The FlipPac info thread.

Yes, bedside supports will help. I don't have a flippac but a Wildernest that splays out the rear enough that I need to ratchet strap the tie downs to close the tailgate any more. If you do much rough road driving you may want to consider an alternative to relying on just the bed rails to hold that weight. I cracked my bed supports and needed to make custom ones. Unfortunately the thin sheet metal to tie into the rail supports keeps tearing away from my new supports causing the rails to "sink".

 

I'm just gonna fab up a couple of angle iron "L-Brackets" similar to what's available commercially.
I may keep the lower end that mates with the truck bed floor as a flat bar so it looks cleaner. Obviously not as strong as another piece of angle or some sort of cross member...but we'll see...

I finally ordered up some aluminum tube to use as a spacer between the FP and the bed rails...been using some 2x4's in the meantime.
I'm gonna have some leftover lengths, so am still considering some sort of internal reinforcement. I definitely want to add a cross member to the back of the FP along top and maybe some uprights to tie into the bedrails. My FP is sagging in the middle and kicking out the bottom seems like. Figure if I pin it to the spacer tube along the bed rails that'll keep the bottom in place. The cross member on top will re-introduce some structure at the top.

 

Welp I’ve got a few friends dropping by in a while to help take the FlipPac off so we can assess the damage better. In the meantime I threw together my dolly to help with the process.

Well sure I don’t have stiffeners but as I mentioned I wasn’t sure what else to call that part of the bed that the aftermarket stiffeners would bolt too. Anyway, thanks for the info I’ll see what I can find that extend all the up.

That’s more or less what I’m afraid of the majority of the off pavement is fairly bumpy and when I wheel there are surely boulders/steps that I’ve got to bump a bit considering I’m open in the rear and got the 4banger haha. My railing system seems to be ok for now but I need to come up with a better solution the FlipPac slides around from time to time so I’ve gotta adjust it often after wheeling trips. I don’t tend to get it super tight because I’m afraid of cracking the fiberglass or ripping the railing out like you have.

I’d be interested to see what you come up I’ve been meaning to do some try I get similar with the spacer. I was chatting with a buddy about more bracing so I’ll be interesting to see what you come up with.

 

Any idea where I can buy some of these?

 

I don't think they are commercially available anymore. You'd likely have to get them fabricated for you. Good news is that the specifications are all posted just down a few posts on the same page.

 

Alright I got one more question, if your torsion bar is broken would the bed platform open up to the point where its past the 180° level of the canopy portion of the flippac? To the point where the bed platform is almost touching your tacoma roof?

 

i think it taps out at 180 degrees... or maybe a bit past...the torsion bar is 'neutral' when the lid is at 90 degrees.

 

Correct.

 

Ok so if my flippac is bending past the 180° mark with weight in the bed then thats a sign my torsion bar is failing or failed?

 

My torsion bar was toast I couldn't open the Flippac with the crank so I had to use a long pole to open it. Anyway, before I put the support poles in it would definitely bend past 180 as far as the tent material would let it go. After I replaced the torsion bar and hinges it now opens to about 150 and I've got to pull it down to get the support poles in.

If you can still open the top with the crank your torsion bar is still working but its probably on its way out.

 

Thanks the information! I was under the impression that the legs were only for left to right shear support but sounds like they also prevent the flippac from bending past the 180° mark.

 

my understanding is that if the torsion bar breaks, you will know...i.e. catastrophic failure. look for a bulge in the tube that it sits in. Also, you won't be able to open the lid very easily since you won't be getting any additional assistance from the bar.

 

You'll definitely know when the torsion bar is done you just won't be able to open the top at all with the crank that's how mine was for the year or so I had mine. I used to open it with a couple of fencing poles nested together like this method which isn't difficult at all just a bit hard than using the crank.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xnpvDaL5A8

I don't have a picture of my old torsion bar after I took it out but it honestly did not look any different than the new bar other than it being dirty and a bit rusty. It was still in one piece and there weren't any noticeable deformities along the shaft from end to end but of course, that was just my experience.

 

https://sandiego.craigslist.org/nsd/pts/d/cardiff-by-the-sea-flippac-camper-shell/7275799284.html

 

Hi guys, I'm going to take a look at one of these this weekend. Owner doesn't know what year it is but what sort of things should I look at/for? Any seasoned owner know any particular faults? Is there any place in the fiberglass prone to go first? I see the obvious upsides here of a bitchin set-up. He's asking 4k which seems reasonable - but that all depends on quality with these things

Thanks in advance

 

Just make sure the fiberglass shell is intact and the tent is in good shape. That’s about all you can really look at besides the tortion bar.

 

the crack at the top of the back window in the middle of the shell...seems "typical"
i'd say the torsion bar/hinge points...if there's a shit ton of rust...not great..
window seals are another area...

 

I think the others covered most of the flaws, but make sure you’re ready for the additional weight. I think there is some variation but expect between 300-380lbs. Bed stiffeners are wise (refer to my previous post #319) and possibly a suspension up grade.

 

Great thanks, I've got some stiffeners and AAL's already - running about 200lbs with a rack and tepui right now

 

Great, I think you should be covered then! Give us an update when you have a chance.