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Lets see your dirtbag modile

Rich Farnham · · Nederland, CO · Joined Aug 2002 · Points: 297

Some pretty sweet set-ups here, but I have to know more about "the Beast". I've never seen a dually van before. How about some pics of the inside?

RockinOut · · NY, NY · Joined May 2010 · Points: 100

I'm actually reading this and writing this from my phone sitting in a walmart parking lot in flagstaff, Az...going to be on the road until mid december. Left NYC hit up NRG, RRG, Hueco Tanks. Next stop is Red Rock than Bishop. Possibly Fort Collins, weather pending. My buddy and I are driving/ sleeping in his Yukon Xl. Rear seat taken out and the front bench seat folded down flat. All our gear is stacked behind the front 2 seats and we sleep on the crash pads that are opened up flat in the back.

KevinCO · · Loveland, CO · Joined Mar 2006 · Points: 60
Rich Farnham wrote:Some pretty sweet set-ups here, but I have to know more about "the Beast". I've never seen a dually van before. How about some pics of the inside?
Rich,

This will hold you over until you get pics:

earthroamer.com/
Kai Larson · · Sandy, UT · Joined Jan 2006 · Points: 436

I don't really know how much mpg I lose. I've not kept track. It's pretty thin when it's shut. Wouldn't be any worse than having a rocket box, or other storage on top. There a several different types of roof-top tents. This is one of the thinner more aerodynamic ones.

They are very sturdy. Provided that your roof rack is attached well, you're not going to have any issues with it coming off the car.

Taking it on and off isn't too difficult, but it's a LOT easier if you've got 2 people, as it's kind of bulky and heavy (85 pounds) to lift up onto the top of the car with one person. It attaches to the crossbars of a Thule rack with some bolts and brackets. Once you get it lifted onto the rack, fastening it down takes about 15 minutes. Only difference between this and any other thing you attach to the rack, is that they recommend that you use 3 crossbars instead of the typical 2 bars.

It's pretty thin and low profile when collapsed, and I haven't had any issues with wind shear, even when a big semi truck blows by me heading the opposite direction, pushing a lot of wind.

It's super convenient. When you want to set up camp, it takes literally about a minute to erect the tent. Undo one latch, push up the tent, and it just pops up. Extend the ladder, and you're done. Way better/easier than setting up a ground tent, particularly in snowy/muddy conditions. It's just way cool, kind of like a portable tree house. : ) Bed is big enough for 2 adults (about the size of a queen mattress) and the mattress is super cush. There's an insulated liner for camping in really cold conditions.

I really like it. Only downside is price. They aren't cheap.

autohomeus.com/

johnL wrote: Kai, I've looked into those tent bullet box things before. They seem perfect in a lot of ways. Am I correct to assume that you lose approx 4mpg with it? How sturdy is it, I'd be concerned that it'd turn into a wing on a windy day and rip off the top at 75mph. Of course I'm from Wyoming so these things worry me. Also, how easy is it to remove and install. I wouldn't want to drive around with that up there every day but to put it on and take it off 3-4x a month would get old if it's a major project. It seems like a no brainer. It completely opens up the inside of your vehicle for people and gear, allows you leave your bed made, requires only level ground, allows you buy a high mpg vehicle to tool around in. You don't have to unpack anything to sleep. The only disadvantage I see is wind resistance or more accurately, wind shear. Basically, tell me more.
cdavis · · NC · Joined Sep 2010 · Points: 5
Truck

I have a platform built into the back of my 01 Tacoma. It's just high enough for my cooler, a few action packers and a couple of haulbags to fit underneath, and roomy* enough for me to sleep on top of all the gear. Ventilation can be a problem so I have a battery operated fan that will move the air around enough so that the condensation doesn't get out of control.

  • When compared to submarine bunks


Definitely a few things I would improve (and will do with the next one, whenever this Tacoma dies, which will probably be another 100k, since I only have 200k on it now):

1. Carpet headliner in topper to reduce condensation problems and make it warmer in winter
2. Slightly taller cap (mid-height, slightly taller than cab) for more headroom/gear room
3. This platform system: pigseye.com/jackson/bed.htm
4. "Windoors" on the topper for better access to my crap and more ventilation
Scott O · · Anchorage · Joined Mar 2010 · Points: 70
cdavis wrote: I have a platform built into the back of my 01 Tacoma. It's just high enough for my cooler, a few action packers and a couple of haulbags to fit underneath, and roomy* enough for me to sleep on top of all the gear. Ventilation can be a problem so I have a battery operated fan that will move the air around enough so that the condensation doesn't get out of control. *When compared to submarine bunks Definitely a few things I would improve (and will do with the next one, whenever this Tacoma dies, which will probably be another 100k, since I only have 200k on it now): 1. Carpet headliner in topper to reduce condensation problems and make it warmer in winter 2. Slightly taller cap (mid-height, slightly taller than cab) for more headroom/gear room 3. This platform system: pigseye.com/jackson/bed.htm 4. "Windoors" on the topper for better access to my crap and more ventilation
I've slept in that dirtbagmobile. In fact, it's the model for the one I'm building. I'm definitely incorporating that new platform system.
Toby Butterfield · · Portland, OR · Joined Aug 2010 · Points: 140

Where are you finding cushions like that? Or are you making them?

Sims · · Centennial · Joined Sep 2007 · Points: 655
Nathan Scherneck · · Portland, OR · Joined Nov 2009 · Points: 2,370
Toby B wrote:Where are you finding cushions like that? Or are you making them?
Also interested in learning how to make these cushions. Thanks for reviving the thread :) Would love to see more dirtbag mobiles...
Matt N · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2010 · Points: 415

'93 Mazda MX6 - Its up to 330,000+ miles now. No ground clearance, but it can still hold plenty of stuff for 1-2 people and gets 34 MPG+ on road trips!
Want to get a rig setup, but hard to give up the gas mileage for those long drives to the mountains...

Ian Stewart · · Unknown Hometown · Joined May 2010 · Points: 155

This is my 1997 Ram 2500 Conversion Van. I bought it a couple years ago when it had 43k miles, and I paid $2k for it. I originally bought it to haul a dirt bike, but then once I got rid of the bike I decided to turn it into a camper for my wife and I. I built a full size queen bed in the back, with about 14" of clearance underneath for tons of storage. The foot of the bed (closest to the front, near the side doors) folds up to become a bench/seating area in case you need more room to change or if the weather is poor and you need to eat inside.

The 14mpg highway is kinda shitty, but the convenience is pretty neat. We recently used it to tow all of our stuff in a uHaul trailer and move from the Bay Area to Fort Collins, and I couldn't have imagined a more comfortable and convenient vehicle to do it in. =)

1997 Ram 2500 Camper Van, outside.

1997 Ram 2500 Camper Van, bed.

1997 Ram 2500 Camper Van, bench.

Nathan Scherneck · · Portland, OR · Joined Nov 2009 · Points: 2,370

Sims, great photo albums. Really enjoyed the El Trono Blanco one.

Mark Rafferty · · Rapid City, SD · Joined Apr 2014 · Points: 1,843
Mark Rafferty · · Rapid City, SD · Joined Apr 2014 · Points: 1,843
Luc Ried · · Batesville, AR · Joined Mar 2014 · Points: 440
M Clark · · San Antonio, TX · Joined Jan 2015 · Points: 45

Yes Yes I'm one of those sheeple who has a car payment (/sarcasm). Looking forward to sleeping in the back when I finally make it out to big bend this fall!

Cayuse · · Spokane · Joined Apr 2013 · Points: 20

Had a sleeping platform/to[[er situation in my Tundra but when this camper came available locally the old bones said some additional creature comforts would be nice. Furnace is definitely nice on cold mornings, I've added solar on top and changed out the fridge to a compressor style rather than absorbtion/3-way.

City of Rocks

Vantage

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

General Climbing
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