Life on the Road a LEER Cap and Ford F150

Building a Ford F-150 Truck Camper with a LEER Cap

After nearly five years of living out of my Jeep, I made the jump to a Ford F-150 in late 2020. Rather than hauling a trailer or investing a five-figure sum in a pop-up camper, I knew a LEER truck cap with a DIY camper build was the next logical step.

I chose the LEER 180XR fiberglass truck cap because I wanted more interior height without giving up the simplicity and versatility of a traditional truck cap.

The turnaround time was quick — I received my 180XR truck cap in about five weeks — and building out the back cost me approximately $500 in lumber and tools.

I love living on the road. Not only has it made me more of a minimalist, but it has taught me to be even more resourceful and creative.

Thanks to years of trial and error, I knew exactly how I wanted to configure my Ford F-150 camper build. Hopefully, this setup can provide inspiration and useful ideas for anyone considering a similar truck cap camping setup.

DESIGN PRIORITY #1

Creating Enough Headroom for Comfortable Truck Camping

Before I started sketching out designs, I made a list of must-haves. Headroom was the most important thing to me, as I often sit in the back of my truck.

The LEER 180XR sits approximately 4 inches above cab height. I knew that if I built a platform bed above the wheel well at about 9 inches high, I'd still be able to sit up comfortably without hitting my head.

But I didn't want the sleeping platform to take up the entire truck bed.

Instead, I built a bed extender that allows me to push the sleeping platform in by roughly 30%. Combined with a tri-folding mattress, this creates a seating area and gives me significantly more open floor space when I'm not sleeping.

That extra space is also a great place to stow dirty backpacking gear, firewood, boots, and other equipment rather than tossing everything directly onto my bedding.

DESIGN PRIORITY #2

Maximizing Storage Inside the F-150

Maximizing storage space was crucial as well.

Rather than building permanent drawers underneath the platform bed, I opted for a set of zippered storage bags with handles. The bags protect my clothes and gear from dust and bugs while remaining easy to remove, reorganize, or carry.

Before putting the platform bed in the truck, I also used silicone sealant to fill the seams in the truck bed. Combined with a tailgate seal, this made a significant difference in the amount of dirt that creeps into the truck.

I originally planned on building a fully enclosed cabinet around the bed, but I ultimately decided to make it more of an open table.

I'll admit this was partially due to laziness during the building process, but I also realized an open design made it easier to fit bulky items like sleeping bags and camping equipment into the available space.

I transitioned roughly 65% of the gear that had been stored in my roof box into the bed of the truck, plus about a duffel's worth of equipment I don't use as frequently.

I still use the roof box for larger items such as my backpacking bag, PFD, and bear canister, but it's no longer packed to the point where finding something becomes a project.

For more ways to organize a truck cap, explore our complete guide to truck cap accessories.

DESIGN PRIORITY #3

Windows, Ventilation and Easy Access

Beyond a luxuriously large bed with plenty of headroom, screened windows were also a must.

On the passenger side, my LEER cap has a screened sliding window that opens from the inside. On the driver's side, I chose a Windoor with a smaller screened slider.

The screened portion of the Windoor opens from the inside, while the dual-lock Windoor itself opens from the outside.

The combination gives me ventilation when I'm relaxing inside the camper while also providing convenient side access to gear from outside the truck.

I can also pop the rear hatch from inside in a split second, and the locking system was synced with my F-150 key fob during installation.

DESIGN PRIORITY #4

Adding Privacy with DIY Blackout Curtains

Privacy is another major consideration when you're sleeping in your truck regularly.

The carpet on the inside of my shell not only helps create a more finished interior, but it also provides a convenient surface for attaching Velcro blackout curtains.

I couldn't find anything at the fabric store that blocked enough light, so I bought an extra-long set of blackout curtains, cut them to fit the windows, and sewed a thick strip of Velcro along the top.

The top strip always stays attached. Smaller strips along the bottom hold the curtains against the area under the windows when they're down.

When I want the curtains open, I either roll them up and use ties or attach them to the ceiling if I'm in a hurry.

DESIGN PRIORITY #5

Keeping the Camp Kitchen in the Cab

I've seen some amazing camp kitchens built into the back of trucks, so I initially wondered whether putting mine in the cab was a mistake.

But on my very first road trip in the new truck, I remember sprawling out on the memory foam mattress with a huge grin on my face, knowing I had made the right decision.

Keeping most of the kitchen and power equipment in the cab leaves the entire cap area dedicated to sleeping, relaxing, working, and storage.

I removed the rear seats from the F-150 and use that space for my electric cooler, lithium battery, solar panels, water can, camp stoves, and other kitchen gear.

The refrigerator and battery are secured to bolts in the truck using tie-down straps, and I built a platform with shelving underneath.

The rear door on my SuperCab opens parallel to the truck, so this configuration works particularly well for my setup.

BUILDING YOUR OWN SETUP

What to Consider Before Building a Truck Cap Camper

Every truck camping setup is different, but this build highlights several questions worth answering before you start cutting lumber.

From SUV Living to a Ford F-150 Truck Camper

Over the years, I have grown quite comfortable living with less. Fewer belongings mean more freedom, and I love being able to say, "Home is where I park it."

But as I've become committed to long-term mobile living, I realized I needed more space.

Going from an SUV to a truck with a mid-rise cap is like moving from a studio apartment to a two-bedroom condo, and I couldn't be more pleased with the upgrade.

For my perpetual road trip, the Ford F-150 and LEER 180XR give me the combination of interior room, storage, shelter, and flexibility I was looking for.

And this is just the beginning.

BUILD YOUR TRUCK FOR ADVENTURE

Find the Right LEER Truck Cap for Your Camping Setup

Whether you're building a Ford F-150 camper, planning weekend adventures, or simply looking for more protected cargo space, LEER offers fiberglass truck caps in multiple heights and configurations to help you build around the way you use your truck.

KEEP EXPLORING

Plan Your Truck Cap Setup