As those that have been following my posts on and off know, weight has been an issue for my wife and I. We have recently taken some rather drastic action that I won't go into to get this managed better, but the weight is dropping off, and we both have droped enough weight, and size that a king size bed for the two of us while it would be nice, is not neccessary.
That frees us up for a MUCH more reasonable overlander build, and allows me to form a better plan.
For starters, I have a friend that seems to find all sorts of funky used stuff on the cheap, or free even.
He has sourced up an aluminum hi top contractors cap from a truck like mine that got wrecked. The top is 48" from bed rail to ceiling, has dual walk in style doors, and 2 fold open access panels / windows on each side.
If you look for the F150 Craptor build, I am planning on doing the same thing for hanging the window unit AC for cooling during late spring through early fall
Bed will be simple, Platform at the bed rail height, based on a "roller" bed frame with 3/4" plywood platform and an inexpensive memory foam short queen mattress from Walmart. The platform will be segmented to hinge at the front to allow access to the water and electrical compartments.
Before anything gets moved into the toppper, it needs to be insulated. Planning on just doing spray foam insulation, levelling it out, and then covering it over with the T&G cedar bead board I have. I think the stuff is something like 1/4" and being cedar it is feather light.
The actual truck bed itself and tailgate will need to get SOME sort of insulation and I am thinking a Bedrug. I know not a LOT but that should at least offer some insulation value... Plus level out the bed floor.
The forward most area of the bed will be divided with a PMF bulkhead into 2 secions that are separated. One for the water system that will feature 4 Reliance 7 gallon AquaTainers, a single pickup can be moved tank to tank, this will provide 28 gallons fresh water. A 12v pump, water bandit, and multi stage filtration system will allow pickup of water from a variety of fresh sources.
Through wall penetrations for 110V input AND output will be installed as well for the electrical system. Upgrade the group 27 deep cycle to a AGM 100 amp hour and if I can get it to go into Group 27 size to fit the box all the better. I have 12v oulets and USB charging outlets plus monitors on the battery box, this would likely be changed up at this point to 12V outlets and USB on a panel at the front of the inside of the camper shell, preferrably mounted on a shelf that can hold my USB stuff AND my CPAP.
Charging needs to be figured out. I need to see if I can get some kind of charge controller that will take both solar panel, and 110v AC input from a generator.
Generator is my Sportsman 1000 inverter. Not perfect, but will run my AC all night long if I need it.
The bed. Like I mentioned, steel roller frame with a plywood platform. The cheap Walmart memory foam mattress we have in the guest room that is freakishly comfortable, has a RV short queen option as well, which will just fit in the standard F150 bed... The roller frame will be suported by simply taking sections of galvanized pipe, size depending on the leg size of the roller frame, remove the rollers, and, well have the nipples cut and threaded to size. Using pipe flanges to distribute the weight accross the truck bed floor.
Anyway, remaining gear can be stored either on its own such as the toilet and fridge, OR in totes. I am considering maybe a slide out for the fridge and kitchen stuff tote. In transit toilet should be double wrapped if not more in mulitple plastic trash bags just in case of a black water leak...
I really like my Lifetime cooler, but would like to go with an actual fridge. I am thinking a BougeRV 53 quart. I need to keep costs reasonable. I really can't afford a Dometic or anything like that so....
After much going back and forth, I will go ahead with a propane system based off of a 20lb BBQ tank. I need to figure out safe carrying location while in transit, but I have the distribution tree, hoses, filters etc. I have the lantern, stove, heater, hot shower etc... so no realy good reason not to go with it other than common fuel availablitiy with the truck and generator. I can live with 2 fuel types I guess.
Bathroom / shower is as it is now. Camplux 5L hot shower, with options to pump witht he 12v pump, or direct garden hose hookup, both with filtration. A Joolca Ensuite Double shower tent, and a 5 gallon Jaxpety flushing toilet.
I think I would want to ditch the EZ Up in favor of a custom made / purpose built awning for the side of the truck. A simple tarp rig over the back of the truck shell/ access doors will cover the rear entry in the event of rain or heaven help us Snow...
I am considering a cargo basket with air deflector for the top of the truck cab as well for misc gear. I already have a soft side roof top carrier, but no air defelctor, and I am concerned about the flat forward face of the hi top, Even just rigging something up as a windjammer of sorts...
So the idea here is to arrive in camp. Level the rig as best possible, fold out and stake awning. If windy set up sidewall panels to block wind. Set up PackAway kitchen stand, and roll up table / chairs
On other side of truck set up Ensuite, hot shower rig, water supply, and toilet
Set up propane tank, hoses, and center tank wherever light is needed as the lantern will be tethered to it.
IF needed set up AC, and generator.
Proceed with exploring, fishing, hunting, whatever...
Mods wanted for the truck itself?
Replace the funky OEM exhaust with Summit 3". Custom 2.5x2.5x3" Y pipe, and reasonably quiet Magnaflow 3" SiSo muffler. Exit in stock location.
Replace halogen bulbs in off road lights with brighter and more energy efficient LEDs.
Replace 35x12.50/17 mud tires with 33x12.50/17 All Terrains. The MTs are LOUD, wear too fast, and even with trimming rub occasionally. The 33s I used to have never did and I don't want to lift with a 5' tall wife...
Replace rusted step bars.
Install towing package wiring harness and integrate LED reverse lights into rear bumper.
4.11 gears and selectable lockers. I could go 4.56 but I want something resembling gas mileage at highway speeds.
That frees us up for a MUCH more reasonable overlander build, and allows me to form a better plan.
For starters, I have a friend that seems to find all sorts of funky used stuff on the cheap, or free even.
He has sourced up an aluminum hi top contractors cap from a truck like mine that got wrecked. The top is 48" from bed rail to ceiling, has dual walk in style doors, and 2 fold open access panels / windows on each side.
If you look for the F150 Craptor build, I am planning on doing the same thing for hanging the window unit AC for cooling during late spring through early fall
Bed will be simple, Platform at the bed rail height, based on a "roller" bed frame with 3/4" plywood platform and an inexpensive memory foam short queen mattress from Walmart. The platform will be segmented to hinge at the front to allow access to the water and electrical compartments.
Before anything gets moved into the toppper, it needs to be insulated. Planning on just doing spray foam insulation, levelling it out, and then covering it over with the T&G cedar bead board I have. I think the stuff is something like 1/4" and being cedar it is feather light.
The actual truck bed itself and tailgate will need to get SOME sort of insulation and I am thinking a Bedrug. I know not a LOT but that should at least offer some insulation value... Plus level out the bed floor.
The forward most area of the bed will be divided with a PMF bulkhead into 2 secions that are separated. One for the water system that will feature 4 Reliance 7 gallon AquaTainers, a single pickup can be moved tank to tank, this will provide 28 gallons fresh water. A 12v pump, water bandit, and multi stage filtration system will allow pickup of water from a variety of fresh sources.
Through wall penetrations for 110V input AND output will be installed as well for the electrical system. Upgrade the group 27 deep cycle to a AGM 100 amp hour and if I can get it to go into Group 27 size to fit the box all the better. I have 12v oulets and USB charging outlets plus monitors on the battery box, this would likely be changed up at this point to 12V outlets and USB on a panel at the front of the inside of the camper shell, preferrably mounted on a shelf that can hold my USB stuff AND my CPAP.
Charging needs to be figured out. I need to see if I can get some kind of charge controller that will take both solar panel, and 110v AC input from a generator.
Generator is my Sportsman 1000 inverter. Not perfect, but will run my AC all night long if I need it.
The bed. Like I mentioned, steel roller frame with a plywood platform. The cheap Walmart memory foam mattress we have in the guest room that is freakishly comfortable, has a RV short queen option as well, which will just fit in the standard F150 bed... The roller frame will be suported by simply taking sections of galvanized pipe, size depending on the leg size of the roller frame, remove the rollers, and, well have the nipples cut and threaded to size. Using pipe flanges to distribute the weight accross the truck bed floor.
Anyway, remaining gear can be stored either on its own such as the toilet and fridge, OR in totes. I am considering maybe a slide out for the fridge and kitchen stuff tote. In transit toilet should be double wrapped if not more in mulitple plastic trash bags just in case of a black water leak...
I really like my Lifetime cooler, but would like to go with an actual fridge. I am thinking a BougeRV 53 quart. I need to keep costs reasonable. I really can't afford a Dometic or anything like that so....
After much going back and forth, I will go ahead with a propane system based off of a 20lb BBQ tank. I need to figure out safe carrying location while in transit, but I have the distribution tree, hoses, filters etc. I have the lantern, stove, heater, hot shower etc... so no realy good reason not to go with it other than common fuel availablitiy with the truck and generator. I can live with 2 fuel types I guess.
Bathroom / shower is as it is now. Camplux 5L hot shower, with options to pump witht he 12v pump, or direct garden hose hookup, both with filtration. A Joolca Ensuite Double shower tent, and a 5 gallon Jaxpety flushing toilet.
I think I would want to ditch the EZ Up in favor of a custom made / purpose built awning for the side of the truck. A simple tarp rig over the back of the truck shell/ access doors will cover the rear entry in the event of rain or heaven help us Snow...
I am considering a cargo basket with air deflector for the top of the truck cab as well for misc gear. I already have a soft side roof top carrier, but no air defelctor, and I am concerned about the flat forward face of the hi top, Even just rigging something up as a windjammer of sorts...
So the idea here is to arrive in camp. Level the rig as best possible, fold out and stake awning. If windy set up sidewall panels to block wind. Set up PackAway kitchen stand, and roll up table / chairs
On other side of truck set up Ensuite, hot shower rig, water supply, and toilet
Set up propane tank, hoses, and center tank wherever light is needed as the lantern will be tethered to it.
IF needed set up AC, and generator.
Proceed with exploring, fishing, hunting, whatever...
Mods wanted for the truck itself?
Replace the funky OEM exhaust with Summit 3". Custom 2.5x2.5x3" Y pipe, and reasonably quiet Magnaflow 3" SiSo muffler. Exit in stock location.
Replace halogen bulbs in off road lights with brighter and more energy efficient LEDs.
Replace 35x12.50/17 mud tires with 33x12.50/17 All Terrains. The MTs are LOUD, wear too fast, and even with trimming rub occasionally. The 33s I used to have never did and I don't want to lift with a 5' tall wife...
Replace rusted step bars.
Install towing package wiring harness and integrate LED reverse lights into rear bumper.
4.11 gears and selectable lockers. I could go 4.56 but I want something resembling gas mileage at highway speeds.
