Diving in Head First!

[yabanja]

Picked up a 50 gallon aluminum fuel tank from a freightliner. Much more compact and incredibly light.

Made some further progress on the camper body. Using 1.5" polyiso foam with aluminum barrier. Cut recesses around the perimeter so the insulation would overlap with the wood to make it all fit better and prevent unwanted airflow. Next step is 1/8" fiberglass sheeting and window install.

 

[yabanja]

Today I built the fiberglass outer panel and the plywood inner panel. Finished the final mock up. Will complete the wall tomorrow.

Going to miss my adjustable work bench:

 

[Ford Prefect]

I can't wait to see that up there on the truck! This is going to be so nice once it is complete!

Is your trailer longer than the bed of the current truck?

I understand the weight savings, but I have always liked the idea of keeping a back deck for the truck. Your platform would be perfect for that... (Unless the trailer is too long, and would block the back plate from folding up...of course.)

Thoughts?

 

[yabanja]

Once I eliminate the end caps the trailer will be 6 inches shorter than the current bed. I am afraid of the lift gate is too much cantilevered weight for my liking. I think it is having a profound effect on the ride of the vehicle. Thank you for the support I'm very excited about the outcome of this project and hope to have it done shortly!


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[yabanja]

I'm trying to grasp why you want to go with a 3 point mounting system.

Is the camper body supported by cross members that could then be supported by two long rails?

View attachment 277476

I am afraid that my HILO trailer is lacking the structural integrity to deal with the torsional stresses and want to isolate it from them as much as possible.

I am still waffling on the final frame design but will need to decide soon as I am approaching that phase of the project. I think I will be solid mounting a significant subframe and then doing a three point mount from that to the trailer frame. This trailer really compresses in height so I have a lot of space to work with. I will be able to mount it quite high and still have the top below cab level. It looks like I have about 16" to work with between the truck frame(lower section) and the camper frame. I am hoping to have a compartment that goes the full width of the truck between the fuso frame and the camper in the center of the wheelbase that will fit two 37" spare tires side by side. I feel the benefits of having them out of sight and having the weight centered in the wheelbase are worth the extra effort.

 

[yabanja]

New fans just arrived!


Finally started glueing all the pieces together:

 

[yabanja]

Have been super busy working on the truck every day for the last month!! Still convinced that I am going to get this rig to overland expo in three weeks! As long as I can get the box mounted and the battery/propane functional we can roll. We fully expect the camper to fall apart aka Top Gear RV race episode. If it holds together we will begin the interior remodel.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2xfaPoe-gU

Current status: Finishing the camp trailer modifications today. Have finalized the subframe design and purchased the materials. Have the flatbed holding on by a few bolts until I can get my hands on a forklift tomorrow. Changed the front leaf springs to a 4 leaf setup from the six leaf I had previously built. Ended up using the original main front leaf and the first three leaves from a new fuso(after cutting the eyelets off-this retained the lift while reducing the spring rate. Installed the Timbren front bumpstops but the ride height keeps me off of them. The wheel frequency rates are closer to what they need to be front to rear (rear 1.3x front) so the wallowing effect on the freeway is gone. The rates are still too stiff but it will have to do until after the expo. Got the 37" BFG All Terrain KO2's installed. They are so quiet compared with the worn mud terrains I had before!

The plan is to spend this week getting the subframe built, painted, and mounted to the truck. This weekend we will get the trailer mounted to the truck. The following week will be spent building mounts for the propane tanks and replacing/rerouting all propane hoses, installing/wiring/plumbing the onboard air, relocating the batteries to the new subframe mounted tray between the frame rails, building and installing fenders and mudflaps, building spare tire mounts, and building rear bumper. Hopefully I will have a couple of days left to Make the trip to Flagstaff a leisurely one rather than trying to zoom down there in one day. My wife is smart-she bought a plane ticket to Flagstaff!!

Will keep you posted as time allows! And of course we will be at the expo in any case-Fuso or Jeep!!

Quite the list!! Better get to it!!!

Allan

 

[Czechsix]

LOL, yep, quite the list. I think there are lots of us scrambling to get things done. Really looking forward to seeing your build in person.

 

[SkiFreak]

I must admit, I am a bit confused as to how your pass-thru will work.
Can you elaborate on that a bit?

 

[yabanja]

Not sure where you got the impression I was doing a pass through!! No way it could work that I can see!

Allan

 

[SkiFreak]

I am guessing that I assessed that opening in the upper front section incorrectly.
Now that I read you descriptions more closely, I see that it is a window, not a pass-thru. D'oh!!!

 

[yabanja]

I am guessing that I assessed that opening in the upper front section incorrectly.
Now that I read you descriptions more closely, I see that it is a window, not a pass-thru. D'oh!!!

I see! Yes, it is a window which will be hidden behind the cab when the camper is down and overlook the cab when the top is up. (hopefully will have pics of it in action in a week!!)

Allan

 

[Curtis in Texas]

I am thinking it is a pass through. You pass throught the door on the cab to get outside, then walk a few feet and open the side door and pass through it into the Camper.

Cool Build I'm enjoying watching the progression.

 

[yabanja]

Final prep prior to self etching primer and painting with raptor bedliner in a color match to my wheels!

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[dlh62c]

Looks good!

I like the look of the modern window on the front. Any plans to replace the others?

Does the Fuso have a receiver hitch?

I know you want to have the camper mounted in time for Overland Expo but why not tow it there with the Fuso. It'll be like a pre pre-shake down trip.