Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

I know this is not a teardrop, but I am interested in your thoughts on building a rooftop tent.

See link to product and pictures.

http://www.autohomeus.com/rooftop/maggiolinaAirlander.php

I am thinking a 1/8th inch plywood x 1/2 inch foam x 1/8th inch plywood with 1x2 spars for top lid and bottom. The bottom would be constructed as a box with a 4-inch foam bed. I would skin sides and top in aluminum. Canvas sides to make the tent.

What I am curious about is the best way to set up the mechanics to raise and lower the lid from stored position to open-functional.

Lift with scissor action?

Spin an all thread rod with a fixed nut on one leg of the scissor to actuate? Would this work and how do you get both sides up at the same time? Or do you need to do both sides?

Spin a rod with cable attached to actuate the scissors?

Lift with compressed air?

Pneumatic ram?
Pneumatic bladder?

I am looking for something simple and reliable. Happy to buy pre made parts (like a pneumatic ram) or make something simple like the scissors. Do you have other ideas for a raise and lower mechanism?

CHEAP AND SIMPLE PVC PNEUMATIC RAM

http://www.llund.com/pne_cyl.htm

I toyed with the idea for a hatch lift !

P.S. I have seen a number of the hard shelled flat fiberglass pick up box covers set aside here and there. Might make a good candidate for the top

This is how they did it:



Like you said a scissor lift fixed on one end and movable on the other end is another approach for a parallel lifting roof:



The above is a manual lift, but I've seen this using a gas strut on the movable end to assist with the lift.

or use the pop up caravan style?

lid with 4 rods in each corner. 2 runners down each side on base and 4 holes in to pin lock it up. Lift up one side lock then other. something so simple and light wouldn't need a slide, only pins in as you hold up one end.

I seen a home made set up they used a scissor lift with 1/2 "all-thread then at the corners they used Harbor freight 90 dre. drill adapter to run a rod across .That way they had no chain ruining across . No oily chain, smaller package .

Hi John and Everyone,
Rooftop tent sleeping is too far from the ground for me but I can see how it would be perfect for others. My idea ( I have not completely convinced myself) is to build a roof rack. You could easily add a platform and tent. I have seen many custom VW bugs with very nice tube steel roof racks. I don't really need one and if I did put one up, how would I deal with my roof vent? In such a small space ventilation is a premium and my roof vent needs to be good to go 100% of the time. I don't use it 100% of the time but want to be able to if I do. How would a roof tent accommodate the vent?
Enjoy, Chris

I once saw a set of plans on ebay from an old popular mechanics magazine from 1964 but the seller was looking for $20 dollars just for the copies of the pages. so it took a few months but i tracked down a copy of the full magazine for $1 from ebay in Canada.

I still havn't built it but i plan to one day.



I just took close up pics of all the instructions and plans...



click the pic above and it should take you to my photobucket so you can see the full set



I doubt it would still only cost £35 to build though

I just LOVE that! It still looks contemporary today... Even looks like it would have a streamlined underbelly when folded down...

My VW camper has scissor lifts. Easiest thing to push up and pull down.