Our custom true flatbed truck camper build thread

[Jfet]

Ok, I am going to collect random thoughts and progress pictures and put them here in a thread.

Goal: Construct a true flatbed camper with cabover, no slideouts but full 8 foot floor width inside. This will mount on a 2006 Isuzu NRR truck with a GVWR of 19,500 pounds and a current dry weight of 8700 pounds. The truck has a 20 foot flatbed that is 8 feet wide. The camper will take up 11 feet of the flatbed and the remaining area will be home to a future garage for our toys. We will install a hitch so we can pull our 17 foot Montgomery sailboat (trailer + boat is about 2200 pounds). The camper and garage will be removeable so the flatbed can be used for other purposes, or in case the truck needs extensive shop repairs down the road. Or if we are in Alaska and want to go pick up 3 cords of firewood or something 🙂

Here is a picture of the truck with some important dimensions:

[silversand]

Well documented and impressive build ! Kudos to you. Will you be doing follow-up performance Posts as you experience the camper ?

Travelnutz wrote:
They used to grow hundred of thousands of acres of oranges and grapfruits in even the northern half of Florida for many decades. However, those groves are about all gone now...

That's right...the first/earliest orange plantations were way up in Northern Florida around St Augustine (along the St Johns river); the brutal 1895 freeze killed off north Florida citrus plantations, and was the major forcing that caused the industry to move further south. Most of the citrus belt is south of Leesburg. The "trifoliate orange" is the most cold-resistant as far as I am aware, currently...and also diversifying to satsuma and kumquats (quite cold-resistant) would allow you to grow outside the "citrus belt" in the north.

Sorry, Back to the program...

[Butch50]

The camper finally got to come out into the world and it shows what a great job you've done.

[sabconsulting]

Fantastic - what an amazing job.

Cheers,

Steve.

[kereams]

http://www.crbrophy.com/stairs.html

I bought these 24" wide ones for my lifted F350. My camper floor at bed rail level, so needless to say it's up there. I have been very happy with them. Had them three years now. I do over 50 days a year and they still look new.

[BoonHauler]

Jfet:

I had Torklift custom build a set of 30" wide stairs for me. If you give them a ring and speak with them they should be able to get it worked out for you.

Their standard stairs are 20" wide, 30" is as wide as they can go. They're based up your way as well.

So, when do we get to see the solar setup? Solar Blvd is still out of stock on those LG's..... I'm going to wait and see if they come back into stock.....hoping as I really want six of them.

[wnjj]

Looks like it turned out according to plan.

Seriously though, nice work!

[Reality_Check]

Damn....

Nice work. Understatement of the day for sure.

[Jfet]

Moving day!

I will let the pictures do the talking.

[btggraphix]

Fwiw, beautiful kitchen dude, and thanks for the update.

[kereams]

Jfet wrote:
The lumen figure quoted for that $15 LED module is unrealistic.

The power consumption of the device from the description is 0.25 amps at 12.8V, or 3.2 watts. Even if you assume that the electronics are 100% efficient (impossible), that would mean they are getting 164 lumens per watt. They should apply for a Nobel prize.

A more realistic figure would be around 80 to 100 lumens per watt, and a efficiency of about 95% for the driver, giving a possible lumen output of around 300 lumens. The modules I am using consume double the power and are conservatively rated at 450 lumens each when inside the translucent housing(as you pointed out I am using two). They probably are more like 500 to 600 lumens with the clear bezel I got from camping world.

You must be a fellow electrical engineer. 😉 Nice reply. Love to see logic prevail.

[Jfet]

The lumen figure quoted for that $15 LED module is unrealistic.

The power consumption of the device from the description is 0.25 amps at 12.8V, or 3.2 watts. Even if you assume that the electronics are 100% efficient (impossible), that would mean they are getting 164 lumens per watt. They should apply for a Nobel prize.

A more realistic figure would be around 80 to 100 lumens per watt, and a efficiency of about 95% for the driver, giving a possible lumen output of around 300 lumens. The modules I am using consume double the power and are conservatively rated at 450 lumens each when inside the translucent housing(as you pointed out I am using two). They probably are more like 500 to 600 lumens with the clear bezel I got from camping world.

[CA_Traveler]

OP I certainly appreciate the craftsmanship in your project. I posted the LED link for several reasons:
1. The estimated lumens was higher than what you posted. However it now appears that your 450 lumens was for one of the LEDs and you have 2 per light.
2. The owner told me that he has a high quality design and it’s not the typical ebay junk.
3. It’s a plug and play light for anyone converting or otherwise
4. The cost is $15.
5. It has a 1 year warranty.

I thought that this could be a good alternative for others.

[dave17352]

Jfet: you make me sick! I have always wanted to be the guy that could get involved in a project as you have! Then have the sticktoitness (that's my own word) to get it done!

Your work and attention to detail is awesome!

[Jfet]

CA Traveler wrote:
Just found this LED which appears to be what the OP was looking for.

That ~2 watt LED module is not what I want for a flood on our camper. The site does have a black 15 watt bar light but it would stick out a good 2.5 or 3 inches and I want more of a wall hugger. I like the Flexblock driver because I know what is in it. Most of these made in China garbage LED electronics fail after a few hours (the low quality caps in the switcher can't stand the heat for one thing).

Anyway, I have a solution and have made them already, but thanks.

[CA_Traveler]

Just found this LED which appears to be what the OP was looking for.