Loadmaster '47 COE

[47 Fasttoys]

Nope, 11 Gage (1/8 inch). I felt like 16 Gage (1/16 inch) would be a little on the thin side. After the bed is complete I will weigh the truck to see if it went on a diet or gained a Christmas pound or two. With the wood and 1/2 a tank of gas the truck weighs in at 5000# with 50/50 balance. Sometimes it feels like I'm driving a high end sports car......or not.
Rob

[youngrodder]

Looks great. What do you have in mind for coating/painting it? A bed liner coating would be nice for protection and anti-slip. I'm sure that you have it covered..

Marc

[47 Fasttoys]

At this point I'm just using Rustoleum and a roller. When it comes to painting I am definitely not the man....fabrication, yea I can do a little of that. Paint, nope not me. On the other hand this is not a show truck, this is still, and will always be a working truck. Yours looks great by the way.
Rob

[47 Fasttoys]

Now that's a days worth of work.
Rob

[oldman3]

Looks great Rob...Jim

[lower50's]

Your truck makes me smile every time I see it.

[iowaboynca]

I love the utility you've built into your truck.

[deejaaa1]

love the truck.
i was messing with paint. here's my idea:
use rear section from a 40's school bus for a removable camper:

[47 Fasttoys]

Interesting photoshop deejaaa1, thanks. OK, so I finished the bed project today. I am looking into adding some side boards later. Later this week or next I will start on the camper to sit on the bed. So question: can I get away with documenting the camper build here? Anyone interested? Anyone know of a good site to do a camper build thread on? It is being built just for this truck so is it appropriate for my build thread?
Rob

[Katrina/10]

I'd like to see how you do it.

[deejaaa1]

i think it's appropriate.

[Advanced Design]

Rob, I hope you do the camper build here. Your problem solving and build skills are great to learn from.

[strider621]

Do it here Rob. Can't wait to see what you come up with.

[Bad Apache]

Definitely wanna see the build! Gives me bad ideas!

[reaper71]

Make it Happen Rob!!

Mark...

[Palf70Step]

Keep her rollin here. I do not know of any campier/camping sites that would be of any help.

[47 Fasttoys]

Take a look back on page 3, post 64 of my build thread at option 8.2. Look familiar? Not to far off for a plan made back in 11/13.
Rob

[47 Fasttoys]

So here we go: These are some ideas of what I am going to attempt for the COE camper. These where drawn with the idea of using steel as the wall frames but I'm starting to lean towards wood. Yeah I know, some of the things in the drawing don't work out (under bed storage and dinette set), it's just the details that I need to figure out. Ha, just the details, how hard could that be?
Rob

[joedoh]

Originally Posted by 47 Fasttoys

So here we go: These are some ideas of what I am going to attempt for the COE camper. These where drawn with the idea of using steel as the wall frames but I'm starting to lean towards wood. Yeah I know, some of the things in the drawing don't work out (under bed storage and dinette set), it's just the details that I need to figure out. Ha, just the details, how hard could that be?

iron bird! (also called a mock up) tape it out on the floor, then build all your stuff out of cardboard boxes.

the only problem I see with making it removable is that it will have to be self supporting, and that may add a whole ton of weight and bracing. why not make the thing sectional, so a two piece roof and it latches to the sides which also remove individually? it gets its assembled strength from the attachments and doesnt need lifted.

just spitballing

[lower50's]

I could take a pic but this is prob better. Hope this helps. If I ever build another I am doing it the same.

[47 Fasttoys]

Got started on the frame for the camper today. I started by making a a rectangle frame out of 1 1/2" square tubing. To that I added 1 1/2 X 2", 1/4" angle iron for cross bracing. With the 1/4" I will later be able to drill and tap to attach the flooring. The frame should go in the 250-300# range when complete. The angle pieces where used to keep it square while welding. It should end up even with the rear of the bed but hang over on the sides just a touch. More floor supports will go on, ran out of steel.
Rob

[reaper71]

Yes sir that'll work

Mark...

[flashed]

This is gonna be cool to watch .

[lower50's]

This is going to be so cool. Can't wait.
On my 18' trailer I built 7 years ago. I have steel floor frame, 2x2 steel tubes in corners then wood 2x4 supports for the walls and 2x2 roof. I then used plywood for the front V and transport trailer aluminum siding for the roof and walls. Might save a bit of weight. Also I have to paint the wood every 2 years and have yet to touch up the aluminum. Just some food for thought.

[47 Fasttoys]

Very nice Lower. How did you attach the floor and walls to the steel frame? I was thinking 1 1/2 square tube with bolts. I would need to bore a larger hole in the bottom of the frame as to keep it flat on the bottom. I think my biggest issue will be the changing radius for the top, that's gonna be a challenge. I think I have got it figured out how to attach the camper steel frame to the steel truck bed and how to remove it so I can roll it into the shop when not in use but other things are yet to be solved. By the way the goal is to complete it by April 1st of next year and 3K max.
Rob