Car Camping / Trip Reports / Photos / Buildouts / “Overland” / Expedition Rigs Area (homeless?)

Add a shower/bathroom tent, warm water system for showers, waag bags for the toilet.

Cook, don't just heat up cans of food.

Make sure everybody stays warm, and you should be good to go!

 

X2. https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-getaway-croms-build-and-adventures.362772/

Also Diet Taco. https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/diet-taco-trying-to-keep-things-light.409330/

 

Northern California/Monterey:

Norcold NRF-45 12/24v portable fridge/freezer - $400

http://monterey.craigslist.org/pts/5360155358.html

 

That looks really handy, is it pretty stable while in table mode?

 

The thing I can never get past with the Flip pac is the water proofing. Without the rain fly that thing is just wide open. With the rain fly it looks very restricting not to mention the difficulty in putting the rain fly on halfway through the night if it starts to storm.

I love the compact nature of it and the space but my Eezi Awn Tent is bomb proof.

 

I have a patch in the works that I think a few of you expo guys might enjoy.

 

I would definitely like a couple. Velcro on the back?

 

Yes sir, velcro backed. This is the sample, so I'm just getting the production started on the batch. I'll let everyone know when they're done.

 

I have an idea and I would like some input. I am considering two options for an 8000 mile trek I'm planning for May and June. I am back and forth on two options.
1 - Build my own fiberglass slide in camper ultra light.

2 - Buy a fiberglass truck cap and outfit the bed.



Input would help, thanks!

 

If you like building shit, build it. But unless you are mighty handy with tools it might look like ass compared with the retail cap in the pic.

 

You could spend as much if not more on a proper DIY fiberglass build, the raw materials are very expensive and you would have to pay someone to gel coat it for you. If you don't properly seal it with gel coat fiberglass will weather horribly. Resin, mat, wood, Windows, hardware etc... I would just buy a nice high top Snugtop shell that will outlast the truck.

 

I have been back and forth on the idea of a MFG truck cap.
+1 for MFG truck cap is, once the trip is over it will still look nice for every day use.
-1 for limited space. I don't have much cab space to begin with, my fault for not buying a 4 door. I didn't realize how small the cab was until, I tried to sleep in it once after a long day of towing a moving trailer.
-1 Most MFG don't offer their best caps for the regular cab truck.

My estimate for materials on the slide in camper are just under $4000. MFG truck cap run about $2000-3000 well equipped with the options I would want.

 

With that budget a second hand Flippac becomes possible.

 

Don't forget to budget for some air shocks or air bags for the rear end too. If you are going to be loaded for a long trip your OE leafs will give you a droopy diaper...and your mpg is better if you are level or slightly ass high. The truck turns into a kite when the nose is high.

 

Airbags - already done, on board air is next, included in the cost of the DIY slide in.

 

Every single DIY camper that I've seen usually looks like shit and are very heavy. I'm not sure what your building skills are, but feel free to prove me wrong.

If you have up to $4000 to play with then I'd buy a MFG cap at cab height and throw a rooftop tent on top. If you want to skip the rooftop tent idea then make sure you buy a mid-rise or high-rise cap for more headroom if you plan on sleeping in it.

 

Sounds like an adventure. I live out of my truck in the summer (wildfire firefighter) and I use a midrise leer shell outfitte with a lofted bed and drawers under the bed in the back. It's been useful for me to be able to camp wherever and be incognito... Some of the other options might not allow you to do that.

Also with 8000 miles you could probably save a ton on fuel by going with the smaller profile leer/are topper instead of a slide in.

 

Isn't your bed the same as an AC cab truck? I believe it is.

The cab profile may be slightly different, but I don't think that would be an issue.

Also, do you have time build and outfit a shell before your trip?

 

It is the same exact bed as the ext cab 1st gens. Cab just doesn't have the same rise so you're dead on.