custom Flip-Pak anyone?

[Cody1771]

has anyone ever made a custom Flip-Pak? ive wanted one for my truck for ages but i cant really afford the 4k for an AT flip-pak and as far as the used market goes i havnt found anything at all. i was thinking maybe an alluminum frame with a wood sidings? is there anywhere that i could buy the spring loaded hinge?

 

[matt s]

I don't know about the hinge itself but the spring is just a torsion bar like a garage door.

I have thought about going the custom route, but I have a feeling that the engineered one is really the way to go. I tend to find that the home built route often approaches the purchase route in terms of final cost.

I too agree that they simply don't show up used anywhere.

 

[Dave Bennett]

I considered this route, but when you factor time/money/supplies etc IMO it just made sense to go with AT.

My custom FlipPac should be delivered on a couple weeks!:wings:

 

[matt s]

I considered this route, but when you factor time/money/supplies etc IMO it just made sense to go with AT.

My custom FlipPac should be delivered on a couple weeks!:wings:

OOOh that burns!!!!! I want I want!

How custom were they able to make it for you?

 

[Dave Bennett]

Color matched, custom LED lighting system, National Luna power pack.

I'm going to build my own interior setup within this framework

 

[Bella PSD]

One thing I think people forget about when talking about building some kind custom or home built Flippac is the torsion set up. It builds up an enormous amount of twist on the last little bit as it opens/closes fully. You would need to build up the section where the torsion bar attaches really, really well or your flippac might turn into a catapult.

 

[The Swiss]

... or your flippac might turn into a catapult.

Now that was some food for my imagination :wings:

 

[kjp1969]

I've thought about it for the Bronco, which of course has a fiberglass half-room at the rear. For some reason, its easier for me to envision cutting and working with fiberglass than metal.

I've thought of a mini-earthroamer configuration, with a bunk above that folds over out of the way to give headroom from below, and back for a sleeping platform. If you've ever seen a VW Westfalia, you'll know what I'm thinking of. The flippy part would be so small and light as compared to a Flippac that I don't think any spring assist would be necesssary. The flippy part of a Flippac is 5' x 7', while i'm thinking of something like 4.5' x 5'.

I'm convinced that I could make one, make it waterproof, and even make a passable tent canopy, but doing it all so that it isn't as ugly as sin is daunting.

 

[matt s]

but doing it all so that it isn't as ugly as sin is daunting.

Now you hit the nail squarely on the head!!!

 

[RocKrawler]

but doing it all so that it isn't as ugly as sin is daunting.

Even Flip-Pac couldn't avoid that part of the equation... Love the function, hate the form!

 

[neverestablished]

I think with the home built route, you might end up getting close to the price of just buying one.
Materials- 500-1000 (maybe more depending if you get overpriced special fittings, kind of canvas and whether you can sew as well, etc.)
Your time - priceless
but seriously even at min wage $8(california, but i hope your time is worth more) x50 to 300 hours = 400- 2400 depending on how much time you spend bs-ing around and reinventing the wheel (flippac in this case)

I think that patience with the used route may be the key in your situation. Maybe check out wildernests if you havent yet. http://wildernest.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=wanted has some that will fit your truck on occasion.
If you do end up going custom, i think if you go side swing (wildernest style) you might be able to get away with just a really heavy duty hinge with a very long flipping bar (whatever that handle on flippacs is) and supports underneath the flipped bed instead of a tortion bar for either a forward or back flip.

My opinion is function over form, so no matter how ugly it is, its perfect if it serves you need. Might be somewhat of a theft deterrent if it is especially ugly. Good luck if you end up building it and i hope you post it on here.