BETTER LIVING
Out Back
Once the truck was prepared to go anywhere and handle a load, it was time to build out the back of the truck to securely carry that load. The frame was first lengthened by 8 inces to perfectly accommodate the Lance 825 slidein truck camper. Then a very cool custom aluminum flatbed, with full-size spare tire carrier, was designed and fabricated by Arcform, with Sherptek helping out with a nicely integrated custom camper mounting system.
To finish off the rear of the truck, a fully custom Highway Products 9-box aluminum storage system was installed. This system offers a huge amount of cavernous versatile storage space. It is regularly set up to carry: front camper jacks, a 120-watt Zamp Portable solar panel, a Magnum BBQ, two 5-gallon Front Runner jerry cans, Warn HD Epic Off Road Recovery Kit, full mechanic’s tool kit, air tools, a built-in compressor system, firewood, and an array of adventure sports gear. The storage boxes also hide the DEF and diesel fill, which have been relocated inside a locking box over the wheel well. All the boxes feature LED lighting that automatically activates when the doors are opened. The slide out 12v beer fridge might just be the storage box system’s best feature, and probably most used.
Lance Camper
A Lance 825 short bed slide-in truck camper was installed atop the flatbed, and the entire truck was designed to precisely conform to the camper, optimizing space and creating a very clean build. The camper has all the creature comforts of home, including: a 30-gallon fresh water tank, full bathroom, dual burner stove top, kitchen sink, 3 cu/ft refrigerator with ice box, room to sleep four, 300 watts of solar, 18k BTU propane furnace, rear and side awnings, dual pane insulated windows, and a comfortable cabover queen-size bed. The camper also has the Lance Cold Weather Package, making it a great four season home. To refine the unit even further for his purposes, Wirth removed the microwave, TV antenna and air conditioner, mostly to save weight and create more storage space.