M1078/M1079 for overland camper?

[Another Ahab]

So, from a fellow expeditioner....... I really need this project to come to fruition. Ive been planning something similar to this as well and my brides lack of imagination has been dampening the project. So no pressure or anything........

My bet is it's not her lack of imagination.

But that maybe it could be you imagining one thing (camping in a truck), and her imagining a little something else (camping like this):

 

[tbared]

 

[PanamaMV]

I know everyone is going in a couple of different directions on camper builds but ran across something I wish had been available when I bought my M1078.

My thought was to take a Hi/Low bumper camper, pull the axle, then mount it on my M1082 trailer. The goal was less wind resistance when towing but lots of headroom when expanded for camping. This set up would probably fit the bill PLUS have the hydraulic lift gate on the back for a motorcycle of 4 wheeler. At this point I'm happy with my truck so will leave this one to someone else. Unfortunately there weren't any pics with the shelter expanded.

View attachment 641351

It's also a winch truck which would be a nice addition.

have seen those boxes on gov. And eBay auctions. No structural support. They are considered bed covers like say a regular fiberglass truck cap.

. No insulation either. Not intended for people inside it. But does not mean its not got potential though. Like the lift gate. Would be nice to know note about how they plumbed it

 

[DanM7890]

My bet is it's not her lack of imagination.

But that maybe it could be you imagining one thing (camping in a truck), and her imagining a little something else (camping like this):


View attachment 641362

Funny thing about this, my ex-gf that I brought to the Denton rally was into my M1081 because she wanted to put a chandelier in the S-280 box to spruce it up! It does work I tell ya.

 

[pkl2fly]

Hate to disappoint, but that's not a lift gate. It is a tail gate with a lower hinge line. I have a 1078 with one of these and the fittings for mobile shelter/container.

I have been fantasizing about a liftgate on my 1079 camper though...

 

[Oxyacetylene]

My bet is it's not her lack of imagination.

But that maybe it could be you imagining one thing (camping in a truck), and her imagining a little something else (camping like this):


View attachment 641362

This. I have been trying to talk mine into building an "extreme RV". A big part of the convincing was how nice it would turn out. She was not amused at my joking how we could just use a couple of the army field hospital beds in the back, LOL.

 

[Oxyacetylene]

Hate to disappoint, but that's not a lift gate. It is a tail gate with a lower hinge line. I have a 1078 with one of these and the fittings for mobile shelter/container.

I have been fantasizing about a liftgate on my 1079 camper though...

Unrelated, but would you mind posting some photos of the fittings for the shelters? I'm sure I'm not the only one curious about how that setup looks and works. It would be worth posting a new thread for those of us curious!

 

[Another Ahab]

This. I have been trying to talk mine into building an "extreme RV". A big part of the convincing was how nice it would turn out. She was not amused at my joking how we could just use a couple of the army field hospital beds in the back, LOL.

Well, yeah; you got to expect it, momma can be like that sometimes.

 

[LostInTheWorld]

Unrelated, but would you mind posting some photos of the fittings for the shelters? I'm sure I'm not the only one curious about how that setup looks and works. It would be worth posting a new thread for those of us curious!

Actually, I think mount fittings are pretty relevant to an expedition build, so I don't mind if you post them here. I'd like to see what you have.

Michael

 

[LostInTheWorld]

Well, yeah; you got to expect it, momma can be like that sometimes.

No such problems here. My wife is pretty much a badass. She's an engineer and as practical as any guy I've ever met. We actually see eye to eye on practical design vs. comfort. We're gonna have a pretty capable rig with a nice comfortable interior. We both enjoy tent camping, but who doesn't like a hot shower and a comfortable interior at the end of the day?

Michael

 

[LostInTheWorld]

Little update on the project... we've been making a ton of progress, but in little bits. We've been trying to put in some time on the project every day. Progress has been in 2 basic fronts: fixing the truck and starting expedition truck related retrofit. We're still stripping parts off the truck and "refurbishing" them as we go. Overall, the truck is in good mechanical shape, but we are finding that some parts just need replaced (throttle cable, forward air tank...). We have been making good progress on the roof rack. We're trying to get the roof rack fitted and all mounting holes drilled before we go into any body work / painting. After much consideration, we decided to go with "new" %100 tread XZLs.

 

[DanM7890]

Good looking ladders! I have been following this thread like a hawk.

 

[tennmogger]

Wish I could weld like that!!

 

[Another Ahab]

Wish I could weld like that!!

That's the truth; me, too. That's some nice-looking work with there.

 

[Another Ahab]

No such problems here. My wife is pretty much a badass. She's an engineer and as practical as any guy I've ever met. We actually see eye to eye on practical design vs. comfort.

That's sort of funny to say in a forum of people who restore old armor, and buy HEMTT's for commuting.

 

[grndZr0]

Hate to disappoint, but that's not a lift gate. It is a tail gate with a lower hinge line. I have a 1078 with one of these and the fittings for mobile shelter/container.

I have been fantasizing about a liftgate on my 1079 camper though...

I had though of trying to MOD a shipping container to a hab, and then use the mounts the container hauling semi's use for mounting them to the trailers. The Twist locks.

Then started looking around, and found these guys.

http://www.blissmobil.com/en/products/15ft


Pretty much the same concept.

I thought it would be cool to have a couple of different hab's for different purposes.

You could also do the same mounting system on a trailer, and take 2 with for certain types of excursions.

Ryan

 

[alpine44]

This would save a lot of work on building a habitat.
And something like the Switch-N-Go system would make changing habs or beds easy. I have seen this in person on a Fuso and it is pretty cool. Not too difficult to fab yourself, actually.

 

[Another Ahab]

That "Switch-N-Go" system is slick.

 

[mkcoen]

This would save a lot of work on building a habitat.
And something like the Switch-N-Go system would make changing habs or beds easy. I have seen this in person on a Fuso and it is pretty cool. Not too difficult to fab yourself, actually.

At 250,000 Euro + VAT, shipping, etc (or $279,000 US) for the 20' unit I think I can replace my tent a couple of times over. It'd be neat to have but not very economical and certainly not within my price range.

 

[grndZr0]

That is sweet, I used the PLS's a bunch in the army, and it is a slick system, just way too bulky and big for this application. But that switch and go wouldn't be bad. Doesn't look like it adds too much height.

Ryan