A man + a plan = Freedom truck!
30 May 07
As promised, here’s how David modified a simple pantech truck to provide sleeping, living, cooking, and washing spaces for camping freedom wherever we happen to be!
Here's David loading the truck for a vinyl job. In the background, you can see rolls of vinyl stacked in the shed.
Looking into the back of the truck, with the sleeper cab doors open.
Tools and accessories are stored within the cages. The grey carpeted area at the far right of the picture hides the shower area which is accessed from within the sleeper cab.
The far left of the picture shows the kitchen area (with grey carpet on the walls).
Here's the kitchen! The tap runs into the sink from a water tank up on a top shelf, and water is brought down in the purple pipe. The sink empties down a back mud-flap (so it's not so obvious). There are three drawers: two for food storage and one for cutlery. Our 3-way fridge will sit in the cavity under the sink (below the drawer).
The bottom part of the sleeper-cab has bench seats with storage hidden underneath. We have made bed slats that run from the bench seats to the wall and a single mattress fits onto the space, providing a bed for the girls.
Within the sleeper cab, David has cut an escape hatch into the floor. The shelves in the corner feature 12v cigarette lighter outlets for plugging in the laptop or stereo.
The entrance to the shower is on the other side of the sleeper cab. You can see the tap control for the shower in the wall. The nozzle is on the ground (partially hidden) with the water pump. When in operation, the pump sits in the water well in the far left corner. The shower is powered by gas and provides hot water. Yay!
Here's one of the handy storage cupboards built-in (complete with its own light!). This one backs onto the kitchen area.
The rungs lead to a king-sized sleeping space. David has installed 12v lights throughout the truck.
Upstairs, the sleeping space will fit two adults comfortably, and possibly two small children too (though the plan is for them to sleep downstairs on the mattress)! There's a heater in the cupboard in the back left corner. On the roof, David has cut two hatches that provide light and ventilation. The far left of the picture shows one of two doors (closed) that open into the back of the truck, providing another entry to the sleeping space and more air for the claustrophobic.
Please leave your comments — this has been David’s project for several months. And feel free to ask questions — David would love to answer them.
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1 · Alan Shea · 1 June 2007, 11:30
Wow, well done! Very nice looking, and much better in real life I’m sure. Sounds like fun camper to go on holiday in. – Alan
2 · CH · 2 June 2007, 12:33
WOW!!!!
Have you sent any photos to the cool truck magazines??
I’d also love to see an exterior shot of the truck to prove that this actually a truck that you are working in?
How are the 4 of you going to fit in the cabin when driving???
3 · Brad · 2 June 2007, 23:35
Wow, David! Cool! No fair! I want to go camping, too! Well done, my friend. It appears that you’ve thought of everything. What did you use for the shower walls and did you simply caulk the corners? I trust the maiden voyage of le Camion will be a true joy ride. Bon voyage!
And are you now on your way?
Love,
Brad
4 · Nancy DeValve · 4 June 2007, 17:06
Wow! This is amazing!! Well done! I’d like to see a picture of the outside of the truck….not sure what a pantech truck is.
5 · mum · 22 June 2007, 10:51
What an amazing achievement!!! You are a hero. God bless you
6 · Ree · 23 June 2007, 13:19
All I can say is Wow!! I am so impressed. Well done David and Lauren too. Can’t wait to see it for myself.
7 · Allison · 10 July 2007, 08:37
WOW! That is amazing!! I’m am fully impressed – it looks great and I am also impressed how you 4 could fit in the cabin while you are driving! Amazing….
8 · Lisa Wood · 19 September 2011, 22:14
That is one amazing truck! Would love to see a video tour of how its all set up…do you have a toilet as well as a shower? What about seats for travelling?
Cheers
Lisa
9 · Lauren · 22 September 2011, 12:49
There’s a bench seat within the sleeper-cab section of the truck where the girls sit when we’re travelling.
We use a portable cassette toilet.