One of our major challenges this year has been the wheels. Pierre decided we needed to widen the wheels, but we battled to find someone who could do the job. (Do contact us if you're in South Africa and wanting to widen wheels, we'll tell you who to go to and where not to waste your time!!!!). After 5 months of struggles, frustration and court battles, we finally have both widened wheels with heavy duty off road tyres!
The choice of wider tyres was to carry a heavier load and to leave a lighter footprint on the ground. The heavy treads are the most important for traction and will serve for mud and heavy terrain, the downside is that they will be noisy.
Most of the fabrication of the structure of the truck is now complete. As you can see from the photo below, the lower storage compartments are still to be finished and the doors on these will be able to lift upwards, so that they will double up as tables. Pierre is also in the process of fabricating a tropical roof. The aluminium has currently gone in for bending. This is a false roof to help deflect heat, however if it is just a straight piece of alumium it will create a lot of vibration during travelling, hence the need for it to have pleats. The two windows on the side still have their plastic protection on, but the kitchen will be directly behind these. The other windows will all be able to open and close and have yet to be fitted. The door has been specifically designed tomake it easier for the dogs to enter without carrying additional steps!!!! The upper door has not been fitted yet. The hole in the side is a water port to fill with clean water.
Pierre has given much thought to the design of the truck and body to make it as versatile as possible. He started with the subframe and specifically designed and modified it into a diesel tank, so that it will hold another 90L of fuel.
He has changed the tyres to a tractor tyre tread, and is in the process of designing an air bag suspension to give better articulation ie more traction on the wheels and a longer stroke and to take more stress off the chassis.
The bullbar was designed with the winch behind it, so that the winch plate and bullbar tilt with the cab, making it much more compact, and easier to operate. The spots have been mounted on the mirrors for easy operation from the cab, plus being higher they're less likely to get damaged from stones. There are still 4/5 spots to be attached to the roof.
The suspension system has proved a huge challenge, but has finally been completed with the imported airbag suspension system. It is electronically controlled from inside the cab and Pierre has fitted it beautifully!
The overhang at the back of the truck is actually just our bed. However we suspect the competition from the dogs will most likely see us sleeping on the floor!!! Underneath are 3 compartments. The centre one houses the generator, complete with ventilation hole. The two runners which can be seen above it are the tracks for the generator to slide in and out for maintenance. (see the blog page for that construction!!). It will suck air in from the bottom and expel it through the ventilation hole. The two compartments on either side will house both the compressor and welder, the doors of these 2 compartments can also serve as tables.
The 2 spotlights on the back are the reverse lights.
The windows are made from perspex, the two outer ones are fixed but the centre one will be able to open.
