M1088 camper conversion

[ckouba]

Today was glamor shots day.

Every now and then it feels like I need to get it out of the stall and see what it looks like in the open air. It's just as big as I remember but it's not as overwhelming as it was the first time I rolled it out of the build carport. Feels good to know that everything can fit within the envelope like I had designed.

 

[Mullaney]

Today was glamor shots day.

Every now and then it feels like I need to get it out of the stall and see what it looks like in the open air. It's just as big as I remember but it's not as overwhelming as it was the first time I rolled it out of the build carport. Feels good to know that everything can fit within the envelope like I had designed.

.
Definitely Neat!

I know I have mentioned the steps before - but that is definitely a good way to do that. A wooden box with a no-slip top outside would make it easy to step up into the truck. First Class so far!!

 

[Reworked LMTV]

Today was glamor shots day.

Every now and then it feels like I need to get it out of the stall and see what it looks like in the open air. It's just as big as I remember but it's not as overwhelming as it was the first time I rolled it out of the build carport. Feels good to know that everything can fit within the envelope like I had designed.

What did you choose for a skin? Metal, FRP, or Wood? One of the things I like is that you allowed for plenty of room for the rear tire travel. I see lot of builds that really hamper this.

 

[bhound]

I LIKE! Microsoft Word - 2003-01-3377.doc (solusinc.com) Seeing the front end above the cab that flat surface will create wind drag .Heres a file i found,maybe i'll help

 

[ckouba]

What did you choose for a skin? Metal, FRP, or Wood? One of the things I like is that you allowed for plenty of room for the rear tire travel. I see lot of builds that really hamper this.

Still putting that choice off for now. I have found a sheet material of very thin alu, plastic, very thin alu for sign making which seems pretty popular with the pop top camper crowd. Thinking of using that. Also thinking just plain alu. Lots to still figure out...

I LIKE! Microsoft Word - 2003-01-3377.doc (solusinc.com) Seeing the front end above the cab that flat surface will create wind drag .Heres a file i found,maybe i'll help

Understood. Concept is not fully executed yet. Plan to do something similar to this, except fully surfaced and not just an open basket:

(pic off the web of the twoifoverland rig)

Might be marginal but willing to see if it makes a difference, and the storage will come in handy too!

 

[bhound]

Just so the idea seed is planted

 

[Recce01]

This is a fantastic build thread! Thank you so much for taking the time to post for us to enjoy! I am in the midst of a similar build, so your attack method is reassuring that non-full time RV builders can do it! I just read the whole thread, and I look forward to seeing this develop!

I completely feel your nerves RE pass through. I just did mine yesterday. It was the moment when it became "real" if you will. Up to that point, in my mind at least..... it could always be taken back to a utility truck. The wife came out and said, well... there is no turning back now!!

 

[Reworked LMTV]

A manly, my kinda build!

 

[ramdough]

This is a fantastic build thread! Thank you so much for taking the time to post for us to enjoy! I am in the midst of a similar build, so your attack method is reassuring that non-full time RV builders can do it! I just read the whole thread, and I look forward to seeing this develop!

I completely feel your nerves RE pass through. I just did mine yesterday. It was the moment when it became "real" if you will. Up to that point, in my mind at least..... it could always be taken back to a utility truck. The wife came out and said, well... there is no turning back now!!

View attachment 830579View attachment 830580View attachment 830581

Looks good. You need to start a thread so I can ask questions. Want to know what lock you used.


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[ckouba]

This is a fantastic build thread! Thank you so much for taking the time to post for us to enjoy! I am in the midst of a similar build, so your attack method is reassuring that non-full time RV builders can do it! I just read the whole thread, and I look forward to seeing this develop!

I completely feel your nerves RE pass through. I just did mine yesterday. It was the moment when it became "real" if you will. Up to that point, in my mind at least..... it could always be taken back to a utility truck. The wife came out and said, well... there is no turning back now!!

Indeed, looking good Recce! Get your build thread started!! I don't know if you have a thread somewhere else but despite the somewhat non-traditional re-purposing of these vehicles, this has been an impressively welcoming and supportive forum. Great info, very little BS to distract, and some very good people.

Welcome to the circus.

 

[Recce01]

Indeed, looking good Recce! Get your build thread started!! I don't know if you have a thread somewhere else but despite the somewhat non-traditional re-purposing of these vehicles, this has been an impressively welcoming and supportive forum. Great info, very little BS to distract, and some very good people.

Welcome to the circus.

I know, I need to start one over here. I have been building our truck at way too slow of a pace, reading your thread has put my a$$ in gear lol. This forum has put up with me in the past, when I retrieved my project from Tennessee. If you want to see what a newb 1083 owner is like ... you can have a few good laughs over in my thread... https://www.steelsoldiers.com/threads/2000-mile-road-trip-in-an-fmtv.173506/
I can remember being super paranoid, had it all on the line, freaking out at every turn. Is funny to look back on now. I have some build pics on Instagram @endlessatlas . I won't be hijacking your thread, but had to chime in with a tip of the hat to you Sir .

Scott G.

 

[Recce01]

I have a few questions for you if you dont mind.
1. What is the difference in habitat height from behind the cab, to the very rear?
2. You seemed to find the spring rate information on the 1088 somewhere. I am hoping to find similar information for my 1083. Is there a resource you located?

Thanks!

 

[ckouba]

I have a few questions for you if you dont mind.
1. What is the difference in habitat height from behind the cab, to the very rear?
2. You seemed to find the spring rate information on the 1088 somewhere. I am hoping to find similar information for my 1083. Is there a resource you located?

Thanks!

1 - Will need to get back to you later (not home right now). It should be fairly consistent though, as it is built squarely on the chassis, which has no static rake to it. I think I am right at 12' right now, but will have solar and branch deflectors up there as well (maybe ~3" higher?).

2 - I read somewhere on the internet that the M1088 has a 12.5k spring pack. Unfortunately I forget where. The assumption was that all the leaves are the same rate when I did my math. This may or may not be accurate. The mod was recommended by someone who has much more experience doing this than I do and I decided to trust his lead. If your spring pack looks the same as mine (4 leaves plus the over-ride), I'd be inclined to think it's a 12.5k pack. Someone here might be able to definitively tell you though, or keep scouring the internet for the info.

 

[Recce01]

1 - Will need to get back to you later (not home right now). It should be fairly consistent though, as it is built squarely on the chassis, which has no static rake to it. I think I am right at 12' right now, but will have solar and branch deflectors up there as well (maybe ~3" higher?).

2 - I read somewhere on the internet that the M1088 has a 12.5k spring pack. Unfortunately I forget where. The assumption was that all the leaves are the same rate when I did my math. This may or may not be accurate. The mod was recommended by someone who has much more experience doing this than I do and I decided to trust his lead. If your spring pack looks the same as mine (4 leaves plus the over-ride), I'd be inclined to think it's a 12.5k pack. Someone here might be able to definitively tell you though, or keep scouring the internet for the info.

Thanks for the info. I find myself in somewhat uncharted territory , or worse.... proprietary info territory . I will get my own thread going, hopefully today!. I think I am so excited to chat with other people doing this, that I will muddy the hell out of your build thread LOL.

 

[ckouba]

No worries Scott. Will PM you my contact info, feel free to use it.

 

[ckouba]

1 - Will need to get back to you later (not home right now). It should be fairly consistent though, as it is built squarely on the chassis, which has no static rake to it. I think I am right at 12' right now, but will have solar and branch deflectors up there as well (maybe ~3" higher?).

Confirmed- no rake to it. It is 145" across the top to the ground, near as I can measure to a gravel surface of the carport. No rake to the chassis, no rake to the habitat.

 

[ramdough]

1 - Will need to get back to you later (not home right now). It should be fairly consistent though, as it is built squarely on the chassis, which has no static rake to it. I think I am right at 12' right now, but will have solar and branch deflectors up there as well (maybe ~3" higher?).

2 - I read somewhere on the internet that the M1088 has a 12.5k spring pack. Unfortunately I forget where. The assumption was that all the leaves are the same rate when I did my math. This may or may not be accurate. The mod was recommended by someone who has much more experience doing this than I do and I decided to trust his lead. If your spring pack looks the same as mine (4 leaves plus the over-ride), I'd be inclined to think it's a 12.5k pack. Someone here might be able to definitively tell you though, or keep scouring the internet for the info.

I may be wrong, but I believe the 1088 has a stiffer spring pack. The tongue weight rating on those things is HUGE compared to the 5ton rating on the 1083. Also, I think the frame is stiffer in the 1088 due to the point load of the fifth wheel. Also, the 1088 has different CTIS settings, so they are expecting more weight on those tires.

I would try the 1083 as is before touching the springs. They are meant for less weight.


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[ckouba]

Was away for ~10 days exploring the southern UT desert with our little rig but have made some decent progress since returning. I am especially happy with this:

Presently it is just gravity powered but I have other supplies arriving shortly which will remedy that. The wifey is particularly pleased! I am also pretty content with the whole thing as it folds up completely into the space below the stairwell, so no loss of ground clearance and is invisible from the outside.

In addition, the doorway is now framed up (doors and windows arrived while I was away) and I am moving on to getting window apertures positioned. Once that's done. it's time to finish any reinforcing/triangulation work and fully weld all connections, and then grind any of the welds which need to lay flat. I also still need to incorporate a winch for the spares and a decent anchor system, but things are looking good. After that, it's off to powder coat and then skinning and building out the interior.

I had the door in the doorway yesterday for the first time and that made it actually feel like this thing is going to happen for real.

 

[Third From Texas]

Video is private.

 

[ckouba]

Video is private.

Fixed?