Hard-Side Tacoma Popup build

[mtnbike28]

Check craigslist, etc.

that' what is holding up my production schedule, i need to allocate some windows on the cheap.

I found an older 8 foot cap for free that I harvested the windows from... I have had dreams of building something like this!

 

[nat]

Very sweet!

I designed something similar for my M101A2 trailer, but I haven't acted on it yet.

 

[turbohaulic]

Wow. 500lbs is pretty light. I like that:ylsmoke:

 

[doogymon]

This is exactly what I'm after for my short short box F150.

Going to have to make it.

Can I guy salvage the FRP or Alum top off of a Pop-up travel trailer or old Slide in Truck Camper?

Cheers

 

[Deleted member 9101]

If I ever get to do the Pan-American Hw...I am building one of these for my tundra (or what ever truck I own at the time) Granted persons every design will be different, I think you might have created something thats damned near perfect?

I was curious, is the roof strong enough to support two Kayaks? I realize that it will be much harder to open with then on top..but I don't mind.

 

[Campfinder]

Thanks everyone for your input - Glad to hear you like my design. I have finals next week (wish me luck!), and I will begin my build writeup the week after. I still have to figure out the whole photobucket thing, so bare with me at first...

I was curious, is the roof strong enough to support two Kayaks? I realize that it will be much harder to open with then on top..but I don't mind.

I actually designed it so that I could install a roof rack/basket on top in the future. I would say that if a roof rack was installed, you could put anything you wanted on the roof. Like you said though, the more you put up there, the harder it would be to pop-up. My original design included gas struts on the front and back to help lift the weight, but I decided that I didn't need them. the roof turned out to be light enough to lift up without them. They could always be installed in the future if they were needed.

 

[Campfinder]

salvaging aluminum

Can I guy salvage the FRP or Alum top off of a Pop-up travel trailer or old Slide in Truck Camper?

Cheers

Doogy, I don't see why you couldn't. I actually found a roll of thick aluminum in a friends backyard (i could spend years back there hunting for stuff) that I used for the roof. The hardest thing about reusing metal off of an old camper is that you need to find large enough pieces that can be reused. I would say only salvage metal if you are just rebuilding the identical camper. I actually rebuilt a 13' 1964 aristocrat, and I took all the aluminum off, rebuilt the walls, and put the aluminum back on. The metal was already shaped, and it was prone to cracking and difficult to work with because of that.

I would actually recommend trying to design your camper so that you can use something like this.

http://www.acehardwareoutlet.com/ProductDetails.aspx?SKU=998024157

It is a LOT cheaper than any other aluminum sheeting (especially camper-specific aluminum sheeting), and it is what I used on the sides and the fold out panels. It is on the thin side, but it would be cheap to replace if it was ever damaged.

 

[adrenaline503]

I have found a few products that are FRP (fiberglass reinforced plastic) bonded to plywood, down to 1/4". I imagine that would be the easiest way to go, especially since there are plenty of glues that would bond the plywood to your frame. Another option is polyboard, is an HDPE product, although it is heavy and expensive.

Polyboard link: http://www.maclumber.com/polyboard.html

 

[Campfinder]

Camper Build Pictures

I finally found some photos of the build - sorry it took so long. These are from the first time I loaded it onto my truck. These pictures give you a good visual of the framing of the roof and the sides. the floor and the horizontal sides where the camper hangs over the bed sides are made out of 3/4 plywood. The sides within the bed box (you cant see them inside this picture) are also 3/4 ply with 1X2 framing. the rest of the framing throughout the walls and the roof are all made from 1/4 in ply with 2X2 framing. Sorry I'm new to posting and I am having trouble uploading photos. for some reason i am having problems loading all except one. here is the one pic that is loadable...

 

[Deleted member 9101]

one year...I am going to build one of these.

 

[Campfinder]

Ok I had the pics too big - here are a couple more. sorry about the lack of photos. I should have taken a lot more in the building process

 

[suckerforamoneypit]

Nice build!

 

[gallinastrips]

sweet!!!:smiley_drive:

 

[Campfinder]

New Pictures

sorry it took so long. I didn't get the camper from my parents home until last week. I have some new photos, but I only know how to post them really small. is there directions on here somewhere on how to post larger photos? Attached are smaller photos. I recently installed a yakima basket above the cab - looks really good with the camper loaded.

oh and I actually have this camper for sale if anyone is interested. I just don't have anywhere to keep it when it is off my truck. it is in the expedition campers for sale thread.

 

[Campfinder]

Good photos finally!