5 replies to this topic

[86Fleet2]

I have an 86 Fleet II. It had a rough life before I purchased it and I love it, but it is time to start doing some work on it. I have used it for a few years and made a few minor modifications. My camera is having some issues right now, but basically the interior looks like the picture someone posted of their Scout right down to the brown plaid upholstery.

I would love to slowly re-do several parts of the camper. I found the upper bunk too cramped. It had a simple hinge design and part of the bunk just folded down to form a couch back to make an L-shaped couch area in the main camper. I ended up taking the hinged part of the bed off and the mattress off the top. I had to replace the wood under the mattress and I just never put the mattress back. I use the area as a large shelf and dog bed.

I am curious about the newer upper bed design. It looks like the mattress folds up on itself and the bed pulls out like a drawer. Can anyone describe how the bed works? Also, is the bed a comfortable place to sleep or is limited head room an issue?

I am also curious about the new tent material. It looks like it is just a single layer of heavy vinyl. Mine is vinyl on the outside with thin foam and then a nylon layer on the inside. It does provide a bit of insulation, but it is badly mildewed and there are a few leaking issues. Is the newer tent material just vinyl? Does it insulate much or do you need the artic pack with it? Also do the new campers have the elastic inside straps to help pull the tenting material in or is there a new design? Are seems on the top glued or sewn?

I am also curious about the new pull out couch design. My couch is pretty simple. To make it into a bed you pull out a couple of hinged boards along the base of the couch and then you lift the back of the couch and put it on top of those boards. This gets old very quickly especially with three eager dogs jumping all over the bed as you are trying to build it. Once made the bed is fine.

I really like Mark's couch design. Are there issues with taking ideas from the board and using or modifying them? I think that his idea might work well for me. I'd like being able to put things under the couch without lifting the cushions. One of my dogs is fascinated by the under seat storage and attempts to dive in every time I pull a cusion up. The dogs also see no reason to stand on the floor so I tend to have a bit of extra weight on the cushions.

Has anyone done any work on the top of their camper? I don't seem to have any leaks, but it is looking tired and I would like to clean it up and maybe topcoat it or something.

To get electricity to my camper I just string an extension cord through the front window. I would love ideas about simple electrical systems.

We use this camper as a home base during dog agility trials. We use it hard, but it has been great. I don't use the stove, so I took the propane canister out and use that area to store muddy wet items. I use the ice box as a secure cupboard for food so I bring an igloo cooler to use as an ice box. I mounted a board on top of the cooler and a mat on top of that. It doubles as our step into the camper. It makes a great wide step that even my older dog finds easy to use. There are sometimes little leaks at the front of the camper. Since I use the area as a shelf, I just toss a towel in the corner. I put four eye hooks in the ceiling over the aisle. When I am at a site without showers, I hang a camping shower stall in the aisle. I use a camping shower for water and a small horse feeder to catch the water. I also have one of those fabric shelf units made for a closet. I suspend it from the ceiling at the end of the counter. I use for clothing. I also use the eye hooks in the ceiling to put up a camping clothesline. I just hang my damp towel up there in the evening and it is almost always dry by morning.

Sorry for such a long post. I just found this forum last night and it is great to find a site for ideas.

[Mark W. Ingalls]

Welcome to the family.

Feel free to use any material I have posted at your own risk.

[ScottBailey]

Welcome to the board!

Are there issues with taking ideas from the board and using or modifying them?

Only if you don't post pics! Nah, no issues. But if you do any mod, you should post your experience--good or bad--so the next guy can learn from it.

We have a pull out bed on our ATC, it works great. Head room is OK. We travel with the slider pushed in and the spare cushions down below. Our cushions are 4" foam and are plenty comfortable.

[SunMan]

Hello and welcome. I think if you watched the videos in this post it would answer many of your questions...good luck.

http://www.wanderthe...read.php?t=1870

[pods8]

I am curious about the newer upper bed design. It looks like the mattress folds up on itself and the bed pulls out like a drawer. Can anyone describe how the bed works?

Depends which model you have (regular over cab is 32" I believe and extended is 48", on a hawk style camper atleast). Either way when there is a pull out in the camper a 1/2" plywood board is the extended portion and it slides under the mattress when not in use. It is supported by slides on the side and a front wood piece (if you look in my black turtle thread I just built a slide out for mine that didn't have one). I believe the 32" bed uses a 2" mattress that folds in half on itself. The 48" bed uses a 4" mattress that is in sections (the portions one slide out are separate from the main mattress to allow the slide to be pushed in and the extra sections stowed out of the way).

Are there issues with taking ideas from the board and using or modifying them?

If there are I'm in trouble...

To get electricity to my camper I just string an extension cord through the front window. I would love ideas about simple electrical systems.

Are you talking 120V or 12V? If you wanted 120 wired in you can easily add a RV plug in the the outside if you wanted (looks like a normal outdoor receptacle cover till you open it and there is a male plug in there). 12V again you could easily wire connections to your vehicle if you wanted. But if you like what you got roll with it.


If you wanted new sideliner you can get your dimensions and call either ATC or FWC and they'll be able to make a new one. ATC does storm flaps on the outside of theirs and FWC has done away with them. I don't know a ton about the material but I believe there are some threads on it.

[zonker]

Great to have you in the group! Also thanks for the tip about your shower setup. I posted a "Shower Enclosure" question on the forum earlier in the week and with your post and the others I now have a quite a few options. Your idea would sure be nice on a cold yukky day. Would definitely beat standng outside. But I need to have you explain a little more in detail what you do with the runoff from the shower?