New in Washington

[Joel]

<P>Hi, My Name is Joel.&nbsp; I came across this web site many months ago, when searching for home-built truck camper ideas... But I just joined the group a few days ago.. I live in a regular old house..and work full time (Im grateful for that).&nbsp; I use to live in a cabin i built on some property i owned in eastern washington..No electricity, running water etc..&nbsp; Needless to say those years left me with an excess of camping gear..gas stoves, lanterns, etc..and some really great memories..I started building my homemade camper about a month and a half ago..almost done framing it..I plan on keeping it as strong and secure as possible..For extended trips I plan on purchasing a small utility trailer to haul extra supplies...fuel, water, etc.&nbsp; If anyone wants to see a picture of the camper Im building, drop me a line and I will email a pic to you.&nbsp; Im a survivalist at heart. Have a good one! <A href="mailto:joelstrom@ymail(DOT)com" target=_blank>joelstrom@ymail(DOT)com</A>&nbsp;</P>

 

[Guest]

Hi Joel....welcome to the forum...glad to have you here and good luck on your build...keep us posted and a few pix are always good....<br>Bri<br><br>

 

[VanTramp]

Welcome Joel! From a fellow Washington guy (on the OP). The camper sounds cool, you should post a pic or two here <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"> Would spare you a lot of curious emails.

 

[Joel]

<P>I tried to upload a couple pictures..I dont know what happend.&nbsp; If I look at my profile it says I have&nbsp;2 uploaded attachments.&nbsp; But I dont know how to access them, or make them public.&nbsp; </P>

 

[cyndi]

Pics of Joel's camper in progress.&nbsp; He can tell you what he's done.<br><br><A id=zoomedLink class=menuTrigger title="Click to zoom out." href="javascript:void(0);" _prototypeUID="8" target=_blank><IMG style="WIDTH: 445px; HEIGHT: 284px" id=fullImage alt="P1010679.jpg " src="http://i979.photobucket.com/albums/ae276/stumpabump/P1010679.jpg?t=1300402423" width=779 height=590 GALLERYIMG="no"></A><br><br><IMG style="WIDTH: 472px; HEIGHT: 413px; VISIBILITY: visible" id=fullSizedImage class=media alt="" src="http://i979.photobucket.com/albums/ae276/stumpabump/P1010680.jpg?t=1300402819" galleryimg="no"><br><br><IMG style="WIDTH: 450px; HEIGHT: 324px; VISIBILITY: visible" id=fullSizedImage class=media alt="" src="http://i979.photobucket.com/albums/ae276/stumpabump/P1010678.jpg?t=1300403412" galleryimg="no"><br>

 

[Les H]

Hey Joel, welcome.
That will be some serious strong camper , man.<img src="/images/boards/smilies/thumb.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"> I will defiantly be interested in following the build, I'm a contractor and remodeler, so I get the plates ,no movement. Someone around here built one similar, and finished it like a wooden boat, varnish and brass etc. If I see him, I'll snap a pic for everyone.
Les

 

[Guest]

Hi Joel, looking good...you will be able to hold a small square dance on the roof...<br>Les....I have seen a couple of those up the the PNW..boat guys love to do that....<br>Bri<br><br>

 

[Guest]

Hi Joel, looking good...you will be able to hold a small square dance on the roof...<br><br>Les....I have seen a couple of those up the the PNW..boat guys love to do that....<br>Bri<br><br>

 

[Joel]

<P>Thanks for posting the pictures Cyndy.&nbsp;&nbsp; And thanks for the compliments!</P>

 

[Joel]

<P>Greetings earthlings..Heres a tip on a cool (free up to 14 days) camp location..If your travelling East on highway 14 (Washington State).. Between Vancouver and Goldendale...just past Stevenson..Its called Avery landing...Its right down on the river (Columbian)..So it can be very windy...You need to be to self contained here as there is no power, etc..There is a nice size island in the middle of the river directly across from camp site..Fun to kayak out to if the winds arent to bad..This site is very secluded and you may prefere to travel further East along Highway 14 to Mary hill park...They have full hook ups as well as tent sites....Also before I continue any further on my camper, Ive decided to cut off about 14 inches..I initially planned on leaving the tail gate open, but have decided i want to be able to close it...This will leave exactly 6 feet of leg room inside..plently if your only 5,9...well I gotta get running....happy trails..Joel</P>

 

[oldnjung]

Thanks for the boondock/camping tips. I lived in Tigard/Portland for 26 years and know right where to go. Want to stop at the Pendleton Woolin Mill factory outlet store on that side of the river to get a blanket or two. Will be up that way in a couple months. I am 5'9' also and 1 1/2 in. extra, head and foot is not that much after pillows, socks, etc. . I got a 6 ft. fence board to give myself a real idea of how long a bed will be in our van. Only one person, laying a little crossways is fine.<br>Great job so far on the frame. I may borrow the stud bracket thingy idea.<br>Thanks, jb<br>

 

[Joel]

<P>Yep, its a cool area..A good view of the sky at night as well...nothing like listening to coast to coast and sitting out under a star filled sky..I work 4 on 4 off, so I have the chance to get a lot of stuff done if im in the mood.&nbsp;&nbsp; I put the "camper" upright yesterday and cut it down to the new length then re-attached the "end".&nbsp;&nbsp; I will finish framing today.&nbsp; I plan on painting the frame with marine paint. I will use engineered panels for the exterior walls.&nbsp; I will use foam board for insulation.&nbsp; I will install the 2 windows and metal entry hatch last.&nbsp; I framed the ceiling so i can add a cool skylight/hatch at a later date if i decide to.&nbsp;&nbsp; Have a good one. Joel</P>

 

[Joel]

<P>oh...yea, your right about the leg room...i thought about it a long time..in the end i just decided i would rather be able to close the tail gate as well as keep the unit lighter....also i think if a camper extends out of the box unto the tailgate you are required to license it.</P>