Trying to design a slide in w/penthouse
- Thread starter hikingff77
- Start date
brianjwilson
Some sort of lost...
If you're going over the cab, why doesn't the tent top extend to the front? Seems like a waste of space imo. What good is the section of the cab over except maybe small storage?
Also ( I know it is just a rough drawing ) but why is the camper so high above the cab? Might as well make it a hardside if you're going that tall, no?
I'm curious to see a plan of the inside. I've drawn up a few plans myself but they were designed to replace the pickup bed with a permanent fiberglass pop-up camper. But I'll likely never have the time or money to do it.
Also ( I know it is just a rough drawing ) but why is the camper so high above the cab? Might as well make it a hardside if you're going that tall, no?
I'm curious to see a plan of the inside. I've drawn up a few plans myself but they were designed to replace the pickup bed with a permanent fiberglass pop-up camper. But I'll likely never have the time or money to do it.
hikingff77
Adventurer
You know I asked myself some of those questions while I was designing it. The only reason why it doesn't pop up the whole length is because it really isn't nesc. to pop up on the over cab part since that's where the bed will be. That's also the reason why there's so much hard sidewall instead of it being shorter with a larger tent section. Another reason the overcab part is fixed is because I want to mount lighting in there, sort of like the JK camper.
I thought about making the camper a lot like the JK version with the flip out tent out the back but I just wasn't sure how useful that would be. Although it does open up some room and I could take the overcab area, make it smaller and utilize it as storage...
I found this playing around on the net http://home.earthlink.net/~g.teague/ it may be helpful in determining how to build the pop up part.
hikingff77
Adventurer
Thanks for that link. I have seen that one before. I want mine to be a soft sided configuration a lot like the Four Wheel Camper, except a different shape, look and interior height.
hikingff77
Adventurer
Yes, very much like that but with the cab-over set up.
http://img210.imageshack.us/my.php?image=camperdesignb.jpg
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hikingff77
Adventurer
BTW, Image 88 on your Picasa Page has got to be from the Outer Banks. Only one of those guys could every come up with something like that just to fish on the beach.
kcowyo
ExPo Original
Woot! My ride made Dale's Expedition Campers gallery! Now who is Dale....?
I really like where you're going with this, but there seems to be a small dichotomy, "make it smaller and utilize as storage"...
If there is one thing I have come to realize with a slide-in camper, it's that you can never have too much storage. I've cut waaaay back on my gear and still have stuff stacked on the floor in transit. My best suggestion for a custom unit, spend twice as much time planning & creating storage options as anything else.
Something else to consider if I'm understanding your bed option correctly (and I may not be), but with that style of penthouse and retractable bed, it sounds like you will have access to the full interior with top up and bed closed, but not once the bed is in 'bed-mode'..? What I'm getting at is, will you be able to move around inside standing up with the bed fully extended? If not, it could be a little cramped if you're stuck inside due to bad weather. The ability to have all the interior room possible, to stand up with the bed open is really nice.
I like the idea of recessed lighting in the cab over portion. That always looks clean. But unless you're absolutely in love with the idea, the option of mounting them outside with easy access may come in handy during times of repair and replacement. Not a biggie, just a thought.
Looking forward to seeing what else you come up with!
:beer:
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I really like where you're going with this, but there seems to be a small dichotomy, "make it smaller and utilize as storage"...
If there is one thing I have come to realize with a slide-in camper, it's that you can never have too much storage. I've cut waaaay back on my gear and still have stuff stacked on the floor in transit. My best suggestion for a custom unit, spend twice as much time planning & creating storage options as anything else.
Something else to consider if I'm understanding your bed option correctly (and I may not be), but with that style of penthouse and retractable bed, it sounds like you will have access to the full interior with top up and bed closed, but not once the bed is in 'bed-mode'..? What I'm getting at is, will you be able to move around inside standing up with the bed fully extended? If not, it could be a little cramped if you're stuck inside due to bad weather. The ability to have all the interior room possible, to stand up with the bed open is really nice.
I like the idea of recessed lighting in the cab over portion. That always looks clean. But unless you're absolutely in love with the idea, the option of mounting them outside with easy access may come in handy during times of repair and replacement. Not a biggie, just a thought.
Looking forward to seeing what else you come up with!
:beer:
.
hikingff77
Adventurer
I like your comments and I really have more design to do. I was thinking of only having min. space to stand up in when the bed is deployed. Mostly when the bed will be in place will only be for sleeping. Otherwise there will be a bench seat to sit on and other space to move. It's gonna be cramped, it's a short bed, compact truck bed. I wish I had money to spend on an Earthroamer but I gots nadda.
I agree with your light thought, it was mine too. Easier to repair and cheaper to install.
hikingff77
Adventurer
Hey BTW, there's not many T100's out there. How's yours hold up? Do you have an online album I could check out of it? Thanks.
NorCalBronco
Observer
Wow, with that gallery I almost dont need to visit this site anymore lol. Almost everything is summed up in those pictures
