Chopping for $$$$

GimpChoppa · 02-17-2009, 11:38 PM

Hey all, I haven't been on in a while. An Engineering company flew me up to Queensland last week and contracted me to help them design the front moulding on thier new caravan. It was awesome to finally get paid doing something I love and I just had to tell someone. The caravan was awesome too, it rides on airbags and saves like 6 litres per 100km (over a standard 20ft van) just by the airodynamics of it. I also designed a decal kit for it too. I hope they are bigger than Jayco one day, that way I can say I contributed to thier rise to fame, and I'm sure I will be called on for the next model too. Anyway, sorry for the rambling I just had to tell someone.

Carty · 02-18-2009, 02:15 AM

thats pretty tight, are we talking like a short school bus deal, or like a dodge caravan

GimpChoppa · 02-18-2009, 09:04 AM

20ft camper trailer, twin axle, 6 berth(sleeps 6). I'm now working on interior layouts for a 14ft version that will be coming later on.

Carenilsen · 02-18-2009, 10:17 AM

Sounds awesome.
Dont know if u can, but please show us some pics when its done?

GimpChoppa · 02-20-2009, 02:35 PM

I might put up some progress pics later. I dont think they will mind.

mad::matt · 02-20-2009, 08:22 PM

Why would you need caravan on airbags? So you can bounce it up and down while you're towing it?

Still cool that you're getting paid anyway

firefly · 02-21-2009, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mad::matt

Why would you need caravan on airbags? So you can bounce it up and down while you're towing it?

Still cool that you're getting paid anyway

well basically most of the new trucks and buses has airbags suspension.. even most of the older ones too

So basically it means not every airbag set is made for jumping **** up and down

PSDavinci · 02-21-2009, 01:04 PM

Way to go Gimp!
Wow PSC is full of success stories these days.
Yeah man give us a look-see when you get a chance.

GimpChoppa · 02-21-2009, 07:03 PM

Yeah it ain't exactly for bouncin'. They have done a number of comparison tests and the airbags give a much smoother ride, which helps keep the stuff in there cabinets inside the van on bumpy roads. It also makes it nice and low when its parked which makes it easy to get in and out of. And as noted above, trucks have been using them for years, so did the merc's back in the 20's( it really is old technology), anyway I' got a side profile pic to put up, its animated to show the differents heights. And before anyone asks, it can be raised for rough/uneven surfaces.

Side profile animation, with my decal kit.

This is the prototype van, I helped them develop a new front moulding which is still in the production process.