Entry to and from cab to pop-up via sliding window?

[Photobug]

Do any of the pop-ups offer a method to climb through a window between the cab to camper via slide window?

I am considering a new truck without a double cab and an 8 foot bed, with a popup. Using the camper area for dog storage while underway. Is this possible? Legal? Safe?

 

[Herbie]

Do any of the pop-ups offer a method to climb through a window between the cab to camper via slide window?

I am considering a new truck without a double cab and an 8 foot bed, with a popup. Using the camper area for dog storage while underway. Is this possible? Legal? Safe?

You talking about climb-through for you, or a dog? I ask because most of the camper cab windows I've seen are pretty small. Not sure a full-grown adult would be able to get through one, even if you tried to "eel" through on your stomach. Pass-thru for stuff and ventilation? Sure. Dog access? Maybe, except for the steep drop between cab window and seating surface. Human? Better grease up.

 

[tacomabill]

Both Four Wheel Campers and All Terrain Campers discontinued them due to leaks, so beware of leaks if you find a brand that offers this.

 

[Photobug]

Human? Better grease up.

Mostly for my dogs but I can squeeze through on my truck now, just barely. At 50+ year and 200+ lbs, it is not easy and probably not good for the structure of the truck or my cap. But seeing that they leak, I won't be pursuing that.

 

[1000arms]

Mostly for my dogs but I can squeeze through on my truck now, just barely. At 50+ year and 200+ lbs, it is not easy and probably not good for the structure of the truck or my cap. But seeing that they leak, I won't be pursuing that.

It might work for you if you have a good sealing opening on your truck rear window, a good sealing opening on the front of your camper, an long overhang of the camper across the truck-camper gap, and an accordion/inflatable seal between the two.

Just make sure you can reach through the truck rear window to unlock and open the camper opening (most truck caps with an opening front window are unlocked from inside the cap, but you would want to find/make a camper front opening that opens/unlocks from the front).

If it is (please pardon the joke) raining "cats and dogs" while driving down the road, then keep everything sealed, but, on a drier day, you can use the opening as you want, even while driving.

Even if it raining hard, when stopped, you could use the opening I mentioned above and it would likely work well for you, It would also allow your dogs to patrol the truck and the camper while you are sleeping.

 

[Geared]

I've been down this road a few times. I've never owned a pop-up, but it makes no difference regarding the concept. I also wanted the pass-through access for our dogs.

Initially, I used an inflatable boot that spanned the width of the cab. It worked well to seal the opening against the elements, but it required monitoring when we changed elevation to prevent over- or underinflation.

I tried a manufactured foam wedge, too. I don't recall many details but I'm not using it now so there must have been some deficiencies with it.

We currently have a Callen cab-over shell with standard sliding windows in the cab and shell. I made a gasket out of 1" pipe insulation by measuring around the pass-through opening and then mitering and glueing the corners. It's like a foam picture frame that gets wedged between the cab and camper from inside the pass-through. Because it's outside the perimeter of the windows, both windows can be closed and locked. I don't have any leaking while parked or traveling down the road, despite living Western Washington.

There are two types of pipe insulation; one is a harder, "plasticy" foam and one is a softer rubber-type. The harder foam is more durable but the movement between the cab and camper will make it squeak and drive you nuts. The softer foam seals better and is quieter.

I have the opening mostly for the dogs but I can get through it, if necessary.

 

[Photobug]

Thanks folks for the info. My current truck is a big one with crew cab, and 8 foot bed but it has a standard transmission which my wife can not drive, so was considering a new(used) truck to carry a pop up truck camper. But given the concerns with leaking won't go there.

 

[Photobug]

There are two types of pipe insulation; one is a harder, "plasticy" foam and one is a softer rubber-type. The harder foam is more durable but the movement between the cab and camper will make it squeak and drive you nuts. The softer foam seals better and is quieter.

My previous truck had a seal between the cab and shell it was nice feature. I have considered the same for my current truck, saw the same inflatable boot. I would like to have something between the two now. Will look at the pipe insulation.

 

[1000arms]

My previous truck had a seal between the cab and shell it was nice feature. I have considered the same for my current truck, saw the same inflatable boot. I would like to have something between the two now. Will look at the pipe insulation.

Can you move between your current truck cab to the truck bed (under your shell) through the truck cab's rear window?

 

[Photobug]

Can you move between your current truck cab to the truck bed (under your shell) through the truck cab's rear window?

I have done it once, not felt the need to repeat the near birthing experience. I do on occasion carry a long piece of lumber or construction item that goes from the back of my shell to the front of my cab or a power cord goes from cab to aux battery in the shell. When I do leave the two windows open it is loud, and can be cold so a seal between the two would be nice. There is almost no reason for me to crawl to and from the cab and shell.

 

[1000arms]

I have done it once, not felt the need to repeat the near birthing experience. I do on occasion carry a long piece of lumber or construction item that goes from the back of my shell to the front of my cab or a power cord goes from cab to aux battery in the shell. When I do leave the two windows open it is loud, and can be cold so a seal between the two would be nice. There is almost no reason for me to crawl to and from the cab and shell.

I should have phrased my question better than I did, I just wanted to know if you had the proper windows to do so, and you do.

Are you going to test seals until you find something that works well, then go back to your idea that sparked this thread?