Lumber rack camper shell?

I am kicking around the idea of taking an aluminum over cab lumber rack, and turning it into a camper shell. It would be two separate compartments. The bed portion that I would insulate to sleep in, then the long over cab portion that I would use for storing long items like fishing rods, skis etc.

I would sheath it in aluminum inside and out, with foam insulation in between. I would also have to add supports in certain areas. I think the most challenging part would be the windows and rear hinged door.

Anyone ever done, or investigated this?

 

I imagine something like this, but a single piece and the top portion would be enclosed and lockable.

 

the first caution I suggest is not to have exposed metal inside. even if you do not actively heat the space, your mere presence will cause condensation. and, two part caution, you want to have thermal breaks between your structural frame and inside (fasteners).

 

I had not thought of either of those. Are the thermal breaks in between fasteners to prevent condensation on the fasteners?

 

yes. obviously less on a head of a screw than a whole aluminum panel, but if you roll into a row of them in the middle of the night it might be uncomfortable, or over time dark spots might appear around the screw heads.

the sprinter forum and expo has as many pages on that stuff as TW has on "which oil is best".

look for Hahn on sprinter, he's an insulation guru.

https://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/

https://sprinter-source.com/forum/index.php

warning: they're both rabbit holes, so be prepared to spend some time!

 

Well, it's pretty much what GFC did, they just stuck a tent on top.

I'd look at aluminum utility shells for inspiration for making it more 'shell' like. good luck!

 

Awesome. Thanks for the links.

 

Yes, the GFC has given me some ideas as well. What keeps me away from GFC or Vegabond is one, price, and two, I like the simplicity of not having a pop up portion to deal with. I currently have a hard shell RTT and I think it’s a pain in the ass. I just want to roll out my bag in the shell and be done with it.

 

Who makes that rack?

 

I think it is a Ryder Rack. Not sure though, just a picture I found online.

 

I’ve been considering doing something similar with less full on camper ambition.

Take Canopy


And Frankensteining it together with (after cutting into 3 parts most likely) into
Pipe/Lumber rack



Might just sell the canopy or cannibalize it for parts and custom fabricate
Side, back, & top inserts for the rack.

That aluminum rack you pictured is REALLY high over the passenger compartment ... just my 2 cents.

 

Yes, that rack does sit very high. I will have to find a compromise, especially if I am going to build a storage area overhead. I want to be able to sit up inside, but have a full size platform which will mean elevating above the wheelwells. There is always something to throw a wrench in your plans.

 

I feel your dilemma... but it gives you stuff to “play with”.

I got extremely lucky finding the pictured custom fabbed pipe rack for 170$ (Pre powder coat) I had used it on a previous 91 Toyota for years which prior to the pipe rack had the pictured canopy on it (but it was blue to match the 91 vs the slight off matched gold it is today.)

Now I own both rack and canopy ...

The joy of playing rotate a truck/accessory/part with various family members.