Building Camper for Small Pickups

[Goober]

Had the camper on the truck for a week in mid June with temps in the 90's and heavy winds with one day gust up to 60mph. Temp inside the camper never got really hot, seem to stay about air temp. Handling in the high winds wasn't bad, better than the Toyota Van Wagon I had. Though driving up wind on the freeway sucked. Couldn't get a gas mileage average with the winds. Camped out at Strawberry Reservoir that week. Morning temp was 33 deg. Had some condensation under the matress. Averaged 16 mpg with the trailer, 13 on the way to the lake, 3000ft. elevation change, 19 mpg on the way back.

Put a piece of 3/4" foam insulation under the wing on the bunk side, used foil tape and caulk to seal the edges. Next trip I'll find out if this helps the condensation under the mattress, but then it probably won't be getting down to 33 deg. as it did my first trip.

 

[Mighty Dodge Ram]

Looking good...thanks for the updates. :sombrero:

 

[Goober]

I thinking about replacing the Tacoma rear springs with one of these and possibly adding air bags too. Can't decide which to use.
http://www.northwestoffroad.com/parts/2stage.php
http://www.generalspringkc.com/product_p/90-297hd.htm

 

[Overland Hadley]

I really like my Timbrens, but I do have them in conjunction with OME Dakar springs.

What route you go depends if your camper will be on the truck full time.

 

[Goober]

The trailer was 2500 when I weighed (includes tongue weight). The whole setup w/wife and me in cab and water tank full was 7580. I probably loaded 150-200 lbs more gear in the trailer after weighing. Gross weight rating of the trailer is 3500. I kept the camper empty as the tongue weight, 327 lbs, put the truck 70 lbs over gvwr. I was about 2" off the bump stops once I was completely loaded.

 

[Goober]

I don't have a Taco but love the OME rear leaf springs on my Isuzu's. Great ride and load handling. Get the matching shocks if you go this way.

Any idea what your trailer weighs?

I'd like to do similar to what you have. Light camper cap and still tow my moderate weight bass boat with my Isuzu pickup. Way too much for the truck to do a 4WC and the boat. But if I do something similar to what you have but do it as a shell instead of a slide in to lighten it even more It'll probably be fine. That's why I've followed this thread so much.

Where'd you purchase your springs and shocks from and what are the matching shocks?

 

[uriedog]

I thinking about replacing the Tacoma rear springs with one of these and possibly adding air bags too. Can't decide which to use.
http://www.northwestoffroad.com/parts/2stage.php
http://www.generalspringkc.com/product_p/90-297hd.htm

I also use the OME Dakar (medium) with Timbrens. Very happy with the setup

 

[quickfarms]

Nice build

Why are you towing a trailer behind such a nice camper?

 

[Goober]

Why I pull a trailer? The camper was meant to be a second bedroom.

2 Trips this summer, the second one to Vernal, Ut.
I drove 500 miles on this trip and averaged 14.5 mpg with the camper and towing my Aliner trailer. Without the trailer I'm getting 18.5 where I normally get 21 without the camper.

I installed Firestone Ride Rite air bags. Really happy with the bags.

Added a rear view camera too.

 

[Waltzing Matilda]

Nicely done! I've subscribed.

Your setup looks very much like my Callen camper. I bought it used a year ago, just getting around to organizing interior better. It's also well insulated, but built like a tank with lots of steel. Not sure of weight. The manufacturer went out of Business a few years ago. It had been a solid San Diego Business for years, still see them all over my neighborhood in various degrees of condition.

I haven't added a roofrack yet- getting close, esp as weather warms and I want to take out the kayaks.

It has double barn doors in rear that are good for loading but a challenge for maximizing interior space efficiently.

Can you post interior shots? How did you handle storage, sleeping platform, kitchen/galley etc?

(oops- just went back to review early photos that show the layout)

How is the original interior design working out in practical use? Have you made any adjustments?

Thanks! I look forward to updates as you continue using the camper.

 

[arlon]

I have added air bags to several of my utility vehicles. Never regretted it. Amazing job on the camper.

 

[Goober]

Finally got cushions made. Bought foam from buyfoam.com, custom cut 2 pieces 18" x 79" x 4" and 1 piece 18" x 30" x 4" for the seat next to the sink. My wife made covers, now I need to get her to make matching curtains. I've bought a solar panel and got couple 5.5amp batteries for free. Haven't set it up but ran the vent fan for 4 hours on one battery. That's the only thing that uses much power, 1.2amp. I've put led bulbs in the lights.

 

[ober27]

The cushions look great, very professional looking.

 

[Goober]

Wife finished the 3rd cushion. Also added a entry handle. Had to add blocking inside as there was no framing under the handle mounting holes. The screws are offset from center on the mounting brackets to the right. It's hard to plan for things like this the first time around. This would have worked without blocking if my door opened the other side.

 

[ab1985]

Wow, very cool!