How to Build Your Own 4-Wheel Drive Truck Camper

Four wheel drive pickup trucks are ideal for camping.

Building a camper into a four wheel drive truck requires special attention. Traveling on bumpy roads can cause your gear to shift and also necessitate a solid camper interior to prevent damage on the back roads. You can build the camper using basic tools and lumber and complete the project in one or two days, depending on your skill level with carpentry. The truck must have a basic topper to prevent moisture from entering the bed and damaging the camper. You can purchase all of the other materials from a hardware store and lumber yard.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• Skill saw
• 2-by-4 lumber
• 1/32 drill bit
• 1/16 drill bit
• 3 inch wood screws
• Hex bolts
• 1 inch wood screws

Instructions

1. Park the truck in a safe work area. Remove all objects from the truck bed and sweep the bed clean. Measure the length of the bed and measure the width of the bed above the lip of the shell.

2. Use a skill saw to cut one 2-by-4 for every one foot of length in the truck. Cut the 2-by-4's to match the width of the camper shell. Use a 1/32 inch drill bit to put a pilot hole through each end of each 2-by-4, with the exception of the very front and back boards. Use the same bit to drill pilot holes through the camper shell lip for each board position except the front and back board.

3. Use a 1/16 inch bit to drill a hole through each end of the remaining 2-by-4's. Also use the bit to drill through the position for the end boards on the camper shell lip. Place the front and back boards into position and use a hex bolt to secure each end of the boards to the camper lip. Place the remainder of the boards into position and use a 3 inch wood screw to secure the boards.

4. Cover the 2-by-4's with 1/2 inch plywood and secure to the 2-by-4's with one inch wood screws. The amount of plywood required will depend on the size of the truck, but 2-3 sheets is standard. Use one inch wood screws to secure the plywood.

5. Cover the bed with a foam mattress and add pillows and sleeping bags. Store all of your gear beneath the bed and use storage containers for organization. The bed will remain secure while driving off-road.

Tips & Warnings

• Add Velcro strips above the windows and a removable curtain for extra privacy while camping.

• The bolts must be tightened to prevent the bed from shifting on bumpy roads. The wood screws will also assist and prevent the bed from moving.

References

• Truck Camping 101