Camper Mod Contest Entries

Camper Hitch Step and Grey Tank Hauler

Welcome to the seventh entry in March’s Medium Mod Contest.  One Medium 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.  Click here for information about the 2023 Mod Contest, including how to enter.

Camper Hitch Step Tank Hauler

Austin Jephson, Silver Spring, Maryland
Camper Hitch Step and Grey Tank Hauler
2022 Ford F-250
2023 Capri Retreat

What started as a need for an off-center truck camper step for our Capri Retreat was quickly prototyped into a way to haul and store our small grey water tank.

We have two large dogs, so any collapsible or accordion stair system wasn’t cutting it.

To start, the hitch extender was flipped upside down (so the hitch plates could provide stability when standing on the steps) and bolted through with carriage bolts. Then a board was cut to size and painted. Next, the hole locations (to bolt the board to the hitch) were measured and drilled.

Grey Tank Hauler For Truck Camper

Then the board was attached to the hitch. I tightened it down securely and made sure everything was square and perpendicular. Then I applied reflectors and grip tape.

To attach the grey water tank, I flipped the whole assembly upside down and positioned the tank upside down so that the main spout was just offset from the end of the board.

I marked and drilled out a hole for the smaller tank hose nozzle using a 1 1/4-inch Forstner bit allowing the tank to sit completely flush under the step.

Auxiliary Grey Tank Hauler On Hitch Step

A D-ring and S-hook were attached to the underside of the step and positioned so that the S-hook could attach to the handle of the grey tank.

Then I attached the hitch step on the truck. To attach the grey tank, I used an S-hook on a handle and added ratchet straps to make sure it was secure.

Hitch Step And Tank Hauler

So far, so good. The step is stable but slightly wobbly due to the hitch sleeve. I will likely replace ratchet straps with something more low profile.

Materials for this mod included a hitch extended, grey water tank, 2 x 12 x 44-inch wood board, 18-inch reflector tape kit strips. skid guard thread, Rust-Oleam black oil paint, two carriage bolts, one S-hook, two 5-inch square U-bolts, and two ratchet straps.

Dogs Using Hitch Step And Tank Hauler

It took me two hours to complete this modification and cost me $170. In my opinion, the skill level of this modification is medium.

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.

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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!

 

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