Motorhome Magazine Open Roads Forum: Truck Campers: good use of space


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southerlytide2

Canton NC west of asheville

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Joined: 03/06/2005

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Posted: 10/05/08 09:05pm

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Awhile back I bought a 881 lance for my shortbed chevy, then I wanted to upgrade so I bought a 3500 dually long bed. Problem was what to do with about 8" of space. Lots of ideas none which really was what I wanted. So heres my answer My wife calls it the box, she told my daughter thats all hes done is work on "that box" Since I am a acft mechanic I have access to brakes, shears, and welders all of which I can work with. I found some alumium at a salvage yard so I built a Box
56"x8x12 with a 12x8x54 water tank on the bottom that fits down in truck bed it has a water pump built in with a gage so I can pump the 35 gal of h2o into the camper if needed. also theres a inverter for outside things I had one in the garage so I mounted it along withn the gage. I stared to build it out of wood and then fiberglass it and buy a poly tank for the water. But I like mine it is nice to have some weight

to counter the 7" the camper doesnt come foward it will work well at the beach having the extra water.well enough talk heres some pic

* This post was edited 10/08/08 05:25pm by southerlytide2 *

pjay9

Tacoma, WA

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Posted: 10/06/08 12:12am

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Great JOB and good images! Another 250# of water up forward, should help the ride, but what does it do to milage...or is air resistance the real issue in fuel eco? Nice use of the space for sure with great results. On top are they rod holders? Capt PJ

2005 Lance 1161/2004 Dodge CTD 3500 Dually

southerlytide2

Canton NC west of asheville

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Posted: 10/06/08 05:36am

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Yes. I do my fair share of beach/fishing/camping some of it where there is no water elect etc...so the extra water is good.dont know about gas milage as I just finished the BOX.

~DJ~

Boise, Idaho

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Posted: 10/06/08 07:11am

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Very cool!!!

I had to move my camper back 4" so the tie downs would clear the rear dually fenders. I have a treated 4x4 to fill the space. I have been thinking along the lines of what you have done but 4" is not a lot to work with!!

Great job!! Thanks for sharing!!

05 Dodge Ram 3500 SLT SC DRW 4X4 CTD G56 373's CAI,Edge Juice/Attitude,Jake,Rancho9000x,Torklift tie downs,Superhitch,Stable Loads
04 S&S Avalanche 9' with slide
26th Marines RVN 69-70 Semper Fi
M-14 was the only Woodstock I saw in 1969.

Camp, Forrest, Camp!

Boise, ID

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Posted: 10/06/08 08:26am

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I really admire folks who can do stuff like that. I rarely run out of fresh water. What I need is a box for gray water.

-2000 Chevy K3500 CC DRW. 7.4L, Auto, 1985 Lance 900, 1999 Bayliner Capri 1800LS Outboard
-Air Lift bags, Torklift tie-downs, Superhitch w/48", Rancho RS9000X, K&N FIPK, MagnaFlow exhaust, Hypertech.

JoeChiOhki

Keizer, Oregon

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Posted: 10/06/08 10:31am

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~DJ~ wrote:

You could make a 4" wide, 4' tall aluminum water tank that spans the front of the truck bed. You'd be suprised at how much water that would actually hold.

CB Channel 17 Space Ghost
'1991.5 Dodge W-250 Power Wagon - Club Cab Long Bed V8 5.9L 4spd H.D Auto 4x4 4.10 Gears
'1974 KIT Kamper 1106 - 11' Slide-in
'1987 Pullman Mini Camper
'2004 Bi-Mart 4x8 Cargo Trailer

OBXcamper

Salem Va

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Posted: 10/06/08 03:41pm

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VERY nice. The extra water will be nice for washing down reels. I like the rod holders on top.

'03 2500HD CrewCab SB 6.0 Gas 4x4
'04 Northstar Laredo SC
No Ranchos, no air bags, no problem

SoCalDesertRider

SanDiego, CA, USA

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Posted: 10/06/08 09:38pm

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I like it!

92F350 CrewCab 4x4 351/C6
LoadNGo service body
69Bronco ATC250R CR500
20' BigTex flatbed carhauler

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