KYN8
08-05-2009, 09:51 PM
It's not done yet, but my wife and I have a lot of fun camping in the truck. We just got back from 9 days in Colorado. We did spend a couple nights in a motel - no camp shower yet and sometimes you just can't find a decent hot spring!
I have got most of the basic 4-wheel excursion equipment like sliders, hi-lift, tools, recovery points along with some extras to make life a bit easier on the trail. These would include things like camper top, custom rack with Hi lift mounts, sleeping platform with storage underneath, soundproofed interior for long hauls, etc.
I am a total gear junkie, which by definition means I run a risk of buying every possible piece of equipment one could ever possibly need for a specific activity and then never actually participate in the activity. So I have made a very concerted effort to just get out there and enjoy the trails and the great outdoors and upgrade the truck as I discover the actual need for it.
Here is the start of the sleeping platform I made with storage below. The supports are 2x10s, the deck is 7/16 sheeting. I put a layer of house carpet on top and then finish it off with a futon mattress which fits PERFECTLY in the Tacoma's 6ft bed...just don't let it get wet!
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p250/natednitz/th_011-1.jpg (http://s130.photobucket.com/albums/p250/natednitz/?action=view¤t=011-1.jpg)
I even included a couple of hatches in front of the wheel wells for storage of random items that I hoped not to need - like engine/diff fluid, d-rings, come-along.
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p250/natednitz/th_019.jpg (http://s130.photobucket.com/albums/p250/natednitz/?action=view¤t=019.jpg)
I cut up and old cambuckle strap to make the "handles" for the hatch lids.
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p250/natednitz/th_0162.jpg (http://s130.photobucket.com/albums/p250/natednitz/?action=view¤t=0162.jpg)
The rack was originally built with kayaks in mind and it will hold 6 whitewater boats! I used angle iron to go between the camper and the bed-rails, then 1" square tube for the rest. I attached my Lock-Rac to hold the 60" Hi-Lift.
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p250/natednitz/th_064.jpg (http://s130.photobucket.com/albums/p250/natednitz/?action=view¤t=064.jpg)
The camper allows for sleeping out of the elements without having to set up a tent; I even rigged a curtain for the side windows. FYI a "valance" was the exact right size to cover my window! (Pics soon)
I would eventually like an awning for ease of set-up and stowage, but for now a couple tarps round out our "home".
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p250/natednitz/th_062.jpg (http://s130.photobucket.com/albums/p250/natednitz/?action=view¤t=062.jpg)
Some fun campsites and trails:
Tincup Pass
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p250/natednitz/th_143.jpg (http://s130.photobucket.com/albums/p250/natednitz/?action=view¤t=143.jpg)
Four Mile near Buena Vista, CO
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p250/natednitz/th_115.jpg (http://s130.photobucket.com/albums/p250/natednitz/?action=view¤t=115.jpg)
Roosevelt National Forest, near Long's Peak
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p250/natednitz/th_060.jpg (http://s130.photobucket.com/albums/p250/natednitz/?action=view¤t=060.jpg)
I have got most of the basic 4-wheel excursion equipment like sliders, hi-lift, tools, recovery points along with some extras to make life a bit easier on the trail. These would include things like camper top, custom rack with Hi lift mounts, sleeping platform with storage underneath, soundproofed interior for long hauls, etc.
I am a total gear junkie, which by definition means I run a risk of buying every possible piece of equipment one could ever possibly need for a specific activity and then never actually participate in the activity. So I have made a very concerted effort to just get out there and enjoy the trails and the great outdoors and upgrade the truck as I discover the actual need for it.
Here is the start of the sleeping platform I made with storage below. The supports are 2x10s, the deck is 7/16 sheeting. I put a layer of house carpet on top and then finish it off with a futon mattress which fits PERFECTLY in the Tacoma's 6ft bed...just don't let it get wet!
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p250/natednitz/th_011-1.jpg (http://s130.photobucket.com/albums/p250/natednitz/?action=view¤t=011-1.jpg)
I even included a couple of hatches in front of the wheel wells for storage of random items that I hoped not to need - like engine/diff fluid, d-rings, come-along.
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p250/natednitz/th_019.jpg (http://s130.photobucket.com/albums/p250/natednitz/?action=view¤t=019.jpg)
I cut up and old cambuckle strap to make the "handles" for the hatch lids.
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p250/natednitz/th_0162.jpg (http://s130.photobucket.com/albums/p250/natednitz/?action=view¤t=0162.jpg)
The rack was originally built with kayaks in mind and it will hold 6 whitewater boats! I used angle iron to go between the camper and the bed-rails, then 1" square tube for the rest. I attached my Lock-Rac to hold the 60" Hi-Lift.
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p250/natednitz/th_064.jpg (http://s130.photobucket.com/albums/p250/natednitz/?action=view¤t=064.jpg)
The camper allows for sleeping out of the elements without having to set up a tent; I even rigged a curtain for the side windows. FYI a "valance" was the exact right size to cover my window! (Pics soon)
I would eventually like an awning for ease of set-up and stowage, but for now a couple tarps round out our "home".
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p250/natednitz/th_062.jpg (http://s130.photobucket.com/albums/p250/natednitz/?action=view¤t=062.jpg)
Some fun campsites and trails:
Tincup Pass
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p250/natednitz/th_143.jpg (http://s130.photobucket.com/albums/p250/natednitz/?action=view¤t=143.jpg)
Four Mile near Buena Vista, CO
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p250/natednitz/th_115.jpg (http://s130.photobucket.com/albums/p250/natednitz/?action=view¤t=115.jpg)
Roosevelt National Forest, near Long's Peak
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p250/natednitz/th_060.jpg (http://s130.photobucket.com/albums/p250/natednitz/?action=view¤t=060.jpg)