Free Full-size Pickup truck bed cap

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I have a pickup cap for a Ford 150 and we no longer have the pickup. When I replace the pickup I am planning to buy the smaller size. Meahwhile, the cap is taking up space in my stable and I would like it outta here. If anyone lives within a commute of Stafford, Virginia send me an e-mail and we can arrange to have you pick it up. It is not new but the glass is intact, has only a couple of minor dents and the door hinges work fine. I don't have the key to the lock as I bought it second hand. I'm planning to put up a flyer at the feed store to see if anyone wants it but thought I would give you guys a shot first.

-- Colleen (pyramidgreatdanes@erols.com), April 09, 2000

Answers

Colleen; That is a very generous offer. To everyone else, Those used pick-up camper shells make some of the best tops for poultry houses. I've made several to house various breeds, varieties of poultry. I first build a short, 4' wall, the same size as the perimiter of the shell. The wall is built from used redwood fencing material I get free from fencing companies who must clean up the old fence when they build a new one. The redwood fence stringer boards are 2"x4"s that I use for framing. The siding boards are the 1"x 6-8-10-12" fence boards. I also use the same materials to build a wooden floor. The outside run is attatched to the camper shell house and can be as large as you want. I've built several side by side and the waterers and feeders are placed in the connected corner so they can be serviced from the outside. In the short walls I build the nest boxes to extend to the outside, easy collecting and more interior room. I hinge the lids on the nests and cover with used metal roofing. The campers have windows custom built to ventilate in the summer. covered with poultry netting of course. The camper doors usually hinge upward to act as a shade. The caps are insulated and provide and adequately warm area for roosting in the winter. With the door closed. I place the roosts at the top of the short wall but it can be varied to match your chickens needs. If you stagger the joints of the siding from the inside to the outside you will have a very effective wind resistant wall. The wood floors drain well and provide a soft landing for birds in the morning. The floors also are elevated enough to facilitate good drainage in wet weather. These "Coops" have served me well for twenty plus years. They only cost me the price of the nails and screws to assemble. The caps are screwed to the top board of the short wall. I periodicaly make new coops as the need arises. The cost is still the same. These also make good well pump houses. I hope some homesteader takes you up on your offer. Sincerely Randy Henry (JaRaCo)

-- Randy Henry (JaRaCo) (JaRaCoRanch@aol.com), April 10, 2000.

I had to chuckle at Randy's comment about using the truck cap for chickens since I did receive a response from Joel Rosen and he said if it doesn't fit his truck, a Dodge, he is going to use it for chickens as well. I am pleased to say that Joel contacted me and we are arranging for him to pick it up this weekend. I was surprised that he was the only one that responded. I guess we are the only ones that live in Virginia. LOL I hope others will be willing to use this Forum as a way to make similar offerings. I got the idea from the canning jars posting. (I could use some canning jars but I was too late in seeing it. But it did give me some ideas about how I might get some locally by advertising in the paper.) I am tickled to have it out of my yard because it was in the way anyway and am particularly glad that someone from the Countryside Forum was able to come get it. Another great success story!!

-- Colleen (pyramidgreatdanes@erols.com), April 10, 2000.

Colleen;

My wife and I picked up the canning jars from Jane this weekend and not only did we get some much needed jars but made some friends as well. This forum is great for knowledge and bringing us together as people with a common goal in our lives. I agree with you I hope that others use this forum as you are. I'm doing an inventory of our place now to see what we can contribute as well.

Jim

-- Jim Tanner (tanner_jim@hotmail.com), April 10, 2000.


Okay, I have two red Cochin Roosters and one red Cochin hen that needs a home. They are almost a year old, nothing wrong with them except the roosters are messing up my purebred Aracauna banties chick program. [the roosters are fertilizing the wrong eggs. If anyone close to Southeast Kansas area would like them, please let me know. karen

-- Karen Mauk (dairygoatmama@hotmail.com), April 12, 2000.

SUCCESS!! Joel got to my house this morning and the cap was a perfect fit for his Dodge pickup. We clamped it to the truck and after a little visit talking about what projects we are working on here, exchanging some comments about our philosophies on life and learning what projects he is working on, he was on his way. It was a nice visit for both my husband and I and we were pleased that we were able to share what we had with a fellow homesteader and Countrysider. Let's see if others can come up with some things they can share with someone. It is a great way to meet each other and help us all save a little money.

-- Colleen (pyramidgreatdanes@erols.com), April 15, 2000.


It fit like a glove and did everything I intended it to do. I used half the fuel going home than it used to get there. Had a wonderful visit and enjoyed hearing of their projected enterprise(well on it's way to completion). I'll let Colleen and Paul break that news on you but it looked very good ! I loved my early ride thru the Shenandoah Valley--Madison's house,Chanclorsville and Fredricksburg Battlefields- where you smell the powder burning and you probably always will. Thank You both for a lovely day and the nice gift ! Joel

-- Joel Rosen (Joel681@webtv.net), April 15, 2000.

And I thought I was so original! The only differance was I took apart a bunch of 4x4 pallets & used the 2x4's for studs then used old panels from overhead garage doors (free from the installer) for sheathing. I also used R.R. ties for a sort of stem wall, so no rotting from the ground up.

-- Okie-Dokie (www.tommycflinstone@aol.com), April 16, 2000.

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