Pop-Up Truck Campers

Design & Construction of anything that's not a teardrop e.g. Grasshoppers or Sunspots

Postby rudeboysaude » Wed Aug 08, 2007 3:35 pm

Sorry to bring this post back from the dead but was wondering if there is such a site like this for building truck campers anywhere on the web? I'd love to get ideas for the pop up supports, lightweight, etc instead of "winging" it. If anyone has any leads, I'd love to hear about them. Thanks.

A.
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Postby Breakinstuffzfun » Sat Aug 09, 2008 12:55 pm

Any one still on this thread?
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Postby mikeschn » Sat Aug 09, 2008 1:16 pm

I'm not aware of a forum for truck pop up campers...

Best hang around here, and ask questions... the only thing that is different between truck campers and teardrop campers, is the chassis.

mike...
The quality is remembered long after the price is forgotten, so build your teardrop with the best materials...
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Postby TPMcGinty » Sat Aug 09, 2008 2:08 pm

rudeboysaude wrote:Sorry to bring this post back from the dead but was wondering if there is such a site like this for building truck campers anywhere on the web? I'd love to get ideas for the pop up supports, lightweight, etc instead of "winging" it. If anyone has any leads, I'd love to hear about them. Thanks.

A.


A. When I was researching a homebuilt truck camper, I found these plans on e-bay. I never bought any but I have kept an eye on them for possible use in the future.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/PLANS-FOR-UNIQUE-POP-UP-TRUCK-CAMPER-RV_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ50073QQihZ016QQitemZ260269664946QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

I know that this auction has ended but keep an eye on the seller, he posts them on a regular basis.
Tim

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Postby caseydog » Sat Aug 09, 2008 2:45 pm

mikeschn wrote:
angib wrote:So Mike, does all of Detroit draw facing to the left. (Are you pinko commie-lovers or sumping?)

Andrew


We draw facing to the left...
:oops:
Mike...


Does it matter if the drawing is done by a liberal or conservative? :thinking:

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Postby mikeschn » Sat Aug 09, 2008 2:59 pm

The answer, according to Detroit is this:

When looking at the Coordinate System in a CAD program, Turbocad for example, positive X faces the rear of the vehicle, Y is cross vehicle, and Z is up and down.

Of course, that is not the way I draw teardrops or trailers. I draw a teardrop looking at the curbside... So X is facing the tongue, Y is up and down, and Z is cross teardrop.

Just to be different!!! :lol: :lol: :lol:

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How hard would this be to draw out, Mike?

Postby Laredo » Sat Aug 09, 2008 7:49 pm

Do my eyes lie, or did Angib draw this out? And would it be something that a full-size-pickup bed would carry easily?
(1992 Dakota, for reference)
Mopar's what my busted knuckles bleed, working on my 318s...
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Re: How hard would this be to draw out, Mike?

Postby angib » Sun Aug 10, 2008 11:46 am

Laredo wrote:Do my eyes lie, or did Angib draw this out? And would it be something that a full-size-pickup bed would carry easily?
(1992 Dakota, for reference)

Yes, I thought those plans were so good that I had to draw them - that's my way of trial-building something, I guess.

The plans sold on eBay by meadgl are for a Dakota, and I think they are well worth $20. There's plenty of info on detail parts of the the build (like joints and stays) and lots of photos that make it all pretty clear. One warning is that it would have to be built exactly to the plans as it has some clever folding parts - if dimensions were changed, some bits might not fold correctly.

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Postby Sadie » Sat Oct 18, 2008 6:41 pm

Here is one I built.

http://trustbreaker.freehostia.com/home ... camper.htm

I must update the page soon the camper is complete now with the inside cabinets finished, and windows in all 4 sides of the pop up which makes a huge difference.

[/url]
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Postby angib » Sun Oct 19, 2008 5:50 am

Sadie, I'm glad the pop-up top worked OK - like all my ideas, it was 'stolen' from something I'd seen.

Sadly, I've now changed the latest version of the Compact plans to a simpler one-end-lifting roof so it doesn't match your website. If you want to take this animated GIF to use on your web site, you're most welcome:

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Postby dwgriff1 » Sun Oct 19, 2008 7:58 am

Andrew,

Which of your pop tops do you think is the best solution for a light weight pickup camper. The back lift could extend the entire width of the top, and be easier to make water tight.

It also looks simpler to build. But you have headroom only at the back.

dave
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Postby Geron » Sun Oct 19, 2008 1:19 pm

Since the discussing was drawing from left or right Maybe we 'merkins should consider other adaptations as well.

A letter from the Queen. (If this is {for some unknown reason offensive} Mods please delete)

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To the citizens of the United States of America from Her Sovereign Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

In light of your failure in recent years to nominate competent candidates for President of the USA and thus to govern yourselves, we hereby give notice of the revocation of your independence, effective immediately.

(You should look up 'revocation' in the Oxford English Dictionary.)

Her Sovereign Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will resume monarchical duties over all states, commonwealths, and territories (except Kansas, which she does not fancy).

Our new Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, will appoint a Governor for America without the need for further elections.

Congress and the Senate will be disbanded. A questionnaire may be circulated next year to determine whether any of you noticed.

To aid in the transition to a British Crown dependency, the following rules are introduced with immediate effect:



-----------------------

1. The letter 'U' will be reinstated in words such as 'colour,' 'favour,' 'labour' and 'neighbour.' Likewise, you will learn to spell 'doughnut' without skipping half the letters, and the suffix '-ize' will be replaced by the suffix '-ise.' Generally, you will be expected to raise your vocabulary to acceptable levels. (look up 'vocabulary').

------------------------

2. Using the same twenty-seven words interspersed with filler noises such as ''like' and 'you know' is an unacceptable and inefficient form of communication. There is no such thing as U.S. English. We will let Microsoft know on your behalf. The Microsoft spell-checker will be adjusted to take into account the reinstated letter 'u'' and the elimination of '-ize.'

-------------------

3. July 4th will no longer be celebrated as a holiday.

-----------------

4. You will learn to resolve personal issues without using guns, lawyers, or therapists. The fact that you need so many lawyers and therapists shows that you're not quite ready to be independent. Guns should only be used for shooting grouse. If you can't sort things out without suing someone or speaking to a therapist,then you're not ready to shoot grouse.

----------------------

5. Therefore, you will no longer be allowed to own or carry anything more dangerous than a vegetable peeler. Although a permit will be required if you wish to carry a vegetable peeler in public.

----------------------

6. All intersections will be replaced with roundabouts, and you will start driving on the left side with immediate effect. At the same time, you will go metric with immediate effect and without the benefit of conversion tables. Both roundabouts and metrication will help you understand the British sense of humour.

--------------------

7. The former USA will adopt UK prices on petrol (which you have been calling gasoline) of roughly $10/US gallon. Get used to it.

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8. You will learn to make real chips. Those things you call French fries are not real chips, and those things you insist on calling potato chips are properly called crisps. Real chips are thick cut, fried in animal fat, and dressed not with catsup but with vinegar.

-------------------

9. The cold, tasteless stuff you insist on calling beer is not actually beer at all. Henceforth, only proper British Bitter will be referred to as beer, and European brews of known and accepted provenance will be referred to as Lager. South African beer is also acceptable, as they are pound for pound the greatest sporting nation on earth and it can only be due to the beer. They are also part of the British Commonwealth - see what it did for them. American brands will be referred to as Near-Frozen Gnat's Urine, so that all can be sold without risk of further confusion.

---------------------

10. Hollywood will be required occasionally to cast English actors as good guys. Hollywood will also be required to cast English actors to play English characters. Watching Andie Macdowell attempt English dialogue in Four Weddings and a Funeral was an experience akin to having one's ears removed with a cheese grater.

---------------------

11. You will cease playing American football. There is only one kind of proper football; you call it soccer. Those of you brave enough will, in time, be allowed to play rugby (which has some similarities to American football, but does not involve stopping for a rest every twenty seconds or wearing full kevlar body armour like a bunch of nancies).

---------------------

12. Further, you will stop playing baseball. It is not reasonable to host an event called the World Series for a game which is not played outside of America. Since only 2.1% of you are aware there is a world beyond your borders, your error is understandable. You will learn cricket, and we will let you face the South Africans first to take the sting out of their deliveries.

--------------------

13. You must tell us who killed JFK. It's been driving us mad.

-----------------

14. An internal revenue agent (i.e. tax collector) from Her Majesty's Government will be with you shortly to ensure the acquisition of all monies due (backdated to 1776).

---------------

15. Daily Tea Time begins promptly at 4 p.m. with proper cups, with saucers, and never mugs, with high quality biscuits (cookies) and cakes; plus strawberries (with cream) when in season.

------------------



God Save the Queen!

PS: Only share this with friends who have a good sense of humour (NOT humor)!

I stole this from Brick
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Postby Sadie » Sun Oct 19, 2008 6:51 pm

Thanks Andrew, I've updated the webpage, the link I gave yesterday was to an old page, I must clean up the server this is the correct link which has more information.

http://poptopcamper.freehostia.com/


Dave
I think the new version of the top would be a bit easier to build but its big advantage should be that its a lot less weight to lift when raising.
My top weighs close to 50lbs which is all I want to lift.
The is a lot of room in it for its size although the is only 18" headroom over the front 2' of the bed, we are small people and took advantage of the fact to build the smallest rig we feel comfortable in.
I guess it all depends on the amount of space you are comfortable in and the size of your truck. Our truck bed is 6' long and the camper is 7' long an extra foot would make a big difference to a top hinged at the front only. Another alternative would be to extend the camper over the truck cab, I considered this but decided it was too complicated.
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Postby dwgriff1 » Sun Oct 19, 2008 8:56 pm

Thanks.

My truck is a full size long bed, so I have an 8' bed. I want to keep as low a traveling profile as possible.

Right now my tear works well for us, but in the future i can see that a pickup camper might be better for us.

So I am thinking and planning.

dave
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PLANS-FOR-UNIQUE-POP-UP-TRUCK-CAMPER

Postby Laeka » Fri Jan 09, 2009 9:49 pm

In case anyone is looking to build a pop up truck camper the plans mentioned by TPMcGinty are back up for auction on E-bay. Search "plans for unique pop up truck camper". Daniel
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