5.5ft BED TRUCK CAMPER SETUP V2.0! Recent mods & upgrades!

[@weekendhomeprojects]

Nice addition! You should name this video “F150 5.5 foot bed truck camping setup”. I’ve searched that multiple times over the past year and get zero hits. You’ll corner the market and make a milly by noon tomorrow.

[@tonik9724]

@weekend home projects. I feel your pain, I have a 5.5 as well. Nothing out there for us!

[@andrewchapman4313]

I have a 2007 f150 four door like his. The king ranch version, and I TOTALLY agree with the video name change. No one has cornered the 5.5’ truck bed market for truck cap camping.

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

Alright guys….I changed the title. Let the views ring up!!

[@johnhancock1855]

@@tonik9724 I agree as well

[@rickysamuel835]

I searched it myself

[@0795htaeD]

Definitely the best setup I've seen so far. The simplistic clean look is definitely better than having cabinets everywhere.

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

Thanks 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@zarty8121]

Minimalistic exactly, great setup.

[@jamesfalvey77]

Slept in my f150 for 6 months while working out of town. Diagonal is the way to go

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

👍🏻👍🏻

[@kirtleya1]

As a 6'7" guy trying to build my first truck bed camper, sincerely appreciate the tip on the extra legroom as I have the same size bed as you.

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

👍🏻👍🏻

[@Dachshund-Nator]

Very nice simple build without cutting your truck up. 👍

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

Thanks👍🏻

[@florentinoalabanza9691]

Best legroom solution I've seen for a short truck bed. Thank you

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

Thanks👍🏻

[@deloreshinson9356]

Don’t know how I happened onto your channel but I found it fascinating and so interesting to follow along with your thought processes. This is the same type of hamster wheel thinking that goes on in my mind involving many other hobbies. I get obsessed with details on just about every endeavor. Am a grandma trying to organize my sewing room and can certainly relate. Kudos to you! Great job, love it!

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

Thank you Delores!

[@JuTubeLive]

Beautiful setup and great taste...I also camping in my SUV and I try to make it neat 😀 😊

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

Thank you👍🏻👍🏻

[@SuperchargedSS1]

You're a master carpenter and actually said 2/16" lol. Project looks great btw.

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

Man….I have no idea why that came out of my mouth. I’ve never used the term 2/16…..ever. Oh well🤷🏻‍♂️🤷🏻‍♂️👍🏻

[@davidvincent2nd757]

Looks great . Especially the speaker carpet . I’ve never heard a carpenter say 2/16 before (1/8) .

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

I’ve never said that either….not sure where that came from🤷🏻‍♂️

[@alexmclean3311]

Love it, doubles up as a table to cook or prep on too, good idea

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

Thank you👍🏻

[@johnobrien8542]

That's a great solution to the short bed leg room issue! Your truck bed build also looks incredible. 👌🏻

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

Thank you John

[@mjz22]

best video I’ve seen about making your truck a camper.

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

Thanks👍🏻

[@aarongriffin6738]

This is definitely a well thought out camper and one of the better ones I've seen good job

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

Thanks👍🏻

[@donaldroehrig7817]

My biggest hurdle is getting a cap for my truck. Holy moly new caps are expensive! When the time comes, being 6'2", I'll be thankful that I have an 8' bed.

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

Yeah, they are more expensive than I thought. I’m eventually getting a long bed which will make everything much better.

[@MrTmax74]

There’s used 8 foot shells all over the place here in Boise. I actually had a hell of a time, finding a used high-rise 6.5 foot one for my F150.

[@marcuspoole44]

Ya it sucks ass your smart man

[@SixStringSicario]

I have the same truck and have contemplated the 5.5ft bed issue as well. I considered building a diagonal platform to sleep on cause I’m almost 6ft. This is a good play. Thanks for sharing.

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

Thanks bud. This option works well I think.

[@kwaste]

Great idea with that drop down build for your bed to extend sleeping length

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

Thanks👍🏻

[@truebluepatriot2739]

Really, really nice job you did and the camper looks great!

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

Thank you👍🏻

[@pamelaklemp5615]

Love the upgrades. Again well thought out, designed and built. Golly, minimal is so UNDER-RATED! I am very much a minimalist in my Conversion Van, my Vintage Airstream Camper Trailer, and my Motorcoach. So many times LESS IS MORE. 👍

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

😃😃😃

[@wt9653]

Everything looks great. Only thing I would change is your bed extension. Its cumbersome to unfold and add legs. You should make a slide out like the cutting board with swing out locking legs.

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

Thanks👍🏻

[@michellewaters4552]

The lights are so you! Love, your Sister😀😀❤️❤️

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

Look at that!!

[@DrDolomite]

Simplicity equals results. Great looking set up, I'm gonna have to take your hinge idea but instead of an L shape I'm thinking of a twin that can fold out into a full.

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

Thank you👍🏻

[@mymai5859]

Awesome bed. Love the night light

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

👍🏻👍🏻

[@theone4572]

Here in Washington State, when I go camping during a burn ban, I use charcoal. Gives off heat and a little glow 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

Pretty good idea!

[@amirkazemi2517]

very practical & cozy set up. great video - thank you!

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

Thank you

[@mikrokozm9]

Wow! Added mood lighting & a tree? Some might say you are turning into a hippy, Brian. Might have to panel ya before you return to work. Thanks!

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

😂😂tree has since been removed!

[@mikrokozm9]

@@BrianWatersOutdoorsGood call! Don't wanna give troopers probable cause. They'll find your Snickers stash.

[@paulk.9650]

Clean and classy …….nice job!

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

Thanks👍🏻

[@katherinenicholas7116]

Nice updates! Your Mom did a nice job on the curtains.

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

Lol. Thank you👍🏻

[@MoparFrog]

Great to see this! I didn't know how I could sleep in my 5.5 foot bed. Actually thought about trading in for a long wheel base

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

It for sure makes it more comfortable! Not going to lie though that I do plan on selling this truck and going with a long bed next.

[@davidc.5197]

Thanks for the video. Very helpful. Another way to sleep in a short bed is to have the back of the bed tilt as if you are sleeping in a reclining chair.

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

I kinda do that now when I first lay down with my pillows👍🏻

[@Ivanthetroll26]

You could also put Velcro on the bottom of your 24x24 foam pad if it ever slides and starts pissing you off that way it disassembles quickly but also won't slide

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

👍🏻

[@esiebert7625]

Nice changes to your rig, would love to get a tour of that camper you have stored in the garage, pretty cool that you can fit it in there.

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

Thank you! I’ve got the build series of that thing on my channel, and we are taking it out in a couple weeks on a family trip. Video to be posted soon on that👍🏻

[@pieces94]

Nice upgrade! Being able to stretch out comfortably will be a great feeling. Also, nice use of the domino to hold the legs in.

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

Thanks Chris👍🏻👍🏻

[@SQWIB]

Great solution, love your setup

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

Thanks👍🏻👍🏻

[@dslick6234]

Damn bud, looks pretty good.

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

Thanks bud👍🏻👍🏻

[@ragalyisp]

This actually helps me alot. I'm 5'6 and I've been looking at setting up something simple to sleep in my ranger. It's a 5 foot bed, but I think it's doable with a similar setup. I've also considered a tailgate tent as well, but this is way better for a simple low profile setup

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

👍🏻👍🏻

[@francisstraughniii2473]

Happy Thanksgiving just started following you from NJ I'll be checking in with so many questions 😀

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

👍🏻

[@nematoad]

Nice add one comfort and space is everything perfectly minimal

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

Thanks👊🏻👊🏻

[@h2hcamey]

Awesome upgrade!!! Happy trails!

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

Thank you!

[@artm6723]

Binge watching your channel today. Pretty cool!

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

👍🏻👍🏻

[@thatsTrudeau]

For your super bright LED’s why not install a pulse width modulator to essentially dim the lights? That way you can control with a knob bright you’d like.

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

I’ll look into that. Honestly, didn’t even know that was possible👍🏻

[@DV77737]

Amazing set- up! And love the disco low dim lights as well including the your small lit tree. Very cool 😎

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

Thanks👍🏻👍🏻

[@BrendaMajor-g8l]

Great idea. Love your camper set up.

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

Thanks👍🏻

[@damufornia1e11]

Beautiful setup 😎

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

Thanks!

[@grandmakellymcdonald]

Very cool! 💕❤️👵🌺

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

Thank you😃

[@DGbossoutlaw8903]

I like that camper bed and back of that truck that's player 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥♥️🖤♠️♠️💨💨💨💨💨⛽🙏🏿💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾💰💰💰💰💰

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

👍🏻👍🏻🍺

[@dougsutton211]

I have the same truck and bed length. I use 4 milk crates as a base for the 30 inch wide bed. And use bungee cords hooked to tie downs to stabilize the bed. I use a hefty 36 L x 16 w x 7 in deep tote for clothes etc. and fits under the bed with enough room for a folding chair. Other storage is a three drawer plastic bin for daily use items. The bonus is each milk crate is used for limited use items. I can remove it all under five minutes. My lighting is similar to your remote control lamp. Anyway curious about your curtains. I am checking your videos on how you made them.

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

👍🏻👍🏻

[@pv4669]

Very nice. I noticed on your first video you had a short bed and wondered how you actually get any sleep in there. That will go a long way to a good night's sleep!

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

Thanks👊🏻

[@DontStepInTheGrease]

My mid height camper shell is on order for my short bed f150. I will also have the bed rug. I am 5ft 3in tall. Before I placed my order, I laid down in the trk bed and I just fit. My mattress won't be raised and it is a tad wider, so I will be able to stretch out.

[@koreyhannan9071]

Very nice. You are very talented

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

Thank you👍🏻

[@theone4572]

Great job! I like your ingenuity

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

Thanks👍🏻

[@dreamcreationsadventures]

Hello Brian, I came over from Trey Ezell’s channel. Can believe I didn’t know ya already because of being into Truck Camping

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

That’s awesome! Thanks👍🏻

[@TheGuyThatWondersWhy]

I’m jelly of your topper! Wish I had the higher ceiling. Good video

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

Thanks👍🏻

[@tonik9724]

I wasn't able to get the high top for my 5.5, they said it wasn't available thru Leer.

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

That’s odd. I ordered this 180 just a few months ago.

[@CustCareRep]

Cool campers show us their socks 9:23 Nice.

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

👍🏻

[@robertparker3580]

NICE BUILD!

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

Thanks bud👍🏻

[@JuNpwr]

Wow great idea you’ve added to the build. I think IKEA would love to have you in their team haha

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@roamingthewild3825]

I love your window covers a very genius design! Wish you were locally in my area so possibly I could hire you to help me with truck build. 😁 simple but awesome!

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

👍🏻👍🏻

[@HarveyCornell-tb6on]

Looks awesome

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

👍🏻👍🏻

[@hanskonrad5850]

I've been searching for this. Where did you get the custom length matresses. I looked up that company you dropped but didn't see mattresses. Thanks for sharing your time and energy looks awesome!!

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

I had to cut the foam at home. I used an electric carving knife👍🏻

[@robertkb64]

A couple of additional options (I have both for my Titan, 5.5ft bed). 1) if you have sleep apnea or otherwise snore a lot, try propping the head-end of your bed up. This will put you into a better breathing position for sleep apnea and by tilting you at an angle you can make more efficient use of the space you have. At 6ft this makes me a pretty much exact fit in my Titan. 2) make a folding box that sits on your tailgate, which allows your topper to close snugly against it when the tailgate is down and the hatch is closed, and that sits just inside your truck bed (like a bed extender) when everything is closed you’ll need to make this immune to the elements, but it will easily get you an extra 1-2 feet (depending on the height of your tailgate) that you can slide your feed into. It also provides a convenient place for either a 12v fridge or a window air conditioner, both of which really do need access to fresh outside air to work properly. The big challenge with this one (which is the one I use the most) is getting it weatherproof - you can only really test it when you legitimately have adverse conditions. Depending on where you are, adding insulation can be a godsend. In AZ I can camp remotely in 115F weather with only a thousand watts of solar and 5kwh of battery, running the AC nearly constantly. During the winter I use electric blankets as they’re the most efficient, especially when you wrap the electric blanket around yourself and then wrap all of that inside a good sleeping bag / blankets / etc. just be sure you have batteries with self-heating, or have another solution worked out.

[@MasterOfNone88]

Subscribed !!!!! Im Loving your channel

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

Thanks John👍🏻

[@charisma-hornum-fries]

I’ve never seen a corner couch in a truck before. It’s going to be easier having company comfortably. An unintentional luxury.

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

Thanks👍🏻

[@61BlueWhale]

Great video update. Hope to hear about how the solar panels do on a future trip.

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

Will do, and thanks!

[@stephenasbridge878]

Thanks! I’m waiting on a Toyota Hilux which has a really short 5 foot bed . I’m only 5’7” though, so I think your L-bed idea might just work!

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

Thanks Stephen👍🏻

[@SteveKiziak]

Nice build! You gave me some really good ideas!👍

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

Thanks Steve👍🏻👍🏻

[@krystalcluck4282]

the addition for your feet can also be used for a table or a workspace if needed, and the extra padding can be a backrest up against the cab of the truck when you are sitting on the bed. simple pieces that add lots of versatility. really like this set up.

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

👍🏻 thanks

[@Jesusisthe1way]

Excellent idea on the bed space!

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

Thank you👍🏻

[@stevewood4255]

Your camper build looks great, you have done a beautiful job and your craftsmanship looks top notch! I have the same 5.5 foot bed in an F-150 crew cab and don't want to replace it with a 6.5 foot bed. I am also 6 foot tall but can't get past sleeping on a diagonal, with the wife it just doesn't work. For now I'm stuck in the back of my old Ford Explorer and the newer truck sits out the camping trips. Just subscribed and looking forward to your future videos.

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

Thanks Steve!

[@gisho13]

Saw another comment mentioning putting “5.5 bed truck camping setup” in the title. I watched your last video but closed out of it thinking you were in a 6.5 ft bed. Saw this one and then realized!

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

👍🏻👍🏻🍻

[@yeboscrebo4451]

Nice. Very comfy

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

Thank you

[@joshuaconklin4885]

2/16..... or 1/8 for us non-carpenters 🤣 just messing with you man. Love the video and the project overall 🤙

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

lol, yeah…..I’ve never said “2/16” in all my years of carpentry. Not sure what the hell I was thinking.

[@alallen2767]

Looks good. Stay safe.

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

Thanks Al👍🏻

[@wb6162]

Regarding the locking chain I would suggest a heavy duty rubber bungie. Chains will break but they will never break a heavy bungie and it won't stretch far enough for them. Heavy rubber bungies would foil a lot of break in's where they just try to force the door on a lot of applications.

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

Great idea. Thanks👍🏻

[@rogerpedrosa1854]

NICE set up!!!

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

Thank you sir👍🏻

[@jagervolant7871]

Question… I have the spray linex liner in back. What you think about the carpet liner in that situation? Seems like a lot…

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

Are you asking if you can put the carpet liner on top of the linex liner?

[@jagervolant7871]

@@BrianWatersOutdoors yes, is it worth doing?

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

I think it would be. It’s just much softer on your knees when you are crawling around in the back.

[@TalentNetworked]

Thanks. Any problems with water leaks anywhere? How do waterproof the entire cal and window seals?

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

I haven’t had any major leaks. There is weather sealing strips between the cap and the top of the truck bed. Only places I’ve seen some water get in was in the corners where the back glass meets the tailgate.

[@BryanKale777]

I like how you did that that's very creative because I'm doing a similar thing with my truck because I also have a five and a half foot bed except I'm planning on actually building the bed completely diagonally across the entire bed space so it's going to be interesting but that way I will be able to put my 12 volt refrigerator and one corner and in the other opposite corner my portable air conditioner / heater and mount my big screen TV opposite of the tailgate. We'll see how it works but I do have to stretch my legs on occasion

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

Sounds awesome! Good luck on your build👍🏻

[@Suka_Suka_Aje]

This is My dreams truck.Thanks for sharing 🙏... New subs here❤️

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

Thank you for the support👍🏻

[@BurroSupreme]

I have a 2019 Ranger with the 61" bed, and was trying to figure out how I'm gonna be able to camp in it, but I think I could modify your solution a bit to suit my needs in the Ranger. I'm 6'1" so I'll have to come up with something lol Thanks for sharing your build tho. I really dig it. :D

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

Thanks👍🏻good luck on your build too!

[@amt9289]

Nice work!

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

Thank you👍🏻👍🏻👊🏻

[@timgaskey2258]

Man this is so cool

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

👍🏻👍🏻

[@X9Adventures]

That’s an awesome build!

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

Thank you!

[@carlaifera5254]

Nice rig! ✨

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

Thank you👍🏻

[@demon817]

You should have made 2 of the bed extentions a smaller one were you were putting your feet that way it would have given a option for a full bed or open for your feet like you have it.

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

👍🏻👍🏻

[@imlon2]

should make some side mortises on the frame to hold the legs all in one place..

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

👍🏻

[@GearGadgetReviews]

good job buddy!!

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

👍🏻

[@Happy-oy9fp]

Amazing video

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

Thank you👍🏻

[@georgeprietz4424]

Lol 2/16 or 1/8. Good videos brother.

[@terryqueen3233]

Nice build

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

Thanks Terry👍🏻

[@wallytomaszek]

Nice job

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

Thanks👍🏻

[@dustyroaddestinations]

That’s a great update! Thanks for showing the details on all of it that was super cool! My guess for your burn ban toy is a 50 cal fire can. Maybe the Ignik or LavaBox???

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

I wish it was that cool…

[@hischosen1409]

Enjoyed watching....ty!!!!

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

Thank you👍🏻

[@caydencrenshaw6675]

Can you do a detailed video of the wiring ton to all your switches and charging ports I think it be interesting

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

I will on my next truck. Hopefully early next year

[@just.me.and.my.travels]

What a great idea. so simple pure Genius :)

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

👍🏻👍🏻

[@trooper2121]

Great idea to add length

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

Thanks👍🏻

[@Wyoboy7220]

Very nice setup

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

👍🏻👍🏻

[@michaellind3653]

I'd settle just to be able to FIND a dang 5.5' length topper, not a single dang one around here for sale.

[@johnnybravisimo007]

GREAT VIDEO! Question, where did you get the bed mattress and what size is it?

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

Amazon. It’s just 5” foam upholstery. I did have to cut it to size though.

[@joshhummer-]

How did you insulate your truck bed? I’m in the early stages of converting

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

I did not insulate

[@rollin2727]

Love the truck and your videos. Wonder if some quick release pins would be better to hold your cabinet instead of bolts and nuts

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

Maybe? I just had some bolts on hand and they did the trick so I went with it

[@uncletony3025]

A bed a cooler, yup pretty much all you need. Quick question, would you prefer a full size truck over a smaller truck?

[@BrianWatersOutdoors]

Thanks, and yes. Even this “full size” truck sometimes feels cramped.