Flatbed Truck Camper Conversion - How did I screw this up?

Why did I get a flatbed for my pickup truck and Supertramp truck camper?! Is a flatbed for your pickup truck the right option? And what type of truck camper is the best selection when you have a flatbed on your pickup truck? A flatbed truck camper or a slide-in truck camper with additional storage boxes where otherwise the factory walls of the truck bed would have been?🚚💡 Attention all truck camper enthusiasts and DIY adventurers! In this exciting video, we're exploring the world of flatbed truck campers and the incredible customization options they offer! 🛠️
Have you ever considered removing your factory truck bed and replacing it with a flatbed? The possibilities for creating your ultimate adventure rig are endless! 🤩
In this video, we dive deep into the pros and cons of flatbed truck campers versus slide-in truck campers. We'll also discuss the innovative idea of adding storage boxes to your flatbed, maximizing your space and functionality where the side walls of your factory truck bed once were. 📦
Whether you're a seasoned truck camper or just starting to explore your options, this video is packed with valuable insights and ideas to help you build the adventure rig of your dreams. 💭
So, if you're ready to take your truck camping setup to the next level, click that play button and join the conversation! 🎥 Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share your thoughts in the comments below. Together, let's unlock the full potential of our adventure rigs! 🗝️🚙

[@the_wandering_brute]

This is amazing information. I’m running a Bowen bed w/ the forward garage & and OEV Camp-X.

[@dtadventure4x4]

That is a great setup. How do you like the forward garage?

[@the_wandering_brute]

@ loving it. Realistically I’m carrying more stuff than I need. So I’d rather have it than not. I’m on an 2001 F350 w/ a custom leaf spring from Alcan as well. Been full time for 6 months so far.

[@MrChadx1]

@DTAdventure Many great points in this video. Since we know you personally, most of this will not be news to you, but I'll share for your readers. Our preference, for pop-up camper layouts, are the various flatbed campers, however we chose a slide-in camper in the end. We'd had two brands of slide-in campers previously. We were looking to go with a flatbed camper for the next camper simply because we liked the inside layouts and room better than slide-ins and camper side door access which made it less complicated to get in and out when towing fishing boat, trailers and MTB/eMTB/dirtbike receiver hitch racks. We do own a swing-away hitch which helps with bike rack, but still like the idea of a camper side entry door like most flatbeds have. But, in the end, the camper we decided on was a slide-in camper largely because of the complications and expense of flatbed trays. I first priced basic flatbed trays with side storage and they were expensive, but doable. But then I needed a solution for the 5 months a year when the camper was off the pickup and I wanted a secure and weather resistant pickup bed sized storage for all of our winter gear and activities. Adding side boxes, a bed cover and tailgate solution to the basic flatbed tray added significantly to the flatbed bids plus the sideboxes/bedcover/tailgate would have to be removed and installed seasonally and stored somewhere when off. Sticking with a pickup bed and slide-in camper ended up being significantly more economical and easier transition between seasons. A trifold cover on the pickup bed comes off in less than a minute and I can do it by myself and takes up next to no room stored off the truck when the camper is on. Plus, we are not full timers so only need enough gear for weekend-length trips up to about 10 day trips. There are only two of us with no pets, so between the rear seat of our extended cab with platform and the camper storage, it works for our needs. You have great advice in that buyers need to evaluate their space and storage needs first, then pick a camper, then choose a pickup. There are too many overloaded Fullsize pickups (formerly called 1/2 tons) driving around loaded with way over max payload. Yes you can put in airbags or re-spring, but that does increase your max payload rating. And one must still consider things like axles, brakes, frame, etc are far more robust on an Heavy Duty/Super Duty pickup over a Fullsize. Even with light weight popup pickup campers (in the 1,250 - 1,350lb range), by the time you add up the weight of the camper, water, propane, batteries, food, camping gear, tools, recovery gear, people, etc. it is very easy for a 1,200lb dry camper to turn into 2,400lb of payload which is over nearly all Fullsize pickups except for a few specific version. Then add any tongue weight from trailer or receive hitch racks on top of that. We drove an 2013 Tundra DC 4x4, with airbags and LT tires, for 7+ years with various brand slide-in pop-up pickup campers and it was adequate but never confidence inspiring because it was so overloaded. Changed to a Super Duty F250 4x4 (with 3,200lb max payload rating) and it is so much more confidence inspiring and relaxing to drive with the same payload (being as we are now way under max payload rather than way over). A recommendation for those with a camper on for all or most of the year; buy a small flatbed trailer to use anytime you need to haul things. They are so much easier than loading and unloading the camper. And, trailers are so much easier to load with low deck height vs loading up into a tall pickup bed. True that one must then store a trailer when not in use, but for those with room, they will become your go to, even when the camper is unloaded.

[@happycamper1687]

Great points and very informative. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the value of building a flatbed camper!

[@dtadventure4x4]

You bet! Thank you for watching my video and leaving a comment. I really appreciate it.

[@happycamper1687]

@@dtadventure4x4 I think that I'm similarly obsessive and I can really relate to your approach to thinking about and evaluating the build, the upgrades and documenting the costs. You're amazing!

[@montechie]

Thanks for sharing your thought process on this, very useful! I would like to hear your thoughts on the aspects of working while adventuring. Managing power requirements, actually exploring while also working fullish hours, etc. Great videos!

[@dtadventure4x4]

Great suggestion. I will address this in another video in detail.

[@zachw8470]

Great video and thanks for sharing! Was wondering if you had done any research into how different flatbed companies account for the articulation needed for the camper VS the truck. I know Bowen designed some interesting springs to assist. I was curious if some of the other commercial manufacturers have some VS just bolting and welding to the frame. Also did you consider going with a cab and chassis truck as opposed to the regular truck with cab? I know the payload goes way up but also the flatbed sits significantly lower. Thanks!

[@dtadventure4x4]

Thank you for your comment and watching my video. Most flatbeds will be fixed mounted, so there is not that much choice out there. In my opinion for 95% of the people I would think this should be fine. I've been on some gnarly trails and did feel very confident in my vehicle and the Carli suspension. I had some rubbing due to lowering the flatbed height, but Basil and his crew at Basil's Garage did a great job addressing the situation. Regarding the truck question - are you referring to something like the Mitsubishi Fuso or the Isuzu trucks? I did not look into those as I am under the impression the after-market support is limiting in what you can do with them. They seem more common in Australia if I am not mistaken.

[@seanmcelroy4764]

Nice rig beautiful setup

[@dtadventure4x4]

Thanks 👍

[@thetorotek4659]

Great Advice, "Living Space First then worry about the Rig"... in a couple years going to be moving into this similar situation where I work remotely and I plan to sell my house and all my things and go with this overland journey. I need to sleep, storage and a workspace to work during the day ... also trying to determine best toilet/shower situation for the long term solution. What would you recommend.

[@dtadventure4x4]

I made mistakes and it cost money. But funny enough, I am not freaking out about it because the learnings were plenty and the new rig is going to address all these issues. Don't shoot for perfection with your first rig. Accept that you will not get it right the first time and happiness will follow. I came to realize that I prefer having a permanent wet bath and a specific dinette setup to be productive, but also be able to relax. I prefer taking a shower daily - even if it is just a short rinse-off. I did not go with a cassette toiled on purpose. The Trelino is great. Small, comfortable, and the waste is easy to bag and discard.

[@GnarlesBronson]

Thanks for the video. Can you share some of the other smaller flatbed companies you were considering?

[@dtadventure4x4]

Here you go. I have no experience with either one. Please do your homework. DDFAB Double Diamond Fabrication Alumbody Highway Products

[@GnarlesBronson]

No, if I go with one and they suck it’s all YOUR fault 😂

[@ogaddcb]

Our longest outings are approximately 3 months. The decision to stay with the OEM bed was based on weight. We would rather carry 30 gallons more water than the added weight difference of a flatbed we were considering. 2022 F 250 long bed camper special option with 7.3 mountain motor 4.30 gears.

[@dtadventure4x4]

I think the Bowen Customs flatbed actually saves you weight in comparison to the OEM bed, but not sure if that applies to 8' bed. The 7.3 Godzilla with the 4.30 gears is a beast. I had this on my Tremor and also have it on the new F350 with the longer bed.

[@insane_jarvis_9857]

@@dtadventure4x4 I think that RAM pickup beds are steel, while Ford pickup beds are aluminum. If this is true, then it seems possible that a Bowen flatbed could be a net weight savings on a RAM, but not a Ford. Someone correct me if I'm wrong here.

[@ericbreden7585]

​@@insane_jarvis_9857you're not wrong. Factory Ford bed is very light, probably in the 350lb range. My OEV flatbed is 725.

[@Shawn2ndaccount]

I know you and I have talked about this in private. Being a full-time overlander myself a flat bed is something that is absolutely not needed. They are way overpriced, I should say extremely overpriced. I have more than enough room to store things as I drive international. I look at these flatbeds for weekend worrior to show their trucks. Overlanding has absolutely nothing to do with how your vehicle looks but all about the adventure. 3 companies wanted 22k-28k for a flatbed and side cabinets for my truck. That's alot of gas money for adventure around the world. Here's the math, let's say they use 500 pounds of aluminum. 3.00 a pound 1500 in aluminum. Hardware, let's say 1000. So roughly 2500-3000 USD in material. Now they need a skilled welder. Let's say 2000k for that at most 5k to build and for the material, and they sell it for 25,000 USD or more. Absolutely a joke. If they cut the price in half, I would consider it. At the end of the day, the cost versus me gong on adventure full-time , 'll take the adventure and let the weekend warriors drive their flatbed around town.