16 replies to this topic

[nixfwc]

I also saw this free space when I upgraded from my 05 Tacoma to my 03 Chev 2500HD Diesel. Unable to let the free space just exist, I have built a new cabinet under the passenger side, accessible through hatches from the inside. Cabinet is 6 inch by 8 inch and about 4 feet long.I also pushed out the passenger front side 6 inches to line up with the rear. The extra interior space feels good.There still is a space at the front outside which will be for the battery. I was going to do the same cabinet on the drivers side but I like the idea of a grey water tank better. There is a nice concave space on the side of the trucks bed that should hold a 6 inch PCV pipe and plumbing nicely. On going mods; it would be great just to be able to use the dam thing. Beginning to look like the Winchester house.

[billharr]

I also saw this free space when I upgraded from my 05 Tacoma to my 03 Chev 2500HD Diesel. Unable to let the free space just exist, I have built a new cabinet under the passenger side, accessible through hatches from the inside. Cabinet is 6 inch by 8 inch and about 4 feet long.I also pushed out the passenger front side 6 inches to line up with the rear. The extra interior space feels good.There still is a space at the front outside which will be for the battery. I was going to do the same cabinet on the drivers side but I like the idea of a grey water tank better. There is a nice concave space on the side of the trucks bed that should hold a 6 inch PCV pipe and plumbing nicely. On going mods; it would be great just to be able to use the dam thing. Beginning to look like the Winchester house.

We need pictures. I wish I had that much room.

[EdoHart]

I used to stuff extra canned food into both sides of the area in front of the wheel wells. I realized that I could fit a 150 AmH battery in that same space. I welded a custom battery box and bolted it to the truck bed and tied it down with a 3 inch wide nylon strap. I still put extra canned food in the other side.

[BSS]

I fill my front wheelwells with canned beer in heavy duty nylon bags. Makes for good out of the way storage. No can has never broken or rubbed thru yet, even on the slow 4wd roads.

I don't know if moving the camper back in a longbed would increase drag coefficient / decrease MPG and by how much?

[ntsqd]

I centered our short bed camper over the axle of our long bed truck. Gives a bit of a porch to step on at the rear while still leaving room at the front of the bed to stow the camp chairs, jack, etc. Still pondering the best use of the volumes on each side. Am tempted to build a grey water holding tank on the DS for use in those areas where a simple drain hose isn't the right choice, and an ABS holder for the base station antenna mast on the PS but that still leaves a lot of room. Moving the batteries out of the camper is tempting, but I am a little concerned about keeping them warm enough in cold weather. If/when I build a flatbed the batteries will have their own insulated box in the bed structure.

[BobM]

[PaulT]

We put charcoal briquets and two white Weber solid starter blocks in an egg carton and stuff in that space. When it's time to use the charcoal grill, pull out a carton and start your fire. With the smaller grills, a dozen briquets is usually plenty for burgers or brats, etc. In wet weather, stuff the carton in a bread bag before storing in that space. Keeps camper cleaner and better organized.

Paul