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My old camper setup and my new Alu Cab Canopy Camper

Discussion in 'Tonneau Covers, Caps and Shells' started by Flyguy01, Apr 16, 2019.

  1. Apr 16, 2019 at 7:32 AM
    #1
    Flyguy01

    Flyguy01 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Well after building what i still think is one of my favorite setups using topper ez lifts and sewing a custom tent- i made the jump to the new alucab canopy camper. Thought i would post a few pics of the old and a few pics of the new (just starting the build out of it)
    IMG_0994.jpg My old setup
    IMG_1483.jpg My new setupIMG_1478.jpg The new awning (beyond words awesome)
     
    Toyko Joe, Siebermd, Fohu and 21 others like this.
  2. Apr 16, 2019 at 7:39 AM
    #2
    Taco505

    Taco505 Well-Known Member

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    Nice set up! Lets see on interior shots of the ALU Camper!
     
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  3. Apr 16, 2019 at 7:43 AM
    #3
    Flyguy01

    Flyguy01 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Dont have any pics of the alucab yet just got it last weekend and finished the electrical and also the on demand water system, promise to post them as i progress
     
    Paul'sFourBy, jonvan and Taco505 like this.
  4. Apr 18, 2019 at 12:12 PM
    #4
    guidoStow

    guidoStow Member

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    Awning looks awesome! More pics/details of that would be great!
     
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  5. May 16, 2019 at 6:19 AM
    #5
    Flyguy01

    Flyguy01 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    A few more shots of the new alucab camper:
    Changes/ additions so far:
    1. made and added fairing and beauty panel (cover for the dead space between the camper and the truck will eventually add a 10 gallon water tank behind it)
    2. added "scaffolding" so i can load and unload boats without a ladder
    3. built out basic benches and table that lift out of the way to provide a "trunk" (have to carpet it all still and the table unscrews and fits in between the benches to make another bed)
    IMG_1504.jpg IMG_1513.jpg IMG_1508.jpg IMG_1509.jpg IMG_1510.jpg
     
  6. May 21, 2019 at 1:55 PM
    #6
    Greenbean

    Greenbean B.S. Goodwrench

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    Is the 270’ awning as strong as they say it is?

    I need to be able to not worry about it with gusts to 25mph or so.
     
  7. May 22, 2019 at 5:36 AM
    #7
    Flyguy01

    Flyguy01 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I have not had it out in winds that high yet but i think so- i can do pull ups on the awning bars and i weigh ~240 lbs. They say it would be safe in those winds (25 mph) and based on the quality I see i think it would be fine. I do think that if it was that gusty i would certainly drop the leg and use a few of the tie downs if no other reason, i think it would become a sail and get the truck a rocking.
     
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  8. May 22, 2019 at 5:56 AM
    #8
    Flyguy01

    Flyguy01 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Just finished the kitchen / storage box. next will be the hinged countertop that will be attached to the door on the inside. The big drawer holds all of the pots pans plates cups silverware etc. the smaller drawer above it is for the cleaning supplies then the other drawer holds camp misc (playing cards, cribbage board, flashlight etc) and the tubs are catch alls and used as washtubs for cleaning.

    IMG_1514.jpg
    IMG_1515.jpg
     
  9. May 28, 2019 at 9:35 AM
    #9
    Flyguy01

    Flyguy01 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    since black is too hot painted the roof with an elatomeric roof coating this weekend - difference is impressive from too hot to touch to barely warm. Also the lifts will lift and support about 220lbs with no problemsPAAG6461.jpg IMG_1534.jpg
     
  10. Jul 14, 2019 at 11:56 AM
    #10
    CTtaco08

    CTtaco08 Member

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    This model you get into the sleeping area by popping up the 2 foot section of the floor correct? How long is the sleeping portion with the small floor popped up? For example could someone be sleeping and have to wake up and move to have someone else come or go? Can't find the info anywhere.

    Thanks! Dope setup
     
  11. Jul 15, 2019 at 4:49 AM
    #11
    Flyguy01

    Flyguy01 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    The main bed platform is 75 inches long and the back hinge up panel is 28." we just spent the last month traveling out west and during the second half of the trip both my boys (one is 5' 11" and the other is 6'2") were able to sleep up top with the back hatch open while my wife and i slept on the lower bed in the truck bed. Worked no problem but your feet will hit the wedge end although did not seem to be an issue. Hope that helps. I will be writing up a full review of the good and the bad after living in it for a month- Mostly awesome but a few areas that need attention (nothing major)
    s
     
  12. Jul 31, 2019 at 4:49 AM
    #12
    Flyguy01

    Flyguy01 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    After a month on the road- I can say without a doubt the Alucab camper is extremely strong and capable- there are a few none critical items that will need to be addressed like the gas shock for the rear door- but no major items. We had more than a few nights with winds in the 30's and while the truck would shake- given i had left the 200 lbs of kayaks on the roof acting as sails but the hinges or struts never even flexed. Had the awning out in the desert one day wit interment dirt devils and maybe 40ish mph gusts- awning was fine with the straps secured and the one leg down- mostof the time never did anything to awning other then open and close cause its so easy and worthwhile. here is a shot outside of laramie- needed to hang some wet gear to dry (FYI- there are 4 adults sleeping in the bed 2 up top and 2 on a second bed in the truck bed) cozy but comfortabel and worked for ~6 daysIMG_1902.jpg
     
  13. Jul 31, 2019 at 7:07 AM
    #13
    RVRboy

    RVRboy Well-Known Member

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    Nice! Can you please tell me what the angle brackets on the drivers side of the camper are used for? Looking for the best way to load kayaks on the roof of my Alu-Cab Canopy camper.
     
  14. Jul 31, 2019 at 11:47 AM
    #14
    Flyguy01

    Flyguy01 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    IMG_4576.jpg rvrboy- that is what its for- the bracket allows me to stand on it to load and unload kayaks- it is old parts i scavenged from a leer heavy duty ladder rack. and i just move it from side to side when needed- I know the pic aint pretty but probably worth a 1000 words- this is at the take out of the Gros Ventre near jackson WY
     
    Last edited: Jul 31, 2019
  15. Jul 31, 2019 at 4:46 PM
    #15
    RVRboy

    RVRboy Well-Known Member

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    Thanks very clever. One other question looks like the roof load bars you used fit right into the Alu-Cab mounting slots without having to use the Alu-Cab load bars? Can you elaborate a bit on your setup?

    I'm just starting to figure how to build mine out!
     
  16. Aug 1, 2019 at 3:58 AM
    #16
    Flyguy01

    Flyguy01 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I did not use any of the alucab load bars- i already had a full yakima setup and the t-nuts for the yakima rails fit right into the alucab roof rail. How Long you had yours?
     
  17. Aug 1, 2019 at 4:34 AM
    #17
    RVRboy

    RVRboy Well-Known Member

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    Thanks. I've had mine for about a month, trying to figure out the interior layout (can't be just a dedicated camper) I do need to use the truck as a truck. Although I'm thinking about just getting a small utility trailer for that instead, and how best to carry a kayak.Alu-Cab 062319 01.jpg
     
  18. Aug 1, 2019 at 5:20 AM
    #18
    Flyguy01

    Flyguy01 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    looks good- i am in the process of reworking my interior as well. The current build was to be able to accomadate 4 people but going forward will only be setup for 2. I have built a few different layouts over the years with different shells. Only advice i can give confidently is keep it simple and if you are a mobile camper (ie i seldom stay in one place for more than a day or two) an easy to access and use kitchen. My goal is that camp can be functional in less than 5 minutes and taken down in about the same amount of time.
    Proper storage- a place for everything that is organized and easy to access- digging through crap all the time is a pia.- For me i have found that more drawers or dedicated boxes the More space i actually have.
     
  19. Aug 1, 2019 at 5:26 AM
    #19
    Flyguy01

    Flyguy01 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Here are a couple of pics of the lower bed/ garage i built- ( have since removed it and working on designing benches and table IMG_1544.jpg IMG_1545.jpg

    This gave us "clean" storage for clothes and stuff on the bed and then the truck bed/garage could hold all the other gear when we had 4 people in the truck
     
  20. Aug 1, 2019 at 5:29 AM
    #20
    Flyguy01

    Flyguy01 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    and from the back
    IMG_1543 (2).jpg
     

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