515 days, 15 States, 26 Camps, 35,600 miles

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grubworm

Rank V
Launch Member

Member III

2,358
louisiana
First Name
grub
Last Name
worm
Member #

17464

Service Branch
USN-Submarines
The idea was pretty good but designed around the height of the toilet.
Zim
yeah, i can see where that made sense, but just wasnt going to work out right. i made my own deck system in the back and i just went level with the wheel wells for the deck height and then added the 6" memory foam mattress...there is no room for me to even sit up good, but it does work well for storage and sleeping. if its raining, i cant go in the back and wait out the storm, i have to go sit up in the cab. as you can see in the pic, we have a bathroom tent we take. im 6' and 215 lbs and with the tailgate up, i look like a circus bear trying to fit into one of those little cars when i try to slide in thru the raised back window. if you bought a decked system and add the mattress, youll be in the same situation...great for storage and sleeping, but you will be lucky to even change clothes in there when you wake up. i generally go outside to change clothes and put on shoes and stuff. great set up for boondocking where nobody is around and you wont need privacy.
on a side note...not sure what kind of deck system you bought, but if it fits between the wheel wells, then the space behind the wheel wells are perfect to fit a secpter 5 gal can on one side and a soft sided cooler on the other side. i like that. i can wake up and grab a cold drink right there and for cooking on the tailgate, i have the water supply also right there for easy use. i just put a hand pump on the jerry can so i can fill a container without having to lift the can and pour.

1725632150926.jpeg
 

North American Sojourner

Rank VI
Member

Inventor I

3,886
Mid-Missouri, MO, USA
First Name
Dave
Last Name
Zimmer
Member #

30139

Service Branch
USN (ret)
yeah, i can see where that made sense, but just wasnt going to work out right. i made my own deck system in the back and i just went level with the wheel wells for the deck height and then added the 6" memory foam mattress...there is no room for me to even sit up good, but it does work well for storage and sleeping. if its raining, i cant go in the back and wait out the storm, i have to go sit up in the cab. as you can see in the pic, we have a bathroom tent we take. im 6' and 215 lbs and with the tailgate up, i look like a circus bear trying to fit into one of those little cars when i try to slide in thru the raised back window. if you bought a decked system and add the mattress, youll be in the same situation...great for storage and sleeping, but you will be lucky to even change clothes in there when you wake up. i generally go outside to change clothes and put on shoes and stuff. great set up for boondocking where nobody is around and you wont need privacy.
on a side note...not sure what kind of deck system you bought, but if it fits between the wheel wells, then the space behind the wheel wells are perfect to fit a secpter 5 gal can on one side and a soft sided cooler on the other side. i like that. i can wake up and grab a cold drink right there and for cooking on the tailgate, i have the water supply also right there for easy use. i just put a hand pump on the jerry can so i can fill a container without having to lift the can and pour.

View attachment 284208
That looks really good. I just did not have it in me to rebuild the thing which is not typical of me. I hate rework with a passion. LOL
I bought the Decked system and installed it yesterday and it's magnificent. Worth every penny in my book and you know I hate these big spenders. Really. LMAO
Nice work Grub.
Zim
 
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grubworm

Rank V
Launch Member

Member III

2,358
louisiana
First Name
grub
Last Name
worm
Member #

17464

Service Branch
USN-Submarines
wow! now THATS nice!
i made my deck system based off one that i saw that is pretty much just like what you bought. VERY nice and very robust and they extend out the full length, youre going to absolutely love that. ive been retired, but i still do a lot of construction work and still have my commercial buildings that i do maintenance on and i keep my drawers full of tools until its time for a trip and i swap over to camp gear. i love the deck system for everyday use and carrying my tools.

i really like your swing doors on the shell. i sometimes wished i nixed the tailgate and went that route. totally dig your setup...very well done!
 

North American Sojourner

Rank VI
Member

Inventor I

3,886
Mid-Missouri, MO, USA
First Name
Dave
Last Name
Zimmer
Member #

30139

Service Branch
USN (ret)
wow! now THATS nice!
i made my deck system based off one that i saw that is pretty much just like what you bought. VERY nice and very robust and they extend out the full length, youre going to absolutely love that. ive been retired, but i still do a lot of construction work and still have my commercial buildings that i do maintenance on and i keep my drawers full of tools until its time for a trip and i swap over to camp gear. i love the deck system for everyday use and carrying my tools.

i really like your swing doors on the shell. i sometimes wished i nixed the tailgate and went that route. totally dig your setup...very well done!
It took a few years to find a topper I liked. It's cheap made but I'm going to strengthen it up with insulation and some panel I hope.
I almost built my own drawers but I suck at wood. I can make anything in metal but I can really screw up some wood. LOL
Zim
 
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grubworm

Rank V
Launch Member

Member III

2,358
louisiana
First Name
grub
Last Name
worm
Member #

17464

Service Branch
USN-Submarines
It took a few years to find a topper I liked. It's cheap made but I'm going to strengthen it up with insulation and some panel I hope.
I almost built my own drawers but I suck at wood. I can make anything in metal but I can really screw up some wood. LOL
Zim
yeah, with the sides being open, the only structural support you have are the pillars front and rear. it obviously works, but if i had to strenghten it up a bit, id add supports in the form of 3/16" aluminium angle or maybe try some unistrut braces and that way you can use the t-nuts with the strut to mount things. im sure its fine as is...

what did you decide on the toilet? that sure isnt fitting back there now other than to just store it.
 

North American Sojourner

Rank VI
Member

Inventor I

3,886
Mid-Missouri, MO, USA
First Name
Dave
Last Name
Zimmer
Member #

30139

Service Branch
USN (ret)
yeah, with the sides being open, the only structural support you have are the pillars front and rear. it obviously works, but if i had to strenghten it up a bit, id add supports in the form of 3/16" aluminium angle or maybe try some unistrut braces and that way you can use the t-nuts with the strut to mount things. im sure its fine as is...

what did you decide on the toilet? that sure isnt fitting back there now other than to just store it.
Porta potty and a toilet shelter. Actually thinking about the back seat for emergencys. LOL
Zim
 
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