Sleeper/gooseneck build

[shadowgamesxj]

I got tired of sleeping on the ground, setting up camp and tearing it down. After one certain trip where somebody let there dog roam and it ruined our tent, i had enough. I picked up my $800 trailer, converted it to a gooseneck and fixed all the other problems it had. I decided to put a living quarters on it.
I searched for a slide in camper, but could not find one in my price range.(broke) I decided to build my own. A friend of mine built his own, for reasonable. I was talking to him about materials, and he made mention of a semi sleeper, that fits the bill of what I was looking for.

[shadowgamesxj]

yup its a semi sleeper.. so the first order of business.. gut it. with gloves, mask, complete tyvek suit. After paying $450 for the sleeper, and getting it loaded up on my trailer.

[shadowgamesxj]

I spent about $1000 to remodel, including plumbing, redoing the mattress, flooring, walls. A new toilet, faucets, water pump later the plumbing was holding pressure.

[shadowgamesxj]

Next step was to get it loaded onto the gooseneck. I wish we had a forklift to move it, but no.. a pair of bridgeplanks, a loader and pry bars later, we got it moved. redneck, yeah, but it worked.

[shadowgamesxj]

In the last picture in the background is a camper my father and I picked up for $400, that had a fresh rebuilt AC unit. I was going to use the grey and black water tanks, but they were both damaged beyond repair. Instead I decided to use a metal tank that use to be a spare fuel tank, I cut it open and removed the baffles, than coated the inside with epoxy tank sealer.

[shadowgamesxj]

After being tired of the mismatched colors, i decided to paint the sleeper/trailer. Back to pirate and google for help/ideas. I seen some people using/suggest tractor/implement paint. I went to TSC and picked up some colors I liked. IH white and massey gray.

[shadowgamesxj]

Next on the list of mods, is to remove the steel deck on the beaver tail, going to a self cleaning beaver tail. The deck weighed 950lbs... it was built very heavy. The deck was 3/16 diamond plate steel, with a 2x3x3/16 frame work. The 2x2 angle iron will weigh in at 350lbs. I am also going to be extending the sleeper over the gooseneck. I will gain 6ft and move the mattress up top and install a table, that can convert to a bed.

[SwampFox89@aol.com]

Nice! I like the idea of using an oversize sleeper. Came out good.

[angryblack]

Thats a great score..When i was looking all i could find was 1400 for one that size..

How far is the step down off the trailer out the side door

[shadowgamesxj]

I am still trying to figure out who built the sleeper. I have heard ICT and custom built no longer around company. I have tried to call ICT to speak to someone about sending pictures, but can never get a hold of anyone. google has been no help, and several semi body shops I have spoke to said it is ICT.

[shadowgamesxj]

Originally Posted by angryblack

Thats a great score..When i was looking all i could find was 1400 for one that size..

How far is the step down off the trailer out the side door

its a doozy... 36". I built a set of steps that attach to the trailer, unfortunately they are heavy and bulky, I slide them in the back of the pickup. I will try and find something else that folds up out of the way.

The sleeper is 8x8.5x7ft tall

[SwampFox89@aol.com]

http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/parts/r...mper-steps.htm

[angryblack]

So envious..That was the exact size i wanted for my current truck..decided to build it as is untill i get more cash for a huge box build..Gonna be watching this one

[jd350az]

You paid $400 then spent $1000 on fixing it, you couldn't find a decent slide in for $1400?

[shadowgamesxj]

Originally Posted by jd350az

You paid $400 then spent $1000 on fixing it, you couldn't find a decent slide in for $1400?

In my area. No. water damaged, raging piles of poo. yes. plenty of them. I could not find a decent slide in under 2500 that had the same amenities as the sleeper. It has a shit shower shave combo, hot water heater, kitchen sink with butcher block counter top, both 110 and 12v, ample storage, converter/inverter. My buddy has a nice slide in, with rear overhang, spent 4500 on it. After my conversion of adding another 6ft to the front, I will have more floor space than he does. no fender wells to deal with, just a 8x8.5 box. I enjoy having the sleeper, all aluminum construction, no fiberglass, no wood inside to rot out. This is a solid built sleeper. I'll take it any day over a slide in now.

[shadowgamesxj]

Originally Posted by SwampFox89@aol.com

http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/parts/r...mper-steps.htm

That's the cheapest I have seen on sale. When i was looking, the 36" were around the 400 mark. Thanks for the site, I haven't looked since I built mine.

[shadowgamesxj]

I have been looking at ways to bend 1x1x16ga aluminum tubing to make roof bars. i have a 4" radius corners on my sleeper that I want to recreate. I don't have a tube bender available. I have found where someone made one like a conduit bender, just for square tube. I am thinking of giving that a try. Who has bent thin walled square tubing without a tube bender with success. What worked?

[Machinos]

I think you might need a tube bender for that. I can't remember what it was that I heard about bending square tube without kinking it, but the smallest radius was way bigger than 4". So you'd need whatever tool it is that puts that dimple into the bend.

[bigun]

Originally Posted by shadowgamesxj

I have been looking at ways to bend 1x1x16ga aluminum tubing to make roof bars. i have a 4" radius corners on my sleeper that I want to recreate. I don't have a tube bender available. I have found where someone made one like a conduit bender, just for square tube. I am thinking of giving that a try. Who has bent thin walled square tubing without a tube bender with success. What worked?

The old school way would be to cap one end pack it full of sand then cap the other end warm it up and bend it.

[Harold Phipps]

ICT used to be Double Eagle sleepers in Sinsinawa,Indiana. Quality stuff for sure!

[jd350az]

guess its the area heh, I can't find any sleepers for sale worth a crap in AZ but I could buy 1000 5th wheel travel trailers all day that aren't water damaged since it hardly rains here lol.

[jshaffer0525]

That's hot!

[whalebus2112]

Just wondering, what does the sleeper weigh?

[shadowgamesxj]

Originally Posted by whalebus2112

Just wondering, what does the sleeper weigh?

were guessing the sleeper weighs around 2k. Not sure. when we get the addition on i am going to run it to the local scale and see what I get.

[shadowgamesxj]

Originally Posted by jd350az

guess its the area heh, I can't find any sleepers for sale worth a crap in AZ but I could buy 1000 5th wheel travel trailers all day that aren't water damaged since it hardly rains here lol.

I went to look at a 28ft. 5th wheel that had been through a flood and they wanted 3500 for it. It was only good for some parts. It had 2ft of mud and sand in it and green stuff growing on the inside.

I found a studio sleeper for 2500, basically brand new. Still had the plastic covering the bunks, carpet. stickers on the fridge. It just didn't have the shower and toilet in it.