62 replies to this topic

[pods8]

Sorta timely DD posted up his thread, I've been throwing together thoughts on doing a custom camper as well and have been studying up on the construction method I've been thinking about for a couple months. I've got a fairly good feeling on the concept there and the next step is to get some supplies in and make up some sample pieces.

Parallel path to that I need to get the actual camper designed. Pretty much will need to know about all major attachment points before construction begins. This will also be going on a flatbed. Current thought is for a 7.5' long, 83" wide camper on a short box truck (should only be ~6-7" longer than my hawk as I'll be able to get it closer to the truck cab without a front rack on the flatbed). The profile height will be driven by the final decisions on the cab over, I can make a nice thin over cab profile like FWC/ATC or I can add in a few inches to it to get a 3" storage compartment under the cab over mattress. Trade off of storage verse a sleeker profile.

But I'm getting ahead of myself, the first step here is figuring out a good floor plan. Goal is to accommodate 2 adults, 2 kids. Ideally have room for 2 people to be moving around at a time and seating for the others during that time. The pictures below is what I've thrown together so far:

Stats:
*40" wide dinette (78" long in bed mode)
*the counter top is around 3' long right now (little less than desired but might consider cutting board style pullouts on the dinette side and under the sink for extra space.
*The red block would be a 12V compressor freezer/fridge which would provide extra counter space when closed
*The gray block along the front of the camper taking foot room away from the counter area may go away, its a place holder depending on water tank selection.
*Dinette is setup in two parts so it can form a single bed/couch and half size table as well.







So those are my initial thoughts, hit me with any feedback or suggestions for consideration at this point. Its good to get outside opinions.

[Barko1]

Interesting drawings! Of course everything has compromise, it seems it will be tough to exit, especially the 3 AM nature call, with the bed across the back. Make the kids sleep in the truck

[pods8]

Interesting drawings! Of course everything has compromise, it seems it will be tough to exit, especially the 3 AM nature call, with the bed across the back. Make the kids sleep in the truck

The door is on the side in the space between the fridge (red block) and the dinette.

[Overland Hadley]

The flatbed design sure is nice, with the extra storage and the door being located on the side.

Are you going to build it yourself?

If I am not careful, I will decide to build my camper myself.

We need a custom camper sub forum!

[pods8]

Are you going to build it yourself?

That is the plan. Going to play around with sample materials in the near future to get a feel for things and will decide to pursue from there. Its a bit cold out currently for large scale work even if I was ready though.

Lots of little nuances about the actual building that are taken for granted when you just buy something and it works will need to be ironed out.

[MarkBC]

What software are you using for the drawings? Sure is a handy way to do a mock-up/test-layout.

[DirtyDog]

Aha I like seeing these drawings it helps me in my process I did some initial drawings in Google Sketchup which is an easy to learn and helpful tool for 3d visualization.

I like what you have done except for one thing: it is really lacking in counter space. You will definitely want to use appliances like the Dometic with the flush glass lids so that your stove and sink can double as counter space. I'm pondering improving my counter space by having a segment that can fold out of the way when I'm not using it.

[pods8]

Aha I like seeing these drawings it helps me in my process I did some initial drawings in Google Sketchup which is an easy to learn and helpful tool for 3d visualization.

I like what you have done except for one thing: it is really lacking in counter space. You will definitely want to use appliances like the Dometic with the flush glass lids so that your stove and sink can double as counter space. I'm pondering improving my counter space by having a segment that can fold out of the way when I'm not using it.

I'm using autocad 2005.

Yeah its lacking some and I'm still stewing over it. As mentioned I could have some pull out/fold out portions from the left side (towards the dinette seat) and along the front of the camper to help. Also there is above the fridge and the dinette table.

I'll be doing covered appliances whether that means I pull the SMEV ones from my current camper, order new ones, or build custom counter tops with lids for the appliances (still researching this one).

[jcfly]

I like the half table/full table. For additional counter space, you could consider a fold-up counter mounted to the left side of the red block that may come up flush with the sink.
Just my two cents, of course.

[pods8]

I like the half table/full table. For additional counter space, you could consider a fold-up counter mounted to the left side of the red block that may come up flush with the sink.
Just my two cents, of course.

Yeah that is one of the ideas I was trying to convey above, either fold out/slide out in that area and maybe a small one off the left of the counter top (it would need to get retracted to let the person out of the dinette though).