Utility Bed Install with Popup Camper
- Thread starter topofpalomar
- Start date
AeroNautiCal
Explorer
That looks just so good and 'complete', that it could be thought of as an OE set up!
southpaws3
Observer
AWESOME!!!
topofpalomar
Enthusiast
So we had a chance to head out to Blair Valley in the Anza Borrego Desert on Sunday afternoon to try out the utility bed and camper. We expected it to be very hot but surprisingly it wasn't. We entered at Little Blair Valley. Road isn't very rough but it was good enough to check the functioning of the camper.
We continued on to a camp site that we've used off and on for the last 30-odd years at the base of Ghost Mountain. This site has some bedrock morteros and faint pictographs on the opposite side of the big rock. It's one of our old favorites for an overnight desert fix.
Thanks to the recent rains this summer we were treated to a fabulous display of cinchweed over the entire valley when we got there. It's pungent odor was almost overpowering when you walked on it and the little yellow flowers really dressed up the desert. It soon had me sneezing. Here's the campsite with the cinchweed blanketing the valley.
We set up camp and had a good opportunity to try out the compartments. Everything worked out great. I think we're ready to take it to northern Nevada and Utah later this month. I'll see if I can post a trip report when we get back.
We continued on to a camp site that we've used off and on for the last 30-odd years at the base of Ghost Mountain. This site has some bedrock morteros and faint pictographs on the opposite side of the big rock. It's one of our old favorites for an overnight desert fix.
Thanks to the recent rains this summer we were treated to a fabulous display of cinchweed over the entire valley when we got there. It's pungent odor was almost overpowering when you walked on it and the little yellow flowers really dressed up the desert. It soon had me sneezing. Here's the campsite with the cinchweed blanketing the valley.
We set up camp and had a good opportunity to try out the compartments. Everything worked out great. I think we're ready to take it to northern Nevada and Utah later this month. I'll see if I can post a trip report when we get back.
topofpalomar
Enthusiast
Oh, almost forgot to thank everyone for the input and kind words. I will do a little finish work on the back to dress it up but it's done as far as I'm concerned, with the exception of some front suspension upgrades. And a Buckstop bumper and winch. And...
Here's one more shot of the Blair campsite.
View attachment 119518
Here's one more shot of the Blair campsite.
View attachment 119518
topofpalomar
Enthusiast
Thanks, ExpoMike. Appreciate the comment. I see you're a San Diego guy. Were you at the Fiesta Island M&G? I don't think I got to meet you.
Mc Taco - there's about 2 1/2 inches of wasted space due to the flip top. I'm not planning on making any changes for the time being. Just go with the flow and see how everything works out. At least that dead space is filling up the area under the camper overhang.
Mc Taco - there's about 2 1/2 inches of wasted space due to the flip top. I'm not planning on making any changes for the time being. Just go with the flow and see how everything works out. At least that dead space is filling up the area under the camper overhang.
topofpalomar
Enthusiast
Update on Utility Bed
We just got back from a trip to Northern Nevada and back down via Hwy 395. Truck and utility bed with the popup camper worked great. No issues at all. Having the extra storage space to store all the junk we take anyways was a definite plus for both of us.
Our first night out we camped off Greenwater Valley Rd on the eastern side of Death Valley. Here's a shot of camp. I will try to get around to posting a trip report on the run to Northern Nevada soon. Went as far as Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge.
We just got back from a trip to Northern Nevada and back down via Hwy 395. Truck and utility bed with the popup camper worked great. No issues at all. Having the extra storage space to store all the junk we take anyways was a definite plus for both of us.
Our first night out we camped off Greenwater Valley Rd on the eastern side of Death Valley. Here's a shot of camp. I will try to get around to posting a trip report on the run to Northern Nevada soon. Went as far as Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge.
Pacific Northwest yetti
Expedition Medic
I love the setup. I'm hoping to do the same with my 04 2500 crew cab short box and yet to purchase northstar 850sc
Good luck, hope to see much more!
topofpalomar
Enthusiast
Thanks, Guys. Appreciate the feedback. I've been busy at the fire station since getting back from our trip and haven't had a chance to do a trip report or any updating. I hope to get something on here soon. If you haven't already done so, be sure to check out ToolBox Guy's project. He's doing some nice upgrades on his rig.
