Andrew_S
Observer
I'm going to keep this relatively short, full build can be found here - https://expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/1986-gmc-s-15.175189/
The wife and I camped in our canopy for two years and always wanted a bit more space but also wanted to maintain the minimal size.
So began the plan/dream of doing our own thing.
The want list for the new canopy was;
-stand up in it
-sit up in bed
-big bed
-No making the bed, always set up
-4 season camping, insulated w/heater
-quick and dirty, by this I mean set up in like 60 seconds, no packing, unpacking moving stuff etc.
-bare bones, build it as we need it
-take an absolute ******** kicking on the back roads
-Light, sub 400lbs, this was a big deal because our platform is not a beefy one-ton
-Don't loose the ability to use the truck, aka fit a moose in the bed without issue
-Keep costs Lowish,
So I borrowed a radial arm saw from a buddy and bought a spool gun and just simply got started.
We started by building a frame off the bed rails out of 2x3 aluminum angle
Then the main frame for the canopy on top of that,
The rough idea was a box on top of a box. 3 flip up walls would fill in the cab over portion.
So after a trial fit we started on the top box.
Both top and bottom box coming along, started on the pop up walls
We wanted the topper to function like a canopy with two doors that would open just the same way. Once I wrapped my head around how I wanted to do this I got started.
Trying out the bed for the first time.
Starting to actually look like a canopy.
We repurposed canopy windows which fit right inline with our budget.
First trial fit on the truck
The wife and I camped in our canopy for two years and always wanted a bit more space but also wanted to maintain the minimal size.
So began the plan/dream of doing our own thing.
The want list for the new canopy was;
-stand up in it
-sit up in bed
-big bed
-No making the bed, always set up
-4 season camping, insulated w/heater
-quick and dirty, by this I mean set up in like 60 seconds, no packing, unpacking moving stuff etc.
-bare bones, build it as we need it
-take an absolute ******** kicking on the back roads
-Light, sub 400lbs, this was a big deal because our platform is not a beefy one-ton
-Don't loose the ability to use the truck, aka fit a moose in the bed without issue
-Keep costs Lowish,
So I borrowed a radial arm saw from a buddy and bought a spool gun and just simply got started.
We started by building a frame off the bed rails out of 2x3 aluminum angle
![49767066556_f03f40df4b_c.jpg](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49767066556_f03f40df4b_c.jpg)
Then the main frame for the canopy on top of that,
![49786929872_d18593eecc_c.jpg](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49786929872_d18593eecc_c.jpg)
![49786601961_da845a1648_c.jpg](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49786601961_da845a1648_c.jpg)
The rough idea was a box on top of a box. 3 flip up walls would fill in the cab over portion.
So after a trial fit we started on the top box.
![49888781741_051f38117e_c.jpg](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49888781741_051f38117e_c.jpg)
![49889089767_522ddefedf_c.jpg](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49889089767_522ddefedf_c.jpg)
Both top and bottom box coming along, started on the pop up walls
![49907270206_952672fa1e_c.jpg](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49907270206_952672fa1e_c.jpg)
We wanted the topper to function like a canopy with two doors that would open just the same way. Once I wrapped my head around how I wanted to do this I got started.
![49926212441_6003888860_c.jpg](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49926212441_6003888860_c.jpg)
Trying out the bed for the first time.
![49926507717_3c26919cc7_c.jpg](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49926507717_3c26919cc7_c.jpg)
Starting to actually look like a canopy.
![49925704883_2606bdde85_c.jpg](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49925704883_2606bdde85_c.jpg)
We repurposed canopy windows which fit right inline with our budget.
![49953681453_72bdce21be_c.jpg](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49953681453_72bdce21be_c.jpg)
First trial fit on the truck
![49965048463_d639cbcfb9_c.jpg](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49965048463_d639cbcfb9_c.jpg)
![49965048148_f49b6f84b0_c.jpg](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49965048148_f49b6f84b0_c.jpg)
Last edited: