Thinking of buying a utility shell for a stealth/adventure vehicle camper.

[akrvbob]

Looking good!
Bob

 

[B and C]

A simple google search turned up a lot of pictures. There are some pretty elaborate ones out there as well as just functional. It all probably depends on the space you have and what you have envisioned.

I made one back when I was doing the scoutmaster thing. It was basically a rectangular box set on end with screen door hinges (the kind you can remove the hinge pin from) on the front panel for a door with a hasp to hold it closed. The front door removed and could be attached to the top hanging off to the side with another half set of hinges (reusing the pulled set of pins) and a hinged stick from the bottom of the door to the side for support. My coleman 2 burner stove was screwed to the top and the door made a great prep area and a table for two to sit at to eat. Top shelf held can goods, etc. with a pull drawer underneath for cooking utensils and silverware/knives. At the bottom was a board across the front with a couple of plastic tubs to use for sinks and they also held the cookware. There was a handle on each side to carry it by.

I don't see a picture of anything like that though.

 

[Telcobilly]

Thanks Brian, what term dud you search by, Chuck box, portable kitchen?

 

[Telcobilly]

Oops,  typo meant *did.  Couldn't edit it in time.  Anyway,  I picture a box that could be stored in the truck cab when out of use,  keeping the living area in the back more open.  I have a plastic tub full of excess cooking/eating gear in the "basement"  I'm going to pull it out and reconfigure it to something more practical as well as transfer what I need in the future chuck box.    This will allow the room below to get a larger propane tank and make my 5 gallon bucket more accessible.

 

[B and C]

Thanks Brian,  what term dud you search by,  Chuck box,  portable kitchen?

I just used "chuck box" and went down to where there are pictures and expanded it.  Lots of fancy ones and bare bones too.  Page through them, there is bound to be something that strikes your fancy

 

[Telcobilly]

Some details of my set up.  I hooked up my long gas line through a filter to the heater. 



The hose runs under the deck,  through an access hole to the outside of the shell but inside the bedside.  I may reroute it inside and simply chain the tank to the bumper while in use. 



I have a carbon monoxide detector,  propane sniffer.  I also have a wattage gauge for electrical usage checking. I would like to find a full time propane alarm too. 

 

[Telcobilly]

I have a fire extinguisher for safety.  I use a cloth shopping bag as a dust cover when not in use.

 

[masterplumber]

If you go to my build thread there is a picture of my chuck box in there somewhere. It has worked well for many years in various vehicles, but is a little large and awkward to move around. A few years ago I wanted a small kitchen that I could grab and fit into any vehicle. I had a Maxpedition briefcase with water bottle pockets on the end that I wasn't using. I put my Jetboil in one side, and extra canisters in the other end. I have a group pot for the Jetboil that fits in the middle, along with plates, cups, bowls, etc... for two. Then all the other stuff like silverware, sponges etc... fit in the other pockets. Very organized, easy to grab, and takes no more room than a standard soft briefcase. It turned out so well it's become our go to set up for any trip not involving the trailer. Both of my boys are always "borrowing it" also. One of them went on a month long 7,000 mile road trip and it's all he used. I think with your compact rig something like it, maybe built out of a used day pack would be ideal. You would still need another milk crate or something to organize food in, but the two containers would be much easier to store in the cab like you mentioned.

 

[Telcobilly]

Thanks masterplumber,  definitely food for thought.  I really like your idea.  Going to start researching it more.  A lot more versatile than what I was imagining.

 

[Tinman74]

A quick question about the portable Buddy Mr. heater. Just picked up a Mr Heater tough buddy heater at Lowes and discovered it was made in China.
It is the identical heater/ made by Mr Heater/ but yellow in color/. I checked Tractor supply / green in color/and a sporting goods store/ camo color/ and they too were made in China.
Can you tell me if the/ Red, original/ Mr Heaters are made in China also????
Thanks, Bob

 

[Telcobilly]

A quick question about the portable Buddy Mr. heater. Just picked up a Mr Heater tough buddy heater at Lowes and discovered it was made in China.
It is the identical heater/ made by Mr Heater/ but yellow in color/. I checked Tractor supply / green in color/and a sporting goods store/ camo color/ and they too were made in China.
Can you tell me if the/ Red, original/ Mr Heaters are made in China also????
Thanks, Bob

I'll check it tomorrow unless someone beats me to it.. Lol

 

[Telcobilly]

Mine is the red one. I just checked it out. Also made in China. No complaints with it. Hope this helps.

 

[Telcobilly]

I bought the  regular sized propane tank,  and it fits like a glove down below.  Going to fill it or swap it for a filled tank ($17 @ Walmart).  Bought an inline tank level guage too
I replaced 4 hinge bolts with eyebolts to enable me to carry bulky items (sailing dinghy) once I get a receiver hitch rack.

 

[Tinman74]

Thanks Talcobilly,
I thought that may be the case, I feel better now I thought maybe they were making a Chinese knock off to sell cheaper at the big box stores but I guess that is not the case. Was a bit concerned about the quality and that I may not be able to get parts, etc. Have heard mostly good reports on Mr Heater products.
Been enjoying your build thread,very interesting.
Thanks again
Bob

 

[Telcobilly]

I was initially nervous when I was using mine in the back.  The heater is ridiculously safe.  A light bump will shut it off.  If I didn't have a porthole at both ends of the shell open,  the heater would shut itself off. I spent 3 weeks in the cold of Boulder Colo using it.  At the time I was using the small green bottles and going thru them pretty fast.  
I'm looking forward to the bigger tank.  I'll be fanatical about safety.  I may secure the tank outside at first,  not sure yet. I'll be running a carbon monoxide detector and using a propane sniffer to verify that there are no leaks.

 

[Tinman74]

Haven't even tried mine yet but have a 20 lb tank, filter and hose ready. Also have some 1 lb. bottles on hand. It has been unseasonably warm here in Pa.
so far this year. That is sure to change soon.
Stay safe, sounds like you have a plan.
Bob

 

[masterplumber]

Just a note on the 20 lb exchange bottles. They only have 15 lbs of propane in them - says so right on the label. I know a guy who owns a propane business and he showed me. It's a good way to get a new tank if you have a rusty one or one that needs recertified, but short of that you're better off taking your tank to a place that fills them.

 

[highdesertranger]

yes the exchange tanks are a rip off. some people don't seem to care. let's face it when someone turns in an out of date tank and they give them a new tank with propane they are not losing money. highdesertranger

 

[LeeRevell]

Getting your bottle filled, you get no more than 17 lbs or so.  They fill to only 80% by law to allow expansion space.  Still, better than the swap tanks.

 

[highdesertranger]

around here you get 4.8 gallons. just had one filled. which comes out to 20.06 lbs. highdesertranger