Yup, another 5th gen 4Runner...but pulling a DIY expedition camper

[reaver]

I didnt notice the unfinished edge on you galley door before. What are your plans for sealing/protecting that edge from water intrusion?

 

[WYWander]

I didnt notice the unfinished edge on you galley door before. What are your plans for sealing/protecting that edge from water intrusion?

Still thinking on that one. I'd like to have something thin that wraps around the backside, for the weather striping to hit. Something white and glue on. I would then put black trim around the outside edge. Any ideas?

 

[reaver]

Still thinking on that one. I'd like to have something thin that wraps around the backside, for the weather striping to hit. Something white and glue on. I would then put black trim around the outside edge. Any ideas?

The only thing I can think of is extruded aluminum profiles. Then you can get edge lok weather stripping that clamps onto that. I'm not sure.

That's one of the advantages of the PMF process and prefab doors, I guess. All my edges are sealed.

One thing that might work is to coat the edges with clear penetrating epoxy. Lots of people like the total boat variant. It should seep into the edge of the plywood, and prevent water damage and deamination. I'd hate to see all that hard work get ruined by water.

 

[WYWander]

It's been a minute...

Took some time yesterday to get the shop back in shape and be able to get the whole rig in there again. Can't really see them in the corner but we inherited a couple of tractors. Those, along with the blue bus, are now taking up one bay instead of two.

The latest WyWander off-road rig:

Finally got the decal on the truck:

And then got it dirty near Taylor Park Reservoir in CO.

Nothing really new on the camper. I've concluded that the French cleat design for the galley door counters, while effective, are not friendly for setup/takedown. While they are never the first thing that should be handled in camp setup, they seem to always need to be, due to the slide-in nature. I installed a prototype hinged counter and find it much more simple to setup and still work. Now comes the pain in the ass project to rip out the cleats and put in all hinged counters.

Winter Project To-Do list:

- Fab & install hinged counters
- Replace cargo doors (ordered new pre-man doors) (will require some panel fill & maybe new skin there, but oh well...)
- Test the water heater and see if it should be permanently installed
- Fab & install a galley door post (easier to do now, with the hinged counters)
- Remount the rear stabilizers (aren't fully collapsing right now)
- Trim out the galley door
- Tire alignment
- Fab & install a wooden knife rack in the galley (kitchen knives currently float around in storage, which just makes me cringe)
- Install interior cargo nets
- Fab & install curtains
- Poly seal the entire galley
- Figure out how to gutter the roof (dealt with a good amount of rain at Taylor Park, and while it was fine and didn't damage anything, I think it could be better)
- Install a Propex heater (maybe this year)

I still want to install a star-gazing window on that front slope area, but maybe next year

Did a little fishing this summer. And by "little," I mean:

 

[reaver]

I am SOOOO jealous of your shop.

I still need to poly my galley as well. It's my understanding that poly can be sprayed as well. I'm likely going to try that in the spring.

A note on the cargo net, I have one in mine, and I'm not a fan. Mine is below my storage, above my feet, and I'm going to remove it. I'm going to use it to make covers for the overhead shelves to keep stuff in instead.

Something to consider.

 

[WYWander]

I am SOOOO jealous of your shop.

I still need to poly my galley as well. It's my understanding that poly can be sprayed as well. I'm likely going to try that in the spring.

A note on the cargo net, I have one in mine, and I'm not a fan. Mine is below my storage, above my feet, and I'm going to remove it. I'm going to use it to make covers for the overhead shelves to keep stuff in instead.

Something to consider.

Thanks Reaver!

About the nets, they're just going in place to keep things from flying off the existing shelves, which has happened almost every trip now. They'll hook back up under the shelves, out of the way when not in use. The small galley shelves have the net and it seems to be effective there and not in the way otherwise. I think the nets will work fine, in lieu of doors and the like.