Topper EZLift Camper.

[Clutch]

Does anyone have one, yet?

If so how well to those screw jacks hold up, and how weather resistant is the camper? Looks like the sides simply velcro on, guessing they might leak in heavy rain.

Might be a cheaper alternative to a Flippac, especially if you already have a topper, some of us shorter folks, might be able to stand up in it with a hi-rise topper.

https://www.topperezlift.com/store/...eekender-Camper-Package/p/37701242/category=0

 

[poncho62]

Just my opinion, but if you are just going to have a mattress in the bed to sleep in, height is not an issue. Just crawl in there and go to sleep...the lift or the canvas sides are not needed

 

[dBeau]

I love the idea but the canvas has me all confuse. When it rains, where does the run off go? It looks like it drains right into the bed. With an inflatable mattress you might manage to stay dry if you stay away from the sides as the water runs right under you. But that cant be the plan, can it? Also, with my ARE MX topper and no sleeping platform I dont really need the headroom. But I really want to do a sleeping platform so I dont have to empty the truck before turning in for the night. With a platform the windows in the canvas really arent needed either, they're too low.

Ive been trying to put some thought into how to do some custom canvas that will work with a platform, set up in under 10 minutes, and keep the inside dry when it rains. I'll be placing an order as soon I figure it out.

 

[Clutch]

I love the idea but the canvas has me all confuse. When it rains, where does the run off go? It looks like it drains right into the bed. With an inflatable mattress you might manage to stay dry if you stay away from the sides as the water runs right under you.

That is what I was thinking, "where does the rain water go?" I watched some of the installation videos, the canvas sides are simply velcroed on, not exactly waterproof. I like the idea, the execution looks so-so. Believe a simple flap that you pull over the bed rail is all you need.

Also, with my ARE MX topper and no sleeping platform I dont really need the headroom. But I really want to do a sleeping platform so I dont have to empty the truck before turning in for the night. With a platform the windows in the canvas really arent needed either, they're too low.

Ive been trying to put some thought into how to do some custom canvas that will work with a platform, set up in under 10 minutes, and keep the inside dry when it rains. I'll be placing an order as soon I figure it out.

Have any mock-up pictures of your idea? I am not quite picturing it in my head.

 

[dBeau]

Believe a simple flap that you pull over the bed rail is all you need.

That would be a good start.

I was thinking more of a rain fly kind-o-thing in addition to what's shown. It would attach just under the cap just like what's already there. But rather than attach to the inside of the truck's bed rail this second piece would extend down to the top of the wheel well on the outside and could be bungied to the truck on cold and windy nights or possibly held away from it with a flexible fiberglass tent pole.

The entrance on the current design has some problems that I'd like to see addressed as well. Letting that big flap fold down in the rain would allow the inside of the flap to get wet and bring water in again when closed again.

I use a DAC Mid Size Truck Tent on my Tacoma



I like how it works. I can put it on or take it off in about 5 minutes. It has a screened entrance as well as the full flaps. It's completely supported by the cap's rear window and the tailgate. There're no poles to mess with. It could be better in the rain but it's not terrible. There's no rain fly so the run off can be an issue especially when parked under the awning. It's runoff drains to the truck tent. The design requires at least three zippers to be moved for entry or exit but that's easy enough to get used to.

What I'm getting at though is I like this door design better than what I'm seeing here. The screened door opening is especially important. So what I'd like to see for the EzLift Camper would be an opening like the Truck Tent. Ideally, with a rain fly over the door and a rain fly that protects the screen windows of their current design and keeps the runoff out of the truck bed.

Of course all this is based off just a couple of pictures. Seeing their design in person might alleviate my concerns. Overall I have high hopes for the EzLift. It might even make me reconsider my choice of a high rise cap in favor of the sleeker cab high version.

 

[Dragos28]

Not to take this off topic, but holy hell, $2600 for some actuators and some fabric?

It looks like it would rain into the truck bed by the design, which is a flawed design. I'd suggest the flap go over the bedside and be held with magnets that are sewn into the fabric as not to scratch the truck paint.

Those actuators could be had for very cheap. I built a platform for my RTT, the actuators i used were $160 each but can lift 400lbs each. much more than i'll ever need but better to overbuild it.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/149097-Leveling-Lifting-Roof-Top-Tent-rack-with-Actuators

I dont see anywhere over $600 in materials including wiring and fabric to build that.... and build it better.

 

[Clutch]

That would be a good start.

I was thinking more of a rain fly kind-o-thing in addition to what's shown. It would attach just under the cap just like what's already there. But rather than attach to the inside of the truck's bed rail this second piece would extend down to the top of the wheel well on the outside and could be bungied to the truck on cold and windy nights or possibly held away from it with a flexible fiberglass tent pole.

The entrance on the current design has some problems that I'd like to see addressed as well. Letting that big flap fold down in the rain would allow the inside of the flap to get wet and bring water in again when closed again.

I use a DAC Mid Size Truck Tent on my Tacoma

View attachment 313789

I like how it works. I can put it on or take it off in about 5 minutes. It has a screened entrance as well as the full flaps. It's completely supported by the cap's rear window and the tailgate. There're no poles to mess with. It could be better in the rain but it's not terrible. There's no rain fly so the run off can be an issue especially when parked under the awning. It's runoff drains to the truck tent. The design requires at least three zippers to be moved for entry or exit but that's easy enough to get used to.

What I'm getting at though is I like this door design better than what I'm seeing here. The screened door opening is especially important. So what I'd like to see for the EzLift Camper would be an opening like the Truck Tent. Ideally, with a rain fly over the door and a rain fly that protects the screen windows of their current design and keeps the runoff out of the truck bed.

Of course all this is based off just a couple of pictures. Seeing their design in person might alleviate my concerns. Overall I have high hopes for the EzLift. It might even make me reconsider my choice of a high rise cap in favor of the sleeker cab high version.

Good ideas, they have a version that extends out further that creates a small room. I "think" if they had some flaps that came down over the bed rails and extended into the rear room, "should" make it fairly weather tight. Don't even need an extra flap either, could simply make the walls pull over the bedsides, perhaps with some magnets sewn in to keep it in place.

 

[Clutch]

Not to take this off topic, but holy hell, $2600 for some actuators and some fabric?

It looks like it would rain into the truck bed by the design, which is a flawed design. I'd suggest the flap go over the bedside and be held with magnets that are sewn into the fabric as not to scratch the truck paint.

Those actuators could be had for very cheap. I built a platform for my RTT, the actuators i used were $160 each but can lift 400lbs each. much more than i'll ever need but better to overbuild it.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/149097-Leveling-Lifting-Roof-Top-Tent-rack-with-Actuators

I dont see anywhere over $600 in materials including wiring and fabric to build that.... and build it better.

Yeah little pricey but most people are in business to make money, need to cover overhead and make a profit too. Waaaay cheaper than a Flippac...so it is all relative. Plus you get to pick the style of your topper. FP is a little funky looking and dated to me.

I like your design with the telescoping tube supports. One of my concerns is how well those EZ Lift actuators will hold up on an offroad environment (while closed), rattling about. Wonder if making my own telescoping tubes like yours, with a gas strut assist would be another way to go about it. A little simpler, no need for electric motors and such. Just enough to help you lift up the topper, then have holes drilled through the support tubes to slide a pin through them to hold the topper in the open position.

When closed have heavy duty quick release clamps on the telescoping tubes, like what is used for swing out tire carriers to keep the topper closed nice and snug.

 

[Clutch]

Looks like someone already did it. Kewl...


https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...ocket-rtt-trailer-topperezlift-styles.351180/

 

[Dragos28]

Thanks Clutch, as I was reading your first comment i was about to go search for that thread from Tacoworld.
The guy (Robert) who built that actually was very helpful in my build also.

I believe that he first started with gas struts but found it to be unreliable.

The actuators are really cool and fun to work with, i'd suggest going with them. Also if you build it within spec you wont need the tire gate latches as it will keep itself forced down.
Mine does not rattle at all because i have it set up to make contact with the floor plate when it the bottom most position, thereby its locked in.

 

[Dragos28]

Here's the full build with detailed pictures.
Unfortunately EP is not that easy to upload pictures to. And as far as I know doesnt have a mobile app.

http://www.tundratalk.net/forums/tundra-4x4-off-road-tech/505993-rtt-rack.html

hopefully you can see the pics without having to be a member.

 

[Clutch]

Awesome, thanks man!