AmericanIFA
Observer
After a couple of weeks of gleaning ideas and validating what I thought were original plans from this amazing forum, I ordered the steel tube and have wittled the design down to an eighteen foot length with a tapered rear. After much deliberating on whether or not to keep the army bed that came with the truck, I decided to keep it on but since it is a hinged "drop side" i will be removing the bed walls and weld the framing a straight to the bed. I also decided give the front of the compartment a taper so it is a little more aero dynamic. Every little bit helps.
I am getting alot of parts from an RV I bought with a roof leak. I gutted it and took all the good stuff, heater, ac (haven't decided where I am going to put this.), tanks, toilet,sinks and water pump, converter, gauges, water heater, fold out couch and windows. Fortunately everything works. Thought the AC was up the creek, but found out that the fan was block by a bees nest.
I have a coleman powermate 5kw generator that is relatively new but it is horribly loud. Have to either get a new genny or do a muffler mod so there can be peace in the neighbor hood. I found a solar panel company locally that you may all be interested in. They have this incredibly flexible solar panels that they are developing. Here is the websitehttp://www.konarka.com
The other challenge is trying fit room to sleep six in this small space. Here is the breakdown.
Kitchen table folds into single bed, mom and dad sleep above in a recessed pull down bunk that is hinged and follows the curve of the ceiling when stowed. The couch folds out into a double sleeper and last but not least is the bunk over the door that will store compressed into the ceiling. Access is gained with a ladder that i will have to design.
The Bathroom is another big challenge that will have rather cramped quarters, with the toilet behind the shower and has to be accessed through the shower. So there will be no access to the toilet if somebody is taking a shower. I am also planning on having an outdoor shower.
I will be the first to admit that these may be cramped quarters for a family of six so we will see how it goes. My kids are small, (2,4,6, and 8) and plan on spending most the time out and about. Also plan on packing an outside tent/camping bundle so we can truly appreciate the great outdoors like my dad did with me and my brother and sisters.
Here are some pics of the planned build. I am very open to criticisms, improvements, ideas, hints and tips.
Here are the smaller pics. Sorry didn't realize they were going to be so big.
I am getting alot of parts from an RV I bought with a roof leak. I gutted it and took all the good stuff, heater, ac (haven't decided where I am going to put this.), tanks, toilet,sinks and water pump, converter, gauges, water heater, fold out couch and windows. Fortunately everything works. Thought the AC was up the creek, but found out that the fan was block by a bees nest.
I have a coleman powermate 5kw generator that is relatively new but it is horribly loud. Have to either get a new genny or do a muffler mod so there can be peace in the neighbor hood. I found a solar panel company locally that you may all be interested in. They have this incredibly flexible solar panels that they are developing. Here is the websitehttp://www.konarka.com
The other challenge is trying fit room to sleep six in this small space. Here is the breakdown.
Kitchen table folds into single bed, mom and dad sleep above in a recessed pull down bunk that is hinged and follows the curve of the ceiling when stowed. The couch folds out into a double sleeper and last but not least is the bunk over the door that will store compressed into the ceiling. Access is gained with a ladder that i will have to design.
The Bathroom is another big challenge that will have rather cramped quarters, with the toilet behind the shower and has to be accessed through the shower. So there will be no access to the toilet if somebody is taking a shower. I am also planning on having an outdoor shower.
I will be the first to admit that these may be cramped quarters for a family of six so we will see how it goes. My kids are small, (2,4,6, and 8) and plan on spending most the time out and about. Also plan on packing an outside tent/camping bundle so we can truly appreciate the great outdoors like my dad did with me and my brother and sisters.
Here are some pics of the planned build. I am very open to criticisms, improvements, ideas, hints and tips.
Here are the smaller pics. Sorry didn't realize they were going to be so big.
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