i like the modular aspects of it...i bought the napier trunk tent and see this as getting a good setup...prebuild the components, install the tent, place the components in, take down the poles, cover the box with a cover and drive... then, take the cover off at the site, set up the tent, get power, and ta-da...easy peasy....
Good on you for your simple set set up. Consider some red light for inside your cabin, it is plenty bright for tasks you need to perfom in the night and is more subtle for when you want be low key. Go simple, go small, go now!
After watching these videos I'm going to hook up my 2002 Dodge Ram Diesel I'm 6'5 and my bed of my truck is 6'5 so I should just fit Thank you so much for the videos
I've been setting up the same set up and heading GOLD Mining the last 7 years... I built a steel raised bed out of sucker rod (3/4 inch solid rod) high enough to get a rubber maid plastic tub under it .... I have a 2004 GMC 4x4 excab 6.6ft box, rear seat removed ex storage ... sealed Canopy and end-gate with foam tape it stays dry and dust free even on 100s of miles of gravel roads.... I head out mostly to Northern British Columbia and have slept in it at minus -30....
I have a 93 Toyota Pickup single cab that I bought for $2500, and it is a standard as well. I have a similar setup to yours in mind for mine so that I can stay in my camper when I am working or doing whatever. Not long after I bought the pickup I was searching high and low for a shell that would fit this model, but no one seemed to carry one. So I hopped onto the Facebook marketplace and found one about 30 miles away from where I was working at the time. The guy had the exact same pickup as myself and was originally asking $45 for the shell, but when I got there he told me that I could have it for free! Awesome. It is a Leer XL series shell with a high roof and some upper windows. The original back glass was smashed before and the previous owner replaced it with a piece of plexiglass, which works fine. I had to replace the worn out struts on the back glass and the shell does not fit this pickup perfectly, so I had to screw on some pieces of one inch trim to my bed in order to lift up the shell. Right now I just have some shell clamps holding this on, but I will eventually bolt this puppy down. I've not yet gotten around to installing the bed and storage, but I do spend quite a bit of time in the bed and catch a nap every once in a while. Right now I have my drink cooler and a large storage tote back here for all of my food needs, as well as for storing tools and such. I really like the videos that you put out, so keep up the good work. And I hope that more people will get into camping out of their trucks. : )
Wow man I've seen a lot of walk around but the pace you go through everything is incredibly engaging and love how you break it all down. Thanks man! Wicked set up.
I really like this setup, I recently picked up an 87 toyota pickup and got a high top shell for it. I had different plans for the camper setup but I think I like this more, I want to take my bicycle with me and it would fit perfectly between the bed and cabinet. Thanks for sharing!
Really like the idea of using tongue and groove pieces to make sliding doors. I'm about to start a build on my 2010 Colorado with a 6ft bed. Going to use this for inspiration for sure
Have u ever heard of dynamat it's a sound deadening mat I use it on all the old cars I restore its sticky on one side and designed to go under carpet and headliners and stick to the surface to keep heat out and quiet road and engine noise I bet it u lined ur whole bed area with it it would be miles quieter and way better insulated... just a thought
Like your setup better than most others I'm seeing. Like the space between the bed and the cabinet. Most setup seem to have a whole flat floor across the whole thing
I've been thinking about the idea of getting a vehicle that i can sleep in during the summer, spring and fall. I love mountain biking and i would like to be able to drive to one of my favorite places to bike or even the night before an event or race and sleep and wake up ride all day.
Did exactly that with my 4Runner. I got sick of spending $100 a night at the resorts just for a place to sleep after riding. Got a twin mattress from Amazon, a good cooler, a camp stove, built a frame and threw in a few other creature comforts... now I'm completely set for the cost of maybe 2 nights in a hotel. I'm doing an extended trip to Moab, bike parks in CO and UT this summer for only the cost of gas, food and lift tickets.
Hopefully I get my cap this weekend because I usually set up my truck bed tent in the parking lot of the bike parks but once the fall hits I'd rather not spend all my time setting up the tent and all my other shit in the cold so this vid helped me get off my ass and build
New sub here. Thank you SO MUCH for this video. I’m thinking of getting into the nomad life. A van conversion is way too expensive and a Truck build is way more in lines with my budget.
The camp grounds in Florida near salt water want nearly 40.00 a night regardless of whether you are sleeping in an rv, tent or camper shell. I built a shower with a pressurized chemical sprayer and kitchen sprayer using all new parts
WH I think a better idea would be at least a 5 gallon bucket with an electric water pump ie. Shurflow just like rvs have to pump water, maybe even a boat sump pump would work, sprayer not wanting to keep pressure.and I always have 12 volts.
Great set up. Glad I ran across this. I was just thinking about doing something similar with mine. I've got a camper top on and 76" bed. Slept in it last summer with just a foam mattress on the floor. Thanks for the ideas ! Subbed
I recommend getting a quality jump pack. I spent about $200 for mine but have never been stranded. And I've helped a lot of people with dead batteries.
Good video bro, I'm surprised how roomy it still is back there given the space you are working with. I like that you don't have clutter like most people do 👍
+Roadie .. Nice straight forward simple design. Appreciate the well done video share. One thing i wasn't able to understand is what you said you did to the camper windows to darken them. You said get something done to the windows to make a huge difference. I just couldn't understand the name of the process you said. Maybe you'll share that here with a reply. Your windows did look rather dark. I like that idea. Thanks Roadie. I viewed your other video about never camping in random parking lots and there you explained the same detail and i realized you said apply limo tint to the windows. No reply necessary. Thanks again.
Really cool. The storage seems like it’d be difficult to get to when the truck is closed up for the night. Probably not an issue since you go right to sleep then.
Awesome video Roadie! Thank you for describing the build in such great detail. Exactly what I wanted to see. BTW, for your sliding doors, take an old candle or wax of most ki d and rub over it. Let's it slide easier
You have a great setup. My question is what do you do to take a shower? I have a 2008 Mazda Tribute. ( Aka Ford escape). Thinking about sleeping in it this summer, setting it up like yours but to my my liking of course. It's nice because the seats lay perfectly flat. I'm 6ft, I haven't measured the length yet but I know it's shorter than me. I sleep with my legs bent anyways so being taller doesn't bother me. So this is very new to me going about sleeping in my SUV, I'm a bit of a neatfreak, I work for a pizzeria and I have to be clean. What do you do for hygiene? Showers to be exact. Love your videos, keep it up. I live in Brattleboro, Vermont. Take care and I hope to see what kind of advice you reply back with.
I just built a box like you sleep on but its for storage. A single sized mattress fits between the tire wells ... think about it. It's a bed on wheels. My buddy heater sits on the storage box and it's toasty inside even when it's 20F outside. I use the rig to stealth camp at boat ramps for duck hunting.
Tbh I see all these converted vans and stuff but love key this is probs one of my favs it’s got enough sleep space tv food and drinks and room for clothes and stuff it’s small and cozy and theirs power and everything also u could just pee in a bottle or a bucket if ur rlly in need and can’t find a bathroom only problem is no shower
Not sure, but I think that you can get solar paneling for your truck to power your electronics. Just fasten it on top of the shell of your truck, and voila. Power.
Roadie I though you might like to know when it comes to hooking extra things up on some vehicle,s like your power converter, there is a positive and a positive negative ground, And a lot of things will not work with out a direct ground connection to the battery. so what i am saying is you will need both positive and negative battery cable wire direct to they camper do to the fact that most rigs now run a positive negative on the integrated circuit through your program control module ( PCM ), our most likely in your case a technical interrogated program module ( TIPM ) chip board right under your fuses in the engine compartment. I hope this helps.
tyler hofer I’m 6’4 as well. And I drive a 09 Saturn. I only have a sleeping set up for long breaks between classes but I fit perfectly if I put the back seat down
Excellent setup. Question: do you have a video (or at least, the dimensions) of the building of the bed platform? I would like to build one similar for my truck. Thank you!
I watched some of your other videos about your truck setup and I like how you are keeping it clean and simple in a rig you can use everyday. One question though. Have you ever thought of running your electrical off a separate battery that charges off of your truck alternator so you don't have to worry about draining your truck battery? I saw your winter camping video and it seems like that would be a better option for that. From personal experience the last thing you need is to drain your battery of any amps it needs to get that motor turned over on a cold morning. I live in Canada though so maybe it doesn't get cold enough where you go to worry about?
Almost would have been easier? They make a jacketed for hiway trucks 4/14 which would have saved you putting split loom on your wires. That works very well for that. Yes do fuse your wires and ground near the battery which you bring to the canopy. I have a 7 wire to cab and canopy. With 4 fused and 3 grounds.
Great setup. Thanks for sharing this video. How do you secure your tailgate and camper top back window when you are sleeping at night? Can you lock it from the inside?
i like the modular aspects of it...i bought the napier trunk tent and see this as getting a good setup...prebuild the components, install the tent, place the components in, take down the poles, cover the box with a cover and drive...
then, take the cover off at the site, set up the tent, get power, and ta-da...easy peasy....
Good on you for your simple set set up. Consider some red light for inside your cabin, it is plenty bright for tasks you need to perfom in the night and is more subtle for when you want be low key.
Go simple, go small, go now!
After watching these videos I'm going to hook up my 2002 Dodge Ram Diesel I'm 6'5 and my bed of my truck is 6'5 so I should just fit
Thank you so much for the videos
If you want that lockbox to be secure, you should install the hinges with the screws on the inside of the box.
I've been setting up the same set up and heading GOLD Mining the last 7 years... I built a steel raised bed out of sucker rod (3/4 inch solid rod) high enough to get a rubber maid plastic tub under it .... I have a 2004 GMC 4x4 excab 6.6ft box, rear seat removed ex storage ... sealed Canopy and end-gate with foam tape it stays dry and dust free even on 100s of miles of gravel roads.... I head out mostly to Northern British Columbia and have slept in it at minus -30....
I have a 93 Toyota Pickup single cab that I bought for $2500, and it is a standard as well. I have a similar setup to yours in mind for mine so that I can stay in my camper when I am working or doing whatever. Not long after I bought the pickup I was searching high and low for a shell that would fit this model, but no one seemed to carry one. So I hopped onto the Facebook marketplace and found one about 30 miles away from where I was working at the time. The guy had the exact same pickup as myself and was originally asking $45 for the shell, but when I got there he told me that I could have it for free! Awesome. It is a Leer XL series shell with a high roof and some upper windows. The original back glass was smashed before and the previous owner replaced it with a piece of plexiglass, which works fine. I had to replace the worn out struts on the back glass and the shell does not fit this pickup perfectly, so I had to screw on some pieces of one inch trim to my bed in order to lift up the shell. Right now I just have some shell clamps holding this on, but I will eventually bolt this puppy down. I've not yet gotten around to installing the bed and storage, but I do spend quite a bit of time in the bed and catch a nap every once in a while. Right now I have my drink cooler and a large storage tote back here for all of my food needs, as well as for storing tools and such. I really like the videos that you put out, so keep up the good work. And I hope that more people will get into camping out of their trucks. : )
Man this is goals i want to do this so bad
Wow man I've seen a lot of walk around but the pace you go through everything is incredibly engaging and love how you break it all down. Thanks man! Wicked set up.
This is the best truck setup i have ever seen
I really like this setup, I recently picked up an 87 toyota pickup and got a high top shell for it. I had different plans for the camper setup but I think I like this more, I want to take my bicycle with me and it would fit perfectly between the bed and cabinet. Thanks for sharing!
Carsiding looks so much nicer than plain panels of wood for no extra carpentry work. Love that you use it as a sliding door.
Awesome build. Enjoy your night and safe travels
Really like the idea of using tongue and groove pieces to make sliding doors. I'm about to start a build on my 2010 Colorado with a 6ft bed. Going to use this for inspiration for sure
Simple set up, and all works. The best set up I’ve seen.
Just want this for a bucket list, travel arround the Canadian wilderness for a few months in this lmao
Great design. I like the fact that you can take everything out very easy if you want to. 👍👍
Great idea about the foam mattress, very inexpensive and comfortable. Thanks for sharing the info.
Best 1 man setup. Simple and stealthy.
Have u ever heard of dynamat it's a sound deadening mat I use it on all the old cars I restore its sticky on one side and designed to go under carpet and headliners and stick to the surface to keep heat out and quiet road and engine noise I bet it u lined ur whole bed area with it it would be miles quieter and way better insulated... just a thought
I too live in my vehicle, where to I get this stuff?
Like your setup better than most others I'm seeing. Like the space between the bed and the cabinet. Most setup seem to have a whole flat floor across the whole thing
I've been thinking about the idea of getting a vehicle that i can sleep in during the summer, spring and fall. I love mountain biking and i would like to be able to drive to one of my favorite places to bike or even the night before an event or race and sleep and wake up ride all day.
Did exactly that with my 4Runner. I got sick of spending $100 a night at the resorts just for a place to sleep after riding. Got a twin mattress from Amazon, a good cooler, a camp stove, built a frame and threw in a few other creature comforts... now I'm completely set for the cost of maybe 2 nights in a hotel. I'm doing an extended trip to Moab, bike parks in CO and UT this summer for only the cost of gas, food and lift tickets.
Hopefully I get my cap this weekend because I usually set up my truck bed tent in the parking lot of the bike parks but once the fall hits I'd rather not spend all my time setting up the tent and all my other shit in the cold so this vid helped me get off my ass and build
New sub here. Thank you SO MUCH for this video. I’m thinking of getting into the nomad life. A van conversion is way too expensive and a Truck build is way more in lines with my budget.
Same here, exactly. I'm curious, have you started living mobile yet?
The camp grounds in Florida near salt water want nearly 40.00 a night regardless of whether you are sleeping in an rv, tent or camper shell. I built a shower with a pressurized chemical sprayer and kitchen sprayer using all new parts
C.M. , great idea ! What size sprayer container did you use ? Thanks for sharing the idea !
WH 2 gallon, I believe
WH I think a better idea would be at least a 5 gallon bucket with an electric water pump ie. Shurflow just like rvs have to pump water, maybe even a boat sump pump would work, sprayer not wanting to keep pressure.and I always have 12 volts.
C. M. Go to a Walmart parking lot
gym membership solves the shower problem
Down and dirty, super simple. Motivation for a future build for sure.
topper shells are in general so hard to find im getting a freakin hernia trying to find one for my ram.
your setup is badass.
Great set up. Glad I ran across this. I was just thinking about doing something similar with mine. I've got a camper top on and 76" bed. Slept in it last summer with just a foam mattress on the floor. Thanks for the ideas ! Subbed
Sweet taco. I love regular-cab 4x4's of that gen. They're getting hard to find!
Can you do a video for what you usually do for food when you’re living on the road for a few months
His working not on Obams checks
They make coolers that plug into 12volt socket. And a hot plate and slow cooker too. The coolers keep things about 40°F Cooler than out side temp.
Great idea with the locking drawer 👍
this is the best set up ive seen
Your videos motivate me to try this! Awesome stuff and nice camera
Simple, easy and functional. 👍👍
I recommend getting a quality jump pack. I spent about $200 for mine but have never been stranded. And I've helped a lot of people with dead batteries.
About to do a similar setup in my 1987 Toyota pickup
Good video bro, I'm surprised how roomy it still is back there given the space you are working with. I like that you don't have clutter like most people do 👍
Good set up and a perfect choice in trucks man
+Roadie .. Nice straight forward simple design. Appreciate the well done video share. One thing i wasn't able to understand is what you said you did to the camper windows to darken them. You said get something done to the windows to make a huge difference. I just couldn't understand the name of the process you said. Maybe you'll share that here with a reply. Your windows did look rather dark. I like that idea. Thanks Roadie. I viewed your other video about never camping in random parking lots and there you explained the same detail and i realized you said apply limo tint to the windows. No reply necessary. Thanks again.
Nice! I just got a mini van so I’m looking for ideas. Definitely like your setup
You sir are an inspiration
Cheers for that mate. Well thought out and applied. Thanks for sharing.
Really cool. The storage seems like it’d be difficult to get to when the truck is closed up for the night. Probably not an issue since you go right to sleep then.
These folks who have a 2003 silverrado how do they pick up tail gate at night-?
Thanks for the detailed info, very helpful!!!
GREAT job.
Well Done.
Congrats n thank you.
Good shit man. Have me missin the good old days.
Thanks for these vids very helpful for the regular guy
How do you keep the cabinets from sliding back and forth? Is it just the sheer weight of it?
That's a really nice looking truck, IMO.
Awesome video Roadie! Thank you for describing the build in such great detail. Exactly what I wanted to see.
BTW, for your sliding doors, take an old candle or wax of most ki d and rub over it. Let's it slide easier
You have a great setup. My question is what do you do to take a shower? I have a 2008 Mazda Tribute. ( Aka Ford escape). Thinking about sleeping in it this summer, setting it up like yours but to my my liking of course. It's nice because the seats lay perfectly flat. I'm 6ft, I haven't measured the length yet but I know it's shorter than me. I sleep with my legs bent anyways so being taller doesn't bother me. So this is very new to me going about sleeping in my SUV, I'm a bit of a neatfreak, I work for a pizzeria and I have to be clean. What do you do for hygiene? Showers to be exact. Love your videos, keep it up. I live in Brattleboro, Vermont. Take care and I hope to see what kind of advice you reply back with.
Thank you James B
I love your channel. And I hate my job. I could live in my truck.
You should go for it, why not? I'm going for it as soon as my 13 yr old son is a little older. Can't wait!
That's cool it's a long bed. I have a tacoma access cab long bed. It's like a van door, not true four door yet has two rows of seating.
i recommend coating some of that wood with shellac, its not cheap but its non toxic and all natural, it will leave that wood protected for a lifetime
I just built a box like you sleep on but its for storage. A single sized mattress fits between the tire wells ... think about it. It's a bed on wheels. My buddy heater sits on the storage box and it's toasty inside even when it's 20F outside. I use the rig to stealth camp at boat ramps for duck hunting.
Big help, Roadie. Thanks
Gave us good ideas. Thanks and Salaam.
Tbh I see all these converted vans and stuff but love key this is probs one of my favs it’s got enough sleep space tv food and drinks and room for clothes and stuff it’s small and cozy and theirs power and everything also u could just pee in a bottle or a bucket if ur rlly in need and can’t find a bathroom only problem is no shower
Miss my Taco so much, really wanted to do something like this with it for overnights
thank you I love your style
really clean setup, I get a feeling you'd be good at building PCs
Not sure, but I think that you can get solar paneling for your truck to power your electronics. Just fasten it on top of the shell of your truck, and voila. Power.
Roadie I though you might like to know when it comes to hooking extra things up on some vehicle,s like your power converter, there is a positive and a positive negative ground, And a lot of things will not work with out a direct ground connection to the battery. so what i am saying is you will need both positive and negative battery cable wire direct to they camper do to the fact that most rigs now run a positive negative on the integrated circuit through your program control module ( PCM ), our most likely in your case a technical interrogated program module ( TIPM ) chip board right under your fuses in the engine compartment. I hope this helps.
Wow. This is so efficient!!
Great job.
I fr love your set up!!!
Minimal sweet setup. Nice!
mold ? get a forstner bit and go to town on all that solid wood blocking airflow - it'll make a huge difference.
How long is the bed? How tall are you? Sweet set up man.
WOOJONG a lil over 6 feet
thank you. so few of the RUclipsrs mention height -- found out many of those are uhm, vertically challenged
tyler hofer I’m 6’4 as well. And I drive a 09 Saturn. I only have a sleeping set up for long breaks between classes but I fit perfectly if I put the back seat down
tyler hofer I’m 6’2” and I can sleep in my 1994 Toyota bed
Get a 8ft bed (truck)
Very smart details!!!
my question is ventilation, do you leave a slit opening on the windows when you sleep?
He mentioned this in the videos. He has screens over the windows so he can keep them cracked in the summer without letting bugs in
SLEEP IN WALMART OR SAMS PARKING FOR FREE SOME OF THE LIGHT POLES HAVE FREE ELECTRICITY AS WELL
Well done.
Sweet setup! As if I didn't have enough potential addictions. Haha
Simple and awesome!
Eh what a great video man! will be trying this design!
Fucking amazing.... I'm honestly pumped to get a truck now lol
Hi..love this😊
Thank you, yes a great starting place. But I think I want more of a raise on the.
Great video!
I can't wait to do my truck bed I have a 8 foot bed on mine
Nice buildout man!
Wow, nice set up man!
Excellent setup. Question: do you have a video (or at least, the dimensions) of the building of the bed platform? I would like to build one similar for my truck. Thank you!
Full Size beds are 4’ between fender wells and 8’ cab to gate
How much weight would that extra sleeping section hold you think?
Very nice!
i got these lights at a light store where them sell lights and stuff and this cable at a cable store 😂
I'm going try to do this. I'm actually homeless sleeping on my truck.
Any update bro? :) Keep living man
I watched some of your other videos about your truck setup and I like how you are keeping it clean and simple in a rig you can use everyday. One question though. Have you ever thought of running your electrical off a separate battery that charges off of your truck alternator so you don't have to worry about draining your truck battery? I saw your winter camping video and it seems like that would be a better option for that. From personal experience the last thing you need is to drain your battery of any amps it needs to get that motor turned over on a cold morning. I live in Canada though so maybe it doesn't get cold enough where you go to worry about?
Nice outfit. A lot of good Ideas... But I have to say how the hell have you kept a 2003 pickup in that good of shape? Wow!
Seth Thomas i think hes from the southwestern states where they dont get alot of rain or snow.
also how do you keep dust and dirt from coming up into the bed from under the crack in the tailgate while youre driving on dusty roads?
I live in Houston tx. It gets really hot in the summer. So my question is how do i stay cool in the back with getting best stroke and die lol
Make a large vent in the roof. The cap is high enough no one would see a giant vent.
Hey, did you installed the vent?
I really like your truck! How many miles does it have on it and can you sa approximately what you paid for it? Thanks!
Did you have to take the 3rd brake light off your truck to get the gasket on the shell to seat flush to the truck?
This is awesome
Just curious, with all the materials wood and foam mat. Roughly how much did it cost to make all this?
Almost would have been easier? They make a jacketed for hiway trucks 4/14 which would have saved you putting split loom on your wires. That works very well for that. Yes do fuse your wires and ground near the battery which you bring to the canopy. I have a 7 wire to cab and canopy. With 4 fused and 3 grounds.
Do you have a video on how to install the wire from the battery to the back, also on hooking it up and adding a fuse or some sort of that. Thanks.
Mold? Look into how the plastic bed liner will cause this type of situation. and thanx. great video
this is so awesome
Nice video!
Great setup. Thanks for sharing this video. How do you secure your tailgate and camper top back window when you are sleeping at night? Can you lock it from the inside?