The TARDIS - A Four Wheel Camper Build

[Overland Hadley]

Nice idea, I'd would like to do something similar to haul extra fuel. I assume the jack brackets and structure behind can take that dynamic load?

I was also thinking it would be nice if the location of the foot/roof steps on the rear of many FWCs could be used for an AT can holder to carry fuel/water.

James

Personally, I would not mount a jerry can to only the rear wall of a FWC.

I do not know the exact strength of the frame members in the rear wall of the camper, but it is all lightweight aluminum. And the dynamic loads of a full jerry can on a rough road will be high. The weight of a person standing on a step would be static, but the forces generated by the weight bolted to the frame bouncing around on a rough road would be dynamic. Granted, the corners are obviously strong, and the FWC factory mounts an air-conditioner on the passenger side of the rear wall. So it might be okay.

I designed my mount so the weight is held by the supports under the holder. Some of the weight will be held by the screws in the jack brackets, but it is supported by the bars that are through bolted to a plate inside the camper. The photos in my post below might do a better job describing the support frame.

Feel free to ask any more questions.

Thoughts, ideas or questions are always welcome.

(close to) Finished the AT jerry can mounts.

Here are some photos from mid way through mounting them up, it started pouring rain at the end so I do not have any photos of the (almost) finished mount. I say almost finished because I might put an aluminum plate on the bottom of the plywood, because I am currently using a washer to fir out the underside of the plywood to even it up with the siding trim strip.

It is super solid, I can hang off it with little/no deflection. Good as it will see a heavy dynamic load when the cans are full.

All hardware is stainless. :ylsmoke:


Passenger side:

Drivers side:

Interior plates:

Made and installed the shims on the aluminum bars that support the jerry can holders. Much happier now.

Stood on the one mount and it held just fine. Because the jerry can mounts can now double as a step, I am reconsidering the layout of folding steps on the back of the camper.

I now consider the jerry can holders finished. :ylsmoke:

 

[westyss]

Anybody want to guess what this will be for?

bracket to hold the propane bottle, bolted with the gas tank carrier.

 

[Redline]

Okay, I remember those bars but forgot or didn't know they were under can carrier supports. Excellent like everything else you have done.

I did think of the 'static' load of a person using a FWC step vs. the serious dynamic load of a full fuel can... Scary thought actually, if not properly designed I bet a can/carrier would pull a nice hole out of a camper.

IF their structure would support it and "If" FWC would do it, it would seem nice to have a reinforced mount on the rear of a camper to take 1-2 cans when having a new camper built.

 

[Overland Hadley]

How much light around the camper do I ''need''?

www.rigidindustries.com/

 

[Overland Hadley]

Excellent like everything else you have done.

Thank you sir.

I did think of the 'static' load of a person using a FWC step vs. the serious dynamic load of a full fuel can... Scary thought actually, if not properly designed I bet a can/carrier would pull a nice hole out of a camper.

Scary indeed!

There are enough people out there with something mounted on the rear wall, and I have never heard of a major problem, but that is not something somebody would be excited to share. (''Hey guys, I F'ed up and tore my back wall out!'')

IF their structure would support it and "If" FWC would do it, it would seem nice to have a reinforced mount on the rear of a camper to take 1-2 cans when having a new camper built.

At some point in my two year research process I asked about a reinforced back wall for mounting things on. I was more or less told ''do not mount things to the back wall.''

But anything is possible with enough money, right?

 

[Overland Hadley]

bracket to hold the propane bottle, bolted with the gas tank carrier.

No, but that would be nice.

 

[Redline]

At some point in my two year research process I asked about a reinforced back wall for mounting things on. I was more or less told ''do not mount things to the back wall.''

I think that's the best plan

 

[Overland Hadley]

Work is progressing on the electrical....

Waiting for a couple more things; main switch, voltmeter and the propane valves and sensors.

Also, I am getting better with my wiring, looking cleaner and neater behind the panel.

 

[panzerkw]

Tardis

Excellent build.

What are you using for crimping tools. I can find a crimper for 10-16 gauge but nothing for 8-10 gauge.

Sears has a greenline tool for 10 gauge but no one has a crimper for 8 gauge. I ran 8 guage for the camper to truck connection and internally to my two camper batteries.

Love the build.


2007 Grandby, 2005 ram3500 4x4, dynatrac conv, dyntrac hubs, DC Electrics 250 amp alt, 4:10, factory rear lsd, tru trac front,

 

[Overland Hadley]

Excellent build.

Thank you.

What are you using for crimping tools. I can find a crimper for 10-16 gauge but nothing for 8-10 gauge.

http://www.mcmaster.com/#wire-crimpers/=i5xmmr Welcome to the wonderful world of McMaster-Carr!

 

[MakersTeleMark]

I find illuminated rockers are really helpful in not forgetting what's on.

 

[RickNV]

Overland- did you consider installing a LED light bar on the front of the camper along the forward facing part of the camper above the cab ? I always thought that would be a nice expedition looking farkle ....??? maybe adding a mounting system like the jerry can aluminum tubing under the bed portion of the camper- I bet the light bar would be high enough where you could avoid any relections from the hood ???$$$ maybe it would bounce too much ??

 

[Overland Hadley]

Overland- did you consider installing a LED light bar on the front of the camper along the forward facing part of the camper above the cab ? I always thought that would be a nice expedition looking farkle ....??? maybe adding a mounting system like the jerry can aluminum tubing under the bed portion of the camper- I bet the light bar would be high enough where you could avoid any relections from the hood ???$$$ maybe it would bounce too much ??View attachment 108021

Not enough time to do a proper post, but:

Love the drawing!

You should guess what the mystery bracket is for!

Anybody want to guess what this will be for?

 

[RickNV]

light mount...front of truck, or maybe a mount to a square cross bar ???

 

[RickNV]

which light bar did you order?