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If you haven't seen this already:http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/68424-My-new-custom-ATC-flatbed-camper
If you haven't seen this already:http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/68424-My-new-custom-ATC-flatbed-camper
I did see that. That's a pretty cool build. I noticed he said the bed was 7x7, so that's basically what I'd be looking at (does 7' wide seem too much though?)
I haven't talked to them about it, but I'd like a huge door in the back so the whole thing would open up. Inside would be basically empty and I'd just use camping furniture inside with one of those bunk-bed cots( http://www.discobedshop.com/Disc_O_BedL_p/30001bo.htm) for the kids to sleep in. We do a lot of camping out of our canoe, so we have all that stuff anyway. Then if I needed to haul ******** I could empty everything out and I'd have a pretty spacious cube.
I just went through (and subscribed) to your thread. It looks like you're doing what I'm dreaming of doing. I'll probably be copying you quite a bit in the next year, haha. I really like that rear step.
I'm thinking more and more that a 1-tonne is the way to go. After seeing you end up with over 3000lbs to work with after the flatbed being installed swayed me a bit. It will be my "DD", and will therefore suck (literally and figuratively) in the milage department, but I don't drive that much anyway. I have the opposite of vehicle ADD and want to have this truck for many years, so no sense overloading it.
There we go. The doors on that Callen camper would be perfect, but something like the Pheonix would be good too.
I'm not sure how big their furnaces are, but that is one thing I need I suppose. I was thinking about AT Overland's portable heater with an access hatch on the camper for the ducting. It may just be simpler to have give up a little space and install one of theirs.
I have been using a generator and a portable electric heater, heats well enough for me...however... it is kind of a pain in the ********, plus listening to the gen all night when I want peace and quiet. Find myself, just turning it off, and dealing with the cold.
Have been looking at these propane catalytic heaters.
http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/olympian-wave-3-catalytic-safety-heater/19332
We have a similar heater in our 5th wheel that helps take the load off the main furnace, it works well but being ventless I don't use it while sleeping.
Here is an idea how far an 8' camper will hangover the rear on a 6.5' bed. Which isn't too bad. Would imagine the flatbed would sit right where that crease is on the lower body panel that runs the length of the truck..
That scares me about propane...why I went with electric instead. But it is a pain, since I have to go outside to fire up the gen. Thought about wiring in a remote, not sure I want to fuss any more with that system. Finding out I don't care for the generator.
No, that's where the current bed sits. The flatbed will need to be lot higher to clear the wheels at full articulation. The top of the wheel wells is a better estimate.
I don't see the appeal of flatbeds. It makes your CG higher and you need a ladder to get in. What are the upsides?
I would hate a generator also! Incredibly wasteful too, to use them for heat.
Pretty much everybody uses propane, so I don't think it's that scary if you use good sense. A better sleeping bag if it is real cold at night is the best solution, vs leaving a heater on. Batteries, solar, and an electric blanket inside your bag might work too. How cold is it when you camp?
I lived in my truck for 13 years and never heated it. I moved with the seasons though, so it wasn't that cold. Rarely below freezing.
There is a lot of wasted space with a conventional truck bed...yeah you give up a little COG, but gain a bunch of useable space.
Good friend's aunt and uncle died because of carbon monoxide poisoning. It was from a vented furnace in their RV. Very leery of propane heating.
I agree that conventional truck beds are less than ideal, which is why I'm removing mine. But a flatbed isn't any better. You are throwing away a ~50" x 96" x 10" space that is low and centered. Prime real estate. Everything is 10" higher then, including the roof.
A better solution is to make a "flat" bed at the same height as your regular bed with cutouts for the wheel wells. Make it whatever length and width you like, and build the rest of the camper on top. If you don't want to build your own, Total Composites makes custom camper kits that aren't that ridiculous. ~$15-20k. Foam sandwich, very light and well insulated.
Did they leave it on at night? I'd never advocate doing that. Gotta have bags and blankets that are enough when sleeping. You can fire up the heater in the morning.
I agree that conventional truck beds are less than ideal, which is why I'm removing mine. But a flatbed isn't any better. You are throwing away a ~50" x 96" x 10" space that is low and centered. Prime real estate. Everything is 10" higher then, including the roof.
A better solution is to make a "flat" bed at the same height as your regular bed with cutouts for the wheel wells. Make it whatever length and width you like, and build the rest of the camper on top. If you don't want to build your own, Total Composites makes custom camper kits that aren't that ridiculous. ~$15-20k. Foam sandwich, very light and well insulated.
Did they leave it on at night? I'd never advocate doing that. Gotta have bags and blankets that are enough when sleeping. You can fire up the heater in the morning.