First post, first build

[NCCLLC]

Hey guys, I wanted to post to show my completed shell and say thanks for the ideas. I still have a lot to add, but the kids and I are officially out camping. I have a travel trailer that we used some, but it now is full of guys on a job site. So this shell will pull double duty and I will stay in it during the week for work since the crew ran me out of the trailer. Beats $100/ night for a motel for sure. I really like being able to drive rough windy roads that are a no go with a trailer. The shell is 100% steel including the siding and roof. The framing is 1” square tubing that I infilled with rigid insulation. A lot of the materials I used were drops from various construction projects. I modeled it somewhat after the Callen type campers I’ve seen. I didn’t think I’d find a flatbed model easily, and I also felt the prices I was seeing were too high for a topper, so I just built my own. Let me know what you think.

 

[NCCLLC]

Couple of interior shots.

 

[Ari3sgr3gg0]

Well made and clean looking, with it's frame I bet it's sturdy as heck too!

 

[NCCLLC]

Well made and clean looking, with it's frame I bet it's sturdy as heck too!

The siding and roof panels are structural, meaning they are rated to span supports 5’ o.c. In a building application. I bought the siding so it would look decent, but the galvalume roof panels were left overs from a steel building project. I would go lighter than those if I did it again, they are 24 gauge. It goes help offset weight though considering they don’t need plywood backup. I put silicone on the inside of the metal siding and then I cut the insulation tight for a friction fit. So far so good but if I have issues with the insulation falling out I will add screws with washers. The only issue I had was the steel tubes sweating during the night. Any suggestions on dealing with condensation or humidity? The foam insulation in the tubes in the wall structure were dry.

 

[Mighty Dodge Ram]

Very nice, good job!

 

[Ari3sgr3gg0]

About the only thing you can do for humidity is to crack a window and get some air flow going. Some have had luck using what boaters use too. I can recall the name but it's basically a dessicant bucket

 

[NCCLLC]

I have another question I am hoping someone can help with. I am going to install a battery and inverter mainly for charging phone/comp, lights, and other low consumption stuff. My truck has 5 aux upfitter switches built into the dash, some setup to only provide power with the ignition on, and an easy way to tap in under the hood. Would a wire run from one of those taps under the hood and to the battery be a solution for recharging while I drive? I’ll do something else for when I can plug in to shore.

 

[Ari3sgr3gg0]

Your truck very likely already has a spot under the hood for charging external batteries if it has a 7 blade plug in. Find that wire and tap into it. Inside the cab you want as few amps going through it as possible. Reason being is amps = heat in electricity. Also having a fuse or fusible link is a safe bet. Depending how much power you want going to the battery, or how big your factory charge location is rated for will determine your wire size. For simple recharge purposes an 8 to 10 gauge wire should be sufficient for about a ten foot run, if you need 15 feet of wire upsize to 6 or 8 gauge.
I can show you how I have my camper charge system if you would like as well. I need a bigger alternator and battery bank but the charging side of things is all set up

 

[NCCLLC]

Your truck very likely already has a spot under the hood for charging external batteries if it has a 7 blade plug in. Find that wire and tap into it. Inside the cab you want as few amps going through it as possible. Reason being is amps = heat in electricity. Also having a fuse or fusible link is a safe bet. Depending how much power you want going to the battery, or how big your factory charge location is rated for will determine your wire size. For simple recharge purposes an 8 to 10 gauge wire should be sufficient for about a ten foot run, if you need 15 feet of wire upsize to 6 or 8 gauge.
I can show you how I have my camper charge system if you would like as well. I need a bigger alternator and battery bank but the charging side of things is all set up

Yes, I’d like to see it. Thank you for your help.

 

[boxcar1]

Nice job on the build. Good choice of materials.....

 

[Mnbogboy]

Looks good to me, I wish I was that far along on my build. How did you seal the roof at the front?