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

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Topic: Our custom true flatbed truck camper build thread

Posted By: Jfet on 10/05/15 04:39pm

Hi Wes,

You are only as old as you act. We were riding snowmobiles a few years ago deep in the mountains and came across a solo lady rider who was 78 years old on a 800cc Polaris mountain sled with a chainsaw strapped to the side!

I don't really have a go to forum for the WR250R but generally use Google search when I have a issue. I did solve the non-cranking problem we both had this summer. I replaced the fuel pump in each bike after mine quit on me again while getting ready to ride on the beach in Ocean Shores, WA [emoticon]

A web search revealed this was/is a common problem but they changed the fuel pump design in 2014. I got the 2014+ model on Amazon for about $100 cheaper than a dealer and did the install myself (changed the spark plug while I had the fuel tank off since it is so hard to gain access). I still think it is a great bike...no other issues.

Posted By: Wes Tausend on 10/05/15 04:46pm

Jfet wrote:

Thanks. Good info. Came within an inch of buying a 2008 WR a week ago. Wish I had acted sooner as they are a bit rare around here.

I'm only in my late 60's. I think it's like my buddy said, "You don't quit riding because you get old; you get old because you quit riding."

Wes
...

Days spent camping are not subtracted from one's total.
- 2019 Leprechaun 311FS Class C
- Linda, Wes and Quincy the Standard Brown Poodle

Posted By: noteven on 10/06/15 05:51am

Wes Tausend wrote:

Jfet wrote:

Hi Wes,

You are only as old as you act. ....

Jfet wrote:

I'm only in my late 60's. I think it's like my buddy said, "You don't quit riding because you get old; you get old because you quit riding."

Wes
...

roger that Jfet & Wes [emoticon]

Posted By: Jfet on 10/21/15 08:58am

We took the camper to Mount St. Helens last week (first time ever visiting even though we have lived in WA state nearly 20 years).

We stayed at the Lower Falls campground on Lewis river. This is a great time of year to go as we had the entire campground to ourselves the first night. The falls are about a 2 minute walk from the camp site we chose.

We unloaded the motorcycles and rode them up FS road 25 then 90 to the Helens crater. This is a very good motorcycle ride and the day was a sunny 65 degrees.

On the way back from Helens we decided to take a detour to the WA coast since we were relatively close to Long Beach, WA. We ended up staying two nights on the beach at the Cape Disappointment state park and rode our motorcycles some 20 miles up the beach.

The camper/truck did quite well on the bumps (even got it on some dirt and gravel going to Lower Falls) and averaged 10mpg which made me pleased. The propane cage we added under the truck (holds three 20 pound cylinders) let us use the furnace and stove on this trip. We didn't run the furnace much because the camper seems to stay warm in this milder season (2 inches of wall insulation paying off).

[image]

Posted By: jimh406 on 10/21/15 09:16am

Truly unique, looks great!

'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

Posted By: Grit dog on 10/21/15 10:58am

Awesome camper and I just put St Helens on the must visit list!

2016 Ram 2500, MotorOps.ca EFIlive tuned, 5” turbo back, 6" lift on 37s
2017 Heartland Torque T29 - Sold.
Couple of Arctic Fox TCs - Sold

Posted By: cewillis on 10/21/15 11:38am

Looking great. How much do those motorcycles weight?
(not worried about your rear axle)

Cal

Posted By: Jfet on 10/21/15 11:50am

cewillis wrote:

Looking great. How much do those motorcycles weight?
(not worried about your rear axle)

About 290lbs each dry. We could put 3000 pounds in the garage pod and still not have a problem with the rear axle.

I wouldn't want a heavier bike but I have seen 400 to 500 pound BMW dual sports on single track. Not sure how they do it.

Posted By: bka0721 on 10/21/15 06:24pm

This is and has been one of my favorite threads to follow here. Sorry, Jfet you just can’t post enough pictures and info about your build and now, being used! Basecamping and exploring is not something that is frequently posted here, by others.

Right about this time in 2014, I found myself discovering the Mt St Helens area too. I fell in love with the area that my intended 2 nights extended into 3 weeks of hiking and motorcycle discover riding in and around the area, kayaking on the Cowlitz & Toutle Rivers. Proudly, all boondocking, which is my norm. Met some wonderful people who in turn welcomed me to visit, their large properties, to base camp to explore, all the way to the coast and Astoria. After that, kayaking on the Rogue River, for 5 days too.

[image]

Jfet wrote:

cewillis wrote:

Looking great. How much do those motorcycles weight?
(not worried about your rear axle)

Jfet, as for Adventure Bikes, you are a bit off, they are around 700+ lbs. While the majority of riders never get them out of the urban areas and OHV areas, there are some of us that are quite adept and ride the single tracks, especially in Death Valley and Southern Utah. While I will pull out one of my two dirt bikes (CRFX 450 @ 261 lbs., 500 EXC @ 269 lbs.), my GSA certainly has the scratches, dents, caked on dirt and grime of daily off road riding. For me, there is nothing like riding one of the increasing numbers of Backcountry Discovery Routes on an Adventure Bike.

These Adventure Bikes, seem to take me to some of the most wonderful and beautiful locations. This is why I laugh, silently, when some scoff at my ability to reach such remote locations, but I do.

[image]

Climbing up into Death Valley on some of the back trails don’t slow some of the more experienced riders.

[image]

Some days the bike gets tired and picks a place to take a nap. Granted, a hazard of most off road riding, but a little more work when the bikes are laden with overnighting gear.

[image]

Then riding the trails along the San Juan River, running below Muley Point, drying out the boots is a day end necessity.

[image]

Hope to see some of you out on the road, during some of the best Truck Camper exploring season Labor Day through Memorial Day.

b

Posted By: DavidP on 05/11/16 09:05am

Amazing job! My brother out west is big into Adventure riding and has a couple GS's. Your rig look like something out of the Rawhyde Adventure group he rides with. Again, great job and amazing rig!

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