Expandable top Camber shell...Photoshop dream

[Dan Lee]

So I've seen a flip/pac, as a guy who lives down the street has one, as well as I've looked at the sportsmobile. I asked a buddy who is pretty good at photoshop to throw something together for my F250 and this is what he came up with. It's a cross between the two, more rugged and weatherproof than a flip/pac in my opinion.

Where I camp is typically a day or two, and when the wind picks up the tent usually get's beat down and I sleep in the back seat. I don't own a shell at this point, but would consider purchasing one if anybody has advise on how I could make something like this become a reality. I would be interested in chopping up a used fiberglass top if I had some direction. I'm thinking a heavy duty canvas would be the trick and I could care less if it had any windows, more or less, just a way to gain clearance.

So....would ya? Could ya?

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q122/DJL337/DannyboyCamper.jpg

[Dale]

that is AWESOME!

[hikingff77]

So I've seen a flip/pac, as a guy who lives down the street has one, as well as I've looked at the sportsmobile. I asked a buddy who is pretty good at photoshop to throw something together for my F250 and this is what he came up with. It's a cross between the two, more rugged and weatherproof than a flip/pac in my opinion.

Where I camp is typically a day or two, and when the wind picks up the tent usually get's beat down and I sleep in the back seat. I don't own a shell at this point, but would consider purchasing one if anybody has advise on how I could make something like this become a reality. I would be interested in chopping up a used fiberglass top if I had some direction. I'm thinking a heavy duty canvas would be the trick and I could care less if it had any windows, more or less, just a way to gain clearance.

So....would ya? Could ya?

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q122/DJL337/DannyboyCamper.jpg

Dude it's totally possible. I've thought about doing the same thing to my shell. I also am trying to design a slide in camper with a pop top like a FWC but slighly different.

Good luck with your set up. I don't think it'd be very hard. Use Marine grade canvas, have some professional sew in screens and windows. I think if you just hacked a few inches below the top of the cab you could easily fix something up to work.

[Dan Lee]

well hearing I'm not totally nuts is a good start. I'm thinking of looking at some various shells on the used market. I can handle hacking up something I paid like $250 for vs. something that was like $1000.


I'm thinking for support, you could go with some aluminum frame rails and arms to make a reinforced frame inside the roof, maybe even something along the lines of an extending leg on an easy-up that would lock up in the "up" or "down" position since you would be cutting away at the structural integrity of a shell. That with some weather molding and some exterior fasteners to keep that bad boy from blowing off going down the road.

[hikingff77]

well hearing I'm not totally nuts is a good start. I'm thinking of looking at some various shells on the used market. I can handle hacking up something I paid like $250 for vs. something that was like $1000.


I'm thinking for support, you could go with some aluminum frame rails and arms to make a reinforced frame inside the roof, maybe even something along the lines of an extending leg on an easy-up that would lock up in the "up" or "down" position since you would be cutting away at the structural integrity of a shell. That with some weather molding and some exterior fasteners to keep that bad boy from blowing off going down the road.

Right. It wouldn't take much. You could build in some alum. brackets in the corners and have a frame go up in the opening attached to it, that would create the bed platform.

I love thinking of this stuff but don't know for sure if I'd ever carry through with it. ;) Wish I had places to wheel around here that could be considered "expedition" style.

[TimW]

I been wanting to do the samething for a coulpe of yrs now too.

[Dan Lee]

I been wanting to do the samething for a coulpe of yrs now too.

get a shell and sawzall and I'll cheer you on.

My question would be
1. cut a center of the roof out
or
2. cut along the outer rim (more like a shoebox fit). By shoebox (a term I have learned while visiting boat factories) you would need a lip that would cover the top wider than the outside. Also adding strength for the lid that would be sacrificed.

Also thinking to secure the roof after it has been scalped off would be to use 4 hinges similar to holding on the hood of a jeep, secured on the outside.

[NorCalBronco]

I always thought this would be a great solution as well, and have looked at my shell with a sawzall in hand many a times :)

[FettsWay]

Cool idea, it would be helpful to stand up in and change clothes if needed, and give nice ventilation.

I have often thought about cutting out that chunk of my camper shell roof and putting in a plexi glass ceiling so I could stare at the stars while falling asleep.

I really think you could find a decent used camper shell for your rig. I bought mine used for $250 and overpaid because I had a tough time finding one to fit my nissan. While searching used camper shells, there was alwasy lots that would fit ford, chevy, dodge trucks and priced less.

[jeepmedic46]

Very cool idea, :smiley_drive:

[dustboy]

I was thinking about doing the opposite, and instead of cutting the top off the shell, which would leave you with rigidity problems in the sides, I would build a scissor mechanism to lift the whole shell off the bed rails by 12". There would be canvas to fill the gap when open.

[Antichrist]

Check places that restore VW's. I wouldn't be surprised if someone has copied this.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/archive/d/d7/20080929164003!VW_Camper.jpg

[bahndo]

I was thinking about doing the opposite, and instead of cutting the top off the shell, which would leave you with rigidity problems in the sides, I would build a scissor mechanism to lift the whole shell off the bed rails by 12". There would be canvas to fill the gap when open.

Definitely thinking outside the box! I would say the only down side to your plan is that lifting the entire camper shell would require a substantial lifting mechanism that would most likely (but not necessarily) take up a ton of room. I think the initial post is on a good path, yes rigidity would be compromised but if it is only for camping and not going to have a rack on it or anything then it should be fine.

[bucketosudz]

I was thinking about doing the opposite, and instead of cutting the top off the shell, which would leave you with rigidity problems in the sides, I would build a scissor mechanism to lift the whole shell off the bed rails by 12". There would be canvas to fill the gap when open.

This idea is exactly what a company in Idaho Falls Idaho was doing for awhile. When the shell was lifted at each corner, two platform beds were extended to each side. I know of a guy in town that has one, I will try to get some pictures and information from him.

[UHAULER]

I have seen a very similar pop top on a mid 80's/90's dodge van at a self serve auto wreckers in Sacramento. I'm sure there are plenty in the pick n pull type wrecking yards all over the country.



Check places that restore VW's. I wouldn't be surprised if someone has copied this.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/archive/d/d7/20080929164003!VW_Camper.jpg

[dustboy]

This idea is exactly what a company in Idaho Falls Idaho was doing for awhile. When the shell was lifted at each corner, two platform beds were extended to each side. I know of a guy in town that has one, I will try to get some pictures and information from him.

I would love to see how that was done. Do you know the name of the company?

For the weight of the lift, you could have some gas lift struts to counterbalance the load.

[OutbacKamper]

I was thinking about doing the opposite, and instead of cutting the top off the shell, which would leave you with rigidity problems in the sides, I would build a scissor mechanism to lift the whole shell off the bed rails by 12". There would be canvas to fill the gap when open.

I actually considered doing the same thing. There was a tonneau cover / camper made called "Top Up Camper" that used an electro-hydraulic scissor lift mechanism. This same lift looks like it would easily lift a standard shell 12-18". The tonneau cover was sold by ARE until recently, but it has since been removed from their website. Here are a few pics:

Cheers
Mark

[bucketosudz]

I would love to see how that was done. Do you know the name of the company?

For the weight of the lift, you could have some gas lift struts to counterbalance the load.

The name is Mountaineer Pop-up Tent Camper System. They were manufactured in Idaho Falls, ID by a trio of Idaho National Laboratory Employees on there off days. They were being sold at a RV dealership for a time. I am trying to contact the dealership to see if there is any other information I can get. The guy that has one said they stopped producing them due to there day jobs. I am trying to figure out how to add photos and I will include one of the setup as soon as possible.

The setup is pretty simple but stout. The lifts are housed in a 4X4 type of square tubing. I am not sure I would want to have this setup in inclement weather however.

Staytuned for pic.

[Overland Hadley]

The name is Mountaineer Pop-up Tent Camper System. They were manufactured in Idaho Falls, ID by a trio of Idaho National Laboratory Employees on there off days. They were being sold at a RV dealership for a time. I am trying to contact the dealership to see if there is any other information I can get. The guy that has one said they stopped producing them due to there day jobs. I am trying to figure out how to add photos and I will include one of the setup as soon as possible.

The setup is pretty simple but stout. The lifts are housed in a 4X4 type of square tubing. I am not sure I would want to have this setup in inclement weather however.

Staytuned for pic.

Sounds interesting. Look forward to the photo.

[bucketosudz]

Alright Folks, I have figured out the photo posting bit with KC's assistance. Here is a photo of a photo of the Mountaineer. I will try and get an interior pic, when I can. The fellow that owns it has it stuffed with storage items at the moment. It will give you and idea of what is being done nonetheless.

http://i673.photobucket.com/albums/vv96/bucketosudz/new024-1.jpg

[Overland Hadley]

The setup is pretty simple but stout. The lifts are housed in a 4X4 type of square tubing. I am not sure I would want to have this setup in inclement weather however.


Like you said, I am not sure how it would hold up in heavy weather. And that is the time when you really want shelter.

[psychohawk]

Alright Folks, I have figured out the photo posting bit with KC's assistance. Here is a photo of a photo of the Mountaineer. I will try and get an interior pic, when I can. The fellow that owns it has it stuffed with storage items at the moment. It will give you and idea of what is being done nonetheless.

http://i673.photobucket.com/albums/vv96/bucketosudz/new024-1.jpg

I hope this looks better in person ... from the picture it looks like something the homeless guy around the corner from work is living in. :-)

Regarding sissoring the whole camper up or cutting a whole in the roof, I've often pondered both and they both have their pros/cons. My inclination however has always been ala Sportsmobile and wonder if an off the shelf Sportsmobile can be merged with a traditional camper shell. (Sportsmobile, if you're reading, maybe you can make these for us as another product line?) Of course, as mentioned previously, a used Westfalia roof might also be a good start ... keep us updated, curious what you come up with.

Carl

[psychohawk]

See this, posted elsewhere on the portal:

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=24429goto=newpost

Made by Sundowner; hurry, it's a CL ad.

[eugene]

I always wanted to find one of those caps that sits higher than the cab, the ones that the higher section is somewhat narrower so the cap matches the sides of the truck. Then build thin side panels that hinge in the center so they fold up when the top is down.

[dustboy]

http://i673.photobucket.com/albums/vv96/bucketosudz/new024-1.jpg[/IMG]

Yikes..that's a bit much, loose and flappy.. I'd get no sleep on a windy night. The nice thing about my shell is it's warm and quiet..if I added a bunch of canvas that would be gone.

[bucketosudz]

Most definately not the most practical, however it proves the idea that alternative uses for a topper/shell can be done. I think a topper with a maggiolina or westfalia type of top is the most impressive idea, and frankly I suspect it would be the most successful way to attack it. But then it would seem to me one is investing so much into it that it would be more financially prudent to go with an existing setup. However us freethinker, just wouldnt have any fun designing stuff!!!:wings:

[jatibb]

ive thought of a topper for the fullsize truck. cutting the roof off a midsize topper (used and cheap) to use as a flip up. hinged at the front. easier to do and could possibly stand up at rear, bunk in front or under flip up part (westfalia style)

[chet]

you can get a used VW westfalia up here for around $1000 that would come with all the inside stuff as well. keep the top and possibly buy a new canvas (they are still available) and sell the rest. with some basic fiberglassing skills on the canopy it wouldn't be too hard.

[Dale]

just throwing it out there, not sure how it would work. How about a $50 mini used truck topper and a sawzall and a heavy duty sewing machine?