RedFord Van Journeys

The "Final" results

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Is it really "final"? The last detail still to be completed is a bug screen for the cargo slider door. I think we'll wait on that to see how the overall function and flow feel before getting a commercially made screen. Otherwise, like all RVs there will be constant regular maintenance required (and hopefully not too many repairs!)

​Scroll down to see information and photos of: Construction details / Electrical specs / Water and heating systems / Kitchen / Dining area / Sleeping area / Interior storage / Exterior storage / Other details.

Construction details

Plywood types: some of the anchoring panels on the van sides were 3/4" regular plywood from a local home improvement store. All of the cabinets and wall panels were built from 5/8" Baltic birch plywood. It was the most uniform in quality and appearance. Some lighter duty pieces, e.g., shelves, night stands, upper garage area, were made from 1/2" Baltic birch. I definitely preferred working with the 5/8" material. It was easier to work with in terms of connecting with pocket screws and not having small bulges show. Total weight... we're glad we went with the 11000 lbs. van. The commercial weigh scale showed us at 4220kg which is 9284 lbs. This leaves us with a decent payload of just over 1700 lbs. for equipment, supplies, water, people, etc.
​

Electrical Specs and Details

  • Three 206AH 12v SOK LiFePO4 batteries (inside driver's side rear bench)
  • Victron Multiplus 3000 inverter/charger & remote control panel
  • 30A shore power connection
  • Victron Orion Tr Smart 12-12-30 DC-DC charger (connected to switched van power point (CCP2) on driver's seat pedestal)
  • Victron MPPT 100/50 Solar Controller​
  • Victron shunt and BMV-712 monitor
  • Four 100W Renogy solar panels​ on roof
  • Dual AGM Van batteries
  • Dual HD alternators
  • ​12v charging outlets (8 locations + van cab outlets)
  • 110v GFCI receptacles (1 on each rear bench, 1 exterior at sliding door, 1 behind driver's seat, plus dedicated outlets for microwave, fridge & TV)
  • 3-way switches for main cabin LED lights (12) with dimmer
  • 3-way switches for slider entry light
  • Three LED under cabinet lights in kitchen
  • Five LED under cabinet lights in dining area with dimmer
  • LED night lights with USB charging on each side
  • 24" LED TV with interior digital antennae, and 20" JBL Soundbar
  • WeBoost cell booster system (on dedicated illuminated switch)

Water Capacity & Function and Heating & Ventilation

  • 40 Gallon fresh water tank inside rear passenger side bench
  • 26 Gallon black tank with 12v heater pad (under driver side exterior)
  • 22 Gallon grey tank with 12v heater pad (under passenger side exterior)
  • Vibration isolated water pump
  • Drain pipes and elbows protected with 12v heating pads
  • 7 Gallon electric hot water tank (110v) on 30 minute max electric timer switch
  • Stainless steel shower basin, wrap around shower curtain (held by magnets to prevent "sucking in") to keep bathroom dry
  • Lowflow (but good spray) Ikea shower head
  • Dometic soft close toilet​
  • SeeLevel II monitoring system for all water tanks
  • Kitchen sink and shower drain each have HEPVO waterless traps
  • Water pump switch (blue illuminated) on front of sink panel
  • Heater pad switch (red illuminated) on front of sink panel
  • Gravity drain and pressurized air blow out for water system
  • Espar S2/D2 diesel heater with Easy Start Pro thermostat/controller
  • 10L internal fuel tank inside sink cabinet
  • Two MaxxAir fans with remote controls
  • Noico & Hushmat sound deadening & Thinsulate insulation throughout
  • Three Motion Windows with slider openings & screens

Kitchen Function

  • Isotherm Cruise 200 side-by-side fridge & freezer (three bottle wine rack inside fridge)
  • Combination microwave & convection oven
  • 2 element induction cooktop (power managing)
  • Deep 13"x16" stainless sink with pull down faucet & sprayer
  • Flip up counter top extension (solid Sugatone hinges)
  • Usable sink cover panel that can be turned for more usable counter space while still allowing water access to sink
  • Pull out pantry: full counter height & depth. 3 levels for storage
  • 3 regular drawers + 1 deep pot drawer under cooktop
  • Custom storage for knives and utensils inside drawers
  • Drop down decorative table top in slider door area (with 110v outlets)
  • cupboard below fridge:
    • 4 bottle wine rack​
    • hotel style safe
    • table extension storage
  • Cupboard by oven: three shelves for 1) gloves & hats, 2) toilet paper and tissues, and 3) cargo door curtain
  • Flip out false front in front of cooktop with two storage bins
  • Under sink cupboard for cleaning supplies and slide out tray for garbage bin. 
  • Multiple latched overhead bins for food storage
  • Multiple latched overhead bins for dishes & glasses/cup storage - all custom slotted to prevent movement & rattling of dishes

Living Space - the dining area

We thought about having a large garage with a higher fixed bed but that layout didn't work for a variety of reasons: 1) We didn't want to have to climb over each other or shimmy out of bed in the middle of the night to go to the washroom, 2) my knee locked up (due to torn cartilage) when we tested the fixed raised bed arrangement in another RV, and 3) we like space. Having a fixed bed meant the entire portion of the van was only usable for laying in during the day or sleeping at night. We wanted it to feel a bit more spacious than just he kitchen floor space. Having said that, the benches had to EASILY convert to beds for sleeping and back again in the morning.
  • 75" ceiling height in kitchen area, 73" ceiling height in dining
  • High quality vinyl flooring throughout
  • Tongue and groove wood ceiling
  • Lagun mount 22" custom table top for dining area for two
  • 10" extension flap can be attached to make comfortable eating space for 4 or 5 people (lock in for extension leg is flush to floor)
  • Roller blinds (continuous pulls) for side and rear windows

Living Space - the sleeping area

Each bench panel is clipped in place by two slide locks. 1) Undo the locks, lift the base panel to slide it out and drop down the hinged back panel, 2) flip down the support leg, 3) push the back cushion into the 7" wide slot to make the 28" wide bed, 4) pull the sleeping bag out of the cover and you're ready for bed.
  • Two custom 5" mattresses (latex foam laminated on medium density poly foam): 75" long on driver's side & 72" long on passenger's side.
  • Bench seats convert (super easy 30 second conversion) to either:
    • Two separate 28" wide twin beds with 11" walking space in between
    • One 56" wide bed (72-75" long)
    • Two comfy 33" wide sleeping bags (stored in cases, used as bench cushions during the day. Single or joined open.)
  • "Night stand" storage area on either side at headboard of each bed ​
  • Each side has an LED night light (with USB charging slot) and 2 switched 12v USB outlets

Interior Storage

Driver's side bench storage (accessed from inside the van):
  • large compartment for full 18v Ryobi tool set: drill, vacuum, inflator, and battery charger (with plug)
  • Complete electrical system
Large overhead storage bins (three):
  • Doggy needs: food, leashes, blankets, towels, etc.
  • His clothes - with shelves and organizer bins
  • Her clothes - with shelves and organizer bins
Rear book shelves overhead
Passenger's side bench storage (accessed from inside van):
  • Full tool box & ratchet wrench set
  • Games, table leg extension
  • telescope & tripod
  • large storage area for other miscellaneous items
Hanging closet: 18" wide and full clothes hanger depth on driver's side
Behind driver's seat:
  • two organizer elastic mesh pockets on wall behind driver's seat
  • Clipped broom and dustpan storage
  • Front cab Weathertech window coverings
  • Draw across privacy curtain for living area

Garage and "Exterior" Storage

We "get it" that a class B with a large garage can store lots of gear. We felt the trick was to keep as much usable space inside the van while still maintaining storage space for camping gear at the same time. We're not big adventure thrill seekers so no mountain bikes, surf boards, SUP boards, etc. If we decide to do bikes we'll look into an exterior rack later on. Storage areas accessed from outside at the rear of the van:
Below benches:
  • Napolean barbeque
  • Propane fire pit (or wood storage)
  • Strapped down 11 lb propane tank
  • Two strapped down 5L gas tanks (for diesel or kerosene of Espar heater)
  • Plastic bins for septic drain hose and gloves & cleaner
  • 25' 15A extension cord, 25' 30A extension, & dogbone dongles
Overhead:
  • 25' recoiling potable water fill hose
  • 25' expanding cleaning hose & spray head
  • BBQ utensils
  • Hot water access point
  • Large subfloor pull out tray on heavy duty slides holds:
    • 2 folding camp chairs
    • folding table
    • cast iron griddle
    • fire pit tongs
    • plastic mat for entry area
  • Heavy duty 1000lb. folding step, storage at entry step cargo door area
  • Custom grab handle on B pillar for entry assist at slider
  • Subfloor hidden storage area at front slider entry step contains:
    • 10' collapsible ladder
    • Awning open/close rod

Other details

  • Flatline Van Co roof rack & Fiamma F45s awning
  • Full width deck area up top (rear 1/3 of van)
  • Black and grey tank utility area (driver's side, midpoint)
  • Shore power outlet on driver's side rear
  • Two smoke/CO detectors (one high, one low)
  • Two fire extinguishers (one front, one rear)
  • Both passenger & driver seats with armrest & factory swivel
  • Second Lagun mount at driver seat (12v and 110v outlets available)
  • Complete suite of Ford Safety tools: adaptive cruise control, front & rear cameras, cross traffic alert and blind spot monitoring, etc.
  • Short arm, heated, power folding mirrors
  • Ford Sync 3 with 8" screen & Apple CarPlay
  • Transit T350HD (dually), All Wheel Drive, TPMS, full size spare
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  • Home
  • About Calvin and Angela
  • Final Build Results
  • Our Travels in Redford
  • Expectations and needs
  • Planning and design
  • Building Redford
  • Lessons Learned During the Build
  • Blog
  • Contact