Project DIY: Truck-bed Pullout Kitchen (and BS)

Hmm, hadn't considered that. I'll have a look around. The coil would need to be pretty tight - around 2" or so. If that doesn't work, I have a couple ideas I'm playing with: A simple loop with the tubing, enough to stretch out as needed, held underneath with a metal bar or something... kind of like how those folding TV-dinner tables work.

 

Alright, here's a design that's cheap to try: I can use some long strips of scraps I had left over. The angled bit is where I'll mount the faucet. The hose will run along the channel (mounted firm) and pass through the hole in the back. I'll then figure out a way to "fold" the hose so it can expand as its pulled out. There is enough clearance from the top of the platform and the bottom of the cook-top cabinet for the drag chain to fit. This will contain wiring for the switch. If I can pull this off, I'll be able to access the water without having to open up the kitchen at all: Just pullout the sink, flip a switch to power the pump, then grab a glass of water or something.

A (much) better design would have mounted the faucet in a fixed position on the edge of the cook-top cabinet and the only part that would move in and out is the sink. But, this is what I have to work with without re-doing everything else I've already done. Just some food for thought for anyone considering building something like this.

 

Woah I don't know how I'm just now seeing this, but this is honestly pretty cool.

PS OP: Your kitchen may pullout, but I don't

 

Hah! That belongs in the 50+ thread.

 

hey @Arlaghan this is a little off topic but I'm in the market for a new stove so I returned to this thread after watching your project. You like your 22" Cook Partner? Man, they are pricey...

 

It's funny you should ask. As far as quality, there is no question, the Cook Partner is top notch. My only regret is that sometimes I feel the 22" is a little too big. We almost never use the second burner. Definitely something you'll want to consider. But if you're on the fence about quality... No need to be.

 

Thanks but size can't scare me off. I'm coming off the world's beefiest camp stove ever that was an unfortunate victim of my flooded basement (RIP 1995 water heater). My insurance is buying so I want to make sure I get something as nice as what I had, the Coleman worked great.

EDIT: How do you cook bacon & pancakes at the same time if you don't use both burners?!?

 

One at a time LOL. Otherwise we burn stuff.

What's nice (or not) about Cook Partner is that it is incredibly simple. No piezo ignition to break, very few moving parts. Easy to clean. Can take a beating. Plus they apparently last forever. I'll let you now the day after forever if that's true or not.

 

Well, it's been quite a while since I've worked on this project. But with the season for camping opened up, I need to get this ready. I ended up building it pretty much as planned. I didn't really feel like tweaking the design anymore since I know I'm only going to get one season's use out of it. (I'm planning on getting a Four Wheel Camper shell this Fall.) The design seems to fit the space - super tightly. I still need to run the water tube and connect the electrical (and mount the switch somewhere), but you can get the general idea here:




And all tucked away:

 

i'm really envious of your sketchup skills. i've just starting toying with this software for version 2.0 of my truck drawer/sleeping build. do you have animations for expanded and closed versions or do you have two separate models in sketch up?

 

I just noticed you're local. If you're only going to use it for 1 season I'm sure someone in the local forum will scoop that up from you!

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/nw-wa-meet-bs-thread.224544/page-2075

 

Nope, I literally just use the move/rotate tool to see how things line up and operate. The trick to Sketchup is components. I make everything components, then make groups of components into components, and so on. Makes it easier to move things around. Then I make a copy of my model and explode all the grouped components into single components and use these to layout my cut diagram - it's like playing Tetris - saves wasted plywood, considering how much this stuff costs.

If you really want to go nuts with Sketchup, the Pro version allows for configurable components - where you can Edit Component details and enter say... a dimension (width for example) and it auto calculates other dimensions based off of that. I started getting comfortable with it then my pro free trial expired.

 

Totally thought about this. Lot of work went into it and I'd love to have someone else enjoy it. Of course, I'm likely going to cannibalize parts out of it, so whoever ends up with it would have to replace those bits.

 

Ok, long overdue update: The kitchen "sink" is done and tested/used. There are a couple of minor leaks where the tubing joins the barbed connectors, but is usually only a problem when it's under pressure. (We're talking drops here - not a major concern.) At some point I'll tighten the ring clamps, but for now it's fine. The 12 gallon tank is pretty dang awesome. Huge cap for filling, has a spring-loaded opening for letting air in and the outlet is on the bottom. I have a three-way valve (on, off, drain) plumbed in and an Anderson Powerpole for the 12volt pump. Everything is NSF certified except for one small piece (a reducer from the bottom opening to a barbed elbow). All in all, I'd call it a success. (Though I still would design it differently if I were to start completely from scratch). In any case, here are some action shots.






And here are some scenic shots unrelated to the kitchen, but from the same trip.

 

looks awesome, just wondering if you tried a sealer like helmsman poly... for water intrusion/damage

 

I ended up just using spar varnish. Towards the end (where I made the sink pullout) I got lazy and didn't use anything. This marine plywood really holds up well to water. A bigger problem is sealing up the areas where the doors meet the cabinet. Small amounts of water do make it inside after a while.

 

This is just too awesome, such nice craftsmanship!
A couple questions regarding gear though. What are the brands/sources of the water tank, hanging utensil organizer, and camp table? Those are 3 things I'm trying to locate for my setup.
Thanks!

 

Thanks! It's definitely a comfortable kitchen to use out in the field.

The water tank is "Ace Roto Mold 12 Gallon Rectangle Tank SP0012-RT". It looks like the place I bought it from doesn't carry it anymore. I'm not sure why, it was drop-shipped from the manufacturer.

The utensil set is the Front-Runner Camp Kitchen Utensil Set. It's overall pretty good, but I do have some complaints about the spatula (handle falls off). I added a 99 cents set of tongs from wal-mart and some marshmallow roasting sticks.
https://www.frontrunneroutfitters.com/en/us/win62310-ss-24-pce-cutlery-set-with-nylon-bag.html

The table is from REI, and I have nothing but good things to say about it: It's light weight, packs small, and is a decent size.
https://www.rei.com/product/765280/rei-co-op-camp-roll-table

 

Thanks for the great writeup - it's been the inspiration for my approach! I am planning to do something similar in my Tacoma, though will be going a slightly different path by attaching my rails/drawers to permanent L-Track in the bed. It should make for easy removal, and still let me use the entirety of my bed I need to haul anything.

Quick question: In terms of assembling your kitchen, did you just use glue and a few nails to hold while drying, or is there another construction method I can't see in there? FWIW, my setup will be in an enclosed truck bed, so a bit less weather resistance is required.

Thanks!

 

Yup, I used exterior wood glue and a pin nailer to hold it together while it dried. Good idea on the L-track, will save you a lot of headache and weight. Post up some photos when it's done!