Seems like every time I search online for information about campers I end up at this site so it’s probably the best place for me to pose a question.
I’m a Brit but have been living in Indonesia for the last 17 years and of late the idea of having a vehicle to tour this vast archipelago has become a bit of an obsession. The problem is that there simply are no campervans, motorhomes etc in the country and the laws here are not framed to allow for such vehicles. As a result I've become a bit desperate.
Initially I thought about importing a caravan-type vehicle but that would have incurred a 125% luxury tax!!! A used truck camper also gets hit by close to 100% on the total cost (purchase of the camper + freight costs). And cabovers are forbidden!
Next I thought that I would build a teardrop caravan but that is illegal. In fact, the construction of a trailer or the modification of any vehicle can only be carried out by a few authorized workshops and because they are in demand they can set high prices. Let’s not even get into the bureaucratic nightmare of getting the design and construction approved by the transport department.
A locally made pop top roof on a Land Rover won't work because due to the import tax the only affordable vehicles date from the 60s, 70s and 80s and a break down anywhere outside Java island would entail a wait of several days for spare parts.
A 4WD vehicle with a roof top tent was my next choice but when I discussed that idea on a local forum I was told that it was very risky. I was told stories of people off the beaten track at night being held at gunpoint, tourists camping on beaches being murdered etc. Not that a hard-sided vehicle is much safer in the middle of nowhere.
A VW T2 is still a possibility but like most van-like vehicles here the engine is not at the front and we feel horribly exposed. Driving standards are pretty low here and any frontal impact in such a vehicle would likely result in serious injury.
So, we were down to the choice of a VW T4 Caravelle (very expensive here), a Nissan NV200 or a Hyundai i800.
Then I had the idea of using a commercial box mounted on a 4WD pickup as an improvised truck camper. These are sold with the necessary type approval and are cheap but they have an aluminium skin, which, with average daytime temperatures at around 32 degrees (90F) would be extremely uncomfortable inside. This example has already had a window put in.
Yes, I know it's UGGLLLYY but the one I order can be a bit different and remain within the law. I may even be able to order one with the sides hinged at the top so that they can be opened.
So, my question is, would it be possible to insulate such a box to the point where it would be usable? And if yes, what materials should be used and what thicknesses?
I’m thinking I could glue rigid foam insulation to the outside of the aluminium skin and then fiberglass it. On the inside I would use the same rigid foam insulation or spray foam the inside of the aluminium and then use plywood over that to provide a little more insulation and give me something to attach hardware like cupboards to.
Or if an aluminium skinned box would be too difficult to insulate what about the type of insulated box used to transport frozen foods?
I would really appreciate anyone’s thoughts on these ideas
I’m a Brit but have been living in Indonesia for the last 17 years and of late the idea of having a vehicle to tour this vast archipelago has become a bit of an obsession. The problem is that there simply are no campervans, motorhomes etc in the country and the laws here are not framed to allow for such vehicles. As a result I've become a bit desperate.
Initially I thought about importing a caravan-type vehicle but that would have incurred a 125% luxury tax!!! A used truck camper also gets hit by close to 100% on the total cost (purchase of the camper + freight costs). And cabovers are forbidden!
Next I thought that I would build a teardrop caravan but that is illegal. In fact, the construction of a trailer or the modification of any vehicle can only be carried out by a few authorized workshops and because they are in demand they can set high prices. Let’s not even get into the bureaucratic nightmare of getting the design and construction approved by the transport department.
A locally made pop top roof on a Land Rover won't work because due to the import tax the only affordable vehicles date from the 60s, 70s and 80s and a break down anywhere outside Java island would entail a wait of several days for spare parts.
A 4WD vehicle with a roof top tent was my next choice but when I discussed that idea on a local forum I was told that it was very risky. I was told stories of people off the beaten track at night being held at gunpoint, tourists camping on beaches being murdered etc. Not that a hard-sided vehicle is much safer in the middle of nowhere.
A VW T2 is still a possibility but like most van-like vehicles here the engine is not at the front and we feel horribly exposed. Driving standards are pretty low here and any frontal impact in such a vehicle would likely result in serious injury.
So, we were down to the choice of a VW T4 Caravelle (very expensive here), a Nissan NV200 or a Hyundai i800.
Then I had the idea of using a commercial box mounted on a 4WD pickup as an improvised truck camper. These are sold with the necessary type approval and are cheap but they have an aluminium skin, which, with average daytime temperatures at around 32 degrees (90F) would be extremely uncomfortable inside. This example has already had a window put in.
Yes, I know it's UGGLLLYY but the one I order can be a bit different and remain within the law. I may even be able to order one with the sides hinged at the top so that they can be opened.
So, my question is, would it be possible to insulate such a box to the point where it would be usable? And if yes, what materials should be used and what thicknesses?
I’m thinking I could glue rigid foam insulation to the outside of the aluminium skin and then fiberglass it. On the inside I would use the same rigid foam insulation or spray foam the inside of the aluminium and then use plywood over that to provide a little more insulation and give me something to attach hardware like cupboards to.
Or if an aluminium skinned box would be too difficult to insulate what about the type of insulated box used to transport frozen foods?
I would really appreciate anyone’s thoughts on these ideas
