mog
Kodiak Buckaroo
A very well thought out and executed idea on the heater and a designed sure to be copied.
Your whole build is outstanding
billboards hauler: homebuilt fiberlgass composite popup for flatbed tundra
- Thread starter bphang10
- Start date
Your whole build is outstanding
fitting a wave heater with advised clearances in a small truck camper is tough! this was the best fit for me, and while most of my traveling is done in warm weather, when you need heat it sure is nice to have. has also served well while working on the inside of camper in freezing temps.
we had a little warm up after xmas so i tackled moving the camper out from under the shed to prepare for the 1s test load!
i built a frame and used 5" caster wheels on the corners. mounted some jacks and lifted enough to remove the wooden frame that i had built on and slide under some plywood and osb as a track to roll it out. i had about a 5"drop from the gravel to the grass, but with many short rolls, lift, adjust the dolly, roll some more, i finally got it out.
i built a frame and used 5" caster wheels on the corners. mounted some jacks and lifted enough to remove the wooden frame that i had built on and slide under some plywood and osb as a track to roll it out. i had about a 5"drop from the gravel to the grass, but with many short rolls, lift, adjust the dolly, roll some more, i finally got it out.
1st test load
i have to say i never look forward to jacking these things so high in the air to load. i went super slow and easy at the start until i felt a bit more comfortable. i was expecting some noises from flexing the first time, but none. it felt very solid going up. i built my jack mounts out of frp plate and angle. the rear is epoxied and thru bolted in place and the jacks bolt onto the flange. on the front, there are holes going through the frp and the wall of the camper where i have plates holding fixed locknuts in place. then, i use a wide frp bracket to attach the jack to the camper. the reason for this was that i wanted to keep the profile as narrow and clean as i could at the front....mostly for visibility and clearance. i plan to not drive with jacks in place.
yes, there was a big smile on my face all day. a very big moment for me. regardless of how much planning and figuring and making allowances....there was still some anxiety leading up to this. fit was good. tight to maneuver the truck the last 12" into the corner brackets, but i knew it would be. also, you can fine adjust get a near perfect center in the manner in which you lower the camper. i lower it to within an inch of the bed, and then drop the jack in whichever direction the camper needs to go..ie, if you want it to come a bit to the left front corner, drop that jack first while "pulling" on that corner the jack itself. more photos soon but here's a teaser.
i have to say i never look forward to jacking these things so high in the air to load. i went super slow and easy at the start until i felt a bit more comfortable. i was expecting some noises from flexing the first time, but none. it felt very solid going up. i built my jack mounts out of frp plate and angle. the rear is epoxied and thru bolted in place and the jacks bolt onto the flange. on the front, there are holes going through the frp and the wall of the camper where i have plates holding fixed locknuts in place. then, i use a wide frp bracket to attach the jack to the camper. the reason for this was that i wanted to keep the profile as narrow and clean as i could at the front....mostly for visibility and clearance. i plan to not drive with jacks in place.
yes, there was a big smile on my face all day. a very big moment for me. regardless of how much planning and figuring and making allowances....there was still some anxiety leading up to this. fit was good. tight to maneuver the truck the last 12" into the corner brackets, but i knew it would be. also, you can fine adjust get a near perfect center in the manner in which you lower the camper. i lower it to within an inch of the bed, and then drop the jack in whichever direction the camper needs to go..ie, if you want it to come a bit to the left front corner, drop that jack first while "pulling" on that corner the jack itself. more photos soon but here's a teaser.
sanjuanworm
New member
i think i live 5 minutes from you.
i saw your rig the other day from the road before you spun it around.....the color of the door stood out.
this is a sweet build... if you need any help with anything get in touch...pm here
i kinda have a really similar flatbed camper thing going on....currently building a folding rear deck.
i saw your rig the other day from the road before you spun it around.....the color of the door stood out.
this is a sweet build... if you need any help with anything get in touch...pm here
i kinda have a really similar flatbed camper thing going on....currently building a folding rear deck.
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thanks guys! still a ways to go but no doubt i will be in it soon.
djmase: more photos in a minute. i'm not ready to put a number on the weight yet, hope to get it to some scales in the next few weeks. i did, however, have a very positive impression when i loaded it. when i set it on the flatbed, i had 20psi in my airbags and it dropped a couple inches. pumped 80psi in the bags and it came back to normal, rear end a bit higher than front. also, only had 32psi in the tires, and normally run near 60 loaded (load range d tires). as i did not yet have a tie down system in place, i took it pretty easy on a test drive down the driveway and through the field. the "feel" was like night and day from what my old camper(1150 ish? on the manufacturer's plate) felt like. did not feel sluggish, no roll side to side through potholes or small bank. not much of a test but a good sign i think.
eblau: i would suggest a piano hinge. i used an aluminum one, about 10", and it is very sturdy. i also have a bolt that lines up with a hole in the cabinet wall and use a wingnut to lock it in place when closed for travel.
djmase: more photos in a minute. i'm not ready to put a number on the weight yet, hope to get it to some scales in the next few weeks. i did, however, have a very positive impression when i loaded it. when i set it on the flatbed, i had 20psi in my airbags and it dropped a couple inches. pumped 80psi in the bags and it came back to normal, rear end a bit higher than front. also, only had 32psi in the tires, and normally run near 60 loaded (load range d tires). as i did not yet have a tie down system in place, i took it pretty easy on a test drive down the driveway and through the field. the "feel" was like night and day from what my old camper(1150 ish? on the manufacturer's plate) felt like. did not feel sluggish, no roll side to side through potholes or small bank. not much of a test but a good sign i think.
sanjuanworm: oh man, sure coulda used your help when rolling that thing out of the shed! had visions of it getting away from me. yep, i'm in valle crucis half way to the river. i noticed a few people slowing down and watching last week when i was turning around. feel free to stop by (when it gets a few degrees warmer!) and i'd like to check out your setup also.
eblau: i would suggest a piano hinge. i used an aluminum one, about 10", and it is very sturdy. i also have a bolt that lines up with a hole in the cabinet wall and use a wingnut to lock it in place when closed for travel.
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a few photos
hatch on the front right is for battery access. i'm using a single lifeline gpl 31xt 125ah battery.
propane, water, and shorepower are on the left side.
i have 2" min clearance over the cab.
view of the roof. i still have some aluminum trim i need to put on roof sides to overlap the aluminum trim on the side to help keep out water and dust when closed.
the shiny flat aluminum plate hanging down at the rear is actually the tailgate. when i take the jacks off, it will open up to horizontal, extending the bed and supporting the camper, and protruding out the back a couple inches to act as a bumper. i have some plates that bolt on the side to hold it firmly in place. will show some photos when i get to that point.
hatch on the front right is for battery access. i'm using a single lifeline gpl 31xt 125ah battery.
propane, water, and shorepower are on the left side.
i have 2" min clearance over the cab.
view of the roof. i still have some aluminum trim i need to put on roof sides to overlap the aluminum trim on the side to help keep out water and dust when closed.
the shiny flat aluminum plate hanging down at the rear is actually the tailgate. when i take the jacks off, it will open up to horizontal, extending the bed and supporting the camper, and protruding out the back a couple inches to act as a bumper. i have some plates that bolt on the side to hold it firmly in place. will show some photos when i get to that point.
100acrehuphalump
Explorer
Loving that taller entry door. We North Cackilacyians is smart and crafty. You sir should start your own business, wow nice build!
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