I am the manufacturer of my little 10'6" x 6 ft van. We did a "lap" last year. I chose not to install brakes. That gave me a declared 748kg max weight (AGM or GVM I get them mixed up!!) tare being 450kg.

But as time went on things were added. Two solar panels, tomahawk, tent legs, extra water tank toolbox etc etc. makeup!!. So exceeding 748 kg. Off on Sunday up north I thought it wise to take advantage of the free digital weighbridge at Broadford Vic. A total of 840kg!!!  So we decided to get brakes when we return. The car has just had a new custom towbar and chassis strengthening fitted and engineer approved at 850kg max with 85kg ball weight. So for this trip out went the following items to our tiny boot, tools, jockey wheel, dry cell battery, one water tank (44 litres), tent peg bag, toolbox, make up!! etc. We got it down to 745kg with one full water tank.

 So, when we return we'll get the brakes on those tiny 10" wheels. I've had those wheels on a detour motorcycle camper trailer and they had disk brakes so they are available. Add say 30kgm for that system. I'm likely able to add the second water tank back on. Anyway problem solved. But I will need to raise the tare on VicRoads paperwork to say the 550 kg that it is likely to be to allow my cars 850kg max towing capacity.

I still love it.

Nice work.

Now you will be able to çart your medical chest as well along with the cosmetics bag.

Top work.

Can't help with Vic roads problem but love the van and car.
Any chance of inside pics of van.
The motor was a wise choice Holden over Ford any day.
That will make Macka bite ( chuckle/lol    )

Aveagoodweekend from the sunny west.

Ge

Thanks for your comments everyone.

The car was built in 2001 by I purchased it last year. These cars you can put whatever engine you like in them. The V6 fits best of all in that shape engine bay. Donor car was a Cortina TD 1974. But commonly has a 2 litre pinto engine. Macka, I'm a Ford man having owned twin cam Lotus Escorts but the Holden is more reliable lol

Building a light weight van isnt easy. As you can see the carpet for the ceiling was from Bunnings, lightweight stuck on 3mm ply. Beds made from a pine frame. Just added the fold down dining table but being chipboard weighs 6 kg, need to replace it with multipanel to be lighter. I was worried about the van blowing away being so light and full height so included a rollbar made from 30mm square tube braced well. This bar has two heavy duty eyelets top of the exterior side walls to tie to posts as we did in Burra Burra last year and to trees in Port Lincoln when winds were up to 80kph. It worked. Otherwise we would have been worried. No trees or posts? Heavy tent pegs and rope do the job. Not that long ago vans three times the size blew away in Cobram.

The shower walls were also sourced from Bunnings and is on the heavy side. Best move was to install a large square access hatch for that portapotti. Storage is ample under each bed. Kitchen note the plastic drawers that clip when closed and lightweight and cheap at two dollar shops. CF18 fridge has been reliable. Fold down benches. Sink made of acrylic weighs only 3 kilo. TV is a TEAC DVD/TV very small.

In hindsight?  Axle is a little far forward. Only 80mm more forward than centre, better to be 150mm. Drawbar broke at Tambo and Cloncurry, made the error in building it with a bend in it at the front of the van causing a weak point. They sandwiched it with plates and its no problem with strength. Added weight though. Straight drawbar front of the springs to hitch is the best way. Bed could have been 100mm longer. Hence a cushion in the middle for my feet.

Content with steel construction made from 20mm angle for edges and 13mm tube for walls with many small gussets. 50x20mm chassis doubling in the centre.  Single beds with aisle easy exit from the bed. Good quality door was worth the expense. 100amp dry cell battery is sufficient for us. 120W solar wasnt enough (we have fridge, tv and cpap) but an added 90W panel has made all the difference (more weight lol) We cook outdoors on the exterior table fold down. Fiamma bag awning is a treat to use but needs both people. No hot water we boil it, then put bucket on top of portapotti then use submersible camp shower. Less weight and works fine. One bucket full does us both. We use a friction sway unit that all but stops fishtailing with passing semi's. Cheers

-- Edited by Eaglemax on Saturday 17th of June 2017 07:41:05 PM

-- Edited by Eaglemax on Saturday 17th of June 2017 07:44:16 PM