Narrow Older FWC for Modern Pickup

[tk254254]

Hello, new to the forum. My father picked up a really nice Keystone camper for me about two months ago. Needed the usual work (particle board broken in bed, linoleum, etc.) but otherwise everything works and best yet there is NO rot or even water staining! I drove over the pass to go work on the camper and load it up in my 2001 Dodge. Well, you know the rest, it doesn't fit.

I looked through every single page on this forum to hopefully find a thread where somebody has modified the plywood base of a camper to fit a modern pickup. I did not see any thread or pictures, but I know someone has done it as it does not appear to be that difficult. I have a spool gun and any aluminum welding will be trivial.

The main concerns I have are as follows:

-I am only $200 into this camper. Should I try and sell it for around $1500 and just save some cash for the next "deal"? The problem with this option is that everything works on this camper and like I say, it is in really nice condition.

-What is the reduction from the 64" measurement that the first "tier" would need to be at in order to fit the majority of modern pickups? If I chose to minimize the reduction, how much "wiggle room" would I need to realistically manuever the slide-in?

-Will the reduction on the 12 v converter and water tank side require moving the cabinets into the walking space, or can I just cut the back of those sections out, thereby protecting the walking aisle space?

-I need the lower fridge vent, anyone know where to find that part?

-I need the egress emergency window (middle window). Anyone know where to find that part?

I have attached a photo showing the measurement I am wondering about.

-I am not too worried about the plywood work, but dismantling all the wiring, cabinets, etc. appears to be more taxing. Is that a big pain in the butt?

Thanks in advance!

 

[pods8]

The issue is that it's not just plywood, the front/rear walls the aluminum frame is also too wide and needs to be narrowed. As such it really hasn't been done often since most folks don't have access to aluminum welding equipment. You could consider using brackets/plates/rivets or something of that nature to rework it but do so at your own confidence level.

 

[tk254254]

The issue is that it's not just plywood, the front/rear walls the aluminum frame is also too wide and needs to be narrowed. As such it really hasn't been done often since most folks don't have access to aluminum welding equipment. You could consider using brackets/plates/rivets or something of that nature to rework it but do so at your own confidence level.


Thanks, as I said in my post I own a spool gun and regularly weld aluminum. Would take me longer to hook up the welder than it would to fab.... From the looks of this picture, you cut the square tube and move over, then weld back in. Looks to be the easiest part of the entire project.

Like I said, I am more worried about the internal equipment fitting and still allowing space to walk.

Anyone actually done this work?

 

[pods8]

Thanks, as I said in my post I own a spool gun and regularly weld aluminum. Would take me longer to hook up the welder than it would to fab.... From the looks of this picture, you cut the square tube and move over, then weld back in. Looks to be the easiest part of the entire project.

Like I said, I am more worried about the internal equipment fitting and still allowing space to walk.

Anyone actually done this work?


Missed that you do aluminum welding, you're a step ahead there. But that is why not too many folks have done this themselves to provide comment or have reference threads on it.

As for fitment, the newer units are 58" wide and work so its not impossible.

 

[tk254254]

58", I will keep that in mind as a standard. Thanks.

Even without a welder, anyone could do the work with pop rivets and a piece of sheet plate.

I guess I'm failing to see any big issues. Maybe I will start buying up these older units and resizing them for resale....

 

[pods8]

Wouldn't hurt to double check if 58" is tailgate opening size of the smaller fullsize trucks (and the camper is a tad smaller) or if the camper is 58". I'm a bit tried and I forget off hand I suspect the camper is a tad narrower, I have one of the ones that is a bit wider for a 60" tailgate opening.

Not everyone wants to jump into frame modification, cutting down the floor pack, and reworking the siding. As such I don't recall any threads where folks actually when through it (but alot asking what it would take). If you're up for it and feel the labor/value is there get on it and post up a nice thread!

 

[highz]

I don't have your skills, so if I were in your shoes I would consider saving $$ to convert my truck to a flatbed (like Dirty Dog recently did). Then I would add storage cabinets to use the extra space at the base.

 

[UglyScout]

I considered narrowing one when I was searching for mine -- but then I found a sweet deal on one that fit.

I'm not sure how the layout in the Keystones is - but to narrow the second step in mine would be pretty easy - there isn't much in that space.

58" is the tailgat opening on 'most' newer trucks if I recell correctly.

And congrats on getting a FWC!

 

[Ted]

I guess I'm failing to see any big issues. Maybe I will start buying up these older units and resizing them for resale....

I think you should go ahead and do the modification to your camper. Like Pods said, the frame work is what keeps most people from even trying. If you find the project is as easy as you are thinking, then your plan for flipping modified older campers would probably be very successful. The fit problem with newer trucks is the only reason they are priced so low. Good luck.

 

[tk254254]

Thanks everyone for the replies. I guess the absolute worst case scenario is that I need to move the wiring / water tank, etc. no more than 2" into the walkway. I could live with that.

My current plan is to proceed with the resize. If I do, I will post a how-to and very likely to continue looking for others to work on.

 

[krj]

A flatbed is a hell of alot easier and gives you more versatility and storage...

 

[tk254254]

A flatbed is a hell of alot easier and gives you more versatility and storage...


more versatility? What do you do when you want to use your pickup for say, hauling gravel?

 

[Cort]

Most flatbeds have stake sides or fold down sides......with the options that flatbeds have these days I personally think they are way more versatile than a standard pickup box....they even make shells for flatbeds.

Cort

 

[pods8]

more versatility? What do you do when you want to use your pickup for say, hauling gravel?


Have you seen DD's ute bed with and without the camper? The camper I'm building is going on a flatbed as well. (FYI, UTE is distributed out of Seattle in the US).

 

[tk254254]

Wow, had never seen those they are VERY cool!

 

[Barko1]

Wow, had never seen those they are VERY cool!

But cost more than my FWC

 

[tk254254]

But cost more than my FWC


I figured.... I'm $210 into this FWC so far, and about $6k into the pickup. I am obviously a cheapskate!

 

[Gerdo]

I'm looking at a couple of older FWCs that are that 64" wide (bed rail to bed rail). I would also need to do the trimming to 58" to get it to fit. This may be my next project.

 

[tk254254]

I'm looking at a couple of older FWCs that are that 64" wide (bed rail to bed rail). I would also need to do the trimming to 58" to get it to fit. This may be my next project.


I have been obsessing over the planning of this project and honestly I think the most time consuming part will be moving the cabinets / wiring / plumbing in order to put back together. I think as long as there is no beer in the camper when I'm doing the work it will go very quickly. The plywood base part will go fastest.

I will start first part of December and will start a new how-to thread.

 

[Gerdo]

I have been obsessing over the planning of this project and honestly I think the most time consuming part will be moving the cabinets / wiring / plumbing in order to put back together. I think as long as there is no beer in the camper when I'm doing the work it will go very quickly. The plywood base part will go fastest.

I will start first part of December and will start a new how-to thread.


I'm guessing that I'll pretty much just gut the camper, trim to fit and then build to fit my needs. It sounds like more work but I hope it'll actually be easier. There are things that I need and things that I don't. The big one will be, out with the stock fridge and in with my Engel.