The insulation process is coming along slowly but surely. It is so hot this time of year in Alabama that we can only work on it until about 9am. After that, it is just too hot. If you look at the picture below, you will see that we have completed the walls and all but 2 parts of the ceiling. Keep in mind this is only the first layer of insulation, another layer of a different type will go on top of that, then a layer of Reflectix and a vapor barrier will be installed. After all that is done, then we can put on the outer wall covering that will be visible inside the van. It is a lot of work to do this right, but it will be well worth it in the long run. [41]

We got up this morning and went through our normal routine... you know, bathroom visit, take the dog out, cook and eat breakfast, turn on the computer to check emails for new workamping job ads, etc. Well, our email box was jammed this morning! It seems a blogger named "Anchored Scraps" (@AnchoredScraps) did an article about our "Getting Mail While Living in an RV" page and it got retweeted and favorited a good number of times. Woohoo!

We finished insulating the floor of the van and also laid the plywood base. Once we know what type of flooring we want, we will let you all know. We're considering all options like vinyl, laminate, industrial mat, etc. We have to consider things like durability, ease of cleaning, repair options in case of damage, and so on. This conversion is a long and tedious project but we knew that going in. Plus we will have the satisfaction of know we did it once it is all done. [42]

The gears that slowly grind at the VA are grinding. The approval for the lift is in and we are waiting to hear from the vendor who will do the actual install of the wheelchair lift. We're anxious to get it in because we really can't do anything else until then. The entire layout is based on how much space we have left after the lift and chair are sitting in the van.

We've been studying the layouts of Class B campers as well as other camper vans. We're pretty sure we will have 2 separate twin beds in the back, one along each wall. The galley will consist of a small sink and a 2 burner cooktop. The bathroom will be a simple cassette toilet and will only be used in emergencies. We haven't decided yet what type of A/C we will have... we really don't want to make the van any taller so we would rather not use a roof mounted A/C. The solar panels and a MaxxFan are the only extra things we want up there. We may build in a window unit (not visible from outside!) or use a portable A/C. Anyway, lots and lots of planning is still needed and we will update the site as we go. In the menu at the top of the page under "RV Articles", you will find a link to the Campervan Conversion. [43]

Well, the lift vendor (Bruno) called today and apparently the VA was trying to get a lift installed that only picks up the empty wheelchair. I explained that I needed one that will pick the chair up with me in it. The VA will have to pick a new vendor now, hopefully one that can install the type of lift I need. I will be calling them on Monday to see how things are progressing.

We sold the bulkhead out the van today! Yay. It came with our van as part of the deal and we surely did not need or want it, so we were glad to sell it. The guy that bought it drove from Virginia and we swapped out trim panels and moved the bulkhead over to his van. He has a 1500 low roof so the bulkhead has to have a corner piece removed for it to fit his van. Silly Ram people riveted the thing in place so he will have to grind off 3 rivets to remove it. No big deal really, but still... rivets? Now our van is nice and open and his work van will have a strong, good looking divider for 1/3 of the cost that the dealer would have charged. Plus he got to come see Alabama! [44]

Well, it appears the Birmingham VA cannot get me a lift that picks up an occupied wheelchair, so I have to go to the Spinal Cord Injury Clinic at the Memphis VA. That appointment has been scheduled for later this month and hopefully the ball will really get rolling this time. We are at a standstill with the van conversion until we get the lift in, so there won't be another update to the blog until that happens. [45]

Well, I made my annual pilgrimage to the Spinal Cord Injury Clinic at the Memphis VA for my annual checkup. I reckon I will live to see another day, Lord willing. They were supposed to arrange for the wheelchair lift to be installed but they referred it back to the Birmingham VA. Grrr. Anyway, I contacted the local MobilityWorks office and had them draw up a work order that I could present to the VA. Apparently, this is the new procedure for this. They did a work order for a Braun Millennium 2 lift with a safety alarm in case someone took the van out of park and the lift wasn't stowed. Guess how much? If you guessed $8,611.00 you are correct. And that's with me doing the flooring and tie downs! It would have been almost $12,000 had they done everything. The work order has been sent to the VA and we're now waiting to hear what wheel needs to be greased next. [46]

The MaxxFan we ordered from PPL Motorhomes arrived today. Kudos to PPL for super fast shipping. We planned to install it this weekend but decided to go ahead and do it today. It took about 2.5 hours in all, not too shabby for a crippled guy.

Cutting a 14" x 14" hole in the roof of our new van was strange, but we marked off the spot, drilled our pilot holes and used a jigsaw to cut it out. It was quite easy to do actually. We installed the fan base using butyl tape under the roof flange then a generous layer of Eternabond over every edge after it was screwed in place. If the Eternabond lasts the 25 years it says it will, it will likely outlast us. Here are a few pictures of the installation. We still need to run the wiring and insulate the roof section where it is. All in good time...

Here is a link to a full write up of the installation. [47]