Academy 2022 Kit Build

Academy 2022 Kit Build

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Original Poster:

3,455 posts

181 months

Tuesday 5th April 2022
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So I decided to go do the Academy, and my brother signed up to do it too!
I went for kit build, he went factory.
It turns out it is possible to build it in a small single car garage, but thinking about where things are placed before you start is super important, note the position of the engine...

I think I have overcommitted to the tow vehicle situation, but here we are...






BertBert

19,513 posts

217 months

Wednesday 6th April 2022
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That is one mahoosive motorhome! What's it like towing with it?

Boggo

152 posts

60 months

Wednesday 6th April 2022
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Best way to do it - staying at the circuit is awesome.

I'd recomend getting some sides for that awning - a wet day at the circuit sucks!

BertBert

19,513 posts

217 months

Wednesday 6th April 2022
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Boggo said:
Best way to do it - staying at the circuit is awesome.
Yep, agreed, just started doing it. Mind you when you run out of gas on the first night with no electric hookup and the temps were like they were at the weekend, it gets mighty chilly!

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Original Poster:

3,455 posts

181 months

Wednesday 6th April 2022
quotequote all
BertBert said:
Yep, agreed, just started doing it. Mind you when you run out of gas on the first night with no electric hookup and the temps were like they were at the weekend, it gets mighty chilly!
The upside of having a fooking massive 230v generator onboard that runs on petrol (plenty of that around for the caterhams, and the heater runs on the main diesel tank, which is not small...
Boggo said:
Best way to do it - staying at the circuit is awesome.

I'd recomend getting some sides for that awning - a wet day at the circuit sucks!
It's got full sides and the like stashed under the body if I feel so inclined...

BertBert said:
That is one mahoosive motorhome! What's it like towing with it?
Towing is an utter breeze with it, I honestly can't tell the difference between having the trailer on and not, partly because the trailer is narrower than the MH so you can't see it unless you're going around a bend, or you look on the reversing camera.
It's so not noticeable that the handbrake came on on the trailer and I didn't notice for a few miles... that was a bad day. There's now so very high vis tape on the hand brake so I can see the position it's in on the camera, not doing that again!

MagicalTrevor

6,476 posts

235 months

Wednesday 6th April 2022
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Well that puts my old Brian James open trailer and Volvo XC70 into some perspective! Very nice

MagicalTrevor

6,476 posts

235 months

Wednesday 6th April 2022
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Which colour is that? I assume it's a wrap?

Switch

Original Poster:

3,455 posts

181 months

Wednesday 6th April 2022
quotequote all
MagicalTrevor said:
Which colour is that? I assume it's a wrap?
Yup, it's KPMF Indulgent Blue.

I really rather like it. Here it is pre stickers/reassembly.

MagicalTrevor

6,476 posts

235 months

Thursday 7th April 2022
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The colour is great. I'm toying between 3M Satin Apple Green or Matte Riviera Blue with contrasting graphics. Riviera Blue is very similar to the colour you've chosen.

Boggo

152 posts

60 months

Thursday 7th April 2022
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Be ware that with the trailer being narrower than the tow car (or wider for that matter) the plod may expect you to have wing mirror extenders so you can see the trailer at all times ( I know somone got points for this recently )

But I bet it tow's lovely!

Switch

Original Poster:

3,455 posts

181 months

Thursday 7th April 2022
quotequote all
Boggo said:
Be ware that with the trailer being narrower than the tow car (or wider for that matter) the plod may expect you to have wing mirror extenders so you can see the trailer at all times ( I know somone got points for this recently )

But I bet it tow's lovely!
Thanks for the heads up. I know that you need a view of X either side/behind and that's why you need mirror extenders on a wider trailer. However I'm not sure of the law for narrower, I'll do some investigation, and or widen my mirror placement...

Boggo

152 posts

60 months

Thursday 7th April 2022
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Switch said:
Boggo said:
Be ware that with the trailer being narrower than the tow car (or wider for that matter) the plod may expect you to have wing mirror extenders so you can see the trailer at all times ( I know somone got points for this recently )

But I bet it tow's lovely!
Thanks for the heads up. I know that you need a view of X either side/behind and that's why you need mirror extenders on a wider trailer. However I'm not sure of the law for narrower, I'll do some investigation, and or widen my mirror placement...
Probbaly worth doing regardless so you can pull into lanes safely!

Good luck with Academy, they say white group is the fast group wink

BertBert

19,513 posts

217 months

Thursday 7th April 2022
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Switch said:
Thanks for the heads up. I know that you need a view of X either side/behind and that's why you need mirror extenders on a wider trailer. However I'm not sure of the law for narrower, I'll do some investigation, and or widen my mirror placement...
I was unaware of the "being narrower" variant of the law on it.