Custom build pop-up camper

[andy.and.beyond]

New to the forum but thought I'd start out sharing my wedge style pop-up camper build. I liked the idea of the rails on the side GFC so I'm using the 80/20 extruded rails for the tent portion.

 

[Josh41]

Love that 80/20 stuff. Interested in your build.

 

[andy.and.beyond]

Thanks Josh41, I'm hoping the 80/20 stuff works out good. I don't have anymore progress to show other then mocking up the gasket between the 2 frames with a short piece of canvas. I needed to find the gap and how much to compress it and figured out a spacing for the snaps. My goal is to have it together enough I can take it out for the holidays but that might be ambitious.

 

[4x4JeepCamper]

andy.and.beyond,

There are some serious tools in that garage of yours!

 

[andy.and.beyond]

andy.and.beyond,

There are some serious tools in that garage of yours!

haha, Thanks! I only have them for fun projects for myself. It's a bit of a mess too since I recently moved in and haven't spent time organizing it. Here are a few more pictures the tools in action.

 

[4x4JeepCamper]

And I thought I needed a 12-step program for tools...

 

[VanIsle_Greg]

Wow...cool idea and a neat project. I am a fan of the GFC design as well, its really simple and super light so ideal for smaller trucks and still has lots of dry room to store your kit, hang out in the rain and a nice bed platform to sleep on.

I am also making a custom camper, but I am creating my own FWC style slide in.

Nice shop!!

 

[andy.and.beyond]

And I thought I needed a 12-step program for tools...

I probably do need that.....I have toolboxes and file cabinets for endmills, sanding abrasives...etc that have found their way into the house.

Wow...cool idea and a neat project. I am a fan of the GFC design as well, its really simple and super light so ideal for smaller trucks and still has lots of dry room to store your kit, hang out in the rain and a nice bed platform to sleep on.

I am also making a custom camper, but I am creating my own FWC style slide in.

Nice shop!!

Thanks, those are all a plus and being able to change standing up is as well. The FWCs look nice but pretty pricey I'm trying to keep most of the truck function so I can easily get more tools . I'll have to check out your build too.

 

[andy.and.beyond]

Got the entire frame welded up this weekend and sprayed some primer on it. Also this is my partly finished model I'm working from. Still haven't nailed down the details for the topper door.

 

[VanIsle_Greg]

I probably do need that.....I have toolboxes and file cabinets for endmills, sanding abrasives...etc that have found their way into the house.


Thanks, those are all a plus and being able to change standing up is as well. The FWCs look nice but pretty pricey I'm trying to keep most of the truck function so I can easily get more tools . I'll have to check out your build too.

Yeah... I looked everywhere at at all kinds of ideas for toppers, caps, boxes, lids etc... pop up roofs, RTT's, contractor boxes. heh I was close to pulling the trigger on an AT Habitat, but like the solid hard roof (like yours). Alumicab (sp) also looked nice.

Making it yourself is fun, but it sure takes a lot longer than writing a cheque! heh

 

[andy.and.beyond]

Yeah... I looked everywhere at at all kinds of ideas for toppers, caps, boxes, lids etc... pop up roofs, RTT's, contractor boxes. heh I was close to pulling the trigger on an AT Habitat, but like the solid hard roof (like yours). Alumicab (sp) also looked nice.

Making it yourself is fun, but it sure takes a lot longer than writing a cheque! heh

Making it myself self is tons of fun but I am rushing a few things, I'm also keeping my mind open to the idea of rebuilding the truck bed frame portion at some point after I get some use and want to modify it drastically. I'd also take the time to powder coat it vs a rattle can. I actually might have this in usable condition faster than the current wait times for a GFC. One disclaimer is I'm not doing any sewing on the canvas for windows at the moment. It will be one long sheet of canvas wrapped around and I'm sticking to the standard canvas width (60") pop open height to keep things simple. I started small prototypes back around mid Oct and began the real thing thanksgiving weekend.

I like the hard roof as well, one less thing that will get put away wet. I'm still debating the material for mine. I was hoping to find some composite material but I would like to keep it as a full 52" x 110" sheet and that makes it tough.

 

[Josh41]

Quick comment on fabric, not all fabrics need sewing any more. Check out sailrite.com, they have tons of great materials and solution. Find their youtube channel as well, it has tons of how to videos.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

 

[andy.and.beyond]

Here is an update. Should be getting the roof this week.

 

[VanIsle_Greg]

I like the hard roof as well, one less thing that will get put away wet. I'm still debating the material for mine. I was hoping to find some composite material but I would like to keep it as a full 52" x 110" sheet and that makes it tough.

We looked at options for aluminum, but came to the conclusion that it was going to be seamed or cost prohibitive to do with one piece. We ended up going with lightweight wood panels called Luan from Lowes. A lot of the trailer builders use it because it is water resistant and exterior grade, but light strong and cheap. I am going with Fiberglass and a gelcoat finish in white. This will give me light weight, waterproof and sun reflective properties. I would have preferred to go with aluminum, but that was not going to happen without a seam, and with seams comes risk. Sure we could water seal it, but maintenance would be an issue. This thing is almost 7' wide at the roof... that is a stretch on a ladder with a caulking gun....heh.

Roof looks awesome man!

 

[malibubts]

This looks awesome, looking forward to your progress updates!