Phase 3 -- The Camper
We looked at all the major camper builders who had built flatbed models who were within our budget and willing to customize a few things so we could get what we wanted. After visiting a number of places, we settled on
Bundutec in Raymond, Iowa. Rory, the owner, has 40 years in the camping industry, having previously owned Northstar Campers. Jenn, his General Manager, has been with him for years and together, they run a great company.
We visited them in March and were very impressed with their products and general approach. They build their campers using a wood frame and I'd be lying if I didn't admit to being less than crazy about a wooden built camper. But, having owned wooden boats and seeing their build process, I became comfortable enough to place an order.
Rory is willing to build pretty much anything a customer wants assuming it makes sense. My wife wanted an indoor toilet and I wanted to use a National Luna Fridge I had rather than a vertical fridge. Rory admitted he had never built a side entry flatbed camper but said he was up to the task and off we went. He was also willing to let me source a few things and he would install them for me.
The interior is somewhat similar to the layout that FWC uses with one custom change -- a hidden compartment for the National Luna fridge. In my Eagle, I mounted it over the water tank but it took up a lot of space and it was difficult to access when the top was down. Rory's solution was to mount the fridge on a slide and tuck it away under the bed.
The rear dinette has plety of room for seating and folds flat to a bed, perfect for my granddaugter. The table top is due soon and will double as the platform to make the bed.
The bed area is a full queen size and has storage bins on both sides. At the top of one side is a 12 volt and USB port. The entire bed lifts up and there are three massive storage bins that run the length of the bed.
My wife gets her toilet -- a Thetford cassette model. Access to the tank is on the outside.
The kitchen includes a two burner stove and a large sink that are topped with glass. Plenty of drawer and cabinet space. On the front of the cabinet is the satellite radio I added and the speakers are at the end of the bed platform.
These are the controls for the Truma Combi furnace and hot water heater and the solar controller. I added 340W of solar from
AM Solar. The Truma is extremely efficient and so quiet, you cannot hear it running.
I also purchased a QuickPitch shower enclosure and it is mounted next to the outdoor shower controls outside.
We will be adding Torklift stairs at some point but they are backordered. The 4 foot ladder works well.
A few outside pictures.
We will take our maiden voyage camping the next few nights and will be definitely testing the furnace -- its expected to get into the 20's at night. I'll post more pictures with the roof up and the awning extended when we return.
Cheers
