Welcome to the second entry in September’s Mega Mod Contest. One Mega Mod will be published in every Email Alert in September. At the end of the month, we’ll hold a reader vote to determine September’s winner. Click here for information about the 2020 Mod Squad Contest, including how to enter.
Mike Tavares, Mystic, Connecticut
Low Maintenance Camper Storage
2015 GMC Sierra 2500HD
2019 Palomino HS-8801
I liked the idea of storage behind the garage so prying eyes would not know when we were away on a trip. With this in mind, I laid out a plan that would give me easy leveling and storm prep options as well as an easier and lower-maintenance set-up for loading and unloading the camper.
There was an area in my backyard that was relatively level. It’s also shaded by the house and grass never really seems to grow well there. I had been storing my rig in that location for some time and it was chewing up the lawn. I liked how the spot hid the camper from the street and kept people wondering if we were home or not.
I decided to make the parking area more permanent. First, I cleared the area of any growth. Then, I leveled it off by hand.
Next, I built some concrete forms and dug holes into the ground. I leveled the forms and set them flush with ground level. The forms were measured to the footing placement of the jack stands.
I poured quick-drying concrete into the holes and sunk stainless D-Ring brackets into the concrete. We get high winds and sometimes hurricanes, so it’s nice to have the added protection when needed.
I then placed some weed-block over the area cutting out the footing placement. When that was completed, I had 5-yards of 3/4-inch crush stone delivered and spread it by hand. The perimeter was finished with extra patio blocks that I had in storage.
I set the camper down on the footings using yellow leveling blocks to make it easier to see when I’m backing up. They also keep the jack stands out of any standing water during heavy rain. I also added a 20-amp outlet to the back of the garage.
The new area keeps the camper dry, clean, and ready to go at any moment. It also keeps the lawn free of tire ruts, mud and tracks. It’s working out great.
It took me eight hours to complete this modification and cost me $300 for stone, concrete and other materials. 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.
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