Alaskan Camper Build Up
- Thread starter Carlyle
- Start date
Could you provide any more info or pics of the subframe springs? I didn't understand the guides to prevent back and forth/side to side movement.
How have the springs worked out? I recall you thinking of using something like skateboard cushions in the first build, but then you said the camper was mounted with rubber grommets (or washers)? I'm installing a fllatbed on my F250 and don't want to have a subframe ( to keep the cg lower).
Thanks,
Mike
How have the springs worked out? I recall you thinking of using something like skateboard cushions in the first build, but then you said the camper was mounted with rubber grommets (or washers)? I'm installing a fllatbed on my F250 and don't want to have a subframe ( to keep the cg lower).
Thanks,
Mike
Carlyle
Explorer
Hi Mike,
Let me see if I can explain how it works with a few pictures.
The deck of the camper is mounted to the frame of the truck using springs that allow some up and down movement of the camper:
On the right side of the picture you have see the "sleeve" for lack of better term that keeps the flat bed from sliding from side to side. There is a flange on each side of the beam in three places on each beam of the bed:
Another shot of one side of the "sleeve":
On the rear of the flat bed it it bolted down on both sides to allow the bed to only flex from that point forward:
The camper itself is then bolted directly through the deck of the flat bed to another beam:
Hope this helps
Carl
Let me see if I can explain how it works with a few pictures.
The deck of the camper is mounted to the frame of the truck using springs that allow some up and down movement of the camper:
On the right side of the picture you have see the "sleeve" for lack of better term that keeps the flat bed from sliding from side to side. There is a flange on each side of the beam in three places on each beam of the bed:
Another shot of one side of the "sleeve":
On the rear of the flat bed it it bolted down on both sides to allow the bed to only flex from that point forward:
The camper itself is then bolted directly through the deck of the flat bed to another beam:
Hope this helps
Carl
I like the Mad Max intimidation factor! If I were driving and you pulled up behind me, I'd bail out onto the shoulder and call 911!
Does the tire on the front reduce the airflow to the radiator? Looks like the engine/transmission should run a little hotter. Probably not a bad thing in Colorado, but possibly an issue in warmer areas.
Does the tire on the front reduce the airflow to the radiator? Looks like the engine/transmission should run a little hotter. Probably not a bad thing in Colorado, but possibly an issue in warmer areas.
Thanks for the frame pictures. I understand better, if not completely.
It it looks like the subframe is steel?
The last pic, is that mounted to the side of the frame or to the rear?
I imagine those are valve springs?
What diameter are the bolts?
How large was the washer on the camper floor side?
I'm thinking of doing this with my Bigfoot 3000 9.6 basement (3000lbs).
You've given me a lot of good ideas.
It it looks like the subframe is steel?
The last pic, is that mounted to the side of the frame or to the rear?
I imagine those are valve springs?
What diameter are the bolts?
How large was the washer on the camper floor side?
I'm thinking of doing this with my Bigfoot 3000 9.6 basement (3000lbs).
You've given me a lot of good ideas.
Carlyle
Explorer
Thanks Haven! Gotta love that factor.
The tire sits far enough in front of the radiator that it still gets flow, outside temp sensor has to be moved though as it goes up when the engine fan turns on. Numbers on the dash seem to be good. Moving the tire in the future may be something I consider if a better option turns up.
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I just read the TCM interview. I'm also an ER nurse (retired). I mostly worked 2-3 month stints in N. Cal and Hawaii and lived out of my VW camper travelling between Baja and Alaska. I did a winter ski bumming at Vail, another at Aspen, and a third at Alta.
I finally got married and have had to go bigger ( 9.6 Bigfoot 3000) to accomodate my wife.
We're in the BF because it was a steal ( but too big for our f250). As soon as the f250 dies, we'll probably get a proper rig to carry it, and hopefully go the Alaskan route.
I've enjoyed following your adventures,
Mike
I finally got married and have had to go bigger ( 9.6 Bigfoot 3000) to accomodate my wife.
We're in the BF because it was a steal ( but too big for our f250). As soon as the f250 dies, we'll probably get a proper rig to carry it, and hopefully go the Alaskan route.
I've enjoyed following your adventures,
Mike
Carlyle
Explorer
Thanks!
Carlyle
Explorer
Learn from our mistakes, I hope I've learned enough for now though. I know more about 12 volt systems than I ever thought I needed to. One good thing is that I only plug in to run the ac. The solar panels and 12 volt system are so efficient I'm usually fully charged by about 8 am!
Carlyle
Explorer
I had a local upholstery guy make a few items for me this week, one of them being a tunnel/chunnel between the camper and the truck cab. Now the dogs can be a little more out of the way at times. We tried to buy one commercially, but after an exhaustive search it seems the company that used to make them is out of business.
In addition, we had reflective inserts made for each window that help with light and heat/cold depending on the time of year.
Roll up cover for DVD player, for some reason the illumination will not turn off unless unplugged and then you lose all your settings.
In addition, we had reflective inserts made for each window that help with light and heat/cold depending on the time of year.
Roll up cover for DVD player, for some reason the illumination will not turn off unless unplugged and then you lose all your settings.
Prevailing4u
New member
Just read through your entire story. Wow what a great projects. I am looking forward to getting to bed before 1:00am now. I believe your CD player illumination stays on because likely your installer hooked both the ignition and battery wire together and ran them to your 12v source. If you disconnect what I believe will be the yellow wire (ignition wire), (you will need to confirm this) and install a switch to act in place of your ignition switch that would normally have been used if the CD player had been installed in your truck. This will give you the ability to fully turn off your CD player from your camper and the added benifit of reducing your current draw on your batteries.