pop-top side-flip tent MOD idea

[vanis13]

used search w/no results.

anyone try this? http://www.ttora.com/forum/showthread.php?t=164024


there is also this one but flips the wrong direction for us - http://flippac.com/


a MOD like this might give more upstairs space and a shade/rain cover over the door. (yes roof racks might be an issue)

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83.5 Westy with Subaru 2.5, 4 spd manual, center seat, COLD A/C on 134a!, Winter camp heated with an Espar B4 gasoline furnace

www.SuperVanagon.com - some stuff I make

[vanagonjr]

Devon Moonraker, I believe.
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John - 86 Wolfsburg Westfalia "Weekender"
Flint reversed 1.8T W/Passat 5-Speed

Complete SA Grill Set-up for sale!
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FAQ thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=525798

[Ahwahnee]

[BenT Syncro]

That looks a 'Wildernest' camper shell. They haven't been around for awhile. But these shells come up for sale occasionally for under $500. I was studying them for use on a Doka. The Flippac is a better solution for me except used ones sell for 3-4 times more than the Wildernest.
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BenT

[WestiCoast]

That would be a cool project to see someone do. But I won't go thru all the brain damage of trying to engineer one of those onto a Vanagon when you can mount a Roof-Top-Tent up there for less than $1000 new. Heck you could mount two on top of a Vanagon.

[Xtremjeepn]

I've had similar thoughts about doing a flippac or wildernest type conversion to a Poptop.

This picture is on a Jeep Wrangler Imagine what you could do in a van!!

You could create all sorts of space! A side flip one would also double as an awning . Which you could simply add sides to and have a complete "add-a-room"!

Could be a slick set up!

[Howesight]

I extended my pop top and put all my stuff up there at night.

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'86 Syncro Westy SVX

[BenT Syncro]

Very nice mod. I've always wondered what that arrangement would look like.

As for me, besides not being much of a camper, I want the Flip Pac style for my Doka. It's very like the Jeep set up. But then again, a hard shell roof tent like the Magiollina might be good enough. Plus it's removable. Right now, I have a Vindic canopy which I want to make into something more interesting.
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BenT

[Xtremjeepn]

I've been thinking about this again.

Converting a Poptop to a side flip would have all sorts of advantage.

-full bed AND full lent standing room would make the van far more useful.

-top flipped sideways would create an awning from the top.

[nemobuscaptain]

http://www.coloradocampervan.com/index.html
These guys do some custom stuff. I always thought the front and rear popouts were neat. Side pop plus a front and rear popout too? Awesomeness. I think those front and rear popout parts are just standard popup trailer camper stuff.

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[fraggle00]

I always wanted one of the wildernest setups, I like how it doubles as awning space.
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'91 Vanagon Carat
'87 Porsche 928S4 DOWN
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[Xtremjeepn]

[goffoz]

[Howesight]

Hey Goffoz:

Thanks for the compliments! I have absolutely no regrets and would not do any aspect of the roof extension any differently. This is the first major mod I did where I am confident that I got it right the first time.

The original factory luggage rack is held on the van with two brackets and bolts on the front, two on each side, and four bolts at the rear. My mod leaves the 2 brackets and bolts for the front of the pop-top in place and I use bolts there to secure a tight fit of the pop-top when it is down. The factory latch does not secure the front sufficiently tightly.

If you are interested, I can measure up and give you exact dimensions and locations for things like the aluminum tent-retaining strips, and the panels for the tent itself as this has to be custom made. Maybe Ateliers PK could take the dimensions and make the tents?

Having done a bunch of long trips now with a fashion-conscious wife and teen daughter, I am very happy to have the extra space up there when camping!

The wheels are Audi A4 wheels from around model year 2000. I use 15mm spacer adaptors from T3 Techniques. I had the wheel centers machined larger. These wheels do not need the centres machined if you use adaptors, which I did not know at the time. If you only use wheel spacers and long studs, then you need to machine the centres.

Apart from what is detailed in my thread, my suggestions for you if you are thinking of doing this mod are basic:

1. Get boat-builder quality fibreglass resin and cloth, not Bondo brand.
2. Use the opportunity to remove mold from the flocking. With the pop-top upside-down, flood the flocking with 50:50 mix of bleach and water. Leave for ten minutes. Rinse well with garden hose. No scrubbing required.
3. If you are gonna paint the top, do it now. Ditto for skylight and gasket replacement.
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'86 Syncro Westy SVX

[goffoz]

Good to hear you got it right the first time
...thats my 'Holy graille" someday
As far as the glass work...I'm and old surfski/board/kayak builder, the hard part here is just finding suppliers.
Dimensions on the tent would be great ..can we share the details here on the forum. I'm sure, more than just me would appreciate your work
thanks

[Howesight]

I will get those measurements together in the next few weeks when I remove the top for painting and have the plastic welting finally sewn onto the tent. Yes, I would be honoured to share that info here on the forum.

In the meantime, I did think of one thing I would do differently in future: Instead of using 1/2" x 1/2" vinyl strip for the attachment point for the tent on the former luggage rack, (which all gets 'glassed in), I would use 1/2" by 1/2" oak instead. There is really no chance of rot once it is 'glassed in, and that was the reason for using vinyl. The 'glass just did not stick to the vinyl, making the lay-up in that area sloppy and difficult.
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'86 Syncro Westy SVX