GoFastCamper GFC Mods, Tips, and Tricks thread.

We're currently using a double sleeping bag and a fleece blanket on top of that when its cold. I have a storage net and was using it for bedding when we were using separate sleeping bags but the double stuffs down to about the size of one and a half 5 gallon buckets.

Speaking of the net, I am considering removing it and building a "bookcase" type of storage unit in the front of the camper against the cab. (I have an access cab with 6' bed) Maybe 14" deep with cubicles from floor to ceiling. The cubicles will be sized specifically to fit my heavy stuff on the bottom, medium weight stuff in the middle and clothing/bedding on top. My rough calculations say that will produce over 25,000 cubic inches of organized storage. I'd like your thoughts on this...........

 

Great idea about making some of the cubbies side facing!!

At this point I'm thinking there would be 3 layers of cubbies. The bottom layer would fit my Reliance 4 gallon water cans and my recovery gear. The middle would have the side facing ones and the top would all be facing into the camper since the side taper on the GFC narrows them somewhat.

 

OK, here's my new cubbie system. I decided not to do the side facing as we discussed @ace7196 and will use the sides for electrical panels, switches, etc.

 

Can't....................get......................pics....................to ......................load.........................

 

Maybe one more.....

 

The water containers are 4 gallons each which make them a little easier for my wife to handle. I still working on how to secure the upper row of cubbies and the top shelf. I'll probably use a strap on the top row similar to the bottom ones, just not sure where/how to fasten it. The bottom strap is attached to the OE hooks in the front sides of the bed. The next row is attached to the front GFC fasteners. There's nothing convenient up top so I'm thinking of routing a slot just large enough to allow a strap to pass through it on the outer cubbie walls. The stove may come down to the center cubbie on the top row and the plastic box on top of it. If that happens, it will need a center vertical strap too. For that I'm thinking maybe a strap fastened permanently at the the top and fastened at the bottom with a press the dot snap. I've got some of those from the days of making holsters. That leaves the shelf for blankets and pillows.

 

You could attach an eyelet to the two upper threaded bungs on the frame and run a bungee cargo net across the shelving and anchored on the bottom at the attachment bracket for the camper.

 

Hummmm..... I've already got the net. I'll play around with it. My goal is to keep it simple to attach and release.

 

Does it emit any diesel fuel smell?

 

Storage is slowly coming together.
I’m going to do piano style hinges with a lid on top. Not really interested in drawers because of the side panels opening up. Going to get some hdpe plastic once I have a day off work. Pretty stoked!

 

Have you thought about having multiple access hatches hinged to open on the narrow axis of the box? That would allow access from both the outside and inside pretty easily instead of using lengthwise hinges allowing either inside or outside ease of access.

 

I’ll be able to open it and access it while inside the camper even thought it will open towards the bed rails. It’s a 14 inch lid.

 

There’s actuall a TAP right where I’m working. Going to swing by tomorrow hopefully.

 

I went to TAP plastics today to look at materials and also get pricing for the storage buildout I am working on. I decided to go with HDPE seaboard for my baseplate and lids. I’ll be going with HDPE smooth for my storage panel walls.

The HDPE seaboard has a nice texture that I’m hoping will give traction for the surfaces that will be seeing feet.

Originally, I wanted to go with plywood for the baseplate. I have been on the fence about plywood because of living in the Pacific Northwest. I have come to accept that I will get moisture in the bed of my truck during the winter. So, Plastic seems like a good alternative to plywood with bed liner paint.

The plastic and aluminum route also seems to be a lot lighter than a plywood build. Fair warning, I have not tested this and have no numbers to back that up.

Ordering from Tnutz instead of 80/20 saved me a lot of money in the end. I am not sure if there is a difference in quality because I have never seen 80/20 in person. The stuff from Tnutz seems great so far. The prices for plastic are just based off the quote given to me today at TAP.

Hinges and Latches for the lids have not been included yet.

I look forward to sharing the finished project with everyone and I hope this information can help someone.

Estimate for panels = $223.82

BASEPLATE = $154


TNUTS EXTRUSION = $471.12


Grand total

$848.94

 

Thanks for the heads up on the texture! I do plan on having some sort of rubber Matt for the floor portion. I didn’t look into Grainger. I was just happy with having everything cut to size and all the ends tapped for me. Do they do that at grainger?

 

Yeah. I don’t think I have all the tools for that. Plus.... It was nice to have everything sent to me ready to go. Luckily I measured it all out correctly. It seriously felt like putting together an erector set. Big kid fun.

 

anyone have experience with electronic rear view mirrors? i’m totally intrigued by the idea.

i’ve never seen one before but love the idea...

 

I’ve driven a truck with one, it’s basically just a full time backup camera.

 

I got the HDPE panels cut today. They only had HDPE seaboard in stock so I went with that.

I will defitnely end up changing the tops to a thicker sheet. I need to cut mortises for the hinges and 1/4 inch sheet just doesn’t have enough meat to do that. I’m also hoping 1/2 inch will be a tad stiffer.

They did not have enough full sheets in stock for my baseplate so they ordered a sheet and it will be here in a couple weeks.

I am super excited to get this dialed in.

 

This was my eventual plan. But I stressed about not having windows for a while and I really haven't noticed a difference. So it's gone to the back burner. Looks easy enough for an install. http://www.argusmirror.com/?fbclid=IwAR2lyF_Vnjzl4HT1Lh7vt-KDK-c7g9G9WcocxeRphKzICC6nAqoygHPHs7U