A truck bed camper can comfortably sleep two to four people.
One of the simplest types of camper is a truck bed camper cover. It gives the camper shelter, making the pickup's bed into a sleeping space. Most truck bed campers are designed to fit atop the rails of the bed. The best material for a wood camper is plywood sheeting. Using 3/4 inch thick plywood makes additional bracing at the corners unnecessary, since it is strong enough to stand on its own.
Instructions
Assembly
1. Measure the width of the pickup bed from outside to outside of the rails. Measure the length of the rails from the cab to the outside of the tailgate. Cut two pieces of 3/4 inch plywood as long as the bed, minus 1 1/2 inches, and 36 inches wide. Cut two pieces as wide as the bed and 36 inches high. Use a circular saw to make the cuts.
2. Stand the four pieces up on edge and screw them together to form a rectangle, with the two end pieces overlapping the edges of the two side pieces. Screw four treated deck screws into each corner.
3. Cut enough pieces of 2-by-4 lumber to fit between the side panels of the camper to install one every 12 inches, using a circular saw. Fit them in place between the side panels every 12 inches, with one narrow edge up and flush with the tops of the side panels, center to center. Drive two screws through the plywood into each end of each 2-by-4.
4. Measure and cut plywood pieces to cover the 2-by-4 frame, from outside to outside of the plywood sides and ends. You will need at least two, depending on the length of the truck. Cut the pieces to width, so that each joint between the plywood roof panels is centered on a 2-by-4. Screw them to the 2-by-4s and the back and front pieces.
Installation
5. Draw a line on the back of the camper, 4 1/4 inches down from the top edge, starting 4 inches in from one side and ending 4 inches short of the opposite side. Use a square to mark perpendicular lines down from each end of this line to the bottom edge of the camper.
6. Cut along the top line with a circular saw and install a piece of piano hinge, bridging the cut. Use one 3/4 inch wood screw in each hole in the hinge. Cut the two side lines to complete the door, so that it will flip up. Cut one piece of 2-by-2 lumber for each stake pocket in the side rails of the bed, as high as the bed plus 36 inches, and place one in each pocket.
7. Lift the camper shell up onto the bed of the truck, over the stakes, and position it so that it lines up with the side rails, front and back of the truck's bed. Stand the 2-by-2 stakes upright against the inside of the camper and drive screws through the plywood into the stakes to complete the construction.
8. Apply latex caulking along all seams with a caulking gun to seal them. Paint the entire camper shell with two coats of semigloss paint in a color that complements your truck. Using a soft bristle paintbrush work in long, straight strokes, spreading the paint as evenly as possible to prevent runs and drips.
Tags: from outside, side panels, between side, between side panels, camper shell, down from