This is an Owners second Bushtracker and he would like to show the build process and his own personal innovations.
This is designed for full time living, with everything and then some, for technologically oriented Owner Luvntrvln. It is is a very large van, with an extreme amount of electronics and toys. The Owner is very proud of his Lifestye and innovations, and would like to showcase the build process and finished product; so I am opening this Topic for him to load with pictures and comments.
Regards, Cowboy.
OWNERS BUILD PICTURES 24' FULL TIME LIVING LOADED BT..
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Bushtracker
- Site Admin
- Posts: 5329
- Joined: Thu Jul 12, 2007 12:19 pm
- Location: Kunda Park
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Luvntravln
Thanks Steve!
We were very proud of our 21' BT; and we are looking forward to living in our 24' BT. Working with Phillip and Matthew has been a totally pleasurably experience. During the first build - over very first caravan - we were definitely newbies and nervous. We visited the factory often and drove everybody nuts!!
This time around we intentionally left the area so a visit was not possible - off to Melbourne to take delivery of our F450 and then off to Thailand (part of the lifestyle!).
In the design stage we worked with Phillip and received lots of great ideas; in the construction phase we have been in communication with Matthew and received regular updates and photos.
Yes, it is a large van; yes, it is a detailed van; and yes, it is our home - we are not going camping. We are caravaning in luxury; that is why we are again building a Bushtracker!
The best place to start is with our floor plan and cabinet layout. This van was designed with several goals: 1) Other than the pantry area immediately opposite the door and to the rear of the cafe seat none of the cabinetry is above counter height. The ensuite is in the rear and we wanted a completely open feel when you entered and lived in the van. 2) Television and movies are a big part of our life - this is our home. We will be installing a 24" TV across from the table; the van is designed for maximum audio/visual entertainment. 3) We wanted the rear ensuite. 4) A front loader washing machine easily accessible in lieu of the washing machine under the bed was high on the requirements list. 5) Because the van is 24', one air conditioner running on high would be insufficient. Two air conditioners running on low utilizing two Honda 2.0 gennies fit the bill. The gennies will live in the F450.
Upon completion of the chassis and frame the inner walls are added:
This image shows the extra-large cargo doors in the front for maximum access to the forward storage area. You can also imagine a large window in the bedroom and the large window at the cafe table above the wheels.
The floor is laid and then in goes the cabinetry:
The two metal boxes on either side are the wheel covers. Attention to detail is simply basic to the building of a BT. Looking at the diamond pattern it is perfectly aligned to the wheel boxes and the wall.
This is the annexe - kitchen side of the van.
Entry to the van is from the rear (left lower corner just outside of the photo); you are able to see the cutouts for the stove and the sink. Next to the cutout for the stove you can see a large hole - an ample pot drawer!
Moving to the front of the van is the bed, storage area in the front of the bed for clothes on the two sides (shelves), and in the center the lower opening is for a proper Pendaflex file drawer for all of our papers etc (it is our home!), and a drawer above for additional "stuff" relating to the business of vanning.
Moving to the rear down the off-side you first see a locker across from the bed and behind the cafe seat. There will be a locker on each side of the van facing the bed for additional clothes storage.
Here you see the two cafe seats and, the overhead cabinets (OHC), and on the far left is the pantry area. The rear is showing the entry to the ensuite.
Under the forward cafe seat are two batteries and the Xantrex 1800W inverter.
Under the rear cafe seat are two batteries and the 60amp battery charger.
We will have four batteries and five solar panels.
This is a more detailed view of the pantry and the ensuite entry. Obviously the fridge is in the center and the large hole to the right of the fridge is for the washing machine. Above the washing machine is the microwave. The left side of the pantry is storage as well as the spaces above the fridge and microwave.
Moving into the ensuite the rear wall will be covered by a mirror, storage to the left where the toilet is located, a neat medicine cabinet to the right of the sink, and significant storage in the shower covered by water tight doors.
The electrical wiring has been completed, backing blocks have been attached to the inner walls where need for items to be attached after the skin in put on the van, and now the van is insulated and skinned.
I have seen the construction of other vans; few, if any, take the time to make sure that the insulation fits neatly and completely inside of each frame.
In the roof image, the rear most hole in the center, you are able to see two layers of insulation. What you do not see is that running the length of the van between the two center rails the insulation is three layers thick. That amount of roof insulation makes the difference between a hot van and a comfortable van.
That is the construction to date. Those of you that have or have ordered a BT you know the level of excitement that Jackie and I are experiencing when we receive a new batch of images; those of you still shopping if you have any questions do not hesitate to ask.
I will post new images as they are made available!
We were very proud of our 21' BT; and we are looking forward to living in our 24' BT. Working with Phillip and Matthew has been a totally pleasurably experience. During the first build - over very first caravan - we were definitely newbies and nervous. We visited the factory often and drove everybody nuts!!
This time around we intentionally left the area so a visit was not possible - off to Melbourne to take delivery of our F450 and then off to Thailand (part of the lifestyle!).
In the design stage we worked with Phillip and received lots of great ideas; in the construction phase we have been in communication with Matthew and received regular updates and photos.
Yes, it is a large van; yes, it is a detailed van; and yes, it is our home - we are not going camping. We are caravaning in luxury; that is why we are again building a Bushtracker!
The best place to start is with our floor plan and cabinet layout. This van was designed with several goals: 1) Other than the pantry area immediately opposite the door and to the rear of the cafe seat none of the cabinetry is above counter height. The ensuite is in the rear and we wanted a completely open feel when you entered and lived in the van. 2) Television and movies are a big part of our life - this is our home. We will be installing a 24" TV across from the table; the van is designed for maximum audio/visual entertainment. 3) We wanted the rear ensuite. 4) A front loader washing machine easily accessible in lieu of the washing machine under the bed was high on the requirements list. 5) Because the van is 24', one air conditioner running on high would be insufficient. Two air conditioners running on low utilizing two Honda 2.0 gennies fit the bill. The gennies will live in the F450.
Upon completion of the chassis and frame the inner walls are added:
This image shows the extra-large cargo doors in the front for maximum access to the forward storage area. You can also imagine a large window in the bedroom and the large window at the cafe table above the wheels.
The floor is laid and then in goes the cabinetry:
The two metal boxes on either side are the wheel covers. Attention to detail is simply basic to the building of a BT. Looking at the diamond pattern it is perfectly aligned to the wheel boxes and the wall.
This is the annexe - kitchen side of the van.
Entry to the van is from the rear (left lower corner just outside of the photo); you are able to see the cutouts for the stove and the sink. Next to the cutout for the stove you can see a large hole - an ample pot drawer!
Moving to the front of the van is the bed, storage area in the front of the bed for clothes on the two sides (shelves), and in the center the lower opening is for a proper Pendaflex file drawer for all of our papers etc (it is our home!), and a drawer above for additional "stuff" relating to the business of vanning.
Moving to the rear down the off-side you first see a locker across from the bed and behind the cafe seat. There will be a locker on each side of the van facing the bed for additional clothes storage.
Here you see the two cafe seats and, the overhead cabinets (OHC), and on the far left is the pantry area. The rear is showing the entry to the ensuite.
Under the forward cafe seat are two batteries and the Xantrex 1800W inverter.
Under the rear cafe seat are two batteries and the 60amp battery charger.
We will have four batteries and five solar panels.
This is a more detailed view of the pantry and the ensuite entry. Obviously the fridge is in the center and the large hole to the right of the fridge is for the washing machine. Above the washing machine is the microwave. The left side of the pantry is storage as well as the spaces above the fridge and microwave.
Moving into the ensuite the rear wall will be covered by a mirror, storage to the left where the toilet is located, a neat medicine cabinet to the right of the sink, and significant storage in the shower covered by water tight doors.
The electrical wiring has been completed, backing blocks have been attached to the inner walls where need for items to be attached after the skin in put on the van, and now the van is insulated and skinned.
I have seen the construction of other vans; few, if any, take the time to make sure that the insulation fits neatly and completely inside of each frame.
In the roof image, the rear most hole in the center, you are able to see two layers of insulation. What you do not see is that running the length of the van between the two center rails the insulation is three layers thick. That amount of roof insulation makes the difference between a hot van and a comfortable van.
That is the construction to date. Those of you that have or have ordered a BT you know the level of excitement that Jackie and I are experiencing when we receive a new batch of images; those of you still shopping if you have any questions do not hesitate to ask.
I will post new images as they are made available!
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Luvntravln
We are outside now and sort of in the home stretch - well, a couple of months to go, anyway!
The water tank manifold and the 12V compartment. Attention to detail is one of the reasons we buy a first and for many of us, a second, BT.
This is the Dometic 3kg front loader; Dometic has, in writing, said OK to take it off-road!
Shower interior: we have a double towel rod on the front wall for the bath mat and wash cloths; the bar running fore and aft is for hanging wet clothes, e.g., wet rain jackets; soap dispenser under the window; and there will be a couple of bars across the front of the shelf to keep items from falling off of the shelf.
Lots to see in the kitchen and bedroom now that the drawers are in and the general layout becomes more understandable.
We can't wait to move in!!
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dieseltojo
- Posts: 6
- Joined: Sun Apr 11, 2010 10:29 am
Hi Luvntravln,
That sure is going to be a home on wheels, and a very nice design. I love the tank control manifold as I have to get on all fours with a long steel turn key to turn the valves on my old A'van.
I can't get a Bushtracker yet but I can see that you get what you pay for alright.
Nice of the site admin to allow non owners to view the site and get an appreciation of a lot of aspects re caravan building and design.
All the best with your travels.
That sure is going to be a home on wheels, and a very nice design. I love the tank control manifold as I have to get on all fours with a long steel turn key to turn the valves on my old A'van.
I can't get a Bushtracker yet but I can see that you get what you pay for alright.
Nice of the site admin to allow non owners to view the site and get an appreciation of a lot of aspects re caravan building and design.
All the best with your travels.
Been retired since 21,spent last 45 years working just because we need to eat.
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Bushtracker
- Site Admin
- Posts: 5329
- Joined: Thu Jul 12, 2007 12:19 pm
- Location: Kunda Park
This is a BIIIG Bushtracker.
It looks HUUUGE from behind, but then you get the proper perspective..
Still, looking from the back end of it, it looks absolutely ENORMOUS...! The overhangs are the issue, and that is minimized by the tri-axle set up...
Not so bad from this perspective, but you do need a larger tow vehicle going this big..
This is also as big as we will do it, without going with a Tri Axled suspension to reduce the overhangs, like in this 27'..
It looks HUUUGE from behind, but then you get the proper perspective..
Still, looking from the back end of it, it looks absolutely ENORMOUS...! The overhangs are the issue, and that is minimized by the tri-axle set up...
Not so bad from this perspective, but you do need a larger tow vehicle going this big..
This is also as big as we will do it, without going with a Tri Axled suspension to reduce the overhangs, like in this 27'..
Last edited by Bushtracker on Tue May 10, 2011 9:58 am, edited 2 times in total.
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Luvntravln
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Luvntravln
The Final Product: Our New Home!!
The outside showing the clip-on table and drawbar box.
The outside showing the permanently attached clothes line.
The outside showing the entry; the door has right side hinges.
The rear.
From the door to the bedroom. Our open studio apartment on wheels - Thanks Steve!
From the bedroom to the ensuite.
Entertainment and coffee - what else is important? 
Entertainment and 12V electronics. 
Clothes locker; there is also a shallow woofer.
Bedside and shoe lockers.
Pantry closed.
Pantry open.
The sink.
The throne.
The shower.
The shower.
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Petit Trianon
- Posts: 18
- Joined: Sun Jul 22, 2007 3:41 pm
- Location: South Australia