Page 1 of 5

Truck Camper

PostPosted: Fri Jul 08, 2011 6:58 pm
by rdraider
Ok all its time to start my build thread. Its been a while since i last stopped in and hope this is the place to put this. I know its not a trailer but i got a lot of my ideas here, so i wanted to share my build with you guys. Thanks for the inspiration.

I'll try to post some pics, haven't had much luck with this in the past.

Image

Image

Image

Image

Hope that worked, fingers crossed :twisted:

PostPosted: Fri Jul 08, 2011 8:00 pm
by rdraider
For anybody wondering, it has 1x3 framing, 1/4" BC exterior grade plywood on the bottom half. I put 3 coats of a 50/50 mix spar urethane / mineral spirits to help seal the exterior of the 1/4", and then 2 coats of rustoleum truck bed liner to help protect it while off the truck.

the top side will have some 5 mm generic plywood that i got at Lowe's. I put it through the boil test and it lasted the whole 1 hour with out separating, at least until i tried to bend it. I figure with a couple of coats of the aforementioned urethane treatment and a good coat of paint, i'll be ok. This thing just needs to last me 5-10 years until i can afford to either buy or build me a trailer.

Up this week is to get the wall panels built and finished, AC installed, and the roof fitted.

On the overall design, it will be a pop top, hinged form the front, with canvas sides. I'll use FRP for the roof, maybe some interior lights, some exterior back up lights, and some light weight shelving.

The overall goal is to make something that i can stand up in, it be light, and cool, as i wood like to visit some of the civil war sites in the up coming years.

PostPosted: Fri Jul 08, 2011 8:05 pm
by mikeschn
If flicker has jpg images available, you could post those here. Or if flicker has bb links available you could use those too.

But what you posted above won't work...

Mike...

PostPosted: Fri Jul 08, 2011 8:12 pm
by mikeschn
Image
foamie95 by mikeschn, on Flickr

Okay, I just went to Flickr, and all you have to do is share, using BB code...

like this...

Image

Mike...

PostPosted: Fri Jul 08, 2011 8:27 pm
by rdraider

PostPosted: Fri Jul 08, 2011 8:33 pm
by mikeschn
That works!!!

I definitely want to see that on your truck!!!!

Mike...

PostPosted: Fri Jul 08, 2011 10:22 pm
by aggie79
mikeschn wrote:
I definitely want to see that on your truck!!!!

Mike...


So do I. Nice work!

PostPosted: Fri Jul 08, 2011 10:34 pm
by droid_ca
hello rdraider that is going be a fun project are you going to do a cab over style bunk ? you mentioned bending the plywood so will it have radiused edges ? your pop top manual or electric?

PostPosted: Fri Jul 08, 2011 10:35 pm
by PhotoGuy
looking good. I had thought about this before I planned my TD build. i cant wait to see me.

PostPosted: Sat Jul 09, 2011 5:11 pm
by rdraider
droid_ca wrote:hello rdraider that is going be a fun project are you going to do a cab over style bunk ? you mentioned bending the plywood so will it have radiused edges ? your pop top manual or electric?


Probably no plywood bending, I'll use FRP on top for the roof. Its lighter, I'd use it for the whole project, but not enough money.

Progress!!!!!

PostPosted: Mon Jul 11, 2011 6:04 pm
by rdraider
I've taken the week off from work, so i could get something don eon this camper thing. Here's my progress as of Monday.
Another view of the floor
Image
Floor2 by rdraider72, on Flickr

Here's a pic mid process of getting a window fitted and preparing to skin.
Image
Wall by rdraider72, on Flickr

Skinning!
Image
Wall 2 by rdraider72, on Flickr

More to come......[/img]

update!

PostPosted: Wed Jul 13, 2011 5:34 pm
by rdraider
Front view of the camper, this end will go next to the cab. its just mocked up right now.
Image
Front view of camper by rdraider72, on Flickr

Rear view of camper. No door, back walls aren't finished yet.
Image
Rear view of camper by rdraider72, on Flickr

Thanks for looking!

PostPosted: Sun Jul 17, 2011 8:33 pm
by rdraider
So this is where i finished up this week. Enjoy!
Image
Getting closer by rdraider72, on Flickr

PostPosted: Sun Jul 17, 2011 9:41 pm
by droid_ca
thats really starting to take shape and look good any idea what the estimated weight is right now

sorry droid

PostPosted: Mon Jul 18, 2011 5:22 pm
by rdraider
Man, i didn't even see the last part of your question above until a minute ago. As far as the top, it will be manual. If it gets too heavy, i'll look into some gas struts to help in lifting. But i'm not to worried about that yet.

As far as the weight, i'm hopeing it will be around 300-400 lbs. we'll see. I'll have to find a set of scales in the area to be sure.