shell / cap build out
- Thread starter southpier
- Start date
FAW3
Adventurer
Just FYI...I have an aluminum cap on my truck. I like the cap approach as I can easily remove it for hauling bulk materials, or motorcycle, junk.
For several years had no insulation...in hot was hot...in cold was cold (and having ice/condensation drip on you is no fun), and somewhat noisy. I minimally insulated with Reflextex (sp?), a silver air bubble type sheet and was very pleased with the result. So I strongly recommend insulation...but would point out that due to window glass area and other uninsulated areas of bed area...there are limits. A plus to this simple set up is I can still hose the interior out, including the ceiling.
A simple cap with some 12 vt. lighting, a small fan, opening windows with screens, and a simple bed/storage system when dealing with sleeping one or two people is a good way to go. Rig a tarp off the back and your in heaven.
For several years had no insulation...in hot was hot...in cold was cold (and having ice/condensation drip on you is no fun), and somewhat noisy. I minimally insulated with Reflextex (sp?), a silver air bubble type sheet and was very pleased with the result. So I strongly recommend insulation...but would point out that due to window glass area and other uninsulated areas of bed area...there are limits. A plus to this simple set up is I can still hose the interior out, including the ceiling.
A simple cap with some 12 vt. lighting, a small fan, opening windows with screens, and a simple bed/storage system when dealing with sleeping one or two people is a good way to go. Rig a tarp off the back and your in heaven.
washington taco
Explorer
I have been running a bed cap for three years now and love it! I have no insulation I just run a buddy heater and it works outstanding! I built a platform and sleep in it at least once a week at my local ski hill. Lots of good build examples on the site here.
southpier
Expedition Leader
well, living in the northeast with no heated space to work is going to make this a spring project. that'll also give me time to get ideas not only on methods and materials, but what will work (and has for others).
the leer cap was bought without carpeting, so my initial thought is to use west system epoxy thickened with microballoons to adhere spruce battens to the inside of the cap. if spruce worked for planes, it should work for us low flyers, too.
part of my research will be asking the HVAC guys what the best foam insulation would be (thinking Armourflex or Ensolite - wetsuit material type foam but maybe not neoprene). cost is not going to drive the decision - to a point. if it's 50$- or 100$ to insulate i'll use the best valued material, not the least expensive to buy.
then skin the wood matrix in some multilayer plywood. again, for 2 or 3 sheets (depending how it cuts up) i can use some 5mm boatbuilding veneer and have it look decent when i'm through. i am sure that i'll make cardboard templates prior to cutting the wood. i don't think the whole will be thicker than 3/4" - 7/8". i bought the cap with the mid height (4" higher than truck cab).
i have been looking at the coffins some guys end up sleeping in after building a platform and adding a matress in a cab height cap. i want to get the platform low, but my spare will live in the bed and that dimension will dictate platform height.
seriously thinking the platform will have a removeable section so i can sit on the pickup bed floor upright (without stooping over) and then just get onto the platform for lying down. alone, the sleeping part won't have to be the total width of the truck bed. with company, the shuffle to get the platform section put back into "full bed" configuration may take some juggling. i am really striving to make it as "gadget free" as possible, but sometimes the longest way ends up being the shortest.
while i am being mindful of weight considerations, i am thinking a rubber bed mat might be a worthwhile addition for comfort, sound and insulation purposes.
Anchorshot - do a search for "drawer builds" - most folks use under platform space for recovery or kitchen gear storage and sleep on top. i'll post some links later as i tend to save the ones i believe will be helpful.
anyway, i've got time to plan and collect information. thanks
the leer cap was bought without carpeting, so my initial thought is to use west system epoxy thickened with microballoons to adhere spruce battens to the inside of the cap. if spruce worked for planes, it should work for us low flyers, too.
part of my research will be asking the HVAC guys what the best foam insulation would be (thinking Armourflex or Ensolite - wetsuit material type foam but maybe not neoprene). cost is not going to drive the decision - to a point. if it's 50$- or 100$ to insulate i'll use the best valued material, not the least expensive to buy.
then skin the wood matrix in some multilayer plywood. again, for 2 or 3 sheets (depending how it cuts up) i can use some 5mm boatbuilding veneer and have it look decent when i'm through. i am sure that i'll make cardboard templates prior to cutting the wood. i don't think the whole will be thicker than 3/4" - 7/8". i bought the cap with the mid height (4" higher than truck cab).
i have been looking at the coffins some guys end up sleeping in after building a platform and adding a matress in a cab height cap. i want to get the platform low, but my spare will live in the bed and that dimension will dictate platform height.
seriously thinking the platform will have a removeable section so i can sit on the pickup bed floor upright (without stooping over) and then just get onto the platform for lying down. alone, the sleeping part won't have to be the total width of the truck bed. with company, the shuffle to get the platform section put back into "full bed" configuration may take some juggling. i am really striving to make it as "gadget free" as possible, but sometimes the longest way ends up being the shortest.
while i am being mindful of weight considerations, i am thinking a rubber bed mat might be a worthwhile addition for comfort, sound and insulation purposes.
Anchorshot - do a search for "drawer builds" - most folks use under platform space for recovery or kitchen gear storage and sleep on top. i'll post some links later as i tend to save the ones i believe will be helpful.
anyway, i've got time to plan and collect information. thanks
southpier
Expedition Leader
another thought: go to a forum which specializes in your vehicle type, and do a search. of course one response in every thread will reference Expo Portal - but they'll be a bunch of resources that are vehicle specific
robert
Expedition Leader
Why not just glue closed cell foam to the shell? You can buy it in sheets and it molds to fit somewhat and is easily cut. Contact cement will hold it to the fiberglass and you can use it to mount a headliner if you want. Here's one place that has several types http://www.closedcellfoams.com/
You need to somehow cover all of the steel in the bed too if possible- it all acts like a giant heat sink and helps suck out any heat you generate. You'll need to cover the windows too as they're an even greater source of heat lose.
You need to somehow cover all of the steel in the bed too if possible- it all acts like a giant heat sink and helps suck out any heat you generate. You'll need to cover the windows too as they're an even greater source of heat lose.
southpier
Expedition Leader
that's the plan. and then cover it with paneling
