The Getaway...Crom's build and adventures

Yeah. It would be a project for sure, don't have time for that... I'll just build a low profile box for the roof rack.

 

Shouldn't be too hard if one were dedicated to the project. The recessed licence plate kits from the mini-truckers would be a great place to start. Fab a simple box out of 16 gauge steel with an open top and cut a hole in the bedside to recess the box into. Slide it in and then simply trace the contour of the bedside on the sheet metal that extends out. Pull it out and cut to fit. Slide it back in and weld-er up. The panel you cut out of the bediside would be the door and sized perfectly. Simple 1/8-3/16" solid steel rod welded to the perimeter would stiffen it right up so you don't have a floppy door. Bada-boom.

 

I need to find pictures of it but a friend had built a three piece rear bumper with the middle section being the face of a slide out drawer that fit between his frame rails. He had chopped out the spare tire carrier and it ran about half the length of the bed itself. Was really slick and all of our friends - myself included - wanted him to make one for us but he refused saying that it was a huge pain to do it on his.

He's hardcore into fishing and keeps lots of fishing gear in there for emergency sessions.

I feel that there are so many missed opportunities for storage in pickup beds between the bedsides and the bed itself and am always interested in seeing the solutions that others come up with.

 

I'd imagine that'd be a stealthy way to store long guns. Most people looking to steal something would look in the passenger compartment or bed/cap for a quick grab and potentially walk right past a small unassuming or hidden latch. If you build it heavy duty enough, security shouldn't be so much of an issue.

 

You haz mad skillz my friend!

Wow that sounds awesome! I like that, emergency fishing sessions!

Yah I feel same way. lots of unused space. I saw someone on here mount air compressor between pass bed and bedside, air tanks too, and @Sandman614 put a water storage tank there. Very good use of the space, IMO.

For a long time now I've wanted to build a low profile box that are the same dimensions as my solar.

The box would house my family camp stove and propane accessories. Framed solar panels would be bolted to top of box.

I have tools to work with wood, and I can cut a straight line... Just need more time.

 

Pricey awesomeness

 

Would.

Great way to convert a long bed FWC to use on a short bed with the extension on the back like that.

 

It is epic in many ways. You can weld right?


I showed these pics to a friend who has a business doing welding. The quote was PRICEY!

 

Yeah, the manhours involved for something like that would be the killer. But if someone was bored, had a welder and for some reason had a damaged bed, it would be a fun project. The fabrication itself doesn't look that hard if you think about the basic structure you're building. That's how @SMKYTXN came up with his flatbed. Let me know when you get rear ended and we'll get started....
Oddly enough, I was next to a Colorado the other day on the FWY that had the contractor's bed conversion done to it and thought an RTT would look perfect on top. Couple of gas cans and a good set of tires and you're ready for adventure.

 

Incredible. Love it! Wish I had something like that.

Funny, Just saw someting similar in

@G.T. 's Most super awesome double deluxe Ultimate PepBoys chrome isle collection with considerable BS build thread of build threads.

I embellished the thread title a little bit, only cause I like thread so much.

^And This

 

I had plans to take family camping this weekend.
I guess I should stay home and hide out on the couch where it's safe.

High Impact Storm for Southern California; Wet Conditions for the Whole West Coast
Another series of powerful Pacific storms will bring heavy rain and strong winds to the west coast. Saturated soils from previous rains could lead to additional floods, flash floods, and mudslides along the west coast. However, the most intense rainfall is forecast to inundate Southern California Friday into Saturday. Burn scar areas are the most vulnerable to mud and debris flows. Read More >

• Flash Flood Watch in effect from February 17, 12:00 PM PST until February 18, 04:00 PM PST
• High Wind Warning in effect from February 17, 07:00 AM PST until February 18, 02:00 AM PST

 

Yes! More rain!

 

Did you ever add shims/spacers to your rear bumps? Or felt the added leaf did the job?

 

lol I don't mind the rain, wish the storm was happening during the week, instead of weekend.

No spacer needed. The overload I put back in bought me 1/2" of lift, and provides greater spring rate when loaded. I'm really glad I put it in.

 

I don't have anywhere near the weight you have in the rear so I don't think I'll be adding my leaf back in. Thinking of getting 3/8" shims for the rear.

 

Yeah, we're planning on traveling the Mojave Road this weekend. The weather forecast is not great and I'm guessing a good 30% of the route will be potentially impassable. Not ideal camping conditions. Adventurous and exciting, though. On the one hand I feel like it would be prudent to stay home. On the other, it seems like it is so hard to protect a weekend for camping that I shouldn't pass up the opportunity.

 

It's good insurance to have, and tape measure is your friend.

That sounds really fun! If I could go solo I wouldn't hesitate.

 

On Board Water

When I am traveling with my family on multi-day adventures, I pack two (2) 1-Gallon drinking water containers in the cab. My wife and I use these to refill our cups, or for cooking, etc.

For bulk water storage, I've used the 7-gallon containers pictured below. They work great for base camping, but not well for on-the-move adventuring.

I decided to see if I could adapt the container with a pump to make an on-demand-on-board water solution.

But first the why. Why do this?

Carrying clean drinking water when adventuring is a fundamental component of traveling, and especially in places where there are no reliable water sources like the desert.

Having a semi-permanent water tank has a few key advantages. The Water tank is mounted all the way forward in the bed, which keeps the weight low and between the axles, which helps to maintain optimal vehicle handling.

OBW also spares me from lugging 56 lbs of water from the truck to the campsite, and then having to load the container back in when departing. It saves time; less time fumbling with camp gear, and more time with the family is always a good thing.

This can be done for under $100.

• 12v pump w/ strainer
• Food grade plumbing fittings
• LLDPE (Polyethylene) Tubing
• Shutoff Valve
• Check valve
• Water filter (optional)
• Fill spout hose (not pictured), doubles as vent
• Water tank, mine is 7-gallons
• Copper wire,
• On/off electrical switch

I am not going to detail every component of my built solution, but will share in a general way to help others who may want to do the same.

I built mine from the highest quality fittings, (John Guest) and NFS certified polyethylene tubing. I selected the larger 3/8" tubing in my project for maximum flow rate. I used some clear braided vinyl tubing as a vent and fill spout, so I can fill the tank without having to pull it out. It's routed to the side of the truck near the shell's windoor. I only use store bought bottled water, or reverse osmosis filtered water to refill the tank.

The setup is serviceable and removable. No permanent mods to truck were necessary.

Success in the project, represents another major win for me in my quest for streamlined camping solutions. It trust it will be used heavily in the coming months.

Lastly, I want to say thanks to the people at

www.plumbingsupply.com/

Easy to understand and order from website with good retail pricing. Quick shipping too.

 

How will you keep the water in the tank "fresh"? Sometimes I get the old container or growing stuff taste if I can't rinse the container?

 

Water quality will be very pure, so I shouldn't have problems, but I do realize sometimes things can go wrong with stored water. My plan is to either keep the tank "full" or if I want it out, I'll pump the remaining water out, open the lid (like 2.5" diamater) and use a 12v computer fan laid on top, blow air in and dry out remaining moisture.