Building a custom bed camper using a wood frame (UPDDATE ON PROGRESS!)

[eighty4south]

You could put a door/hatch on the back of the pullout to load gear into the bed area for transport.

Sponsored

 

[Irvinec32]

Hatch door coming on an upcoming video.

 

[TedTX]

That's not far from my house. Haha

You should know I will be bugging you to do a scouting mission on the place. The actual manufacturing is a mom & Pop shop likely also nearby or even co-located. They don’t have a website but are called USA Campers, and many hundreds cheaper directly from them.

 

[prsncat]

https://belairshells.com/custom-camper-shells
Priced very good, shows construction details. Maybe head to South California after a local hybrid Maverick visits them for a fitting.

BelAir has been in business for a very long time because they do quality work for a reasonable price. I have been a customer for over three different decades. I wish I got compensated for the referral... Yet, I don't and still highly recommend them.

DM me if you want me to run my Maverick to them to take measurements for something you want them to build for you.

 

[TedTX]

Great! Wonder what could be made with the tiny Maverick. Haven’t heard a negative person about the product or cost.
Waiting for OP to blaze the trail on his design, think I could combine multiple ideas between the two to make an ideal self build, for now. But I do have enough available to get a pre-made shell if I wanted. i was saving for a teardrop, got a used Prius as a self propelled ‘teardrop’ even cheaper.

 

[Irvinec32]

Update on the skin.

 

[Irvinec32]

Update. Polywall will probably be swapped out. But you get the design concept.

 

[TedTX]

Doesn’t look too tall in the enclosed sides version, wondering if its tall enough to move around. Waiting for mpg number, may make it taller, wider and with foam and poor mans fiberglass. Door swing was my biggest surprise, didn’t think of the tailgate wire was going to bind the opening. Will hinge from the center post or top like a flap in my version.

 

[Irvinec32]

Doesn’t look too tall in the enclosed sides version, wondering if its tall enough to move around. Waiting for mpg number, may make it taller, wider and with foam and poor mans fiberglass. Door swing was my biggest surprise, didn’t think of the tailgate wire was going to bind the opening. Will hinge from the center post or top like a flap in my version.

I have the top on right now. I can move around, but I am only 5' 8"
Yes, that cable getting in the way ruined my full swing hopes. haha

 

[TedTX]

So many good ideas, in last video ( yet to be posted in this thread ) now want to hinge my solar panel roof idea for same usefulness. Does those garage tracks come in larger lengths?
Still waiting on MPGs numbers.

 

[Irvinec32]

So many good ideas, in last video ( yet to be posted in this thread ) now want to hinge my solar panel roof idea for same usefulness. Does those garage tracks come in larger lengths?
Still waiting on MPGs numbers.

This video? Yes, the tracks come longer.

 

[TedTX]

Thats the video,
the track could serve as both top and bottom clamp points, for my build and the smaller rail as a curtain rail like my large RV uses as a bed room curtain divider. And beef up the construction of the foamie walls like a frame would. Like one object that does so much more than original
design purpose.

 

[TedTX]

Starting the rough dimensions of my over the side, over the top build.
Found something that might interest others. The sideview mirrors are lower than the top of the truckbed. So anything extending wide can’t block the view totally.
Also, a normal length twin bed mattress barely is in field of view when overhanging past sides of truck.
Someone here posted a wooden version of the moonpod, aiming for a square version of that sized for first attempt. But may make it with fold up front and back to stop wind resistance issues like a ladder rack then place my rollup bed cover rails as a sandwich on the top of the bed to hold it all in place with the rollup bed cover rails. Saw an overland build similar idea ( metal)

 

[TedTX]

So your current video shows 38mpg in use with ‘finished for now’ camper inplace. Was that the same for the trip? if so good numbers,

 

[Irvinec32]

So your current video shows 38mpg in use with ‘finished for now’ camper inplace. Was that the same for the trip? if so good numbers,

yup. about 38MPG with the camper on. But I do drive to save gas. I normally get around 41.

Sponsored