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Pop up camper conversion

PostPosted: Thu Sep 24, 2009 10:44 am
by here4fun183
Hello all! I have lurked here for quite some time and finally ready to get something done. I have a older pop up i can use for my build. I also have a lighter 12 foot flat bed trailer.It may sound wierd but I would like to build a smaller hard side camper on the pop up trailer. The pop up is in decent shape just the canvas is shot like most. What I am curious about is if anybody can point me in the right direction so it dont look horrible. I have so many different ideas. My nieghbor is trying to talk me into buying a truck camper and mounting it on the trailer.(He knows where i can get one fairly cheap) I have alot of stuff already off a camper that i stripped down. Any help would be great! Thanks

PostPosted: Thu Sep 24, 2009 11:22 am
by bobhenry
Some where on the forum I have seen a truck camper mounted on a trailer. The fellow that built it made storage boxes to fit in the cut out areas that normally are recessed for the wheel wells. I thought it looked quite nice and all that storage accessable from the outside would be so great. If you can buy the truck camper right it would save you a ton of time and money. It may not be exactly what you want long term but it will get you out campin' right away.

FOUND THIS ONE ~~~
http://www.mioutdoor.com/homemadecamperpics.php

PostPosted: Thu Sep 24, 2009 12:27 pm
by here4fun183
I thought the same thing I am going monday to look at its one the 10 or 11 foot models rather large type. My only concern would be how to enclose the front part with out making it look bad. Thought about seeing if i could find an old camper at junk yard and get some spare tin to match for the front. If anybody finds any pics can you please send or post them.

PostPosted: Thu Sep 24, 2009 1:25 pm
by bobhenry
a 15" - 18" deep tongue box running full width with a 28"- 32" deep counter top would make a great outdoor galley. The cabover portion would make a nice shade cover.

pardon my amature doodle

Image

PostPosted: Fri Sep 25, 2009 10:57 am
by jimqpublic
If the popup lift system is in good working order...

I keep dreaming of a teardrop/popup hybrid. Almost like a conventional teardrop but with a roof tent. Collapsed it would function as a normal teardrop with rear kitchen and front sleeping area. Raise the roof, with side tenting, and you would have a second sleeping level. The shape would have to be squared off, but it could still look good.

PostPosted: Sat Sep 26, 2009 11:54 pm
by Prem
here4fun183,

Those slide-in campers for pick-up trucks are usually suffering from dry rot and worse, they have 1"x2" stapled framing. Prepare to breathe mold if you decide to go with the slide-in camper. :thumbdown:

First choice, I'd build a large, tall teardrop on the utility trailer. :thumbsup:

Second choice, tearing the pop-up down to the chassis and building on it...but be prepared for having to cut some and weld some on it.

Prem