Is that where the boys stay when the girls come along??
You rock! Can't wait to see this rig up and running! Your boys must be peeing their pants watching this come to life...
C5500 TopKick 4x4 Crew Cab Build
- Thread starter NeverEnough
- Start date
Is that where the boys stay when the girls come along??
You rock! Can't wait to see this rig up and running! Your boys must be peeing their pants watching this come to life...
NeverEnough
Adventurer
Or the other way around....depends on how much we like their friends!
I've never had daughters, so I don't know what they'd be like with gear, but my boys have always been enthusiastic co-conspirators, whether it's a new tent or a new RV. If only they were as enthusiastic about loading, unloading, and cleaning!
NeverEnough
Adventurer
To P or not to P....
Pop-up or not to Pop-up that is.
I thought I had decided to not attempt anything fancy with my cabover, even after seeing some of the very cool pop-up systems on other rigs. But with a little down time while waiting for materials to arrive, I made the mistake of reviewing all the creative pop-up and fold-out configurations.
The cabover would be more fun and useful if it had a little headroom. My thinking is to tweek the EcoRoamer concept a bit as shown below. This would be relatively simple to do, provided I can deal with the weather sealing/waterproofing issues and structural issues with the cantilever.
The cabover would actually have an inner and outer shell (shown in cutaway):
The leading edge would be hinged (continuous?), allowing the outer shell to rotate 35 degrees up and forward.
Another panel would then fold down from the outer shell roof to form the rear-facing wall of the pop-up.
The pop-up wouldn't be very heavy (approx. 110lbs) and could be gas-shock assisted. I would have to take a closer look at the cabover cantilever, since I'd lose the supporting strength of the roof. And I'd need a way to keep it weather-tight both in travel (should be pretty easy since I've only got the rear edge to deal with) and deployed.
The cabover would have a 6'3" peak when deployed, allowing all of our clan to easily stand up, even with really big hair. It would also have a sliding window/door in the rear fold-down panel. It could even serve as the primary roof access, which would allow me to increase storage space on the main deck, as well as delete the roof hatch.
Fire at will.....
Pop-up or not to Pop-up that is.
I thought I had decided to not attempt anything fancy with my cabover, even after seeing some of the very cool pop-up systems on other rigs. But with a little down time while waiting for materials to arrive, I made the mistake of reviewing all the creative pop-up and fold-out configurations.
The cabover would be more fun and useful if it had a little headroom. My thinking is to tweek the EcoRoamer concept a bit as shown below. This would be relatively simple to do, provided I can deal with the weather sealing/waterproofing issues and structural issues with the cantilever.
The cabover would actually have an inner and outer shell (shown in cutaway):
The leading edge would be hinged (continuous?), allowing the outer shell to rotate 35 degrees up and forward.
Another panel would then fold down from the outer shell roof to form the rear-facing wall of the pop-up.
The pop-up wouldn't be very heavy (approx. 110lbs) and could be gas-shock assisted. I would have to take a closer look at the cabover cantilever, since I'd lose the supporting strength of the roof. And I'd need a way to keep it weather-tight both in travel (should be pretty easy since I've only got the rear edge to deal with) and deployed.
The cabover would have a 6'3" peak when deployed, allowing all of our clan to easily stand up, even with really big hair. It would also have a sliding window/door in the rear fold-down panel. It could even serve as the primary roof access, which would allow me to increase storage space on the main deck, as well as delete the roof hatch.
Fire at will.....
Piet
Adventurer
Pop up!
Every time I look at trailers or Campers... I realized how much extra real estate is gained by a pop-up. It is like 'free' space. I get the fact that soft sides (or in your case, moveable panels) have potential weather issues. But I think the pros outwiegh the cons.
If you put a good latching system on the roof... you should get back most of the supporting strength.
Every time I look at trailers or Campers... I realized how much extra real estate is gained by a pop-up. It is like 'free' space. I get the fact that soft sides (or in your case, moveable panels) have potential weather issues. But I think the pros outwiegh the cons.
If you put a good latching system on the roof... you should get back most of the supporting strength.
Maybe you could achieve better sealing and strength using this concept:
http://dornob.com/convertible-camper-diy-japanese-style-mobile-home/
Always thought it was a slick design...
http://dornob.com/convertible-camper-diy-japanese-style-mobile-home/
Always thought it was a slick design...
Hey NeverEnough, you're certainly ambitious! I love it!
The thread reflects your portal name.
On that over-cab section, have you considered attaching it at the bottom also, with a second hinge, and putting a third hinge across the middle, so that the panel would fold in half, up against the ceiling, when the top is down?
The thread reflects your portal name.
On that over-cab section, have you considered attaching it at the bottom also, with a second hinge, and putting a third hinge across the middle, so that the panel would fold in half, up against the ceiling, when the top is down?
NeverEnough
Adventurer
That japanese rig is one of the coolest things I've seen. It was one of the first things I looked at when I started my design, since going up rather than out is a great way to keep the wheelbase length down. Absolutely some of the most creative thinking for mobile living quarters.
But I've chosen to go the "rambler" route for a couple of reasons:
1) CG. My experience with past RVs has made me understand how important a low CG is when negotiating rough roads, or even gutters, with a big truck. I've done as much as I can to design a box that is mostly air above the main living deck (9" above the chassis rails). In fact, this was a key driver in my choice of box materials and assembly method.
2) Years of trailer and RV camping have inspired me to make this box as quiet and vibration/sway free while in camp as possible. It's a lot easier to stabilize something long and low than box that is tall and broad (50-60mph gusts are a regular occurance in our mountain weather). Our camper, when attached to the truck, with have 8 stabilization jacks on the ground, six when not attached to the truck.
I'm leaning towards this approach because it is very simple, light, and allows me to have all solid walls. The EcoRoamer has a very clever ROM roll-up door so it can be opened without exposing the inside to the elements, but I'm leaning towards a swing-down panel for simplicity, budget, and warmth- even though it will require a brief exposure to the outside.
But I've chosen to go the "rambler" route for a couple of reasons:
1) CG. My experience with past RVs has made me understand how important a low CG is when negotiating rough roads, or even gutters, with a big truck. I've done as much as I can to design a box that is mostly air above the main living deck (9" above the chassis rails). In fact, this was a key driver in my choice of box materials and assembly method.
2) Years of trailer and RV camping have inspired me to make this box as quiet and vibration/sway free while in camp as possible. It's a lot easier to stabilize something long and low than box that is tall and broad (50-60mph gusts are a regular occurance in our mountain weather). Our camper, when attached to the truck, with have 8 stabilization jacks on the ground, six when not attached to the truck.
I'm leaning towards this approach because it is very simple, light, and allows me to have all solid walls. The EcoRoamer has a very clever ROM roll-up door so it can be opened without exposing the inside to the elements, but I'm leaning towards a swing-down panel for simplicity, budget, and warmth- even though it will require a brief exposure to the outside.
NeverEnough
Adventurer
Hmmmm.......be right back.
YukonMontanaTannerTrapper
Explorer
Just subscribed to your thread and I can't wait to see your build. I got a good laugh from your comments regarding your (4) boys. I have (2) sons but they're grown now. Every chance I got to hit the woods (which was often since I owned my own business back then), my boys and I were gone and it always amazed me how many other kids would show up for the ride. Those were the happiest days of my life. Enjoy and good luck on your project.
NeverEnough
Adventurer
Those are the words that keep me motivated. Sounds like you had your priorities straight, and I'm sure your sons appreciate it.
NeverEnough
Adventurer
So I doodled around with this idea a bit and I think it's got some very good potential. It requires tweeking the geomtry of the pop-up a bit, but it could support the functionality nicely. I'll try to throw a sketch up in the next day or two. Thanks!
If you do sketch it up, do be sure to post it. I have lots of ideas that seem good in my head, but none of them have seen CAD layout, let alone prototyping or actually getting built. One day...
NeverEnough
Adventurer
Pop-Up Sketches with Folding Rear Panel
So here's a couple of quick sketches of the how a folding rear panel would work. The advantage would be the ability to deploy the pop-up from the inside without being exposed to the weather. The rear folding panel would be permanently attached to both the camper roof and the pop-up roof with a weather proof hinge.
In addition, this design has the pop-up roof "overhanging" so the hinge assembly is completely protected from the elements when in travel mode. Becuase of the 2D view, it's not that clear because the sides are also several inches longer than the deployed panel length (also an overhang) in order to make sure the pop-up is fully enclosed when deployed.
These sketches show a 30 deploy angle, which would be the sweet spot for this particular build due to efficient use of materials and desired headroom.
Two particular challenges:
1) Weather sealing the sides of the folding rear panel. Shouldn't be too hard with a small "curb" to act as a stop, with a weather "wipe" seal angle towards the panel so that it pushes tight and flares out as the panel pushes against it.
2) I'd like a roof access door, which either means placing it solely in the upper fold, or creating a hinged door assembly, which might be a bit tricky. The overhang makes it less critical when it's in travel position.
In the travel position with the panel folded. Note the assymetrical configuration.
Deployed with the rear panel flat out.
The increased roof height for the camper front due to the pop-up isn't a problem for me because the A/C unit and sat. dish are both taller, and the edge rails will almost be that high anyway.
Consider this one volley'd back..... Let me know what you think.
So here's a couple of quick sketches of the how a folding rear panel would work. The advantage would be the ability to deploy the pop-up from the inside without being exposed to the weather. The rear folding panel would be permanently attached to both the camper roof and the pop-up roof with a weather proof hinge.
In addition, this design has the pop-up roof "overhanging" so the hinge assembly is completely protected from the elements when in travel mode. Becuase of the 2D view, it's not that clear because the sides are also several inches longer than the deployed panel length (also an overhang) in order to make sure the pop-up is fully enclosed when deployed.
These sketches show a 30 deploy angle, which would be the sweet spot for this particular build due to efficient use of materials and desired headroom.
Two particular challenges:
1) Weather sealing the sides of the folding rear panel. Shouldn't be too hard with a small "curb" to act as a stop, with a weather "wipe" seal angle towards the panel so that it pushes tight and flares out as the panel pushes against it.
2) I'd like a roof access door, which either means placing it solely in the upper fold, or creating a hinged door assembly, which might be a bit tricky. The overhang makes it less critical when it's in travel position.
In the travel position with the panel folded. Note the assymetrical configuration.
Deployed with the rear panel flat out.
The increased roof height for the camper front due to the pop-up isn't a problem for me because the A/C unit and sat. dish are both taller, and the edge rails will almost be that high anyway.
Consider this one volley'd back..... Let me know what you think.
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I like it!
I'm not sure from your sketches, but are you now considering putting the pop-up side walls inside of the main side walls? I hope not, as I think sealing it would be much easier and more effective if the pop-up walls are on the outside.
Good idea.
I'm sure you've considered this, but you could also put a compression seal (plain old weather stripping) between the curb and the folding panel
I might put wipe seals on the ends of the folding panel, too, just in case you are deploying it in a driving rain or something. But that's probably overkill. The down side is that eventually the wipe seals are going to mar the insides of the side walls.
Either the double wipe seal or the compression + wipe seal approach would give you a double seal, which I think would be important.
I did consider the pass-through before I suggested the folding panel, but I envisioned a sliding window (like used in the back of a pickup truck) in the bottom half of the wall. I like your rear wall idea, but the shorter lower panel pretty much rules out the sliding window, doesn't it?
And a pass-through in the upper section would be difficult to use. You could put a lot of strain on the folding panel when passing through the upper section.
Yeah, a folding door would be tricky, plus add openings to seal.
OK, so here's another thought for you to ponder: If the lower edge of the lower panel is mitred (or dog-legged) to mate with the roof, you could use a flat seal along the length that would be under compression when the panel is deployed. Then would you need a sealed hinge along the bottom?
The reason I ask is if the hinge doesn't have to double as the seal, you could use a couple of simple pin hinges along the bottom. Then instead of having an access door, you pull the pins and fold the entire panel upward. A sliding deadbolt on each end would hold it in place.
Matter of fact, figure out a way to put a roll-up bug screen across there and you would have one heck of a roof vent, too. :victory:
It seems to me that if you put a compression seal (or two) between the top of the upper panel and the overhang, you wouldn't need a sealed hinge there, either. So the only sealed hinge required would be the one across the middle of the panel. Right? Sealed hinges are much more expensive and harder to maintain than weatherstripping.
Of course, just for athestetic reasons, you could angle the trailing edge of the overhang to mirror the leading edge of the pop-up section.
Boink.
I'm not sure from your sketches, but are you now considering putting the pop-up side walls inside of the main side walls? I hope not, as I think sealing it would be much easier and more effective if the pop-up walls are on the outside.
Good idea.
I'm sure you've considered this, but you could also put a compression seal (plain old weather stripping) between the curb and the folding panel
I might put wipe seals on the ends of the folding panel, too, just in case you are deploying it in a driving rain or something. But that's probably overkill. The down side is that eventually the wipe seals are going to mar the insides of the side walls.
Either the double wipe seal or the compression + wipe seal approach would give you a double seal, which I think would be important.
I did consider the pass-through before I suggested the folding panel, but I envisioned a sliding window (like used in the back of a pickup truck) in the bottom half of the wall. I like your rear wall idea, but the shorter lower panel pretty much rules out the sliding window, doesn't it?
And a pass-through in the upper section would be difficult to use. You could put a lot of strain on the folding panel when passing through the upper section.
Yeah, a folding door would be tricky, plus add openings to seal.
OK, so here's another thought for you to ponder: If the lower edge of the lower panel is mitred (or dog-legged) to mate with the roof, you could use a flat seal along the length that would be under compression when the panel is deployed. Then would you need a sealed hinge along the bottom?
The reason I ask is if the hinge doesn't have to double as the seal, you could use a couple of simple pin hinges along the bottom. Then instead of having an access door, you pull the pins and fold the entire panel upward. A sliding deadbolt on each end would hold it in place.
Matter of fact, figure out a way to put a roll-up bug screen across there and you would have one heck of a roof vent, too. :victory:
It seems to me that if you put a compression seal (or two) between the top of the upper panel and the overhang, you wouldn't need a sealed hinge there, either. So the only sealed hinge required would be the one across the middle of the panel. Right? Sealed hinges are much more expensive and harder to maintain than weatherstripping.
Of course, just for athestetic reasons, you could angle the trailing edge of the overhang to mirror the leading edge of the pop-up section.
Boink.
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Pardon me if I get carried away, but I'm really enjoying the idea that I may contribute in some small way to your great design. I've spent a lot of time trying to figure out how to minimize travel size and maximize living space, while avoiding the poor insulation and security of soft sides. I started a thread with some ideas I had a long time ago. But that may have been on the old Expedition Campers forum, before that forum got integrated with this one.
I was considering purchasing a 4x4 van at one point that would have been way too small for our family of four. For it I was designing a slide-out-the-back like a simpler version of yours. However, I was going to make mine 'T' shaped when viewed from the rear. The bed would be in the upper (wider) portion, with storage in the lower portion. The 'T' shape was so that it when stowed it would pass between and above permanent kitchen cabinets. Does that make sense? Stowed I could have access to the bed (to facilitate tag-team driving), but the slide-out would have to be deployed in order to have access to the kitchen. Kinda hard to describe, and I never got past napkin drawings...
Maybe if I ever get the rig of my dreams built, we can meet up for a trip somewhere. Don't be surprised if I steal your cab-over design.
I was considering purchasing a 4x4 van at one point that would have been way too small for our family of four. For it I was designing a slide-out-the-back like a simpler version of yours. However, I was going to make mine 'T' shaped when viewed from the rear. The bed would be in the upper (wider) portion, with storage in the lower portion. The 'T' shape was so that it when stowed it would pass between and above permanent kitchen cabinets. Does that make sense? Stowed I could have access to the bed (to facilitate tag-team driving), but the slide-out would have to be deployed in order to have access to the kitchen. Kinda hard to describe, and I never got past napkin drawings...
Maybe if I ever get the rig of my dreams built, we can meet up for a trip somewhere. Don't be surprised if I steal your cab-over design.
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