Bison Overland Flatbed Camper Build…Das Gnomenhaus!

[100acrehuphalump]

I just got my finalized plans from Drew over at Bison. The footprint is basically gonna be 8 feet wide by 9 feet long with an additional 16 inch departure angle. Plus an interior height of 7’ because, after all, palatial garden variety Gnomes are really very tall. Having an aluminum bed made by a local guy who professionally builds and fixes aluminum boats. The reason why the camper is so large is because I’m going to mount it on my current truck which is a 2021 F350 DRW. Sure, I’d love to mount it on a F350 to an F550 SRW and go with that, but I’m working with what I have already and I mostly plan on towing my Honda pioneer side-by-side along with me to really get into the deep backcountry areas for further exploration. My Bison, Overland will basically be my base camp. It’ll have a wet bath and many other amenities. These are the basics minus a couple of Max Air fans and solar, water tanks etc…The entrance door actually comes in through the shower stall to conserve wall space.

 

[VerMonsterRV]

Looks great! Although I never thought I would ever say this, we're seriously considering building a second truck camper (our first is our current home, a Mercedes 1120AF with a Total Composites box that we're currently traveling in Chile with). This second truck would be for our 2-3 months visits home each year (no house). Anyway, I've been back and forth with Drew about design and what's possible. We're looking for an 8'6" X 80" flatbed with a departure angle. The sticky point is we really want a wet bath. Drew told us he is currently working with someone on a design, guess that might just be you! At this point I think we will try and clone the OEV High Country (though a bit simpler.

https://www.truckcampermagazine.com/news/oev-announces-high-country/

I'm very interested in your flatbed design. We will be buying a late model F250/350 4x4 SRW when we fly back this summer. I'm trying to work out a basic flatbed right now.

 

[Bison Overland Campers]

This will be a fun build! thanks for sharing, and sounds like we may be doing another one very similar very soon... for Jon and Heather!

 

[100acrehuphalump]

Updating with photos…

 

[100acrehuphalump]

I’m also having an aluminum tray built by a local guy in north Idaho who normally builds and repairs higher end aluminum boats. All aluminum is TIG Welded. Build time is two weeks tops! Here’s his fb lpage link

Bagnell Custom Metalworks | Sandpoint ID

Bagnell Custom Metalworks, Sandpoint, Idaho. 122 likes. Family business that specializes in welding and fabrication of all materials.

www.facebook.com

 

[100acrehuphalump]

More camper pix

 

[100acrehuphalump]

Stake pockets are getting attached and I received the Nomadic X2 AC unit i ordered.

 

[100acrehuphalump]

The Headache rack will have a mount for a spare tire and a 36 gallon fuel tank. These will be removable via the stake pockets at the head and around the trays perimeter. I‘m going to block off one port on the tank and move the fill and pump hole closer together. Try filling the tank or pumping the fuel from 4 feet away. All while under the camper cab over. By moving the two close to the accessible end nearest my main tank fill port eliminates that issue. .I may look at adding a bung and pipe it into my stock tank at some point, but having access to the slip tank will help to carry extra fuel for my equipment like my excavator when I’m not running with the camper.

 

[100acrehuphalump]

Got the bed perimeter and stake pockets enclosed with 1/4” aluminum

 

[100acrehuphalump]

Steel bed removed, New hitch installed, Aluminum bed being made and the camper will be supposedly finished this Wednesday.…

 

[Skinhyfish]

Going to keep dullies or going single wheel

 

[100acrehuphalump]

Going to keep dullies or going single wheel

At this point I’m keeping it DRW. Mainly due to costs quickly adding up. I’m not sure it’s best for overlanding but I will be towing a Honda Pioneer 1000-5 SXS to get into the deep country areas. It reduces the wear and tear on the truck and allows for some amazing vistas!

 

[100acrehuphalump]

Aluminum flat bed tray is nearing completion!I also had some steel plates added to the frame where the hitch attaches. The brackets that came with the hitch were horribly inadequate!

 

[tractor_to_trail]

Both the camper and flat bed look great. I saw the bison post on Instagram with the shower at the door entrance. Good idea....can't wait to see how it turns out.