Z71 Suburban Camper

[gat0r]

interesting, fun build

look forward to updates of your work vacations/adventures

 

[Eddie B]

I like this thread a lot! Looking at doing a watered down version of your build with my 2013 Yukon XL. Keep it going!

 

[NOSOK]

How about a Jackery? I've heard they're very good.

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).

I removed all of the rear seat in thecopcar. Most is space for the overland hound. The rest will be where a 35 or 40 L fridge will go.

as far as consoles go, all the various public safety models use a floor plate that’s tied into the front seat mounting points.

That would be perfect for a fridge mount. Do you happen to know the part number?

 

[NOSOK]

I like this thread a lot! Looking at doing a watered down version of your build with my 2013 Yukon XL. Keep it going!

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]

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 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]

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.

 

[NOSOK]

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.

View attachment 263777

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!

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.

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]

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.

Here’s the bare floor.

 

[Tozan]

 

[Tonyrodz]

Pretty cool. What was the blue stand up tent used for?