Some of our trips now we are using it.

Our First Trip Out

We set out Thursday late morning for a 4 day Latitude Festival 2010

 

Link to some of our photos of the festival

This was the whole purpose of the MH project to start with, having had loads of friends that went last year.

I am please to say that first SWIMBO was very pleased with everything, so we were already on to a winner. Everything worked perfectly. Initially the fridge wouldn't light but after about 1/2 hour it went 1st time. The same thing happened when we got home, so I wonder if this is some sort of safety feature? 

 

In fact the fridge was the source of most concern, not least because it needs to chill the beer! The 12v fridge switch which got damaged is illuminated, however I was loathed to pay about £20 for an illuminated 12v switch when an unilluminated one is only £1.59 So the first night who left the fridge on 12v (no warning light) as well as the now lighted gas? Who had no leisure battery in the morning? Anyway once management of the fridge was sorted it worked very well. Again if you read some recent posts you will see I was not happy that the fridge was working properly. It is. I think where I park at home there's not enough air flow as its near a thick hedge.

After the depleted battery situation 1/2 hour of running the engine restored their strength so a shower was possible. This exceeded expectations. The ceramic bowled toilet is so much better than the plastic one we have on the narrowboat. Worth the bit extra without a doubt. The bed was brilliant too. Never had memory foam mattress before but have to say is very nice indeed.

On the trip of about 65 miles each way Ambience travels nicely at 60-65 but will reach an uncomfortable 80, possibly more but seemed no point in testing that further.

I wasn't sure how it would handle with full water tanks as they are at the very back and hold about 150 liters. On the way out they were filled, on the way back pretty much empty only once having to top up once with 40L and giving the tent dwellers next door about 20L of hot water for their not so good solar shower. I can't say there was any noticeable difference in handling or performance.

The first night was very gusty so in the middle of the night and I guess in my sleep was able to stow the Caravanstore awning. I remember getting up to do it, but not actually doing it. Not sure how that's possible?

It was mentioned by a fellow ambulance owner that it was very quiet to travel with the cab windows open. He's not wrong. In fact it is quiet pleasant, not a lot of wind noise at all, and a nice breeze even with both windows fully down.

So all in all a very successful maiden trip. The only modification on the list is an external gas point for a BBQ as the disposable jobbie I bought was crap.

 

As well as the usual crop of factory built MH's there were a few interesting others.

 

This one rather took my fancy.

 

 Not sure what make it was but it was RHD and sounded fantastic

And finally this.

Movie Trailer (You Tube)

ambience

I finished the ambulance to motorhome conversion today.  The last job was to give it its name.

So  please welcome........... ambiance.

The colours have not reproduced well.  Its the same metallic
red with white shadow on silver

Again poor colours.  Metallic red with silver shadow on white

Tomorrow we are off to the Latitude Festival.  This was the initial reason to have a MH and so the conversion project.

There are still a few tiny finishing off jobs to do, and one major, which is to make and fit a towbar.  I would have done this already had the welder not been in the boat project and needing a mini digger to lift it out. Far to much bother as it is still needed in the boat.

Work on the boat is now "full on" so please follow my blog on that if you have time.

How Many Odds & Ends Are There To Do?

I have steadily been working my way through a list of odds that need finishing and seemingly it grows as at the same rate.

At the beginning of the week I used the old rear door handles and recycled them in to some roof bars.

 Looks a bit different now

 

Not really a lot of practical use but adds a bit of styling.

I have also wired up the inverter, changed the GU4 20w Halogens for LED equivalent rated at 1w so a big power saving there.  This made a huge difference to 12v power usage on our narrowboat. 

I got the A/C system recharged this week.  WHAT A DIFFERENCE!  its like a coldroom after about 20 minutes using the front and rear units.  £35 well spent.

With the help of a forum member I was able to get a door handle for the inside of the sliding door.  For some reason mine was never fitted with one, but also my side door was unusable as there were equipment racks in the way. I was also able to finish the upholstering the side door.

I have fitted the CO alarm, the smoke alarm, fire blanket, and fire extinguisher, re-trimmed the carpet edging around the step as I wasn't happy with the  way the carpet fitter did it.  

I have also been forced to put some fridge vents in.  I was really hoping not to have to do this as I think the vents are ugly, but hey ho, I want cold beer more!  It has improved the fridge cooling considerably.  Of course just as every time I have cut a hole through the body there was another lump of hard SS plate to remove.

I had a play with putting a sub speaker in but that didn't work out.  I am going to have to find out more about this.  I have finished fitting the 240v power supply for the TV and satellite receiver.  I am determined NOT to have a TV, but I have put the necessary in just in case as I was doing the rest of the wiring.

I have put in a dedicated power supply back to the battery for the cigar multi socket and rewired the radio to run without the ignition key in, again a dedicated supply back to the battery.  These were left over form the ambulance wiring so made sense to use then.

A Bit Of Tidying Up Down Below

I have tidied up the garage are under the bed, a bit of ali trim and some skirting makes all the difference.

I took her out today with the water tanks full.  About 150L.  I was concerned it might affect the handling, but no, makes no noticeable difference.  I was concerned as is a fair bit of water sloshing about right at the back of the vehicle.  I suppose that where air suspension come in to its own.

Cab Done

Another delivery of lining carpet meant I could finish the cab area today.  I needed to cover the drivers seat box, and make and cover some lids for both boxes.

Still enamored with my new upholstery skills I set about the head lining and handbrake cover.

Next came the walnut dash. 

What a difference!

I am considering getting the glove box and N/S air vent kit as well as this looks so good.

Finally today I put the carpet down I got whipped yesterday.

Kitchen Area Finished

I have finished the kitchen area today.  I truth I could have finished it a while back but for the wood effect trim above the work surface.

I had to go to Colchester today for a number of things, the trim being one, the main one was to get my Walnut dash kit.

I also got the front carpet whipped, and picked up some ali angle for trimming in the garage area.

I am going to see about renting or borrowing a wide angle lens for my Canon.  I can only get down to 18mm.  When its finished I want to do a photo tour.

More Upholstery

I did warn you. I really have the bug now for upholstering things.  Today it was the dash the seat belt covers and one of the seat boxes before I ran out of lining carpet. More is on order.  I have also done most the sliding door, but I haven't finished that yet so will wait to show it.

The lining carpet I have found very easy to work with. I have found working (gluing) a small area at a time the best way. Sharp Stanley knife and scissors are a must.

When the new delivery comes I will do the head lining and make some cards to make lids for the seat boxes.

Been Busy Upholstering

I think I have found a new calling.  Upholstering.  I did a bit a while back.  That was fairly easy as it was all flat.  Today I started on the cab.

I started small with the corner pillars.

Flushed with confidence at the results I went in for the rest of it.

Again this is something I have never done before but I am really pleased with the results.  I need to order some more carpet now as I have the side door to do and some odd bits in the main area, and I am going to to the top of the dash as well.  In fact I think I am going to upholster everything in sight now I have this new talent :-)

Caravanstore Fitted

I fitted my Caravanstore  today.  From start to finish took about 3/4 of an hour.

Start

Masking tape used to set the line, then taped in place
to drill pilot holes

A dab of sealant behind the screws

 Track fitted

Carvanstore loaded into the rail

2 minutes to erect

Other jobs done today were lots of little things.  The principle one being the waste plumbing.

I have also secured the water tanks, done some final trimming in aluminum angle of the garage doors and other areas in the garage, finally screwed in the upper rear marker lights, trimmed the mattress to shape, and adjusted the handbrake, although I think a new cable might be needed.  I have also ordered my Walnut dash kit.

Been For A Short Trip Today

Been on a short test run today.  We took the dogs to a show and ended up entering a few classes.  Having never done one before we were well pleased to get 2 2nd and 1 3rd rosette.

The point of the trip today was to see how the dogs were in the MH and also to see if the magnetic catches would hold.   I am pleased to say dogs and doors held up fine.

Before we went out I was able to put 2 new locks on the battery tray locker  and put the Euroliner hub cap and extended valve on the R/O/S wheel.

First outing photo

Nearly There

Had a busy few days doing odds and sods.

I am really pleased with the finish around the sliding door gear and central locking connector.

The rear A/C control is now mounted here

I have mounted the rear speakers and 2 of the 4 rear A/C vents in the over cab doors. The other lower 2 are in the side panels.

The speakers are the larger black bits

I haven't been able to do a final fix on the parts I upholstered as I have been waiting for the new vents for the rear A/C.  I got these in the end from Propex.  Once I removed their modification they were exactly the same as were originally fitted. Again I am please with how these have come out.

I have hung all the doors now and adjusted them up.  Here are some pictures of the interior.

 
I now have things like door stays, magnetic catches, tittivating the cab, and sorting out the TV equipment etc. to do, installing the inverter installing the ceiling trim in over the bed and a bit of wiring to tidy up.  In fact the list goes on but its all minor finishing touches now.

The memory foam mattress came yesterday.  I think it has finally finished expanding.  They come vacuum packed you see, so are about 1/3 the size when delivered.  Once  I'm sure its finished expanding I will cut it to shape.

I think the plan is to take the MH out Sunday to the country park where we walk the dogs.