Flip Pac vs AT Camper (or FWC)

[slowtwitch]

Seems like there'd be a market for a middle ground item. Something that looks like a fiberlass topper, that has a roof that extends up with sides like a FWC or maybe even hard side.

Anyone seen such a deal?

For me. I'd just as soon either use a regular tent, or sleep in a regular topper on a platform. Wouldn't want to be up on top of the rig in foul weather and high desert winds. I like to think I left my Nikwax/seamseal days behind me. After owning a Westfalia and loving it, I can't say enough about being able to stay inside the vehicle if need be. I'm leaning FWC, but they are $$, gotta store them, etc.
An extendable hard top topper would be a great place to start for making one's own diy FWC.

st

 

[Roaming Robertsons]

Seems like there'd be a market for a middle ground item. Something that looks like a fiberlass topper, that has a roof that extends up with sides like a FWC or maybe even hard side.

Anyone seen such a deal?

For me. I'd just as soon either use a regular tent, or sleep in a regular topper on a platform. Wouldn't want to be up on top of the rig in foul weather and high desert winds. I like to think I left my Nikwax/seamseal days behind me. After owning a Westfalia and loving it, I can't say enough about being able to stay inside the vehicle if need be. I'm leaning FWC, but they are $$, gotta store them, etc.
An extendable hard top topper would be a great place to start for making one's own diy FWC.

st

A shell model FWC is pretty similar to what you're suggesting. It's not a topper but it is a DIY FWC and it's not a whole lot more $ than a Flippac. It is definitely a middle ground option.

 

[O2Bob]

It really depends on where you want to camp or how far off the beaten path you want to go. What kind of weather extremes will you encounter? I have been a Toyota off-roader for over 20 years. The mini-truck is one of the toughest vehicles out there, I wouldn't worry about it. The 2.7 four banger is almost legendary. If you set up the truck right, I would worry more about the truck camper surviving. The flip-pac not so much. I personally would go truck camper with the ultra light theme. The problem with a popup truck camper is it's to easy adding extra weight. Not so much for the truck but stress on the camper frame. I have destroyed a few but Colorado is very hard on campers.

The camper will always give you much more protection from the elements and be much more versatile. Just do yourself a favor and really weigh everything you put in or on it. Take only what you need and nothing else and unlike myself, put nothing on the roof, nothing. Light and fast is always best but a little comfort goes a long way. Hope this helps......

 

[O2Bob]

Do you mean something like this? Has a 5ft interior on my Dodge and is built like a high quality boat with all stainless steel parts. Weighs around 350lbs (full size truck)

 

[AUTO360]

02Bob,
Well, I know for sure that I would want something to stand up in, in response to your 2nd post with photos.

 

[AUTO360]

Wasurf63 and Tacodoc,
I totally respect what your saying that putting the rain cover on is not hard, I guess its the fact that it has to be done is whats bothering me. Its just one of those things that I don't have good reason for or can't really explain. I mean, your right, its easy so why should it bother me? Anyway...LOL
I was thinking, what if I pull into a Rest Area in a rain storm and want to get in the camper. Well, nobody says that you have to raise the top, on either model. Yeah, I guess I'm just giving excuses

 

[Frostymug]

Waterproof tent

I believe AT is working on a waterproof replacement tent for the FlipPac. I have a FlipPac on order and will likely purchase the upgraded AT tent when its available.

Cliff

 

[WASURF63]

Wasurf63 and Tacodoc,
I totally respect what your saying that putting the rain cover on is not hard, I guess its the fact that it has to be done is whats bothering me. Its just one of those things that I don't have good reason for or can't really explain. I mean, your right, its easy so why should it bother me? Anyway...LOL
I was thinking, what if I pull into a Rest Area in a rain storm and want to get in the camper. Well, nobody says that you have to raise the top, on either model. Yeah, I guess I'm just giving excuses

No worries. I'm sure you'll figure it out. You can't go wrong with either the FWC or the FP.
If you're not in a huge hurry AT should eventually have the same waterproof tent material that's used in thier JK Habitat available for the ATFP.
Take a trip over to Prescott and check 'em out if you've got some time.
BTW, a suspension upgrade would be highly suggested for these camper applications if you've not already done so. :beer:

 

[AUTO360]

I live in Tucson..parents live in Prescott so I will be checking the AT place out when I go up there.
I thought of heavier springs but I may check airbags first for those times I have no camper/shell on the truck.

 

[O2Bob]

The problem with air bags in an off road situation is they don't have enough travel and will tear. Ask me how I know.... A quality suspension like one from Alcan Spring would be the ticket plush ride and load capacity. Oh, and lifetime warranty.

 

[slowtwitch]

Do you mean something like this? Has a 5ft interior on my Dodge and is built like a high quality boat with all stainless steel parts. Weighs around 350lbs (full size truck)

Yeah, looks like a good starting point. I was thinking cab level, then extending up, or one end raising up ala Westfalia.

st

 

[Roaming Robertsons]

Well this thread inspired me to stop typing and get off the couch. I have some old lumber from an old project so I built the frame of a box/bed for the front part of my truck bed. :box: It fits perfectly between the bed rails and between it and the Flippac base, it will make a perfect 24" x 72" bed for one of my daughters. I've got mom working on some 5" thick foam cushions to top it off.

It's a bit of a hack job but I'll skin it next weekend and pick up some hinges and some carpet to make it look better. Once all the frame is hidden it should look pretty good. I'll start a thread for my own build up once I have a complete set of pics for this first part of the project.

 

[Overland Hadley]

Wasurf63 and Tacodoc,
I totally respect what your saying that putting the rain cover on is not hard, I guess its the fact that it has to be done is whats bothering me. Its just one of those things that I don't have good reason for or can't really explain. I mean, your right, its easy so why should it bother me? Anyway...LOL

x2

No good reason to need a separate rain cover. How many RTT's do we see that need to be set up with a rain cover?

What would worry me is the sunny evening when it is not supposed to rain, so you set it up without the rain cover. Then in the night it starts to rain. What now? Remove stuff so you can close it up and reopen it with the rain fly attached? No thanks. (IMO)

 

[18seeds]

. Thats about 100lbs more than the Flip Pac.

With a slide in you remove the tailgate so you probably gain 30-40 lbs right there.

That being said with your truck i would go with a FP. A slide in is going to add height and more wind resistance. The lil 4 banger is going to be working hard.

 

[Overland Hadley]

The problem with air bags in an off road situation is they don't have enough travel and will tear. Ask me how I know...

I now highly recommend Timbrens.