1985 Hino Housetruck - delivery to new owners- last post :(

Nice one.
Assuming your audio hum is not present when cable unplugged, you could try making a custom cable with a gap in the outer metal sheath, so its getting ground from dvd on one end and from head unit the other end. A choke inline with head unit power feed may also be worth trying. A 12 volt dvd player would be the ideal solution probably or a head unit that also plays dvds and has video out.

WELL DONE !!

Nicola and I are so chuffed for you guys.

The House truck has turned into a thing of envy.

You guys have put so much of your lives into it, and deserve every moments joy it will bring.

Just got back from our first proper trip away in the housetruck. Man it was cool. So much chilling out was had- we finally got to properly just sit back and enjoy our new home in an amazing enviroment. I'll sleep tonight and probably dream the sound of waves.

We started out trip off last monday after a few last hectic days of final little jobs including building an extra folding support for assisting with rolling the pop outs in and out. I can just take the weight to 'walk' them but Hannah cant and its awkward. So I built an extra frame work that hooks onto the rope rail with adjustable legs. Then with a wheel on each of the two outside corners the popout is then free to roll right on in with out any heavy hernia inducing lifting.



Once this was built, tested and ticked off I had to build a storage box to hold the frame plus some stabilisers I had built. Oh yeah- I built some stabilisers as well. They are just there to stop the truck rocking in the wind. So I built a nice big box which is bolted up under the back. Also blocks of wood used for levelling etc will go in there too.

So come Sunday night after final packing of gear and a shop for supplies when the roadside outside was clear we took off out Taylor dam for the night. And a lovely peaceful night too. The truck seemed easier to drive but I think thats me getting used to it already.

Monday morning dawned blue and chilly.





Off on our trip! We drove out to the local truck stop, filled up and then while on nice hard concrete in warm sunshine
we greased the kingpins. This is a job we used tow do often on our Bedford TK and it makes a huge difference to the steering efforts. The Hino has powersteering which can hide stiff kingpins and greasing them can get missed till they wear out so its a job I want to keep on doing. We also bled the clutch slave but I think it or the master may need new seals.
Greasing the kingpins at truck stop..



The driver of this Kenworth wants to build a housetruck- he had a good look about ours while I sat in his cab pretending to own it. The Kenworth has an 18 speed auto which he said couldn't be easier to drive. Oh and his truck does 1.85 km per litre of diesel....



Then we hit the road and the first test was how the truck went over the dashwoods- just a 200 meter climb out of town but twisty. It was fine- down 3rd gear which was slightly too low- 4th being to high but thats what I expect in a truck thats only got a 5 speed box. The handling is quite wobbly- i spoke to several truck drivers at the stop- they all said it'll be a handful due to its age, the length, the hight and weight over the cab plus the fact its on leaf springs. They all just said slow down, chill, don't give a curse word who is behind me and pull over to let anyone past. One said take all corners at least 10kph slower than the recommended speed signs.

So I slowed down, Its low geared and starts revving its tits off at above 80kph. So I sat on 70. Cruisy as! Very little traffic. One thing I noted was how polite cars and trucks were to me. It was really good. We got lots of waves too.

On way to Kaikoura coast..



We made it to our favourite camp spot just north of Kaikoura and within half an hour had the truck all set up. I then mucked about jacking the front up onto blocks of wood so to get it level. Lovely evening and so peaceful.





The intention was to stay just two nights but the next two days were pretty windy/wet and we changed our minds deciding to stay an extra night. tHen another, then another. It was just so nice there. We collected driftwood for the fire and I made a trip into Kaikoura for more wine on my bike. It was pretty laid back. The first day of cold weather brought loads of snow on the mountains looking over the spot. Magical. Went running/cycling. Coming back to the truck with the fire going and having a hot shower then chilling out with yet another hot coffee looking over the beach was heaven. Oh yeah- the shower works bllody well- first time we had used the trucks shower since we built it and we had fears the old califont might not be good enough but it was awesome.
'
I had borrowed my mums proper camera and took many many photos. Here is a selection of some. We took some of the inside because I don't think there are many up to date photos of the bedroom etc.






























Today we drove back and filled up the tank again. The 220 km trip used 50 litres which works out at 12.5 MPG. I'm pretty happy with that really. I was hoping it might be around 12 as our TK would do 15 but weighed 2 tonne less plus offered much less wind resistance.
My brother had come over from Nelson on Saturday and stayed the night in the spare room. He took these two photos on the way back.





So now back at home there are some little jobs to do like make some proper rear steps that attach to the deck, get the 240 camp powersupply cable then a electrical WOF for that. Then its off again and back to that working melarchy... curse word. Kind of used to this long 'build a home' holiday idea but unfortunately our savings are seriously dwindling.

Looks incredibly comfortable and ridiculously spacious for it's size. Very jealous mate!

In a word .... WOW !!

This is such an awesome feat of building.

You guys are making my heart happy with this sort of photo. It is almost like being there, thanks for sharing.

I've not followed this thread for ages and now it's all finished, I've missed loads! I have to say, the inside of that truck is genuinely nicer than any of the houses and flats I've ever lived in. I'm incredibly jealous!

Alex
congrats mate, its nice to see all the hard work you guys have put in really pay off.
You must have been over the moon that first night away-from-home-but-still-at-home.
To have simply built this would have been an achievement, but to have done it to such a high standard is mind blowing.
Seriously, the most inspiring thread on the forum.
As CIH said, keep living the dream dude!

just awesome! spend this evening reading this and now I'm jealous! its retro, its a ride/residence and you are living my dream life! no ties to anywhere and your own will of where to travel to! congrats on a great build and enjoy it!

Sweet pics dude, that bedroom looks lush! Guess you didn't take the puddy with you this time?

Now get back in the garage and show the Viva some luuurrrrrrv! :-)