Welcome to the fifth entry in March’s Mini Mod-Ster Contest. One yummy Mini Mod will be published in every Email Alert in March. At the end of the month we’ll hold a reader vote to determine March’s winner. For information about the Mod-Ster Contest, including how to enter, click here.
Craig and Karen Grisham, Mukwonago, Wisconsin
Camper Cabover Skirt For Shade and Storage
2005 Dodge Ram 2500
2002 Northland Koala 850
We usually unload the camper when we reach a destination and then use the truck to run around, sightsee, go shopping, etc. We carry or acquire bicycles, firewood, and other items that we don’t want to just leave out for the world to see or for the weather to get to.
Once upon a time we owned a fold-down camper that had a skirt. We could attach that skirt to the rear bunk and use it for storage and weather protection. We put our need and idea together and came up with the “cabover skirt” mod.
We carry a canopy, sun walls, and screen walls most of the time. Rather than purchase more or new materials, we tried to make use of what we already carry and have.
We bought a couple of snap and grommet kits at the local hardware store and went to work. We installed snaps on the top edge of the sun walls and then installed (screw-mounted) snaps to the underneath side of the cabover, carefully matching the snaps on the sun walls.
The sun walls are very light and will blow in the breeze, so we added one grommet in the center at the bottom of the front wall so we can stake the walls, if needed. We also added an extra snap at the front so we can snap the campsite side panel open – if and when we want. It comes in handy for just sitting under for shade sometimes.
A quick note here: As we installed the screws into the underside of the cabover, we did use extra sealant. Even though we were inside the points where water usually drips from the cabover walls, we wanted to make sure everything was protected.
We think the mod has worked out well. Our wood stays dry. Our belongings are out of sight and we have the added benefit of being able to use it as a canopy to sit under if needed. We can use the sun walls on the regular canopy (EZ-Up), so there is no need to carry extra items. The walls dry fast if it rains. They’re easy to clean and, well, the list goes on.
It took me less than two-hours to complete this modification. It only cost about $10 because we already had the sun walls and privacy panels for our EZ-up. In my opinion, the skill level of this modification is easy.
Disclaimer: The modifications above are submitted by Truck Camper Magazine readers. It is your responsibility to make sure that any do-it-yourself modification project you undertake is safe, effective, and legal for your situation.
Enter Your Mods Now!
If you’d like to enter a modification you’ve done on your truck camper, click here. You can enter as many mods as you want, at any time. Good luck mod makers!