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.

 

[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.

 

[Dave Bennett]

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.

 

[Dave Bennett]

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.

 

[RedDog]

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