Truck camper shell with roof that can open up?

[fuzzybabybunny]

Let me know if this sounds really stupid.

In a lot of respects a pick-up truck like a Tacoma is the perfect travel vehicle. It can go anywhere. Gets decent mileage for a truck. And with a crew cab it can seat 5. If you wanted to sleep in it daily you can just sleep in the bed, but lots of times you need to be protected from the elements so you get a camper shell.

But then you can't stand up inside this camper shell nor can you carry tall items anymore unless you take off the shell.

So.... how about a camper shell where the roof can open up to the sky? During rain you can just close it. When it's nice out you can open it and sleep under the stars. When you need to move tall stuff you just open the roof instead of having to take off the shell. You can cook inside the shell because you've now got good ventilation.

 

[phucheneh]

Only reasonable way to do it is with a soft sunroof, basically. Most people don't want to pay for that in a bed topper, it's more of a 'luxury' feature, imo. i.e. it takes the place of sunroofs so long that glass panels would not fit.

An alternative would be a camper top that had something like a snap-secured tonneau cover on the top. Wouldn't be that hard to fab, and keeps you from having to rivet those snaps into your truck bed.

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

Only reasonable way to do it is with a soft sunroof, basically. Most people don't want to pay for that in a bed topper, it's more of a 'luxury' feature, imo. i.e. it takes the place of sunroofs so long that glass panels would not fit.

An alternative would be a camper top that had something like a snap-secured tonneau cover on the top. Wouldn't be that hard to fab, and keeps you from having to rivet those snaps into your truck bed.

Would the idea of a roof that swings wide open be something that people wouldn't want?

It would swing open like a pair of barn doors or something. You could choose to swing just half the roof open if you've got stuff on the other half.

 

[Doppel]

How are you going to get to the top of it to put these tall items in it? A ladder? Most people with a camper shell realize it can't haul, and even with a folding top it still wouldn't haul much, plus increases cost and increases chance of a leak.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

A roof that opens up like that is VERY difficult to seal from the rain when closed. Plus, for where you're going bugs will be an issue. Looking at the sky sounds great but in practice.... not so much.

You might want to look into truck mounted popup tents. I have a buddy who used to have a 4x4 small truck with a hardshell camper, then he had a tent on top of that (there was a piece of pressure treated plywood on top of the shell).

What about a 4x4 van?

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

A roof that opens up like that is VERY difficult to seal from the rain when closed. Plus, for where you're going bugs will be an issue. Looking at the sky sounds great but in practice.... not so much.

You might want to look into truck mounted popup tents. I have a buddy who used to have a 4x4 small truck with a hardshell camper, then he had a tent on top of that (there was a piece of pressure treated plywood on top of the shell).

What about a 4x4 van?

It shouldn't be any more difficult to seal than, say, a standard sedan's trunk. Or a trunk like a Prius:

http://www.hybridcars.com/files/prius-cargo-space-610.jpg

As for pop up tents, I would think that the inside of the tent would be soaked if the truck had been driving in the rain earlier that day. The bed would be wet since there's nothing covering it. And when you pop up the tent... the bed's still wet. Unless you drive around with a cover for the bed and remove it to set up the tent, but the inside would still get wet if you're trying to do this in a downpour.

BTW are there any other trucks where the bed can open directly into the main cabin?

http://www.chevrolet.com/content/ch.../mm_gal_item_c2_1.img_resize.img_stage._0.jpg

 

[JCH13]

It shouldn't be any more difficult to seal than, say, a standard sedan's trunk. Or a trunk like a Prius:

http://www.hybridcars.com/files/prius-cargo-space-610.jpg

As for pop up tents, I would think that the inside of the tent would be soaked if the truck had been driving in the rain earlier that day. The bed would be wet since there's nothing covering it. And when you pop up the tent... the bed's still wet. Unless you drive around with a cover for the bed and remove it to set up the tent, but the inside would still get wet if you're trying to do this in a downpour.

BTW are there any other trucks where the bed can open directly into the main cabin?

http://www.chevrolet.com/content/ch.../mm_gal_item_c2_1.img_resize.img_stage._0.jpg

I think you're grossly underestimating how hard it is to make something leak-proof and grossly underestimating how good pop-up tents are.

I don't think you'll want a cap that opens up for two reasons: if you're hauling something that requires the doors to be open your whole truck bed is unsecure against theft, and if it starts raining everything inside will be soaked. Having a bed that opens into the cab is also a security issue, if someone gains access to one part of your truck they can get access to everything.

This is aside from bugs, mud, fabrication difficulties, etc.

I would do a crew-cab truck (preferably a contractor-style truck with fender compartments) and put storage and sleeping accommodations in the bed of the truck. To sleep outside I would get a camping hammock, they're super light and durable and can be setup in minutes. You can also drape bug screens over them. I would also put bug screens in the bed cap windows, or at least two of them.

Edit: over-sized items can be packed onto a trailer hitch rack on the back of the truck.

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

I think you're grossly underestimating how hard it is to make something leak-proof and grossly underestimating how good pop-up tents are.

I don't think you'll want a cap that opens up for two reasons: if you're hauling something that requires the doors to be open your whole truck bed is unsecure against theft, and if it starts raining everything inside will be soaked. Having a bed that opens into the cab is also a security issue, if someone gains access to one part of your truck they can get access to everything.

This is aside from bugs, mud, fabrication difficulties, etc.

I would do a crew-cab truck (preferably a contractor-style truck with fender compartments) and put storage and sleeping accommodations in the bed of the truck. To sleep outside I would get a camping hammock, they're super light and durable and can be setup in minutes. You can also drape bug screens over them. I would also put bug screens in the bed cap windows, or at least two of them.

Edit: over-sized items can be packed onto a trailer hitch rack on the back of the truck.

Huh? People loved the Avalanche's Midgate when it came out. Consumer Reports best pick. Edmunds loved it. Same with Motor Trend. Wondering if other trucks have the midgate configuration. It's obviously a feature that people enjoyed.

 

[JCH13]

Huh? People loved the Avalanche's Midgate when it came out. Consumer Reports best pick. Edmunds loved it. Same with Motor Trend. Wondering if other trucks have the midgate configuration. It's obviously a feature that people enjoyed.

"People" were not doing an exceptionally long road trip through 3rd world countries where vehicle security could be a much bigger issue there in the US of A. The rear cab door in the avalanche had chronic leaking issues too. Here is an entire subforum dedicated to the leaking issues that plague that vehicle.

The utility is certainly there, don't get me wrong, I just don't think it would work well for what you intend to do.

A list of vehicle requirements and wants would really help your decision making process I think. It might lead you towards something you have never considered before.

 

[SithSolo1]

Well you could get something like this: http://www.addictedoffroad.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=565 though I don't think its exactly what you are looking for.

 

[herm0016]

you should really do your own research. and you do underestimate tents.

check out these things:

http://www.fourwheelcampers.com/ a shell model would be good for you I think.

http://www.cascadiatents.com/ roof top tents in different configurations.

http://www.camperize.com/poptops.html some more tent and pop up type options.

I am considering a set up like the dodge truck here to replace my old slide in camper: http://www.cascadiatents.com/index.php?m=94&s=594&c=&id=115

 

[Auric]

What about a 4x4 van?

Winner winner chicken dinner!

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=Delica

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

"People" were not doing an exceptionally long road trip through 3rd world countries where vehicle security could be a much bigger issue there in the US of A. The rear cab door in the avalanche had chronic leaking issues too. Here is an entire subforum dedicated to the leaking issues that plague that vehicle.

The utility is certainly there, don't get me wrong, I just don't think it would work well for what you intend to do.

A list of vehicle requirements and wants would really help your decision making process I think. It might lead you towards something you have never considered before.

Security?

This is what I'm considering doing long road trips in 3rd world countries with:

http://brownz.com/kawasaki_super_sherpa250_2001.jpg

Being secure and non-secure is just a window break away in any vehicle. I'm looking for something that's inconspicuous and offers protection from the elements. And keeps prying eyes away from the inside contents. I have no illusions of it actually being secure. Even in trucks where the cabin is separate from the bed. You smash the window to get into the cabin. You knife open the bed cover to get to the bed contents. There's zero security.

And a big 'ol tent popping out of the roof of a truck... not conspicuous.

I want a truck where the hard camper shell can lead directly into the main cabin. Why not a van? Because you can't remove the roof off of a van to move tall objects. On a truck you can just remove the shell, or, with my idea, just swing open the roof of the shell without having to take off the shell.

Shells are heavy.

 

[herm0016]

choose 2: cheap, light weight, quality.

shell models are not heavy. 650isih for a taco. and you can live in it. Lots of people do the panam in a roof top tent.

what tall object will you be carrying while traveling? and how is a tent beside a moto any different than one that is much sturdier and weatherproof that folds from your roof?

vans are great. thats why i linked you one in the other thread.

 

[twinrider1]

One problem at a time...

First, do you want a door to the cabin, or to crawl through something like a window? If you want a door, you're going to have to reinforce the cabin around that opening. And you'd be restricted to bucket seats with nothing between them.
Seems like a lot of work.

Is the bike the tallest thing you want to carry in the bed of the truck?


EDIT: I'm with Herm016. A 4x4 van like a Quigley or a Sportsmobile is the way to go, with a pop-up roof or without.

 

[herm0016]

One problem at a time...

lulz. there is never one problem at a time for these threads.

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

choose 2: cheap, light weight, quality.

shell models are not heavy. 650isih for a taco. and you can live in it. Lots of people do the panam in a roof top tent.

what tall object will you be carrying while traveling? and how is a tent beside a moto any different than one that is much sturdier and weatherproof that folds from your roof?

vans are great. thats why i linked you one in the other thread.

Imagine a hard camper shell. Just a standard shell. Weighs 150lb. It's a bitch for one person to take off if they need to move tall objects like bikes. Not to mention you can't stand up in them if you're using it as a sleeping quarter.

Now imagine that same hard camper shell with a roof that opens up. Now you can put tall objects in the bed without having to take off the shell and stash it somewhere. If you're out camping and want to sleep inconspicuously, you can sleep in the shell. If the weather is good and there aren't any bugs (very common in sunny California, especially up in higher elevations) you can even sleep with the top open. Or stand up. Or use it as a platform to shoot photos from.

If the weather's good you can open up the roof and the roof can even act as a makeshift table.

If you have a kayak you can mount the kayak on one side and still open the roof on the other side.

I feel like I need to draw a picture.

Sure, it'll be hard to make it water tight. It's hard to design good products. The point?

EDIT: cheap, light weight, quality is an old inside the box way of thinking about things for people who aren't in the know about that particular subject.

Carbon fiber is cheap to produce but priced high because people still think it's some kind of mystical material. It's not. To the manufacturer, it's cheap, light, and high quality. Sure, steel is cheap, but steel is *dirt cheap*.

How much do you think it actually costs to make a Chanel purse? You think with purses you really have to pick 2 between price, quality, and service? Hell no. You can get many purses that are cheaper, of the same quality, and have the same level of service as a Chanel bag. People don't think they can have it all because they just don't know any better. The ones who are able to convince people that they have to pick 2 simply go laughing to the bank. I know. I've done it.

My photography packages for my business. It's cheap, quick, and high quality for me. But based on how I set my price, I can make it look high quality, quick, and still be expensive to the consumer. And yet they're ok with it because it fits their perception.

The purpose of this thread was to see if there is anything on the market that already has this kind of configuration. If not, it's an opportunity to make it and to bring it to market.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Here ya go.

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

Here ya go.

Haha, that's pretty cool. Not exactly what I was thinking, but cool.

 

[herm0016]

nope, i don't know anything...

carbon fiber is labor intensive. labor is expensive. I worked in the engineering dept. of a major composites manufacture with most of the major medical, construction, wind energy, and ag. as clients.

no need for a picture. i understand what you want, and the challenges of building it. you will need to build a major structure to support the "doors" on top, you will have no cross bar in the back. such is a limitation of slide in pop up campers with full height doors. sealing the doors may be a challenge, but there are ways to do it. doing all that in 150 lbs is not possible. I would guess between 300 and 400 min. for the weight of the mechanics, structure, and sealing system. you can get shells that are high enough for your bike.
here is one manufacture. http://www.callencamper.com/Camper Shells Page.htm i have also seen people put bikes in a fourwheel camper shell model.



http://www.callencamper.com/Camper Shells Page.htm

we are trying to help, you just say we are all idiots for not saying what you want is at some link and has no design compromises.

if you can build it and make it weigh 150lbs and make it very cheap, DO IT! and make some money.

every link i have provided in both threads has been researched in the past, by me for my own purposes.

 

[slashbinslashbash]

Not quite what you're looking for, but close:

http://www.adventuretrailers.com/flippac.html
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/80666-Pop-up-A-frame-Camper-La-Roulotte?
http://www.quickupcamper.com/

 

[herm0016]

the quick up thing is cool. have come across that before, too bad no one is building them. the main reason is the designer (whome i have talked to) is unwilling to let them be built as a slide in unit, or for 5.5 or 6.5 foot bed trucks. The majority of trucks on the road today are short beds. The design is permanently mounted so that you loose all other utility aspects of it being a pickup truck.

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

nope, i don't know anything...

carbon fiber is labor intensive. labor is expensive. I worked in the engineering dept. of a major composites manufacture with most of the major medical, construction, wind energy, and ag. as clients.

no need for a picture. i understand what you want, and the challenges of building it. you will need to build a major structure to support the "doors" on top, you will have no cross bar in the back. such is a limitation of slide in pop up campers with full height doors. sealing the doors may be a challenge, but there are ways to do it. doing all that in 150 lbs is not possible. I would guess between 300 and 400 min. for the weight of the mechanics, structure, and sealing system. you can get shells that are high enough for your bike.
here is one manufacture. http://www.callencamper.com/Camper Shells Page.htm i have also seen people put bikes in a fourwheel camper shell model.



http://www.callencamper.com/Camper Shells Page.htm

we are trying to help, you just say we are all idiots for not saying what you want is at some link and has no design compromises.

if you can build it and make it weigh 150lbs and make it very cheap, DO IT! and make some money.

every link i have provided in both threads has been researched in the past, by me for my own purposes.

My OP was clear. Is there such a thing on the market? It's a yes or no answer. Instead I get you telling me to "go do my own research."

So you give me a list of alternatives.

Closest is the Quick Up and honestly the Quick Up is way cooler than what I was expecting. But due to its limitations, not an option. A guy sitting on the patent and not producing it. Fantastic.

 

[phucheneh]

I don't think what you want is on the market. For that matter, I'm not sure you want the right thing.

If you just want a hole in the roof of the topper, how are you going to get the items in? Really high chain hoist? Crane? Zombie Andre the Giant?

The hole would need to extend all the way to the rear, so stuff could slide in. IIRC, GM briefly made a Trailblazer or something with this, didn't they? I'm guessing it didn't work out.

I would return to what I originally said- essentially, it seems like you want a more standard, easy to open/remove tonneau cover...but with it closed, you want the internal volume of a camper top.

Basically, you need something that functions like a stake-side bed, except closed in, with a removal top. Correct?

edit: Not a commercial stake bed, but I'm picturing more like the one that just sticks up above the standard metal bed, like you see sometimes on classic trucks. You could mimic the same by cutting the roof out of a (hopefully used, cheap) camper top, but you'd probably have issues with rigidity. And the rear class would have nothing to attach to.

Basically, if you want this to be pretty, either pony up the cash or get really good at fabbing various materials. If it can be ugly...well, fuck it, get some parts and a sawzall and see what happens.

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

the quick up thing is cool. have come across that before, too bad no one is building them. the main reason is the designer (whome i have talked to) is unwilling to let them be built as a slide in unit, or for 5.5 or 6.5 foot bed trucks. The majority of trucks on the road today are short beds. The design is permanently mounted so that you loose all other utility aspects of it being a pickup truck.

I just sent an email to Jay. I recommended Kickstarter if he needs help funding his idea and said that he's in a fantastic position to make this happen. He's already got a working, tried and true product. Now all he needs is to line up a manufacturer and get better photos and a video made. Kickstarter pre-orders roll in, he takes that money to mass produce, and bam, he's in business.

Asked him about why he won't consider allowing it to slide in or have it be compatible with short trucks.