jbillauer
New member
Hello All!
Been lurking a long time and learning a lot. Had planned originally to build out a 2022 AWD Ecoboost Transit, but plans change and I'm pivoting to doing a custom flatbed camper. I've been teaching digital fabrication and interactive installation at a local university for the last couple of years and felt like this type of project would really test and expand my skills. Based on the things I've learned from watching the build threads of many others I felt compelled to document my process as well.
That said I've just purchased the truck/platform I intend to build on: SRW 2017 Ram 3500 Crew Cab 6'4" bed with the 6.7L Cummins engine.
Most likely going to be switching the front porch (I mean bumper) for something with a lower profile but that's more of a finishing touch.
As the title says I'm in the research/planning/testing phase of the build which is comprised of a few different aspects:
Now that the school year is over, I'm turning my attention to the first component which is the custom flatbed. I'll be posting some design mockups once I get them to a presentable state, but my general ideas for the flatbed are:
Been lurking a long time and learning a lot. Had planned originally to build out a 2022 AWD Ecoboost Transit, but plans change and I'm pivoting to doing a custom flatbed camper. I've been teaching digital fabrication and interactive installation at a local university for the last couple of years and felt like this type of project would really test and expand my skills. Based on the things I've learned from watching the build threads of many others I felt compelled to document my process as well.
That said I've just purchased the truck/platform I intend to build on: SRW 2017 Ram 3500 Crew Cab 6'4" bed with the 6.7L Cummins engine.
Most likely going to be switching the front porch (I mean bumper) for something with a lower profile but that's more of a finishing touch.
As the title says I'm in the research/planning/testing phase of the build which is comprised of a few different aspects:
- Custom Flatbed
- Inspired By:
- (Idacamper) Kenny Bonnefin's Super Duty Flatbed Build
- Overland Under Budget's Tacoma Ute Tray
- Double Diamond Fabrication's Weld Yourself Flatbed
- Inspired By:
- Custom Built Composite Box / DIY Composite Panels
- Inspired By:
- Bimobil Demountable Camper System
- Ormacar Pickup Kabine (But making it a hard sided pop like Hiatus Campers/Rossmonster Lagom Series)
- AntiShanty A Frame Trailer
- The Super Camper (Nidacore)
- Total Composites Bobcat Truck Camper Box
- Idacamper 2.0
- Terra Ops' DIY Composite Flatbed Camper Build
- Overland Explorer Summit X Camper (with Garage)
- Inspired By:
- Modular Internal Mounting System based on Unistrut (Roost Vans uses a similar system)
- Additional Vehicle Modifications/Upgrades
- Lower profile bumper
- Low profile roof rack for additional support of cabover as well as mounting point for lights
- AEV front suspension system
- Extra fuel tank for higher range
- Rear airbags
- Custom built backseat storage box/platform
- I'm sure there will be more added to this list
Now that the school year is over, I'm turning my attention to the first component which is the custom flatbed. I'll be posting some design mockups once I get them to a presentable state, but my general ideas for the flatbed are:
- 82" to 84" Wide (This is one of the things I have questions on... I'd like to go 84" wide because with 2" composite panels I'll still be able to fit a full queen east/west over the cab. I just don't know what it would be like to have a flatbed with potentially 2" to 4" extending past the rear wheels on each side?)
- 84" to 90" Long (This potentially means extending the frame, which I'm unsure about doing....????)
- Proud/Protruding wheel wells to get 4" to 6" more of standing room inside the camper
- Underbed Storage Boxes
- Ability to have standard underbed spare tire
- DIY Infinite Tie Down System (SherpTek) via exposed Unistrut Channels
- Removable Headache Rack (Don't really want to lose the extra inches when the camper is on the truck)
- Removable sidewalls and tailgate (this will probably added way later)
- A pivoting or spring bolt mounting system (The spring bolt system seems interesting but some people say not to do this. I don't understand why that is? So any clarification would be great!)