Camper bed build out suggestions & ideas ?

[TacoBirdinNW]

Hey all!

Recently ot myself a gently used Topo Toppers Badlander. We've spent 6 or so nights in it so far and love it.

I upgraded the rear springs to Icon overland springs. Added KDSS track bar relocation kit+ extended end links. Those paired with the 5100s and it rides awesome!

I got the bed fully sealed after some trial and error and just spent 3 days in the Olympics with intermittent rain just fine, but am trying to get an idea of what to do with that area as a more comfortable chill space for rainy days.

I have a husky liners rug on the way and I have a platform that sits over the wheel wells that fits another full size fold up mattress. The older kid never joins us so currently only have half of the platform installed and we use it as a shelf for storage and a power bank with a few wooden storage bins that slide under there.

I'm thinking some sort of bench seating on either side that doubles as storage and a collapsible table in the middle, but not sure. Definitely need to keep it "cutesie" so the wife will continue to want to join me

Would love to see what some of you have done or any kits maybe I haven't seen. I kind of like the topo toppers bench/cubby, but they're pretty proud of it.

Icon springs:

Track bar relocation:

King extended end links:

Currently with half the platform:

Full lower platform with storage bins pre camper:

Interior powered by 768wh Ecoflow:

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[dvrgz]

awesome build! @TacoBirdinNW

the guys at vecel are doin some pretty cool stuff.

https://www.veceloutdoors.com/pages/x-series-interior-camper-systems

 

[TacoBirdinNW]

awesome build! @TacoBirdinNW

the guys at vecel are doin some pretty cool stuff.

https://www.veceloutdoors.com/pages/x-series-interior-camper-systems

Thank you

So sick ! But damn... More than I paid for the camper

 

[dvrgz]

So sick ! But damn... More than I paid for the camper

I feel ya haha. I’ve been taking notes on all this stuff. Mustering up the courage to DIY something for the inside of my GFC topper.

 

[TacoBirdinNW]

I feel ya haha. I’ve been taking notes on all this stuff. Mustering up the courage to DIY something for the inside of my GFC topper.

Lmk what you come up with!
I'm not great at wood working. Everytime I do a project it's a bit wonky, but if I got the right tools and took my time I might be able to do something half decent and definitely less than $5k lol

 

[jsuber]

I would suggest two Renogy 200 watt solar panels along with a Litime 320 wh battery and that can power a ICECO APL55 cooler. I installed in mine in March and battery’s stay at 100% with panels laying flat on my SmartCap. Should work great on your project. Gives you room to add 12 volt lighting. You will also need a MPPT solar controller or a MPPT that also uses your truck’s alternator but honestly the panels are enough. You can add a Litime Shunt to monitor via Bluetooth and protect your system. You can if you need 120 vac add aninverter. I have one but only use it for running a projector for entertaining the kids on family outings with some turtlebox speakers.

 

[TacoBirdinNW]

I would suggest two Renogy 200 watt solar panels along with a Litime 320 wh battery and that can power a ICECO APL55 cooler. I installed in mine in March and battery’s stay at 100% with panels laying flat on my SmartCap. Should work great on your project. Gives you room to add 12 volt lighting. You will also need a MPPT solar controller or a MPPT that also uses your truck’s alternator but honestly the panels are enough. You can add a Litime Shunt to monitor via Bluetooth and protect your system. You can if you need 120 vac add aninverter. I have one but only use it for running a projector for entertaining the kids on family outings with some turtlebox speakers.

Great suggestions ! We have 12v lighting on both upper and lower levels + a fan and we use a 768Wh Ecoflow to power those, but solar could be nice for an extended trip for sure.

 

[TacoBirdinNW]

I would suggest two Renogy 200 watt solar panels along with a Litime 320 wh battery and that can power a ICECO APL55 cooler. I installed in mine in March and battery’s stay at 100% with panels laying flat on my SmartCap. Should work great on your project. Gives you room to add 12 volt lighting. You will also need a MPPT solar controller or a MPPT that also uses your truck’s alternator but honestly the panels are enough. You can add a Litime Shunt to monitor via Bluetooth and protect your system. You can if you need 120 vac add aninverter. I have one but only use it for running a projector for entertaining the kids on family outings with some turtlebox speakers.

 

[dvrgz]

I'm not great at woodworking.

psh. looks pretty good to me.

 

[lauren01]

Recommend having your vehicle weighed at a CAT scale or the like so that you can figure out how much more room you have to safely build out with your gross vehicle weight.

 

[TacoBirdinNW]

Recommend having your vehicle weighed at a CAT scale or the like so that you can figure out how much more room you have to safely build out with your gross vehicle weight.

Yea been meaning to do that. Camper is 350. Skid plate 30. Wife, me, kid roughly 400. So I've only got 400 ish pounds left to play with not including gear.

Should've mentioned that: ideas need to be fairly lightweight!

 

[lauren01]

Yea been meaning to do that. Camper is 350. Skid plate 30. Wife, me, kid roughly 400. So I've only got 400 ish pounds left to play with not including gear.

Should've mentioned that: ideas need to be fairly lightweight!

Right on… would be so great if it were light in weight and light in cash…a rare combination!

 

[trailhunger]

I feel ya haha. I’ve been taking notes on all this stuff. Mustering up the courage to DIY something for the inside of my GFC topper.

I'm a yuuge advocate of building out minimal/lightweight & for the season/overall mission goals/trip...I did go heavy ass kitchen gear slide last year, built-out a custom slide for myself and ultimately realized I didn't need it with how I camp. Sold that, and now I'm down to a really slick & lightweight sleeper berth bench/shelf + a complete bed rug kit on GFC walls, etc. Loving it. If you go boxes and cabinetry go with WISA hex ultralight marine grade (what my 202 extrusion bench top is made o)f. But otherwise I think building out all these chackis is for the purpose of storing chackis. If that makes you happy good on you. But the drive & the minimal singular experience of truck camping is where the love and memories are. The two things I can't live without in the summer are a fridge and the RinseKit. Never need to stop in town when you have those - unless of course you need more food & water....

 

[dvrgz]

@trailhunger haha! Ive had your setup saved on my phone. back when you were selling it! loved the configuration. I had grand ideas at first. now I'm really zeroing in on simplicity. especially since I only have a GFC topper.

Key stuff on the list... Fridge (ICEco or Dometic) and a Rinse Kit. That new ROAM tank looks awesome

https://www.roamadventureco.com/col...cts/8-5-gallon-pump-tank-traction-board-mount

Im heading up to overland expo in Oregon end of the month. Maybe I can get a deal there. If not, I'll use that beautiful no sales tax.

 

[trailhunger]

@trailhunger haha! Ive had your setup saved on my phone. back when you were selling it! loved the configuration. I had grand ideas at first. now I'm really zeroing in on simplicity. especially since I only have a GFC topper.

Key stuff on the list... Fridge (ICEco or Dometic) and a Rinse Kit. That new ROAM tank looks awesome

https://www.roamadventureco.com/col...cts/8-5-gallon-pump-tank-traction-board-mount

Im heading up to overland expo in Oregon end of the month. Maybe I can get a deal there. If not, I'll use that beautiful no sales tax.

that is a nice setup! 8.5 gal! My rinse kit only 5gal but if I do a 3rd night at the same spot I'll refill with a water bag. I think both fridges are good, Dometic man kinda pricey never really good deals. But they make good stuff, sips power...

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