Hi Everyone, New Here With Some Offbeat Ideas

[vantexan]

Hi, I've been lurking here awhile reading past posts. Can't begin to tell you how great it is to find a forum where folks are not only into this stuff, but are so advanced that I learn many new things everytime I visit! I've been mulling a couple of ideas for a small, homebrewed camper. Neither of them will get me into the extreme backcountry, but I'd be happy to camp in state parks or on a Baja beach. The first idea came about looking at this website: http://www.weiscrafttrailers.com I posted on this branch in case someone is looking for such a trailer. But my interest is in the Roughneck model. I love rooftop tents but have always wanted a similar size complete shell. What I'm thinking would be to find an older Toyota flatbed pickup in good shape and get Weis Craft to mount that shell directly onto the flatbed. Could carry a storage pod on that rack. And for longer stays mount an Eezi-awn awning with side panels on the rear of the rack. You could have standing room with privacy at the camper entrance.

My other idea is a bit easier to accomplish. There's an '86 Toyota van on sale locally that appears to be in decent condition. It has a very large moonroof in the middle of it. Seems I could mount a RV fiberglass storage pod behind the moonroof, with the pod opening towards it. Very easy to just stand up inside and access storage. And again, mount an Eezi-awn awning on the side for standing room. The van, awning, and storage pod should set me back about $3200. Maybe twice as much for the other idea. I'm leaning towards the van, but I like to tinker with ideas for making cheap campers. When I saw the Roughneck it hit me that it would work well on a flatbed too. Maybe somebody will like the idea enough to try it. I've seen some great looking flatbed 4X4's!

 

[highlandercj-7]

Welcome to the Exp. There are a bunch good folks round here. As for your truck camper, have you seen these? http://www.livinlite.com/camper-overview.php
Not hard sided but good for trucks.

 

[ThomD]

Inspired by the Hackney's rig over in the Medium Truck forum, I've been thinking about just this sort of idea. I found a link that lists several fiberglass trailer manufacturers, here.

While I like the Hackney's rig (what's not to love?), it is a bit overkill for us in terms of long range self sufficiency. The truck camper insert doesn't work as well for us, because we would need a larger garage for at least 4 bicycles and a motor bike, plus a tandem bicycle. Using a pod trailer gives me better use of the bed length.

 

[Fishenough]

Van camping all the way!

Set up as you described, the ability to crawl into warm, dry bed when conditions are lousy outside is nice. With no-seeum netting over the moon roof you have the open air feeling of a tent, and with a tarp clamp over the opening on rainy, warm nights you stay cool and dry. Bedding stays dry for weeks with a van (but can start to smell bad (but that's when it just the guys). Maybe add a roof basket in front of the moon roof for light'n'dirty items. Carry the basic recovery gear and leave the 4x4 for close to home or traveling in groups.

We have a travel trailer with all the amenities, but greatly prefer van camping for the simplicity and economy during travel far form home and long routes off pavement.

 

[vantexan]

Didn't move fast enough on the Toyota Van, it just sold. I may just keep it simple by towing the Roughneck with a Honda Fit. Gas prices are a real factor. Thanks for the input.. Will probably see ideas here that'll take me in another direction!

 

[slosurfer]

Didn't move fast enough on the Toyota Van, it just sold. I may just keep it simple by towing the Roughneck with a Honda Fit. Gas prices are a real factor. Thanks for the input.. Will probably see ideas here that'll take me in another direction!

Try crazedlist.org with the search "toyota van -previa -sienna" and you can search your states and the states around you at the same time. Using that search cuts down on all the other toyota vans. This is how I found mine that I'm flying to CO to pick up next week. You do have to act fast on the good ones though, most of the van fans have multiple vans.

 

[jagular7]

If anything, you could put something together very similar to the Roughneck. Take a truck fiberglass shell, add low height side panels with a floor to gain sitting room and fab a rear door, attach the shell, then attach to a trailer frame. Panels and floor could be plywood with insulation and protected for weather. Add inner carpet to the shell and have a Roughneck.