Espo78's slow build...eventual truck camping goal

[Deleted member 9836]

Great thread. I’m following and will checkout your YouTube channel.

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[Espo78]

Here are a couple of pics of the new setup. I need to tweak a few things still but I think it will work out nicely.

 

[Deleted member 9836]

Here are a couple of pics of the new setup. I need to tweak a few things still but I think it will work out nicely.

Wow! I like that a lot. Self made or aftermarket kit? Where will rainwatr end up in that configuration?

 

[Espo78]

Wow! I like that a lot. Self made or aftermarket kit? Where will rainwatr end up in that configuration?

Its a kit from TopperEZlift. I knew this going in, but it's not going to be rain proof. The canvas panels attach with velcro to the topper and the side of the truck. My plans to mitigate water entry are to make a raised bed platform and store my gear in plastic totes below. I am also considering a large tarp as a rain fly over the whole truck if needed. Worst case I can just lower the top if needed but hopefully not.

 

[subquark]

I got my Wet Okole seat covers in yesterday.

Those look great and I have a set on order (LOL, the truck's on order too!).

It looks like you have a center armrest cover, did that come with your Wet Okoles?

Thanks and yours is super sharp looking!

 

[Espo78]

Those look great and I have a set on order (LOL, the truck's on order too!).

It looks like you have a center armrest cover, did that come with your Wet Okoles?

Thanks and yours is super sharp looking!

Yes the armrest cover was a nice bonus! I wasn't expecting it. It's been a year since I installed these and they look brand new. Not a single sign of wear anywhere on them. Definitely a great purchase.

 

[Espo78]

Wow I have not updated you guys in quite awhile. We have camped successfully for multiple nights and multiple trips now. We somehow have still not encountered significant rain with this setup but I still don’t expect any rain issues. There was a huge downpour at one camp spot but it was during the day. I simply lowered the top and did not have any water intrusion problems.

I built a simple sleeping platform that is easily removable so I can do truck things. It has a 2 piece plywood top and a base section made out of 2x4. It’s solid enough for my wife and to sleep comfortably. Under it there is room for 4 storage containers and a 10x10 tent, plus camp chairs or whatever else. Tons of space. We sleep on an Exped Megamat Duo which works well, but is slightly longer than the truck bed because of the platform and the bed rails. The topperlift back door zips around it just fine though.

Here are a few photos of our camping adventures so far.

we purchased an ICECO JP40 fridge for our last trip, unfortunately it was defective. We did not get a replacement shipped to us in time to bring it. However it fits perfectly in the truck and I can’t wait to bring it next time.

we are currently using a CampChef kitchen setup that works well and also fits perfectly behind the front seats. We don’tusually bring a table as we are mostly at campgrounds with picnic tables but the tailgate would work well if we needed it.

oh also the RockyMounts Backstage bike rack is perfect. It works so well as a swing out rack and also swings down for quick access. If it swung down one more inch the tailgate would fully open.

 

[subquark]

Wow I have not updated you guys in quite awhile. We have camped successfully for multiple nights and multiple trips now. We somehow have still not encountered significant rain with this setup but I still don’t expect any rain issues. There was a huge downpour at one camp spot but it was during the day. I simply lowered the top and did not have any water intrusion problems.

I built a simple sleeping platform that is easily removable so I can do truck things. It has a 2 piece plywood top and a base section made out of 2x4. It’s solid enough for my wife and to sleep comfortably. Under it there is room for 4 storage containers and a 10x10 tent, plus camp chairs or whatever else. Tons of space. We sleep on an Exped Megamat Duo which works well, but is slightly longer than the truck bed because of the platform and the bed rails. The topperlift back door zips around it just fine though.

Here are a few photos of our camping adventures so far.

we purchased an ICECO JP40 fridge for our last trip, unfortunately it was defective. We did not get a replacement shipped to us in time to bring it. However it fits perfectly in the truck and I can’t wait to bring it next time.

we are currently using a CampChef kitchen setup that works well and also fits perfectly behind the front seats. We don’tusually bring a table as we are mostly at campgrounds with picnic tables but the tailgate would work well if we needed it.

oh also the RockyMounts Backstage bike rack is perfect. It works so well as a swing out rack and also swings down for quick access. If it swung down one more inch the tailgate would fully open.

Wow, what a great setup! I love the way the bike rack swings out and appreciate the pic showing your Iceco!

 

[Chris M]

Impressive stuff, to be sure!
Good job.

 

[XL_Ranger_Danger]

Wow I have not updated you guys in quite awhile. We have camped successfully for multiple nights and multiple trips now. We somehow have still not encountered significant rain with this setup but I still don’t expect any rain issues. There was a huge downpour at one camp spot but it was during the day. I simply lowered the top and did not have any water intrusion problems.

I built a simple sleeping platform that is easily removable so I can do truck things. It has a 2 piece plywood top and a base section made out of 2x4. It’s solid enough for my wife and to sleep comfortably. Under it there is room for 4 storage containers and a 10x10 tent, plus camp chairs or whatever else. Tons of space. We sleep on an Exped Megamat Duo which works well, but is slightly longer than the truck bed because of the platform and the bed rails. The topperlift back door zips around it just fine though.

Here are a few photos of our camping adventures so far.

we purchased an ICECO JP40 fridge for our last trip, unfortunately it was defective. We did not get a replacement shipped to us in time to bring it. However it fits perfectly in the truck and I can’t wait to bring it next time.

we are currently using a CampChef kitchen setup that works well and also fits perfectly behind the front seats. We don’tusually bring a table as we are mostly at campgrounds with picnic tables but the tailgate would work well if we needed it.

oh also the RockyMounts Backstage bike rack is perfect. It works so well as a swing out rack and also swings down for quick access. If it swung down one more inch the tailgate would fully open.

That's a rad build! How did you wire up the fridge in the rear seat? That's a pretty nifty piece of kit.

 

[Espo78]

That's a rad build! How did you wire up the fridge in the rear seat? That's a pretty nifty piece of kit.

It just plugs into the 12v socket. I'm still deciding which one of the all in one battery kits I want to get (Jackery, Ecoflow, etc) but the plan would be to use one of those to power it and charge it back up using solar or the alternator.

 

[XL_Ranger_Danger]

I've been using a Jackery Explorer 240 for about a year now(obviously too little for a fridge application). IMHO, Jackery has better specs than GoalZero (more expensive for Inferior specs). The main value of Jackery is how simple the system connects with it's solar panels, allowing for a "Daisy-chain" of panels and generators.

It just plugs into the 12v socket. I'm still deciding which one of the all in one battery kits I want to get (Jackery, Ecoflow, etc) but the plan would be to use one of those to power it and charge it back up using solar or the alternator.

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