Another Skamper project

[Boxlunch]

Hey all, just picked up a 1988 Skamper 072S. Wanted to say hi to everyone and thanks for all the info on this site. My build is all based off of SLO_F-250's project, as my little 072 is also for a downsize truck that I am going to put on my F-150. In fact, SLO's build and this forum are the reasons I bought this camper. Your posts have been particularly useful. Thanks man!! :bowdown:

More to come as I have time to post about the project.

 

[SLO_F-250]

Hey all, just picked up a 1988 Skamper 072S. Wanted to say hi to everyone and thanks for all the info on this site. My build is all based off of SLO_F-250's project, as my little 072 is also for a downsize truck that I am going to put on my F-150. In fact, SLO's build and this forum are the reasons I bought this camper. Your posts have been particularly useful. Thanks man!! :bowdown:

More to come as I have time to post about the project.

Thanks for the compliments! Congrats on snagging yourself a camper! I am looking forward to watching your build and seeing what you do to fit the little guy on your truck :sombrero: Post some picts and keep us posted on the project. Be happy to help out with any questions.

Unfortunately my camper adventures have been a bit slow lately. Took a new job and am in the process of moving south toe Santa Barbara CA. But I am looking forward to explore some new places! Going to have to add racks to mine soon for the new paddle board!

Cheers, and welcome to the forum!! :ylsmoke:

 

[Boxlunch]

I bought this camper off a co-worker for 500 bucks... here's a pic of the camper and the donor vehicle (a little old Mazda B-series)

Here's the obvious dryrot on the roof surround wood and torsion bars twisting the crap out of it. Did a lot of research into fixing this before I decided to buy. The fact that there was no internal water damage to the roof or camper is what made me go ahead with the purchase.

I had the co-worker drop the camper off in my driveway so I never had to deal with the loading and getting it home nightmare since I am putting it on a fullsize. unk03:
I did need to get it into the garage quickly so that it wouldn't get rained on and to avoid any love letters from my HOA so I built a dolly for it. Here is is shoehorned into the garage next to my boat.

Then the dismantling process started.... wood bits flying everywhere....

Roof prepped for new wood...

All done replacing wood, so going to try to get the canvas back up tonight. Got some odds and ends in the mail today like some new marker lights because I managed to break a few while fixing the roof. Also a new lens for the porch light. I know there was a discussion around here somewhere looking for the part number on that porch light /grab handle lens so here's the part number: it is a Bargman 74-32-030. Hope that helps somebody out in the future.

 

[Boxlunch]

Prepped and ready to go this weekend.... I have shaved another 1.5 inches off the platform since this pic was taken to get it sitting just right. Will try to get some of my progress pics uploaded soon, but didn't take too many. Was like having a second fulltime job getting this thing ready to go camping.

 

[JCMatthews]

Jealous, really jealous. Looks good on your Ford.

 

[Boxlunch]

Thanks, man!! It's been some work but had a good camper to start with (minus the rotted roof wood). I was concerned about proper COG on my 5.5 foot bed but all loaded up I am happy with the results. COG on this model Skamper is only 27" from the front of the bed (wet). Don't have a whole lot of GVWR to work with here so trying to keep it on the light side.

Old flooring coming up...

New flooring.....

All ready to go for the coming week....

 

[SLO_F-250]

Was like having a second fulltime job getting this thing ready to go camping.

I know what you mean! haha! Nice work. Looks good!

Thanks, man!! It's been some work but had a good camper to start with (minus the rotted roof wood). I was concerned about proper COG on my 5.5 foot bed but all loaded up I am happy with the results. COG on this model Skamper is only 27" from the front of the bed (wet). Don't have a whole lot of GVWR to work with here so trying to keep it on the light side.

Have a good first trip! Dont forget to sit down in the camper with a cold beer and admire/enjoy your hard work! :wings:

 

[huntsonora]

Looks great!

 

[Boxlunch]

Well the trip was great.... words can't explain how happy I am about not having to sleep in a tent!!!

 

[Boxlunch]

Here are some of the mods I have made:

Tie downs for the front...

Bolted some happi-jack rear bumper brackets to the front bed bolts.

For the rear I installed some forged eye bolts directly through the bumper. On this truck the rear bumper brackets are part of the hitch/rear crossmember. Solid as a rock.

Underfloor storage (Just got around to this today. Still need to buy a latch to keep it shut.)

Makes a nice place to store a table and steps:

12V outlet in vanity:

LED PCB's in all fixtures. All 4 running at the same time draw a total of 320 mA. 8 bucks a pop at Lowes. They are landscape lighting replacement bulbs and are voltage regulated. While bench testing them, current draw and intensity stayed the same from 11 volts up to 15 volts. Wired them up with remote control car battery/servo harnesses and left all the original sockets in place just in case I need to install a normal bulb:

Icebox had to go... I tore it out, put the door and the frame back on the cabinet, and now have space for a larger cooler and all the dry foods. I bought a 48 qt. Ice Cube cooler that just fits through the door. Worked out very well. Now it is like having the icebox and a pantry. Wish I had the dough laying around for a fridge... maybe next year!

 

[Bill_G_62439]

Glad you're out enjoying your Skamper! We just spent a month on the road in a hardsde TC and my Skamper has a ways to go, but I'm looking forward to using it soon. Thanks for the inspiration and final goal!

 

[Boxlunch]

Glad you're out enjoying your Skamper! We just spent a month on the road in a hardsde TC and my Skamper has a ways to go, but I'm looking forward to using it soon. Thanks for the inspiration and final goal!

Thanks Bill

It looks like your roof is a big project, but you have made great progress already. I look forward to seeing your finished project! Post lots of pics on that roof build, please!!

 

[SLO_F-250]

Nice work Box!! Looks good on the truck! I like the little under the camper storage too! I think that is one part I am going to miss most about my setup. Im in the process of reorganizing my whole deal. Fun and not at that same time! :elkgrin: haha
Glad you are out and enjoying the camper now!
Cheers,
Paul

 

[Boxlunch]

Nice work Box!! Looks good on the truck! I like the little under the camper storage too! I think that is one part I am going to miss most about my setup. Im in the process of reorganizing my whole deal. Fun and not at that same time! :elkgrin: haha
Glad you are out and enjoying the camper now!
Cheers,
Paul

HAHA... Now that I have copied your under camper storage with some minor tweaks to avoid infringing on any of your patents :smiley_drive: I am contemplating your overhead cabinet mod. Seems like there are variations in the way skamper put their roofs together. Mine consists of the outer metal layer followed by styrofoam and then what I would describe as 3/16 inch thick paperboard. Wondering if there is anything substantial enough to screw into up there? Any ideas appreciated!


Gotta tell you I am a little envious of your new camper. It looks to fit your truck perfectly and can tell it's going to be dialed in after it gets the SLO deluxe treatment!