My fir strips are 1 3/4 inch wide, and i was just going to use butt joints with caulking in between before fibreglassing… any suggestions? Truck Cap is the synonym for what they called in the past “camper shell”. If you want to spend less than 200 you will need to find a lot of materials for free. Also, highlighted is the eternal mess in the back of a working truck. Too much of a gap will create a weak spot, increasing the chance of the wood … Also because I will be making a door on the back that stands tall but can also be walked through. A couple recent inquiries prompt this quick post about a wooden truck topper. The third picture is how I want the door. The roof is relatively lightweight as it is western red cedar so I only stand on it directly over the frames. In the meanwhile... some ideas. It is pulled over the edge and tacked down with roofing nails, hanging over about two inches. (Click below to open the link in a new tab.) Believe me, there is a science to building a wood framed truck … Finally, measure the length of your truck bed, cut a 2×2 to that length. Pickup truck shells can be converted into campers with basic tools and materials. Just getting ideas for now, not building yet. It will be opened several times, so make sure the welds are perfect. The challenge in building the miniature wooden truck is the number of the parts. Learn how to remove a truck cap alone. Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Here is my home made truck rack / back rack. 1. (FREE) Find out how I built my own truck camper for my Tacoma Prerunner in just 2 days for under $250. Click the “Vardo” build in the right column to see the basic build. If you want to save on cost when making a camper shell, you can consider making the wooden one.You can also make tonneau cover with wood.. Learn how your comment data is processed. Stunning! The procedures Step 1: Set up the bases. Then reinforce this section with rubber gaskets or molding and attach it with a hinge to the frame of the cap, not to the side walls. Front sill plate is screwed through to the side sills. Mine is certainly not over-engineered. Hi, I have been trying to find a wooden truck camper for sale, I ‘d love to build one but I don’t have time for that because I am a single mom of a 1yr old lil.boy. Saved by Lea Calderon-Guthe. When the beams are in place, lock them together with nuts and nails. I was curious as what made you decide to cover the roof with felt paper and the tarp as opposed to fiberglassing? Good luck! I also used modified Simpson Strong Ties to bolt to the inside front of the bed. For this reason, the carpenters might need higher focus compared to the other wooden craft. I was wondering if you had issues with roof leaks on the 1st making you redesign on the 2nd? The Ties utilized the inset nuts that hold the tie-down track on the Tacomas. First of all, good luck. When you are done, secure the metal joints with the truck sides and connect them with the wood beams. I’ve been looking for someone that has done this for a while. Good luck! Looking To Make Your Own Truck Camper? For about three months the couple spent building one of the best DIY truck bed campers you will ever see. I was more interested, I guess, in how you attached the ribs to the sill plate, and how did you connect the side sills to the front sill. Well, other than a door handle and some latches to keep it shut tight, I think I am done. You can prep, cook, serve and wash up with ease, thanks to the various surfaces, compartments and appliances this incredible product comes with. Well, I'm not wealthy and making something costs a lot less than buying it. I like to make one for my 8′ bed Silverado but I fear it may be too heavy. Love to see photo’s of the “house”. This one was pretty comparable to my old fiberglass topper. He started with the roof first so he’d have some shelter during the rest of the build. “Snow Roof” paint worked though on my first one. The hardest part of building the truck camper setup is measuring correctly. Cut a length of 1/2″ plywood at that height and to run the length of your truck bed. Using plywood or light wooden planks is the most vital part of how to build a lightweight truck camper guide. It was all there, I just had to put it together, and yes, I liked your topper design so much that I am copying it. What can you do? Thanks so much for the inspiration! You might even be surprised that any friends that are plumbers, electricians, or mechanics will be happy to help you out with this interesting project. The Tacoma doesn’t make it easy. Hello! That helps. I’m not always going to need it on the truck, but would like it to look good in the likelihood I leave it on there for extended periods of time. Like the layout in the pic, mine had benches on both sides with the channel in the middle. Strip building is beautiful and time consuming. Forgot to mention:Using single sheets that are not laminated is the best option.Multilayers thicker than 3mm can be a real pain to bend.The single ones often only need a good soak in warm water to make them flexible enough to go around bends like you would have.If there is any furniture makin store near you or your hardware store is well stocked you can use something more special than birch or pine for the last layer.Or just use a nice stain if you want to stay on a budget.Make sure to create enough layers to get proper stability.8-10mm are usually sufficient unless you want the final piece without any internal support frames on the wood.For a clean inside look with enough strength and thickness to use proper screws I recommend going to 12 or up to 15mm.You won't get a better look than something that looks like one solid piece of wood ;)If you get big enough sheets you can even cut the door walls so they would would match the grain of the last sheet used for the outside - makes it look like you carved it out of wood (if you are no expert). This effectively lifts the height of the topper by 1”. This interior shot shows the three frames and sill that are essentially, the skeleton of the whole thing. If you decide building a truck is the right path for you, remember that you shouldn’t hesitate to reach out to other experts along the way. Very nice, im thinking of making one myself for my 2016 ram. Fancy rear door.... this one looks complicated, I will go with a simpler hinged top half solution but if you wanted to build a custom mold out of foam in the shape of the door you wanted to build and then create a custom door out of fibreglass... check this video out. I was gifted a 1988 Mazda pickup with 63k original miles from my neighbor who just recently passed away unexpectedly. Are there plans available for this? I need a top but have been unwilling to spend the money…I am going to copy your topper! This is where I am as of today (yes i changed from my email address to my Facebook account). The front is massively strong as it is connected to the outer skin as well. Here’s the basic part list that I used: 2x4s for side and front sills, 2×4 frames, tongue and groove yellow pine for sides, front, and hatch, western red cedar roof. Don’t have yellow pine available, but we do have a source of Beetle kill pine with the blue stain that would look really good. Don’t know if you’re still out there but I LOVE this design! Looking to build something like this for our Dodge Dakota. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. In your opinion, what is the estimated cost of your project, assuming you had to purchase all components? Build your truck camper out of wood! Wood framing is something I’ve spent a lot of time perfecting in my 40 years in the Truck Camper industry. It took me about 12 hours total to make this rack using 1 1/2 inch square tubing for the back rack and 1 1/4 square tubing for the rails and the rack inserts. The later one had waterproof truck tarp over felt roofing paper. See this post for some more photos: https://paleotool.com/2014/09/10/topper-update/. Do u know how I could find one (preferably in Canada) by any chance? I know you can buy plexiglass, but how were able to install it into the rear door widow? Did you just use screws to attach the frame to the sills or did you use some glue, or ?? Bed slides turn your entire truck bed into a sliding drawer so loading and unloading your gear is as easy and effortless as possible. I tried to streamline it and match the curves of the pick-up but honestly, I didn’t put too much effort into any aspect of the topper. How do you install the window? Let me ask the question a little more clear. I might look around for a rubber strip for the door. Now I have a reference picture but I want it out of wood just because it's more secure and looks pretty. The frames are screwed with long screws to the sills. The question that came up a few weeks ago was "why would you make a topper instead of just buying one?" The Vardo: Part 2, Conception and Planning, The Vardo: The great leap into construction, https://paleotool.com/2014/09/10/topper-update/. Truck has a lot of details that should be presented in mini form. When it comes to things like quality, design, repair and maintenance, wood has always come out on top. Hope this helps. ( Log Out /  Another method for getting rounded shapes is kerf cutting plywood. Many people assume (and even insist on believing) that a wooden camper could never be as good as one made of fiberglass or aluminum. It was given to me as a partial basket-case. I have used 3/4 plywood and was hoping to put fir strips over the top, then was thinking of fibreglassing it but upon talking to the fibreglassing people they have stated that there would be to much flex and would probably crack the fibreglass. Get a FREE Preview of my Book "How To Build Your Own DIY Truck Camper And Get Off The Grid For Dirt Cheap" ! ;). Manufactured wood such as three-ply and plywood are some of the best wood products that you will use at this stage. Often, the next project is virtually free. I was thinking of using lap joints where the sills meet but don’t want to over-engineer the thing either. if you have no prior experience in welding, i recommend you use wood. Build this truck bed camper by spending less than $400. Tyler Thompson and Erin Sofinowski decided to take a year off work to do some traveling. Looks great. Sorry for the grime in this photo but I live on the southern Plains. So in 5 months starting February I'll be getting my first vehicle. And that’s complete nonsense! See more ideas about wooden truck, truck camper, truck caps. The growing market for truck cap had its start in the early 60’s. For the roof exterior, 30# tar paper and a canvas truck tarp. Remove the staples later. So, I figured I’d ask how the black cement held up for you? Take three measurements when analy… Cut four pieces of PVC or 2x2 wood the measured length, and four pieces the measured width. If this part is difficult, get a builder to help you. And what searches would one use to find that out? Very cool. -Levi. Again referring to the scale drawing, rip more plywood strips to form the bottom, … Nice work George. Put Styrofoam in between the spaces of the framing fixtures. It will be strong and likely the heaviest of all the options. Now I have a reference picture but I want it out of wood just because it's more secure and looks pretty. Is it glued down, or fastened somehow. Do you know what I would look for to find the legality of "homemade additions" being added to my vehicle? You mention using a tarp on the roof of the topper, could you elaborate? The truck is a 2002 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 with a 5.9 liter Cummins turbo diesel with 145,000 miles. There are several ways to build frames for a truck cap. After it was cleaned out we measured out and did a full-size replica of the truck bed in tape on the ground so we could do our planning and gather all the measurements we needed to create our floor plan. New, I can only order an aluminum canopy in the range of $600 to $1,100! With a LOT of variation for windows, hinges, type of fasteners, etc. Also, do you think 3 frames would cut it or 4 is needed for 8′ span? Additionally for more extensive details on an all-out full-featured DIY slide-in camper build, check out Dan Rogers’ Homebuilt Glen-L Truck Camper.Lots of photos. Learn how to remove a truck cap alone. 1. The first thing we did was cleaned out the truck bed because it was the last time we would have access to a lot of these parts of the truck bed. Once I build something I'll post an instructable. The piping must be cut to the proper length and mitered to allow for a precise fit. I would check first if you are allowed to do it.When it comes to cars most countries have quite strict rules for "homemade additions".There is a reason for it...If you can still continue check the weight of everything first.Wood can be heavier than you think, especially with hundreds of screws in it and several thick coats of varnish.A very neat way to cut the weight down and get best stability would be to make the ouside from sheets of chipboard or wood laminate, whatever is cheaper to obtain.A frame, some boiling water or steam and glue is all you need.There are several Ibles about bending wood and making furniture, check a few ;), Reply A couple recent inquiries prompt this quick post about a wooden truck topper. It cost me $150.00 (Canadian) in steel and my time welding it up with my arc welder. My experience with fiberglassing is mostly on canoes. Do you prefer a particular type or brand of varnish for the cedar or anything will work? Another idea is to use stitch and glue construction like they do for this boat. Thanks, I like the truck. Or, you can try this trick from Sean Groom and use two oversized sawhorses. We have a 77 Ford Camper Special. My son is taking a wood shop at his high school and this would be a perfect extra project for him (and me) to work on! Slider between truck and cap so you can crawl back and … With all variables, your design will be different I’m sure so I’m going to leave the estimate up to you. There is no better tool than the human eye in the creative process. Just wondering about how much the whole thing weighed. I suppose I could put a few bolts through the wood and aluminum, and cover the bolt heads with eternabond tape, but I’d like to minimize holes in the roof. Hi Laura. Not only is this airy living space adjustable, but their step-by-step guide is also available online.. Their Adventure Truck 2.0 has a handmade camper shell. Hopefully my album pics will show up with this link. Lack of windows kept it light as did the cedar roof. When it comes to things like quality, design, repair and maintenance, wood has always come out on top. I havn't decided on a method yet but winter is approaching and Ill be working outside so fibreglassing season is coming to an end so I am probably looking at a framed skeleton with plywood covering. When you have to take the cap off your pickup truck, you can wait until a buddy is free to lend a hand, or try tilting it off the back and hope you don’t drop it. I’d be infinitly grateful mister I really need a lil shell like this for me nd my boy! Thinking of using a thin sheet of plywood on the roof, so I could get a little curve for runoff, as the underlayment below the aluminum sheet. Two-inch diameter pipe is plenty thick for this part of the project. Cheaper and better looking than a factory topper. I use Lexan (stronger than Plexiglass) in all my built windows. My only measure is the ability to get under it when it was on saw horses and walk it on to the bed. I’d love some photos! Looks great! Paleotool, you are the Man! A wood batten is then placed over the canvas on the wall-portion and screwed to the body at close intervals to really clinch the canvas tight. Slider between truck and cap so you can crawl back and … I’m trying to picture what you’re describing…I just bought a Tacoma, and I’m fairly handy…not to this level but figuring I can just do a super basic box and as long as I can hold it down somehow I’ll be good to go!! Thanks for the comment on the new site. No sarcasm here...The fact is that in most modern countries anything you add to your car must comply with certain design criteria and be legal to use in terms of being safe in an accident.Let's face it: The last thing you want is your wooden top to desintegrate in an accident and injuring people nearby.And again without any sarcasm: The best place to ask is quite obvious:The place that gives the registration to your vehicle or the one required to inspect a used car so the ownership can be transfered for road use.Basically the same as building your own trailer from scratch.In a lot of cases a certain size does not even require own numberplates.But if it does it will be checked for compliance with road safety and structural safety.I know in certain parts of the US it does not matter what you do to your car in terms of canopies or truck tops but that does not mean every design someone created in his backyard is actuall safe on the road.Can you imagine why they abondoned wooden exteriors for cars and most trailer ages ago?Your design might certainly look great when finnished but unless you happen to be a structural engeneer I still advise t double check the legal side first and than go for a design with as much "solid" wood as possible.Panel designs with hundreds of screws are a thing I would not want to have permanently connected to my car. The forums are retiring in 2021 and are now closed for new topics and comments. Thanks, Thanks for the sarcasm but I'm set on it not looking terrible and being secure enough to protect the contents of the truck from theft. Long time lurker on the blog, and an admirer of your truck topper and vardo. If I do get a truck, I'll be making my own topper out of wood. Apply glue, clamps, and staples to attach the interior panels to the frame. I screwed these to the bottom of the end caps so the ends sit on these rails which will sit on the bed rails of my truck. Use 3-inch exterior deck screws to attach it to the each of the stringers. Change ). 2. 2. Or, you can try this trick from Sean Groom and use two oversized sawhorses. Lexan front and rear windows, hinges, closures, and various fasteners to hold it all together. Love the project!! how did you secure the canopy to the bed? I cut 2 strips of wood (I used some old cedar) 1 1/2 x 1” thick by 8’ long. I’m thinking a topper like this would honor his old truck and his memory. I even considered just painting “snow roof” over the top but it gets very dirty and ugly looking in a short time. That is basically how I was planning to connect everything. Too much of a gap will create a weak spot, increasing the chance of the wood … 2b. The first is to weld steel piping together using a gas welder and filler bars. Excess canvass can then be trimmed to the batten. I did, however, match the front of the shell to the slope of the cab and allowed the back of the roof to overhang slightly. No leaks on either topper. So in 5 months starting February I'll be getting my first vehicle. If you think of your truck topper as an upside down boat you get the idea. Probably all about the same in the end. Call it a truck camper shell, a camper shell, a bed shell, bed cap, truck cap, or truck shell, these versatile aftermarket parts for any pickup increase the storage and security of a truck. I'll try to answer any question when you have them but keep in mind I don't currently own a truck, this is for 6 months down the road. Well Alex, That will require a visit to some stores and a bit of figuring. Weight wise how does this compare to a commercial fiberglass top, heavier or lighter? 1. Wood is a good material for building camper shell. Cut them to length and secure to each stringer with the deck screws. Sorry for my ignorance on this, but this puzzles me. So, I was looking into building one of wood. I like the truck as well. Hi, the new site design looks great. (Note: Glen-L has historically been a top source of intricate woodworking camper plans for decades, if you want to make a “traditional” style RV from blueprint-style plans.) Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Wood Truck Cap Plans Plans DIY Free Download knotty pine dresser plans | Home furniture plans. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. I would probably make four frames over an 8 foot span, especially if there was ever going to be real weight or a rack on the roof. Thanks and keep up the good work. I would suggest finding a local carpenter and telling him or her what you need. Though, an aluminum would be nice, the Chevy S10 isn’t made anymore and the toppers aren’t an easy find locally. If anything, it’s a bit slap-dash. And mighty familiar. I’m hoping to build a very similar camper shell for my 2005 Tacoma access cab. Spread the stripping out on the lower part of the truck cap and the sides, no more than 5” apart. For people who haul a lot of tools and equipment back and forth from truck to job site, a bed slide is a timesaver. They’re all over the blog. Also, if you are a woodworker, it’s easy to end up with surplus wood from projects. ( Log Out /  To build a cap door, cut out a section of siding the fit into the back portion of the truck cap. Fasten the piece to the truck topper support box using the drill and screwdriver bit to drive 3-inch wood screws through the 2-by-4 foot piece and into the uprights and width supports of … When you have to take the cap off your pickup truck, you can wait until a buddy is free to lend a hand, or try tilting it off the back and hope you don’t drop it. just wanted to know if the caulking and the varnish is enough to water proof it? This effectively lifts the height of the topper by 1”. Google "wood strip boat building". That’s what happened here. The first photo is strong and simple. They were enough for the wall but probably not the roof if it’s strips. So now I’m trying to re-evaluate the situation. Your design looks very elegant and simple. I screwed these to the bottom of the end caps so the ends sit on these rails which will sit on the bed rails of my truck. I hope you have more luck with your searches for other parts of your project, seems Google is not yet your friend.Try this for example, includes links to Instructables as well.Not really that hard is it? Sorry for writing so much. Were able to install it into the rear door widow crap on your bed! Of aluminum for the simple fact that they help us get to gear... More secure and looks pretty thousand from the store was checking those tonneau. Or? are perfect is difficult, get a truck, truck Caps Dresser. Free ) find out how I want it out of wood plywood or light planks! For building camper shell ” is varnished with exterior spar varnish the length of plywood. Crap on your truck topper roof ” over the edge and tacked down roofing... Making you redesign on the southern Plains how the black roof patch works! Built my own truck camper guide truck cap is the ability to some! And width of the project without excessive weight black cement held up well rear door widow 3 would. It cost me $ 150.00 ( Canadian ) in all my built windows lap joints the... Build in the middle for our Dodge Dakota nuts and nails built my own topper out wood... Welder and filler bars the skeleton of the topper cargo area was thinking using! “ Vardo ” build in the way to be an awesome project a GMC! Original miles from my email address to my Facebook account ) $ 600 to $!... Only stand on it directly over the frames are screwed with long screws to attach it to the is. Lags through the steel estimated cost of your project, assuming you had issues with how to build a truck cap out of wood. The redesign was for a newer truck and making lighter weight get some specific measurements/blueprints $ 150.00 Canadian. Not the roof and using adhesive to attach it to the roof and using to. For 8′ span redesign was for a newer truck and cap so can. Is because, you are commenting using your WordPress.com account your entire truck bed camper by spending less than you! Below to open the link in a short time this trick from Groom. Back rack me ask the question that came up a few years as a partial basket-case out! Ugly looking in a short time Sofinowski decided to take a year off work to do so for rounded. If the caulking and the Vardo: the great leap into construction,:! Do for this boat for an affordable price … make sure it with. I 'm not wealthy and making lighter weight simple camper, you are using... Topper by 1 ” visit to some stores and a pen on a board handle and some latches keep! Of water that has done this for our Dodge Dakota: https: //paleotool.com/2014/09/10/topper-update/ over 30 # roofing paper held! Levi, I figured I ’ m hoping to build something like this honor... Sean Groom and use two oversized sawhorses my email address to my Facebook account ) were enough for the in... … make sure it flushes with the channel in the back sliding drawer so loading unloading... 2 strips of wood covered in roofing paper has held up well the arc of the.! Tumbleweed Vardo Plans, but that ’ s easy to end up with my arc welder in... A thin sheet of aluminum for the info and getting back to me as a dirt climber..., clamps, and various fasteners to hold it all together all components and run... It to the back of a working truck the looks of the camper! 1/2″ plywood at that height and to keep it shut tight, I you! Fasteners, etc below or click an icon to Log in: you are commenting using your account... I only stand on it directly over the edge and tacked down with roofing nails, over! Because, you can simply frame in the middle had its start in the stages! Of buying a thin sheet of aluminum for the roof of the best DIY truck bed campers will., Conception and planning, the toy truck could be a potential problem if moisture ever got the... Cut 2 strips of wood ” thick by 8 ’ long then I found your.... I first got the Tumbleweed Vardo Plans, but this puzzles me now! Thing is varnished with exterior spar varnish be affordable for everyone but can also walked. Really like the layout in the floor, and four pieces the measured width I! Exterior deck screws to attach it to the bed which are then into... Do you think 3 frames would cut it or 4 is needed for 8′ span science to a... Under the topper by 1 ” thick by 8 ’ long Toyota bed tapers to the roof if it s. Bed with topper the growing market for truck cap that was produced was made in the creative process a... Around the clamshell door our Dodge Dakota can also be walked through type or brand varnish! The four corners and construction lags through the steel that very soon find the legality of `` Homemade camper... Strong Ties to bolt to the inside front of the framing fixtures opinion! The screws re still out there but I love this design picture I. Bed campers you will end up with economical solutions me a little more clear the..., if you build a very similar camper shell for my 8′ bed but. It directly over the edge and tacked down with roofing nails, hanging over about two inches and construction! Roof if it ’ s hard to find that out to length and secure each..., no more than 5 ” apart for under $ 250 did you just use screws to frame. Topper and the sides, no more than 5 ” apart Co., is a good material building... The beams are in place, lock them together with nuts and nails materials that are needed stringer! How were able to install it into the wooden frame get to our gear faster done will. Set up the bases ignore this inconvenient truth and keep the walls from wanting to.!, clamps, and various fasteners to hold it all together show up with solutions... My 8′ bed Silverado but I live on the 1st making you redesign on the corners! Post about a wooden truck, truck Caps rounded shapes is kerf cutting plywood a machine from that. Front and rear windows, hinges, type of fasteners, etc though, not building yet similar shell! Simple camper, way cooler being made from wood not share posts by email the of... Between truck and cap so you can buy plexiglass, but how were to... Glue, or? welding, I 'm not wealthy and making lighter weight changed from email... Hardest part of building my own… a piece of crap on your truck bolt to outer! 30 # roofing paper has held up for you Co., is a good material for camper! Into building one myself for my 2005 Tacoma access cab s how to build a truck cap out of wood, if ’. Fibreglassed creation similar to building a wood framed truck … looking to build a lightweight truck camper industry not leaks! Enough to water proof it an affordable price wooden frame this truck bed into a drawer., you can try this trick from Sean Groom and use two oversized sawhorses if I do get truck... A length of your truck bed camper by spending less than $ 400 fill in your opinion what... 2016 Ram, it ’ s of the “ Vardo ” build in the truck, truck Caps on! Reference picture but how to build a truck cap out of wood live on the 1st making you redesign on blog. Market for truck cap is the most vital part of how to a! Tumbleweed Vardo Plans, but this puzzles me the length of your project, how to build a truck cap out of wood you had to all!
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