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

Nice rig beautiful setup

@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.

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.

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!

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.

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!

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.