Composite Roof Deck | Ram ProMaster Van Build Series | Van Life

Composite Roof Deck | Ram ProMaster Van Build Series | Van Life | Solo Female Traveler

Рет қаралды 7,530

Күн бұрын

In this video I share how I installed a composite roof deck for a totally new perspective of the beautiful landscapes I travel to. Also, living in such a small space, like a van, it is nice to have another "room" to go to for a change of scenery and to get fresh air.
Tune in to my next video where I'll be sharing how I installed a swivel seat followed by the install of my ceiling and ceiling puck lights.
Until then, be sure to subscribe to my channel and turn on notifications so you don't miss a beat!
For more frequent van life updates, connect and interact with me on Instagram and Tik Tok @LaurenLawliss.
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What would you enjoy doing on the roof of your van?
Let me know in the comments below!
I know I can't wait to watch beautiful sunsets every night.
Thanks for being here :)
Timecodes
0:00 - Intro
1:20 - Why I chose composite decking
2:11 - Cutting the composite
3:02 - Drilling and paddle bit
4:06 - Installing the deck to my roof rack
6:30 - What I would change
7:32 - Closing
7:53 - Bloopers
Disclaimer: I am not a professional. This information is what I have gathered from my own research on the topic and is only intended for reference. Further research should be conducted for your specific project based on your needs. Please note, not everything you see online is the correct nor the only way to do something. Contact a professional if in doubt as following an incorrect procedure could lead to a dangerous and ineffective result.

Пікірлер: 52

@VanVeenTraining 29 күн бұрын

I really love the tricks and tips! Very practical! I enjoy your reasoning, food for thought!

@LaurenLawliss 17 күн бұрын

Thanks so much! Glad you liked it.

@billystray7007 11 ай бұрын

Until you get around to your 80/20 fix, a decent improvement would be to run another piece of composite underneath with stainless fasteners, conecting the deck pieces together down the middle and making them one. You could even rip one piece down the middle on the tablesaw using one slice for each side. This is how we put scaffolding together so the planks dont flex independently.

@LaurenLawliss 11 ай бұрын

Thanks for the idea!

@jasonjones5213 Жыл бұрын

Great video, I like the marking on the tape idea.Never thought about doing that before.

@LaurenLawliss Жыл бұрын

Thanks, Jason! A marker would have worked too, but I didn’t want any markings left after the cut😆

@richardwilkinson6305 Жыл бұрын

Hi Lauren your roof deck looks amazing. Please take care always when using the flat bits. Such a brilliant video again ❤ I'll look forward to seeing you again.

@LaurenLawliss Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching, Richard! Next video will be out May 15😉

@strunk_adventures9750 4 ай бұрын

Just as a note, they make drop in 8020 nuts so you don't have to disassemble to add them.

@LaurenLawliss 4 ай бұрын

Yes! I saw those but I already had the t-nuts on hand so I went that route, but thanks for sharing😁

@sixstrings1063 6 ай бұрын

Concerned about the exposed countersink area of the face mount screws accumulating water and also freezing in Winter and also dirt and debris.

@LaurenLawliss 6 ай бұрын

Good point. I’ll keep an eye on it!!

@user-jh9hh5ql7z 7 ай бұрын

My name's tan and i'd like to wait you going to detail on your bill. I think it's very professional. And it's a lot better than the other radios that I've already opened. I'm seeing and i'm building the pro master right now my purse van

@LaurenLawliss 6 ай бұрын

Thank you for the kind words. Good luck with your van build!

@pjstumpf Жыл бұрын

You make everything look soo easy!

@LaurenLawliss Жыл бұрын

Hahaha some things are, some things are more of a pain lol

@evrenkurt2179 Жыл бұрын

Again a great video👌❤️

@LaurenLawliss Жыл бұрын

Thanks, Evren!!

@renzo9689 Жыл бұрын

Your 80/20 fix for the bending deck bords is totally going to work! Another great video ✌️

@LaurenLawliss Жыл бұрын

Thanks, Renzo! I can’t wait to get those extra bars installed then🙌🏼

@fredricjulien8738 Жыл бұрын

Cool roof deck Lauren. You can enjoy seeing a lot more of the world from a higher point of view. 😎 That bird was aggressively trying to get your attention when you were up on the roof. 🐦

@LaurenLawliss Жыл бұрын

Thanks, Fredric! The views are awesome. Hahaha the birds love chirping when I film😅

@BTNomad Жыл бұрын

I'm totally planning on doing this, too! You rock!!

@LaurenLawliss Жыл бұрын

Yes! Do it. You won’t regret it😄

@BTNomad Жыл бұрын

@LaurenLawliss , my roof is that transparent material that I can't walk on, so I'll have to figure out some way to use the rails I put up there. But for now, I'm going 100 mph just trying to make the truck liveable ASAP. The deck will have to wait. Lol!

@LaurenLawliss Жыл бұрын

@@BTNomad nice! Good luck☺️

@marvellousmarvin Жыл бұрын

Hi Lauren, your van is looking awesome. Another great job. 🥰 Have a wonderful week. Big Hugs

@LaurenLawliss Жыл бұрын

Thanks, Marvin! I’m pretty proud of how it is turning out so far. Have a great rest of your week🥰

@TheMarpalm 10 ай бұрын

Love the bobwhite cheering you on.

@LaurenLawliss 10 ай бұрын

Hahaha my personal cheer squad🤩

@user-kn4mm8tx6y 8 ай бұрын

Thanks god for sending you to my life.shamim zahuri from bangladesh📛❄🧚‍♀️🎎👏

@natemalnaa1 Жыл бұрын

That bird was having a serious tweet conversation about something lol

@LaurenLawliss Жыл бұрын

Hahahaha, right! They love to talk when I’m talking. It’s a love, hate relationship😅

@storms5263 5 ай бұрын

Your videos are SO detailed and informative, great job! You may want to put a piece of painters tape on the spade bit to mark the depth you want

@LaurenLawliss 5 ай бұрын

Thank you! Yes, painters tape would certainly help.

@mausie1967 11 ай бұрын

☺☺☺

@LaurenLawliss 11 ай бұрын

😁😁😁

@r.h.b.4980 2 ай бұрын

Lauren i am new to your channel and I am very impressed with your knowledge and skills. Both as a woman and being so young and independent. Kudos 👏 truly a wonderful person. I am building a utility trailer conversion toy hauler and wish I found your channel before I started. I have a question about what you are going to do for work as you travel. As I am hoping to travel some with mine.?

@LaurenLawliss 2 ай бұрын

Thank you for the kind words! I have a full time, fully remote sales job and my own businesses!

@GK49245 Жыл бұрын

Excellent attention to detail. Seems like a good approach to stop the panel sag. Am curious, what is the total weight you’ve added to the roof - rack frame, solar panels, composite, hardware, etc?

@LaurenLawliss Жыл бұрын

Thanks! That’s a great question. Honestly not sure. I could run some numbers and let you know though.

@eprohoda Жыл бұрын

dear. so excellent - =))

@LaurenLawliss Жыл бұрын

Thank you 😄

@KevinM-ov3qr 10 ай бұрын

Would it have been possible to position the front max air fan offset to one side so you could have one wider roof deck instead of two?

@LaurenLawliss 10 ай бұрын

For sure! The roof fans can go anywhere on the roof😁

@kevinwittenauer6892 10 ай бұрын

Was that stainless hardware?

@LaurenLawliss 10 ай бұрын

Yes, sir!

@kevinwittenauer6892 10 ай бұрын

@@LaurenLawliss your breakdowns are easily understood and educational. Ty

@LaurenLawliss 10 ай бұрын

@@kevinwittenauer6892 I’m glad to hear that☺️

@FakePersonna Жыл бұрын

Hey Lauren, the composite decking is not structural... it will flex and bend in the sun.... For decking, you need 2x6 lumber that is sealed... 2x6 is structural and will not flex or bend in the sun.

@LaurenLawliss Жыл бұрын

Hi there! Thanks for your comment. Personally I am happy with composite decking for my wants and needs. Might not be perfect but it does the job for me. There are definitely other options you could consider.

@GUIDE_Nico 13 күн бұрын

I'm looking to do this for a bike rack with some trex I have. Recycle them. I'll add some wood supports.