02 Taco and Flppac

[Harp]

My wife have owned every type of camper available, we started with a tow behind Jayco pop up. Call it a mid life crisis, but we sold our house and everything we owned and bought a 34ft 5th wheel and a Dodge ram 3500 dually crew cab. Very nice but not very get up and go friendly. We lived in it for 2 years. After the biggest snow storm in NC history she stated I want a house again so we sold the 5th wheel and bought a Lance truck camper. Loved that thing, very comfy all the amenities and used it almost every weekend. 2 years in I noticed some delamination on the side and some cracking so got it fixed and sold it. A year has gone by and we missed the camping life so I started a search for a nice little setup to keep us comfy and out of the weather. That is when I saw Viking Vinces Flippac and it seemed like the perfect solution. I had bought Pepe' my 02 Taco and love that little truck. Rather than get rid of my old friend we just enhanced him a bit. The hitch rack holds all our water, chairs,grill, coolers, folding canopy and serves as a nice table when swung out. Had a large pelican case sitting around that holds most of our kitchen supplies and acts as a step to the bunk. a few more adjustments to make, but I think we are going to enjoy this setup alot. Maiden voyage next weekend. Thanks to Mario and Adventure Trailers for having it packed up and shipped to NC.

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[Rexsname]

Is that a Bed-Rug I see? How do you like it? Do you feel like it takes away from the trucks utility in any way?

REX

[vanderpooch]

Man we soooo got to get together so I can see one in person!! that thing is AWESOME!

[Harp]

Is that a Bed-Rug I see? How do you like it? Do you feel like it takes away from the trucks utility in any way?

REX

The bed rug is great! No more ribs on the knees, It cleans and dries very easily. For this application it is really nice. Little did I know the Flippac carpet is a perfect match!

[18seeds]

harp, why did you choose a Flippac and not a small Four Wheel Camper?

Since you are familiar with the whole TC set up why not just a small lightweight one?

I only ask because i have followed a similiar path to you. I sold my dodge 2500 diesel for a 2010 taco double cab shortbed. I've had a number of truck campers (hard side and pop up) as well as a few tow behinds. I am torn between a small FWC or FP.

[TACODOC]

Looks great dude!!! :coffeedrink:

[Harp]

harp, why did you choose a Flippac and not a small Four Wheel Camper?

Since you are familiar with the whole TC set up why not just a small lightweight one?

I only ask because i have followed a similiar path to you. I sold my dodge 2500 diesel for a 2010 taco double cab shortbed. I've had a number of truck campers (hard side and pop up) as well as a few tow behinds. I am torn between a small FWC or FP.

We wanted to start from scratch and add what we NEED, during the day we are hiking etc., all we were using our campers for was eat and sleep. Even the lightweight campers weigh in fairly heavy, this is under 300 lbs. The quality of many of the campers is marginal at best. It takes just one leak to have a major problem. We did eyeball the earthroamers, quality machine just way more than we needed. We had the truck so this was a good fit for our needs. The handling has not changed to much to the truck. I may just put some helper springs in for the added gear we will be hauling. Also just like the compact design and ease of use.

[alan]

Looks great! what type of material is used for the flip top?

[RedDog]

I find myself leaning this direction. The Jeep doesn't have a lot of room inside and I'm really getting too old to be crawling in and out of a tent on the ground. This type of combination seems the most logical for me.

One thought though: I'm a big boy at 6'2", 260 lbs. I always wonder about the weight limits on these FlipPacs and RTT's. In addition, what if a miracle occurred and I wasn't up there alone? (haha)

[VikingVince]

One thought though: I'm a big boy at 6'2", 260 lbs. I always wonder about the weight limits on these FlipPacs and RTT's. In addition, what if a miracle occurred and I wasn't up there alone? (haha)

Miracles do occur. :wings: (I got a laugh out of the way you put that)
I've had no problems whatsoever with weight and size sleeping in my Flippac. I'm 6'4", 225 lbs(the bed is longer than me) and the Flippac is amazingly comfortable and sturdy....add my former gf (6', 150lbs) plus a few miracles and still no problem. :)

My FP is over 15 years old now!!! (I bought it at 10 years old) The fiberglass exterior looks practically brand new. I'm impressed with how well it has held up. I did eventually change the stock mattress to a thicker foam as it compressed somewhat over the years....made it even more comfortable although it adds to the weight when opening it.

[VikingVince]

Harp...your truck and FP look really nice. I think it will serve you and your wife well.
One word of caution...which you may already know...you will need a rain cover. Either make one yourself from a big tarp (that's what I did) or buy the storm cover. Without a cover, the FP will leak in the rain.

[TACODOC]

One thought though: I'm a big boy at 6'2", 260 lbs. I always wonder about the weight limits on these FlipPacs and RTT's. In addition, what if a miracle occurred and I wasn't up there alone? (haha)

I'm the same size as you and the wife and I have no problems with this :)

[VikingVince]

harp, why did you choose a Flippac and not a small Four Wheel Camper?

Since you are familiar with the whole TC set up why not just a small lightweight one?

I only ask because i have followed a similiar path to you. I sold my dodge 2500 diesel for a 2010 taco double cab shortbed. I've had a number of truck campers (hard side and pop up) as well as a few tow behinds. I am torn between a small FWC or FP.


You more than likely are aware of this but there's a big difference in cost between a FP and FWC...if that's an issue...more than $10-12K (assuming you were to order a well-optioned FWC) .

[Harp]

Harp...your truck and FP look really nice. I think it will serve you and your wife well.
One word of caution...which you may already know...you will need a rain cover. Either make one yourself from a big tarp (that's what I did) or buy the storm cover. Without a cover, the FP will leak in the rain.

It was on back order and should arrive this week. The day I picked it up it rained and fairly steady for the last 5 days. A little moisture from installation but the tent was dry as a bone when I opened it and see if I needed to dry it out today.

http://http://martyharp.smugmug.com/Other/Camper/IMG9094/699674351_pWJnR-M.jpg

http://martyharp.smugmug.com/Other/Camper/IMG9096/699676738_Cbcxk-M.jpg

[RedDog]

Thanks Vince for your comments. Btw, I clicked on your link and just love your set-up. Very slick.

[RMP&O]

congrats!! :victory:

That looks great! I have an 04 D/C Taco and want a Flip Pac so thanks for posting pics.

I am curious, can you tell me how long it took to get the Flip Pac from time you ordered it to the time it showed up at your place? And this is not an AT Flip Pac is it?

[Harp]

congrats!! :victory:

That looks great! I have an 04 D/C Taco and want a Flip Pac so thanks for posting pics.

I am curious, can you tell me how long it took to get the Flip Pac from time you ordered it to the time it showed up at your place? And this is not an AT Flip Pac is it?

Yes it is a AT flipac, I ordered from Mario and Martyn, I guess with the window there is no room for the decal that Taco Doc has. (I would have liked that graphic too) The production time out is at least 8 weeks. Another 5 days to ship from CA to NC. I had to pick it up at a Fed ex hub so you need a good size trailer. (the pallet is wider and longer on all sides). As far as mounting you need 4 guys one on each corner or a friend with a fork lift. I had a friend who owns an airplane machine shop help me with mine. Working in a heated hanger out of the rain, nice. We had it ready in about a 12 pack. (about 3 hours) He had all the cool tools to make things easy.

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[VikingVince]

It was on back order and should arrive this week. The day I picked it up it rained and fairly steady for the last 5 days. A little moisture from installation but the tent was dry as a bone when I opened it and see if I needed to dry it out today.



My aging flippac has never leaked anywhere when it's closed...and I'm sure yours won't either. You'll need the rain cover when it's open and it's raining...trust me!:) You'll be glad you ordered it.

With my homemade cover, I stay totally dry. I can't speak to the storm cover they sell.

[Harp]

Thanks for the info Vince, I have enjoyed the pics of your setup. You have been an inspiration for a few ideas I have in mind for mine. I like the top rack. How much does it weigh? Did it make a big difference after mounting for opening and closing?

[VikingVince]

Thanks for the info Vince, I have enjoyed the pics of your setup. You have been an inspiration for a few ideas I have in mind for mine. I like the top rack. How much does it weigh? Did it make a big difference after mounting for opening and closing?

My top rack was a mistake!!! I don't know exactly but I'm guessing it weighs around 40 pounds. The only things I ever carry up there are a couple camp chairs, roll top table, and sometimes a bundle of firewood. If I had it to do over I would definitely just put a couple load bars up there (as in the support/load bars for racks)...attach the Quick Fists to the load bars and I could still carry everything that I mentioned. (just bungee a firewood bundle between the bars...or you don't really need Quick Fists either...just bungees would work too)

I also changed the mattress to a 4" dense foam...very comfy but also adds about 10 pounds. (Your stock mattress should be fine for a number of years...mine started to compress and I could feel the bottom of the flippac...of course it was over 10 years old!)

So with the rack and mattress, I have to be "creative" with opening and closing the flippac...as in propping it up almost halfway with my hiking stick before using the crank and using a rope to close it!!! LOL...it works! The rack is the weight culprit...load bars are the answer! (making some from aluminum would be the best)

[RMP&O]

Yes it is a AT flipac, I ordered from Mario and Martyn, I guess with the window there is no room for the decal that Taco Doc has.

Hmmnnn, that is odd because when I asked Martyn if windows could be done he said one wasn't a problem. Leading me to think two was a problem.

5 days to ship across country is pretty fast!

I am curious...Vince have you had your flip pac in some high winds? 40-50mph? If so how does it hold up to that?

[VikingVince]

I am curious...Vince have you had your flip pac in some high winds? 40-50mph? If so how does it hold up to that?

I've been in multiple windy situations from low to moderate (40-50mps) to heavy 80 mph gusts.
Any tent type construction is going to wake you up in windy situations and the flippac is no exception.

Structurally...surprisingly, I've never had any rip/tear in the tent fabric or damage to the folding tent structure/poles from any windy situation...although in moderate to heavy wind the structure moves around a little. I've minimized this with a simple 2x3 with notches in each end that I wedge diagonally between the poles in the middle.
The 80+ mph gusts were in a severe coastal storm right here in southern CA. Every canopy and tent on the beach was getting ripped apart and people were leaving in droves. No doubt the highest wind I've had the rig in. One of the support poles that attaches to the front of the truck broke off where it attaches to the fiberglass...but no damage to the fabric or structure itself. Later, it was a simple repair with fiberglass bondo...although, at the time, at that point I packed up and took off also.

Soooo....I don't think you'd have any problems in 40-50 mph winds, other than being awakened. The 2x3 wedge in the middle is probably a good idea although it temporarily inhibits getting in and out of the bed area...just have to maneuver around it.

[RMP&O]

thanks Vince for the detailed reply! I figured if anybody had been in high winds with their Flip Pac it would be you!! :)

great simply idea on the 2x3 brace....