Undercover tonneau pop up tent build

Lately I've been searching around for a cheaper RTT or a bed tent. So far I haven't found one in my budget or one I like that is.
So I started thinking of building a hard top tent out of my undercover tonneau cover. After some simple plans I think its very do-able for about 100 bucks.

Here's how I plan going about doing it.

- Fab up 2 extendable support bars at the front of the truck that will replace the factory mounts. (will be bolted onto front wall of box) 10 bucks in metal.

- Mount another 2 gas struts symmetrical to the front 2. * $30 online

- I'll Use 3m velcro strips on the underside of the tonneau as well as on the bed rails/tailgate. I'm gonna sew the Velcro onto the fabric cause I don't think it will stick very well. *waterproof canvas is 60'' wide x $7 a yard online.= $57 with lots to spare.

Cover will still be 100% as functional as before and I'll just bring the canvas in a bag when I go camping.

Iv drawn up a quick illustration on how it will work. P.s. the thing on the top of the cover is my roof rack.

Thoughts?

 

Great idea but I would also add the cost of zippers and mesh for windows/ entry. Just a thought.

 

Yea good idea, I'll have to see how my sewing skills are. haha

 

You will need more support that the 4 struts planned. First, the struts have ball ends on them, so there will be extreme amounts of lateral movement. Second, there is internal reinforcement only where the current hardware mounts. Anywhere else on the cover is simply hollow plastic. An idea, yes .. but I don't see it being a success.

 

There are many examples of this type of thing in the RV world. I am most familiar with various designs for VW camper vans (Country Homes, ASI) and Sportsmobile. All of the models that raise vertically at both ends use some type of scissor mechanism. This stabilizes the roof and canopy in the wind. They also use coil springs to help lift the weight.

 

I see what you're saying but you're overlooking my design. None of the lateral stress will be on the struts. It will be purely in my extendable mounts. The only pressure on the struts will be vertical.

 

i wanna see this when its done

 

I still see the factory style lift struts in the rear as being the weakness to your idea. I'm not saying it can't be done at all, just that there are better ways.

Check into using 4 linear actuators instead. This will give you a far more secure mount to the cover, and still keep it relatively functional. Though as I stated in the prior post attaching additional hardware to the Undercover will be difficult as it is not reinforced in any other areas.

 

I have re-designed it to eliminate the front to struts lifting on an angle. They will now just lift vertically with the extendable mounting supports.

As for the rear I would do the same but then I wouldn't be able to use the cover the same way in day to day use.

 

Looks good, git'r done!

 

Just got 8 yards of waterproof, real tree camo canvas for 70 bucks shipped. Going to try and find the best deal on struts and Velcro when I get home.

 

Just found 2 strong, compact, ratcheting lift type deals. Hard to explain but they will work PERFECT for the front extending support bars. I will need to cut two 3/4'' holes in the front of my box for them to extend 5'' below the bed. (Not going to hit anything I checked) so that the full range = 20'' above top of bed. Also got my gas struts and the ball mounts for them. Will be putting this together as soon as I get a day off, most likely Saturday.

 

I admire your DIY spirit, but I think you may regret making holes in the bed to accommodate vertical struts. You could easily angle them to achieve the desired lift height without damaging the composite bed.

 

The placement of the holes will be in the far corners so if I ever take it out or sell the truck they will just look like the stock drain holes. I'll also be putting a rubber grommet in them to hide any evidence of me drilling them.

As for lifting diagonal it's not as easy as you think. The lifting supports will be welded to the stock mounting points of the cover so in order to lift diagonal I would be adding pivot points and slides which is adding weak points.

 

Frame/lift mechanism is done weoo

Once the struts reach full length I use the ratchet bars to tighten everything up.

Only issue I'm having is its a bit tough to get down cause its got no rack/weight on the top yet.

Looking forward to getting the canvas on. Going to start framing the bed/storage tomorrow.





(this is extended a bit, fits right down against bed rails when lowered)

 

Dude, That's badass. Good job so far! Is it stable at the rear?

 

Awesome idea man.

 

Thanks guys, yea its stable once I ratchet tighten it up. I can lean pretty hard into it without any sign of failing.

 

I want to see how this goes

 

I am not sure how windy it is in your area but velcro would never work here.