out with the old in with the new

[SkiFreak]

I am planning on a 3 point pivot (front pivot).

Be aware that a three point mount system can give you high point loads on the chassis. The Canter, with its stepped frame, is not ideally suited to this sort of mounting system. It is probably better to try and spread the load over as much of the chassis as you can.
If you do go with a three point mount, having the single pivot point at the front is probably better that the other way round. I would look at how a dump body is mounted as an example of how it should be done.
Should you want a pass-thru between the cab and the camper, a single front pivot would make this difficult.

 

[adam88]

Be aware that a three point mount system can give you high point loads on the chassis. The Canter, with its stepped frame, is not ideally suited to this sort of mounting system. It is probably better to try and spread the load over as much of the chassis as you can.
If you do go with a three point mount, having the single pivot point at the front is probably better that the other way round. I would look at how a dump body is mounted as an example of how it should be done.
Should you want a pass-thru between the cab and the camper, a single front pivot would make this difficult.

Hi Skifreak. Guess I should mention that this is actually going on an F350 diesel, not a canter/fuso. The F350 frame steps down a very small amount (roughly 1.5" towards the cab) versus the fuso which steps up. Since the frame is 1.5 inches lower in the front than the rear, I figure it's another plus for the front pivot, since it will reduce height by 1.5 inches. My flatbed is also going to be fairly small, around 9' long. And I expect this camper, loaded, to come in at no more than 2500# (hopeful). So I am not overly concerned about causing frame damage, but it is still in the back of my mind...

Not really sure how I will specifically do it at this point in time, but I have a decent idea. I want to keep the flatbed as low to the ground as possible, and use wheel wells. So the rear of the flatbed frame is basically going to sit close to the frame as possible maybe 1" from the frame. The canter is a different "beast" for sure, with it's high stepped frame. My frame is basically flat. I have mocked up a basic design in Google Sketchup which looks pretty good and it has helped me visualize everything a bit better. The only problem is that the fuel tank is up front and between the frame rails. This means the pivot has to go on top of the frame rails. If I used a rear pivot, I could box the rear of the frame and then have the pivot basically at frame rail height. I wonder how much space I need between the flatbed and the truck frame at the pivot point to allow for flex?

 

[SkiFreak]

I wonder how much space I need between the flatbed and the truck frame at the pivot point to allow for flex?

If it were me, I would do a flex test of the F350's chassis. That will tell you how much you will need to allow for.

Sorry Westyss... didn't mean to hijack your build thread.

 

[sarconcepts]

we need to move this to another thread,
then i'll give plenty of pictures & insight on the 3 point frame. (or at least mine)
this thread however is taken,
let's let westyss get back to his project, i'd like to see more interior pics.. ..I SAID, I'D LIKE TO SEE MORE INTERIOR PICS!

 

[westyss]

Okay! havent been around for a bit and just got home from a trip into the Chilcotin area in BC, I am planning on doing a trip report on that but but first I am posting a little tribute for my overlanding dog who recently passed away. I know its a build thread but its my build thread and Ill do what I want


salton Sea. california.

Lake Tahoe, california.

Somewhere along the California coast.

Waiting under the wing for our flight back from Wawa Ontario.

At 16,000 feet doing 200mph.

Coldwater river, BC

Chasing down a loon at Leighton lake BC.

Swan confrontation in Sydney, BC.

Blood Indian park in Alberta.

Kettle Valley Railway 20 km run. BC.

Bull confrontation. BC.

Athabasca Glacier, Banff NP.

In her usual sleepng spot under the truck.

Playing in the sand at Neys Provincial Park ontario.

Then having a nap.

Getting a talking to on Harrison lake.

Two trips across Canada by road and once by air, several California trips, a Baja trip, and many short ones for this well travelled overlander.


RIP Mako!

Anyway,,,, enough of that, wife and I did a trip into the Chilcotin area, I am sorting out the pics we took, only a thousand of them! and will do up a trip report next week but here are a few to start.


Little Big Bar Lake rec site

MacIntyre Lake rec site.

Sheep Junction Provincial park.

 

[ersatzknarf]

Rest in Peace, Mako.
Very sorry for your loss.
Dogs are wonderful gifts, full of love, that we are blessed to have in our lives, if only for a short while.

 

[westyss]

Thanks for the invitation. I will definitely take you up on it sometime. I am in the process of finalizing plans and the first thing I need is to have the aluminum flatbed done. I'd like to get it done before winter and then accumulate parts and build the camper throughout winter in my garage.

- I was was wondering who did your aluminum flatbed or if you have any recommendations?

- Also what software did you use to design it, or did you just built it from wood and then use the wood prototype? Impressive detail building the flatbed out of wood first. I may consider doing that. My flatbed will be a lot less intricate than yours.

- Also wondering about your mounting system and if you would change anything? I am planning on a 3 point pivot (front pivot).

- What was the cost for your aluminum bed/frame? Materials/labour? If you don't mind me asking. Or a ballpark estimate. Did you consider going with steel and having it painted? (I'm not considering this, pretty set on aluminum, just wondering).

- How's the Nova Kool fridge working out? I spoke with Marc at XP Campers and he didn't have overly kind words for the fridges, but I've heard good things about them.

Cheers,
Adam

Hi Adam,
Sorry for the delay in responding to this but it looks like you have some answers already but here goes some of mine,,
the flat deck was designed using Sketchup and the fellow who built it was a friend of a friend who was looking for a project to work on and did it for a really good price, I did shop around and got two other quotes that were both in the $4,500 range, both companies are in Abbotsford and I have used both of those companies for other projects and I do recommend them both, one is Abstract Alloy and the other is or was called Van Eyk Mfg. That company was recently sold and the new owner is very good and also my wife's cousin, he made my steps for me. I wouldn't hesitate to use either of those two.
I never had any other materials in mind for the deck other than the aluminum, that was always the plan and would not go any other route, keep in mind that the flat deck is something that can be used without the camper on it, and again, that was the plan; to have a removable camper so that I could use the truck for other things, if you are going to go with a dedicated rig/camper I would not go to the expense and trouble of a complete flat deck, and also the extra weight, using a simplified frame would be best for that.

My mounting system works well but as of now we have more information so I would go with a mounting system using individually made mounts like Owen(skifreak) made, these are what the big players in Oz use and have been proven to work,, but thats not to say that mine dont work, they do the job very well, just not the most elegant method to use. My take on a pivot mount is they can take up some space vertically so that in the end the rig will be taller, main reason that I went with the flat deck sitting on the truck frame was to keep the height down.


The fridge was working really well, until my last trip where it started to cycle on and off once it reached its charged state?? Its still on warranty and the folk at Nova Cool are easy to get a hold of and we are sussing it out. I cant really see any problem with Nova Cool, good price, well built and runs well, some added benefits: made here in BC, easy to phone and talk to and are known the sailing world.
Going with an upright fridge is not the most efficient way, using a chest type fridge is much more efficient on power but I dont like the awkward space they take or digging into a chest for stuff so we went with an upright and it is also bigger than most folks would use but for whatever reason it seems to be always full to the max, definately a freezer is a must for us and we use it all the time, we can make two trays of ice in four hours, with that said it costs us additional power to run but that has always been planned for.

 

[westyss]

If it were me, I would do a flex test of the F350's chassis. That will tell you how much you will need to allow for.

Sorry Westyss... didn't mean to hijack your build thread.

hey no problem on the hijack as I did it to myself a couple of minutes ago:elkgrin:

 

[westyss]

we need to move this to another thread,
then i'll give plenty of pictures & insight on the 3 point frame. (or at least mine)
this thread however is taken,
let's let westyss get back to his project, i'd like to see more interior pics.. ..I SAID, I'D LIKE TO SEE MORE INTERIOR PICS!

Haha,, I think I need a better camera for interior pics, one with an auto "make it look nicer" button! But I will have my wife splay out on the bed and Ill take some shots :Wow1:
All kidding aside, this summer we did several trips and had a good time, we tried a different sleeping arrangement for a bit too and its nice to have a few options with that. The truck ran great and we had no issues other than the fridge acting a bit funny, took the canoe and never put it in the water?? After I sort out the pics Ill do a trip report.

 

[westyss]

Rest in Peace, Mako.
Very sorry for your loss.
Dogs are wonderful gifts, full of love, that we are blessed to have in our lives, if only for a short while.

Thanks frank, yup! way too short!

 

[westyss]

Myself, Debi, and our adventure dogs (Rudy & Kirby) also want to say we are sorry for your loss...May Mako forever play on the "dog beach in the sky".

Thanks Joaquin and family!

 

[Ford Prefect]

A good dog, patient dogs, you know the ones who just want to hang out with you and love you. (And I personally really like the ones that like all people) are the hardest to lose. The dogs with the real gentle spirits are so easily bonded to you, and not so easily lost.

Condolences.

And you are correct, you can put in things about your friend if you want, it is your thread!

Regards

 

[CLynn85]

Sorry for your loss, RIP Mako. It looks like she lived a very fulfilling life in your care. We've only had our mutt for 2 years but he goes everywhere with us, I can't imagine what it'll be like when we lose him.

 

[SkiFreak]

Condolences bud.

 

[VanIsle_Greg]

Sorry about your pup man... she looked like a good one. Those pics made me laugh, the one of her getting the talking to actually made me laugh out loud.

Great trip pics too.