Pennsyltrucky: Assembling an MDT metal tent on the cheap
Thus begins the effort. I have always had a soft spot for MDTs vs a little one. I'm not really looking for anything elaborate beyond an aluminum tent, but I'd still like to retain the ability to haul the occasional item from the store (appliances, lumber, etc.) - it's my big pick-up truck: it picks up whatever I need.
It all starts with a 16.5' Morgan 2006 GVSD Aluminum Van Body with a rear and a curbside roll-up purchased from one of my usual truck salvage yards. It appears to have been a delivery body for an office supply store. It has a some surface rust on the steel floor joists, but nothing a little sandblasting and some good paint can't fix. I will need to replace the seals on the rear door and the bottom door panel so there's no leaks. The upper body mounts will be custom fabricated and welded to the body frame, I already have a complete set of lower bolt-on brackets and springs (and the Milw frame drill for the job) for the truck frame.
The interior contains 6 fold-down parcel shelves which will make great bunks - good to 250lbs each. I will upgrade the weight limit (and safety factor) with the addition of a pair of steel supports to the floor for each pair of bunks. The driver's side bunks need to be lengthened. A few sleeping bag mats, a custom and voila! Sleeping for 6!
The floor is in good shape - sandblast and paint the floor screws and rear deck with the same epoxy paint, then sand and apply a few coats of polyurethane on the wood.
New ply will be needed for the walls with some easy-to-clean surface finish - there are no plans for insulation since the ceiling is fiberglass not metal - it's a stealth metal tent / pickup-truck not a palace.
I will ditch the fold-down floor for the curb-side door since that will be the primary access route. The rollup-door might get replaced with a new 36" wide RV door in the future.
Did I mention that I've got an 8' awning from Carefree of Colorado to install on the curbside over the door?
Add some strategic and tasteful LED lighting and it will be pretty awesome on a budget.
It all goes onto a 2001 International 4700 (single cab, air brakes, 5-speed manual, T444E, N190 4.44 Rear, 265/75R22.5 tires, twin 50gal tanks) that is in primo shape. I will end up fabricating a new custom hitch assembly with a separate pintle hook and class 4/5 receiver.
So it is a work in progress. Need to get it finished before winter.
Thus begins the effort. I have always had a soft spot for MDTs vs a little one. I'm not really looking for anything elaborate beyond an aluminum tent, but I'd still like to retain the ability to haul the occasional item from the store (appliances, lumber, etc.) - it's my big pick-up truck: it picks up whatever I need.
It all starts with a 16.5' Morgan 2006 GVSD Aluminum Van Body with a rear and a curbside roll-up purchased from one of my usual truck salvage yards. It appears to have been a delivery body for an office supply store. It has a some surface rust on the steel floor joists, but nothing a little sandblasting and some good paint can't fix. I will need to replace the seals on the rear door and the bottom door panel so there's no leaks. The upper body mounts will be custom fabricated and welded to the body frame, I already have a complete set of lower bolt-on brackets and springs (and the Milw frame drill for the job) for the truck frame.
The interior contains 6 fold-down parcel shelves which will make great bunks - good to 250lbs each. I will upgrade the weight limit (and safety factor) with the addition of a pair of steel supports to the floor for each pair of bunks. The driver's side bunks need to be lengthened. A few sleeping bag mats, a custom and voila! Sleeping for 6!
The floor is in good shape - sandblast and paint the floor screws and rear deck with the same epoxy paint, then sand and apply a few coats of polyurethane on the wood.
New ply will be needed for the walls with some easy-to-clean surface finish - there are no plans for insulation since the ceiling is fiberglass not metal - it's a stealth metal tent / pickup-truck not a palace.
I will ditch the fold-down floor for the curb-side door since that will be the primary access route. The rollup-door might get replaced with a new 36" wide RV door in the future.
Did I mention that I've got an 8' awning from Carefree of Colorado to install on the curbside over the door?
Add some strategic and tasteful LED lighting and it will be pretty awesome on a budget.
It all goes onto a 2001 International 4700 (single cab, air brakes, 5-speed manual, T444E, N190 4.44 Rear, 265/75R22.5 tires, twin 50gal tanks) that is in primo shape. I will end up fabricating a new custom hitch assembly with a separate pintle hook and class 4/5 receiver.
So it is a work in progress. Need to get it finished before winter.
