FlipPac roof top load.

[bcbmedic]

I know others have asked the question, but i am still not clear on the correct answer. I am interested in getting a flippac and would like to mount a set of yakima or thule rails to the flippac to carry kayaks or a canoe. I know that this means unloading the boats every night, but i will not be carrying them all the time. Will the load be too much for the flippac to carry (150lb max). It is my understanding that the limited carry weight on the flippac is related to the strength of the hinge mechanism and the potential for opening the flippac with a load on the roof. I will not be opening it with a load. So, can i carry kayaks or a canoe on a flippac?

Thanks in advance for your input!

Brian Bates
New to Expo Portal

[Martyn]

Brian

Any additional weight on the roof section of the FlipPac is not recommended. In fact doing so revokes the warranty.

The reason for this is that the torsion bar is set fro the weight of the roof itself. I know a track and or towers don't seem that much to add but when it's multiplied by the distance from the fulcrum it multiples the weight considerably.

The only alternative is to attach the rack to the vertical walls of the FlipPac and use long towers to clear the roof.

Thule has a nice fast disconnect system that would work well for this application.

[bcbmedic]

Martyn

Thank you for the quick reply, and i will look into the thule quick release option!

Brian

[Frostymug]

Brian,

I recently purchased a FlipPac with the intent to carry a 75 pound canoe utilizing the Yakima track system attached to the roof.

During manufacture, FRP imbedded two plywood strips within the roof. The wood strips run the length of the roof and are positioned to sit under each track. The wood is needed to keep the through-bolts, which attach the track, from crushing the cored roof and to help spread the load.

I elected to use the Yakima track system because its very secure and the rack can be detached in seconds without tools. (Note: Yakima track is available in 72” lengths)

If you are planning to carry heavier items then a rack attached to the sides of the FlipPac might be a better option. It will be stronger, specially if its mounted at or near the corners. However, there are some issues with attaching racks to the side. Most side mounted rack towers are harder to attach and remove and take more time to do so than the Yakima track system. The side mounted racks also need to be removed in order to deploy the FlipPac while the track system racks (load removed of course) possibly can stay in place? The track system also allows for rack spacing adjustment.

Unfortunately, I have not had time to actually mount the tracks to the FlipPac so I can’t provide any real world experience. It won’t be until mid April when I can tackle this project and provide feedback.

Cliff

[Martyn]

Brian,

I recently purchased a FlipPac with the intent to carry a 75 pound canoe utilizing the Yakima track system attached to the roof.

During manufacture, FRP imbedded two plywood strips within the roof. The wood strips run the length of the roof and are positioned to sit under each track. The wood is needed to keep the through-bolts, which attach the track, from crushing the cored roof and to help spread the load.

I elected to use the Yakima track system because its very secure and the rack can be detached in seconds without tools. (Note: Yakima track is available in 72” lengths)

If you are planning to carry heavier items then a rack attached to the sides of the FlipPac might be a better option. It will be stronger, specially if its mounted at or near the corners. However, there are some issues with attaching racks to the side. Most side mounted rack towers are harder to attach and remove and take more time to do so than the Yakima track system. The side mounted racks also need to be removed in order to deploy the FlipPac while the track system racks (load removed of course) possibly can stay in place? The track system also allows for rack spacing adjustment.

Unfortunately, I have not had time to actually mount the tracks to the FlipPac so I can’t provide any real world experience. It won’t be until mid April when I can tackle this project and provide feedback.

Cliff

Cliff

FRP has been very specific that any additional weight added to the roof, including a track system, will void the warranty of the shell.

[Frostymug]

Cliff

FRP has been very specific that any additional weight added to the roof, including a track system, will void the warranty of the shell.

Martyn,

Thanks for your concern. I can assure you that my FlipPac is covered by the FRP warranty.

I went to FRP and explained that I wanted to carry a canoe on the roof. I provided them with the Yakima rack specifications, the weight of the canoe, and the idea to install plywood strips in the roof. FRP was very accommodating in providing a solution.

Cliff

[Frostymug]

FYI - The total weight of the Yakima track system as I have it configured is 6.25 pounds. This includes two 72” tracks with end caps, four landing pads, all mounting hardware, and the imbedded plywood reinforcement.

Cliff

[bcbmedic]

Frostymug,

Thanks for the input it seems like mounting tracks with quick release feet might be the way to go with the intent of removing the racks before opening the flip-pac. Although I'm not sure I want to go to the extent of have a custom fabricated flip-pac (plywood install).

More to think about......

Brian

[suntinez]

I might be in trouble then.

http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh310/suntinez/camper%20overview/flippacload.jpg

[bcbmedic]

I might be in trouble then.

http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh310/suntinez/camper%20overview/flippacload.jpg

Wow, I like that kind of trouble. How does the flip-pac handle the winter conditions? Do you have a furnace/heater?

~Brian

[Frostymug]

I might be in trouble then.

http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh310/suntinez/camper%20overview/flippacload.jpg

1500 pound roof load (rough estimate) might be too much.

Cliff

[Frostymug]

Brian,

Another reason to attach the rack to the roof is to avoid any fitment issues with a side mounted awning.

[suntinez]

I use a portable Mr Buddy heater when camping in the cold, takes the edge off before going to sleep. My sleeping bag keeps me nice and toasty when I'm in it.

I often wonder what would happen if this much snow were to fall on it with the tent deployed. Hard to believe the whole thing wouldn't collapse. The most I've ever had was 4-6" in a surprise storm, didn't put the rainfly on and spent quite a bit of time clearing it off before flipping closed in the AM.

If I were expecting this much snow, I'd just sleep with the tent closed.

[Martyn]

I might be in trouble then.

http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh310/suntinez/camper%20overview/flippacload.jpg

There is no problem with a load directly on the shell. The issue of load comes when you rotate the shell open, and the additional forces it applies to the hinge and torsion bar.

[Martyn]

Martyn,

Thanks for your concern. I can assure you that my FlipPac is covered by the FRP warranty.

I went to FRP and explained that I wanted to carry a canoe on the roof. I provided them with the Yakima rack specifications, the weight of the canoe, and the idea to install plywood strips in the roof. FRP was very accommodating in providing a solution.

Cliff

That is reassuring Cliff. But the crux of the matter is that in making the modification to your shell FRP has contradicted themselves on their own guidelines.

As you told me during our frequent phone conversations "AT seems to know more about this product than FRP does".

While your rack set up only weighs 6.25 lbs once that weight extends out up to 7 feet from the hinge the torque is considerable.

[TACODOC]

But the crux of the matter is that in making the modification to your shell FRP has contradicted themselves on their own guidelines.

Not surprising.


As you told me during our frequent phone conversations "AT seems to know more about this product than FRP does".

Yup. :coffee:


While your rack set up only weighs 6.25 lbs once that weight extends out up to 7 feet from the hinge the torque is considerable.

True. That may work for awhile, but early failure is assured.

[Frostymug]

Martyn,

With all due respect I think we are just going to have to disagree on this issue. I believe the FlipPac is fully capable of handling the minimal weight of tracks attacked to the roof.

By the way, I’m still interested in purchasing a single-wall FlipPac tent.

Cliff

[Martyn]

It all sounds very straight forward, stick a light track and roof rack on top of a FlipPac, only weighs 6.5 lbs.

Then you get into fulcrums, levers, mechanical advantage, moment, and torque and it all gets a little hazy. Simple enough to work out how a single mass a given distance from a fulcrum will apply force to that point, but now there is a track and interior plywood reinforcement extending out from the fulcrum, as well as two fixed masses at two know distances from the fulcrum.

If you think the problem this far it becomes a mathematical mess to work out. Much easier to think about a light 6.5 lb rack as the maximum mass we are dealing with.

[Super Doody]

I know others have asked the question, but i am still not clear on the correct answer. I am interested in getting a flippac and would like to mount a set of yakima or thule rails to the flippac to carry kayaks or a canoe. I know that this means unloading the boats every night, but i will not be carrying them all the time. Will the load be too much for the flippac to carry (150lb max). It is my understanding that the limited carry weight on the flippac is related to the strength of the hinge mechanism and the potential for opening the flippac with a load on the roof. I will not be opening it with a load. So, can i carry kayaks or a canoe on a flippac?

Thanks in advance for your input!

Brian Bates
New to Expo Portal

This might be an option:

http://www.bajataco.com/vikingvince/Vince_FlipPac/enlfr.htm?13

[elcoyote]

This might be an option:

http://www.bajataco.com/vikingvince/Vince_FlipPac/enlfr.htm?13

I have watched Vince open his. If I recollect correctly, he first props up the top from the inside with a 2x4 until its about 45-50 degrees, then he gets out, goes to the front and pulls it open the rest of the way with a rope. He does a variant of the process to close it. I'll let Vince chime in in case I have the order of the steps incorrect. He does all of this because the crank handle and the spring rate of the torsion rod cannot overcome the weight of the rack. It is known that forcing the handle will cause premature failure of the torsion rod.

[TACODOC]

I have watched Vince open his. If I recollect correctly, he first props up the top from the inside with a 2x4 until its about 45-50 degrees, then he gets out, goes to the front and pulls it open the rest of the way with a rope. He does a variant of the process to close it. I'll let Vince chime in in case I have the order of the steps incorrect. He does all of this because the crank handle and the spring rate of the torsion rod cannot overcome the weight of the rack. It is known that forcing the handle will cause premature failure of the torsion rod.

x2

[RHINO]

personally i dont see where the torsion bar has anything to do with a roof load, the spring will never have more tension (load) than in its stored or fully open state, if you want proof unlatch the top and watch it pop up several inches. add the bars ect that you plan to leave mounted on the camper, place in the areas where they will be mounted, if the top is still held up by the spring your golden and not exceeding the spring rate.

thats my bit on why i think its perfectly fine to mount something on the lid, martyn says the warranty will be void, i'll take that to the bank, the design is poor and they do break. if you plan to get it fixed under warranty dont mount anything to the roof, i'm not worried about it cause i dont have a warranty, you will need to decide that for yourself.

i will be carrying a kayak on the roof to avoid a trailer. i'm not worried about the weight of the kayak while the camper is closed. and whatever i decide for mounting it i wont be worried about that while opening and closing the top.

[kevek01]

FRP provides a warranty? Interesting. I've had a Thule quick release set up (with the artificial rain gutter) for a year waiting to install on my flip-pac. Now if only I could get the damn thing open...torsion bar break and no replacement from FRP.