ski storage on a flip pac + winter camping

[NYCO]

So I'm looking at getting a flip pac for my double cab short bed Tacoma, and from poking around most people say not to put a rack on top of the flip pac. Trying to think of how best to transport skis, but could only find something like this which require an existing frame - http://www.sportraxx.com/products/snowsports/ski_raxx.htm I bet something could be retrofitted to attach directly to the side of the flip pac. Would it be strudy enough though? I don't want to use my trailer hitch since I could be towing a snowmobile. I could throw them inside, but with all the gear back there I'd prefer an outside solution.

Also, has anyone done some winter camping in a flip pac with a heater? I've read some info on people adding foil covered bubble wrap to insulate the interior some more.

Any insight would be great! Thanks.

 

[washington taco]

Martyn @ A/T has a flip pack on his Jeep truck that has aircraft type seat track mounted on the side of the flip pack that you could come up with a mount system. Watch the videos on You Tube and you will see. I to am intrested in the up coming flip pack for a Jeep for winter ski camping! I may also consider one for my Tacoma. Martyn stated that a flip pack closed has an interior hight of 28" above the bed rail. I currently use a standard topper and it only has 18" above the bed rail. I sleep well all night but the GF dont like the low ceiling. One of the best wake up calls is when the ski patrol is doing avi control work prior to opening and they set off the BOMBS!!!! No alarm needed!

 

[NYCO]

Thanks - I couldn't find a video with the tracks you were talking about, but I emailed Martyn.

I'd be using it mostly in the summer time in areas that at least get into the low 40's each night, and ideally like to be able to use it in the dead of CO winters. I'd get a decent heater and I guess just try to insulate is as best I could. I haven't seen a flippac up close yet, so I'm not exactly sure how i would go about it.

 

[Big Silver]

I have tried using the alumanized bubble wrap and a Zodi tent heater with limited success. The insulaton would be better applied to the sleeping bags. Heater helped a little but the volume of the tent and truck bed was too large to notice warmth more than a couple of feet from the heater. This was in the low 20's with light wind and snow on the ground and tent with rain fly installed. Better solution was obtained by keeping the top down as an insulated roof, and heating the smaller space created with a wood deck spanning the bead of the truck, yes, low ceiling and no room, but much warmer. The zodi was mounted on a propane tank manifold that sat on a tire mounted truck step with the duct running into a sheet metal window insert. The zodi fan was run off of the truck battery.

 

[NYCO]

Not the answer I hoped for, but it's understandable. My only experience is with my 1982 Viking Mini Gasser popup. The heater in there will absolutely roast the place if you want it to. How many BTU's is your Zodi heater? I guess the hard top roof is really the only thing that really keeps the heat in? It still has canvas sides (thicker than Flip Pac I assume) and no additional insulation. I thought a decent heater would work out fine in my Tacoma. I've camped in snow with that and it's always been ok.

 

[NYCO]

I guess what it comes down to is not wanting to fork up the money for a FWC. I'd take a used Finch or Falcon, but you don't see thos very often. I see a million other cheaper truck camper options that won't fit my truck... Also I would probably want to beef up my suspension to handle the weight of the camper and gear. I live in Dillon so would spend time around Vail, Cottonwood, Steamboat, never ridden at Rabbit Ears (it's on the list though).