Sleeping in the bed under a cap, a project starts!

[Jaxmax]

I get the plastic tub, still thinking about it, but I'm coming from a 19' travel trailer , and going more basic, at times, but not too basic. I don't think the sink will add that much weight as it is also the structure holding it up. Probably don't need a table, might be a couple light switches, and water pump switch on top edge of sink. The slide is the fastest way to setup and tear down. I've taken a long nap in back of Gladiator now, was not bad with hatch closed up, I might be sliding the kitchen in every night , there really isn't much room inside, and I'm planning on buying or building a rear half storage cabinet like the RSI cap has avalible. Rear seat of Glady will have tackle, life jackets paddles and chairs. This is not an overlander as much as a jeep that I can slide in a floor cabinet throw a matteress and sleeping bag in and go, it's why the awning is really a maybe as taking it on and off might be a pain, my Yakima Control towers do unlatch off roof rail easily. Still possible, to just unlatch it in garage and lift it off with ceilingl lift.
Also I just want to tinker in the shop and build something!......Jack

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[sdk131]

Following this closely...just ordered my 2021 and the long wait for it to be built has me planning out my future overlanding setup. Some may think i am crazy but I plan to build a full cap/topper out of plywood. I really stretched the budget just to order the gladiator....so as much as I like the aftermarket caps $2,000 just isn't in the budget right now. I figure for a few hundred dollars at the very most i can have a highly functional cap that will last many years.

 

[Jaxmax]

Well, I've committed...... ordered drawer gldes (Ryadon Inc.) , sink, stove, did a bunch of measuring, several types of water tanks (10-17 gallon) , will fit easily against front of bed, that can wait at this time, there is enough room at back of slide for a small water pump and fuse box, and can set a battery there also if I go that route.
Pretty excited about a frig, thanks to a post from Smlobx, looked up the Blizzaed from Costco pretty good size, low draw, good reviews, on sale for $499 right now, great thing is it weighs 35lbs. ,dual front or rear opening removable lid and is 16"x16"X 30" long, it fits above the wheel well right at my flip up window on my RSI cap, it will be just below level of window opening , reachable from outside or inside and won't need a slide, and actually probably won't get removed much. Gives me enough space to be able, to "walk" from tailgate to front of bed, and yes there is enough room for a tiny porta pottie (Thetford #135) so I can meet "self contained RV" rules on some surf fishing beaches to sleep overnight.
Wonder how much heat a frig gives off on cold nights? Turkey hunting up North in Spring can be cold.......Jack

 

[Jaxmax]

Getting closer, just got tracking on Partner Stove ordered back in beginning of Jan. is coming Tuesday, didn't take the 8-10 weeks they said. I have all the other parts, sink, low profile sink drain, 4' slides. Small water pump, and believe it or not small 120v low wattage heater, and wiring all will come into play. one place I turkey hunt at has power so having 300-500 watts of heat in back of truck will be nice.......Jack

 

[eternus]

DAC tent add on to my softopper. Works good.

I just orderd my DAC tent (through softopper... not sure how much different it is vs amazon, but it seems like there is a bar for holding out the top since there isn't a hard window for it to rest on.)

This picture is exactly what I was looking for to justify the purchase. I was starting to spec out building a DIY GFC camper (you can build it yourself with some elbow grease for under $4k) but realize I need to get "back into" camping so need to at least start and make sure I want/need that level of camping goodness. I'm going to build some drawers like this, stick an exped duo 15 mat on top and have as much tent as I want or need for a while. Thanks for posting this picture!

 

[Black_Widow_Overland]

I just orderd my DAC tent (through softopper... not sure how much different it is vs amazon, but it seems like there is a bar for holding out the top since there isn't a hard window for it to rest on.)

This picture is exactly what I was looking for to justify the purchase. I was starting to spec out building a DIY GFC camper (you can build it yourself with some elbow grease for under $4k) but realize I need to get "back into" camping so need to at least start and make sure I want/need that level of camping goodness. I'm going to build some drawers like this, stick an exped duo 15 mat on top and have as much tent as I want or need for a while. Thanks for posting this picture!

You're welcome.

 

[Berserker]

@Jaxmax any updates on this build?

 

[Jaxmax]

Sorry bud, nothing yet, plan to do it over winter when it is cold. Heard it is cold in Pa. , I have been on Vieques Island for a while , driving a beat Jk rental with 91,000 on it ,all kind of dash lights lite up, can’t put more then half a tank in or gas smell is terrible, but damn if it doesn’t know it’s roots did great on some of the trails we ended up on, four low rock crawling up and down hills, worked great pin striped it down both sides had to fold in mirrors and the thing looks great after a wash with a brush! I’ll arrive at Philly tomorrow at 11:30PM in boat shoes, shorts and a tee shirt….Jack

 

[Angus_NTX]

You said ur wife wasn’t sold on the deal, but will she be joining?

I ask because I’m 5’11 and do off the grid camping in my JT with an ARE top and am plenty comfy sleeping at an angle solo in the back with pillows, a bunch of blankets, my jackery and cpap lol. If my wife was to join it would complicate the situation, thankfully she loves when I go away on guys trips.

 

[eternus]

You said ur wife wasn’t sold on the deal, but will she be joining?

I ask because I’m 5’11 and do off the grid camping in my JT with an ARE top and am plenty comfy sleeping at an angle solo in the back with pillows, a bunch of blankets, my jackery and cpap lol. If my wife was to join it would complicate the situation, thankfully she loves when I go away on guys trips.

I'm not OP but I have a Softopper with the additional "tent attachment" that will extend coverage another 2' over the bed. I created some bed drawers that I then pull out to the end of the tailgate and plop an Exped MegaMat Duo on that which is just shy of of being a Queen bed. My wife hasn't gone camping in this setup but my son and I went last spring and it fit us perfectly.

 

[rharr]

i use this
https://www.amazon.com/Footbox-Truck-Camping-extends-Topper/dp/B07TK14F1Z

simple and quick, let's me and my Gf sleep in the back comfortably. I am 6'-0" tall

 

[Jaxmax]

I have slept in the bed twice, with tailgate up and hatch pulled closed, I'm 5'11" but always sleep in a fetal position anyway. Wife is 5', she would fit fine if we had to sleep in back, but like I said she is not on board as sleeping in the bed to support turkey hunting and surf fishing is a mostly no go.. We did just last week buy a 2016 Vista Crusier 19ERD camper (2847 lbs.) , now that, she is on board with. I feel bad that I have not followed through on this project, but not too bad, Ha!......jack

 

[Sunnysideup]

I started doing this on short trips this summer... first with tarps, but then with a cheapo tent I found... had to build my own poles...but it was 100 bucks and weighs about 10 lbs.

 

[eternus]

I started doing this on short trips this summer... first with tarps, but then with a cheapo tent I found... had to build my own poles...but it was 100 bucks and weighs about 10 lbs.

Did you build that topper yourself?

 

[syreeves]

I started doing this on short trips this summer... first with tarps, but then with a cheapo tent I found... had to build my own poles...but it was 100 bucks and weighs about 10 lbs.

What fluids are you carrying? Please make my lazy ass an easy to replicate list thank you!

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