Bed Build Planning

[rickeieio]

3 hours ago, trimster said:

So I'm pushing $10k on my build. Tools, fab, steel/metal,  paint.

I mentioned that you did some things that at the time, I thought frivolous.  Now I wish I'd followed suit.  It'll be in the presentation......

[lappir]

It's been fun watching your posts and looking at the photos. Sorry I can't see the official reveal at the ECR. Will the presentation be available after the event? 

 

Rod

[rickeieio]

Thanks Rod.  It's encouraging when I hear from someone who is paying attention to the old broken down farmer's ramblings.  This has been a fun project, and I've learned a lot.  There's a long list of things I wouldn't do again, which will be part of the presentation.

As far as the presentation being available, that's up to Carl.  He's retired and has nothing else to do.........😁

[Darryl&Rita]

2 hours ago, rickeieio said:

This has been a fun project, and I've learned a lot. 

Every time I learn something new, I forget something I've known for years. It has been a real pleasure watching the progress, even if you didn't do things the way I would have.

[rickeieio]

Some of the things I would do differently:

Design as less component count.  This bed comes apart as 11 pieces, nearly all manageable by a person.  Only one requires a fork lift or other lifting device.  I could reduce the panel count and lessen the bolt count.  Thus less alignment issues.

Design in CAD and have pieces cut/bent/punched. (more $$, but likely worth it)

Leave more access to rear of lights.

On the flip side, I achieved my goals of: lower deck height, lower car height, no frame isolators needed, no cross members, relatively low cost.  Service access to rear axles with bed in place, grin factor of doing it myself.

In the end, I paid for metal bending and paint.  Everything else, we (Susan, myself, and a couple passer-by helpers) did ourselves.   And it shows.  I'm not a welder or a real fabricator.  There are flaws.  I should have spent more time on body finishing.  But it's done.

 

[JPL]

Great looking Bed! Being able to do it yourself gives a person a real since of accomplishment. You and your assistant did a magnificent job. Something to be proud of because you did it "Yourself". I wish we could be at the ECR but having sold Pats Pride after towing with it for 10 years we don't have anything to tow! So have a great week and our thoughts will be there even if we aren't.    Pat

 

 

The Old Sailor

[rickeieio]

Thanks Pat.  I wish you could be there too.

[SuiteSuccess]

1 hour ago, rickeieio said:

Thanks Pat.  I wish you could be there too.

X2

[rickeieio]

I formally introduced the KW to the Newmar today.  Hitching up with an ET is similar to our old hitch, but not the same.  New pieces, tight tolerances, not enough weight transfer to the hitch all conspired to make things difficult.  But we prevailed.

Of course, while hitching up I noticed my rear most running lights on the bed were operating with my brake lights.  Huh?  How could that be?  After some head scratching, I determined there must be a stray strand of wire in the 7 pin outlet causing issues. (Trailer was plugged in.) Of course the outer case was broken and pieces missing on my brand new outlet.  Blame it on the paint shop.  Went to get my spare outlet (always carry a spare) and realized this WAS my spare.  Now I needed two.

Took it all apart and learned Fluid Film doesn't taste good.  I was holding some of the screws in my lips so as not to drop them.......  More pondering led to me checking the Jackalopee to check which wire was ground.  Gotta be that bigger white one, right?  Sure it is.  But that didn't stop me from plugging it onto the "reverse in" tab.  Dumba$$.

Tomorrow we check air pressures, wheel bearings, and load tool boxes.  And mow grass, before we need to bale it.

[rpsinc]

Another follower here.  I plan on "stealing" your rear design.  I like it.  Mine is in need of some improvements and lengthening as I have NO underbed boxes but need them.  I got my DROM mounted and the doors for it as well.

I have taken photos and attempted to post on this topic but cant seem to figure out how to get them to a size that will allow for posting.  Seems all my pics at more than 1.2.  Is there another way?

I am glad to have you all share your ideas and handywork.  It all looks good from here.

[rickeieio]

Thanks.  Knowing I've helped others is huge.  And sharing the pitfalls is at least as important as the successes.

BTW, I didn't make up that rear design.  I copied it from others, and gave it a personal touch.

As for posting photos, I use the link posted near the top of the index page, first suggested here by, I believe, Carl Wagner and later put up permanently by Jack.

[SuiteSuccess]

“As for posting photos, I use the link posted near the top of the index page, first suggested here by, I believe, Carl Wagner and later put up permanently byJack.”

Thanks for the props Rick but have to give Jack full credit for the picture posting link.

[rickeieio]

Well, I guess my remembererer isn't as good as it once was either.

[lappir]

On 4/14/2022 at 8:14 PM, SuiteSuccess said:

“As for posting photos, I use the link posted near the top of the index page, first suggested here by, I believe, Carl Wagner and later put up permanently byJack.”

Thanks for the props Rick but have to give Jack full credit for the picture posting link.

Thanks to who ever put it up.

 

It does need some clarification for use, but not sure how it can be done. It's much easier than the "OLD" way of posting, but certainly not as easy as a lot of forums I participate in. 

 

Rod

[rickeieio]

The presentation at the ECR was today, so as advertised. here's the finished product:

 

[DanZemke]

Truly impressive.

Congratulations! It looks great.

[Chad Heiser]

Great job a the presentation today.  You both should be proud of what you did.

[lappir]

8 hours ago, rickeieio said:

The presentation at the ECR was today, so as advertised. here's the finished product:

 

Looks great. 

 

Rod

[rickeieio]

Thanks.  Although it was fun, I wouldn't do it the same way again.   But it suits our needs, for now.

[SuiteSuccess]

Second the great presentation. Thanks Rick. 

[dblr]

Yes, thanks Rick I enjoyed the presentation, great job!!!!!!

[Nigel]

Looks very nice Rick.

[Larry Burkett]

Looks very nice.

[rickeieio]

Coming to these rallies was a great inspiration to attempt this project.  We gleaned a bunch of ideas from other beds, both commercially built, and home brewed.  We couldn't have done it without that perspective and the encouragement we received from others.  This group has been my driving force.  Thank you.

[hone eagle]

looks really good ,wish i could of seen it in person