Z71 Suburban Camper
- Thread starter NOSOK
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Those were on the list along with Rockpals and Inergy. What sealed the deal for the GoalZero was I got it for 20% off in store at REI, which has an amazing return policy. If you look at Amazon, there was only a single, no name 500wh generator that was Prime eligible. I just looked at the Jackery 500 again on Amazon and while it's still not Prime eligible, there's a decent sale at $450 (inc. the $50 coupon).
That would be perfect for a fridge mount. Do you happen to know the part number?
The nice thing about these camper builds is you can make them as simple or as complicated as you want. @Tozan has one that uses wire shelving as a platform that doesn't require any woodworking.
You could make a dead simple bed platform in about 30 min and for less than 40 bucks. Just get a 4x8 sheet of plywood (anything 1/2" to 3/4" should work fine), have the hardware store cut it down to 75" in length, and cut the remainder into 2 strips ~8" wide. Use the strips to support the end of the 75" sheet in the 2nd row area, and BAM, you have a perfectly usable bed platform! The advantage of the low platform is you can use basically any height full size mattress you want, and you'll still have plenty of headroom.
Sparksalot
Elite Member
the floor plate I have is made by Jotto. I don’t have the model number. Look up Jotto or Jottodesk, the search for Tahoe. It should come right up.
bobsburban
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Great build! Following closely as I may need to build a similar platform in my 2011 once the grandson gets a bit larger and we don't have room for both him and my granddaughter to sleep in our trailer. Like where you're heading with this!
And don't beat yourself up over the lack of Autoride. You're not missing a thing other than expensive maintenance every 75k miles when the air bags on the shocks start leaking. I ditched my blown out system as soon as I bought our truck in July in favor of Z71 spec Moog rear springs and Bilstein 5100s all around. Gained 250 pounds spring rate in the rear (1250 lb vs the 1000 on the AutoRide coils) plus about 1.5" lift, all of which comes in handy when towing. Was able to adjust front ride height with the 5100s to more closely match rear ride height with the perches on the front shocks - no need for a front lift kit. As a bonus, the ride was much better.
One last thought: check out https://www.suboverland.com/ for some more build ideas. They do something pretty similar to what it appears you're doing.
And don't beat yourself up over the lack of Autoride. You're not missing a thing other than expensive maintenance every 75k miles when the air bags on the shocks start leaking. I ditched my blown out system as soon as I bought our truck in July in favor of Z71 spec Moog rear springs and Bilstein 5100s all around. Gained 250 pounds spring rate in the rear (1250 lb vs the 1000 on the AutoRide coils) plus about 1.5" lift, all of which comes in handy when towing. Was able to adjust front ride height with the 5100s to more closely match rear ride height with the perches on the front shocks - no need for a front lift kit. As a bonus, the ride was much better.
One last thought: check out https://www.suboverland.com/ for some more build ideas. They do something pretty similar to what it appears you're doing.
That floor plate would be perfect however my truck has the amp and SRS module, as well as a subwoofer, that seem to be in the way. Interesting to see those may not be present in the PPV...Anyways, at least the attachment legs aren't fixed so I could always modify it. I'll definitely check out Jotto. Thanks for the tip!
I watched quite a few of the Suboverland videos on Youtube but I didn't realize they had a website. Their builds (and the countless other van and SUV conversions) partly inspired mine.
Sparksalot
Elite Member
Tozan
Overlander
Tonyrodz
Resident Resident
Pretty cool. What was the blue stand up tent used for?
The civilian version definitely has more stuff there:
I think I found the Jotto floor plate...https://jottopublicsafety.gojotto.c...sierra-1500-2000-2013-28-floor-plate-kit.html
At $175 it's more than I was hoping to spend for a mount though.
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Sparksalot
Elite Member
Holy crap! That's huge.
Sparksalot
Elite Member
That's the same floor plate I have, but I paid a little over a $100.
Looks like a shower tent.
Tonyrodz
Resident Resident
I thought shower or toilet.
Tozan
Overlander
Actually it can be used for both and changing if there are to many people around.
No changes to the build itself but I did reinstall one of the 2nd row seats a few months ago. With the camper folded up there's plenty of room for 2nd row seats, with the seat folded (as pictured) there's plenty of sleeping room.
If I were to do this build again, I would probably just make a removable shelf with storage drawers underneath and fixed legs instead of the hinged shelf and folding legs. Reason being is we don't use this as a camper nearly as much as expected and all the moving pieces can be a little annoying with the squeaking and rattling. Plus a removable shelf would offer even more storage in the 2nd row area when we're not camping (which is the vast majority of the time). I'm happy with the rear platform although there's been a few times where an extra 6" clearance would make transporting large items easier. I wouldn't
If I were to do this build again, I would probably just make a removable shelf with storage drawers underneath and fixed legs instead of the hinged shelf and folding legs. Reason being is we don't use this as a camper nearly as much as expected and all the moving pieces can be a little annoying with the squeaking and rattling. Plus a removable shelf would offer even more storage in the 2nd row area when we're not camping (which is the vast majority of the time). I'm happy with the rear platform although there's been a few times where an extra 6" clearance would make transporting large items easier. I wouldn't
bobsburban
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I really like the hinged shelf solution, rattle as it may, as we'll have to keep the 2nd row seats in the truck with the grandkids going with us. Nice job!
Even so, with one of those damn Nascar roll-cage baby seats it's going to be a pain until the little guy gets considerably larger. Question for you, though - how were your door mouldings attached? Mine aren't falling off like yours. I'm just wondering what's involved in yanking them off before I ruin a paint job underneath them. Thanks!
Edit: May have just solved my own problem. I could build the platform so the hinged portion is divided at the hinges. Since he won't need the full length of the platform for a few years, I could just flip up the one rear seat that doesn't have a car seat in it to give me room and leave his side with his car seat alone. Once he's big enough for a simple booster seat, all those issues go away.
Even so, with one of those damn Nascar roll-cage baby seats it's going to be a pain until the little guy gets considerably larger. Question for you, though - how were your door mouldings attached? Mine aren't falling off like yours. I'm just wondering what's involved in yanking them off before I ruin a paint job underneath them. Thanks!
Edit: May have just solved my own problem. I could build the platform so the hinged portion is divided at the hinges. Since he won't need the full length of the platform for a few years, I could just flip up the one rear seat that doesn't have a car seat in it to give me room and leave his side with his car seat alone. Once he's big enough for a simple booster seat, all those issues go away.
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TollKeeper
Full Access Member
Just throwing this idea out there.. Give you a bit more space, and doesnt effect fuel mileage...
There are also hi-top conversions.. Something like this. This is on a van, but they do make them for Suburbans. These do affect fuel mileage.
There are also hi-top conversions.. Something like this. This is on a van, but they do make them for Suburbans. These do affect fuel mileage.
How did I miss this thread? Anyway, nice work, cool build. 
