Camper shell expo question

[mbryson]

I have a thought about my Cummins that might fit my needs reasonably well? I'm thinking of building a shelf/rack in the bed of the truck close to the cab to hold a few bins. The idea is to keep as much floor area as possible so my truck can do "truck" duty but still have a semi-comfortable dry/sheltered place to sleep. What kind of racks have people put in their trucks that house bins and how have they secured those for travel?

 

[johngottfredson]

 

[mbryson]

View attachment 105989

While very utilitarian, I'm not sure I'm ready to go there

 

[jeeper]

I have built platforms with sliding drawers that pull out (similar to Steve's van, but much more simple) This gives me very good storage inside the drawers, keeps things secure and organized. Then use the top platform for the normal bed space/sleeping area. It would not be a good option for heavy loads like dirt or gravel.. but you are not doing that with a shell anyway.

 

[mbryson]

I have built platforms with sliding drawers that pull out (similar to Steve's van, but much more simple) This gives me very good storage inside the drawers, keeps things secure and organized. Then use the top platform for the normal bed space/sleeping area. It would not be a good option for heavy loads like dirt or gravel.. but you are not doing that with a shell anyway.

The "platform" I'm thinking of would be about bed width x 2' or so long and open under it. Gives me a lot of flexibility for cargo duties and I can put my feet there when I sleep. Curious how people have secured bins and such to a "platform". Currently I'm thinking of a tube steel "rack" but haven't figured out how to keep them contained while moving.

 

[I Lean]

The "platform" I'm thinking of would be about bed width x 2' or so long and open under it. Gives me a lot of flexibility for cargo duties and I can put my feet there when I sleep. Curious how people have secured bins and such to a "platform". Currently I'm thinking of a tube steel "rack" but haven't figured out how to keep them contained while moving.

If you have the "rack" you describe (at least how I envision it), couldn't you secure bins in the rack with a simple strap across the open back of it? Or am I simplifying it too much?

 

[Rot Box]

I cut down a load bar (google 'semi trailer load bar') and use it to secure a few action packers and such in the front of my pickup bed. I've also thought about building shelves of sorts, but I really hate climbing up there to get stuff as it is :-\

This is on my christmas list I think it would work pretty sweet: http://decked.com

 

[mbryson]

The decked stuff is pretty cool but my beef with a camper shell (or tent) is headroom and that takes it away. I'm hoping my super cool sleeping pad will keep me warm and I can use the rack in the front to organize and hold stuff. I might mock it up tomorrow and see how it looks

If you have the "rack" you describe (at least how I envision it), couldn't you secure bins in the rack with a simple strap across the open back of it? Or am I simplifying it too much?

basically, yes but I wanted it kind of caged for travel on the bed floor then I could put up on top of the shelf if I wanted the bed floor room

 

[mbryson]

Sort of like this conceptually but split evenly with a flip up/down gate to control the cargo. Need to find the right height storage bins

 

[GONOVRIT]

I have a semi high top camper on my cummins with an 8' bed. I have a 70gal aux tank and still fit a 6' frame built out of 1'' square tube that is about 18'' high and fits between the wheel wells. I cut 2 pieces of OSB for the top. I have 2 totes of spare parts/tools and 2 longer totes with wheels that hold our camping supplies. These have strings attached so I can pull them out as they sit in the back against the tank. We've used a number of different things over the yrs for a mattress but have settled on a 4'' mattress topper. With the extra height of the top we can easily sit totally upright when needed.

With the weight of the totes and the bottom of the frame mine can't hardly move unless lifted over the lip. I thoroughly enjoy camping remotely without having to deal with a tent or air mattress.

 

[mesha]

Sort of like this conceptually

That seems about as simple as it could be made. I am not sure the weight of bins would work on top, but you could put all the other stuff up there.

I did a whole paltform deal and it was super awesome. I routinely slept me, jami, and cedar on the platform and all our gear fit under nicely.
https://www.rme4x4.com/showthread.php?88549-truck-bed-sleeping-platform&highlight=sleeping+platform

 

[DAA]

Sort of like this conceptually

My Dad ran camper shells with that setup from as long ago as I can remember up until he died. Slept so many nights on those platforms I couldn't begin to count them. Rode there going to/from so many places it's crazy too (Dad never owned anything but regular cabs).

One thing he did with his, can't tell from the pic if that one is like this or not... But he used a heavy duty piano hinge so that the platform folded. Folding part obviously can't be any wider than will clear top of the shell. But provided much wider sleeping platform for taking up less than an inch additional vertical space.

- DAA

 

[mbryson]

I've meant to add a few pics for quite some time now. On a phone call so I have a multi-task moment.





Just your basic Rhino-lined and floor matted old man truck bed interior. I'd like to just use the floor mat as a "clean" surface and lay my sleeping pad right on that (talk to me about thermal conductivity there Davy) and roll the mat back if I need to use the truck bed. I like the shelf concept I listed above and would make a shelf with some storage bins to contain stuff and keep dust out of sleeping gear.

My plan is to crawl up in the bed (fiberglass "tent" already put up), remove my sleeping pad from a container and roll it out on the rubber mat, then throw down a pillow and bag and be "camping". Kind of a permanent type RTT but more aerodynamic and without the foldout and fabric drawbacks of a tent. One or two containers for sleeping gear and another for primitive cooking gear and a lantern. The only real drawbacks I can see are the limited vertical space (depending on tent you can have the same type of issue) and a little more time involved if I need to pull the shell off (I'm older or this shell is heavier than others I've had---I've always taken the shell off myself but I need a steering hand from a helper now).

I really haven't spent much time with this project lately as I'm working on modularizing an ARB compressor I traded for to plug-in to the Dodge and be able to swap to the Jeep, working on the kitchen my wife is starting to love (pulling electrical through a finished basement ceiling over my pool table is a little challenging) and doing the RR4W Labor Day Campout thing has taken up a bunch of time and funds.

 

[mesha]

With that truck mat and your sleeping pad you shouldn't have any problem with cold.

What sleeping pad will you be using?

 

[mbryson]

With that truck mat and your sleeping pad you shouldn't have any problem with cold.

What sleeping pad will you be using?

Self-inflating unit Exped SIM Comfort Duo 7.5

 

[Pile of parts]

I do find that shells are not watertight. You will get some seepage and water on the floor of the bed.

 

[mesha]

Self-inflating unit Exped SIM Comfort Duo 7.5

With a R-value of 6.4 and a rubber mat under you there should be zero problems with cold.

 

[mbryson]

I do find that shells are not watertight. You will get some seepage and water on the floor of the bed.

It has weatherstripping but I'm still suspicious it could leak. Esp. around the rear hatch area.

 

[MOODY]

This is on my christmas list I think it would work pretty sweet: http://decked.com

After only getting seriously ridiculous offers for my Tundra I decided to keep it, and I ordered the Decked system for it. For me it should allow use of the bed for hauling the dog and such, though I can keep my gear inside there and hidden away.


If your truck has the cargo tie downs on the rail like Tundras, there is a kit from Inno that allows you to mount a couple bars along those rails. The bars could be cut and then placed close together to put a couple of bins on.

 

[mbryson]

After only getting seriously ridiculous offers for my Tundra I decided to keep it, and I ordered the Decked system for it. For me it should allow use of the bed for hauling the dog and such, though I can keep my gear inside there and hidden away.


If your truck has the cargo tie downs on the rail like Tundras, there is a kit from Inno that allows you to mount a couple bars along those rails. The bars could be cut and then placed close together to put a couple of bins on.

Checked the website for Inno and didn't find anything for a truck bed. However you did spur a thought of just using a few cargo bars to secure the bins and possibly supporting them during the night so I'd have a full 8' bed.