ultra-tiny camping kit

[joshoisasleep]

So I'm trying to build the perfect long-range camping solution for my 62. Since I don't have a high-roof, I figured the standard drawers, sleep on top system wouldn't really work well for me, since I've got a lot of stuff.

My solution was to try and built a shelf that would hold all of our gear above our legs in the back half of the sleeping compartment (back of truck with seats folded). Obviously it would be no good to have the stuff raised while driving, as you couldn't see out the back and it would just be bad, so my idea was to try and construct a shelf that I could raise and lower.

I now have a basic rough shelf that fits perfectly and holds the weight nicely... the only tricky part is the raising and lowering. I was thinking of trying to do something with scissor jacks, but raising them simultaneously sounds tricky. Does anyone have any ideas for an 'off-the-shelf' device that could be used to easily raise and lower a shelf holding... I dunno maybe 200-500lbs? It needs to be simple, compact, and indestructible.

 

[450 DUDE]

pressurized gas struts for some assist ??

Im really not too sure what you have in mind but I will be lookin for a progress report.

ken

 

[joshoisasleep]

Yeah I was thinking something along those lines. I'll post pics of my shelf, it's really quite clever (or would be if it was done). I keep everything in milk crates, and they stack perfectly in two rows of 4 fitting just right in the width of the 62. Unfortunately right now since the shelf doesn't go up and down, bedding down for the night consists of physically removing all the crates and constructing the shelf...

My dad has an old camper van with a pop-top that goes straight up rather than at an angle. It worked via two cog/rail things on either side of the roof and a single hand-crank. This is the sort of thing I was hoping to devise, except simply and with minimal fabbing, OR something easy to communicate in Spanish. Where I am a day's labour at a shady yet ingenious little fab shop costs $30, so I can get anything made provided I know how to say it...

 

[Fast Eddy]

My solution was to try and built a shelf that would hold all of our gear above our legs in the back half of the sleeping compartment ...a shelf holding... I dunno maybe 200-500lbs?

You're going to sleep under something you built that weighs 200-500 lbs? Doesn't sound like a good idea to me. I think you should get a trailer or a receiver-mounted toolbox.

 

[e9999]

one other thought: unless you've built lids for these milk crates, could be scary to see what could happen in a rollover...

 

[joshoisasleep]

one other thought: unless you've built lids for these milk crates, could be scary to see what could happen in a rollover...

haha I think if I roll my beloved cruiser and home, the last thing I'll be worrying about is having my clothes going everywhere!

As for the weight... it's only over our legs and it's not THAT much. I dunno I haven't weighed it, but it's little enough and over a large enough area, with a small distance to fall that at worst it would hurt a lot if it fell on us in the night. The shelf is made of angle-iron that is more than capable of holding it.

 

[beefjerky]

Why not just build a permanent shelf....

when driving, put your stuff underneath it. When sleeping, put the stuff on top of it.

 

[sseaman]

what about rails on the sides, and a scissor jack in the middle so your legs could be on either side of it, this way you dont have to try and raise 2 jacks evenly

 

[joshoisasleep]

what about rails on the sides, and a scissor jack in the middle so your legs could be on either side of it, this way you dont have to try and raise 2 jacks evenly

Yeeah but I think the scissor jack in the middle would really bug me.

As far as a permanent shelf... the stuff would block my view out the back window, and also I think it would make a noticeable difference in the centre of gravity as well.

Yeah I still have not finished my shelf. When I do though, it will be the ultimate in ultralight overlanding technology!!

 

[sseaman]

i know some old popups had a cabinet or shelf that could pivot up, you could do something like that where is swings down while driving then swings up when camping, clear as mud i hope

 

[Gold Boy]

some kind of hammock..................... maybe?

 

[joshoisasleep]

some kind of hammock..................... maybe?

For me or the stuff? Might not be too comfy for long term use... I'll be living in this longer than I've ever even kept an apartment for...

 

[Jetboy]

I spent a little over a week southern Utah last summer. Most all of the time was in the more remote areas of Canyonlands and Capitol Reef. We mostly tented it, but a couple nights we slept in the 4runner. I have a roof top basket and just put the stuff on the basket for the night. Took about 10 minutes. Really wasn't a big deal.

Are you worried about thieves? of the human or animal type? if not, why not just build a basket that goes in the back on rollers/slides that will slide out the back onto a collapsible set of saw horses or table? That way it's out and back in easily. Just slide it onto the table, drive foreward 5 feet, sleep back up, slide in, and go. could also have room on the table for cooking etc.

for a lift like your talking I'd go mechanical if you don't have OBA. I'd just use a pair of honda scissor jacks and a 12 volt cheap cordless drill. Put one jack under each side, or even get 4 of them (they should be damn near free at a junkyard, and make a little drive shaft from the back of the front to the front of the rear so they go up together and put one set up on each side. As for the drill, ditch the battery and build a plug in to your cruiser battery, so you can run the drill on the cruiser 12v system, with a cord. Then make a little hook, or buy a garage wall hook and just put it in the chuck (that's what I use). Then you power it up, put a solid block of some sort under the corners and you're good to go. I think you'll find that if there isn't enough room on top of the stuff, there wont be enough under it either, but good luck.

jetboy

 

[rusty_tlc]

So I'm trying to build the perfect long-range camping solution for my 62. Since I don't have a high-roof, I figured the standard drawers, sleep on top system wouldn't really work well for me, since I've got a lot of stuff.

My solution was to try and built a shelf that would hold all of our gear above our legs in the back half of the sleeping compartment (back of truck with seats folded). Obviously it would be no good to have the stuff raised while driving, as you couldn't see out the back and it would just be bad, so my idea was to try and construct a shelf that I could raise and lower.

I now have a basic rough shelf that fits perfectly and holds the weight nicely... the only tricky part is the raising and lowering. I was thinking of trying to do something with scissor jacks, but raising them simultaneously sounds tricky. Does anyone have any ideas for an 'off-the-shelf' device that could be used to easily raise and lower a shelf holding... I dunno maybe 200-500lbs? It needs to be simple, compact, and indestructible.

Your logic escapes me. If there isn't enough room to sleep on top of your stuff why would there be enough room to sleep under it?

 

[calamaridog]

Why not a roof top tent and be done with it?