My build thread 2020 ford f450 platinum

[cptkill21]

This will be a long post, sorry.

Wanna start with saying I'm open to suggestions for my build, but I'd like to keep this thread relatively clean. So for suggestions and advice please message me privately. I'll update the post with advice and suggestions I decide to go with. I've asked for advice on reddit and the ford truck enthusiasts forum and have been majorly shot down due to what I want to do and the time it will take to set things up. So I want to clarify that this is something I am going to do, I am not interested in the naysayers.
So let's get into it.

I've got a 2020 ford f450 platinum with 37k miles, Carli 2.5" leveling kit, upgraded steering (ram rod I think?). Second owner and the upgrades were already installed. I will primarily be using this truck for hotshot trucking and want to go with an overland build so I can have a comfortable sleeping situation, hang out area, kitchen, and shower/bathroom as needed. I do not want to modify the interior much at all which is why I'm going with an overland build instead of a sleeper berth.

This thread will update slowly as I start to get stuff in the coming months. Below is the build that I have in my head so far.

• Over the cab ladder rack with built in headache rack. Custom built to accommodate a RTT over the cab, allow for gooseneck connection of trailer, and access to combination auxiliary diesel tank tool box. (Not sure how to design this to properly hold the weight yet, ideas welcome.)

• Auxiliary diesel tank tool box combo with transfer pump to main tank

• Potable water tank (100 gallon?) Piped after the pump to necessary locations

• RTT ideally hardshell and able to fit over the cab on the ladder rack with the entrance on the driver side. Looking for advice on which one to get. I'm a big guy, 6'2" 330lbs. Don't really like the clam shells due to how small they are on the hinge side.

• 180° awning with walls and something for the floor

• Shower cube and toilet cube (mounted the same way as the awning)

• Light bar mounted to the front and possibly sides of the ladder rack.

• Propane mounted in the bed and propane lines ran where needed.

• Water heater for the shower

• Large capacity fridge/freezer (dometic I guess) will be trying to meal prep and will be on the road for up to three weeks at a time.

• Some form of all in one kitchen system. Ideally with a sink of some form and grill. Possibly a slide out if I have room and it doesn't affect the gooseneck, otherwise a stand alone. (Looking for advice on this).

• Power bank or generator, not sure yet, open to recommendations.

• Portable ac, zero wave or eco cool (I think those are the names)

• Some form of heater for the tent (Open to suggestions).

• Rear air bags to help my suspension from sagging if that's an issue, TBD.

• Rugged ebike so I can explore when off the clock.

• 40' flatbed gooseneck trailer with mega ramps, air bag suspension, triple axel.

• Star link for internet as I will be bringing my 40" TV and Xbox series x (must play call of duty)

• A table or two and chairs

• A passenger princess (taking applications haha).

• ELD (electronic logging device) to track my driving hours while working. Looking for advice on which one to get and how to install it as seamlessly and cleanly as possible.

• CB radio with PA system also installed as clean as possible.

I think that's everything. If I forgot anything I'll add it later. Obviously fully setting up would take a while so it won't always be fully setup, only when I have the time. Some have suggested that I mount the tent to the top of the gooseneck. I would prefer not to do that as I would like to use my setup on personal time as well without the trailer. As I plan to get this truck out in the wilderness too.

So yeah, if you've made it this far, thanks for reading and this has been my Ted talk. Reward is current pictures of my truck and it's current upgrades.

 

[adv.fam.4]

Are you planning to convert to an SRW?

 

[cptkill21]

Are you planning to convert to an SRW?

I've definitely considered it as I like the look, especially when the single rear wheel is a wide as the original dually set up. However I have to look into how that affects my tow rating.

 

[ProjectCleanSlate]

I like your ideas. I too need to work out of my truck, but want the ease of having what I need for our camp trips. The hard thing for you would be the roof top tent situation while pulling a gooseneck. That limits all your over the bed space. Something like a chase rack would work maybe. Where it goes over the cab and down to the bed rails only on the front 18 inches to 2 feet. The other is seeing how much of a static load you can carry on the cab with said rack. The Sherpa rack says 700lbs. You being a big man, plus tent and gear would be close to the limit. I get it. I’m 6’4-240 and I wanted room in my tent. I love my 23zero 87 With annex. It has light suppression, so dark inside no matter the light outside. They were the only to do it at the time. Now you can get the same from overland vehicles for a better price. Plus It’s 53” tall in the middle open and alost king sized bed inside. But the memory foam mattresses are good for a bit, but hard on the body. The annex is great.. takes extra time to deploy. But it has a floor and 4 sides. Nice to be out of the weather to change clothes, use the portable toilet, store gear. Zips on and off and has own storage bag. I have folded it up and stored it the tent still attached.
I like my ICECO DL75 dc/ac fridge. Holds plenty, runs off my battery, or shore power, or my solar panels.

Will follow to see your build progress

 

[cptkill21]

I like your ideas. I too need to work out of my truck, but want the ease of having what I need for our camp trips. The hard thing for you would be the roof top tent situation while pulling a gooseneck. That limits all your over the bed space. Something like a chase rack would work maybe. Where it goes over the cab and down to the bed rails only on the front 18 inches to 2 feet. The other is seeing how much of a static load you can carry on the cab with said rack. The Sherpa rack says 700lbs. You being a big man, plus tent and gear would be close to the limit. I get it. I’m 6’4-240 and I wanted room in my tent. I love my 23zero 87 With annex. It has light suppression, so dark inside no matter the light outside. They were the only to do it at the time. Now you can get the same from overland vehicles for a better price. Plus It’s 53” tall in the middle open and alost king sized bed inside. But the memory foam mattresses are good for a bit, but hard on the body. The annex is great.. takes extra time to deploy. But it has a floor and 4 sides. Nice to be out of the weather to change clothes, use the portable toilet, store gear. Zips on and off and has own storage bag. I have folded it up and stored it the tent still attached.
I like my ICECO DL75 dc/ac fridge. Holds plenty, runs off my battery, or shore power, or my solar panels.

Will follow to see your build progress

Yeah figured I'd have to be over the cab and possibly the engine bay with how big some of these are. Thank you for letting me know what those are called so I can start looking at them.

I'm hoping to have any part that flips out of the tent, where it hangs off the edge of the vehicle, open onto the rack for more support due to my weight. Don't really want to be floating over the edge and the thing just collapses at the spine haha. Hard part with mounting it like that you have to find one with another entrance on the side of it.

I'm thinking of going with the company shown in the picture below. Saw one closed up in a parking the other day and it looked really heavy duty. Do you have any opinions on them? I'll check out the ones you mentioned and yeah definitely getting all the accessories. I like the idea of having another area besides the tent or truck to get out of the elements and chill.



I'll look up your fridge as well.

Thanks for following. It'll be a few more months before anything happens most likely

 

[ProjectCleanSlate]

It’s not so much the tent you have to worry about for your size. They are designed to hold the weight when opened. It’s the roof of the truck. Most of the racks mount in the rain gutter. Like my Prinsu Rack mounted with 6 bolts each side through the roof rain gutter is 1000lbs static weight/600 dynamic. A smaller footprint tent would mount up there no problem. Something like a Roofnest or Jame Bourd tent. They are hard shell and pop straight up. Most are like queen sized bed inside. That would leave the front of your truck bed available for gear Packout. Literally all my gear is in Milwaukee Packout boxes. They lock together and store easily when not in use. Then when at a site I have a fold up table that I use to set up a kitchen and the fridge slides out the back of the truck. I use and AllPowers s2000battery box with solar panels to keep charged, or when driving plug it into the power outlet in the bed of the truck. It keeps my fridge running about 20 hours before needing a charge. In good sun the soloar will charge it full, while discharging for the fridge in about 4 hours.

ALLPOWERS S2000 Pro Portable Power Station 2400W 1451Wh

ALLPOWERS S2000 Pro can Charge 11 Devices Simultaneously. With a 1500Wh large capacity higher rated power of 2400W, it is ready to power 99% of indoor and outdoor appliances The portable is ideal companion for outdoor camping, road-trip, RV, and home backup power supply. ALLPOWERS S2000 Pro...

iallpowers.com

 

[cptkill21]

It’s not so much the tent you have to worry about for your size. They are designed to hold the weight when opened. It’s the roof of the truck. Most of the racks mount in the rain gutter. Like my Prinsu Rack mounted with 6 bolts each side through the roof rain gutter is 1000lbs static weight/600 dynamic. A smaller footprint tent would mount up there no problem. Something like a Roofnest or Jame Bourd tent. They are hard shell and pop straight up. Most are like queen sized bed inside. That would leave the front of your truck bed available for gear Packout. Literally all my gear is in Milwaukee Packout boxes. They lock together and store easily when not in use. Then when at a site I have a fold up table that I use to set up a kitchen and the fridge slides out the back of the truck. I use and AllPowers s2000battery box with solar panels to keep charged, or when driving plug it into the power outlet in the bed of the truck. It keeps my fridge running about 20 hours before needing a charge. In good sun the soloar will charge it full, while discharging for the fridge in about 4 hours.

ALLPOWERS S2000 Pro Portable Power Station 2400W 1451Wh

ALLPOWERS S2000 Pro can Charge 11 Devices Simultaneously. With a 1500Wh large capacity higher rated power of 2400W, it is ready to power 99% of indoor and outdoor appliances The portable is ideal companion for outdoor camping, road-trip, RV, and home backup power supply. ALLPOWERS S2000 Pro...

iallpowers.com

Oh yeah I definitely can't be mounted to the roof of the truck. It has to be a rack like you mentioned. Some type of ladder rack where the weight is put on the bed rails and maybe supported at the front bumper as well (like how some plumbing truck ladder racks are done). I'll have to be careful with my bed space. Aside from the gooseneck I also need to have at least a 90 gallon auxiliary diesel tank half tool box combo and a Potable water tank. Both plumbed into their respective areas with pumps online for automatic use. I figure that's gonna take up most of my bed space.

For everything else I need to carry, for living on the road/overland gear while working, I'll have to get creative. Of course utilize the remaining bed space that I can, utilize the backseat for quick access items, and most likely get a gooseneck trailer that has the extra upper deck and utilize that space if needed for more (whatever goes up there would go in the truck bed when I'm not towing it of course).

I'm pretty sure I'll be going with solar power generators as well. Just like the idea of them being silent. Once I get to the point of purchasing that I'll be comparing all factors (size, quality, price, charge rate, power output, etc...).