Simple Camper

[Chasing Trials]

Originally Posted by Selkirk

Years ago, I tried camping under the canopy in the bed of a truck. I only had a thin foam pad to separate my sleeping bag from the truck bed. I quickly learned that sleeping directly on top/inside of a steel box during the early spring made for an uncomfortably cold night.....

I just did it on the drive to Sumas. I do have a high "lined" topper(so some insulation), I built a bed frame & have a 4" foam mattress. Now use the frame for flat dog stuff & have "bread trays" underneath for storage.

[HABBERDABBER]

I've thought, but only thought, of adding a fiberglass truck camper topper a top my full size Chevy van. I've seen them for sale along the roadside, and wondered.
That would give me standing headroom in the van, maybe, but still in a tiny space. Doable, but I have a trailer already, for that purpose, with standing headroom, and a shower, kitchen, toilet and dining table and hot water.

I have used the van for short solo trips, by removing the seats, (10 passenger capable) and use a cot and Thermarest pad for sleeping in it. Works well enough. I even had heat, at a state park, with electrical service, and a ceramic cube heater.

So many choices, so many compromises.

Go lightly, go fast, is one attitude.

Just go, is another.

[brain]

Originally Posted by HABBERDABBER

I've thought, but only thought, of adding a fiberglass truck camper topper a top my full size Chevy van. I've seen them for sale along the roadside, and wondered.
That would give me standing headroom in the van, maybe, but still in a tiny space. Doable, but I have a trailer already, for that purpose, with standing headroom, and a shower, kitchen, toilet and dining table and hot water.

I have used the van for short solo trips, by removing the seats, (10 passenger capable) and use a cot and Thermarest pad for sleeping in it. Works well enough. I even had heat, at a state park, with electrical service, and a ceramic cube heater.

So many choices, so many compromises.

Go lightly, go fast, is one attitude.

Just go, is another.

Here's a company that specializes in adding toppers to vans.
http://fiberine.com/GVMR/Full_Size_Van_Tops.html

[Donna D.]

Originally Posted by brain

Here's a company that specializes in adding toppers to vans.
http://fiberine.com/GVMR/Full_Size_Van_Tops.html

If that's something you want to have done, because you don't want to do it yourself, look for a company that modifies vans for wheelchair users. Most bigger cities and towns have one.

[HABBERDABBER]

Originally Posted by Donna D.

If that's something you want to have done, because you don't want to do it yourself, look for a company that modifies vans for wheelchair users. Most bigger cities and towns have one.

Thanks for the link and encouragement.
Just daydreaming really. And with my proclivities, I'd do any mod on my own. Heck, I've sketched out in my head a "tortured plywood" stitch and glue version to produce an aerodynamic shape.
Just daydreaming. I got enough projects going now or planned, but it is fun to ponder, scheme and dream.

And using an existing truck capper just makes practical sense. But I don't need another camper. No "Van life" path for me. Too little, and too late in life for me.

bon voyage,