Truck camper beds

[AvlNC]

anyone have any links on different options to build a bed for my ranger p/u? thanks

[Moof]

Checkout:

 

http://www.supertopo.com/climbing/thread.html?topic_id=441042&msg=441072#msg441072

 

Here's another thread. I especially like the simplicity of the 3 section one.

 

http://www.supertopo.com/climbing/thread.html?topic_id=455460&msg=456078#msg456078

[mattp]

That 3 section one looks pretty sweet in its simplicity, but there can be some utility in dividing things up a bit more than that.

 

I drove pickup trucks for years and I tried a lot of different arrangements but the one I best preferred had long boxes on either side of the bed that were no wider than the wheel wells and ran the full length of the bed. I'd leave them in the truck unless I was moving furniture or hauling dirt or something, and they'd hold things like skis or ski poles in place, and keep grocery bags upright. I molded concrete blocks to fit in each of these side boxes, behind the wheel well, for extra winter traction but sand bags would also work.

 

For the sleeping surface, I preferred a more complicated but more flexible set of 6 panels, front and back halves for the right and left "slots" and the middle main cavity. These rode on wooden rails so they'd slide forward and back like a drawer.

 

 

 

 

[shapp]

My setup is nearly identical to the 3 piece setup above, but it is only 2 pieces. My setup is superior to the 3 peice setup above because instead of the wooden carpeted bracket along either side of the bed, I rivetted 1 inch angle iron, which is less bulky. the front and back of my pannels are stiffend with 1/2 inch angle iron as well so they don't sag at all. The pannels I used are MDF which I glued berber type carpet on top. I hind sight I probably would have made 3 pannels instead of 2. Also make sure you have a nice tall canpoy so you can get your bed up high enough to slide large plastic totes under. An extendable boat hook is nice for reaching way back to pull out things that are under the deck.

Good luch

Edited February 27, 2008 by shapp