1985 Conestoga + Vagabond Trip

[Snoranger]

I would have recommended 2x6's

Even though you didn’t mean it that way….




And

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Working with my bulk storage/front support for this.

I think basically this, I am going to get something to strap things down between the two crosswise 2x4's.



I did have to notch the plywood a little to clear the indention for the fuel filler.



I am working on how to support the front of the sleeping deck when it is folded down but I think the basic concept is pretty much done.

 

[Uncle Gump]

Maybe you coulda stood the 2 by 4s on edge and saved some space... no?

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Maybe you coulda stood the 2 by 4s on edge and saved some space... no?

That is how it started out and it would be easy to go back if decide to.

Phase II of this side quest is a support to support the trapdoor for the sleeping deck when the stores are out of the truck and it is time for bed.

When I go to do the support for the sleeping deck it kinda comes out at about a wash for room but I lose surface area to support the deck. And this way I also get lots of area to mount tie downs for stores compared to if they were on the side.

That is my current train of thought anyway...

 

[Uncle Gump]

Ok... now go clean up those tools you left laying in the driveway.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Strapping the water can that I have in I don't like how the strap puts pressure on the deck. A more squared off water can or jerry can would be worse.



So... we took it apart and flipped the front 2x4 on its side to shift the cans forward (and moved the rearward one ahead too.









I could flip the rear 2x4 ahead too... I kinda want to get my cans finalized first and make sure the online dimensions are legit before I trim the plywood to fit. So right now the plywood is even with edge of the 2x4.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I added some 1x6's I had laying around between the stringers to to add rigidity to the plywood deck.



Bed is approved thus far.



Wrapped a tarp on the deck to avoid splinters both for people and air mattresses. My navigator picked the hinges and tarp, they actually kinda look neat together.







The next step is getting the bedliner transferred from the bed in the barn to the bed on the truck. To do that I need to get my bed cleaned out and plug the holes from my rollbar and high lift brackets.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Step one:



Step two:



Step two point five:



The bigger cross beams will not go into the truck, they did beautifully on my mockup bed... they won't go in the back of the topper though.

Finally, step three:



Step four:



Major PITA to put in. If I use it again it will need some rework. Room is not that bad, no perceivable sagging.

 

[sgtsandman]

Step one:



Step two:



Step two point five:



The bigger cross beams will not go into the truck, they did beautifully on my mockup bed... they won't go in the back of the topper though.

Finally, step three:



Step four:



Major PITA to put in. If I use it again it will need some rework. Room is not that bad, no perceivable sagging.

When I go to build something similar for the 2019 and redo the platform in the 2011, I'mgoing to limit the cent sectio to the width of the wheel wells and have cutout/extension sections to cover the wheel wells themselves and gaps in front and behind them die to the issues you experienced. That way the main body can just be slid out and in, as needed with less of a fight.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

When I go to build something similar for the 2019 and redo the platform in the 2011, I'mgoing to limit the cent sectio to the width of the wheel wells and have cutout/extension sections to cover the wheel wells themselves and gaps in front and behind them die to the issues you experienced. That way the main body can just be slid out and in, as needed with less of a fight.

Yours would be easier too being shorter/lighter, half the problem is the thing has so much leverage against me as I put it in. Using totes (which really are not that deep) underneath for gear storage mandated how high the thing had to be, which put the deck a 2x4 above the wheel arch.

If I made the thing sit on the bedfloor I think it would be easier to get in and out.

A regular drawer box would be nice but it wasn't in the budget this year. Adds a lot of weight too.

I am hoping it isn't going to be really freaking hot in this thing. If I had a topper with a flat roof a vent/fan like a camper would be very tempting. It was sure stuffy in there working last night.

 

[sgtsandman]

Yours would be easier too being shorter/lighter, half the problem is the thing has so much leverage against me as I put it in. Using totes (which really are not that deep) underneath for gear storage mandated how high the thing had to be, which put the deck a 2x4 above the wheel arch.

If I made the thing sit on the bedfloor I think it would be easier to get in and out.

A regular drawer box would be nice but it wasn't in the budget this year. Adds a lot of weight too.

I am hoping it isn't going to be really freaking hot in this thing. If I had a topper with a flat roof a vent/fan like a camper would be very tempting. It was sure stuffy in there working last night.

Air flow, even with a front slider was a bit of a problem. I had to leave the lift gate open in order to have enough air flow and sleep with my head toward the tailgate.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Air flow, even with a front slider was a bit of a problem. I had to leave the lift gate open in order to have enough air flow and sleep with my head toward the tailgate.

I only had one side slider open and the back open of course. With absolutely no wind there wasn't much to work with though.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

For a report on how this thing worked... it worked very well.

Charcoal and water ended up at the front.



Tote with the bedding stuff was on top the trap door strapped down overhanging the charcoal stuff. Chairs, table, hunting blind and awning above the rear axle and the cooler strapped down above ther rear stringer.

Modified the legs on a free little Weber grille so it would fit under the deck (upside down)







First night was kinda warm, ran the fan a little. Air mattress could have been bigger but its what I had. Later on it got cool and we ended up sleeping all buttoned up the last three nights.

I did add power ports at the back, were great for running the inflator for the air mattress, charging the fan and/or my phone while at camp without messing around up front.



I put my table against my tire swingout and with the tailgate I had a nice work space.







Room for improvement:
1. Water up front was a mild PITA as I figured it would be, I would love to come up with a way to have a tank or reservoir I could pump out of and just leave it up there.
2. Cooler was a joke. Handles wouldn't even hold it on the road so it had to be retained by a strap over the top which impeded quick access. And it sloshed water all over thru the lid offroad, it was starting to smell back there by the time we got to LBL. And water got into everything ziplock freezer bagged or otherwise and ruined most of my lunch food.
3. Bears?! I didn't even think of that. Cooler wasn't water proof let alone bear proof. Nowhere to keep it in the truck while we are sleeping. Never saw one but still... something that needs improvement.
4. It would be nice to have a place to store fuel as well...

How do you get to the front totes you ask? I have an ap for that:



However set up and tear down was very quick and easy. I could just throw the hunting blind in the sun to dry it and get ready to roll quick. It kinda worked out, I was packed up before everybody else so we could go run to the playground or go on a walk (which usually involves a race) and burn some energy before sitting in the truck all day.

 

[Curious Hound]

Overall, it seems like your setup worked well. The hunting blind for changing clothes was a great idea.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Overall, it seems like your setup worked well. The hunting blind for changing clothes was a great idea.

For basically a prototype with no testing I was really pretty happy with it.