Camping Paper Towel Dispenser for 2015-2023 Chevy Colorado (Short Bed)

I camp a lot, and have built much of my truck around a good camping experience. For a long time I have been bothered by the simple problem of needing to bring paper towels with me on my adventures, but not having any convenient place to store them both while driving and while cooking out of the back of the truck. My goal was to make a dispenser which would store paper towels out of the way, yet keep them easily accessible when needed. I wanted this dispenser to give paper towels freely, yet have a function to allow the user to tear the towels at will. It also needed to be easily reloaded with a new role when the old one runs out.

For full disclosure to any who stumble upon this, I will also note that while this is a project that I chose to pursue and had genuine personal interest in, this was also part of a school project. Because of this, there will be elements to this instructable that are present for the purpose of meeting all requirements necessary.

Below are the instructions to follow to create, assemble and install this paper towel dispenser. I've also included information about my design and prototyping process for any curious as to why I chose this design, as well as some testing that took place for proof of concept and improvement.

NOTICE: This design piggy backs off of the optional installable mounting points for a 2015-2023 Chevy Colorado short bed (5.2') If you do not have this make and model, then this design will not fit your vehicle. If you have this make and model, but do not have the GM optional tie down points pre-installed in your truck, you will need to purchase them in order to utilize this design.

1. Access to a 3D printer (minimum build plate dimensions: 6"x6"x6")
2. XX KG PLA filament
3. 1 - 1 3/8"Dia. x 18.5" Dowel Rod
4. 1 - 1" Wood Screw
5. 4 - 3/4" finishing nails
6. 1 - Cordless drill
7. 1 - 7/64" Dia. drill bit
8. 1 - 1/16" Dia. drill bit
9. Phillips and flathead screwdriver

when starting this project, I initially imagined that this paper towel dispenser could work sort of like my toilet paper dispenser in my bathroom. This consists of two supporting arms which come out of the wall and a bar between them. One of the arms has a hinge attached to the bar and the other has sort of a basket on it which catches and holds the bar from beneath. Attached is my first little sketch of the idea.

The easiest way I could think of to attach the dispenser to the side of the truck bed was going to be utilizing the die down points. At first, I thought that I could have some sort of rod which went straight through the tie downs, but even with a glance at them it is clear to tell this will not work because they are much too close to the bedside and the roll would not fit.

Next I had my first real prototype. I went off of the toilet paper dispenser idea in step 1 and began printing modules which would attach snugly to the tie down points. I figured if I could make parts which fit the tie down points well, I could print any shape I wanted to onto the back side of it, and therefore open up my options.

I started by taking measurements of the tie down points with digital calipers. I also took measurements of the distance of the tie down hole centerline to the wall of the truck bed and the overhanging lip of the wall. I then took measurements of an unused roll of paper towels including outer diameter, inner diameter and length.

I knew that I was going to have issues with fitment when trying to print objects to a specific size with a very small tolerance. It was important to me that all of my parts had a snug fit, yet were unlikely to get stuck. This would greatly enhance the quality of the dispenser. Because of this, I didn't want to try and design the entire attachment module and print it, because that prototype would be testing multiple different fitments in and around the tie down loop. For this reason, I printed objects that would test one measurement at a time, as best I could. Each of these had to have several iterations to find the right size design. Once I found the right design, I moved on to the next object.

I first printed a cylinder to fit inside the tie down loop. This told me the inner diameter. Next I printed a crescent or "C" shape which fit around the outside of the loop. This told me the outer diameter. Then I added walls to the sides of the "C" shape to test the thickness of the tie down loop. The last iteration in this first prototype was to all a lower support which went to the surface of the wall. I figured initially that I would want this support to help with any excessive downward force placed on the dispenser. However, after making this iteration, it became clear that my fitment around the actual tie down loop was so good that lower support was unnecessary. Because of this, I removed the support from the design.

At this stage, I also designed a key which would slide into the module and through the tie down loop, preventing it from coming out accidentally.

At this point, I was ready to begin designing the arm which would hold the bar for the paper towels. Again, I was still working off of my initial idea for a hinge and bar on one side and a basket on the other. From my initial measurements, I knew that the centerline of the paper towels would have to be positioned 3.75" horizontally and 1" down from the centerline of the tie down points in order to fit when full. I decided to design and print the basket side first as it would be much simpler.

Once this iteration of version 1 was printed, I made an unfortunate discovery. If rotational torque is applied to the tie down points, they will turn. This is an issue because the basket arm must be fixed in order to be positioned correctly to successfully catch the bar. If it was to turn, it would fail. I thought about options to keep the tie down loop from rotating, but there isn't really anything on the wall of the truck bed to use as a support against this sort of movement. Moreover, if there was something I could use on one side, there wasn't on the other. This meant in order to use this type of solution, I would have to use two different designs. My other clear option was to come up with a way to make the bar lock into place on the basket. This would allow the bar between the tie downs to act as a support between them against rotation. Both of these options seemed like they were going to complicate this design quite a bit. Having a fixed amount of time to finish this project, I tried to think outside the box. I came up with an idea for essentially what was a complete redesign.

Instead of having a bar with a hinge, I decided I would just have a bar with stopper caps on either end to keep the arms from rotating away from each other. The bar would sit in a slot which was inclined upward as it moved away from the truck bed. This would push the paper towel roll gently into the wall, creating some friction. This friction would be enough to tear the paper towels when the user gave a quick tug to them, but wouldn't be enough to rip them when they would be pulled slowly. I also figured that when the paper towels were pulled horizontally away from the wall, this would make the par roll up the slot, away from the wall, and release friction. However, if the towels were pulled down, the roll would move down the slot, into the wall, and increase friction. I used my initial measurements as well as a few additional measurements with the dial calipers to make a 3D model of this design and print.

I printed 2 arms using the new design and found a wooden dowel rod which would work between them for a test. I attempted to pull towels and then tear them pulling at different speeds and angles. The design worked to hold the paper towels at the right place where I wanted them in the truck and release the towels. However, it failed to provide enough resistance to tear the towels with one hand when desired. This was unfortunate as it was the harder goal I was shooting for and would make this dispenser significantly more user friendly.

While observing myself conducting this test, I noticed that the dowel rod remained relatively stationary when I pulled the paper towels. It was the paper towel roll which would rotate around the dowel rod because it had about a half inch larger diameter. I figured that if I made a spacer which would make the dowel rod fit snug inside the roll, this would force the dowel rod to rotate on the surface of the arms, which I guessed would create more friction.

In addition to this, I also figured that raising the angle of the slot would put more force on the paper towel roll horizontally into the wall of the truck, which would increase friction.

As stated, I redesigned the arms to have a steeper slot angle to increase friction. I also printed spacers shaped like the inside of a paint roller to fit over the dowel rod. I noticed that this design of having a few ribs inside the roll made for a tight fit, but also allowed the roll to stretch over it between the ribs. I think that this allows for a greater range of diameters which will provide enough friction to hold the paper towels without being too snug or getting stuck. I put a tapered edge on one half of the spacer to make it easier to slide paper towel rolls onto it, and I put a donut on the other half to act as a stopper. The distance between the two tie down hooks is much greater than the length of the roll. This donut would allow me to keep the paper towels at the end of the dowel rod closer to the tailgate of the truck for better access.

At this stage I also designed and printed end caps for the dowel rod which would fit snug enough to keep the arms from rotating away from each other, but also loose enough to pull off the rod relatively easily. I also put a hole on them so that the cap on the far end which never needs to be removed for roll replacement can be screwed into place.

This time, the dispenser applies adequate friction so that you can pull out paper towels easily, then tear them off easily as well. In other words, it works!

In order to make this dispenser, you will need to print the attached parts on a 3D printer. For my prints, I ended up with a tiny rim of plastic at the bottom of all my prints. Depending on the orientation, this can get in the way of critical tolerances such as the inner diameter of the spacer. Use a paring knife to peel off any excess overhanging plastic. I also did not use supports for any of my prints. this was only a minor issue on the arms at the insert location for the tie down loop. I used a paring knife here as well to cut out any protruding strings of plastic which would change the fit if left in place.

Using a saw, cut the dowel rod to 18.5". I gave 1/2"-1" extra space here. A tight fit wouldn't help, it would only cause problems. Around 18.5 is good, but you could go longer, or possibly a touch shorter if you want.

Using your drill and drill bit, you will drill out a pilot hole for one of your end caps in the dowel rod. Use the cap itself as a template for where to drill.

Use the screwdriver to screw your end cap into place.

Put the spacers on the dowel rod from the side without an end cap on it. Put the spacer with the donut on first, with donut facing the screwed in cap. Next, slide the other half of the spacer on the rod with the tapered end facing away from the donut until the spacers meet. the front of the tapered spacer should be at least 3" from the end of the rod in order to supply adequate space for the end cap and the arm. Align the ribs of the spacers with each other. Using the drill and drill bit, drill two holes in the middle of each spacer. These holes should be 90 degrees from one another. One should be slightly higher than the other so the nails don't run into one another. The holes drilled should only penetrate the plastic. Use the hammer to drive the nails into place.

Push the arms onto the tie down points. slide the key into the half circle hole to lock them in place. Push the end cap onto the exposed end of the dowel rod. Slide the dowel rod into the slots of the arms with the tapered end facing the back of the truck.

Take the dowel rod out of the arm slots. Remove the end cap on the tapered side. slide a roll of paper towels onto the dowel rod until the end of the roll runs into the donut on the end of the spacer. Ensure that when the Rod is replaced on the arms, the paper towels will feed over the top of the roll and not from underneath the roll. Replace the loaded rod on the arms. When taking off paper towels, first pull the towels slowly and horizontally towards the center of the truck bed. When you have reached the point that you want to tear, pull rapidly and vertically downward from the roll.