Using a Utility Shell and Rooftop Tent as a "Budget" Expedition Vehicle? (pics)

[High_Country]

Using a Utility Shell and Rooftop Tent as a "Budget" Expedition Vehicle? (pics)

Hello all, this is my first post. I've been creeping around on this site for awhile and love just about everything about it.

(NOTE - I did a search on this forum for this topic and turned up limited results. Perhaps I didnt' try enough key words. I'm hoping to get some feedback here.)

I have a 2011 Ram 2500, crew cab, 4x4, diesel / automatic, with a 6.5 foot bed. I use this truck almost daily as regular transportation BUT would love to have the capability to "up-fit" it and turn it into an 'expedition vehicle' for a vacation into the great outdoors. It will likely be myself, the wife, the kid when he/she is old enough, and a mid-sized dog.
My Truck:

My Truck with the current Besttop on it:

I've considered different routes:
1) Utility BED with slide in pop-up camper. (I found a post in my searching where "Toolbox Guy" did this. Looked great and very useful, however, I'd like to keep my stock bed on it since the majority of the time I'll be driving it around town and won't NEED th utility bed.)
2) Expedition trailer. Obviously cool, but expensive and cumbersome offroad.
3) Basic fiberglass camper shell, sleep in the bed. Cheap and easy but presents barriers to storage of equipment, gear, food, water and fuel.
4) A utility "topper" WITH a roof top tent (like an Eezi-awn) on top of the utility shell or on top of the cab. This is the direction I'm leaning and it seems to be a good combination offering plenty of storage (in the bed as well as in the shelves and cabinets that come in the commercial-type utility toppers) while allowing the family to sleep overhead in a collapsible roof-top tent. AND, I can pick up these utility shells off craigslist all day long at a pretty affordable price. AND, when I'm NOT on expedition (we're talking maybe one to two week trips here), I can remove ALL of that and have 'stock' truck again.

http://oklahomacity.craigslist.org/pts/2943973750.html
http://oklahomacity.craigslist.org/pts/2940728394.html
http://oklahomacity.craigslist.org/pts/2930023323.html

Thoughts? Am I WAY off

 

[Metcalf]

I vote number 3 unless your going to be traveling full time......it kinda depends on how many people you are going to take.

For me, that is what my Dodge has boiled down to. At one point I had a sleeping platform but that went away as it wasted space. Currently I have boiled the truck bed arrangement down to a plywood flat floor wrapped in marine carpet, a rolled up 3" thick Futon mattress for sleeping, and a few plastic tubs at the front of the bed depending on the length of the trip.

Its REALLY nice to be able to pull over about anywhere, jump in the back, and be in bed in about 1 minute or less. I also REALLY like the ability to be in stealth mode when camping. Its nice to be able to 'camp' in spots just about anywhere.

 

[poriggity]

I like the idea of the utility shell and RTT, but remember a few things.. Those RTT's and utility shells are HEAVY, so I hope you have a few hands around when it comes time to take those items off the truck, and then put them on again for the next trip. That being said, a forklift would do the same job with a lot less work

 

[CreeperSleeper]

I vote for a fiberglass topper. I love mine! I'm going to build a bunk bed up at the front for my daughter and the wifey and I sleep on an air mattress in the back.

 

[redthies]

Or, just get a used 4wheel camper or similar. That is your utility shell, and RTT in one unit. Plus you get a stove, furnace, beds etc all included. If you have use for the shell, and leave it on, then great, but if you would only use it for camping and otherwise just drive the stock truck, I say a pop-up slide-in is the way to go. There are a million of them for sale used. I got a super nice one a few years back for $2900 and it was like new. People are finding ones that need some TLC for well under $500.

 

[lstzephyr]

I think a four wheel camper or similar pop up slide in camper would be about perfect in your situation.

 

[chilliwak]

Hello HighCountry, and welcome to the site. Thanks for posting pics of your awesome:Wow1:rig. I guess the question we need to ask is, do you want to build something yourself or do you want to purchase a canopy and then be done with it? Both the pop-up camper and a RTT on a utility canopy are viable solutions. If it is warm where you are going then the RTT is a cool idea, otherwise you might want to buy a camper. If you want to build something then you can read the build section of my signature for some inspiration. Whatever you do keep us updated with lots of pics. Cheers, Chilli.

 

[Darwin]

I use this. Will carry enough weight for a full dance party on top.

 

[Cody1771]

RTT, and off road trailer dont usually go very well together when building a "budget" vehicle. save the money and put it into things that will make the trip more enjoyable, seems like people are afraid to sleep in tents these days. whats wrong with a canopy and a wooden deck?

 

[toymaster]

I'm voting this. This looks to be an extremely versatile platform. Darwin, did you buy that or make it? If so where.

I use this. Will carry enough weight for a full dance party on top.

 

[Terrainist]

Those ARE aluminum utility shells wouldn't last long with a tent bolted to the top off pavement. Not the ones I've seen anyway. Recommend a steel frame camper, or a utility rack as pictured, or you would be better off bolting it to your truck roof as you mention. Scrutinize those lightweight aluminum service toppers well, many are about as impressive as a lawn chair.

Consider getting a topper that you leave on the truck. Removing, moving, storing those things gets old after doing it once. Consider the wind and weather when going the tent or pop up camper route.

 

[High_Country]

I really appreciate all the insight. Some good ideas and things to think about here.

Thanks for the tip to check out the build 'quality' or beefy-ness of the utility campers. I would've thought they were a little stouter than implied, but I'll be sure and check. I wouldn't have thought the RTT's are that heavy either but I have never owned one or had experience with one. I'm truly just getting into this hobby and trying to sort of pick the most logical path to start out my journey.

I had visions of using the utility shell this way:
Interior would contain storage for large items (large totes, large gear, perhaps fuel and water, etc) as well as perhaps a bedslide for the cooler or refrigerator and of course I'd have an inverter in there somewhere. The side 'cabinets' would be where I'd store all the cooking, food, smaller gear, and they could have flip down 'panels' on chains for use as tables and such while preparing food.

Then, perhaps I could have some sort of rack or 'exoskeleton' around the utility shell (like Darwin's post) to place the RTT tent on (or have my dance party :wings.

In my mind, this kind of setup would afford all kinds of storage and luxury opportunities for a weekend to weeklong trip as well as be able to sustain even longer trips if I got lucky enough to take one.

I understand the nuisance of putting this stuff on and off. It's definitely something to consider. But, unfortunately, I don't yet have the kind of lifestyle that allows me to go on a BUNCH of trips per year so taking the time to do this a few times a year would be okay.

Am I too pre-determined to go this route? Is it just a bad idea? (Sometimes I get an idea in my head and won't let go of it)

 

[Terrainist]

pre-determined... ultimately, getting out doing and using will determine what you end up with. You can approximate what it would be like with the things you have now. Your best top and a ground tent would give you a fair idea of what it would be like. Load some gear into your truck, head out with the wife for one night and do some testing. Stay in a tent, live out of the back of the truck, etc.. you'll figure out real quick what you want.

I would have to vote for a slide in camper taking into account your situation. Getting out a few times a year, wife, kid, dog. Ease of getting out of town, load and go. You need things easy I would think. Bed ready to go, stove, water, food, everything set up already. Not a large slide in, something smaller and maneuverable, lighter. I think a slide in pop up camper was previously mentioned.

There are so many factors that go into what people end up with. Type of trips, where they go, the roads they take, how many people and dogs are going, how long the trips are, how often, daily driving or camping in one spot or both. The inclinations of the people going, what they like, don't like, can tolerate and can't.

Having a 3/4 ton diesel truck as you do is a great starting point.

But, sit around the fire with the wife and talk about what you both think you need. Get out a few times and do some testing. You'll figure it out.