Camper build ideas for a Maverick with a top

[notliketopgun]

Okay, possibly crazy idea. And probably uncomfortable as all hell, assuming you're over 5'6. I'm sure other folks have thought of it but the diagonal length of the bed, back to opposite front corner is approximately 72". I need to come up with plans, and some digital mockups but you could build a triangular sleeping platform in the back and if you're not tall, hopefully fit and sleep without putting the tailgate down. The shape would probably be akin to a baseball diamond, and you could have the storage drawers run perpendicular to the bed on one side, with additional cubbies or drawers underneath but they'd be much shorter and have to have a diagonal entrance. And of course, this is predicated upon the existence of a hardtop being available, or ideally one taller than the Ford OEM one that's available. I managed to take a LiDAR scan of my bed, but I don't have access to any CAD packages since Autodesk changed the licensing for Fusion 360.

So y'all are going to have to contend with this awful sketch, but I hope that communicates the idea. You still retain access to the power inverter, or the cubbies depending on how you'd build it. But the end of the platform would have to be right up against the tailgate. It'd still be really tight for a lot of people though.

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[pbz]

Fusion 360 still has a free option, it's just gotten a bit more limited. Still pretty useful.

 

[Irvinec32]

I plan to make a camper one way or another. I am thinking of designing something that works with the tailgate down since most of us are taller than 4.5 ft.

 

[WVX76]

I saw this custom camper at the Overland Expo in Flagstaff. I think they’re on Instagram @wanderingtheweekend. It was really a nice build. He added airbags to help rear sag. I thought the tent top was genius.

 

[Irvinec32]

I bet that setup cost as much as the truck. I need something more economical

 

[Smack]

Building anything out of wood is "HEAVY" so remember you have 1500 lbs total. That's people and stuff. If you build something with wood it will be from 200-500 lbs.

On Youtube search for "truck drawers" lots of videos, that will give you ideas for the drawers.

Generally the camper does not go beyond the end of the truck bed, this is because it changes the dynamics of the vehicle ballance.
Some sort of sliding system might be the thing if you want a solid platform.

 

[Maverickman74]

Yeah drawers is a good idea. Build a HD removable drawer maybe 6" deep max. Then add a panel that covers the drawer when open and locks it in place. They your 4.5' is plaftorm becomes 8' long-ish. If you already have a topper, the ARE DCU we are ordering will have 23" height so add the 14" you have left of the bed gives you 37" headspace. All you need after that is SUV hatch tent for a few hundred. All your gear and cooking stuff goes in the drawers or in a kit box.

Pricing:
$350 for a nice tent
$400-500 to build drawers
$100 air mattress

You come in under $1000 for sleeping space.

You can set up a nice kitchen for $300-400
Shade, seating, and table $600
Water and power can be done DIY(non brand name) for $500

Figure $2500 for everything you would need. The exact same price as the crusty old pop up that has rips in half its cloth on craigslist.

 

[Haha48]

I just went with the canopy built a box fold the tail gate down use my legs to lift it and slide it in it fits under the canopy window as it folds down. Large mattress in the bed then if I want to lock it I lock the canopy window use a stick on the inside so it can't be pushed in and tie a rope so it doesnt slide out. Works fine was cheap I want the canopy anways. I also slept in the front one night you need to stuff stuff under your legs in the front to make it work

 

[Irvinec32]

I found a truck bed tent that will actually fit a Maverick.

https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/forum/threads/maverick-truck-bed-tent-that-fits.21292/

 

[Sirk]

I saw this custom camper at the Overland Expo in Flagstaff. I think they’re on Instagram @wanderingtheweekend. It was really a nice build. He added airbags to help rear sag. I thought the tent top was genius.

This guy's setup is for real. Very impressive.

 

[Bigsarge]

This guy's setup is for real. Very impressive.

He should really consider building and selling these!!

 

[TREX10]

Okay, possibly crazy idea. And probably uncomfortable as all hell, assuming you're over 5'6. I'm sure other folks have thought of it but the diagonal length of the bed, back to opposite front corner is approximately 72". I need to come up with plans, and some digital mockups but you could build a triangular sleeping platform in the back and if you're not tall, hopefully fit and sleep without putting the tailgate down. The shape would probably be akin to a baseball diamond, and you could have the storage drawers run perpendicular to the bed on one side, with additional cubbies or drawers underneath but they'd be much shorter and have to have a diagonal entrance. And of course, this is predicated upon the existence of a hardtop being available, or ideally one taller than the Ford OEM one that's available. I managed to take a LiDAR scan of my bed, but I don't have access to any CAD packages since Autodesk changed the licensing for Fusion 360.

So y'all are going to have to contend with this awful sketch, but I hope that communicates the idea. You still retain access to the power inverter, or the cubbies depending on how you'd build it. But the end of the platform would have to be right up against the tailgate. It'd still be really tight for a lot of people though.

I bet that setup cost as much as the truck. I need something more economical

We were heading out on a 7 day road trip to Colorado to escape the Texas heat and got delayed one day. I built this setup in that day! It secured our gear in the bed while traveling, hotel nights and trail heads. We pulled into any campsite, pulled our camp boxes out, slid them under the truck, Lifted the top, bolted the 2x2 legs in to hold it up, threw in our double blow up, pillows, tossed over the mosquito netting and boom. I also used a tent fly in case any rain was forecast. We were lucky there.
Of course, I have a list of improvements to add
(waterproofing is a challenge with the unibody bed) but for a whim and a day, it worked out great! Paid for itself the first night camping instead of hotel $$$.

**We have a popup (which our Mav w/4k tow hauls fine) and have tent camped for many years... this is an addition for road trips!

 

[LSchicago]

I'm working with Radica in Denver and their Moonlander to see if it's feasible for the Maverick. You sleep across the bed.

 

[Irvinec32]

I am working on this. The polywall will probably be swapped out. But you can see the idea.

 

[LSchicago]

I am working on this. The polywall will probably be swapped out. But you can see the idea.

I've watched your videos on this, and a couple other builds. Unfortunately this is not going to work for 2 of us. Very creative though!

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