Defying Normal

A designer converts to van dwelling lifestyle

  • Articles
  • Van Dwelling
  • Van Photos
  • Adventures
  • Galleries
    • The Van Conversion
    • Sake
    • Adventures
  • Videos
  • GEAR!
  • MATERIALS!
  • Gear Roulette
  • Book
  • Media
You are here: Home / Van Dwelling / Roof Rails Installed

Roof Rails Installed

20 January, 2014 By Christine Leave a Comment

Facebooktwitterpinterest

We had a few visitors today:

140120_1

Apparently the East Bay Parks District hires someone to bring their goats over and mow down all of the wild grass a few times a year. I think it’s a nice, harmonious arrangement. The goats get fed while the grass becomes less of a fire hazard. On top of that, they were pretty entertaining. One of the goats even tried to climb the chain link fence separating the backyard from the valley in attempt to chow down on my mom’s lemon tree.

It’s taken a whole three days, but Jef and I finally got the long rails mounted to the Thule load bars. There was lots and lots and lots of drilling. Lots. 36 holes to be exact. And we’re only halfway done—now we have to drill matching holes in the solar panel frames so we can mount the panels to the rails. I wouldn’t count on hearing from me for another three days if I were you.

140120_2

Really, it shouldn’t take three days to drill 36 holes in steel, but the fact is that: a) I’m a cheapskate and didn’t feel like buying a drill press; b) there was a heck of a lot of measuring, climbing up and down ladders, and ladder repositioning going on; and c) honestly, we’re probably not doing it right. About halfway through I remembered that I had some nice cobalt drill bits, so that made the job a little bit easier, and we got our time down to about 10 minutes per hole. We used the method of starting with a teeny tiny bit, and then working our way up very slowly to the 21/64 bit. Like I said, probably not optimal, but it did work, and we didn’t set anything on fire, or break any bones or anything, so I’d say we did okay.

140120_3

In case you’re wondering how I got this shot …

140120_4

Ladders are overrated. Cirque du Soleil, here I come.

Facebooktwitterpinterest

On the hunt for a van?

Create your wish list with my handy Van Buying Checklist. Simply download and print. It's free!

Filed Under: Van Dwelling

← Getting Ready for Solar Panels Floor Compartment #1 →

Hello and welcome!

All it takes is imagination, dedication, and a willingness to learn! I took a 2004 Chevy Express van and transformed it into an amazing tiny home on wheels. I'm here to show you how I did it, and how you can do it too! Read More…

Random Photo

Random image: 141003_2

Archives

SHOP

Disclaimers
Home
Contact

Copyright © 2022 · Christine On