Three Years, 60,000 miles, Fifteen States and a lot of fun.

[North American Sojourner]

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.

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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

 

[North American Sojourner]

 

[grubworm]

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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]

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

 

[grubworm]

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]

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

 

[North American Sojourner]

Well a year has passed and the next 4 days will be my last with O'Reilly's. Thank God. LOL
I'm not sure we made the best decision staying here. This County and the neighboring County are the poorest in the State. (MO) Lots of poverty here. Lots of anger. The real problem is it's been like this for decades and is being passed down to the kids. Did not see that on my bingo card when I went back to work. I'm a compassionate guy and I've tried to ease the pain a bit but I made very little impact. Sad about that. The Forest is so near by but the sadness surrounds. Crazy.
Got a call into the Forest Service to see if they need help. We'll see I guess. I love the Forest and hope we'll stay.
Zim

 

[North American Sojourner]

Well I think the trip is over. We have a house. Really happy about the whole thing too.
Still in Southern Missouri and on the edge of the Forest. Ten minutes or so in a few directions. House is 115 years old so I'm working my butt off fixing all the things I can. It's alot.
I'll keep updating the thread and just call it "The End" LMAO
Zim

 

[Outdoordog]

Thought I'd drop a line on some long term travel and lessons learned along the way. Experience has been overwhelming at times. Freedom to move and explore is underrated. LOL. I think the biggest problems we've experienced has been finding places to stay and making reservations. Seems like when making reservations online, every park and RV park is full but when we get there, no one is there. Very strange and typical in about 4 states. Our first part of this journey was to see family members that are sick with cancer and then move on to seeing the Country again. The places we've stayed are magnificent. The pure beauty is astounding. No problems with the rig yet but the trailer has a bad toilet (gaskets weep) and we'll replace that when we get to our base of operations in Missouri. Other than that it's been amazing.
Y'all be safe out there and if you have the chance, get out. Don't wait.
Zim
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I live vicariously through you!

One day I'll have the time and money to do this.

Ironically, I didn't work for almost 2 years after my surgery, but was tied to my hospital for multiple visits a month.
That was the most vacation I've ever had from working.