F 450 flatbed camper build
- Thread starter Capt Eddie
- Start date
Capt Eddie
Adventurer
Thanks for clearing up the picture. I know the boxes weight 700lb. The flat bed weight 650. The camper wet is 3100lb. I have two Honda eu2000 at 58lb each. In one box I will have a 110 3HP twin tank air compressor. I use the truck as a backup for work and use a compressor almost everyday. That made the decision easy to get a 110 instead of 12volt. Problem is that I need both genset to run the compressor. I will need to get a 12 volt as a back up. The first trip showed me I need a compressor. The compressor weight is 90Lb. All this weight should be no problem for the 16000 limit. That is one of the reasons I went with a cab and chassis over a pickup. I noticed the final profile of the truck is lower then I had wanted for off road exploring but the overall ride and extra lower COG give an unbelivable stable ride. If someone else does this, they can order shorter boxes below and increase ground clearance by atleast 4 inches. Or do away with the bottom boxes all together. There is alot of storage below.
btggraphix
Observer
Very nice Capt Eddie! I like the extra deck at the back and I can see your rear swingaway jack brackets and why you wanted them so much. Great job!
Byrdseye
Observer
Very Very Nice! I'm about to build an Aluminum Flatbed for my Dodge 3500 DRW 4x4 Bigfoot Combo and I hope it comes out close to as good as yours! I had a question about your bed framing. My current design is to have a "drop" center so to speak which will keep my current stock pickup bed floor height so that my camper isn't raised any more. Of course, I'll then have to build "wings" for the sides so that I have tire clearance at full compression. A bit more time consuming to go this route be sure and since I'm cheap and lazy, my other thought is just to do a regular "true" flatbed, leaving out the outer crossmembers over the tire. Is your build a "true" flatbed? How high above the truck frame rails did you go and does the camper sit noticeably higher than a stock pickup bed? Did you use tubing, channel or I-beam for your frame? I'd love to hear your thought on " drop center vs flat". Once again, beautiful job on your rig! TIA :clapsmile
Capt Eddie
Adventurer
Byrdseye.
Your first concern will be how high you will have to go for the camper to clear the truck cab. Yes mine is a true flat bed. I use 4 x 4 squ as the frame because that is the height I needed to clear the cab. The cab on a ford is taller than the cab on my Dodge 3500 4 x 4. My lower boxes are atached to a 3/16 plate as well as having the squ protrude thru the box. I will try to get some pics. That is one thing that makes this bed differant from others. Most people attach them to the bottom of the frame . This makes them hang lower. I can order you any size boxes to fit your bed.
Your first concern will be how high you will have to go for the camper to clear the truck cab. Yes mine is a true flat bed. I use 4 x 4 squ as the frame because that is the height I needed to clear the cab. The cab on a ford is taller than the cab on my Dodge 3500 4 x 4. My lower boxes are atached to a 3/16 plate as well as having the squ protrude thru the box. I will try to get some pics. That is one thing that makes this bed differant from others. Most people attach them to the bottom of the frame . This makes them hang lower. I can order you any size boxes to fit your bed.
Byrdseye
Observer
Great! I'd love to have some detail pics of your build. I'm much better at copying a good design than coming up with one on my own.:bowdown:
I guess 4" height is enough clearance for your tires..............wonder If I could get away with that on my Dodge? It would make for a much simpler build .
Thanks for your help.
I guess 4" height is enough clearance for your tires..............wonder If I could get away with that on my Dodge? It would make for a much simpler build .
Thanks for your help.
Byrdseye said:
The Body Builder manual provided by Dodge should specify how much clearence you need over the wheels.
available for free download here:
http://www.dodge.com/bodybuilder/index.html
Capt Eddie
Adventurer
Tire clearance is as important as camper height. Camper height first. You can adjust clearance with cutouts over tires.
Byrdseye
Observer
I agree Capt Eddie...... I once had a flatbed that would where the tire would hit the bed......doh! My Bigfoot is an "E" model designed with higher cab clearance for the Ford Superduty (47") which gives me 4" of clearance over the cab on my Dodge with stock deck height. The body builders guide shows 9.4" tire clearance needed with stock tires and no chains (dually). I think I'll go ahead and and do the "drop center" bed to keep my camper as low as I can. (It's already a tall basement bugger). I would sure appreciate some detail pics on your lower box mounting. Running the crossmember through the box sounds like a great idea. TIA
Bruce
Bruce
Capt Eddie
Adventurer
I question the 9 inch clearance. Check the distance of space under the bump stops. I would just make a box over the tires and leave the rest of the bed as low as possible. This would give you more height for the boxes. I used 18 inch. You might be able to use 24 inch. Do not forget to check the location of the second spring pack bump stop. The back deck on mine sets directly on the frame.3/16 steel plate and 3/16 aluminum plate. I will be doing alot of beating and banging on mine. You should use 1/4 aluminum plate for the deck. If I did not have a 200 inch WB I would make the flat bed the same lenght as the camper. Does you camper extent below the bed? If not, made the bed fit the camper. No more hitch extensions. It will protect the bottom of the camper. and have more space for boxes under the bed.
Capt Eddie
Adventurer
I have the bed finished for now. I am turning my attention to installing a M1200 front bumper. I would like some input on style pro and cons. I have thought of extending the original bumper out enough to fit the winch. Least impact. I will be mounting one set of driving lights and one set of offroad lights. I have had heavy custom built Expo bumpers on all of my other trucks. I know the weight effects the driving. I am leaning towards a custom aluminum bumper. Usefull but light weight. I do not know what limits an aluminum bumper would have. I have thought of putting expanded mesh over the lights to protect them from rocks. Even though I have never had a broken light yet. I would like to see some pictures of others winch bumpers.
btggraphix
Observer
winch bumper
This was bought installed by the former owner, but it was ordered ready to bolt in. I have the receipts and info about it if you are interested. Mounted inside is a 16K Warn winch. I'd like to build or buy a cover for the top to protect the winch from the elements that is easily removable.
I know it is pretty heavy. I end up about 6300-6500 on my front axle (GAWR = 7000) with or without the camper....of course I don't know what it would weight without it.
I wouldn't mind adding some pieces coming upward near the corners to protect the lights and such, but I really can't since my hood tilts forward....
This was bought installed by the former owner, but it was ordered ready to bolt in. I have the receipts and info about it if you are interested. Mounted inside is a 16K Warn winch. I'd like to build or buy a cover for the top to protect the winch from the elements that is easily removable.
I know it is pretty heavy. I end up about 6300-6500 on my front axle (GAWR = 7000) with or without the camper....of course I don't know what it would weight without it.
I wouldn't mind adding some pieces coming upward near the corners to protect the lights and such, but I really can't since my hood tilts forward....
Capt Eddie
Adventurer
I have to worry about the hood hitting any lights or bars. The hood carries the grill with it. Warn said they do not have a bumper yet. Because of that issue. Their bumpers without bars can not take offroad lights either.
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