247 replies to this topic

[Vic Harder]

Nice job. I like the attachment idea. Looking forward to watching the build. jd

+1  Are the tubes attached to the camper going to be bolted to the jack supports?  I'd want those corners in the camper beefed up lots.  The jacks do a fine job of holding the camper up, but as those who have hit something (or been hit) with/on the jack while driving can attest, they don't handle being torqued in any other direction.  Frame manglement and carnage results.

 

Unless they are "guides" only and there is another secure mounting method in your plans?  

[Ourayphotography]

Basic bed frame is mostly there. What a job.

Now I need to decide on a final deck material and I can start laying out the new camper base. Aluminum diamond plate would be ideal, but $$$$$$, so searching for some used alum. 

Time to design new bumpers as well. 

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Edited by Ourayphotography, 14 December 2018 - 12:10 AM.

[Vic Harder]

Is a deck surface actually needed?  There was one fellow on here with a Mexican diesel powered Ford Ranger that had ATC build a straight bolt-onto-the-frame version of a camper for him.  No framing like you did, no decking.  Maybe a 1/4" sheet of marine plywood to act as a sacrificial layer/buffer between the dirt/water kicked up underneath and the camper itself is all you need?

[Ourayphotography]

Is a deck surface actually needed?  There was one fellow on here with a Mexican diesel powered Ford Ranger that had ATC build a straight bolt-onto-the-frame version of a camper for him.  No framing like you did, no decking.  Maybe a 1/4" sheet of marine plywood to act as a sacrificial layer/buffer between the dirt/water kicked up underneath and the camper itself is all you need?

 

Hey Vic, yes that is a simple option, but I am planning to have a working truck bed since the camper will only get mounted for trips. Plywood has crossed my mind, but with the extreme weather here, no matter how it is prepped, it will not last. Pondering other plastics options, but nothing yet. thanks for thoughts 

[So Cal Adventurer]

I am loving this build! 

[Ourayphotography]

Ok, I would be lying if I did not say it is a slow grind, and taking all I have mentally to keep my head in it. Uncharted territory, so I am making a lot of time consuming mistakes. Constantly cutting completed work off and doing it twice. Dont they say "measure 4 times, cut 2 times"? Quite a complicated puzzle, and using light tubing makes it very difficult to keep things straight. 

So, when I figure and complete the box transition for the rear section, I can pull it off and slide it under the camper to figure how to bring the 2 together. There will still be a foot or 2 of walls to build to bring it up the the remaining aluminum structure. 

 

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[Ourayphotography]

I am loving this build! 

 

Thanks!

[Ourayphotography]

Picked up a couple of aluminum signs from the recycler, we may have a bed deck with character!

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[Living The Dream]

It looks super professional from here so I say keep it up. 

[shellback]

Ok, I would be lying if I did not say it is a slow grind, and taking all I have mentally to keep my head in it. Uncharted territory, so I am making a lot of time consuming mistakes. Constantly cutting completed work off and doing it twice. Dont they say "measure 4 times, cut 2 times"? Quite a complicated puzzle, and using light tubing makes it very difficult to keep things straight. 

So, when I figure and complete the box transition for the rear section, I can pull it off and slide it under the camper to figure how to bring the 2 together. There will still be a foot or 2 of walls to build to bring it up the the remaining aluminum structure. 

Kinda how my build went. Have a plan and execute it. Once done, you get to looking at it and realize that won't work! Back to the drawing board! I bet as many hours sitting in my build figuring how I wanted to to do things, as I did  building. The good news is when you are done, it's what YOU want, not the manufacturer.