A very nice built FWC on Ford super duty.

[slooowr6]

Hi All,
Here is a FWC I saw in Yellowstone. It's very nicely built and seems to be used to it's potential. It's used the space on the side of the truck bed very nicely with the utility bed. It was park at the side of a wireless carrier building. Probable it's used for work related things. Couple people sent me PM ask for more pics so I guess some of you might be interested as well. :p
http://chobao.smugmug.com/photos/173756052_F7RQU-M.jpg
http://chobao.smugmug.com/photos/264188593_VjJEz-M.jpg
http://chobao.smugmug.com/photos/264188712_oQNqZ-M.jpg
http://chobao.smugmug.com/photos/264188832_FH86L-M.jpg
http://chobao.smugmug.com/photos/264189647_uLk8r-M.jpg
http://chobao.smugmug.com/photos/264188955_MFTAC-M.jpg
http://chobao.smugmug.com/photos/264188362_CvMJ5-M.jpg

[kcowyo]

Thanks for posting those Alex. You see some of the craziest things in Mammoth. :Wow1:

I'm assuming that's a Hawk model due to the width and short bed? Whatever it is, someone has put some time and funds in that project. I wonder of it's strictly for recreation or if the owner does some type of remote work in the field overnight. Did it have South Dakota tags?

Cool rig. Looks like a fun way to roll.

[slooowr6]

I believe the truck is used in work related activity. The building on the side of the truck belongs to a wireless carrier. The truck has a California plate. The utility bed really takes full use of the space where the side of the truck bed used to be.

[kjp1969]

Reminds me of this sweet rig:
http://dodgeram.org/ki4cy/camper/photo1/camper20.JPG

Kevin

[shawkins]

Was the Super Duty a diesel?

[Bella PSD]

Not sure what to say!! WOW!! I really like it. Hard to tell if its a diesel, nothing in the photos to give it away, diesel or gas?? Thanks for posting!

Louie

[slooowr6]

I honestly don't know if it's a diesel or not.
It give me the idea of a custom aluminum utility bed for the Taco, if $ grows on the tree. :p

[bajasurf]

The exhaust pipe might indicate it is a diesel.

[mcgovski]

That set up might just work for my set up...where do you find utility beds? I was planing on a flatbed with boxes, but that looks a lot cleaner and good to go! I wonder if they come in longbed? I wonder how heavy they are?

[erod]

that is one sweet rig, thanks for posting. really like the hi-lift/jerry can mount. seems a little odd that a work truck would have some of those bells and whistles (i.e. rims, tires, etc., maybe) there has been a lot of talk about utility beds and 4wc camper combos and it seems like the consensus is its super expensive, like outrageous for most people, due to how custom the beds and campers are...really cool though, tons of storage and great functionality. thanks again for posting!

[HongerVenture]

Ever since seeing KC's FWC on his T100 my wife and I have weighed getting one. I've told myself that if I go with a FWC, I'm going to ditch my bed altogether and build custom side cabinets like this Ford has.

This rig is absolutely sweet! I'd love to do this to my T100... need some $$$.

[WJinTRSC]

I like it! That's definitely a sweet way to go. Unfortunately, around here, those are just way too big for most of the trails, but it'd be a sweet way to take the family camping, ANYWHERE!!

[slooowr6]

That set up might just work for my set up...where do you find utility beds? I was planing on a flatbed with boxes, but that looks a lot cleaner and good to go! I wonder if they come in longbed? I wonder how heavy they are?

Depends what truck you have, if it's a super duty from the big three most likely there is ready made utility bed you can buy and bolt on. Most utility bed I found are make of steel so they are heavy you need to call the manufacture to know the exact weight. There are aluminum utility bed out there but it'll cost more. :)

[kcowyo]

That set up might just work for my set up...where do you find utility beds? I was planing on a flatbed with boxes, but that looks a lot cleaner and good to go! I wonder if they come in longbed? I wonder how heavy they are?

For your full size, hard side camper, you may like this option from 3W Truck and Equipment - (http://www.weberind.com/specialty_truck_beds_13.htm)

http://www.weberind.com/images/specialty/800/CAMPER-BED-JULY-2007-004.jpg

http://www.weberind.com/images/specialty/800/CAMPER-BED-JULY-2007-011.jpg

http://www.weberind.com/images/specialty/800/CAMPER-BED-JULY-2007-002.jpg

[theMec]

That's an interesting rig. Sort of reminds me of the XP camper. There appears to be latches near the top. Popup? Have to loose the aluminum skirt near the rear tires though. That'd get ripped off in no time. I'll send them a mail.

[toyfunraider]

I found a 8' fiberglass utility bed used so I looked into how much it might weigh. About 500lbs. Would be nice to know what that one weighs and cost ????

[TD64]

That set up might just work for my set up...where do you find utility beds? I was planing on a flatbed with boxes, but that looks a lot cleaner and good to go! I wonder if they come in longbed? I wonder how heavy they are?

I saw a similar service body on a new truck at Toyota of Escondido (http://www.toyotaescondido.com). Their sticker add on was ~ $6,500. They scored it from Abacor Inc. (http://www.abacorinc.com/gallery.html) located in El Cajon, California.

I like this setup too!

[Jeep]

I built one like that some years ago now, 97 F-450, 4x4 conversion,Cummins, single wheel conversion, custom built a service body to hold my Kodiak camper. Worked awesome, tons of storage, great fuel economy and reliability. http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=128880&postcount=27

[Four Wheel Tom]

Hi Everybody...

Wow, a lot of conversation on this unit...

yes, it's a diesel with a specially built utility box made by Diamond in Stockton, CA. It's purely a pleasure truck - nothing work related - made for a fellow in NorCal who wanted, and had the abilities, to make a special build happen. Lots of goodies in the utility box compartments, intended for wayyyy off road use..

The unit from 3W is also very nice... I'm curious about the interior setup and roof design... any input from anyone?

thanks...

Tom

[Kilroy]

I got a quote of about $7000 for a service body for my 04 Tundra DC about 3 years ago. Manufacturer said it would weigh about 300 lb more than the standard bed. Would have had to drive from WI to CA to pick up. Can't remember what brand I was checking on at the time. :confused:

[1976K5Chalet]

:drool:

Toy or not....the upgrade could be a tax right off for some....such as myself.
My work truck is an 06 2500HD, CrewCab, Dmax-Allison combo. I work in the oil and gas field as an EM M/LWD field operator....and sometimes....there isn't enough room for everyone on site and having the utility of the cargo-work box topped with a FWC or the like would be a dream come true. Matter of fact i wish i would have seen this sooner as i am having some serious thoughts right now.
Took a well off in feb and headed to Mesa Az. to escape the snow...come to find out the motel-hotel rooms jump to 135 a day in the nice part of the year for az. Which isn't a big deal but i rather camp where i want so i think i need to look into this. Last upgrade was the Transferflow 45G replacement tank which has really saved the stress of the oilfield once your back in good luck gettin fuel unless you don't mind the red diesel from the rig....

DW

[j_nigrelli]

thirty plus years ago i worked in a boatyard and one of the machinists, "Skip", lived in the far end of the yard in a GMC pickup with a Reading body on the back.

http://www.readingbody.com/Home/Products/EnclosedBodies/PanelBodies/Models/tabid/137/Default.aspx

instead of the double doors he had an overhead rollup door.


he was a pretty cool guy.

j

[Stan@FourWheel]

yep, that is a diesel

the owner is a really nice guy

works out here in the Sacramento Valley, CA

he wanted to put together his dream truck, and he did it

has all the bells & whistles

(Solar, big battery, compressor refrigerator, on board air compressor, sand tracks, sink, stove, furnace, and other basic stuff)

he dropped some serious cash $$ into the truck too -- some visible, some not

it is a BEAST for sure

the bed was made by Diamond out of Stockton, CA (short bed model).

I will try and attached some more pictures of his truck when he picked the camper up (the portal database is locked right now and won't allow me to add the pictures for some reason)




.

[Capt Eddie]

I am doing the same thing to a Dodge 3500 diesel 4 x 4 crew cab. I am building a flat bed with two 96 inch aluminum topmount boxes , two 36 x 18 x 18 boxes in front of the tires and two 24 x 18 x 18 boxes behind the tires. On top I will mount a Lance 835 camper. All together it cost about $4000.00 This is cheaper than a steel work bed.

[boblynch]

I am doing the same thing to a Dodge 3500 diesel 4 x 4 crew cab. I am building a flat bed with two 96 inch aluminum topmount boxes , two 36 x 18 x 18 boxes in front of the tires and two 24 x 18 x 18 boxes behind the tires. On top I will mount a Lance 835 camper. All together it cost about $4000.00 This is cheaper than a steel work bed.

How far along are you on the build? Given the level of interest in flatbeds on this forum, I would suggest a build thread. I'm sure others would like to follow your progress. Post pics!

[Kilroy]

Stan,
Whats involved in putting a FWC, most likely a Grandby, on a service body? I'm guessing a special build. Is this something fairly straight forward to order? cost? How is the camper mounted?
Thanks



(Solar, big battery, compressor refrigerator, on board air compressor, sand tracks, sink, stove, furnace, and other basic stuff)

[Kilroy]

Bump

[Stan@FourWheel]

Not many people do it because it is too expensive (putting the camper on a ultility bed).

That Utility bed was around $ 7000.00.

Then you have the cost of the truck and the camper too !

Yes, it is a great set up, but is it worth the extra $7000.00 ??

Some people say yes, most say no, not worth it.

The utility bed has to be custom sized in order for the camper to fit.

All of the FWC's I have seen on utility bed trucks were bolted on (no turn buckles), so they stayed on 99.9% of the time.

Hope this helps with your questions.

Happy Camping !


==============================================



Stan,
Whats involved in putting a FWC, most likely a Grandby, on a service body? I'm guessing a special build. Is this something fairly straight forward to order? cost? How is the camper mounted?
Thanks





.

[kerry]

Just put a Northstar (Texson) TS 1000 into the 13' Stahl service body on a Fuso FG. I had to cut out a small portion of the right rear of the service body to accommodate a 'jut' in the camper. Took me about a day to cut it out with a sawzall and reweld the body. Still can't upload pictures or I'd give you a look see.

[Lynn]

You know, as much as I like the look of that setup, I’m not sure I understand the reasoning.

1. Why put such a small camper on such a large truck? I mean, that cab will easily accommodate four large adults, but I can’t imagine the camper accommodating them. Even with two adults and two small kids, that camper would get awfully small awfully fast, wouldn’t it?

2. Or, looking at it from the other end of the spectrum, why do you need such a big truck to haul such a small camper? Maybe he has it set up for towing a big honkin’ boat or something, but somehow I doubt it. Or maybe the ‘weight of a utility bed’ questions above have something to do with it…

I can imagine work-related reasons why you might want a lot of seating capacity without the requirement for a large living capacity, (Like a business man that needed to haul clients or workers around during the day) but:


It's purely a pleasure truck - nothing work related

I can’t imagine why you would want a ‘purely pleasure’ vehicle to accommodate more people in the cab than in the living space.

Also,


intended for wayyyy off road use..

Given the size of the camper, it seems like a smaller truck would get it farther off road? I mean, we’ve seen innumerable short-wheelbased vehicles with as much or more living space.

Help me reason this out.

[kcowyo]

Purely guessing here as I don't know the truck or the owner's motivations but I think you answered the question of why a big truck & small FWC - the weight of the utility bed.

Regarding the crew cab, I would venture a guess that it's for additional storage, not additional passengers (but maybe the 4 legged kind...?). Sounds like he likes to bring everything with him and with a small camper, where interior storage is minimal at best, he created additional storage with the back seats and utility bed.

I can't imagine anywhere out west where a full sized truck won't go that a smaller truck would....? Theoretically, a diesel with a big fuel tank will go "further" off-road, due to increased range. So I think it's about range, not technical trail capability, when he says "way off-road".

Then again, I could be completely wrong in his motivations. But for storage space, range and off-road ability, this truck makes sense in an over-the-top kinda way.

.

[ScottBailey]

You know, as much as I like the look of that setup, I’m not sure I understand the reasoning.

My setup is similar--no utility bed--F350 short bed 4dr and ATC Panther. I'll take a shot at why a guy might do something like this.



1. Why put such a small camper on such a large truck? I mean, that cab will easily accommodate four large adults, but I can’t imagine the camper accommodating them. Even with two adults and two small kids, that camper would get awfully small awfully fast, wouldn’t it?

Small camper is easier to manage on and off road. Plus, It's all I need. My truck accommodates--and I put--6 in the cab. Adults and baby sleep in the camper, the older children have a tent.

Also, looks sometimes deceive. Our ATC has a comfortable 81"x83" bed.

On the other hand, I have a buddy who loved his 4 door, even though it's just him and his wife. Likes the room, I guess? Granted, he tows a BIG 5th.



2. Or, looking at it from the other end of the spectrum, why do you need such a big truck to haul such a small camper? Maybe he has it set up for towing a big honkin’ boat or something, but somehow I doubt it. Or maybe the ‘weight of a utility bed’ questions above have something to do with it…

Could be the utility bed, but let me assure you having more truck than you need is far better than needing more truck than you have. And don't forget that even small campers weigh plenty when loaded. A small FWC/ATC, gear, and passengers can quickly overwhelm the payload of a 1/2 or /14 ton truck.
Buying a 3/4 ton truck NOW assures you can pretty much due whatever you might want to do later...

I love my truck/camper in the mountains: the big diesel has PLENTY of power and the camper detracts very little from drive-ability.


I can imagine work-related reasons why you might want a lot of seating capacity without the requirement for a large living capacity, (Like a business man that needed to haul clients or workers around during the day) but:

I can’t imagine why you would want a ‘purely pleasure’ vehicle to accommodate more people in the cab than in the living space.

Why not?


Given the size of the camper, it seems like a smaller truck would get it farther off road? I mean, we’ve seen innumerable short-wheelbased vehicles with as much or more living space.

I'm not much for taking my camper hard-core off-road, but for any trail you'd want a camper on, I think truck size matters less than predictable handling. I'm thinking--but I'm not sure--an overloaded truck would be less predictable...?

If the weather is nice, you don't need much in-camper space. If it's not, you might as well head somewhere else. I'm not aware of many SWBs that have as much space, comfort, drive-ability, and durability in the same price range... Which isn't to say they don't exist...


Help me reason this out.

My truck/camper suits me: the truck is big enough for my family, the camper's furnace keeps the baby warm and the stove simplifies cooking in inclement weather (we prefer outdoor cooking).

Later, I might get a bigger camper, or maybe a 5th. If I do, I've got a truck to haul it. If not, the ATC suits me fine.

But, this setup isn't for everyone.

[Lynn]

Thanks, gentlemen, for broadening my horizons.

Wouldn't be my preference, but I knew that it was somebody's. :)

BTW, the truck in the original post is an F450, right?

[brut4s]

Any updates or pics of the superduty?

[DiploStrat]

If I might chime in.

-- An "Expedition" or Overland vehicle has special requirements that don't apply to an in-country, weekend camper. Drive a US pickup in Africa and you will be carrying spare shocks, belts, ICM's and all manner of stuff. Possibly recovery tools, etc. Going further, if you loathe Jerry cans as much as I do and still need 1,000km of range in low range, then you will want big fuel and water tanks - bigger than will fit in a normal camper.

-- The result is that the ratio of truck to camper changes dramatically - you want a lot more truck. (One reason that so many start with monsters like the Unimog.) Most campers start life at the outer limits of load/suspension/tires. Take that overseas and you will understand why Algeria used to be littered with broken down and abandoned campers. What worked in US/Europe failed a few hundred kilometers down the piste.

-- Given all of this, a utility body on a US one ton pickup is a VERY slick combo as the truck may be able to carry the weight and the utility body can carry the junk. See my previous thread on this subject: http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=18192

A long way of saying that I find the truck in question really appealing as a two person, overland vehicle. As always - YMMV.

[Overland Hadley]

Any updates or pics of the superduty?

x2 bump.

[Stan@FourWheel]

here are some more pictures ...



.

[brut4s]

Thanks for more pics!

[Overland Hadley]

here are some more pictures ...


Thanks for the additional photos.

[panzer]

:drool:

[Carlyle]

That is a nice looking set up!

[hojhauler]

I just love this set-up, possibly since I own the same truck, but I had one question for you guys that have pop up campers or fwc's on your truck. With the top down and a pass through window is the back of the vehicle usable at all while actually driving? I am really looking for a solution/ options to let the three girls move around or sleep a little while driving (not much and has to be safe) on long trips...maybe I should post that question by itself in another thread

[kcowyo]

It's physically possible, but not safe and probably not legal in most states to ride that way.

I wouldn't let my two young children crawl back through to nap or play in the camper while I was driving. I wouldn't let an adult nap back there while driving either. But depending on the camper configuration, one could sleep in the camper, while stopped for a night, with the top down if need be.

.

[Northern Explorer]

It's phsically possible, but not safe and probably not legal in most states to ride that way.

I wouldn't let my two young children crawl back through to nap or play in the camper while I was driving. I wouldn't let an adult nap back there while driving either. But depending on the camper configuration, one could sleep in the camper, while stopped for a night, with the top down if need be.

.

I agree. There is a sticker in mine saying something to the effect of "do not occupy while vehicle is in motion."

[hojhauler]

that is what I thought and like I said before I am looking for something safe to simply lay down and stretch out while traveling. I know in Texas it is legal to ride in the back of a covered truck and there are some d.o.t. stipulations about it being legal if there are seatbelts. Class C RV's are nothing but fiberglass shells and I really would not think they would be too safe to move around in either but people do it all the time.

I am looking to this group of mobile travelers what seems to be the safest and most effective way to solve this problem since I know I am not the first one to have this situation. Is there a good option for a ambulance type box or hard shell or something other than fiberglass that I could look at?? thanks for any help or suggestions. I think I really need to start this in a new thread....moderators???

[kcowyo]

I think I really need to start this in a new thread....moderators???

You can start a new thread at any time and best of all, it's free!

Maybe a 4wd van would work for you? If it must be a solution to work with an F350, start a thread and you're sure to get some interesting feedback from the folks here.


Oh and Welcome to ExPo, hojhauler - :beer:
.

[T.Low]

That set up is drop dead gorgeous.

With some of the earlier questions raised regarding such a big truck, I was thinking that it is probably a different way to go about accomplishing what a Sportsmobile accomplishes, and probably a bit easier to drive off road with the lower COG.

It would be fun to compare and contrast the two different approaches. I see an Overland Journal article.

[Saline]

Great setup! It even makes me think a bit more about going with somthing like this as opposed to a Sportsmobile. Hmmm......

[ScottBailey]

Great setup! It even makes me think a bit more about going with somthing like this as opposed to a Sportsmobile. Hmmm......

If you ALREADY have the truck, then the FWC/ATC makes a lot of sense. The Sportsmobiles are--in my opinion--a better RV (more spacious) and better off-road (shorter wheelbase) than a similar full-size truck and camper. That said, SMB is a more $$$$

[brut4s]

Hey all,
anyone looking to build something like this check out this site.The utility bodies seem pretty cheap. http://www.allamericantrucks.com

[Detslider]

Old thread but the drooling continues. :drool:

[alexrex20]

one of the nicest setups i've EVER seen!

[Overland Hadley]

Hi All,
Here is a FWC I saw in Yellowstone. It's very nicely built and seems to be used to it's potential. It's used the space on the side of the truck bed very nicely with the utility bed. It was park at the side of a wireless carrier building. Probable it's used for work related things. Couple people sent me PM ask for more pics so I guess some of you might be interested as well. :p
http://chobao.smugmug.com/photos/173756052_F7RQU-M.jpg
http://chobao.smugmug.com/photos/264188593_VjJEz-M.jpg
http://chobao.smugmug.com/photos/264188712_oQNqZ-M.jpg
http://chobao.smugmug.com/photos/264188832_FH86L-M.jpg
http://chobao.smugmug.com/photos/264189647_uLk8r-M.jpg
http://chobao.smugmug.com/photos/264188955_MFTAC-M.jpg
http://chobao.smugmug.com/photos/264188362_CvMJ5-M.jpg


Just wanted to bump this thread for anybody who is interested in this rig and has not found this thread. Not a lot of info on the setup, but the photos are drool worthy.

I have got a couple of PM's about where I found the picture I have of this rig, well here it is.

[brut4s]

Love that Super Duty!

[Kilroy]

This rig really inspired me when trying to put together mine. Just couldn't come up with the coin for the service body. That and Carlye's thread on his first Alaskan build is what prompted me to go with a flatbed, which I'm happy I did.:ylsmoke:

[Stan@FourWheel]

more pics

: )




.

[jgolden]

Are those 37" tires?

[SLO_F-250]

MY DREAM RIG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SWEET!

[Saiyan66]

The tires look to be 37's, maybe someone can confirm. I also like how he spec'd out larger wheel wells on the utility body. Most wouldn't accommodate larger tires like that.

[aCab]

I just had to wipe the drool off my keyboard