Midsized, short bed truck build

[wesfromky]

Hey, just wanted to start a thread for my build, esp since so many people have shorter bed trucks these days. I am planning on doing some extended trips out of this, esp around hunting season. Just had the moonlander installed yesterday, and will be heading south in it mid December for a few months.

The moonlander is unique because it hangs over the edge of the rail a bit, which allows you to sleep east-west vs north-north south. I am like 5'7" and got the slim pods. If you are taller you can get the regular pods, and if you have a full sized truck, you get even more room. I can also sit upright on the bed platform and not hit my head.

They are not a budget brand, but the are high quality, made in the USA. They also have three install locations now - Denver, Wilmington, and OR, I believe.

I have a set of parabolic leaf springs, front coils, and a spacer from All Dogs Offroad to be installed shortly.

RADICA

www.radicaproducts.com

 

[kda082]

Nice truck sir. I have the same with over 50,000 miles on it and so far so good. Nice build.

 

[wesfromky]

Did a couple week trip to AZ - Moonlander worked out well - super comfortable. My starlink mini let me work the whole time without issue, and Bluetti batteries and Renogy solar panels kept everything powered up. This will make an excellent hunting setup - looking forward to using it for Turkey season and a photo trip to Yellowstone in May.

 

[wesfromky]

After installed the All Dogs Offroad Parabolic leaf springs and front coils/spacer. Ended up with around 2" of lift, with much stronger rear springs to handle the extra weight.

 

[timberlinehunter]

That’s a cool setup. Do you get much dust inside the camper driving the trails and forest roads?


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[wesfromky]

That’s a cool setup. Do you get much dust inside the camper driving the trails and forest roads?


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I probably drove 50ish miles of gravel, and did get some dust, but really not that much. And, it was only in the lower section, nothing in the sleeping area. I have a bed seal across the bottom of the tailgate that I need to redo, and i think I need to add some seal to the sides of the tail gate, and then start looking for openings in the bed. I am planning on swapping out the plastic bed liner for a bed rug this spring, so that might help as well.

 

[tony]

That thing have jacks/stands to store like the typical truck campers?
You don’t leave it on year round do you?

 

[wesfromky]

That thing have jacks/stands to store like the typical truck campers?
You don’t leave it on year round do you?

It's just an oversized topper, weighs 250lbs. So, it will be on year round. It does come off pretty easy, and I think they do have some jacks for those that want to take it on and off. It and the lift probably took 1-3 mpg off, but as long as I keep the speeds reasonable it's not bad.

 

[stephane]

I probably drove 50ish miles of gravel, and did get some dust, but really not that much. And, it was only in the lower section, nothing in the sleeping area. I have a bed seal across the bottom of the tailgate that I need to redo, and i think I need to add some seal to the sides of the tail gate, and then start looking for openings in the bed. I am planning on swapping out the plastic bed liner for a bed rug this spring, so that might help as well.

Have you considered installing a positive pressure fan? I think some canopies have that and it keeps all the dust out. I just have a tonneau on my truck, but no matter how well I try to seal it with tailgate seals it still gets dusty.

 

[4090Sharps]

Did a couple week trip to AZ - Moonlander worked out well - super comfortable. My starlink mini let me work the whole time without issue, and Bluetti batteries and Renogy solar panels kept everything powered up. This will make an excellent hunting setup - looking forward to using it for Turkey season and a photo trip to Yellowstone in May.
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Did the stock tires survive AZ? I had to patch those on my P4X a few times before I finally gave in and upgraded.