Box truck camping tips..

[FeetOfClay]

Any tips for attaching tarps/fabric to the back end of the truck, and then staking out to the ground to create an "awning"?

Lemur posted this cool pic of his "box truck house" with a large tarp hanging down and off the back. This allowed him to keep the back open all week.

How might one affix said materials to back of truck, and then into ground? could i just use heavy duty stakes for that, or would i need rebar?

[lucky420]

FeetOfClay,

The shady side of the truck makes for a good shady spot too and you don't have to fiddle with tarps, staking, etc

[FIGJAM]

Park with the back facing north.

[Super Evil Brian]

I need a box truck, it seems.

The tent and shade thing seems a little barbaric compared to having an actual structure, and a box truck is less prissy than an RV. Although having an RV doesn't sound like a bad plan either.

[Straightveg]

Bump for confirmation that the code posted earlier in the thread still works, and I've now got a truck reserved, Yay!

[junglesmacks]

Bump for confirmation that the code posted earlier in the thread still works, and I've now got a truck reserved, Yay!

That it does, and good move! Very soon they will be totally booked up.. I would say within the next 3-4 weeks. Get on this while you can!

Use coupon code "U368037", select a "business" rental, select the Gentry Way location ONLY as pickup and return. Still coming in at $28.53/day with $0.17/mile. Awesome deal! These are like rental car prices but for your own RV!!

[SquirrelHead]

JS are they totally metal inside? If so I was planning on using magnets to string up lights inside for fun and so I can see in there.

[junglesmacks]

Metal roof, fiberglass walls with 1x2 wood stringers running lengthwise on the walls.

Harbor Freight $3 blue magnetic backed LED lights work killer for roof mounted room lighting.

[junglesmacks]

So I've been doing some thinking about shade for the truck this year. The last few years, the girl and I have sweated it out inside from noon - 5pm. Ugh. The primary issue is the sheet metal roof which heats up hot enough to fry eggs on and then radiates heat inside like an oven.

What I'm thinking about doing is getting an 18 x 24 silver tarp with 2x pool noodles and PVC piping ran through them. Supports over the roof of the truck with the excess hanging and bending over the sides and tarp lashed around and secured to under the truck. It should give roof and side shade for sure. Materials cost should be pretty minimal..

Thoughts?

Lame drawing:

[FIGJAM]

Looks good!

I think I would spring for some extra pvc for the length of the shade to attach the edge of the tarp to, where the pvc bows down on the sides.

For that large of tarp, use 1"pvc.

[junglesmacks]

1" PVC.. hm. I wonder if I can get it through the center of the pool noodles though? Do you think 4" is enough of a gap between the tarp and the roof of the truck? What else could I use besides pool noodles to provide that gap?

[FIGJAM]

Now that you mention it, it would;nt have to be pool noodles.

Normaly the more space the better, but if it's a windy year, the air will circulate through that space so fast it won't get a chance to heat up.

But you might look for some 6" or larger heavy cardboard tube, cause once you run the pvc through it a sinch everything down, I don't think it would move around much.

Or something like this......

https://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rls=HPIC,HPIC:2011-50,HPIC:en&q=6%22+flex+tubing#q=6%22+flex+tubing&hl=en&rls=HPIC,HPIC:2011-50,HPIC:en&prmd=imvns&source=univ&tbm=shop&tbo=u&sa=X&ei=nyvpT870OMqK2gXAwcG3Ag&ved=0CIIBELMY&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=99efa3b7ea9deccb&biw=1360&bih=589

[junglesmacks]

Ahhh haaaa.. and that would let me use any sized piping that I wanted. I'm thinking that I could even use triangular FedEx shippers for large rolled documents/plans. I mean.. the free-er, the better..

[FIGJAM]

I did a quick google for "6" flex tubing", then edited my post.

[junglesmacks]

Hmm..plastic tubing. 6" diameter would be expensive though. I'm thinking if you used ridid enough paper tubes, that you could get away with 2 x 18" sections per pipe. Total width of the box truck is 7' 5".

[FIGJAM]

Yeah, I just looked that up on a whim.

The heavy paper tubes should be fine if you can get the diameter you want.

Maybe 1/4" thick sidewall.

It does'nt matter how short they are, cause you can string um on like giant beads!

[gaminwench]

... and the pool noodles can/will come apart if there's any friction points... (styrofoam-like substances don't fare well on the playa).

[junglesmacks]

On second thought, I may just ditch the PVC and go straight to the ground with rebar.

Total height of 16' truck with 6" tubes - 12'
Total width of 16' truck - 7.5'

Using am 18' x 24' tarp, that leaves roughly 8' per side to cover the sides as well.. so with the sides staked at 3' +/- out from the sides.. that virtually shades the entire box compartment.

6" x 24" HD tubes - $35/10 - http://www.packagingsupplies.com/Brown_ ... _Caps.html


DINGDINGDINGDING! WE HAVE A WINNER!


EDIT: Trilo - I saw your post in the FL thread about trying to get 12" - 18" spacing between the tarp and truck. While ideal, the manner of doing this economically and with virtually zero prep time due to flying in.. it makes it challenging. I mean.. I suppose that I could quick build a rack of some sort there in the Home Depot parking lot with some 1x2s.. Hmm.

[FIGJAM]

If you go to a 30' tarp you'll have shade outside the truck to sit in.

[junglesmacks]

If you go to a 30' tarp you'll have shade outside the truck to sit in.

True.. especially since I'll be on the 3 side this year. If I park the truck facing N/S pointing towards 9.. then I could skew the W side of the truck to have more tarp length and block more hot afternoon sun..

[Drawingablank]

Those cardboard forms they sell for making concrete pilings / footings are available in most lumber yards.

A quick search of HD's site turned up a 10" x 48" one for 7.68 each. Model # 65470006

[FIGJAM]

How are you going to keep the spacers from creeping toward the center?

I was thinking rope through the tubes and cinched to the frame of the truck at the front and back of the box.

Some 1/4" cord would probibly work, just to keep the tubes from shifting.

[junglesmacks]

Ooo.. good thought on both counts, DAB and Figgy! Some paracord ran through the tubes and wrapped around the box and secured under the truck should work to keep them from shifting..

..and yeah.. I never thought about concrete form tubes! PERFECT!! Readily accessible and economical. Use 2 of those back to back and they would hang just a little over.. and x 2 rows.. that should be sufficient if the tarp is pulled taught enough..

I'm liking this idea..

[Drawingablank]

They will provide a larger air space as well.

[BoyScoutGirl]

Do those wooden rails on the inside walls seem sturdy enough to mount a hammock on? I'm thinking two or three hammocks might be easier than trying to arrange for real furniture.

[Drawingablank]

Do those wooden rails on the inside walls seem sturdy enough to mount a hammock on? I'm thinking two or three hammocks might be easier than trying to arrange for real furniture.

Those rails are designed for securing loads to so unless broken they should work for hammocks - that is our plan.

[junglesmacks]

Do those wooden rails on the inside walls seem sturdy enough to mount a hammock on? I'm thinking two or three hammocks might be easier than trying to arrange for real furniture.

Lemur mentioned something about them working well for that purpose. There are places where the rails are bolted to the vertical side beams, so I would loop the hammock ends around those areas.

I plan on bringing one for a light siesta.. but never for sleeping in. Trying to get a good nights sleep in one is near impossible, let alone getting some nookie.

Queen size mattress set FTW.

[junglesmacks]

Just a note that I re-did my reservation right now to get a 16' w/ lift gate (5'1" girlfriends appreciate that kind of stuff..)

..and the coupon code of U368037 is still working and trucks are still available at the Gentry Way location. They must be on their last ones by now as usually by mid July they're all booked up. Get on it now if you're thinking about it! You only have to reserve with $1 on the card and pay nothing until pickup. Cancel anytime with no penalty.

Also.. it should be noted that all 16' trucks with lift gates are diesel only vs non-lift gate trucks will always be gas. I've done both, and the MPG is negligible between the two. I personally liked the gasoline truck better not to mention the higher price of diesel fuel and scarcity of availability. If you're tall enough to climb in and out of the truck and/or don't care, then go with a non-lift gate model for sure.

Although.. it's a pretty fun and useful little elevator when coming in to recharge in the middle of the night while *intoxicated.

[lucky420]

last year mid-august I saw a huge fleet of 16 footers headed east on I80 into Reno. Bet my bottom dollar they were for burners!

[junglesmacks]

last year mid-august I saw a huge fleet of 16 footers headed east on I80 into Reno. Bet my bottom dollar they were for burners!

For sure! The Gentry Way location is pretty well known at this point and Budget corporate makes special concessions to make sure that they get all the trucks they need. Being one of the first to show up is always a trip as they have trucks stashed in every location that they can find..