Truck bed camper

A truck bed camper having an upper unit that does not extend over the cab of the pickup truck when the camper open or closed, a rigid aluminum lid that is attached to side panels of the upper unit and rotatably attached to a rear side panel of the upper unit and that forms a bed platform when open, a pneumatic gas spring with one end rotatably attached to a side panel and one end attached to the lid, a solar panel that is rotatably mounted to the upper surface of the lid, a foldable tent supported by a collapsible frame and positioned over the side panels and the lid when the lid is in an open position, a tent erector tool that is removably and rotatably inserted into a strut upper receiver mounted on the lid, and a lower unit that is configured to contain freshwater and blackwater tanks.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of recreational camping units, and more particularly, to a truck-mounted camping unit equipped with heat, light, and running water.

2. Description of the Related Art

The present invention is a fully functional, self-contained truck-mounted camper that incorporates electrical lighting, hot and cold-water faucets, a refrigerator, a furnace with multiple outlets, a flush toilet, a shower, dual water storage tanks, a stovetop cooking unit, and associated wiring and plumbing. The camper and the pickup truck in which the camper is installed form a fully equipped recreational vehicle. The present invention incorporates numerous novel advantageous features including:1) In the closed position (i.e., ready for traveling), the top of the compacted unit does not extend higher than the roof of the truck cab.2) In the open position (i.e., set up for camping), the floor of the living area is level with the top of the truck bed sidewalls, and there is adequate space in the truck bed under the bottom of the camper unit for a ten-inch tall, lockable storage unit such as a TruckVault® storage unit.3) Electrical systems are powered by a rechargeable lithium battery, which may be charged with an integral solar panel. The solar panel is movably mounted so that it can be set to face the sun when the unit is in either the closed or open position.4) The perimeter of the tented area is equipped with a rainwater catchment system, and a holding tank is provided for storage of the recovered rainwater.Although there are numerous examples of truck-mounted tents and camping units in the prior art and on the commercial market, none of these devices provides the combination of novel and useful features of the present invention.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,109,954 (Wall, 1978) discloses an expandable camper apparatus for use in conjunction with a pickup truck. This invention comprises a tent-like shelter with a foldable floor that is positioned rearward of the truck bed when the tent is opened. The foldable floor is stored in a compartment on the bottom of the truck bed when the invention is in the closed position, thereby precluding the installation of a TruckVault® storage unit or similar container. The invention does not comprise any appliance such as a furnace, refrigerator, or water heater.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,176,873 (Barr et al., 1979) discloses a vehicle camper shell that comprises a tent assembly that is positioned over the roof of the vehicle cab when the tent is in the open position. In the closed position, the top of the invention extends above the top of the roof of the truck cab. The invention does not comprise any appliances.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,294,484 (Robertson, 1981) discloses a truck-mounted camper unit that comprises a tent that unfolds outward from the vehicle's sidewalls. The floor of the truck bed serves as the camper's floor when the tent is opened. The invention does not comprise any appliances.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,788,319 (Pruitt, 1998) discloses a collapsible truck-mounted camper shell that fits into the bed of a pickup truck when folded and extends over the cab of the truck and outward beyond the sidewalls of the vehicle in the open position.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,698,634 (Thompson, 2004) discloses a truck-mounted camping unit that fits into the bed of a pickup truck or trailer and that is opened by extending the unit rearward on rails. The invention may comprise a sound system and a cold-water shower that are powered by a battery. The invention may be mounted onto a truck with or without a tailgate. The invention fills the entire volume of the truck bed when in the closed position.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,712,422 (Vaillancourt, 2004) discloses a combination truck-box cover and collapsible tent-like shelter. When open, the tent portion of the unit extends rearward beyond the rear bumper of the truck and outward beyond the sidewalls of the truck. The floor of the truck bed serves as the shelter floor. The invention does not comprise any appliances.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,749,252 (Cervenka, 2004) discloses a truck-bed mounted, fold-out camper unit that comprises a tent shelter and frame components that, when retracted, fit into the bed of the truck without obstructing the cargo area of the bed. When the camper is in the open position, the tent shelter extends laterally beyond the sidewalls of the truck. The top of the unit can be partially raised to form and extended volume of the truck bed for transporting materials. The invention does not comprise any appliances.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,481,480 (Thacker, 2009) discloses a truck bed cover comprising swivelly mounted legs that are used to extend the cover portion of the device upward and outward over the rear tailgate of the bed. The invention utilizes gas springs or other springs to counter-balance the weight of the top, thereby requiring less force to raise and lower the top. The invention comprises an electrical light that is powered by the truck battery but contains no other appliances or camping accoutrements such as beds.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,527,318 (Geise, 2009) discloses a shelter attachment for a pickup truck that fits into the truck bed when collapsed and that is rotatably attached to one side of the truck bed. The lid of the device rotates outward beyond the sidewall of the bed to form a bed. Wire ropes are used to raise and support a mast, and the wire ropes and mast support a sheeting material that forms the walls of the shelter. When the shelter is in the open position, the floor of the truck bed serves as the shelter floor. The invention does not comprise any appliances.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,942,464 (Schmidt, 2011) discloses a pop-up camper that fits inside the bed of a pickup truck when collapsed and is protected by a cover that fits over the bed of the truck. When the unit is in the open position, the sleeping area is located on top of the truck bed, and a tent shelter erected rearward of the vehicle at ground level serves as a living area. The invention comprises a battery, a propane tank, a freshwater tank, a gray water tank, and an optional furnace, but no mention is made of a sink, water heater, stove, flush toilet or refrigerator. The living area comprises side spaces for a cold shower and a portable (i.e., non-flushable) toilet.

U.S. Pat. No. 10,086,684 (Stamm, Jr., 2018) discloses a collapsible pickup truck cap and storage system that comprises a cap that can be raised at the rear end with a cap lift assembly, and the front end of the cap is attached with hinges to the roof of the truck cab. Rear doors replace the truck tailgate, and these doors may be lowered to form an outdoor dining table or cooking area for camping. The invention does not comprise any appliances.

U.S. Patent Application Pub. No. 2009/0200820 (Smith, Jr., 2009) discloses a truck tent camper unit comprising a collapsible frame that forms a lumber-carrying rack within the truck bed when in the collapsed position and that forms the framework of a tent when in the expanded position. The tent extends outward beyond the sidewalls of the truck and over a portion of the roof of the truck cab. When the unit is in an open position, the floor of the truck bed serves as the floor of the tented area. The invention does not comprise any appliances.

U.S. Patent Application No. D574,315 (Swails, et al., 2008) is a design patent for an “expedition vehicle” that comprises a collapsible tent having a dome-like shape when in the expanded position. In the closed position, the height of the tent portion of the invention extends above the height of the roof of the truck cab.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a truck bed camper configured to be mounted on top of a pickup truck with a truck bed having side rails, the truck bed camper comprising: an upper unit, wherein no part of the upper unit extends over a cab of the pickup truck when the camper is in an open or a closed position; a rigid aluminum lid that is attached to a right side panel and a left side panel of the upper unit with one or more latches and rotatably attached to a rear side panel of the upper unit with at least one hinge, the lid forming a bed platform when in an open position; a pneumatic gas spring with a first end and a second end, the first end being rotatably attached to one of the right side panel or the left side panel of the upper unit, and the second end being rotatably mounted to the lid; a solar panel that is rotatably mounted to an upper surface of the lid; a foldable tent supported by a collapsible frame, the foldable tent being positioned over the right side panel, the left side panel, and the lid when the lid is in an open position; a tent erector tool having an upper end that is removably and rotatably inserted into a strut upper receiver mounted on a side of the lid; wherein the side rails of the truck bed have a height, a floor that is positioned at a height above the height of the side rails of the pickup truck; and a lower unit that is configured to contain one or more freshwater tanks and a blackwater tank.

In a preferred embodiment, at least one of the right side panel or the left side panel comprises a hinged human access door. In another preferred embodiment, the invention further comprising a jack attachment fitting on a lower rear edge of one or the right side panel or the left side panel of the upper unit. In yet another preferred embodiment, the invention further comprises a sink drain outlet, a furnace exhaust vent, a 115-volt alternating current inlet plug, a first freshwater tank inlet connector, a second freshwater tank inlet connector, and a blackwater tank vent on one of the right side panel or the left side panel of the upper unit.

In a preferred embodiment, the strut upper receiver is mounted to one of a right edge or a left edge of the lid and a strut with a ball-shaped upper end that is removably and rotatably attached to the strut upper receiver and a lower end that is attached to a strut lower receiver on the rear side panel of the upper unit. In another preferred embodiment, the invention further comprises a first extendable solar panel support member that is removably attached to a first side of the solar panel and a second extendable solar panel support member that is removably attached to a second side of the solar panel and configured to support the solar panel when it is in an extended position. In yet another preferred embodiment, the human access door is removably attached to the at least one of the right side panel or the left side panel.

In a preferred embodiment, at least one of the right side panel or the left side panel comprises a hinged propane tank access door that is configured to cover a propane tank storage compartment. In another preferred embodiment, the tent erector tool comprises an upper section that is rotatably connected to a lower section via a hinge, the upper section of the tent erector tool being a strut, and the lower section of the tent erector tool being an extension handle. In yet another preferred embodiment, the collapsible frame of the foldable tent is comprised of a U-shaped front frame section with two ends, a U-shaped center frame section with two sides and two bottom ends, and a U-shaped rear frame section with two ends; wherein the two bottom ends of the center frame section are connected to left and right rear corners of an interior floorspace with rotatable bottom connectors; wherein two frame side connectors connect the ends of the front frame section and the rear frame section to the two sides of the center frame section; and wherein the two frame side connectors are configured to allow the front and rear side frame sections to rotate independently about the center frame section and to slide up and down along the center frame section.

In a preferred embodiment, the frame side connectors each incorporates a slide stop that is configured to enable the front and rear frame sections to be locked into position on the center frame section. In another preferred embodiment, the invention further comprises a rear cable-and-pully assembly having one end attached to a top middle of the center frame section and a second end attached to a rear end of the lid; and a pair of forward cable-and-pully assemblies, each forward cable-and-pully assembly having a first end attached to a side frame connector and a second end attached to a front inside corner of the interior floorspace. In yet another preferred embodiment, the upper unit is configured to contain: a removably mounted kitchen unit comprising a sink, faucet and stovetop; a removably mounted portable refrigerator; a toilet cabinet containing a toilet; a propane-powered combination furnace/hot water heater; and one or more storage cabinets, each storage cabinet having a hinged seat top.

In a preferred embodiment, the lid comprises a perimeter, and the perimeter of the lid comprises a rainwater catchment trough that is configured to permit rainwater to flow into a freshwater holding tank via a rainwater drain connector. In another preferred embodiment, a bottom edge of the collapsible tent extends into and is mechanically constrained within the rain catchment trough. In yet another preferred embodiment, the lower unit is a self-contained modular unit that is removably attached to an underside of the upper unit.

In a preferred embodiment, the lower unit comprises a bottom plate that terminates at least one foot above a bottom of the truck bed. In another preferred embodiment, the rear side panel comprises a shower port. In yet another preferred embodiment, the invention further comprises a ratchet strap that is mounted to the floor of the upper unit and configured to tighten the upper unit against side walls of the truck bed. Appliances contained within the upper unit are preferably configured to obtain power from the truck battery and from a lithium battery situated within the upper unit, and the lithium battery is preferably configured to be charged by the solar panel.

REFERENCE NUMBERS

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

The present invention, together with a standard domestic pickup truck into which the present invention is installed, form a fully functional recreational vehicle. When the present invention is placed in the compacted (that is, closed) position, the height does not extend more than six inches above the roof of the truck cab, the width does not extend beyond the sidewalls of the truck, the rear portion does not extend beyond the rear bumper of the truck, and the front portion does not extend over the cab of the truck. This very compact configuration minimizes wind drag and wind noise when traveling and provides excellent aesthetics. When the present invention is in the expanded (that is, open) position, a tented shelter extends in the forward direction over the truck bed, and the rearward portion extends over and beyond the truck tailgate. The sides of the tented shelter extend laterally to the width of the truck bed sidewalls. The present invention is comprised of an upper unit, which includes the components installed above the truck bed, and a lower unit, which includes the components installed within the truck bed. The upper and lower units are modular and separable.

FIG. 1is an elevation view of the right side of the present invention, shown in the compacted position, and mounted onto a standard-size pickup truck1having a bed length of 6-½ feet. The present invention comprises a rigid aluminum lid2, which, with the present invention in the compacted position, is attached to the right side panel3of the upper unit4by two cam latches5and is also attached to the left side panel by to two additional cam latches, as shown inFIG. 3. The lid2is rotatably attached to the rear side panel6of the upper unit4by a lid hinge7that is attached to the top edge of the rear side panel6and by an additional lid hinge that is attached to the left side panel of the upper unit, as shown inFIG. 3. A pneumatic gas spring8has one end rotatably mounted to the lower rear corner of the right side panel3and the other end rotatably mounted to the right edge of the lid2. A sink drain outlet9, a furnace exhaust vent10, a 115 volt alternating current (VAC) inlet plug11, a first freshwater tank inlet connector12, a second freshwater tank inlet connector13, and a blackwater tank vent14are mounted on the right side panel3at the locations shown. A jack attachment fitting15is positioned near the lower rear edge of the right side panel3. An upward-facing solar panel16is rotatably mounted to the upper surface of the lid2with solar panel hinges17(see alsoFIG. 3). A right strut upper receiver18is mounted to the right edge of the lid2.

FIG. 2is an elevation view of the right side of the present invention, shown in the expanded position, and mounted onto a standard-size pickup truck1. As shown, the lid2has been rotated approximately 180 degrees about the lid hinges7, and is supported by the pneumatic gas spring8in combination with a right strut19, whose ball-shaped upper end is removably and rotatably attached to the right strut upper receiver18and whose lower end is attached to a right strut lower receiver (shown onFIG. 11) on the rear side panel6. A foldable tent20is positioned over the right side panel3. the left side panel shown inFIG. 3, and the opened lid2. The right side of the tent20comprises two screened windows21with zippered storm flaps, which are positioned as shown. The tent20is supported by an internal frame system that is described in reference toFIG. 7. As shown inFIG. 2, the solar panel16has been repositioned by rotating it about the solar panel hinges17so that it faces upward when the lid is open. An extendable solar panel support member22is removably pinned to each side of the solar panel16to provide structural support to the solar panel16.

FIG. 3is an elevation view of the left side of the present invention, shown in the expanded position, and mounted onto a standard-size pickup truck1. The left side of the tent20comprises a zippered door flap23, a covered access port24, and a screened window21with zippered storm flap. The left side panel25comprises a hinged human access door26for ingress and egress to and from the interior of the present invention when it is in the expanded position. The human access door26is attached to the left side panel25with two human access door hinges27positioned along the lower edge of the human access door26. The two human access door hinges27are constructed so that they are able to come apart when the human access door26is open, thereby enabling the human access door26to be optionally removed from the left side panel25. The human access door26comprises two key locks28that enable it to be locked when closed. A handhold29is mounted on the left side panel25on each side of the human access door26. The left side panel25further comprises a hinged propane tank access door30, which covers a propane tank storage compartment. The two cam latches5located along the upper edge of the left side panel25are used to secure the lid to the left side panel25when the present invention is in the compacted position. There are two jack attachment fittings15located near the bottom edge of the left side panel25. The opened lid2is supported by a pneumatic gas spring8in combination with a left strut31, as well as a lid hinge7. The pneumatic gas spring8has one end rotatably mounted to the lower rear corner of the left side panel25and the other end rotatably mounted to the left edge of the lid2. The left strut31is a part of a combination device that is used as a tent erector tool as well as a support strut, as described in reference toFIGS. 4 through 6.

FIG. 4is a right side elevation view of the present invention mounted onto a pickup truck1showing a person32in the process of raising the tent20from the compacted to the expanded position, with the tent20shown partially expanded. The tent20is expanded by pushing on the tent erector tool33, which causes the lid2to rotate about the lid hinges7. The upper end of the tent erector tool33is removably and rotatably inserted into a left strut upper receiver34mounted on the left side of the lid2. The weight of the lid2is partially offset by the lifting force produced by the pneumatic gas spring8, thereby reducing the pushing force required on the tent erector tool33.

FIG. 5is a side view of the tent erector tool33shown in a partially extended position, with an upper section rotatably connected to a lower section via a hinge35. The upper section of the tent erector tool33is the left strut31shown inFIG. 3, and the lower section is an extension handle36.

FIG. 6is a perspective view of the upper end of the left strut31being inserted into the left strut upper receiver34. As shown, the upper end of the left strut31terminates in a disc-shaped appendage, which can be rotatably and removably inserted into a mating cavity in the left strut upper receiver34. When the hinge35of the tent erector tool33is rotated so that the left strut31and the extension handle36form a linear pole, the tent erector tool33can be used as an extension lifting tool to raise the tent20from the compacted to the expanded position, as shown inFIG. 4. When the hinge35of the tent erector tool33is adjusted so that the left strut31and the extension handle36are positioned side-by-side, the left strut31can be installed as a support between the left side panel25and the lid2, as shown inFIG. 3.

FIG. 7is a first perspective view of the present invention shown in the expanded position, showing portions of the upper unit4and the lower unit37, with the tent and solar panel removed for clarity. The tent is supported by a collapsible frame, which is comprised of three U-shaped sections, including a front frame section38, a center frame section39and a rear frame section40. The two bottom ends of the center frame section39are connected to the left and right rear corners of the floorspace with rotatable bottom connectors. One of these rotatable bottom connectors is shown inFIG. 7. Two frame side connectors41connect the ends of the front frame section38and the rear frame section40to the two sides of the center frame section39as shown. The frame side connectors41allow the front and rear frame sections38,40to independently rotate about the center frame section39, and they also allow the front and rear frame sections38,40to slide up and down along the center frame section39. The frame side connectors41each incorporates a slide stop42to enable the front and rear frame sections38,40to be locked into position on the center frame section39when they are raised into their fully upright positions, thereby forming a rigid frame support for the tent fabric. A rear cable-and-pully assembly43has one end attached to the top middle of the center frame section39and the other end attached to the rear end of the lid2. When the lid2is being opened, the rear cable-and-pully assembly43pulls the three frame pieces38,39and40into their upright positions. A pair of forward cable-and-pully assemblies44each has one end attached to a side frame connector41and the other end attached to a front inside corner of the interior floorspace. These forward cable-and-pully assemblies44prevent the frame sections38,39and40from over-rotating when they are pulled into their fully upright positions.

When the present invention is in the compacted position, as shown inFIG. 1, the three frame sections38,39and40fold together so as to fit within the interior of the upper unit4with no disassembly of the frame sections38,39and40required. The floor45is positioned at a height just above the height of the side rails of the pickup truck. A commercially available kitchen unit46comprising a sink, faucet and two stovetop burners is positioned in the front left corner of the floorspace on top of a cabinet (not shown). Hoses (not shown) that are connected to the bottom side of the kitchen unit46supply propane, cold water, and hot water into the kitchen unit46, and a sink drain hose (not shown) provides an outlet for sink water to flow to the sink drain outlet9on the right side panel shown inFIG. 1. Each of these hoses is fitted with a quick-disconnect fitting to allow the kitchen unit46to be easily removed from the cabinet top for stowage. An example of a typical quick-disconnect fitting is shown inFIG. 15. The quick-disconnect fittings are located in the cabinet beneath the kitchen unit46. A portable refrigerator47is positioned in the front right corner of the interior floorspace, also on top of a cabinet (not shown). The kitchen unit46and the refrigerator47are removably mounted on cabinet tops when they are in use and are repositioned on the floor of the interior space when they are being stowed, as when present invention is in the compacted position.

A commercially available, propane-powered combination furnace/hot water heater (not shown) occupies the space in the front right corner cabinet below the refrigerator47. An equipment cabinet48on the right side of the floorspace holds a lithium battery and an inverter and has a padded seat top. An electrical control panel49is mounted on the front of the equipment cabinet48and is shown in detail inFIG. 13. A first storage cabinet50with a hinged seat top is located in the right rear corner of the floorspace adjacent to the equipment cabinet48. A rotatable and removable table51is mounted in front of the corner between the equipment cabinet48and the first storage cabinet50. A second storage cabinet52with a hinged seat top is positioned in the rear center of the floorspace, and a toilet cabinet53with a hinged seat top is positioned in the left rear corner. The toilet within the toilet cabinet53is a commercially available, marine-type flush toilet. When the toilet is flushed, the contents of the toilet bowl are transferred to a blackwater tank in the lower unit37, which is described in reference toFIG. 10. The lid2forms a bed platform when open. The bed is supported on the left side by a lid hinge7, a pneumatic gas spring8and the left strut31. The bed is supported on the right side by a lid hinge7, a pneumatic gas spring8, and the right strut19, as shown inFIG. 2. The lid2is fitted with a custom mattress pad54. The lid2comprises a rainwater catchment trough55that extends around the perimeter of the lid2. The rainwater catchment trough55captures rainwater that falls down around the outside of the tent and enables the rainwater to be stored in a freshwater holding tank. This novel rainwater catchment feature is not disclosed in any examples of the prior art. Details of the rain catchment system are described in reference toFIGS. 8 and 9.

FIG. 8is a second perspective view of the present invention shown in the expanded position, showing the right side panel3, the front panel56and a portion of the interior, with the tent, the cable-and-pully assemblies, solar panel and the mattress pad removed for clarity. A rainwater drain connector57in the front right corner of the rain catchment trough55is shown. A removable hose (not shown) may be used to transport rainwater from the rainwater drain connector57to one of the two tank water inlet connectors12,13located of the right side panel3. The rotatable bottom connector58connected to the left bottom end of the center frame section39is shown attached to the inside of the left rear corner of the left interior wall59.

FIG. 9is a detail view of a portion of the water-catchment system. A fabric tab60comprising a loop at one end is sewn to the tent fabric parallel to the bottom of the tent around the inside perimeter of the tent20. The loop of the tab60is inserted within a circular channel61in which a segment of the circle has been cut out. A rigid rod62is passed through the loop, thereby preventing the loop from pulling out of the circular channel61. The bottom edge of the tent20extends into the rain catchment trough55. Rainwater that strikes the outer surface of the tent fabric travels down the fabric until it falls into the rainwater catchment trough55. The bottom edge of the tent20is constrained within the rainwater catchment trough55, thereby preventing the tent bottom from blowing into the bed area, even in a strong wind.

FIG. 10is a perspective view of the lower unit37showing the underside, with the bottom plate and hoses removed for clarity. Three water tanks mounted within the lower unit37include a first freshwater tank63, a second freshwater tank64, and a blackwater tank65. In a preferred setup configuration, the first freshwater tank63is used to store rainwater, the second freshwater tank64is used to store potable water, and the blackwater tank65is used to store toilet refuse. The three tanks63,54and65are supported on their bottom edges with aluminum angles66and covered on their lower sides with a bottom plate (shown inFIG. 11), which extends across the entire bottom area. The blackwater tank outlet is equipped with a macerator pump67, which facilitates dumping of the blackwater tank. The lower unit37comprises a rear door68that provides access to drain hoses for the three tanks63,64and65. The lower unit37is designed as a self-contained modular system that may be removably attached to the underside of the upper unit3. Hoses and wires that connect the upper unit3and the lower unit37are fitted with quick-disconnect fittings so that the two units may be quickly and easily detached.

FIG. 11is a rear view of the present invention mounted onto a pickup truck1, shown with the truck tailgate69in the open position. As shown, the bottom plate70of the lower unit37terminates approximately one foot above the bottom of the truck bed71, thereby providing significant storage space in the bed below the lower unit37for cargo such as a commercial gun safe72. The solar panel16is attached to the inverted top of the lid2and supported by two solar panel support members22. A shower port74provides access to a hot and cold water shower spigot (not shown). A person32is shown on a stowable ladder75in the process of entering the interior of the upper unit4. The lower end of the right strut19is attached to a right strut lower receiver76that is mounted on the lower right edge of the rear face6. The left strut31is attached to the left strut lower receiver77, which is mounted on the lower left edge of the left panel25and shown in detail inFIG. 12.

FIG. 12is a detail perspective view of a portion of the left strut31, the extension handle36, and left strut lower receiver77, which is mounted on the bottom rear corner of the left side panel25, as shown inFIG. 11. As shown inFIG. 12, the lower end of the left strut31is fitted with a left strut lower connector78that comprises two holes, which accept a pin79that passes through the left strut lower connector78and through a hole in the left strut lower receiver77, thereby rotatably and removably attaching the left strut31to the left side panel25. The left strut lower connector78attaches around the shaft of the left strut31with a friction fitting, which may be loosened or tightened, thereby providing a length adjustment to the left strut31.

FIG. 13is a cross-section detail view of the components that attach the present invention to a pickup truck. Components for the left side attachment are shown, and there are similar components for the right side attachment. The vertical leg of an aluminum angle80is attached to the left side of the lower unit37with a plurality of riveted nut and bolt assemblies81(one shown). The horizontal leg of the aluminum channel80is attached to the bottom of the left side panel25with a plurality of stake pocket bolts82(one shown) that pass through holes in the left side panel25and screw into stake pockets83that are installed into the top of the pickup truck bed sidewall84. With this assembly technique, the weight of the upper unit4and the lower unit37are distributed along the truck bed sidewalls83.

The handle85of a rachet strap is mounted to the floor45of the interior space of the upper unit. The strap86of the rachet strap passes through holes in the left side frame25and the aluminum channel80, and the end of the strap86is connected to a factory-installed D-ring87within the truck bed. When the rachet is tightened, it supplies extra hold-down force to the present invention against the truck sidewalls, which reduces the load on the stake pocket bolts82in the event of wind loads, bumpy roads, or similar adverse conditions. The present invention may be removed from the truck by unbolting the stake pocket bolts82and unhooking the rachet strap86, attaching three commercially available lift jacks (not shown) to the three jack attachment fittings15shown inFIGS. 1 and 3, lifting the present invention off of the truck bed sidewalls84with the three lift jacks, and driving the truck forward away from the present invention.

FIG. 14is an elevation view of the control panel49. Outlets, controls and status monitors mounted on the control panel49include a phone charger88, a lithium battery charge manager89, a light90, a voltage inverter91, a 115 VAC electrical outlet92, a furnace hot air outlet93, a thermostat94for the furnace and hot water heater and switch ba95of electrical switches. The switch bank contains on/off switches for a water pump, lights, a water tank heater and a macerator pump. The appliances operate on 12 VDC power, and this power may be optionally obtained from the truck battery or from the lithium battery. The lithium battery may be optionally charged from the solar panel16shown onFIG. 1or from an external 115 VAC power source.

FIG. 15is an elevation view of a typical quick-disconnect fitting of the type utilized in the present invention, with the quick-disconnect fitting shown in the disconnected position. This type of fitting is commercially available and is commonly described as a “cam-and-groove” hose coupling. The quick-disconnect fitting96is comprised of a male portion97and a female portion98. A first hose99is connected to the male portion97and held in place with a first hose clamp100. A second hose101is connected to the female portion98and held in place with a second hose clamp102. The female portion98comprises an annular groove103. The male portion comprises two cam arms104that are connected to internal protrusions (not shown). When the female portion98is inserted into the male portion97and the cam arms104are rotated inward (toward the hose), the internal protrusions of the male portion97grip the annular groove103of the female portion98and lock the male and female portions97,98together. Rotating the cam arms104outward allows the female portion98to unlock and separate from the male portion97.

FIG. 16is a perspective view of the toilet cabinet53shown with the hinged seat top105in the open position. A toilet located within the toilet cabinet53comprises a hinged toilet lid106shown in the open position, a toilet seat107shown in the lowered position, and a toilet bowl108.

Referring toFIGS. 1 through 14, in a preferred embodiment, the left side panel, the right side panel, the front panel, the rear panel, the rain catchment trough, the doors and ports are comprised of aluminum plate. The struts, hinges, connectors, nuts, bolts, pulleys and latches are manufactured from stainless steel. The tent is manufactured from conventional tent fabric such as canvas or polymer fiber. The interior cabinets and control panel are manufactured from wood. The cables are manufactured from polymer paracord. The tanks are manufactured from high density polyethylene or similar polymer.

The descriptions of the present invention in reference toFIGS. 1 through 14refer to a preferred embodiment and of the invention; however, the invention may be constructed or deployed with any of the following variations:The lower unit may be disconnected and removed from the upper unit, and the upper unit may be used as a stand-alone “dry” camper without running water. This option provides more space in the truck bed for materials and supplies.The present invention may be installed on a tow-behind trailer rather than on a pickup truck.The present invention may be constructed with scaled-down dimensions in order to fit onto pickup trucks that have bed lengths less than 6-½ feet.