The Ursa Minor Modern Shell/RTT Concept Thread

[007]

The wide top of the Flip-pac and its height do have a function (more room), I understand it has to be taller than the cab so that it can pivot over and have a level platform, but it does look ugly!

My question to flip-pac owners; would you rather have a more sleek setup that narrowed at top with the cab, and sat lower? Like a topper + 2.5"? I think this would look a whole lot better, be more aerodynamic, but have less usable space. Worthy trade off?

The new design would need to incorporate some type of lift (lever or cam?) that when deployed would raise the sleeping platform slightly above the cab, I'm not sure how feasible this is.

 

[Dave Bennett]

A way to get around that appearance is opening towards the rear. Hinged at the back provides shade/shelter and walls could be attached to make a nice multi-purpose room off the back/tailgate area of the truck. Think Earthroamer JK...

 

[trump]

My question to flip-pac owners; would you rather have a more sleek setup that narrowed at top with the cab, and sat lower? Like a topper + 2.5"? I think this would look a whole lot better, be more aerodynamic, but have less usable space. Worthy trade off?

Nope. Space is already at a premium on a first gen Tacoma. The extra living space given with the overhang is priceless. I also would refuse to give up tent/mattress width. If people find it ugly, good. Maybe a thief will pass on my truck because of the shell... Form follows function.

 

[Dave Bennett]

Nope. Space is already at a premium on a first gen Tacoma. The extra living space given with the overhang is priceless. I also would refuse to give up tent/mattress width. If people find it ugly, good. Maybe a thief will pass on my truck because of the shell... Form follows function.

Agreed.

 

[007]

A way to get around that appearance is opening towards the rear. Hinged at the back provides shade/shelter and walls could be attached to make a nice multi-purpose room off the back/tailgate area of the truck. Think Earthroamer JK...

I like you're style. My T-top eezi-awn is awesome because of that ground room.

 

[trump]

I hear a lot of interest in "barndoor" style door on the back. It seems to be a cool concept, but it would probably be a constant battle to keep properly sealed. That would be another feature I would pass on.

 

[thebrassnuckles]

It wouldn't be any different than the camper shells with the tailgate lift gate as one unit with a door in it really. I think it woul t be too hard. I wish I would have finished the Flippac for my 4 runner but it was soo big and ugly. I like my softopper much more. Maybe someday I could do something like t again but is probably try for something like this discussion or homebuild something similar

 

[007]

Nope. Space is already at a premium on a first gen Tacoma. The extra living space given with the overhang is priceless. I also would refuse to give up tent/mattress width. If people find it ugly, good. Maybe a thief will pass on my truck because of the shell... Form follows function.

I completely agree, but my wife refuses to be logical and is not willing to allow "that thing" on the back of her 2011 dbl cab.

 

[trump]

It wouldn't be any different than the camper shells with the tailgate lift gate as one unit with a door in it really. I think it woul t be too hard. I wish I would have finished the Flippac for my 4 runner but it was soo big and ugly. I like my softopper much more. Maybe someday I could do something like t again but is probably try for something like this discussion or homebuild something similar

You would think that, but it's hard enough with factory equipment... heck, even along the rails it's hard to keep water out sometimes. I still can't believe you gave up on that project.

 

[trump]

I completely agree, but my wife refuses to be logical and is not willing to allow "that thing" on the back of her 2011 dbl cab.

Toss her a ground tent and tell her "we're being logical now!" :sombrero:

 

[007]

Toss her a ground tent and tell her "we're being logical now!" :sombrero:

Awesome!

 

[thebrassnuckles]

You would think that, but it's hard enough with factory equipment... heck, even along the rails it's hard to keep water out sometimes. I still can't believe you gave up on that project.

I moved to an apartment in Colorado so I didn't have any space to work on it and I work 12 hrs a day 6days a week now. I would have liked to finish it, but I'm gonna sell my '11 ram and DD the 4runner. Dump money into that I got a softopper and my bumpers and sliders on tryin to convince myself to buy lockers and get the 4.88 installed. Maybe end up getting a trailer to camp out of. But damn I would have loved to finish that thing.

 

[secondseason]

now this is a great thread....

TacoDoc

Thank you for doing this. Not only am I ready I have called UM 2 times and spent sometime expressing my needs and wants in exchange fo his needs and wants... Money

I need one before this elk season starts in September.


HINT HINT

Treb

 

[Overland Hadley]

My question to flip-pac owners; would you rather have a more sleek setup that narrowed at top with the cab, and sat lower? Like a topper + 2.5"? I think this would look a whole lot better, be more aerodynamic, but have less usable space. Worthy trade off?

This was one of my biggest issues with my high rise topper. The inward sloping walls greatly reduced the interior space and made it impossible to lean against them. For a useable camper space, IMO, vertical walls are a must.

 

[Overland Hadley]

..... is opening towards the rear. Hinged at the back provides shade/shelter and walls could be attached to make a nice multi-purpose room off the back/tailgate area of the truck.

YES! I think any new design of a flip pac type shell should have the flip happen over the rear. To me, it only makes sense.