- First Name
- Alex
- Joined
- Aug 25, 2023
- Threads
- 1
- Messages
- 3
- Reaction score
- 14
- Location
- Massachusetts
- Vehicle(s)
- 2022 Ford Maverick - FX4
- Engine
- 2.0L EcoBoost
- Thread starter
- #1
I bought a system one ladder rack for cheap with the goal of creating a bed camper similiar to the Go Fast Camper design. This rack has served as a great base to build off of due to the fact that you can use the track to add any amount of cleats to mount panels and brackets. The material is also easy to cut and drill through when needed.
First thing I had to do was modify the rack as it was for a larger tacoma truck bed. It was pretty easy to disassemble and cut down. In order to get it to the proper dimensions i only had to cut the two bed rails as well as the two upper crossmembers. Once new mounting holes where drilled the rack went back together very easily.
Once I had the system one rack in, I did some basic modeling of the truck bed so that i could gauge all the parts i would need.
Then it was on to product purchasing and build planning.
*Disclaimer: I run the shop at a company that builds high end custom camper vans on the Mercedes sprinter and Ford Transit chassis. So I have plenty of access to additional hardware and brackets that allowed me to keep my budget tight*
Parts needed: System one rack, Truck cap C-clamps (4) 4 pieces of 50" 80x20 aluminum extrusion 10 series (with 4 flat mounting plates), 13/16" offset piano hinges(4), 15" gas Struts (4), T twist cam latches (4), various brackets and hardware.
Build went smooth, panels are plastic extrusion that was actually a factory floor out of a mercedes sprinter. Eventual plan is to buy a clamshell rooftop tent to mount on top, and seal the panels with some trimlock/ weather stripping of some kind.
First thing I had to do was modify the rack as it was for a larger tacoma truck bed. It was pretty easy to disassemble and cut down. In order to get it to the proper dimensions i only had to cut the two bed rails as well as the two upper crossmembers. Once new mounting holes where drilled the rack went back together very easily.
Once I had the system one rack in, I did some basic modeling of the truck bed so that i could gauge all the parts i would need.
Then it was on to product purchasing and build planning.
*Disclaimer: I run the shop at a company that builds high end custom camper vans on the Mercedes sprinter and Ford Transit chassis. So I have plenty of access to additional hardware and brackets that allowed me to keep my budget tight*
Parts needed: System one rack, Truck cap C-clamps (4) 4 pieces of 50" 80x20 aluminum extrusion 10 series (with 4 flat mounting plates), 13/16" offset piano hinges(4), 15" gas Struts (4), T twist cam latches (4), various brackets and hardware.
Build went smooth, panels are plastic extrusion that was actually a factory floor out of a mercedes sprinter. Eventual plan is to buy a clamshell rooftop tent to mount on top, and seal the panels with some trimlock/ weather stripping of some kind.
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