Need help with a camping and mountain activities focused short bed build?

what size bike is that? im planning on doing pretty much the same layout in my shell but bike on driver side and drawer on passenger side.

i have a large patrol and am a little concerned about length, even with my front wheel off.

 

i used a bed rack and rtt for a few years. it works great but i wanted security for all the random stuff i throw in my bed.

i used a tonneau cover and billie bars for a 2 week oregon road trip i did this year with a custom build drawer slide thing. this worked well, but i couldn't take my bike unless i used a hitch rack. the hitch rack works, but lacks security.

i just got an alu cab contour canopy and will put my rtt on it sometime in the spring. i'll take the slide thing apart and turn it into an actual drawer similar to kratorama and put a bike to one side.
i'm hoping this will be my permanent solution. at least 5+ years and i'll be happy.

weight is a big concern for me too. the alucab is like 120 lbs while the rsi is like 220 or something. the gfc was an option, but i also wanted the front cab window
my rtt is a tepui and is like 115 lbs. i think i'll be under 300 with the tent on the shell. im not too sure though
¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

What is your budget? If gear storage and secure storage is what you are looking for a Leitner ACS Rack and 2x XL Gear pods may fit your use case. You'll lose the functionality of the shell and the pods will hang into the bed space but it does fit your needs as far as additional storage and security. With the rack you would also gain the mounting points for a roof top tent (if that is what you are looking for) or an awning of some sort. If you go the awning route you could get a 180 deg or 270 deg jobbie and buy the privacy sidewalls and then you have your nice, enclosed camping space.

Food for thought. These are not cheap options I am suggesting, but worth your consideration IMO.

https://www.leitnerdesigns.com/pages/builder



https://overlandvehiclesystems.com/nomadic-270-awning-wall-3-piece-kit-for-passenger-side/

 

the new kuat ibex could be an option if you don't really need a weatherproof shell and want a rack. i may have gone this route if it was announced earlier
https://www.kuat.com/product/ibex/

 

It’s a Medium Ripmo 29. getting the rear wheel wedged up in the corner of the shell helps a lot. If you zoom in you can see i strap the rear up off the floor on the wheel well of the truck. That leaves several inches of space between the fork and tailgate.

 

Oh that’s less than I thought. You have a stock trd off-road?

 

-expensive and more than a shell or Softopper
-ugly
-can’t sleep in it
-restricts overhead loading height
-no windows

a lot of easier and cheaper ways to store a traction board

 

It’s a 2nd gen TRD OR with 265/75/16 tires and an 1” or so lift front and rear. Sorry forgot I posted in 3rd gen forum, and not sure if there’s a height difference on 3rd gen.

 

I didn't realize the suggestions in this thread needed to pass your checklist. What is your use case so I can ensure my option aligns with your goals as well?

 

You could always get a rack with built-in storage.

 

bed platform slide gear underneath/ rear seat delete for fridge keeping it light. You have a short bed so won’t be as comfy to sleep back there

 

I second the Bambeds.

 

Looks cool. How much height do you get with those board and slide platform?

 

I like the modularity. What storage boxes fit under this? Looks shallow

 

Not sure. I can measure and let you know. I’m not a big dude so I fit perfect also with my dog in the back plenty of room

 

But think you have the long bed right?

 

Yes so might be a little tight for you

 

Short bed here, I like to wheel and camp so my set up is focused on light weight, space and convenience. While avoiding a bed rack at all costs. I have a Prinsu rack with 2 pelican 730 cases on top full time. One is for recovery and the other is tools / spare parts. Each is pushed to the outer edge of the rack so I can run a sleeper ckeeper down the middle to hold my Gazelle tent. In the cab my back seats are removed, I built a 50% delete with some plywood and automotive carpet that bolts to the existing seat brackets and is easy to remove. My fridge is on a slide on the seat delete. The fridge slide I have has a small slide out working surface which comes in clutch for getting things out of the fridge or making sandwiches. Bluetti power box behind my seat powering the fridge, plugged into a 12volt port installed in my center console. In the open space behind the passenger seat I have my stove in a case, sleeping bag, air mattress and back pack with clothing along with a pillow case for dirty clothes. Plenty of room for extras like a solar charger coffee cups, wipes, liquor bottles, whatever. The bed has my spare, traction boards, gas, water, canopy, small table, 5 gallon bucket for dumps and a large pelican storm case for extra propane, shower, extra blankets, lights, anything really. This set up has been tested and works the best for me.I'm constantly looking for ways to make transitions smooth and easy. I might do a video on my set up as as it would be easier to explain it all.

I don't use a shower awning or any awnings as the ones I did have I never used. Couple pics of the full set up so you can see the interior, exterior and me cooking. I cook on the tail gate.

 

Nice setup. I forget how many options show up once you don't need your rear seats for passengers. Mounting a spare in the bed makes so much more sense than a swing out too.

I'm a big fan of the idea of a pop-up tent like the Gazelle. They are heavy and big though and would push my payload over the edge with my family of four. Still rocking a conventional 6p Marmot tent for that reason. Setup and tear down is lengthy though. Still considering getting a couple of these tents https://c6outdoor.com/ in the future once the kids get older. The shift pods https://shiftpod.com/ are also intriguing.

 

Thanks for super detailed write up. Always wondered about pelican cases for additional storage. Do these lock securely to the rack to prevent theft?