Topper Lift - mixing boxrocket rtt trailer & topperezlift styles

Looks good!

 

Cool idea! Sub'd to see the finished product.

 

https://youtu.be/GbKkWqfKw0M

 

Couple steps closer. Gotta permanently mount up and optimize wiring of the two relay boards. I've got 2 extra remote buttons that will allow light controls. Will have to switch the jumper from momentary to latched though

 

nice video! looking good!

 

Shes just lounging around instead of making the side panels. Ugh.

 

Ya. But when I asked her to sew up one with the mini awning etc she laughed at me. I think im just getting straight sides that will go from inside the topper to outside the truck. Not sure how those deal with rain with the panels being fully inside the trucks. The topper ez lift is like 1200 plus their tent. Ive got 200 for actuators. 80 in steel. 15 for wireless relay board and another 4relay board. A few bucks in nuts and bolts, and some time on a welder saw and wiring in the relay boards. I think she spent 50 on nylon fabric. Almost fully done.

 

My thoughts are to have it attach with webbing and hooks to the bottom of the bed, also adding magnets closer to the top of the bed rail. Not a lot of bugs or rain to worry about here in AZ but might as well do my best to keep em out. That back portion is pretty awesome but also a bit complex. They have another version that the poles extend out and create a room off the back of the truck. The ezlift guys have some good design improvements clearly via experience, at a price closer to 500 or 600 I might have just bought it all.

A 2nd consideration is to apologize to her about already buying the fabric and just use some 2" foam panels in the sides that can be pinched down and held strong, then stow away when down. Then just the back she can make with the fabrix and would velcro in and have a zipper down the middle.

 

Nic,

I'm debating between a Tacoma with a topper over a SUV and your topper lift has me pretty convinced towards the Tacoma. My question is this: TopperEZlift doesn't use a frame inside its topper, just a metal bracket the lifts attach to. Why did you feel the need for the internal structure?

Second, did you consider going with 4 lift struts/springs with pull pins?

Lastly, would you rebuild the lift struts again if someone was buying? I'm up in Flagstaff with no access to welder or portaband.

 

Frame. I thought eventually I would like to add a rooftop tent or basket etc to the topper. The topper weighs air 200 and adding another couple hundred I didn't think having just a few square inches under the topper lip was sufficient so I went with the frame. That and having a large metal bracket, even 1/8 thick between the bed rail and topper would take more foam seal tape. Topperezlift clearly has a working solution, an acceptable one for a mass production product. For them to step into an internal frame would have dramatically increased the complexity and cost for their already expensive product.

I did four lift struts but without the extra weight yet I planned ahead for it was extremely difficult to get it back down to put the pins in. The actuators were only 200 bucks and are totally worth it. Lighter struts would work ok, but i decided to get the actuators vs spend $64+shipping again for lighter strength struts.

I don't build anything in the summer down here... too hot. but ya, maybe this fall/winter.

 

Julie got the side curtains done a while back, just didn't post here yet. The solution for the rear gate is still intheair and mosquito netting all around is left to do.

 

This is awesome. I had a shell but sold it because of the lack of headroom. Looking at an ARE MX series, and doing so,etching exactly like this.

Have you run into any issues or concerns with the fiberglass topper separating from the aluminum frame around the bottom?

The one I had was separating, but I was able to bond it together with construction adhesive. Never really had the warm and fizzies about its integrity after that, so I sold it.

 

Hey Nic, Quick question on your actuator build.
I dont see any attachment to the bottom of the bed.
Are your rails only attached on top of the bed rail or is there a bottom attachment to the bed?

Once again, thanks for all the info. Mine is coming along, just not sure how to go about the bottom of the rail.
I'm thinking about adding extra support for lateral movement.

 

Couple recent... curtains up, bed in, $25 awning. Still need to build the drawer or whatever to put under the sleeping platform. Finally it is cool enough out to mess with it again.

 

Looking good!!

 

How's your topper lift holding up?
I've taken mine off road on a couple different trips and its held up to some serious abuse.

 

Could you post closeup of one of the side actuator mounts etc. thanks, love you project.

 

Sorry for the delay in seeing your post. I'm missing what you mean? The actuator is only connected at this point by the top and bottom pins. I tried hose clamps to hold them to the steel tubes and while they worked, I didn't find them necessary. Maybe having them all connected to the steel square tube bottom sections would stabilize it all a bit, but the topper can't move much as it is so I didn't clamp em all down.

Or do you mean where it mounts to the bed rails?

 

Topper and lift system is now for sale... I'm thinking together $600 OBO. Needs 4 new actuators and wiring up - those are about 180 on ebay. Or I can sell it with gas 2 gas struts - but they're tough to get all the way down. A good project for someone to continue on with maybe.

Bought a new truck. Thinking I should sell the topper and lift separate from the truck. If anyone is interested send a PM.

Nic

 

What did you buy?