A sleeping space and storage space is all that is required to camp in your truck.
Many truck campers bed down in the back of the vehicles they arrived in. It's not always easy finding a camping shell for the bed of the truck, especially if you are on a limited budget. You can avoid this problem by building a simple and primitive camper shell. A custom-made shell assures it meets your specifications.
Instructions
1. Measure your truck bed's length and width as well as the distance between the bed and top of your cab. Measure the distance between the front and the tailgate from the wheel wells if your truck has them. Measure the distance between the wells. Draw a blueprint on graph paper, using these dimensions. Sketch out the layout of the interior of your camper shell. If it's used for camping, you'll want a space for a bed area, and you'll want a storage area under the bed.
2. Cut the eight 2x4's to the length that matches the measurement from the truck bed to the top of the cab. Subtract one inch from the length to accommodate the plywood's thickness on both the top and bottom. The easiest camper assembly is a box shape that fits over the wheel wells, if applicable. The area between the wells can be used as storage space.
3. Cut four 2x6's the length of your truck bed, minus 4 inches. These will form the support for your roof. Screw the ends of the 2x6s to four of the 2x4s using 3-inch deck screws. Repeat with the remaining four 2x4s at the opposite ends. These will form the frame of your camper.
4. Cut the 1/2-inch plywood to fit the dimensions of your camper. Cut a hole in the 1/2-inch plywood roof and insert the vent. Fasten it using screws, then caulk around the vent. Screw it into place on the 2x6s using the 3-inch deck screws. Cut two additional 2x6s to run lengthwise on each wall. Screw them into place. Cut the 1/4-inch plywood to fit the side walls of your camper. If your truck has wheel wells, cut out the shape and location on the side walls. Screw the walls into place.
5. Form the door by cutting a hole from the end piece of plywood. Reattach the cutout using simple cabinet hinges and screws. Put a hook latch on either side of the door so that it can be secured both from the inside and the outside. If windows are desired, cut out holes on each side of the camper and staple the screen over the openings. Place the wood cutouts on hinges in the same manner as the door. Add hook locks for securing.
6. Caulk around the corners and around any gaps. Coat the roof with a roofing sealer to prevent it from leaking and weathering. Once the sealer is dry, paint the entire camper with an exterior latex paint. This will help prevent weathering. You will need to add a new coat every few years. Allow the paint to dry.
7. Back your truck into place near the front of the camper. Have someone help you lift your camper shell into place. Secure the camper to the truck by drilling through the plywood and into the top of the truck rails in several places. Add bolts and secure with nuts.
Tags: your truck, into place, your camper, distance between, wheel wells, 2-inch plywood, 3-inch deck