Loadmaster '47 COE

[lower50's]

You have done an amazing job so far!!!! Hey in the last pic of the inside how did you fit all that stuff in a cubby hole with it flat outside?

[47 Fasttoys]

Grease, lots of grease.
Rob

[Scott2]

Again, great fabrication and it looks awesome!

Regarding the sealing - with my trailers and campers, I think most of my sealing issues came from the flimsy frame and the camper moving, twisting and shaking while driving, especially over bumps and bad roads. The roof seams on my previous 20' trailer kept loosening up and the roof vents would start to leak so I was always up there with caulk and elastomeric coating. I would think that with your really solid base of the truck bed you will be in much better shape, you just have to keep the upper part from wagging around too much.

I see a couple of diagonals - of course more of those will help and I would think even some triangular gussets where the roof and wall tubes join would add a ton of stiffness for that edge joint. Of course, built-ins could also brace it up very well. Good thing you have that nifty lifting system to get it on and off the truck!

Have a great trip!

[47 Fasttoys]

Thanks Scott, I will actually be in you neighborhood next week. My brother lives in Black Forest, Sisters in Arvada and Aurora, so keep an eye out and you may see us cruising down the back roads. Getting a few other thing wrapped up. Put A/C in,(a late change in plans) the second bed stand is in, front shelf is in, some more lights are in and the steps are ready. Ill pop up some pictures later.
Rob

[Scott2]

Originally Posted by 47 Fasttoys

Thanks Scott, I will actually be in you neighborhood next week. My brother lives in Black Forest, Sisters in Arvada and Aurora, so keep an eye out and you may see us cruising down the back roads. Getting a few other thing wrapped up. Put A/C in,(a late change in plans) the second bed stand is in, front shelf is in, some more lights are in and the steps are ready. Ill pop up some pictures later.
Rob

Rob,

Holy crap - you work way faster than I do!

So - any way you go (Hwy 83 or I25) you'll be within a couple of miles of me! If you have any time stop by and say hi. My '51 is scattered all over the garage but I'm sure seeing your rig will give me even more inspiration to get it running and it would be great to meet you and see your truck!

We can even reminisce about China - while I didn't live there like you I felt like I did at times. I was there 2-3 weeks about 6 times/year for 4 years and I've logged >1.3 million miles managing suppliers and partners all over Asia and much of the world. I'm very happy to be mostly staying home now.

And seriously, if you need anything while you're out here do not hesitate to call. I'll shoot you my number in a PM. The shop is open if needed and yes - beer counts as a need!

Again, have a safe trip.

[Gokart Mozart]

What are your plans for a generator and water?

[47 Fasttoys]

A gallon or two in a jug for water. Not planning on a generator at this time, all the lights in the camper are LED so they don't use up a lot of power, I also have a 12V power supply and 110V for use when I camping where there is hook ups. A generator would be nice for the AC but I can live without it for the time being. Think of it as a really sturdy tent, a really expensive and labor intensive tent. It's an upgrade!
Rob

[Dieselwrencher]

I'm sure you'll appreciate it a lot better than your tent!

[lower50's]

Well it shouldn't leak like a tent.

[deejaaa1]

are you gonna patina the aluminum when you get the time? looks great.

[47 Fasttoys]

On the road. For the first part of this journey I have my sister with me as my co-pilot. Her and my wife pitched in and built cushions for the beds in the camper. Somewhere on US-45 we ran across a shoe tree. No idea what this is about but there are 100s if not a thousand pairs of shoes hanging all over this tree. I had to donate a pair while she felt the needed to check out some new shoes for size. The last 2 shots show where the air ride comes in handy to level the camper for the night. and the other necessities, AC and some steps I built out of a set of old industrial steps. More to come.
Rob

[flashed]

Looks great .I know what a single pair of shoes on the power lines mean but not a bunch in trees .

[oldman3]

Rob, looks comfy inside, enjoy the trip...Jim

[66farmer]

You built a great rig. Could you tell me if anyone sells sheet metal parts for COE's. I just picked up a 51 and 52. Thanks

[solidaxel]

Originally Posted by 47 Fasttoys

Been playing with paint again. Last time it cost me 15K+, wife likes it so guess what I'm gonna build this winter!
Rob

Just need tail fins to complete
You made it happen !!

[47 Fasttoys]

Half assed chicken somewhere on I-70? So we ending up at 9200 feet and camped for a couple of nights. Set up for the night and woke up to this white stuff. I have an electric fireplace for heat and we put it to use for sure. Now my son...not so lucky.
Rob

[flashed]

Looks cold .

[99 to Life]

hahaha classic father son pic. father being more prepared!!! I love how you just get it done and utilize the stuff you build. To me money takes a big back burner to those simple things in life.

[joedoh]

looking good and already put to use, way to go

[lower50's]

Looks very cozy and relaxing in there. Being in a tent when its below freezing is not that bad it's the getting out of your sleeping bag that's the bad part. I've had some of my best sleeps in a tent when it's snowing. Does the defrost work good in the truck?

[47 Fasttoys]

"Mama, I'm home" The Blue Turtle is ready for a well earned break. 11 days, 3900+ miles, 12 states, 9 nights camping, average gas mileage 10, so that figures out to 390 gallons of gas. Repair costs and maintenance costs on the road: zero, zip, zilch, never even lifted the engine cover off. Only mechanical thing I even touched was to swap out 1 wiper blade (old one worked better then the new). Now, improvements and new toys for the camper, well now that's another story. My wife just had to have garage sale items for the camper, and then there was the great condition used Honda generator which was big enough to power the AC unit in the camper, what was I to do? The idea is to build a stand for it under the hood so if I don't have shore power (a camping term) I can still run everything with out draining the battery. Think about the looks when people ask what I'm running for a power plant and I pop the hood. Honda powered. For running down the road it will need to be strapped in the back for air flow reasons. I have tons of pictures of odd ball things you see along the back roads of America. I will post a few in a bit.
Rob

[47 Fasttoys]

66farmer, As far as I know no one sells replacement sheet metal for COE, that being said the basic cab is the same as the pick-up. I have see pick-up doors modified to work for the COE also. The grill bars are the same with a different mounting plate and the lower one has a cut out for the steering gear. Steps, fenders, hood latches, grab handles, modifications to the rear front fender area, and lower part of the fire wall are COE only.

Lower50's, defrost works,....good? not compared to anything built after 1990 but it does work, I do of course have a 12V motor in mine. Heater on the other hand works great.

flashed, yep it was a bit chilly, by noon all the snow had melted, inside the camper: toasty warm.

[flashed]

Glad you had a good trip .looking foeward to pics .

[47 Fasttoys]

Some treats from the road: Kansas of all places was home to loads old sheet metal.
Rob




And less then 1/4 mile down the road this:

[mud.man.rj]

Thanks for sharing, some interesting pic's.
Is the gas station just for looks or open.
Mudman.