:eek: yep, I'm selling Stabbin'Cabin-II (http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=610876)

Wife's in school for the next two years and my storeage of said trailer sucks to say the least. I don't forsee getting a bigger pad to live on any time soon. We won't be making many trips while I'm missing her income, paying for school etc.

So... I reckon it's back to a simple car-hauler trailer for me for sure. But, I really like NOT staying in motels and I'm done tent camping. Stabbin'Cabin-I, for those that don't recall, was a Lance camper on the back of my regular bed Dodge... then later strapped to a gooseneck trailer until I ran across the Stabbin'Cabin-II. That thing was HEAVY and had very little room due to the design of having to fit between truck fender wells in a bed. Those things also have a bunch of amenities I really don't need.

Since I now have a big'ol flatbed on my new old Dodge. The thought of a truck camper interests me. However, I haven't found anyone catering to someone like me. All the truck campers seem to be for traditional beds.

So... either I find someone who reasonably makes custom truck campers within a decent drive for me (Texas). OR... go pirate style and make my own camper.

If the latter... who's built their own or has advice. I'm thinking a simple box tube frame welded up with an aluminum skin and some insulation? Do my best to get deals on surplus or ebay parts (heater, power supply, sink, water heater, shower, windows, door, fixtures etc.) I really liked having the full shower. The fridge is nice in RVs but realistically a huge space eater and easily replaced with a decent cooler. Toilet... heck, mainly for the wife to tinkle in... I'll get one of them portable jobbers. One less tank to locate. We rarely used the oven and I can get by with a 2-burner stove and a portable grill.

discuss:flipoff2:

Shower and shitter.... yep. If you can build it, it will be what you wanted and cost much less than purchasing new. I say go for it and build your own.

I know they aren't that close to you, but Elkhart, IN has several surplus rv places. I've been hunting parts down for my recent truck camper purchase. Stuff is typically 50% reduced from retail. A road trip to the area with your shopping list and cash would yield everything you need in a couple days. I'm actually heading up there this weekend. Good luck with your build. When I go flatbed on my truck, I'm just going to make toolboxes/ storage that slips in the areas that are cut out under the camper.

I've been thinking about a flatbed truck with a pop-up turned sideways.

subscribed...

NCSTATE getting agood chunk of my paycheck for my wife for few years.. SO I definilty understand.. I had pondered this very task before and after the u-haul project... How to build my own 'box' to sit on the trailer or truck. I just couldn't figure out how to build it for a decient price and have it come out looking somewhat nice. I then headed down the sleeper cab path, and though im not 100% in love with it, its habitable and will suffice..

Agreed on the fridge and toilet.. Had fridge in Uhaul seemed like it was needed, but it was more of a PITA that took up a lot of space..Same with sink.. 5 day cooler much easier.. and i plan to make a holder for a plastic utility sink (aka shower basin) on the trailer.. and a hoop for a curtain.. drain hose out to RV hook up.. (no tanks)

Have you considered having one of the trailer manufactures just build you a short camper ? I couldn't bring myself to call for a quote..

BTW.. I found the company that makes the thin fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) they use for skins on RVs.. http://www.filon.com sounds pricy but i guess if you compair to alum. maybe not.. Plus you could skin the roof in one sheet...

Callen Campers in El Cajon California wil custom build to your specs. would be worth checking out the prices.

Clint, a few of us down in Houston are really trying to talk our buddy into buying your toy hauler because it's just what he's looking for. :D You might get a call soon... and if he doesn't I might just bite the bullet and buy it myself if I can hide it from the wife somehow. :laughing:

Try www.capricamper.com . They are in Stephenville, TX and make there campers one at a time by hand. I bet they would come up with something for you. I don't have any experience with them, but have always wanted to try one of there campers. They were originally designed for the rodeo and are simple campers with on the very basic needs.

Check this place out: http://www.mikenchell.com/forums/ (teardrop trailer forum).

You might be able to find some plans or figure out a way to retrofit one of those teardrops to fit your needs.

yep... all my web-searching shows IN and some places on the west coast have all the great RV salvage and surplus. Can't find squat near me:(

I found that Callen place in CA... but figured my cost effective goal would be shot out of the water with shipping etc.

I do have Capri on the radar. Friend of mine was looking into those for his Ford. I may have to visit and see if they'd do a non-production model for a decent price... heck, If I could just get an unfinished camper with the appliances I want and the wiring done... I could finish the rest on my own.

SoundGuy... Thanks. I'll probably take it out one more time to Katemcy on the 15th of this month. It's a Baertrax customer run down there... but I believe the park is open to all.