We really liked our Sunrader "little Gary", but it was a little on the small side for me 6'2" 250...
...The only bad thing I can say is that it's underpowered for it's size and had we kept it I would have put in something with a little more
UMPH in the engine compartment. A V-6 and a stouter transmission. You also have to watch cross winds as that can make life really exciting really quick. Also check your rear axle and make sure you have the heavier duty one. I think it was a six bolt axle vice the original 5 bolt which had a habit of snapping. Our little Sunrader was a lot of fun, a little cramped for me but fun still the same. What was nice was that you could get out and go on the cheap as far as gas went.
As to "Big Gary" it was really set up by the original owner builder to be an apartment limited to camp sites with full conveniences. Our goal is to reconstruct him to be a fully self-contained go anywhere/anytime true camper. And instead of just a single person we want it to carry the three of us, me, my wife, young daughter and perhaps a friend of hers on trips and such. So he really does need a proper rebuild.
So we're reconfiguring Big Gary to include:
Rebuilding:
- FullSize bed and underbed storage
- Rebuild cabinets
- Rewiring the 12v lighting
- Rewiring and adding more 120v receptacles
- New Drivers seat – old bus seat just kills back side
- Repair Tachometer
- Basement storage compartment for Generator
- Uncover more windows
- CB and SW radio with proper antenna’s
- Change out the rear end gears from 6.5 ratio to something in the high 4's to low 5's for better highway speeds.
Adding:
- 2 bunk beds – with coffin locker storage (navy guys will know what these are)
- Stove & Oven
- Water heater - continuous flow type
- Space heater
- Refer - 3 way
- Toilet
- Black water storage tank
- Sink
- Grey water storage tank
- Freshwater storage tank
- Full instrument monitoring of tanks
- Shower - inside stall and outside outlet w/ curtain
- Co-Pilot seat
- Basement storage both sides
- Roof A/C
- Propane storage area
- Run gas and water lines
- Dining area with under seat storage and seat belts for extra passengers
- Tool storage
- Screens for windows
- Awning
- Entertainment area with CD/DVD player/sml flatscreen & surround sound
- New main RV access door with screen door
Like to add on:
- Safari roof rack full length
- Rear deck bustle
- Fog & Driving lights (and off road lighting)
- Back up flood lights and side lighting
- Spare tire & Rack
- Solar panels
- Inverter and control center
- Battery pack for panels
- Marine wind generator
- Onboard water purification equipment
- Second diesel fuel tank
- Zipper room for awning
- Small wood burning stove
- Moon/Sun roofs
-
Raise the roof 6 inches
As you can see, there is a lot lacking in the present configuration. Right now it's basically a room on wheels and not much more. So while it looks nice on the interior pictures...there's not much behind it.
As much work as this appears to be (and believe me it does) I think it's going to be a lot of fun by pulling together a lot of creativity, challanges and skills into one project. I'm a pretty good wood worker and carpenter, a basic level blacksmith. I'll need to learn more metal fabrication and welding. I can wire a car or a house....this covers both. I'm a pretty fair mechanic and a basic jack of all trades. I realize it's going require a lot of planning, work and patience, and I'm going to ask a lot of really stupid questions.
So the journey begins!