Maintenance & Restoration

**Jim Bennett** · 01-06-2016, 09:10 PM

My bet is that someone did a great job of re-purposing a fibreglass liquid storage tank.

It actually looks like a propane tank on steroids.

War Eagle · 01-06-2016, 10:55 PM

I'm waiting for Donna D to weigh in on this. In my book, she's the champ on ID'ing oddities like this.... Well, Donna D? The pressure is on....

Donna D. · 01-07-2016, 06:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by War Eagle

I'm waiting for Donna D to weigh in on this. In my book, she's the champ on ID'ing oddities like this.... Well, Donna D? The pressure is on....

I don't have a clue. Kinda neat looking though. It would be even better if it was an all-molded-towable

reeves99 · 01-07-2016, 06:15 AM

I like the way the shell curves to meet the truck's box sides. This provides a good mirror sight line. No need for the extended mirrors that are required for most campers.

Sent from my iPhone using Fiberglass RV

Roger H · 01-07-2016, 06:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

My bet is that someone did a great job of re-purposing a fibreglass liquid storage tank.

It actually looks like a propane tank on steroids.

Jim, that was my first thought. Interesting design though.

War Eagle · 01-07-2016, 08:54 AM

The mismatched/aged(?) shades of white on cover grills and various accessories, along with some of the odd custom-fitted flanges, make me think it's a one-of-a kind home-made job based on a large liquid storage tank similar to the one in the attached photo that I found just snooping around on Google for large plastic and fiberglass storage tanks. If so, I'm sure it was a fun project for the builder, and I'd love to see what they did on the inside....

Roger H · 01-07-2016, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by War Eagle

The mismatched/aged(?) shades of white on cover grills and various accessories, along with some of the odd custom-fitted flanges, make me think it's a one-of-a kind home-made job based on a large liquid storage tank similar to the one in the attached photo that I found just snooping around on Google for large plastic and fiberglass storage tanks. If so, I'm sure it was a fun project for the builder, and I'd love to see what they did on the inside....

The various hatches and vents are all OEM from the appliance manufacturers and come in varying shades of white, so they really aren't indicative of much at all.

I doubt very much that it's re-purposed tank as it looks purpose-built. Whether it's a factory prototype or a really well-done custom-fab home-built is still up for grabs. Either way, it's a pretty innovative design.

Jon in AZ · 01-07-2016, 09:28 AM

The fact that it is so tightly matched to the Dakota's size and shape (especially the braces that angle across the quarter windows) makes it seem like a one-off project to me as well. The Dakota is a bit of a tweener, size-wise, and out of production.

War Eagle · 01-07-2016, 11:16 AM

I downloaded the photos into PowerPoint where I could enlarge the images to see more detail, and there are definitely some "rough edges and blemishes" (angle iron with exposed bolt threads and nuts, etc.) that I don't think a manufacturer trying to attract customers would have let out their shop door (or maybe that's why there is no manufacturer's name plate on it!). So, I'm still guessing it's a pretty cool DIY project. On another note, the image enlargements also let you see a bit better through the door window some details inside - including what appears to be sink cabinetry just inside the door to the left. A really curious person with the right (or wrong) connections in British Columbia could probably track down the owner from the truck's license plate (then have fun trying to explain to the owner how they tracked them down!).

Borrego Dave · 01-03-2018, 03:13 AM

OK folks, it's been 2 years but the owners of this camper were back in town and I chased them down and got the "tour"

. They are from Victoria BC. He built this 10 years ago to fit his '02 Dakota truck. He did say he was a bit concerned of finding a replacement truck when the time came. It does not have a gel coat finish it's painted. They have a fresh water tank for the sink, LP wall heater and small refer, solar on the roof, upper storage cabinets along both sides and a clothes closet and over the cab bed. Pretty sweet build....wished I'd had a camera with me. I did give them my email and his wife said she would send me pics of the build. Should be interesting as he did it free hand for the most part. If they send any I'll post them. A bit funny, he told me someone stopped him and said he'd seen one just like it before, someone here said the same thing....maybe that was the same person?