gprguy
Well-Known Member
Soon I hope!
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4500 Camper/Jeep Hauler Build
- Thread starter gprguy
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- 4500 camper chassis cab jeep
gprguy
Well-Known Member
The big project over the last two weeks has been installing the trailer 360 and DRVM cameras in our enclosed cargo trailer so we can take the Jeeps to Moab in a couple of weeks. I didn't take a lot of in progress shots since this is all trailer specific, but it is fair to say that running wiring in a mostly hidden manner in a cargo trailer isn't the easiest thing I have done.
It came out nice though, there are two access hatches half way down so I could feed the wire to the side cameras.
The 360 processor box sits up above the front cabinets. Unfortunately I couldn't route the wiring through the front wall due to braces and beams being in the way, so some wire loom made it look reasonably decent. The DRVM cabling is incorporated into this as well.
From there it goes down in the cable race in the corner into the cabinets, and then out and through the floor.
Here's the rear cameras on the trailer spoiler.
And one of the side cameras before I cleaned up some of the extra sealant around the cable bushing. I 3D printed several cable bushings and chafe protectors for this project which was really handy.
Lastly the "docking stations" mounted to the tongue for when the trailer is parked.
@Lancemchn and I took it for a test run today and the cameras work great. It's much easier to back down my driveway now. Next stop Moab!
It came out nice though, there are two access hatches half way down so I could feed the wire to the side cameras.
The 360 processor box sits up above the front cabinets. Unfortunately I couldn't route the wiring through the front wall due to braces and beams being in the way, so some wire loom made it look reasonably decent. The DRVM cabling is incorporated into this as well.
From there it goes down in the cable race in the corner into the cabinets, and then out and through the floor.
Here's the rear cameras on the trailer spoiler.
And one of the side cameras before I cleaned up some of the extra sealant around the cable bushing. I 3D printed several cable bushings and chafe protectors for this project which was really handy.
Lastly the "docking stations" mounted to the tongue for when the trailer is parked.
@Lancemchn and I took it for a test run today and the cameras work great. It's much easier to back down my driveway now. Next stop Moab!
Eatonpcat
Well-Known Member
Damnn, that is one clean trailer!
gprguy
Well-Known Member
Thanks - inTech makes the nicest trailers I have ever seen, and we used to have an ATC. All the trim is anodized or stainless, it's crazy.
gprguy
Well-Known Member
I don’t know what to say other than these 4500/5500’s are monsters. The 3 day trip down to Moab was uneventful and the truck kept it above 40mph even on the worst passes without much strain.
We are here for a couple weeks now, looking forward to doing some wheeling. It’s been 11 years since we’ve had our own rigs in Moab, so to say this is a long time coming would be a massive understatement.
The trailer surround has already come in very handy maneuvering in tight campgrounds.
Couldn’t be happier.
We are here for a couple weeks now, looking forward to doing some wheeling. It’s been 11 years since we’ve had our own rigs in Moab, so to say this is a long time coming would be a massive understatement.
The trailer surround has already come in very handy maneuvering in tight campgrounds.
Couldn’t be happier.
gprguy
Well-Known Member
Back home from a two week Moab trip, zero problems with the truck, camper, or really anything. I'm going to add a WD hitch not because it really needs it for handling reasons, but I have 1500 lbs of unused axle GAWR on my front axle and might as well even things out.
Our camper is going up for sale shortly, and the next big truck project will be taking the side boxes off again to get them powder coated.
Our camper is going up for sale shortly, and the next big truck project will be taking the side boxes off again to get them powder coated.
Bigboom338
Active Member
Going into an 1172?
gprguy
Well-Known Member
Not a fan of the 1172 myself - there's less interior room than our 1062, kitchen is smaller, and it's 500 lbs overweight due to them using their old framing process (at least that's my understanding why).
The new 1191 prototype looks very interesting - finally a mainstream manufacturer using Victron and a 48v server rack battery. But we are planning to go with a Host Yukon.
Bigboom338
Active Member
I was just reading about the new 1191, they are interesting. If I was in the market for a different camper, Host is definitely in the running.
Bigboom338
Active Member
The irony of the last 2 posts, I am going to look at an 1191 tomorrow. Not a new one, but a 20 year old one. The one below yours in the Classifieds.
That unit was brought to my attention a few hours after my initial post about the 1191.
gprguy
Well-Known Member
Nice. They are a good layout if you want a big non-slide.
I think ours may end up being traded in if we don't get a bite this month.
Bigboom338
Active Member
It does have a dinette slide on the drivers side.
The solar setup on your rig, WOW, very nice.
I look forward to your posts about your new Yukon.
The solar setup on your rig, WOW, very nice.
I look forward to your posts about your new Yukon.
gprguy
Well-Known Member
Well, it's been a minute, but things sure have been busy here. Our Lance 1062 is traded in - if anyone is interested in about as clean and nice a 1062 that exists send me a DM and I can put you in contact with the dealer.
Our Yukon is on order, should see it after Thanksgiving if all goes well. Really looking forward to that showing up. We didn't order it with an off grid package from the factory as the truck is already set up with most of that. So the project the last few days has been finishing up some of the connections that I didn't have time to do last winter.
We already have one 30a twist lock outlet on the back of the truck for the camper, but that goes directly out to one of the legs of the 50a shore power cord and bypasses the truck's inverter/battery/etc. So we need a second outlet that we can hook the camper's shore power to when we want to be off grid and use some of the 110v appliances. I made a smaller version of the receptacle box that I used for the first outlet - this one is just cut down to remove the breaker (there is a breaker in the AC panel for this outlet) and for the smaller cable size.
Cut another big hole in the back of the cabinet and wired it up to the existing AC load center.
Next project was to install a connection for the truck's solar charger. I used a Trailer Vision panel mount from Powerwerx to mount a SB50 connector through the back wall on the other side of the cabinet.
That will connect to a 400w solar suitcase that I can deploy when needed.
The plan now is to finish up building some splash guards I have been procrastinating on for a few months, and maybe install some mud flaps. After that the boxes need to come back off to get powder coated.
We plan to be at the truck camper rally again in Quartzsite in February with the new camper and maybe even a Jeep or two...
Our Yukon is on order, should see it after Thanksgiving if all goes well. Really looking forward to that showing up. We didn't order it with an off grid package from the factory as the truck is already set up with most of that. So the project the last few days has been finishing up some of the connections that I didn't have time to do last winter.
We already have one 30a twist lock outlet on the back of the truck for the camper, but that goes directly out to one of the legs of the 50a shore power cord and bypasses the truck's inverter/battery/etc. So we need a second outlet that we can hook the camper's shore power to when we want to be off grid and use some of the 110v appliances. I made a smaller version of the receptacle box that I used for the first outlet - this one is just cut down to remove the breaker (there is a breaker in the AC panel for this outlet) and for the smaller cable size.
Cut another big hole in the back of the cabinet and wired it up to the existing AC load center.
Next project was to install a connection for the truck's solar charger. I used a Trailer Vision panel mount from Powerwerx to mount a SB50 connector through the back wall on the other side of the cabinet.
That will connect to a 400w solar suitcase that I can deploy when needed.
The plan now is to finish up building some splash guards I have been procrastinating on for a few months, and maybe install some mud flaps. After that the boxes need to come back off to get powder coated.
We plan to be at the truck camper rally again in Quartzsite in February with the new camper and maybe even a Jeep or two...
gprguy
Well-Known Member
Next project is some splash shields. First off, I needed to extend the front part of the passenger wheel well so it stops slinging mud forward. Here's the pieces mocked up after a bunch of bending, cutting, and guessing.
Next, MIG welded up the joints in the bent angle piece and then ground them down smooth-ish.
Looking pretty good..
To attach it to the tire carrier I used some special closed end rivnuts. These were installed with a dab of sikaflex so they are as water tight as I can manage.
I originally planned to do a second set of rivnuts from the back side as well and drilled the splash guard for it, but it is so stiff as-is I decided to not bother. When the pieces are fully installed after powder coat I'll be adding plenty of sikaflex so it's not going anywhere.
Part two of this project is to add some splash guards to prevent the road spray and crud from piling up on top of the storage boxes as there's a little pocket there. I cut out 3 of these panels on the CNC plasma.
Installed they look like this. Only one needed on the rear passenger side, but the driver's side gets them front and back since there are two boxes over there.
It tucks right up into the bottom of the bed extrusions. Should do the job.
Finished pics with the outer dual back on.
Pretty pleased with that. All of this stuff will come off in December most likely to get the boxes and these splash guards powder coated just for some corrosion protection.
Supposedly our new camper was built this week so we may be seeing it very soon...
Next, MIG welded up the joints in the bent angle piece and then ground them down smooth-ish.
Looking pretty good..
To attach it to the tire carrier I used some special closed end rivnuts. These were installed with a dab of sikaflex so they are as water tight as I can manage.
I originally planned to do a second set of rivnuts from the back side as well and drilled the splash guard for it, but it is so stiff as-is I decided to not bother. When the pieces are fully installed after powder coat I'll be adding plenty of sikaflex so it's not going anywhere.
Part two of this project is to add some splash guards to prevent the road spray and crud from piling up on top of the storage boxes as there's a little pocket there. I cut out 3 of these panels on the CNC plasma.
Installed they look like this. Only one needed on the rear passenger side, but the driver's side gets them front and back since there are two boxes over there.
It tucks right up into the bottom of the bed extrusions. Should do the job.
Finished pics with the outer dual back on.
Pretty pleased with that. All of this stuff will come off in December most likely to get the boxes and these splash guards powder coated just for some corrosion protection.
Supposedly our new camper was built this week so we may be seeing it very soon...
gprguy
Well-Known Member
Not really a build update, but we picked up our new camper today. 2026 Host Yukon with the center kitchen option.
Fits the bed like a glove, just as intended.
Next things for the truck will be getting the boxes back off now that the camper is delivered so I can have them powder coated. Eventually now that we have the new camper I will get a tailboard made to hold all the lights/etc on the back as well as some fold up sides like a Sherptek bed. At that point the truck will be getting closer to "done" other than cosmetic stuff.
Fits the bed like a glove, just as intended.
Next things for the truck will be getting the boxes back off now that the camper is delivered so I can have them powder coated. Eventually now that we have the new camper I will get a tailboard made to hold all the lights/etc on the back as well as some fold up sides like a Sherptek bed. At that point the truck will be getting closer to "done" other than cosmetic stuff.
Bigboom338
Active Member
Very nice rig. I like your kitchen more than any other Host I have seen. My wife would love all of that counter space.
Since you already have this thread going, you should continue it with your camper mods. If I ever go away from Lance campers, Host is most likely where I would go.
Since you already have this thread going, you should continue it with your camper mods. If I ever go away from Lance campers, Host is most likely where I would go.
gprguy
Well-Known Member
Thanks. Our 1062 was pretty good on the counter space, but it's nothing compared to this Yukon. I would not be surprised if ours is the first with this exact floorplan - center kitchen, laundry center and facing dinette. They don't seem to do many facing dinettes, and they've only been building the center kitchen for a couple months.
I may do that - there probably won't be any significant mods until we get closer to the warranty being up, but I have plans for next fall/winter...
I may do that - there probably won't be any significant mods until we get closer to the warranty being up, but I have plans for next fall/winter...
20Limited3500
Well-Known Member
Looked up the Yukon model. Really like that center kitchen idea. Great choice.
thetnbrowns
New Member
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Very nice build! Great work on the fabricating!
Are you not concerned OR have any concern by the amount of threads on the wheel studs being captured by the lug nuts?
Are you not concerned OR have any concern by the amount of threads on the wheel studs being captured by the lug nuts?
gprguy
Well-Known Member
Thank you!
I am not - all of the threads are engaged, just barely admittedly, but that counts in my eye. Any more threads/stud sticking out beyond that have no function other than being along for the ride.
At least that's my view, I am not an engineer in any formal sense. If I were to do the brakes on the rear end someday I am sure I'd probably find some slightly longer studs just because, but until then I'm comfortable.