Truck bed Mods for fulltiming

[Trip and Lisa Participant 49765]

I started on our truck bed mods this past week with items I have been collecting for several years waiting for the time I could finally install them.

I started with a basically empty bed.Please note the goose neck hitch plate will be removed and is there for my equipt trailer.

I added a fishing rod holder made of heavy plastic stock with the usual screw on cap adapters and then all painted black and mounted using metal strap material.It is so hard to get that strapping tight so I used the wood blocks to that advantage as seen.

I then added an aluminum black tread plate toolbox to which I also replaced the one lock with the ace key lock and then added another ace key lock to the passenger side.I plan on having my tools and chain saw and some power tools back there so I want to make it as hard as possible for them to walk away.

Then I added two military surplus metal “jerrycans” for which I bought the hold down brackets online.I run a Dodge diesel and a gas generator so I have one for diesel and one for gas mounted to the bed floor and toolbox for stability and each has a padlock.

please see the photos.

“Life is a glass of adventure,make sure you drink every last drop” Trip Ruoff

• This topic was modified 1 week, 3 days ago by  Trip and Lisa.
• This topic was modified 1 week, 3 days ago by  Trip and Lisa.
• This topic was modified 1 week, 3 days ago by  Trip and Lisa.

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Attachments:

• MVC-011F

• MVC-012F

• MVC-013F

• MVC-014F

• MVC-015F

• MVC-016F

• MVC-017F

[Trip and Lisa Participant 49765]

We prefer to boondock when at all possible and as such we carry 4 propane tanks.Our tanks are carried in the front compartment of our 5th wheel and I did a recent mod there by adding a 3rd spare tank next to my two existing tanks along with 2 new 6 volt batteries.That left me with 1 spare tank to find a storage spot for so I bought a propane forklift tank bracket online and modified by adding locks to it so it too,doesn’t walk away.

In the photos I have placed it between the gas and diesel cans which to you fire buffs,could potentially cause a heck of situation of I am hit in the side of my truck.With that said,those jerry cans have been used and abused my the military for many years and the propane tanks and hardware have been improved on over the years as well and I have all mounted securely and if I get hit that hard,I’m probably gonna be a goner anyway.Fact is,at my age I can slip and fall in the shower if I forget the mat,,,and I tend to do that.I feel I have done a pretty good job with what I have and if you look at any class C or Class A,their propane tanks in relation to the gas lines are worse off than I have setup here.

I haven’t mounted the tank securely yet and am seriously thinking of putting my generator in that spot between my jerry cans and placing the propane at the rear of the truck again bolted to the floor.

I have added some more photos.

“Life is a glass of adventure,make sure you drink every last drop” Trip Ruoff

• This reply was modified 1 week, 3 days ago by  Trip and Lisa.
• This reply was modified 1 week, 3 days ago by  Trip and Lisa.

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Attachments:

• MVC-019F

[Trip and Lisa Participant 49765]

I then put my “blueboy” that rides on air ( see my earlier posting on that ) to the rear of the truck bed and still need to install a small hold down “D ring” so I can secure it with a small ratchet strap.

I set my generator on the rear corner.Now I bought this gen set years ago brand new and never used it so I realize it is the older one and not so quiet but it is what I have right now and we have plans for Eddie to install solar in our rig,so hopefully I will rarely need this.This generator has a rather large muffler and I have some tube stock so I can add a longer exhaust pipe to it and run it out the bottom of the truck once it is mounted and make it even quieter.I also like the fact it is electric start so we’ll use it for now.

Now lastly,I have the soft bed roll up cover I took off the truck.I am cutting down the brackets and will re-install them and take the truck to the upholstery shop and have the cover cut down so when the rig is unhooked,I can cover it all up.Out of site,out of mind and nice,neat look.I will post photos of that when completed.

I placed 2 plastic tubs,one on each side of the 5th wheel hitch.The two shown actually didn’t fit to my liking,so I got two more than fit perfectly and those will be ratchet strapped as well.My thoughts are to use one for sewage pipes etc. and the other for fresh water hoses and items pertaining to our fresh water needs.Easy to get to here as opposed to digging around in the basement.

We also have one of those nice fold up extension ladders which will fit perfectly under the 5th wheel hitch where I have a chain and again another lock to keep it from walking away.

Weight wise,with the truck full of fuel and us in it as well as the dogs and the gear,we should still be well within our weight limits.

Thanks for looking at our mods and feel free to comment or offer your thoughts.

“Life is a glass of adventure,make sure you drink every last drop” Trip Ruoff

• This reply was modified 1 week, 3 days ago by  Trip and Lisa.
• This reply was modified 1 week, 3 days ago by  Trip and Lisa.

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Attachments:

• MVC-022F

[Ray Keymaster 2660 Spit Rd, Campbell River, BC V9W 6E3, Canada]

Looks like a great setup Trip. Thanks for taking the time to post this. Some good ideas here. 

RVHH Chief Cook and Bottle Washer - LoveYourRV.com

[Trip and Lisa Participant 49765]

Thanks Ray,some of those ideas came from you,so thanks for that,like the ace key locks,great idea from you.

It’s funny,when one starts these mods,it seems it is a constant measuring with the tape and thinking about weights and heights etc.

I am going to try to get it all situated and finished this week and will try to post a photo when completed.

“Life is a glass of adventure,make sure you drink every last drop” Trip Ruoff

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