Flip-pac camper build

[njtaco]

Don't forget the camera!

[Bella PSD]

The Flippac arrived today from CA. I have it on the truck and it does need some adjustments to fit. The Chevy truck that this Flippac came from are smaller, that’s for sure. I am working on getting it to fit. Right now there is a 1” gap up front. I have it on the forward flip way but have some ideas for a reverse flip. That way I can keep the roof rack and when its flipped open, it will act as a big awning out the back. Or just leave in on the forward flip way....Here is the photoshop image of what I want to do.

The support rods are not to hold the flip tent part from crashing down. They All they are for is to keep the tent from folding back up. The Flip-Pac has a torsion spring system. I will try to mount the Flip-Pac in reverse for a test fit and see how it goes.
If the reverse-flip works out I think this will be like having the best of the Wilderness cap and the Flip-Pac all rolled into one unit!!!!

Louie

[njtaco]

Congrats! Nice Photochop. Is it in as good a condition as expected?

[Bella PSD]

Yea, it is in great shape.........If I owned a CHEVY!! I guess this thread is useless without pictures of the Flip-Pac. I will get some this afternoon,.
Louie

[Bella PSD]

Here it is $725 shipped!!

NONE of the old attached files show up anymore so here is one to make up for the lost attached images....

This was before I started the build. A short bed Chevy full size Flippac on a Superduty Ford. As you can see, there is a gap up front between the cap and cab and when it is flipped open, there is no clearance over the cab of the truck. All this tells me is the bed of a Chevy comes up as higher than a Ford and Chevy does not have as long a bed as Superduty.


Attachment 5316
With Storm Cover. No Rain gonna get past this cover!

Attachment 5317
Flipped up
Attachment 5318
Getting an idea of how it will work as rear flip
Attachment 5319
Side view showing gap. Shows how much longer and taller a Ford is to Chevy
Attachment 5320
Front. It does not touch the roof.
Attachment 5321
Inside with a few items I would like to fit into the camper.
Attachment 5322
Inside lower view
Attachment 5323
Looking down from bunk
Attachment 5324
Standing up looking to the front bunk
Attachment 5325
Side view showing the 2 awnings that also came with it.

Here is a list of what I have to build into the Flippac

• 3 way Refrigerator(12V, 110 and LP)
• gas cook top 3 burner
• LP furnace with thermostat and blower
• 12V and 110 elec. converter with 30 foot line cord
• 20 gal fresh water tank
• sink with pump
• removable table and base
• Battery vent box with RV battery
• Honda Eu 2000 Gen
• Rear entry door
• LP tank
• 4 Mechanical lift jacks if I close off the inside.(make it a slide in)

Louie

[Bella PSD]

Also, when the sun is out during the day it stays pretty warm inside. 35 out and it was 47 inside.

I was impressed with the time it takes to open it up...About 2 min.!! Ready to Camp!!

Louie

[fisher205]

Just a few of recommendations:

Again Highly recommend 12v Frig. Check www.novakool.com and http://www.deckboatdealer.com/nova-k...s/R3800-DC.htm. The Engels that are reported here are more portable and may work if you don't have have a built in.

I would mount a portable stove such as Bunton, Coleman, or the nice model that Scott has. I really try to cook outside as much as possible (smell fried walleye all night) and with my camper have to carry two stoves. Just put two quick connects( inside and outside).

If the flippac is not super air tight check on the Olympian catalytic heaters. I have some reservations on their usage, but an alternative to check.

[Bella PSD]

Everything in the list above...I have from my old slide in. Old as in it was 1 year old when a tree fell on it. So everything is like new. I will look at using those parts first because I have NO money into them.

Louie

[fisher205]

Louie, You may want to check out something like the Rieco titan jacks to lift your camper. Make sure youget the extensions so that you can lift it off of a 4X4. The other suggestion is to use it more than you work on it. Easier said than done. But the rig looks great. - Brad

[Bella PSD]

Rieco Titan jacks...That's is what I have. They are the 2,000 lbs mechanical jacks. Painted white. I will be building my own mounting brackets for the attachment points. The front two jacks will need to mount out away from the truck a bit to clear the 35” tires.

Use it more than I work on it.... All I have done so far is work on it!! BUT the first big trip planned is to the outer banks. We will start out near Bodie Island and travel as far South as Cape Lookout on the Core banks. Not sure how many miles yet or how much is beach driving? I do know it will be several Ferry rides that are well over 2 hours. Hoping to find info on camping on the beach. This would be mostly South on Cape Lookout National Seashore.

The camper needs to be READY for this trip leaving on June 9th!!!

an update.
The flip Pac is in the process of a transformation! From cap to camper. Camper as in slide in, with a fully enclosed interior and the ability to be removed with 4 2,000 lbs mechanical jacks at each corner.
The jacks will have custom receiver hitch style mount so they can be removed for off road trips. The back glass will be removed and a rear door added. Not sure if the rear door will flip up or open to the side. I like the flip up door but I want a screen door so I will see what I can come up with. I will try to keep the door as big as I can. The sides are being reinforced and raised 5 ¼”. This will allow the roof rack to clear when the Flip is open.

Still planning on adding the gas cook top 3 burner, LP furnace with thermostat and blower, 12V and 110 elec. converter with 30 foot line cord, 20 gal fresh water tank, sink with pump, removable table and base and 12V battery. The 3 way Refrigerator (12V, 110 and LP) is OUT. Way too big and no good way to vent. You all are right on the 12V fridge idea. I will get a Norcold, Engels or Waeco 40-60 size.

The goal here is to camp with some comfort with my growing family. Three kids and wife. Sleeping should not be too bad. The flip is HUGE. I am 6’2” and head to toe; I fit up there when I lay down!! So two up there. The Flip Pac comes with a hammock sleeping area over ¼ of the floor area, so one more there. The other two will sleep on a bench bellow the hammock that pulls out into a large bed for two. So that’s sleeping for FIVE!! Now were do the 2 dogs sleep??

The full size 35” spare tire will have to be moved from the roof rack to a swing out tire carrier on the rear bumper. This will complicate the camper door build.

The camper will mount to the truck with turnbuckles inside the bed. So it will be nice and clean from the outside.

When the Flip Pac is finished, It should weigh in UNDER 1,000 lbs. And that’s loaded with a full fridge and fresh water. (but not including the 4 mounting jacks, they are heavy and not going to travel with the camper)

I will try to post some pictures as it comes together. Most of the planning and drawing are done so I will start out in full force this weekend! Starting with raising the sides and building in the support for the corner jacks. So any last minute ideas or thoughts???? Please speak up!!! I appreciate all the comments very much!

Louie