Show me what's in your camper shell!

The carpet was just some a cheap indoor outdoor roll I'd picked up a couple years ago, maybe at a Home Depot, but really can't remember. Used to use it as a ground cover for my dogs to hang out on when camping. It's pretty thin. Haven't had in the truck over a winter yet, so I'm not sure how yet how it'll handle drying out after getting wet. I cut the carpet to fit over the Toyota rubber bed mat, makes for nice level floor.

And yeah, the high clearance shell is definitely where it's at if you're running a sleeping platform and actually want to sit up. This one is an ARE MX. I finally got a chance to overnight in this thing recently and it worked out exactly like I was hoping.

 

Added an attic.



Link here.

$16 ABN Cargo Net with Fasteners and Hardware, 24 x 45in (Stretches to 60in Long) – Trailer, SUV, Motorcycle, ATV, Roof

ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00

 

Nice!

 

Finally got the boards together. Now just need to carpet them!

 

Hey Y'all, I need a favor please. Could someone with a ARE MX cap take a couple pics of the weather striping / moulding around the area of the rear door. Especially around the bottom/corners where it rests against the tailgate.

Thanks!
Rob

 

Been using my Tacoma DCLB and Leer 180 cap for a couple of years. Love the simplicity and comfort. A recent trip to the Shenandoah/GWNF area of Virginia:


This trip reminded me of some minor camping "issues" I have wanted to address for some time and thought I'd share:

1: Added a BedRug. Why I waited to toss my BS carpet remnant and go with a quality fitted & insulated rug I'll never know...but I finally listened to my screaming knees and bought one. Great fit, insulation, feel, does not hold water, and is lightweight and easy to clean.

2: Tailgate. Needed a flat work surface, suitable for food prep, and wanted to get tailgate knee protection from those damn ridges! Looked at the various offerings and just thought too much $$$. Searched for "commercial black cutting board" on Amazon and saw various sizes. Got and mounted the 15x20 at $22.00 and decided just to do one side. Pop riveted to the tailgate interior liner. I left one tailgate "groove" on the right side to hold a tool or cooking implement.



3: Other than a kayak or canoe I try not to hang "overlanding gear" outside the vehicle...while I do like the image, I don't think hanging eye candy out is a good idea in some of the areas I've frequented. My 2 traction boards are a must have for varied terrain and at times for leveling the truck. I normally stored them under my cot. This wasted good storage space IMO so I finally mounted them inside the cap. I drilled two SS 3/8" bolts through the roof with fender washers, fender washer under the shell and a lock nut. Caulking makes it watertight. A coupling nut is added which gives a threaded female to thread a 3/8" bolt, fender washer and wingnut "up" into the coupling nut using the boards factory mounting hold. A strip of scrap foam is under the boards so once you tighten everything up...no movement. They are out of the way, secure, accessible. Note my cap has the extra 4-5" of headroom.



4: Cap heat. OZY had his water bowl freeze overnight on this trip...we were fine...but the AM "get up and dressed phase" could be nicer if the cap could be warmed up. I have insulated panels for the cap windows (and with the new BedRug the entire floor is now insulated) so I first addressed heat loss. I just want a simple, cheap, way to heat the cap up a bit for a fairly short interval, not the full night/day. I know about various heaters and the like...I like simple and safe. I purchased one length of black foam pipe insulation and cut and duct taped a "square" that is force fit mounted between my cap window and the cab window...it seals the entire 360 degree gap. I can run the truck for about 10 minutes and the heat flows into the cap area very well with these windows open. Select fresh air intake with heat selector and fan on high. Don't be parked on dry tall grass or forest debris, ensure exhaust is in proper condition and not obstructed by forest debris or snow.

It just gets better and better!

 

Welcome to the best damn Tacoma forum on the interwebs

It sounds and looks like a great trip! I suppose Ozy's bowl freezing is easily avoided. Also, they're not that expensive anymore, but you could install a remote start doohicky and that way you can stay in the back to turn the truck on and off instead of getting out in the rain or cold. Best part is, they all shut off after like 10 minutes so even if you fell back asleep you'd be good.

 

Shenandoah NP is one of my favorite places to hike lot of great trails and some awesome waterfalls

 

Got the platform situation, somewhat situated. Now needing to carpet the boards and the shell.

 

Subd

 

Those of you guys that have carpeted your platforms, what kind of carpet are you using, and is there specific qualities I should look for? Thanks!

 

I'm using BedRug carpet. I bought some in bulk (off the roll), cut to fit, added bias tape around the edges.

It's great stuff. Not the least expensive solution, but the stuff is great.

 

what do you have that huge drawer sliding on?

 

thats a clean setupp!!

 

Did a good job cleaning up those boards with the plywood "veneers," might have to copy that haha

 

My 4 season (lol) camping setup.
I have an awning and a couple tarps too that make up a protected area off the tail gate to cook and stuff.
I like all the headroom this gives me when I'm inside the shell.


I have my pillow rolled up in my 5 degree bag.
Got too hot a few times on this trip when I synched the mummy hood down around my face.
I put a towel over my thermarest pad so I
don't slide around and I just use those
2'x2' square floor mat/exercise mat things
so don't feel the bed if the truck.

My camp & cooking table.

 

Here's a better pic of the 2'x2' pads I use

 

Automotive/Trunk Carpet. I've heard some people use marine carpet? Maybe I'm making that up.

$40 Absolute C15GR 15-Feet Long/4-Feet Wide Grey Carpet for Speaker Sub Box Carpet rv Truck Car Trunk Laner

This is what's in mine

 

Monday-Friday:





Saturday:

 

Any of you guys use eye nuts on the inside of your camper shells? Best place to purchase them if so? I was going to connect a couple to my thule track rack screws that go through the camper.