be hinged with the license on it.

Smart! (note to self) I have pintle hitch scars on both my shins...sometimes I have open wounds where the scars used to be.

tugboater · 07-23-2019, 06:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NRdomepiece

Thanks Yukon!

Well we made it! Almost 1350 miles this weekend.

Also my buddy doesn’t know how to strap down a truck! 🤦🏻*♂️ His truck and trailer so i didn’t even look at it. Only made it 20 miles. Lol.

Awesome you set up and took the trip. I've realized over the years that everyone having the real fun typically don't wait for perfect. They just get to it. Also found the same when it comes to work. Sometimes reading the directions just costs money. A little common sense to keep things safe, add pride & desire...things get done!

Close one with that truck...Cool bus!

NRdomepiece · 07-25-2019, 10:26 AM

Thanks Tugboater. It was a journey lol.

Last night I got the rest of my crap moved out of the bus from the trip. I started prepping it for spray foam tomorrow. I got all but one of the panels off the walls and the fiberglass insulation removed. I’ve got to get the futons and my mattress out tonight. As well as the heater and AC unit i hung in the back.

Yukon Cornelius · 07-29-2019, 10:00 PM

sweet looking rig, always an adventure to keep things interesting.

NRdomepiece · 07-30-2019, 09:27 AM

Thanks!

This thing hasn’t ran in almost a week. Drive it to the girlfriends to drop the futons and mattress off and it wouldn’t start after dinner. Ended up having it towed back to my house because of some complaining neighbors. Ordering some blade type fuse panels and solid state relays and I’m just gonna start rewiring this thing. Had to put off the spray foam for a week or two until i get the wiring figured out.

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