Another custom design, also part 1 design

[pods8]

Sorta timely DD posted up his thread, I've been throwing together thoughts on doing a custom camper as well and have been studying up on the construction method I've been thinking about for a couple months. I've got a fairly good feeling on the concept there and the next step is to get some supplies in and make up some sample pieces.

Parallel path to that I need to get the actual camper designed. Pretty much will need to know about all major attachment points before construction begins. This will also be going on a flatbed. Current thought is for a 7.5' long, 83" wide camper on a short box truck (should only be ~6-7" longer than my hawk as I'll be able to get it closer to the truck cab without a front rack on the flatbed). The profile height will be driven by the final decisions on the cab over, I can make a nice thin over cab profile like FWC/ATC or I can add in a few inches to it to get a 3" storage compartment under the cab over mattress. Trade off of storage verse a sleeker profile.

But I'm getting ahead of myself, the first step here is figuring out a good floor plan. Goal is to accommodate 2 adults, 2 kids. Ideally have room for 2 people to be moving around at a time and seating for the others during that time. The pictures below is what I've thrown together so far:

Stats:
*40" wide dinette (78" long in bed mode)
*the counter top is around 3' long right now (little less than desired but might consider cutting board style pullouts on the dinette side and under the sink for extra space.
*The red block would be a 12V compressor freezer/fridge which would provide extra counter space when closed
*The gray block along the front of the camper taking foot room away from the counter area may go away, its a place holder depending on water tank selection.
*Dinette is setup in two parts so it can form a single bed/couch and half size table as well.

So those are my initial thoughts, hit me with any feedback or suggestions for consideration at this point. Its good to get outside opinions.

 

[Barko1]

Interesting drawings! Of course everything has compromise, it seems it will be tough to exit, especially the 3 AM nature call, with the bed across the back. Make the kids sleep in the truck

 

[pods8]

Interesting drawings! Of course everything has compromise, it seems it will be tough to exit, especially the 3 AM nature call, with the bed across the back. Make the kids sleep in the truck


The door is on the side in the space between the fridge (red block) and the dinette.

 

[Overland Hadley]

The flatbed design sure is nice, with the extra storage and the door being located on the side.

Are you going to build it yourself?

If I am not careful, I will decide to build my camper myself.

We need a custom camper sub forum!

 

[pods8]

Are you going to build it yourself?


That is the plan. Going to play around with sample materials in the near future to get a feel for things and will decide to pursue from there. Its a bit cold out currently for large scale work even if I was ready though.

Lots of little nuances about the actual building that are taken for granted when you just buy something and it works will need to be ironed out.

 

[MarkBC]

What software are you using for the drawings? Sure is a handy way to do a mock-up/test-layout.

 

[DirtyDog]

Aha I like seeing these drawings it helps me in my process I did some initial drawings in Google Sketchup which is an easy to learn and helpful tool for 3d visualization.

I like what you have done except for one thing: it is really lacking in counter space. You will definitely want to use appliances like the Dometic with the flush glass lids so that your stove and sink can double as counter space. I'm pondering improving my counter space by having a segment that can fold out of the way when I'm not using it.

 

[pods8]

Aha I like seeing these drawings it helps me in my process I did some initial drawings in Google Sketchup which is an easy to learn and helpful tool for 3d visualization.

I like what you have done except for one thing: it is really lacking in counter space. You will definitely want to use appliances like the Dometic with the flush glass lids so that your stove and sink can double as counter space. I'm pondering improving my counter space by having a segment that can fold out of the way when I'm not using it.


I'm using autocad 2005.

Yeah its lacking some and I'm still stewing over it. As mentioned I could have some pull out/fold out portions from the left side (towards the dinette seat) and along the front of the camper to help. Also there is above the fridge and the dinette table.

I'll be doing covered appliances whether that means I pull the SMEV ones from my current camper, order new ones, or build custom counter tops with lids for the appliances (still researching this one).

 

[jcfly]

I like the half table/full table. For additional counter space, you could consider a fold-up counter mounted to the left side of the red block that may come up flush with the sink.
Just my two cents, of course.

 

[pods8]

I like the half table/full table. For additional counter space, you could consider a fold-up counter mounted to the left side of the red block that may come up flush with the sink.
Just my two cents, of course.


Yeah that is one of the ideas I was trying to convey above, either fold out/slide out in that area and maybe a small one off the left of the counter top (it would need to get retracted to let the person out of the dinette though).

 

[1tonpaulie]

Pods are you talking hard sides and roof or pop top? Also a full height door or half height. I can not get use to the half height door. I have a knot in my for head from the FWC half height door. Maybe DD and yourself can start another camper company. Wander the Wild West Campers!

 

[pods8]

Pods are you talking hard sides and roof or pop top? Also a full height door or half height. I can not get use to the half height door. I have a knot in my for head from the FWC half height door. Maybe DD and yourself can start another camper company. Wander the Wild West Campers!


Pop top but with overlapping hard sides like Alaskan and XP. Door would most likely be full height but I need to do some more pondering on the latch arrangement to be able to get in/out of the camper with top down (getting to the latch on the outer door from the inside posses a problem at initial glance).

 

[pods8]

Pondering water tank sizing in relation to the internal layout (they'll be low and in the front so it affects the block along the front of the camper). Currently thinking about 15gal (maybe 10) fresh water tank. This would provide plenty of water for weekender trips and there is no need to build in tons of excess holding capacity that is rarely going to be used. To supplement longer trips I'd have areas configured to stow some of those cubical water jugs and when the extra water isn't needed the space can be utilized for other storage.

Thinking about just using typical 20lb propane tanks because they are common/cheap and propane places are used to them. Additional one of those tanks happens to be about the same size as one of the above water jugs so if I build a 2 tank propane compartment I'll have the option to either carry 2 tanks of propane or 1 tank of propane and 1 jug of water. That would actually work out nice because during the cold weather trips when you might want more propane for heating you'll likely be using less water than on the hot weather trips where more water and less propane is desired.

Thinking about having a gray water tank as well with a bypass right to an external drain for areas where going right to ground is okay. Not sure if I want to put in a fixed tank, maybe 10gal or so, or try and do a removable tank of some sort. A fixed tank would make the best use of space but then would require some other bucket or such be carried if I ever needed to ferry the gray water somewhere to drain it.

 

[Overland Hadley]

Have you looked at the Footwell water tank from Front Runner? Link

I have one in my truck, great piece of kit.

With the 40L in that tank, I am only going to carry a 20L tank in the camper. Oddly enough, when traveling solo (most of the time) I will carry an additional 20L in the cab.

So the long and short of it is I will be carrying 60-80L for one or two people. And I think you are on the right track with your water tank idea.

 

[Overland Hadley]

Will you need 40lb of propane at any point?

Even with a lot of heating and cooking it is hard to figure ever needing more than 20lbs.

 

[pods8]

Have you looked at the Footwell water tank from Front Runner? Link


Since I can utilize basic shapes without issue I can score a similar sized tank for half the price. There are tons of rectangular tanks out there some with a 10"x10" profile, 8"x16", etc.

Will you need 40lb of propane at any point?

Even with a lot of heating and cooking it is hard to figure ever needing more than 20lbs.


Maybe cold weather/snow camping for more than a few days I was thinking. Sounds like folks tend to burn a tank in a few days in that type of weather, it'd be nice to have a week capacity. Most of the time I'd use it as an extra storage space I think.

 

[HIKEMT]

Sorta timely DD posted up his thread, I've been throwing together thoughts on doing a custom camper as well and have been studying up on the construction method I've been thinking about for a couple months. I've got a fairly good feeling on the concept there and the next step is to get some supplies in and make up some sample pieces.

Parallel path to that I need to get the actual camper designed. Pretty much will need to know about all major attachment points before construction begins. This will also be going on a flatbed. Current thought is for a 7.5' long, 83" wide camper on a short box truck (should only be ~6-7" longer than my hawk as I'll be able to get it closer to the truck cab without a front rack on the flatbed). The profile height will be driven by the final decisions on the cab over, I can make a nice thin over cab profile like FWC/ATC or I can add in a few inches to it to get a 3" storage compartment under the cab over mattress. Trade off of storage verse a sleeker profile.

But I'm getting ahead of myself, the first step here is figuring out a good floor plan. Goal is to accommodate 2 adults, 2 kids. Ideally have room for 2 people to be moving around at a time and seating for the others during that time. The pictures below is what I've thrown together so far:

Stats:
*40" wide dinette (78" long in bed mode)
*the counter top is around 3' long right now (little less than desired but might consider cutting board style pullouts on the dinette side and under the sink for extra space.
*The red block would be a 12V compressor freezer/fridge which would provide extra counter space when closed
*The gray block along the front of the camper taking foot room away from the counter area may go away, its a place holder depending on water tank selection.
*Dinette is setup in two parts so it can form a single bed/couch and half size table as well.

So those are my initial thoughts, hit me with any feedback or suggestions for consideration at this point. Its good to get outside opinions.

Pods8 – I really like this design. It has a lot in common with the unit I've asked ATC to build. I think the larger dinette adds a lot to a small floor plan. The flush appliances are even more important with the reduced countertop.

 

[pods8]

Pods8 – I really like this design. It has a lot in common with the unit I've asked ATC to build. I think the larger dinette adds a lot to a small floor plan. The flush appliances are even more important with the reduced countertop.


Right on, if I was sticking to a traditional slide in I'd likely be looking at a floor plan like you have. The flatbed opens up the option to but the dinette in the back and not have to step over the lower bed to get to the top.

When you getting the new unit?

 

[natjwest]

The flatbed opens up the option to but the dinette in the back and not have to step over the lower bed to get to the top.
But pods, I don't think hikemt will have to step over the lower bed since when the upper bed is extended/pulled-out, it will be like an upper and lower bunk. At least that's what the dashed lines mean to me.

I too am thinking about the front dinette style for my Grandby remodel. I'll only ever need to have three total people (one in the lower bunk) so I think I can squeeze the second bed into the gap at the front where my counter peters out before the front of the camper. (Bad spacial explanation, I know.)

 

[pods8]

But pods, I don't think hikemt will have to step over the lower bed since when the upper bed is extended/pulled-out, it will be like an upper and lower bunk. At least that's what the dashed lines mean to me.

I too am thinking about the front dinette style for my Grandby remodel. I'll only ever need to have three total people (one in the lower bunk) so I think I can squeeze the second bed into the gap at the front where my counter peters out before the front of the camper. (Bad spacial explanation, I know.)


Looking at his, yeah that would be the case. But since I want a 40" dinette and ideally no pullout into the camper that wouldn't work out for me.

I understood your explanation.