OEM Tray And Panther Rebuild

[Defulmmt]

I recently had an OEM Aluma tray installed on my 2019 F250.

The tray has four under bed toolboxes and two above tray tool boxes that run the whole length of the 6.75” bed. In addition there is a seven inch bulk head with storage as seen in the attached photo.

Our goal is to make the camper more comfortable for our 5 week excursions which start in the last week of October. We decided after the last trip that we needed to make the camper more comfortable during those cold nights that start early that time of year. My wife and I are in our mid 70s and travel with our 36 year old Down Syndrome son.

First, we needed more storage space, the tray will provide that.

Second, we needed a kitchen set up in the camper so when it’s 25F with a stiff wind we can cook inside without making a half dozen trips between the camper and the rear seat area of the cab. I purchased a Dometic CFX5-45L cooler to sit in the camper. I’ll also convert some storage in the camper from tools to kitchen gear and reorganize my existing battery box for the same purpose.

The third goal is to improve the heating system in the camper. First step is to improve insulation. I’m installing 1” xps foam on the wooden camper foundation with a 1/2” birch plywood over layer.

I’ll keep posting as I build this out over the summer.

 

[ski3pin]

Best wishes on your project and we look forward to seeing your ideas and progress!

 

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

Yes keep posting photos of your project.
Thanks.
Frank

 

[Defulmmt]

I’ve made some progress on the flooring. 1” xps foam is glued and screwed to the 3/4 inch plywood subfloor. I have the 1/2” birch plywood cut and fitted. I’ll caulk around all edges to prevent moisture intrusion under the floor

I am reluctant to use a vinyl flooring because the camper will be exposed to -40 F/C conditions (it can get pretty cold here). My plan is to use the birch plywood as the finish flooring. The advice I’ve received is to use water based satin polyurethane, 4 coats, with a nonslip additive added to the final coat with light sanding between coats of poly. Another advantage of using birch plywood as the finish flooring is not adding any additional weight on top of the plywood.

Any advice from the forum would be appreciated.

I’ll add photos as work progresses.

 

[Taku]

Have never had an issue with the floors in two different campers stored outside while living in Jackson, WY Driggs, ID and now Montana.

 

[goinoregon]

good luck with your buildout. i am a big fan of the 1/2" birch ply. i also use the h20 poly, but have not put it in an exterior environment. its tuff. do u guys take the camper south? to get a bit higher temps??

 

[Defulmmt]

Thanks for the reply taku, it led me to reevaluate this idea. I do think the sheet vinyl in my Panther contracted a bit after a cold spell, but not too much. I started thinking about all the future scratches on that birch finish, so I brought the birch into a flooring shop in Great Falls for a sheet vinyl finish.

We are generally tied down April to October, after then we usually take a 5 week trip through Utah, New Mexico and Arizona