What Temps do you use your Flip Pac?

[Camelfilter]

LovinPSD:

Bill Tex makes a really good point about a camper, if it works for you. You have a 1 ton (I missed that point) so plenty of payload for all kinds of stuff & you likely wouldn't even notice it. Don't want a full on slide in? Go for an FWC-they do seem pretty danged nice!

I've only a half-ton & it's my daily with no space to store a slide in off the truck, so the FP is perfect for me now.

Over time I'd move up to a FWC, or an off-road campervan etc for sure when my circumstances change.

 

[Clutch]

Good thinking on the generator/electric heater combo. A couple on the Dirt Roads Across Maine trip had that setup & seemed pretty comfy/happy with it.

If I recall correctly I think they had 6 hours run time on there gen (could be wrong on that). It was pretty quiet too & I actually liked the hum of it as it helped me sleep. I'd figure one of those newer generators with a remote control would be even handier at extending the usage times/comfort.

I'll have to do a test on my portable Honda knock-off (Kipor 2000sinewave) on a trip sometime to get a good feel for its capabilities.

I bought it for extended home power outages for a song, plus my upstairs neighbors are older & I'd hate for them to be cold/too hot etc in the midst of a storm/heat wave.

You can add an auxiliary fuel tank and remote start as well.

http://www.pinellaspowerproducts.com/products/23/4-function-wireless-remote-control-kits

 

[Clutch]

LovinPSD:

Bill Tex makes a really good point about a camper, if it works for you. You have a 1 ton (I missed that point) so plenty of payload for all kinds of stuff & you likely wouldn't even notice it. Don't want a full on slide in? Go for an FWC-they do seem pretty danged nice!

I've only a half-ton & it's my daily with no space to store a slide in off the truck, so the FP is perfect for me now.

Over time I'd move up to a FWC, or an off-road campervan etc for sure when my circumstances change.

Think all depends on what people's comfort levels are...as we age some need to be more comfortable...while others like things more simple...and can do without the complexity a self contained camper.

For me I like my equipment to have many uses...like the electric heater/generator...I can use them for other things...same with the camp stove...I can cook on it where-ever...not just in a camper.

Same goes for the flip pac...you have more options of hauling different materials. Don't have to worry about storing it either, since it is always on the truck.

 

[BillTex]

Think all depends on what people's comfort levels are...as we age some need to be more comfortable...while others like things more simple...and can do without the complexity a self contained camper.

For me I like my equipment to have many uses...like the electric heater/generator...I can use them for other things...same with the camp stove...I can cook on it where-ever...not just in a camper.

Same goes for the flip pac...you have more options of hauling different materials. Don't have to worry about storing it either, since it is always on the truck.

I still do plenty of tent camping with Scouts and backpacking. The easiest, quickest way for us to get out of town is the TC. It is always loaded with all the right stuff (pots/pans/condiments/clothes, etc, etc.) we just throw some fresh food/beer in and go. I can even toss the Honda genny in if needed (ski camping).

There is a LOT more involved (for us) to pack for a tent trip, seems like stuff is never where you think you left it, and your never sure you grabbed everything you need. With the TC...it's in there and ready to roll.

Not sayin' a TC is for everybody. But the OP has a 1 ton so he is half way to a nice TC, sounds like he brings a LOT of crap along (heaters, FP, etc) and spends a lot of time setting up, breaking down, etc. Geez when compared to a RTT of some type...the TC is a breeze...and probably not much more $ for a nice used one.
And you will be warm and cozy regardless of weather.

 

[Clutch]

I still do plenty of tent camping with Scouts and backpacking. The easiest, quickest way for us to get out of town is the TC. It is always loaded with all the right stuff (pots/pans/condiments/clothes, etc, etc.) we just throw some fresh food/beer in and go. I can even toss the Honda genny in if needed (ski camping).

There is a LOT more involved (for us) to pack for a tent trip, seems like stuff is never where you think you left it, and your never sure you grabbed everything you need. With the TC...it's in there and ready to roll.

Not sayin' a TC is for everybody. But the OP has a 1 ton so he is half way to a nice TC, sounds like he brings a LOT of crap along (heaters, FP, etc) and spends a lot of time setting up, breaking down, etc. Geez when compared to a RTT of some type...the TC is a breeze...and probably not much more $ for a nice used one.
And you will be warm and cozy regardless of weather.

Yep...as I said it all depends on people's comfort levels and what they are willing to fuss with. I keep everything on shelves at the corner of the garage...just toss everything in the back of the truck. Takes like 10 minutes. Now getting the better half ready to go in a timely manor...is a whole other story.

I like the stealthiness and low profile of the Flip Pac...majority of the public have no idea that it is a camper. You can always sleep in it closed up too.

 

[LovinPSDs]

One of the things I was battling in my head was the weight/size battle.

I have this vision of taking a 1 ton places some jeeps don't even want to go. I love off-roading, ect, but part of me is thinking about being more of a home base and dragging some wheelers or a jeep with me. Who knows... Just like hearing from people. A lot of good info guys, I appreciate it. At this point I'm still living the expo life through you guys, but some day I'll make it happen!

 

[Camelfilter]

On a 1 ton the weight diff between an FWC & FP shouldn't matter much (I imagine).

My FP is about 400lbs, whereas an FWC is 800-1000 (depends which options). Dry.

Wet/loaded allways depends on what you bring & when you load it.

It doesn't matter what you have if your family isn't going to be happy, so get whichever will make the most folks have a comfy time...

 

[Clutch]

On a 1 ton the weight diff between an FWC & FP shouldn't matter much (I imagine).

F350 wouldn't even notice the weight of a FWC. With that truck I would go with a FWC.

I can't imagine putting a Crew Cab Long Bed in places a Jeep would go.

That is a looong truck.

 

[Arclight]

More critically (to me), who uses theirs frequently in the rain? Not the occasional shower but extended cold/damp conditions with wind etc.
I almost never see a flippac west of the cascades up here, I imagine it would be a pain to dry out or put up/tear down the rainfly in driving rain and wind.

For extended rainy weather, you might want to put a waterproof sheet over the mattress before you flip it. This keeps the mattress from getting wet from the tent. Also, be sure to park just slightly uphill to make sure the water drains away from you.

Arclight

 

[Advmoto18]

A Granby on a 350 is nothing! Even wet and tricked out with all the options.

But, taking a 350 land yacht where Jeeps willn't go? I'm not so sure!

 

[LovinPSDs]

Imagine a real dumbed down version of an earth roamer... 41s, lockers, Carli or custom suspension, big winch(s).

Point and shoot right?! :Wow1:

 

[LovinPSDs]

One other thing... To the guys saying get a pop up over a Flipac. One thing I really like about the FP is the different type of usable space in the bed of the truck. I think a FP would sleep 4 easily, where I don't know if you could pull that off in pop up. Do the dinnett beds have enough room for 2?

If i didn't use it for a bed, i could put the dogs in there pretty easy like. Just the whole idea of a FP is it's usable in so many different ways. If a FP was over/re-engineered it would be a simple choice, but I know there are some areas that could use improving for sure.

Other option.. Flatbed the truck (Very usable) and do a flatbed popup to gain alil extra room.

Again, just thinking out loud. I'd love to keep it light for the offroad side of things though.

 

[Clutch]

For practicality/versatility the Flip Pac is hard to beat...if you use the truck for other things other than camping. The FP would be a good choice.

You could build some modular inserts that you can slide in while in camper mode and remove when you need it as a regular truck.

 

[subterran]

I dunno. Seems like a lot of work for you flip-packkers if you want to use the whole truck. It's hard to argue with 20 minutes to off my TC and have a whole empty open bed. Without either some form of crane system, or some extreme carpentry work to just go ahead and 'make it a slide-in'. I think I'd do what I did, and buy an inexpensive used pop-up TC of some sort and give it a try. It's going to cost you about the same as a new flip-pack, and it will probably already have a heater and a fridge in it - so you've hit several birds with one stone.

In my case, my camper is actually larger than my truck bed, so in some cases I can fit more crap in there with the camper on than without (depending on the type of crap, that is)

 

[homemade]

I dunno. Seems like a lot of work for you flip-packkers if you want to use the whole truck. It's hard to argue with 20 minutes to off my TC and have a whole empty open bed. Without either some form of crane system, or some extreme carpentry work to just go ahead and 'make it a slide-in'. I think I'd do what I did, and buy an inexpensive used pop-up TC of some sort and give it a try. It's going to cost you about the same as a new flip-pack, and it will probably already have a heater and a fridge in it - so you've hit several birds with one stone.

In my case, my camper is actually larger than my truck bed, so in some cases I can fit more crap in there with the camper on than without (depending on the type of crap, that is)

It takes about the same amount of time to remove a flippac as a slide in. I have both. The flippac can be easily removed with two Brophy cable jacks, I built extensions so they clear the truck sides and tires easily. I have read concerns about stability of the cable jacks but I think they are very stable used on the very light flippac. I have tried to sell my flippac a couple times but now with two dogs I’m glad to have it as a truck cap. When the dogs are dirty they don’t need to be in the cab of the truck making a mess. If you want a truck cap anyway the flippac serves as double duty as a pretty spacious camper and it works better than a camper if you like to haul inflatable boats, boat motors, camping, hiking, biking gear when wet and dirty. Flipacs and slide in campers don’t compare directly - sort of apples/oranges but I’m glad now that mine didn’t sell.