Coast Resorts Open Roads Forum: Our custom true flatbed truck camper build thread

Print | Close

Topic: Our custom true flatbed truck camper build thread

Posted By: Rettrooper on 01/26/14 07:12am

Most impressive. That is a true work of art.

2013 Eagle Cap 1160
2006 Ford F-350 SD CC Diesel

Posted By: Jfet on 01/27/14 05:07pm

Thanks for the nice comments. Time for a bit of an update. We had guests for the holidays and did not get any work done from thanksgiving until after new years day. This is the reason I have not been posting in the build thread. [emoticon]

The past couple of weekends we have worked on the loft wiring behind the headboard, including AC power for a sleep number RV mattress (very comfortable btw), 12V accessory outlets on each side, and 20 inch gooseneck LED reading lights on each side. We then built a maple headboard to cover all of the wiring and a side nightstand to hold the air pump for the mattress. The slots in the bottom are for access to the air hoses and will be covered by the mattress. The loft will have carpet on the floor and on the curve section of the forward ceiling. There will be a larger maple nightstand on the other side in addition to a large wardrobe.

In the rear of the camper we have started installing the 37 gallon freshwater and gray water tanks which will be under the kitchen counter. On the left side when facing the rear there is a section on the floor for two size 31 AGM batteries and above that will reside a 3000 watt Magnum inverter (when they get around to actually selling the new 3000 watt true sine version with generator sharing). I have some plumbing parts coming and will be diving into that soon. Then I will be working on the propane system for the furnace, water heater, stove, and fridge.

[image]

Posted By: kereams on 01/27/14 07:22pm

Nicd work as always.

Wouldn't you want all that water weight as far forward as possible? 325lbs or so with the tank.

Where do the batteries, black&grey, propane go?

*2011 F350 SRW CC/LB/PSD - Mods: Custom overload springs with custom early engagement blocks~Firestone Airbags~Hellwig Big Wig Rear Sway~Rancho RS9000XL~Bilstein Steering Damper~19.5" Hankook DH01'a on steel wheels.
*2012 Chalet Ascent S95R Camper

Posted By: Jfet on 01/27/14 08:08pm

kereams wrote:

Nicd work as always.

Wouldn't you want all that water weight as far forward as possible? 325lbs or so with the tank.

Where do the batteries, black&grey, propane go?

No no no.

Go back a long time ago in the thread where we discussed loading on the Isuzu flatbed truck. It has much more available capacity (over 7000 pounds still available) for the dually rear axle. The flatbed is 20 feet long and the base of the camper not counting the 6 foot overhang is 11 feet. The water tank, gray water tank and batteries are and should be in the back, close to the rear axle. The propane is going under the flatbed of the truck somewhere (plenty of room but haven't designed a particular position yet). There is no black tank, just the cassette for the Thetford C403 toilet.

Edit: Oh it may not have been clear in the picture, but the gray water tank is sitting on top of the fresh water tank (actually sitting on a 1 inch plywood table built a couple of inches above the fresh water tank). Each tank is about 9 inches high and 16 inches wide. The sink will be somewhat in the center above the gray water tank in the rear counter and will dump into the tank via a special type of water trap that doesn't use a u-bend and standing water.

As a reminder, this is what the camper will look like on the truck, without the garage pod on the back:

[image]

* This post was edited 01/27/14 08:17pm by Jfet *

Posted By: sabconsulting on 01/27/14 11:53pm

Phew - that is a relief, I was getting withdrawal symptoms from the lack of updates!

Great work as always. This is going to be one heck of a nice camper.

Steve.

'07 Ford Ranger XLT Supercab diesel + '91 Shadow Cruiser - Sky Cruiser 1
'98 Jeep TJ 4.0
'15 Ford Fiesta ST
'09 Fiat Panda 1.2

Posted By: kereams on 01/28/14 09:56am

Oh yes, now I remember. I didn't go back in the thread to remind myself. Great work! Keep the updates coming so I can live vicariously through you. [emoticon]

Posted By: jefe 4x4 on 02/09/14 11:57pm

Jfet,
I read thru all 26 ppgs. and can't find a resolution to the bed suspension. Is it to be a 3 point or a diamond shaped, 4 point or other? With the length of the frame on the truck it WILL flex the bed if left in the stock position with stock attachments.
There have been some very long and technical posts over on Expo Portal regarding flat bed attachments. The simplest was the same as used on a deuce-and-a-=half army truck with tabs on the flat bed; tabs on the frame with springs between and above the and a big bolt (like 3/4") and washers holding the whole thing together so whatever wants to lift, it can. I have not tried this. In fact there is no way to make a pickup bed into a a three point system, so I just loosen the rear tie downs and let the rear float when the frame gets into a twisty mode, and I have a short bed frame. Not much frame area to twist.
I am still in awe of your build. We can all learn something here.
jefe

'01.5 Dodge 2500 4x4, CTD, Qcab, SB, NV5600, 241HD, 4.10's, Dana 70/TruTrac; Dana 80/ TruTrac, Spintec hub conversion, H.D. susp, 315/75R16's on 7.5" and 10" wide steel wheels, Vulcan big line, Warn M15K winch '98 Lance Lite 165s, 8' 6" X-cab, 200w Solar

Posted By: Jfet on 02/10/14 05:50am

jefe4x4,

Right now we are leaving the flatbed connected to the Isuzu frame as it was done 7 years ago by the fitter. Their attachment method was u-bolts around the Isuzu frame rails to the flatbed rails.

We are planning to attach the camper to the flatbed with torklift spring mounts.

I am pretty sure everything is going to flex somewhat. I don't have any plans right now to change the way the steel flatbed is mounted to the steel Isuzu frame (the big u-bolts).

Edit: Oh, I realized that some of the discussion our camper tiedown (this may not be the part that you are concerned about) was in another thread. I did this because I thought it might spark a 45 page war on the best type of tiedown and didn't want to clog the main build thread [emoticon]

http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseac........d/tid/27174908/srt/pa/pging/1/page/1.cfm

What I ended up going with is similar to the mockup, except the rear torklifts pull forward. I have a mount already welded up and the flatbed frame drilled for it. I guess I should put a picture of that in the build thread here.

* This post was edited 02/10/14 06:19am by Jfet *

Posted By: Jfet on 02/10/14 08:11am

Here is my idea of one side of the rear tires going over a bump, causing a frame twist (probably near the cab). It is my understanding that the Isuzu frame rails are made to twist somewhat. I have read the 3.0x10^45 posts on ways to prevent or allow flex and came away with 3.00x10^44 opinions. New motto: Live and let flex?

The first two drawings are if the camper is rigid to the flatbed and how I think it might look going over the bump. The third photo is my idea of what the torklift spring mounts might do (exaggerated). Of course there could/will be flex front to aft, bending, who knows what, but hard for me to quickly draw that.

[image]

Posted By: jimh406 on 02/10/14 09:24am

The big offroad RV that has been shown on a few shows allows the entire bed/chassis to move. My guess is it is a frame over the main frame. If you haven't look at that, you might want to. I've been over some really rough ground with drops with my truck/camper. Truck beds are designed to flex somewhat. I don't think the torklift spring action comes into play in most cases offroad because you are moving really slow.

* This post was edited 02/10/14 09:30am by an administrator/moderator *

'10 Ford F-450, 6.4, 4.30, 4x4, 14,500 GVWR, '06 Host Rainer 950 DS, Torklift Talon tiedowns, Glow Steps, and Fastguns. Bilstein 4600s, Firestone Bags, Toyo M655 Gs, Curt front hitch, Energy Suspension bump stops.

NRA Life Member, CCA Life Member

Print | Close