Offroad capability of full size truck

[Ninelitetrip]

@reverse01134

A few examples of the Ford Super Duty platform.

Featured Vehicle: Goose Gear's Overland F-350 - Expedition Portal

It wasn’t all that long ago that many people would have laughed at the idea of a full-size truck for overlanding. But these days, they’re all the rage, and it’s not hard to understand why. While many mid-size trucks are struggling with a lack of power and feeble payloads, their siblings offer an...

expeditionportal.com

Goose Gear’s Ford F-350 - Blue Oval Trucks

After owning a Toyota Tacoma for overlanding, Brian of Goose Gear decided it was time to move up to something larger. The large tires and added weight of overlanding gear made the Tacoma feel to heavy and sluggish for … Continued

www.blueovaltrucks.com

 

[Ninelitetrip]

@reverse01134

Maybe look here?

XPCamper V2 on very low miles Ford F250 (Lake Tahoe, CA)

Up for grabs is a meticulously maintained package of a 2018 Ford F250 Lariat paired with the XPCamper V2 and

forum.expeditionportal.com

 

[jgallo1]

The F250 handles this sort of stuff like a dream

 

[Bama67]

I went from one extreme to the other, from a 2018 Super Duty Crew Cab Long bed to a Gladiator.

It wasn't the length that held the Ford back as much as width, I feel, or my fear of scratching/dinging it. It was actually impressive where I could go.
Biggest annoyance was Ford's terrible turning radius, exacerbated by the extreme length. My Father in Law has a Crew Cab Ram Longbed and its much shorter than the Ford, and turns sharper, only issue is that it is a Ram
The Gladiator Rubicon I have now will go absolutely anywhere but boy don't I miss the room and the giant bed.
Basically, the Full Size's offroad capability depends on how brave you are.

 

[SDDiver5]

I think this is my favorite thread on EP in the last year or two.

 

[TexasSixSeven]

Basically, the Full Size's offroad capability depends on how brave you are.

This is probably the single best answer in here!

 

[Ninelitetrip]

Some more Ford Super Duty Super Cab goodness.


Read the threads from @montypower

2020 Ford F250 on 37s - Expedition Truck Camper Build!

Introducing our brand new 2020 Ford F250 XL 4x4 Super Cab that we named "DONKI" our noble steed! This truck replaces our 2019 F250 XL Crew Cab 4x4 truck that we purchased in December 2019. It is extremely similar but shorter! It has the 148" wheelbase vs the 160" wheelbase and the total...

forum.expeditionportal.com

 

[reverse01134]

It's been a hectic week with work and I haven't had a chance to respond to the recent replies.

However, my plan is progressing. I spoke with the shop where I had bodywork done on my Gladiator and they are happy to help with metal fabrication for my camper build. I confirmed they can weld aluminum. I'm not 100% set on the materials to use, but the plan is to build an exoskeleton and attach composite panels. I'm still researching what panels to use. Carbon core 4x8 sheets seem readily available and pretty cost effective but they basically have no insulation built in. The best option would be to find foam-filled panel (I guess people call it SIP), but I need to do some more research. Making my own panel is an option but I'm not sure if I have the skills and time.

The discussions on this thread have given me confidence that I should go with a full-size truck. I really appreciate all of your invaluable inputs. I'm looking at used 17-22 F250/350s. Stepping up to a 3/4-ton is definitely burdening my budget and it seems more aftermarket part options are available than the 23+ model.

 

[Tex68w]

It's been a hectic week with work and I haven't had a chance to respond to the recent replies.

However, my plan is progressing. I spoke with the shop where I had bodywork done on my Gladiator and they are happy to help with metal fabrication for my camper build. I confirmed they can weld aluminum. I'm not 100% set on the materials to use, but the plan is to build an exoskeleton and attach composite panels. I'm still researching what panels to use. Carbon core 4x8 sheets seem readily available and pretty cost effective but they basically have no insulation built in. The best option would be to find foam-filled panel (I guess people call it SIP), but I need to do some more research. Making my own panel is an option but I'm not sure if I have the skills and time.

The discussions on this thread have given me confidence that I should go with a full-size truck. I really appreciate all of your invaluable inputs. I'm looking at used 17-22 F250/350s. Stepping up to a 3/4-ton is definitely burdening my budget and it seems more aftermarket part options are available than the 23+ model.

Yes, '23+ trucks had some changes not only with the exterior and interior but also in the running gear so the aftermarket hasn't caught up just yet.

 

[Todd780]

It's been a hectic week with work and I haven't had a chance to respond to the recent replies.

However, my plan is progressing. I spoke with the shop where I had bodywork done on my Gladiator and they are happy to help with metal fabrication for my camper build. I confirmed they can weld aluminum. I'm not 100% set on the materials to use, but the plan is to build an exoskeleton and attach composite panels. I'm still researching what panels to use. Carbon core 4x8 sheets seem readily available and pretty cost effective but they basically have no insulation built in. The best option would be to find foam-filled panel (I guess people call it SIP), but I need to do some more research. Making my own panel is an option but I'm not sure if I have the skills and time.

The discussions on this thread have given me confidence that I should go with a full-size truck. I really appreciate all of your invaluable inputs. I'm looking at used 17-22 F250/350s. Stepping up to a 3/4-ton is definitely burdening my budget and it seems more aftermarket part options are available than the 23+ model.

To offset the cost of moving to a 3/4 - 1 ton why not start out with a premanufactured camper instead of custom build?
Lots of people use them to tool around with. See videos posted above for example.
Might save you some time and money and get you out there faster!

 

[reverse01134]

To offset the cost of moving to a 3/4 - 1 ton why not start out with a premanufactured camper instead of custom build?
Lots of people use them to tool around with. See videos posted above for example.
Might save you some time and money and get you out there faster!

Buying a used camper is my plan B but at the moment, I'm focusing on gathering information online to figure out if I can manage DIY build.

The main reason for considering custom build is lightweight and low CG. I see the possibility that I can build a 6'x8'x4.5' box shell (no cabover) weighing approximately at 500#. Carbon core honeycomb panels weigh 32lbs per 4x8 sheet. The square footage of the shell is 220sqft, so that's 220lbs and the estimated weight for the aluminum tubing frame is around 270lbs. Interior will add more weight but the truck bed weight will offset that. So in a nutshell, I might be able to achieve 500# dry weight of the camper. After adding the weight of gears and passengers, 1000# total payload could be possible!

 

[SDDiver5]

Any interest in getting aluminum pre cut, you assemble and add insulaton? My buddy Michaelbone_ on instagram had a local place CNC cut all of his aluminum panels and then he assembled it in his garage. Smaller than what you are looking to do but you get the idea. Would depend on your fab skills and your measuring/design skills.

 

[reverse01134]

Any interest in getting aluminum pre cut, you assemble and add insulaton? My buddy Michaelbone_ on instagram had a local place CNC cut all of his aluminum panels and then he assembled it in his garage. Smaller than what you are looking to do but you get the idea. Would depend on your fab skills and your measuring/design skills.

Thanks for the reference! I checked out the build on his IG. It's very similar to my original plan - using aluminum square tubing for the camper frame and DIBOND sheets for the exterior skin, attached to the frame with 3M VHB tapes. For the interior, I was planning to use pink foam insulation and 1/4" plywood for the skin. The biggest drawback of this plan is the thermal bridge through the aluminum frame. The plastic core in the DIBOND will somewhat mitigate the transfer but it probably has little to none R-value and won't break the cold bridge. Now I'm considering composite panels, although the original plan would be a lot easier to build. I'm curious about how your friend plans to insulate. Since he's based in the southwest region, insulation and condensation might not be a big of concern.

 

[SDDiver5]

Thanks for the reference! I checked out the build on his IG. It's very similar to my original plan - using aluminum square tubing for the camper frame and DIBOND sheets for the exterior skin, attached to the frame with 3M VHB tapes. For the interior, I was planning to use pink foam insulation and 1/4" plywood for the skin. The biggest drawback of this plan is the thermal bridge through the aluminum frame. The plastic core in the DIBOND will somewhat mitigate the transfer but it probably has little to none R-value and won't break the cold bridge. Now I'm considering composite panels, although the original plan would be a lot easier to build. I'm curious about how your friend plans to insulate. Since he's based in the southwest region, insulation and condensation might not be a big of concern.

I can ask him Ill let you know what he says. He was just at home in TX and I believe he said one night dropped down to the mid 30's.

 

[hidn45]

If you use structural insulating panels you can eliminate the weight & expense of the aluminum frame, especially for a smaller, non-cabover habitat like you're planning. Search 'composite' for a number of excellent examples. Glue the panels together, some aluminum or pultruded angle to cover the corners, add a door - & Bob's yer Uncle....

Here's a good discussion on corner/ edge protection - https://forum.expeditionportal.com/threads/custom-extrusions-for-frp-panels.229840/ ExPo members Peter-n-Margaret & their OKA composite panel camper have been around almost 20 years & are a valuable info resource.