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

Telcobilly · Jun 15, 2012

Windows will be done first, no camping until then.

Telcobilly · Sep 20, 2012

Hi folks, I'm back. I picked the unit up on Tuesday, 9/19/12 in Phoenix and then continued on to San Diego. Very nice people at Fleetwest in Tempe, AZ. You can tell it's there for sure, but since I had an add a leaf and new shocks, the truck sat level. The gas mileage as indicated on my Scanguage showed at least a 2 mpg reduction. In fairness, I had a good amount of redundant stuff in the back which was going to be unloaded in my storage in SD. I pulled out the heavy tailgate, truck toolbox and totes and carefully reloaded it with what I need on the rigs, which is clothes, food and tools. I retrieved my trucking items like my inverter, fan, water bottles ect. I'm brainstorming on how I'm going to set this up as my bug out/oilfield vehicle. It's 75" at the floor, so it's long enough for my 6'2" frame to stretch out. My plans are to install 3 wood slats running across the shell on the ridges you see in the photos and then putting a cot on one side. This will keep the weight lower and with allow easy access to the stuff on the floor. It will permit reconfigurable/flexible use of the space. A boat hatch in the roof is a priority, as well as a Honda generator and a small floor a/c unit. I can see that this unit will serve me well as a micro RV, stealth camper without the expense and hassles of a real RV. I have a lot of work to do so it will be a work in progress for awhile. I'm thinking of spring helpers similar to Super Springs to beef up the rear springs even more, what is your advice on this? Or should I airbag it?

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akrvbob · Sep 21, 2012

WOW!! That looks terrific! I am really looking forward to your build. How much does it weigh? Air bags are a lot more versatile but they are also very expensive. If you can afford it, they are much better in the long run. Bob

Telcobilly · Sep 21, 2012

Hi Bob, I was told it weighs 400lbs. Not as light as a regular camper shell, but MUCH lighter than a real truck camper. The aerodynamics are pretty decent, no added wind noise, but I'm sure side gusts will be felt.
I'll have to wait on the hatch and now, possible airbags and the other things, as I dropped a lot of money to pay the unit off.
I feel a greater sense of freedom and well being that no matter how bad things get, I don't have to fret about being out on the street. Not to say that I don't have a lot of kind family members...but I don't like to impose..

dborla01 · Sep 22, 2012

nice direction you are taking, billy. Good luck. Darrell

Telcobilly · Sep 22, 2012

Thanks Darrell, I'll keep posting updates of my progress. It will slow down some that my money has gone out to purchase the unit. Right off the bat with the offloading of unnecessary and redundant stuff, the rear came up a tiny bit and the handling improved incrementally. I'm wiring in the brake light and dome light this weekend, along with buying more wash baskets to store everything such as food, clothes, shoes, ect. Then I'm getting slats of wood or PVC to run across to support a bunk. Down the road will be a deck hatch in the roof, CO detector, Honda generator & a floor standing A/C unit.. Pics and impressions forthcoming.

VanLifeCrisis · Sep 23, 2012

This is really cool...i am currently planning a cargo van route but i like the idea that if the truck dies you still have the camper to swap out.  I also like the ability to customize it how you want it.  If you had a piece of sturdy wood that could span the ledges on the side, couldnt you hinge it on one side than have a fold down style bunk that would be against the wall otherwise (your walls look higher than the width there)? Like you see in ships in movies <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /> That would probably save you room, and you would have almost the whole thing to use for space when not sleeping etc. Maybe on the opposite side you have a table/desk or something the same way <img src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /> Ok im bored so, i made an illustration:

I gotta say i dont care for that big ole dome light...im 6'4 and every inch of head room would count!

Telcobilly · Sep 24, 2012

Hi Dazar,
I'm still brainstorming on the sleeping platform. Thanks for the diagrams. Anything I do, won't be too expensive, so if I change my mind, it won't be too costly. It will continue to be a work in progress as I decide what to keep and what to remove.
Last big ticket items will be a hatch, generator and floor a/c unit. The rest will be lower cost details..
Dome light does not really intrude badly and the light is very welcome. I have 67" from the bed floor to the ceiling.

Telcobilly · Sep 25, 2012

I bought three 2x4s and cut them to 62" to span the width of the shell, ledge to ledge. Rather than building a platform which limits the height of items on the floor and will get in the way of easy access, I'm toying with buying a camping cot to set on the 2x4 spans. I'll still have plenty of headroom, the cot is light and inexpensive and I can put the taller items under it. Additionally, the cot can be moved to gain access. I noticed almost every cot I have looked at is 75" long which is exactly the interior length of the shell, cool! With 3 2x4's and some heavy duty velcro, I spent about $12 yesterday.

Telcobilly · Sep 27, 2012

Just got a 75" cot at Walmart yesterday and did some rearranging at storage today. It fit in perfect. I'm going to buy a piece of plywood to lay down on the 2x4s & cover it with outdoor carpeting. The higher stuff is under the cot, laundry baskets will be under the plywood. I got a two gallon water jug as well.
Been looking at and pricing boat deck hatches for leak proof ventilation and natural light. Coming together...,

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enjoyprogress · Sep 29, 2012

I love your rig. I'm kinda doing the same thing except my Toyota is an 81 and I'm just going to rock a normal camper shell. Though I will be using a cot like yours and have my backpacks and a few totes. Cant forget my bicycle. Thats the whole reason I'm becoming nomadic. I need to ride all the mountains. All of them. hhahah

Telcobilly · Sep 29, 2012

Thanks! It's getting there. I have been nomadic my whole life, maybe it's my Choctaw heritage.. Anyway, I'm rethinking the boat hatch idea.. I'm reluctant to hack up this nicely made shell, so I'm thinking instead, of putting round, clear access hatches in each of the doors. I saw them in West Marine the other day. I could put one in each door up high. They remove for ventilation. I could put another vent elsewhere in the unit. It's not totally hermetically sealed now, so suffocation is not a risk, but to be safe, I'm going to install a carbon monoxide detector. This will free up a ton of money so I can buy the generator now, and next summer a room a/c unit.. I walk everyday, so these ideas keep pouring in my head..

Telcobilly · Sep 29, 2012

Picked up 3 hatches today at West Marine. Two are 8" diameter clear hatches with screw on covers for the doors. They will let in a lot of light and air. There is a spot at the top of the door where they clear the ribs and fit perfectly. I bought a plain 6" white round hatch for additional ventilation inside the shell. Total cost was $48 vs a grand for two high quality deck hatches with installation.. Pix to come when they go in..

Telcobilly · Oct 1, 2012

These are the hatches I bought. They fit perfectly at the top of each door. I installed a similar hatch on my dad's sailboat, going through 1/2" thick fiberglass, so this will be a breeze. They let in a lot of light and air when removed. I can put mosquito netting in if needed. Also, I removed two 4" round covers to access the bed clamps to allow plenty of ventilation. Additionally, I purchase a CO detector at Cosco this past Sunday, so that base is covered.

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Telcobilly · Oct 2, 2012

Purchased a sheet of plywood and had it cut down the center in two 24" wide strips and then shortened it to 74" long. I purchased a runner rug and fastened it on with upholstery tacks. I now have a nice solid floor which lifts up easily for access below. Notice I still have decent headroom.

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VanLifeCrisis · Oct 8, 2012

sweet, you have  alot of storage area there <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" />   I know you have it tied down but id still be scared of the cot falling off those boards. How much do these cost anyway?  Apparently utility shells have some sort of phobia about pricing online (ie call us only, for upsale) <img src="/images/boards/smilies/tongue.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">

Telcobilly · Oct 8, 2012

I have it tied down with those heavy duty tiewraps and since the pic was taken, I put straps with cam release buckles. Additionally I have no-slip rubber pads under each leg (6). I have two sheets of plywood stacked. I was going to put the extra piece in storage to save weight, then I thought if I needed to transport something big, I could take the cot down and lay the other plywood piece out. This shell wasn't cheap, but with it's build quality, 10 year warranty and the fact it can substitute for a truck camper, it was an acceptable price for me. Additionally I can write it off on my taxes.. I paid $5345 with taxes at Fleetwest in Tempe, AZ.

VanLifeCrisis · Oct 9, 2012

That's out of my range but still way cheaper than a new truck camper (heck sportsmobile charges more for a van poptop) and probably way way lighter.  Looks like a couple sturdy buddies could lift that sucker! <img src="/images/boards/smilies/redface.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /> Thanks for the info, i think after the van i might look for something like this, i want to travel a lot so want to get gas down.  I think in a few years trucks mpg are gonna go up.  Easy separation in case of failure from either half is appealing.

Telcobilly · Oct 9, 2012

Dazar, that was my thinking too. My future truck (if needed) will be another midsized Toyota with 4x4 next time and this unit will be swapped in. The unit could be quickly emptied and I think 4 guys each lifting 100lbs should have no problem. Also, I like the stealth factor this rig offers, looks like a work truck. The two 6" diameter clear hatches provide 56 square inches of light and ventilation. They will be high enough that passing people would have to step up to look inside. I think this rig is a good balance of space, economy,stealth and cost. At this point, I'm receiving a truck allowance and mileage, so my upgrades and shell are essentially free..