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

[Telcobilly]

Good to know, I'll keep the new I bought and have it filled until it's past it's prime.

 

[Telcobilly]

My epoxied hooks didn't hold up,  so I bought another cargo bar,  set it about midway from the ceiling and the overhang floor.  I doubled the cargo net over it and used the lower hooks which are still holding secure.  It's a little easier to get smaller things out.  I'll play with the bar placement to get the best result.   I really wish I had front access like a van,  but the extra storage &  off road capability are decent consolation prizes. Lol

 

[Telcobilly]

Passing this on.  The Luggable Loo seat fits the Gamma screw on lid on the 5 gallon bucket.  The Gamma lid will seal the nastiness until you get a chance to do a doo doo drop.. Lol  Of course I use scented bags too. 

 

[Telcobilly]

Set up a food prep surface on top of the microwave. I want to put together a minimalist collection of cooking and eating ware. I want to have enough gear to cook basic healthy food vs processed stuff.  

 

[East]

How are the metal hangers working out for you? I switched to plastic because the metal ones kept deforming from the swaying and movement while driving.

 

[Telcobilly]

How are the metal hangers working out for you? I switched to plastic because the metal ones kept deforming from the swaying and movement while driving.

I went to the wire hangars (sorry Joan Crawford.. Lol)  on the big truck because the plastic hangers took up too much room on the super short bar in the truck. I use wooden hangars for the heavier motorcycle coats,  no problems with the wire ones with shirts ect.

 

[Telcobilly]

I'm baaaaack,  lol.  I went to the Philippines for a month in February and while there,  the IP address I was on caused me to get banned.. Whaaaaaaaat?!  Bob kindly fixed the issue and I'm finally getting back here.  
I will do a story with pics soon. 

I just got a 12v water heater to do my dishes.  All of my dishes,  cups ect fit in this small tub which I use to wash everything. 

 

[WriterMs]

Welcome back. So now you are an international nomad? Philippines? Interested to see those further updates and pics.

 

[Telcobilly]

Thanks,  I'll be collecting the pix and putting an article in the off-topic forum.  I've been back on the big truck for a  month now to replenish the coffers and knock out a last bit of debt.
I swapped my Suzuki motorcycle for a 6x12 trailer to store all of my stuff.  I now have my own storage unit. 

 

[masterplumber]

I was wondering where you were. Glad life seems to be good. I've seen other travelers overseas use those immersion heaters, but usually off shore power. I imagine you can't run it too long without running the truck due to amp draw?

 

[ArtW]

that immersion heater is pretty cool

 

[Telcobilly]

Thanks,  works well.  I now drop it in the measuring cup with water while I prepare / eat my meals.  By the time I'm done,  it's very hot.  A few drops of Dawn in the water and the dishes are squeaky clean.  Very simple &  convenient.  I'm getting all of my vandwelling methods dialed in on the big truck.

 

[Telcobilly]

I spotted this neat van conversion at a Walmart near Kellogg Idaho a few days ago.  Would have loved to have talked with the owner, but it looks like he was laying low.  I like the rear and side access of the box.  I'm going to do one of those hitch shelves myself. Maybe the owner is on this site? 

 

[masterplumber]

Don't know if he is on here, but it looks just like a rig at the winter RTR. Right down to the rear ladder. I got a chance to look inside. It was simple but very well organized and looked very comfortable.

 

[JeriLynn]

I want to build a go anywhere stealth camper and hopefully use my paid off 2004 Tacoma as a base. It's been lifted with larger A/T tires installed. Next upgrade is a limited slip diff. I work in the oilfield so I have housing most of the time. I want this rig to be be a go anywhere ( within reason , no rock crawling or mud bogging) vehicle to fill in the blanks between jobs. Sometimes I'll be visiting/ staying with friends and family in TX/CA so it won't be full time.

I'm interested in this large fiberglass utility body, as it is roomy and light weight. I would do an opening boat hatch on the top and a sliding window in the front to meet up with the truck's rear cab window.

My concern is condensation, but with all of the people living in boats and fiberglass trailers, surely there is a solution to this problem?

Please let me know what you think, Will

On a Ford Ranger with a 6' bed (like mine).

My truck:

That is a very nice looking habitat and would look especially nice on your gray truck.  I have just started researching super absorbent fabrics such as bamboo, hemp or cotton or some blend. I came across a product called Zorb fabric on amazon. I work in Japan which as you probably know is very humid. They make a product sold at the dollar stores here that take the water out of the air.  They are about the size of a small bowl and they fill up fairly quickly.  I wonder though which would be better wiping down fiberglass or wringing out some sort of fabric.  Would you mind posting the cost of the camper.  Thanks
Jeri

 

[poncho62]

This one is for sale near me...$2600 cdn......Ontario, Canada

 

[Telcobilly]

I like that one! Someone should grab it.

 

[Telcobilly]

Been off this site for awhile,  I've been busy trucking &  saving for my next Philippines adventure.
Anyway,  this may interest some of you.  Last year my Texas plates were expiring and they closed the loophole of being able to renew the plates without the inspection.  I was out of time &  too far from Texas ,  so I had to bite the bullet and put California plates on the truck for $350, 5 times the cost of Texas.
After some research,  I found a mail forwarding company in South Dakota who could help me get SD plates &  title for the truck. I qualified as a "nomad"  because I didn't have a lease or mortgage.  This company,  Your Best Address caters to the RV crowd.  I had to get a mailbox to get the tags.  The cost with the additional title fees was under $100. I do have to pay $120 per year for 13 months of forwarding.  No inspection required.  I'm going to do a motorcycle next. The link to this company is :

http://www.yourbestaddress.com

I really like having a South Dakota plate vs a California plate anyway.. 

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[ArtW]

Looks like you got your utility shell, I didn't know they made those to fit Rangers, may have to look into one at some point
what's the brand ?

 

[Telcobilly]

Looks like you got your utility shell, I didn't know they made those to fit Rangers, may have to look into one at some point
what's the brand ?

My shell is a Durashell 165. I bought it from Fleetwest in Tempe AZ. It fit my previous '04 Tacoma and my current larger' 08 Tacoma.