Ram 5500 Fire Crew Carrier Overlanding Camper Build

[ExpoMike]

We have always used the PETT toilet with Wag Bags in our past rigs. Simple, easy, nothing to break or clean and easy to dispose of. In our new rig I am building, I am going to use the Wag Bags but will either build my own toilet to use them in or modify a bedside commode to allow me to use them. Nice thing is you just dump them into any trash. If you buy them in bulk, they are not too expensive (just part of the cost of a trip, like food and fuel). If we were going to live full time in the rig, I would look for something else but for the typical 3-14 day trips, it's an easy method.

 

[OverlandFT]

We have always used the PETT toilet with Wag Bags in our past rigs. Simple, easy, nothing to break or clean and easy to dispose of. In our new rig I am building, I am going to use the Wag Bags but will either build my own toilet to use them in or modify a bedside commode to allow me to use them. Nice thing is you just dump them into any trash. If you buy them in bulk, they are not too expensive (just part of the cost of a trip, like food and fuel). If we were going to live full time in the rig, I would look for something else but for the typical 3-14 day trips, it's an easy method.

Nice! Have you seen the Laveo dryflush? Pretty much your setup, just automated with a bigger bag. Not gonna lie, I'm considering buying it.

 

[ExpoMike]

Nice! Have you seen the Laveo dryflush? Pretty much your setup, just automated with a bigger bag. Not gonna lie, I'm considering buying it.

I have and have considered it too but the big price of the unit itself and the cost of the refills, seems a little over the top cost wise. Also, that is something to fail and that is one system I would not want to fail. LOL

 

[Tobiasscott104]

I just wanted to give props and a big thanks for this thread. I just picked up one of those 2002 7.3L BLM Buggys. It has been a great inspiration seeing your rig. I'll be welding an aluminum high top and raptor lining mine soon. Maybe in a year, I'll drop the cash for the super singles.

 

[OverlandFT]

I just wanted to give props and a big thanks for this thread. I just picked up one of those 2002 7.3L BLM Buggys. It has been a great inspiration seeing your rig. I'll be welding an aluminum high top and raptor lining mine soon. Maybe in a year, I'll drop the cash for the super singles.

Awesome! Glad the thread is helpful. Is it one of the hotshot buggies listed here in the classified section? If so, looks like a great setup and I really like the angled rear and the slide out tray. I look forward to seeing what you come up with for the high top... and the rest of the build!

 

[Tobiasscott104]

Awesome! Glad the thread is helpful. Is it one of the hotshot buggies listed here in the classified section? If so, looks like a great setup and I really like the angled rear and the slide out tray. I look forward to seeing what you come up with for the high top... and the rest of the build!

Yes! I bought one of three that were moved up to Bend Oregon. It's unfortunate how close it is to be able to stand up in these rigs for the amount of work it will take to correct it. I love the look of the departure angle. I think spraying it will do a ton for the aesthetics. What PSI did you find worked best for spraying and did you use any thinner in the mix? Gosh it's so cool to see the life these rigs are taking on after a career in fire. haha

 

[OverlandFT]

Yes! I bought one of three that were moved up to Bend Oregon. It's unfortunate how close it is to be able to stand up in these rigs for the amount of work it will take to correct it. I love the look of the departure angle. I think spraying it will do a ton for the aesthetics. What PSI did you find worked best for spraying and did you use any thinner in the mix? Gosh it's so cool to see the life these rigs are taking on after a career in fire. haha

I sprayed the raptor at 50PSI, using the standard bottle sprayer with adjustable nozzle. No thinning for this sprayer, just 3oz tint and 3:1 hardener mix. I went through 16L and it was barely enough. Covering the yellow fully took a lot of coats. I went back for a second round with 3-4L additional to helped cover some thin areas and improve the evenness of the coating. Spraying was more difficult than I anticipated, but I'm happy with the results.

 

[OverlandFT]

Someone stole my Halligan. Super bummed, it was a gift and matched the truck personality. I actually used the Halligan for mounting the heavy tires (pry bar leverage to lift in place). Also strange, the box has a decent axe and other tools left untouched. I noticed the door was unlocked yesterday and I must have just forgotten to lock it.

 

[shortbus4x4]

Yeah that's wierd that's all they took, lots of other good tools there too. Maybe something scared them off or it was just kids who were intrigued by the Halligan. A big pry bar for tire R&R is a must for big truck tires.

 

[hbabler]

Well that sucks. If you buy one to replace it I would suggest a fire hooks unlimited pro bar. They are way nicer and forged out of one piece of steel. That paratech was a three piece bar. I’ve broken one before forcing a door, hopefully the thief breaks the head off of the one they stole. I love how the rig is coming along!

 

[OverlandFT]

Well that sucks. If you buy one to replace it I would suggest a fire hooks unlimited pro bar. They are way nicer and forged out of one piece of steel. That paratech was a three piece bar. I’ve broken one before forcing a door, hopefully the thief breaks the head off of the one they stole. I love how the rig is coming along!

That's a good point on the three piece design, I'll check out the pro bar... and yea, hopefully it breaks in half on em'!

 

[Third]

Hey, I was literally just writing a thread about these a few minutes back on another forum!

I talked myself out off one for the same reasons a few years back.

But now I've come full circle . I don't care to "stir the pot or have to slap on gloves to dump tanks, nor do I care much about sloshing a cassette toilet's contents around someone's bathroom trying to dump mine into it.

What shifted my preference is the fact that buying refills direct from Laveo is half what the reseller's charge. So then it becomes about a dollar-a-day (per person) assuming you can pee elsewhere (which you'd do anyway with a compost).

Not looking to change you plans, but for those still planning their build, the dry flush is worth looking into...

And buy direct if you do...

 

[Third]

Hey, I was literally just writing a thread about those dry-flush Laveo toiletsa few minutes back on another forum!

I talked myself out off one for the same reasons a few years back.

But now I've come full circle. I don't care to "stir the pot" or have to slap on gloves to dump tanks, nor do I care much about sloshing a cassette toilet's contents around someone's bathroom trying to dump mine into it.

What shifted my preference is the fact that buying refills direct from Laveo is half what the reseller's charge. So then it becomes about a dollar-a-day (per person) assuming you can pee elsewhere (which you'd do anyway with a compost).

Not looking to change you plans, but for those still planning their build, the dry flush is worth looking into...

And buy direct if you do...

 

[OverlandFT]

Tomorrow, we're heading out on a 2 week trip to the PNW! Just in time too as it's getting warm here in AZ... having said that, the forecast near the coast is looking like 50-60s and rain (that's frigid for us Arizonans).

I had a stressful couple weeks. The DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter) was giving the truck fits and I was concerned about the CELs locking the truck in limp mode on this trip. A few thousand dollars later and some overnighted parts, I'm hoping it's all good now.

Last weekend, I added a simple roof rack for the dog crate, chairs, and misc stuff. I also installed a fantastic fan to give the interior some air circulation. We bought another smaller compressor fridge for drinks and fit it behind the passenger seat. Lastly, I made some trim pieces to finish the edge of the rear wheel well. Otherwise, all systems go! I'll try to post update(s) from the road.


Truck with newly installed roof rack. It's a basic platform design. Gear will be strapped down and covered in a cargo net




New fender edge. The outdoor shower is plumbed and functional.


Fantastic fan with thermostat. I had to choose the location to cut carefully. The rivets show where the structural
cross beams are located in the roof.



Lastly, an expensive exhaust pipe

 

[ExpoMike]

Rig is looking great. Have a fun and safe trip. Looking forward to pics.