washington taco
Explorer
You will be building a flat bed simalar to 1 speed and storing them forward of the rear wheel well.
The TARDIS - A Four Wheel Camper Build
- Thread starter Overland Hadley
- Start date
You will be building a flat bed simalar to 1 speed and storing them forward of the rear wheel well.
sarconcepts
Adventurer
You are pretty true about storage, I've had a FWC for 10 years now, & storage is the issue, i solved a good portion of it by getting a newer truck with an extended cab for dog stuff & gear (plus a place for the dogs to travel) & since you haven't got the truck yet, you have that option.
dry food storage is a big issue, i have a large storage compartment up front, under the front window, but when traveling, where do you put the bedding, on the bench? what about fire wood?
i'd make a thorough list of what you'll be bringing first, then try to figure out where it all goes, it gets tight quick, because you can't leave anything up high (like the bedding, this takes up alot of space when down)
& although i agree with the back porch idea, i find the only way to work with these short doors is to climb 'up' through them, the best way to test this is to climb into one on the ground, you'll see, I've got a step that flips up when not in use, which is attached to my 2" receiver, & i use it all the time just as a truck, to lift things up into the bed.
dry food storage is a big issue, i have a large storage compartment up front, under the front window, but when traveling, where do you put the bedding, on the bench? what about fire wood?
i'd make a thorough list of what you'll be bringing first, then try to figure out where it all goes, it gets tight quick, because you can't leave anything up high (like the bedding, this takes up alot of space when down)
& although i agree with the back porch idea, i find the only way to work with these short doors is to climb 'up' through them, the best way to test this is to climb into one on the ground, you'll see, I've got a step that flips up when not in use, which is attached to my 2" receiver, & i use it all the time just as a truck, to lift things up into the bed.
Overland Hadley
on a journey
I already have the truck, it is a 2007 Tacoma extended cab. And sadly no flat bed is planned at this point.
I have done 4 trips of 6-8 weeks in the Tacoma, so I have a good idea of what I need and what can fit.
I will have more storage space in the FWC than I do now with the topper shell and sleeping platform/drawer system. But the idea is to be more comfortable in cold/rainy/buggy/sandstorm conditions. So I am trying to figure out how to have as much storage as possible while still maintaining a comfortable space inside the FWC shell model.
I found this cabinet. I think it would fit, but it is heavy at 30 lbs. Link
In the end I still think the best solution (compromise) for interior storage in my camper will be the floor covered in the larger Action Packers. Then in camp the AP's can be stacked in the front floor area. Clothes and bedding can be tossed about in duffel bags.
This system will keep the weight down low during travel, and will be moveable enough to provide places to sit and work at camp.
Of course this is all just theory at this point.
I have done 4 trips of 6-8 weeks in the Tacoma, so I have a good idea of what I need and what can fit.
I will have more storage space in the FWC than I do now with the topper shell and sleeping platform/drawer system. But the idea is to be more comfortable in cold/rainy/buggy/sandstorm conditions. So I am trying to figure out how to have as much storage as possible while still maintaining a comfortable space inside the FWC shell model.
I found this cabinet. I think it would fit, but it is heavy at 30 lbs. Link
In the end I still think the best solution (compromise) for interior storage in my camper will be the floor covered in the larger Action Packers. Then in camp the AP's can be stacked in the front floor area. Clothes and bedding can be tossed about in duffel bags.
This system will keep the weight down low during travel, and will be moveable enough to provide places to sit and work at camp.
Of course this is all just theory at this point.
craig333
Expedition Leader
Thats not true on the newer models. They're now made so you can leave your bedding in place. Wish mine was that way.
Overland Hadley
on a journey
Bedding as in bed cushions, or can you leave blankets in the cab over as well?
1tonpaulie
New member
I leave my sleeping bag and an extra blanket up there on my 2010 Grandby
Overland Hadley
on a journey
Overland Hadley
on a journey
Heater decision has been finalized.
Found a sale on the Olympian Wave 3 heater for $99. It turned out to be a typo, but they honored the price.
I am really impressed with the Wave 3. Looks well built, and is more or less lightweight at 6 lbs.
(I will be using a second Wave 3 that I bought as a space heater in my studio. Should get a good feel for its heating capabilities during the 7-8 months of cold weather we have.)
Hill Bill E.
Oath Keeper
Overland Hadley
on a journey
Propane tank question.
Is it a major no-no to have the propane tank stored inside the camper, in the open, e.g. not in a sealed box?
I know it is a big problem in a boat, where the propane will settle in the bilge. And it can be very hard to clear propane from a bilge.
But in the camper, if there was a leak it would drift along the floor and out a couple of small vents I have planned. And the bed is a few feet above the floor.
I am thinking campers and rv's have the sealed propane compartments because of legal issues. Makes sense to me, just do not know if I need to do that in my camper.
I carried a dozen 1 pound tanks under the sleeping platform with out much of a thought. But I do not want to shock people with a propane tank under the sink.
Thoughts on this?
Is it a major no-no to have the propane tank stored inside the camper, in the open, e.g. not in a sealed box?
I know it is a big problem in a boat, where the propane will settle in the bilge. And it can be very hard to clear propane from a bilge.
But in the camper, if there was a leak it would drift along the floor and out a couple of small vents I have planned. And the bed is a few feet above the floor.
I am thinking campers and rv's have the sealed propane compartments because of legal issues. Makes sense to me, just do not know if I need to do that in my camper.
I carried a dozen 1 pound tanks under the sleeping platform with out much of a thought. But I do not want to shock people with a propane tank under the sink.
Thoughts on this?
Overland Hadley
on a journey
Interior Layout Blueprint
I was having a hard time sleeping the other night, so I got out the graph paper and put down my ideas for the interior build of the Finch.
I welcome any thoughts, ideas, or questions.
One square = approx. 3"
I was having a hard time sleeping the other night, so I got out the graph paper and put down my ideas for the interior build of the Finch.
I welcome any thoughts, ideas, or questions.
One square = approx. 3"
Last edited:
Northern Explorer
Explorer
Your design looks good. I would find a way to vent the propane to the outside. Also, if you go with a two burner stove you will have a little extra countertop space.
I notice your stove is mostly covered when the bed is extended. We have a 2003 FWC and you can not use the stove while the bed is extended. This bothers some people because an early riser can't get coffee or breakfast going until the second person gets up. No problem if you are traveling solo, though. FWC has since changed their design and switched the locations of the sink and stove.
What is the dotted line labeled "A"?
What is the dotted line labeled "A"?
Overland Hadley
on a journey
Thanks!
As you know, an outside vented propane tank is an uninsulated space in the camper. It would take up a lot of room to have an insulated and vented area for the tank. I think I am more worried about propane leaks coming from all the fittings on the hob or heater. And while not in use I will turn off the propane at the tank. But it is still something I am mulling over.
I decided to compromise counter top space to have the third burner. Currently, I often wish I had a third burner.
With the SMWV glass top sink and hob there will really not be any countertop space with this design. I am okay with that as the stacked plastic totes will provide an area to put things on, and I am used to working that way. But I might want to redesign. (When the glass tops are closed there will be a large "chart table" like space to work on.)
Overland Hadley
on a journey
I am trying to keep the weight as far forward in the camper as possible. The major downside is that when the bed is open it will cover the sink and hob. But this design will keep the space in the back of the camper more open, so it will be easier to move around when the bed is open.
I am designing the camper as a one person plus design. The space is so small that it is hard to come up with a design that would be best for two people, yet work good for the solo traveler. All I can figure is a space that works okay for two and is just okay for one. So I am going for a space that is good for one, and okay for two.
The dotted box in the back left is the area for stacking plastic storage totes. The totes will fill the floor space while traveling. Giving storage that will be large in volume, while keeping the COG nice and low.
The unmarked line from A- -B is where a retracting clothes line will be. In addition to being used for drying clothes, it can be used to divide the back section of the camper if the PETT toilet must be used inside the camper.