Truck and camper additions

Truck and camper additions for some extra storage and bike racks, one may be interested in that we made to our 2017 Northern Lite 9.6 and 2013 Ford F350. Over the years it seems after having spent months in our camper we come back to the cabin and dispose of more stuff we packed but never ever used. While one can hide a lot of “stuff” in many different spots, easy access to these items makes a big difference. Some of us also just tend to take more “stuff” just in case. These are a few ideas that work for us and our rig.

The front mount bike rack is now a must travel with, the rear tends to get a lot more dust and grime where as the front gets a few bugs which we feel is the better trade off. A front hitch receiver works, however I had to make my own to bolt under my homemade winch mount. I used a bolt on square receiver mount from an auto store got rid of the flimsy hitch mount that came with the bike mount for a short piece of steel tube it not only lowered the bikes from sight but made it much less wobbly hanging up front which bothered me. Hopefully these photos will help.

20250730 090039 — This was our first time hauling our bikes, this front mount worked out great and kept the bikes cleaner then mounted on the back.

GEP50002 — I discarded the mount that came with the hitch for a more secure and lower method.

GEP50003 — Bolt on hitch receiver and extended square tubing.

GEP50006 — This kinda crazy set up was to cut down play in the hitch receivers and it works. You can purchase clamps but I’m cheap.

GEP50007 — Folded and out of drivers sight.

GEP60191 — The view from the drivers seat bikes pretty much out of sight line.

The other modification to carry my electric chainsaw and a few recovery items and bike parts was using a kick-about steel case, an aluminum rear bumper carrier and some plastic milk cartons cut apart for some extra fuel cans. A fairly easy mount however I have to pull the case out to access items this is not a big problem as they are items not needed every day.

P1010183 — Under step storage for those items not accessed regularily and a little extra fuel.

GEP50010 — I had to cut the rack and add a little extra reinforcement, as I need to get into the top load case by sliding it out.

Another modification to carry items for our compost toilet supplies camp tools and spade was to mount a case to the back ladder. Northern Lite does not recomend this however what we place in here is very light. The ladder was not used as I find it dangerous to try and crawl over the awning to the roof. I’ll access it with a separate ladder or the sky light above the bed. To mount it to the ladder event lighting brackets were used, they are heavy plastic and clamp on easy for quick and easy removal if needed. Event lighting brackets were used to secure our spade as well. A ladder mount holder above takes care of our back pack used to truck out garbage or haul firewood.