Flip Pac and a rack

[RMP&O]

I was thinking a lot lately how to be able to carry things like kayaks or surfboards with a flip pac....

Then it hit me...why not do an external rack like any other external rack. It would just have to be custom built. If the rack went over the flip pac and you could flip the roof of the rack or say just have bars on it with your stuff mounted. Well if it could filp to the side of the truck it would just be one extra step in opening the flip pac. If build strong enough and right the flipped over section of the rack could serve as an awning. Also if built right you could leave the gear on it. Maybe utilize some shocks in it so it doesn't slam down and is easier to open?

Any ways, I think I may have solved how to carry large gear with a flip pac. At least for myself so I can put a flip pac back on my "want list"! :victory:

[suntinez]

I'm still trying to picture this.

Do you mean mounting the custom rack to the truck, but have it tall enough to clear the height of the flippac? (but not touching the shell) Then hinge it either left or right side so that it flips to the side of the vehicle so the flippac could be deployed? Origami for flips! Would love to see this.

Or do you mean mounted to the top of the flippac somehow?

[vanderpooch]

Like the original Wildernests?

http://www.wildernestcamper.com/

That is what stopped me, i'm way to lazy after a day of paddlin to have to load and unload boats a second time back at camp.

What about this one?
http://wildernest.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=sale&action=display&thread=205

[Martyn]

Couple of solutions.

You can mount a Thule racks to a track system. The uprights and cross bars are then removed prior to opening the AT FlipPac, just push 4 buttons on the towers.

Or a custom rack that has the cross bars and one side rotate to vertical. Could be assisted by gas struts.

[RMP&O]

I'm still trying to picture this.

Do you mean mounting the custom rack to the truck, but have it tall enough to clear the height of the flippac? (but not touching the shell) Then hinge it either left or right side so that it flips to the side of the vehicle so the flippac could be deployed? Origami for flips! Would love to see this.


yes exactly, just an external type rack used on any truck with a capper......The rack would have to be custom made in order to clear the flip pac as far as how tall and wide it would be. The rack would flip to the side just like the WilderNest tent does. I am picturing it with some sort of poles to aid in flipping it over but also used as the awning poles and also the kayaks or surf boards mounted center enough to allow it to be flipped flat and not hit the body of truck/flip pac. Toss a tarp over it when flipped and instant awning! The hinge set up would have to be figured out and an easy way to flip it over which is why I though of shocks....otherwise like I said just a few more steps in setting up the flip pac. You might even be able to do a variation of it that would work like the Thule Hullavator.

http://www.thuleracks.com/product.asp?dept_id=10&sku=897XT

I have looked at trailers a lot and for some things it is really good. Thing is I am setting my truck up for long distance trips outside the USA....Baja, Costa Rica, and farther into South America. I don't want to hual a trailer on one of those trips. I have looked into a custom bed on my truck like the AT "Taco Chaser". I like this and may end up going with something like that. But overall I really like the Flip Pac the most, it is just a sweet set up and design. I am just not going to buy a flip pac if I can't carry kayaks, sufboards and other large gear. I thought about mounting them to the side of the flip pac but I don't want to do that because it will be wide and ugly and the sidewalls of the flip pac may not hold up to it. I don't want them mounted to the top of the flip pac because then they have to be unloaded every time you want to sleep in the truck. I also question if the flip pac could take hundreds if not thousands of miles on rough roads with the weight of say 100-200lbs on it? With an external rack over the flip pac it should be more than strong enough even if made from say light aluminum. It wouldn't be a really burley rack since it will hinge or seperate across the middle but I would think it should be able to carry big light items like kayaks and surfboards no problems.

[RMP&O]

I can actually see how to make this work even with a cross bar or two on the rack to help keep it solid and strong.

By looking at these pics...

http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=32029&page=3

I can see there is plenty of room around the top front of the flip pac to clear a cross bar. In the rear it may be possible to have one that would clear the top and the window/door. This would strengthen up the rack considerably. With gear up on the rack it would be a tall set up but fully contained and doable.

[MotoDave]

We think alike:
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=483747&postcount=32


What if you made a rack that mounts to the lower half of the Flip-Pac, and can pivot up vertically? When you want to flip up the tent, you'd unlatch the rack from one side, pivot it up on its side, and flip up the tent as normal. The kayak would end up next to the tent.


If you wanted to get really ambitious you could have it preloaded by a torsion spring and open using the same handle as the Flip-Pac :)

[RMP&O]

Originally Posted by MotoDave
If you wanted to get really ambitious you could have it preloaded by a torsion spring and open using the same handle as the Flip-Pac

nice...that is a really good idea using the flip pac handle to flip it over.

I know fabricators, it is doable. I think I am sold...

PS, I made this post so as not to clutter the other guys post. He has a nice thing going there and doesn't need to carry kayaks!

[suntinez]

If you wanted to get really ambitious you could have it preloaded by a torsion spring and open using the same handle as the Flip-Pac

OK now I'm getting it. To take it a step further, why not order an extra flippac torsion bar and use that as the basis for the flipping part of the rack? Then you could definitely use the same handle.

[Wiley]

I realize this thread is over 7 months old, and while I cannot help with a fabricated system, I have been searching for the same type of solution regarding Flip Pacs and Surfboards. I think I am going to go with strapping them to the top of the flip pac on a low profile rack, and just taking them down each day (yes a hassle), and storing them under the truck locking them to the frame. There are several companies which make a locking system for either the leash plug or fin box. Rather than use the cable lock I think an elongated lock would allow room to use a bigger "chain" from home depot which would be both stronger and cheap. I am sure there are many choices, but I found these companies with google which I think would work well if you don't mind the hassle.

http://boardsecure.com/main.sc
http://www.surflocks.com/instructions.html
http://www.tribalsurf.net/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=561

I realize its not the greatest solution, but there does not seem to be many options on the net. Hopefully this cheap alternative can help someone else going through the same issues we are discussing here.

[billy bee]

Probably would not work for kayaks, but I've seen surfboards and snowboards mounted on the side of a vehicle. It would function like this, but be mounted on the side of the FP.

http://www.sportraxx.com/products/images/snowboard_rack/snowboardraxx.gif

There are also some cool, lightweight trailers for just such an application. sportsrig makes a good one. Yakima makes a knock-off of the sportsrig.

bb

[Jeep or Tacoma]

I mounted yakima racks on top so they can be left on when you flip open the racks. I just behind the support struts in back and within a bout 2 inches of the front. When the top is opened the racks fit just fine above the cab of my tacoma. I carried kayaks up there the only problem is you have to unload the kayaks or what ever before you open the top. No way around that except something like a sports mobile van

[lpmitch]

RMP&O/Moto Dave

Did you guys ever end up fabricating a rack that flips to the side with kayaks etc on the rack? I was thinking of the same thing and I just found your post. Please let me know if you were able to figure something out. Thanks!

[matt s]

Probably would not work for kayaks, but I've seen surfboards and snowboards mounted on the side of a vehicle. It would function like this, but be mounted on the side of the FP.

http://www.sportraxx.com/products/images/snowboard_rack/snowboardraxx.gif

There are also some cool, lightweight trailers for just such an application. sportsrig makes a good one. Yakima makes a knock-off of the sportsrig.

bb

Ditto that was going to be my suggestion.

[RR1]

I would fab up a rack that flips off to one side when the flip-pac is open, it could also double as an awning with a piece of canvas strung between the rails. At least that is what I am going to build when I find a FP for my truck.

Would look like this but the load bars would be hinged.

http://www.camper-shells.net/images/Cross%20Treads%20Renegade%20Pickup%20Truck%20Rack% 20camper%20shell%20-%201,000lb%20Max%20Capacity.jpg

[Flagster]

Please correct me but as I am looking at pics of TacoDoc's flippac open it seems as if there is about 6 inches of open space between the underside of the flippac (bed part) and the roof of the truck cab...why can't a "thin" rack be permanently mounted to the top on the flippac. I know "gear" would have to come off but why couldn't the rack stay on if clears the cab roof? when opened...

[dta]

Probably would not work for kayaks, but I've seen surfboards and snowboards mounted on the side of a vehicle. It would function like this, but be mounted on the side of the FP.


Depending on what kind of kayaks you are talking about side mounting can definitely work. I used to paddle with a guy in CA who ran a small raft outfitter. He had a f150 with a contractor rack that we used as a shuttle vehicle and we regularly side mounted the "safety" boats since the top was loaded with the rubber. We were mostly running white water play boats, but I think his was Necky Jive which runs about 8 feet long. You may need to mount some kind of small pegs or something sticking out a few inches down near the truck rails, but that and a few straps or some rope is all you need.

I know a bunch of people who have also side mounted bikes be welding trays on in a similar fashion.

Problem with this and boats or bikes is you only get two (one each side) at least with the setups I have seen.


I would fab up a rack that flips off to one side when the flip-pac is open, it could also double as an awning with a piece of canvas strung between the rails. At least that is what I am going to build when I find a FP for my truck.

Would look like this but the load bars would be hinged.

http://www.camper-shells.net/images/Cross%20Treads%20Renegade%20Pickup%20Truck%20Rack% 20camper%20shell%20-%201,000lb%20Max%20Capacity.jpg

I have sort of toyed around with this idea as well. It seems to me that the problem is you would need to be able to swing up to near 90 degrees. Depending on what you have tied down that is a lot of weight to get vertical and loaded all on one side. Granted it would be while you were not moving, but, I think that would require a lot more than a more simple hinge system that would let you lift it say 30 or even 60 degrees.

If anyone goes anywhere with any of these ideas though I would love to see the results.

[TACODOC]

Please correct me but as I am looking at pics of TacoDoc's flippac open it seems as if there is about 6 inches of open space between the underside of the flippac (bed part) and the roof of the truck cab...why can't a "thin" rack be permanently mounted to the top on the flippac. I know "gear" would have to come off but why couldn't the rack stay on if clears the cab roof? when opened...


Viking Vince did that and IIRC he regrets it. The torsion bar is rated to open the lid as is, add a rack and it reduces the lifespan of that torsion bar...

For me, the less weight and wind resistance the better. If I really wanted to carry kayaks or boards I'd use a different shell/setup.