Old camper, same gameplan, let the mods begin!

[AmericanIFA]

Looks like your on your way. Can't wait to see more. Likes like a fun build so keep us posted!

[kerry]

Sounds like you are planning to have a solid plywood bottom on it. I think the existing stringer system on the bottom has some advantages. It raises the floor up enough for it to dry out if it gets wet. I've seen some pictures of some pretty rotten solid floors. One thing I like about my Texson is that it has a few raised metal stringers to accomplish the same thing.

[IdaSHO]

It will have a solid bottom on it. Treated 1/2 inch plywood.

The deck on my pickup is wood however, with 1/8 gaps between the boards. I think Im covered there, however I have thought about aluminum strips, if I dont like how it looks when I finally get the thing loaded on the truck.


On with the show... I was able to get 3-4 hours of work in today.

Removed the in-cabin seat and went to town on expanding I think it is turning out great


I should be able to get this passenger side done, minus the aluminum skins tomorrow, then I will tackle the drivers side.

[suntinez]

I think it's turning out great too, will be watching this thread with interest.

Great find on that furnace too, what a score!

[IdaSHO]

Ive been real sick, but I have gotten a bit more done. I need to get this thing ready to roll..... running out of weekends before our x-mas trip!

underbelly insulated


underbelly getting skinned with treated ply


a bit more of the rear siding was removed to clean things up and prep for the fresh lower skins.



rear skins applied, and working in the propane compartment

[IdaSHO]

Moving right along...

I had one compartment door that was sized close enough. I used it for the passenger side front compartment.



Drivers side will all be much large doors, but still non-standard sizes. I will build these doors myself.

[Jnich77]

I love it... keep up the hard work

[iMPAKS]

very nice.. I will copy some of this on my camper

[IdaSHO]

And the process continues.... Im starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel! Good thing, because I only have a few more weekends to get it done. I still have some maintenance items to address on the truck before the trip.....

I have been working HARD on getting all of the aluminum trims done. Im just about there... The corner trims are 1/8 for strength, and to provide some protection. The compartment door trims are 1/16, double angle that have been brazed together to provide a seal surface.

All joints are bonded with butyl tape, and screwed. Various joints are sealed with butyl caulk for a water-tite seal.


I got enough done today, that I felt like rewarding myself. I decided to back the truck under the camper for a test fit.




Ive had a very cool portable power supply that is used for a jumper for some time, but as it seems, our rigs are dependable enough that I have never used the thing. So I decided to use it for a dedicated camper power source, at least for this trip. The only thing that will be hooked up to it right now will be the propane/CO detector.



Furnace vent reinstalled and sealed



Pass side


Smoke detector installed up high



Propane detector installed down low



For now I would like the camper to operate 100% isolated from the truck. For lighting, I have littered the camper with these guys. Right now there are 5 of these, and lighting is very good. They are LED push lights, and a test run showed that even on high, they have a battery life of more than 24hrs.



I have also installed a few hooks about the camper, and one outside for this nifty LED lantern. Picked in up on sale the other day for $19. Came with batteries too!



Till next time.....

[IdaSHO]

Quick renderings of possible step project.

Have to get into the thing! It sits 44" off the ground!