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

shop deals on amazon
Shop deals on ebay
Advertise with us
Van Living Forum

Help Support Van Living Forum:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.
Picked up a 12' propane hose and propane detector to run my Mr Buddyheater (safely) from a larger tank this winter. I'm going to run the hose through the access holes in the shell and out to the rear of the truck between the bedside and shell, like the shore power cord.

null_zps1d7ddd1a.jpg
 
Hmm...it never occured to me they would have a device to detect gas ...always heard the soap method <img src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">&nbsp;
 
<P>"Hmm...it never occured to me they would have a device to detect gas ...always heard the soap method"<BR><BR><BR>YES DazarGaidin...very much so! No respectable RV'er would be without one!</P><P>We thought we&nbsp;had a tiny gas leak in our motorhome, but until we got our detector we didn't know for sure......Yup!...we did!</P><P>we then borrowed a 'gas leak sniffer' to pinpoint where the leak was coming from (a loose connector), and it wasn't an issue after that. But I'm sure glad we got that sorted out!<BR><BR><BR>enjoying your build Telcobilly! I too was an OTR driver, and lived full time in my tractor for several years back in the early 80's. (life was simple then) <IMG class=bbc_img src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" rel="lightbox"></P>
 
Thanks Patrick, trucking affords me the flexibility of leaving and returning as I wish. I plan to work months on and 6 months off, as of next year. I'm changing jobs soon and should make more. My goal is to pay off my truck next year and go cruising with my dad on his boat. I'll be 55 in Mov, so it's a good milestone and place in my life to dial it back and enjoy life.
 
I removed the cot and ran the floor panels fully across the bed. Really opened up the interior with a huge improvement in headroom. I got rid of a lot of stuff, but I have more to do. I'll follow up with pics tomorrow. I have been out trucking since April with minimal home time. I'm still trying to get truck paid off next year and then transition to part time.
 
Hi Kevin, My posting slowed down due to trucking and not having anything really new to add to my thread. I'm still a frequent visitor as I enjoy the ideas and projects I see posted here. My posts will pick up when I finish up the rest of this rig and reduce my time at work. I'm still here in the family..
I have a webpage that summarizes this project as well as link to CheapRVliving.com

http://www.angelfire.com/tx/nale/durashell.html
 
Good site. A little OT question: Who do you drive for? My wife and I used to drive team for Werner, a LOT of years ago.
 
Kevin H said:
Good site. A little OT question: Who do you drive for?
Click to expand...

Yeah....I was wondering that mysself.

EX-OTR driver here too, but now casually drive a really nice late model 379 dumptruck. It's a really fun job, and the boss is great! (although I'm probably gonna be giving it up this coming spring.) :(
 
Hi Kevin, I just went back to Bhandal Brothers in Hollister CA for the 3rd time. I run reefer in the 11 western states. They have their pros and cons and they are always looking for drivers. I mostly start there vs others because it's much more relaxed and less of a dictatorship than many carriers.
BTW, I ran end, bottom dumps, doubles and 10 wheelers with a pup trailer in San Diego back in 2011 for a short time.
 
I ordered a Warn VR10000 winch and should be picking it up and installing it this coming week. It's the more basic winch but with the Warn quality. I'm throwing money at my truck and am on track to have it paid off by July/August this year. Being able to live on the work truck while earning has freed up a lot of money. Additionally, I don't have the regular work related expenses like commuting. I get some nice write-off's like per diem as well.


Passing on some more tricks to those living this unconventional life style. I figured out if I washed my clothes when i took my showers at the truck stops, I would save the hassle of dirty laundry piling up and the time/expense of the laundromats. I wash the clothes in the waste paper basket, rinse in the shower and hang it up in my truck on clothes lines I installed. I keep it to one change of clothes so it stays manageable.





I also fill up to 5 of these Gatorade bottles with water to use for cooking, coffee and birdbaths (hair, teeth and face) between showers.

 
Thanks Bob, I appreciate your kind words and your wonderful websites for the exchange of ideas and being able to meet other like minded people. I will post pictures of the winch install when it's done. Hopefully I can send pix of forthcoming adventures.
I'm going to look at your solar power solutions in the near future. I'm interested in panels that can go in the windshield or the suitcase version. I have been reading the forum for solar power also.
Keep up the great work Bob. Btw, I read your book on living in a camper, van, ect some time ago. I'm going to reread it again.
 
I'm sorry if you covered this and I missed it, but what kind of highway mileage do you pull with the topper? Mileage is a big factor to many of us.
 
It really took a hit with the shell, lift and wheels, also the bumpers don't help either. I haven't driven it much since I bought the white truck and went back to San Diego. I'm going to say 15 mpg average is pretty close.
 
Thanks. I am a GM guy and think I could get that if a full sized V-6 truck. Maybe with a lower shell.

I like your set up a lot.
 
Glad to hear from you again billy. You can save a fortune by installing your own winch. The local Warn dealership here wanted $500 to install mine, so I did it myself. I bought everything online and saved quite a bit more. I used the Warn Trans4mer system including brush guards to install my Warn 8000 lb. winch. Took me a whole day to do it by myself. Haven't used it yet, but it's there giving me peace of mind until I do need it.
 
I'm planning on getting a winch, but i think I am going to get one that mount on a platform and then goes into the reciever hitch. I have both a front and back reciever and so I will wire them both for the winch.

The problem is it is so heavy, so I thought I would get a synthetic wire instead to save weight.

I'm thinking of getting a Smittybuilt because they are so much less money.

Any thought?
Bob
 
Bob, I'm going to do synthetic rope as well for the reasons you mentioned. I like your receiver mount idea, but for me, I already have the bay so I'm, going to set it in there (probably tomorrow, just got to San Diego last night). Not sure what the price differential is but if i'ts not much more, I would go Warn. They have been around forever and have a very good reputation. If the use is occasional and the savings are substantial, I don't think you would be making a mistake.

I took the cot out and ran the floor panels all the way across. I save both halts of the plywood sheet after I had it cut. I tacked carpet runners to it as well.

Before:



After:





Couldn't edit my post after 5 minutes so please excuse the typos. I like this configuration so much more! Much more head room and width than the cot. I still have easy access below and I saved a little weight.
Pictures of the winch installation to come soon..
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

C
Taking off Back window of truck and drilling into camper shell.
Replies
14
Views
11K
akrvbob
akrvbob
T
Why do you think vehicle dwelling and/or the nomadic life is for you?
2
Replies
22
Views
7K
akrvbob
akrvbob
W
converting a utility shell
Replies
7
Views
6K
Saguache
Saguache
B
Box truck conversion in baby steps
Replies
8
Views
7K
brightbluejim
B

Latest posts

Top