Community interest: Slide-in camper

[RegularGuy]

I've been looking at putting together a design for a slide-in camper that'll utilize the entirety of the space in my 2007 ranger. Wondering if I'm the only one here interested in building such a thing.... It'd be nice if you guys would answer the attached poll

I'd be attempting to keep it around 1000lbs

 

[don4331]

Something like the Adventurer 76r?

Its a little dusty as it has been in the quonset since before Covid hit...

 

[RegularGuy]

Pretty much, I'm thinking I might make a pop-up version as well.
The issue I've run into is that I can either buy new or nothing at all. The used market in my area is pretty scarce

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

955lbs dry, if I can help you reverse engineer anything let me know...



Mine is the 072S flavor, build thread in sig.













It has a torsion bar mechanism to help raise the roof (HECO design)

This guy made one out of aluminum which would be nice (won't rot, lightweight and strong)

1986 GMC S-15

Quick tease of things to come.

expeditionportal.com

 

[RegularGuy]

955lbs dry, if I can help you reverse engineer anything let me know...

I actually do have a small number of questions that'll come up in the design process, how these lightweights are attached to the truck, tank capacities, loft weight capacity and wet weight. Additionally, if it's known, the weight distribution forward/rear

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I actually do have a small number of questions that'll come up in the design process, how these lightweights are attached to the truck, tank capacities, loft weight capacity and wet weight. Additionally, if it's known, the weight distribution forward/rear

Same as any other slide in camper, either clamp on "Brophy" mounts, Happyjack or mounts on the frame. I built my own rear bumper and am building sliders with attachment points for it. Four wheel campers and maybe others have a internal bed mounting system I am not familiar with. Mine has a CG sticker on the bottom of the wings, sits just ahead of the rear axle.

Not sure what the water capacity is and I don't know if the loft capacity is rated.

 

[sheep herder]

I don't consider the Ranger bed to be big enough for a camper.

 

[don4331]

Adventurer 76R floor plan

The "challenge" with the Adventurer - brochure weight was 1,050 dry. And that didn't include: Jacks, battery, propane, water, etc, etc. Luckily, my Ranger has Payload package #2, so has real life payload limit of 1,350lbs, so if I clean off all the dust and remove the jacks, I can drive the truck solo. The camper balance point is exactly over the rear wheels - loading it didn't add a pound to the front axle - for better or worse. The 3/4 mattress is a little weird for size, but is just large enough for couple friendly folks. The horizontal 20lb cylinder is expensive to replace. With camper on jack stands, I can confirm the "loft" can take over 450lbs of weight.

The fresh water capacity is 40l; there is no grey or black water capacity. Camper has been comfortably slept in during -35C weather. OK, it was in quonset, protected from any wind, but doors to building were open as the furnace was running. I use Torklift style brackets.

If you have design questions, fire away.

 

[1990RangerinSK]

Just a thought.... My ex father in law had one of those for his Dakota. With the camper in the bed, the truck was a nightmare to drive. He had to swap the rear suspension of the truck to a half-ton rear suspension.

 

[sgtsandman]

For my 2011, I would entertain the idea. For the 2019, no. The bed is too small for a slide in since it’s a Supercrew.

 

[Blmpkn]

I was planning on making a slide in of sorts for the flat bed on my old 2010, but sold it. I still want to make one for my 2021.. but I'd probably wait for the cost of lumber to calm down.

 

[sgtsandman]

Lumber is absolutely insane

 

[ericbphoto]

Lumber is absolutely insane

Cheaper to use titanium right now.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Just a thought.... My ex father in law had one of those for his Dakota. With the camper in the bed, the truck was a nightmare to drive. He had to swap the rear suspension of the truck to a half-ton rear suspension.

I just have Explorer springs in mine, it is kinda sketchy but doable without a sway bar.

I haven't had it in the truck since I have added a rear sway bar to it.

A older Ranger with the payload package is rated about the same for payload as most half tons even into the present day.

A F-150 is wider and more stable, it is hard to buck that with a camper though. I hauled mine home in the F-150, it really did not care it was there. Set the cruise at 73mph on the interstate and just sailed home. It also does not have a rear sway bar.

 

[Dirtman]

Lumber is absolutely insane

Technically lumber isn't sentient so it is not capable of suffering from mental illness of any kind.