Camper Shell Build

[arizonatruck]

I am saving up to build my camper shell on m short bed F250 cc.&nbsp; I know how to work with wood to do the construction.&nbsp; Would it be lighter/better to use steel or aluminum for the frame?<br><br>I can work with steel, i've done it before, but by no means am I a welder.&nbsp; I've welded, but that doesn't make me a welder.

 

[James AKA Lynx]

Go with steel and support often. the stress of moving all the time is hard on the camper. <br><br>James AKA Lynx

 

[Howardboy]

I've built them out of wood and they work well. I used 2x2 for frame work with 1/2 plywood out side and 1/4 inch panel board on the inside. The secret is to use gorilla glue and glued and screwed every thing. I also used pink foam board in the walls and foam with foil for the roof. It was light weight, strong, and you could heat it with a candle. The floor I used the pink foam with 1/2 inch plywood over also. For the roof I used 1/2 inch plywood and a roll of steel flashing. When all done I put a coat of silver seal over the whole roof. That's the stuff they use on mobile home roofs. Just remember to start your steel roofing in the back side to side and over lap at least an inch as you work to the front so water can't be forced under the steel when your doing 65 mph down the highway. Wish I had a pic so you could see it.

 

[bee]

The best would be working with whatever material you feel most comfortable with, unless you are specifically looking for a challenge or learning experience. &nbsp;Definitely&nbsp;glue everything like already mentioned. &nbsp;Good luck on your build, would love to see some pictures once you get started.

 

[arizonatruck]

This camper is going to be a combination working/living area.&nbsp; I have a single bay tool box that is about 5.5 to 6 foot tall.&nbsp; I also want to be able to stand up in it.&nbsp; Any suggestions?

 

[Howardboy]

Wind is always a factor with height and mpg go down quite a bit the taller it is. I built mine so I could stand in it.make sure u put a angle on the front over the cab and u can use that for light storage. Measure twice and cut once.

 

[arizonatruck]

The main problem is space.&nbsp; My truck is the short bed super duty.&nbsp; I don't have interior dimensions.&nbsp; I will get that in the morning.&nbsp; The interior of the bed is a little over 6 foot long and almost that wide.&nbsp; A six foot tall person can't quite seem to lay down sideways without bending somewhere.&nbsp; I am trying to build a business and build this on the back of the truck.&nbsp; I am thinking of cots, that way they can fold up when I am not using them and have the space to work in.&nbsp; This way my wife and I can go together (a bit of a conundrum there, but I made a promise to her and I will keep that promise, and I do still love her).&nbsp; The good thing about the truck is that it is a crew cab and I have some space to keep things that I don't need at the ready in the box.<br><br>Eventually I may get a small box truck/van, something like an 3/4ton or larger for pickup with a box.<br><br>I have the general design in my head and a rough sketch.&nbsp; Unfortunately, I have copied a bit of bob's design on his truck, with a few modifications.&nbsp; I think his truck has is a long bed and mine is a short.

 

[Howardboy]

Bob's design was ok, he just didn't put the wind deflector on the front when he first built it. It was like a flat wall against the wind and gas mileage was poor so that's why he changed it. I had a camper cap that was that way years ago that stuck way above the cab, that is the only reason I new I wanted a wind deflector because of the mpg. Wether you go with 2x4 or like I did when I ripped all my 2x4s in to 2x2s for weight, you just have to glue and screw every thing. I wanted mine as light as possible that's why I did my design. You will figure it out. Cots sound good if they fit side by side or you can do bunks that fold down from the wall with a leg under them. This takes stress off the wall and if you make it the right height, you can use it as a work bench/table. Or one cot and one bunk.. Trial and error. I've been looking for a van, but you got me thinking again. Maybe I will do another truck camper build. It's nice to have the head room. It's just not as stealthy looking. B

 

[arizonatruck]

It's designed with the deflector in the front.&nbsp; Kind of like a half triangle.

 

[Howardboy]

Yep, but if you add it in the beginning that gives you a lot of lite storage.

 

[arizonatruck]

The design has it already.&nbsp; I have aerodynamics considered.

 

[Kisatchieman]

Hey Arizona, How's the build going?

 

[arizonatruck]

Right now, i've been focusing on my trailer build. It's a 20 foot long by 8.5 foot wide enclosed trailer. It's huge. I'm also working out of it. I'm only going to actually live in about 1/3 of it. It has about 24 square feet of counter space and some cabinetry. As soon as I can put some money together I will be putting solar panels on it. It's gonna cost about $300-$400 for that. It doesn't have insulation yet or even full interior panels. I still have plans for a shell.

 

[Donedirtcheap]

If you are not a tig welder now, its probably not the time to learn. Best bet is probably wood and far cheaper. Anything that may get wet may be best covered in Rot Doctor penetrating epoxy. Kreg screws with good glue on the joints works well.

http://www.kregtool.com/PocketHole-Screws-and-Plugs-Prodlist.html

Pricey but its a fantastic product.

http://www.rotdoctor.com/epoxy/woodrestoration.html

I do not profit from these products but have used both with great results.