FishAll50 F350 Fullsize Build

[FishAll50]

I think you made a great choice of which truck to focus your efforts on. Great looking avatar too.

Thanks, I have enjoyed your Waltzing Matilda thread and trip reports. Good stuff.

[FishAll50]

Ok, found this topper and thought I would "experiment" with it.

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[FishAll50]

The driver's side has the same configuration - outside storage at rear and open to the bed on the front.

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[FishAll50]

I am debating if I like it or not.


Pros:

Outside storage
"Windoors" open to the bed which can make for a nice and ventilated sleeping area.
Rear doors vs. tailgate (easier access in and out IMO)
VERY solid - no problem mounting full length cabover rack for kayaks. This is a Reading brand.....double walled doors - everything is HD. I stood on the roof (200lbs) with no problem.
Nice driprails above all doors. Everything appears watertight.
While it is heavy, the weight settled the rear a bit and improved the ride. With gear, I think it will be a good compromise of not being too big/heavy to get back into some places we go while still being substantial so it is not prone to damage/etc. The fiberglass Leer I have on my F250 has developed a few stress cracks......I don't anticipate that being a problem here.


Cons:

All windows are fixed - would prefer, at minimum, a slider in front for access to cab/ventilation
Would prefer some side windows (sliders preferred) to eliminate claustrophobic effect and to be able to see the boogeyman sneaking up on us at night.
All metal inside - will plan for insulation and carpet to make more hospitable
Will need to fab a screen arrangement for the front windoors
Will need to fab a strut arrangement for the front windoors. The topper originally had gas struts on the front doors (since removed) but I would like something where I can lock the door at various openings for more flexibility on how much air/ventilation desired. I am thinking some kind of channel sliding within a channel and screw lock design.
Not overly stylish.


I think I will try it for a few trips and see how I like it. Will go ahead and put in some insulation (at a minimum in the roof) and carpeting. Also consider putting in a slider in the front and research windows that would fit the front "windoors". If it seems to work for us, I will do a color match to the truck.

Open to ideas/thoughts.

[colodak]

your slider idea for the front, I would take the topper to a topper shop and have them look at it, they may be able to retrofit something in. If you have any custom van places within reasonable, they would be able to do the window idea in the sides as well. Since your already doing as much outfitting as planned for travel, on-board with a 5 gal. tank would be a great addition with an air-ride setup, if you find the settling too much.

[redthies]

I wish I could "find" a topper like that!

[24HOURSOFNEVADA]

Yeah, that's quite a find. For screens, a popular option seems to be magnetic screens. Sew some strong but lightweight magnets into the screen material and you'll have an easy, fast screen system.

[98dango]

Love it its looking good man. The topper will be nice insulation will be fun.

[FishAll50]

colodak - good suggestions. I own air grinders and sawzalls and have no fear of using them. Just need to find appropriately sized windows. The windoors may be interesting as they are actually double walled - about 1" thick so will need some kind of inner trim ring to keep it looking clean. The front section is single wall so should be an easier arrangement.

thanks redthies. Seems harder to find toppers/shell/campers that fit our year trucks.....at least in my area.

nevada - yes, exactly my plan. I picked up some magnetic strip yesterday to start experimenting. The only "gotcha" on the windoors is that the strut will need to go through the screen. I have some ideas but open to thoughts.

thanks dango. I checked out your budget builder thread......the chevy looks good. I didn't get my topper free like yours but at only $250, it felt free enough that if I change direction, it's a non-issue. I''m also throwing around an idea of cutting the top and making a pop-up but would still want to support and be able to lift ~150lbs of kayaks and rack (longer term idea) . I have started some insulation and carpeting - my typical camping and traveling is usually more in heat than cold - ventilation is as important as insulation and cold is easier to overcome than heat IMO. I welcome your thoughts on insulating.

[FishAll50]

Start of insulation and carpeting. Just testing options:

Top was the priority. There are 4 supports from east to west that create recesses. I am filling the recesses with Reflectix - currently just a single layer but have enough depth for 2. Or I may add 1/2" foam board insulation instead of a 2nd layer of Reflectix. I am debating then whether I want to just do a luan covered in carpet screwed direct to the supports or do a 3/4" foam board(s) covered in carpet instead. The foam will give more insulation and stop the thermal bridging from the supports but I lose 3/4" headroom - with the planned elevated sleeping platform, every bit of headroom is appreciated. On the sides, I experimented with adhering carpet directly to the topper....minimal insulation obviously but may help a little bit with thermal bridging/condensation, covers up the sins of the past and just makes it more "comfy". I plan to stick a bedliner in it - on my F250, that helped immensly with keeping things cleaner inside.



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