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I don't have a Toyota or a Hawk, but I can give you some ideas. Bought a 2017 F350 with a standard 8' bed. Removed the bed, and replaced it with a home-brew flatbed, with the intention of mounting a slide in camper. I had the same issues to overcome. After a lot of research, and help from...

I just bought two Renogy 100w flexible panels that are 22" x 48". They also have 160w flexible panels that are somewhat larger. I'm using their MPPT controller, and a LIfeline AGM battery. So far, I'm happy with the system.

Kevin, I just bought a 2006 Lance 805. I'm not sure about the walls, but the roof is a 1" thick, aluminum framed, foam core, 1/8 plywood on both sides, glued "sandwich". It's a walk on roof, and feels very solid (I'm just shy of 190 lbs). It's a very simple and light camper. No bath, 86"...

This is interesting. It would give your camper a bit of a Captain America look...

You have a couple of choices. 1. Use aluminum bolts (McMaster.com). They have 2024 aluminum bolts up to 5/8 diameter. The tensile strength is low compared to steel (30,000 psi), however you could use more of them. 2. Mount the camper using a TorkLift frame mount setup, which means no holes...

Wow. You're very close to the GVWR of that 1-ton. I'm guessing you have a 10800 or 11400 GVWR.

I would say that was a very valuable comment/post. Thanks for contributing your first hand experience.

+1 on the ratchet strap. The flammable liquid method can be a little exciting at times.

You did a really nice job on the interior. Very interesting ideas.

A bear would open an FWC like it was made of paper, tip out or not.

That would make sense, because mine was a steel body. The total capacity according to the Body Builders guide is1700 lbs. The footnotes for that number say, "Load rating represents maximum allowable weight of people, cargo and body equipment and is reduced by optional equipment weight." Add...

I would agree with Fireball. I have no personal experience, but a couple of friends and relatives all said the mileage is pretty poor with a Tundra.

I had a 2013 F-150 super crew with the 5.0 V8. I could get 18-19 unloaded, going easy on the pedal. Pulling a 2700 lb tent trailer it was about 15.5 mpg. Loved the truck, but the payload is inadequate for a FWC of any size.

LA, I realize you didn't ask this question, but I would buy a crew cab. I think they are only 12" longer, although more dollars. There has only ever been two of us, but we always buy crew cabs. The space is so nice. We keep our Engel refer in the back, with a ton of other gear. Also, if...

Ok, I found it. It's part of a document linked earlier in this thread. It's actually page 13. We need to know a few more details: Front and rear GAWR Front and rear weight of truck Wheelbase I tried to embed the image of page 13, but couldn't see it in the preview, so I've attached it.

I would bet that the glovebox sticker is wrong. I noticed that your second image has a footnote that says, "Dimensions A and B can be calculated by using formula on page 12". I think we need to see page 12.

I think you answered you own question with point #1. You are going to be significantly overloaded right at the get go. There are many issues that aren't readily apparent. A quick google says your truck can carry about 1500 lbs. in a 2WD version. That will be a zero option truck. What...

You might be able to do it for less than that. I don't think the "Ute" brand is cheap. The fold down sides are expensive too. Another alternative would be steel. They're typically cheaper, although a lot heavier. I ended up building my own. I probably spent at least as much as the OP...

According to the Go Power charge controller manual, you should see 14.4 volts when charging, and 13.7 volts at "float". If the voltage never gets to 14.4, you're not charging the battery. We need some more specific information here. You say there are two batteries, "AGM 30". What brand are...

XJINTX, I didn't mean to imply that he should do the flatbed on a 1/2 ton. IMO, that would be a poor choice. I have a 2017 F350 CCLB that has a 4400 lb payload capacity.

Do it, you'll love it. I don't have a camper yet, but I did build and install a flatbed. The "build" was a lot of work, the "install" not so bad. I've added under body tool boxes, which are great. Now I'm looking at building a flip-top camper.

Valley of the Gods. SE Utah.

ntsqd, The welder doesn't have quite enough power when trying to do 3/16" or 1/4" tabs welded to the frame. There is a setting that allows boosting the start current to 135% of the current setting, but machine doesn't have enough reserve, when you are running 165 amps, and the top end is 200...

Welding aluminum is definitely tricky. Without a pulse mig unit, you have to move really fast to avoid burning through the material. Another issue is that the metal has to be really clean. I wipe it down with acetone, and then wire brush with a stainless brush. It's also best to preheat the...

HughDog, I'm using an HTP Pro Pulse 200 Mig (USAWeld.com) to weld an aluminum flatbed. It's an inverter type unit, and is a maximum of 200 amp output, at a low duty cycle. It has a pulse and double pulse processes, that works pretty nicely. I've welded as thin as 1/16" 5052.