dustboy wants to build a camper...

[rynosurf]

I really like Callen campers, they are roomy, well built, and very sturdy, they will hold as much weight on top as your truck bed can handle so you can build a platform/rack and hang out on the roof. The only problems (I had one on my 98 Tacoma) is that they are real heavy, kind of expensive, they rust in the exposed areas of the frame, and they take about two months to build after being ordered. With that being said I would buy one again if I had the money. Here is a used one that might fit your truck if you decide to buy instead of build.
http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/rvs/1523136446.html

[dustboy]

I'm going to have a rear bumper made w/ a 1/2 width fold down tail gate/ storage system. That way I can open one back door without dropping the "tailgate".

This I gotta see..please do update your build thread. Those huge side windoors are slick!

[Every Miles A Memory]

I was thinking about moving to a flat bed with a ARE full length shell.

This would give more room to customize above the bed, and hand some storage boxes below the flat bed.

They're built out of Aluminum, and you can get them customized and color matched straight from the factory. Pricey, but much less than building it yourself I would think

You can get the roof fully supported for added strength

[Kilroy]

Check this out, lots of room

aluma-line topper.jpg

You can find these at this site:

http://www.alumline.com/contractor-toppers.html

I was thinking about moving to a flat bed with a ARE full length shell.

This would give more room to customize above the bed, and hand some storage boxes below the flat bed.

They're built out of Aluminum, and you can get them customized and color matched straight from the factory. Pricey, but much less than building it yourself I would think

You can get the roof fully supported for added strength

[Every Miles A Memory]

WOW!! Dave, that's exactly the idea I've been building in my mind and saving up for in my wallet!

I'd change a few things around like double doors on the back that swing out, so you dont have to open up the entire back end just to get in, and no window on the drivers side (Blind side)

But think of the longivity and ease of maintenence of that beauty. No rust, light weight, and the customization on the inside is limitless.

Elevated floor with storage drawers below which would get you up off the aluminum for heat, or just a series of storage drawers and boxes on the inside with a RTT on the back of the topper like we have ours on our current top.

[Kilroy]

Salesman name at Aluma-line is Roger Miller. Phone 595-281-7233.
They are really good to work with. Will do whatever customizing you want and not charge an arm and a leg for it. Example, wanted price on under bed box. Roger explained that if I needed to have an area indented to clear spring perch, no extra charge. Have fun looking.

WOW!! Dave, that's exactly the idea I've been building in my mind and saving up for in my wallet!

I'd change a few things around like double doors on the back that swing out, so you don't have to open up the entire back end just to get in, and no window on the drivers side (Blind side)

But think of the longevity and ease of maintenance of that beauty. No rust, light weight, and the customization on the inside is limitless.

Elevated floor with storage drawers below which would get you up off the aluminum for heat, or just a series of storage drawers and boxes on the inside with a RTT on the back of the topper like we have ours on our current top.

[theMec]

They are really good to work with.

I second this. Alum-line was one of my earlier options. They responded promptly to my request and were priced very reasonably for a custom "topper" on a flatbed setup (flatbed also supplied by Alum-line). I didn't go that direction because I felt it was alot custom work to control w/o some periodic local inspections - and I wasn't local.

[dustboy]

Hey..I really like this flatbed w/ topper idea! I could haul crazy loads of plywood and cabinets on the flatbed, then slide the topper unit on to carry tools and go on trips! With some jacks on the topper, I could ditch it at a campsite for day trips!

[motrhead]

If I go with an aluminum sheet skin, over steel frame, will I have corrosion problems between the two materials? If so, what can I do to prevent it?

Way back in the past I worked at a shop building moving vans. Whenever we had aluminum touching steel we used some kind of tape (I think it was a vinyl tape from 3M) to prevent contact between them. These guys didn't do anything that didn't absolutely need to be done, so if it was me I would be considering some kind of barrier if you do go this way.

[dustboy]

Way back in the past I worked at a shop building moving vans. Whenever we had aluminum touching steel we used some kind of tape (I think it was a vinyl tape from 3M) to prevent contact between them.

That confirms my suspicion. Two different types of metal with water between is a battery, and if I recall my Mr. Wizard correctly, the chemical reaction is what causes corrosion.

Here's what I'm thinking about for the flatbed:



I haven't done the SketchUp rendering of the shell yet, but it's in my head..