Lightweight Popup Camper - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

Kreep · 06-27-2010, 03:44 PM

The "Box Tent" was made about 10 years ago in Canada and I thought some of you would be interested in some of its low tech construction details.

The basic structure has upper and lower fiberglass shells supported by telescoping rods.

Kreep · 06-27-2010, 03:48 PM

The top is lifted by a hand winch and cable system.

Kreep · 06-27-2010, 03:55 PM

Here you see the bed closed. Note the full length piano hinge and 1/2" flakeboard construction. Underneath on the left you will notice a little white button, this is what locates the tent pole when the bed is flipped open.

Kreep · 06-27-2010, 04:03 PM

With the bed open, you can see the clever way its supported. Barely visible is the stiffening rib hanging down underneath. This is a 3-4" piece of flakeboard attached with piano hinge that flips down automatically to keep the bed from sagging. I weigh 200 lbs and have to say this really works. When you fold the bed up, it just drop down flat. Pretty slick.

Kreep · 06-27-2010, 04:14 PM

Inside shot of the aluminum tube that supports the tent. There is a 1.5" plastic post screwed to the roof that holds the upper pole in place. On the left you can see the full length vertical zipper in the corner. This allows you to stuff the front/back up behind the telescoping supports before lowering the top. This is the only poor aspect of the design, as the fabric gets pinched if you don't do this. Note damage from previous owner.

Kreep · 06-27-2010, 04:18 PM

Overall dimensions from their (now defunct) web site:

offroadwagon · 06-27-2010, 04:22 PM

Great build!

Kreep · 06-27-2010, 04:24 PM

I've got this listed in the for sale section (shameless plug)

so let me know if you want to see details of the lift mechanism or anything else while I still have it.

IDASHO · 06-27-2010, 04:31 PM

Interesting.

Ive always had the itch to toss one of those pop up trailers onto my flatbed.

Same idea I think

jpfrk2001 · 06-27-2010, 05:23 PM

Mount that on the front of say a. . 20' trailer bed laterally, and you have a real awsome poor mans toy hauler? !

Its giving me some ideas!

Kreep · 06-27-2010, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpfrk2001

Mount that on the front of say a. . 20' trailer bed laterally, and you have a real awsome poor mans toy hauler? !

Exactly. Mounted sideways it only takes up 5' of your trailer deck!

jpfrk2001 · 06-27-2010, 05:36 PM

yea, I checked your ad, but at that price, I have a hook up on a slide in for my duelly with all the eminities.

Good luck with it.

fred99tj · 06-27-2010, 06:40 PM

do you builod these or is something pre-built? Interesteing and I also would LOVE one for my trailer but at your listed price I can get a nicely equipped full size pop-up. Are these made for a 6' bed or 8' only?

Kreep · 06-28-2010, 07:03 AM

I am not trying to pimp my camper in this forum, please post replies related to the sale in the Misc For Sale post.

The point of this post is to give you ideas on building your own. If you are handy it would be pretty easy to fab up your own with fiberglass or marine plywood.

These were made in Canada by Box Tents International and marketed in the States by Outback Products if I recall correctly. They came in long and short box configurations but are no longer in production. You can find one for sale from time to time, especially in Canada.

OlRusty · 10-05-2011, 10:56 AM

Found this similar product today and remembered this thread.

http://www.leesurelite.com/truckcampers.asp

And another one

http://www.livinlite.com/camper-overview.php

06-27-2010, 03:44 PM	#1 (permalink)
Kreep Granite Guru Join Date: Sep 2002 Member # 14004 Location: Illinois Posts: 846	Lightweight Popup Camper The "Box Tent" was made about 10 years ago in Canada and I thought some of you would be interested in some of its low tech construction details. The basic structure has upper and lower fiberglass shells supported by telescoping rods. Attached Images __________________ 82 CJ7 - TBI 304/T18a/D300/44/70/4.88/40's 87 Samurai - GSX carbs/16V 1.6/GRS-II/linked rear/31's

06-27-2010, 03:48 PM	#2 (permalink)
Kreep Granite Guru Join Date: Sep 2002 Member # 14004 Location: Illinois Posts: 846	The top is lifted by a hand winch and cable system. Attached Images __________________ 82 CJ7 - TBI 304/T18a/D300/44/70/4.88/40's 87 Samurai - GSX carbs/16V 1.6/GRS-II/linked rear/31's

06-27-2010, 03:55 PM	#3 (permalink)
Kreep Granite Guru Join Date: Sep 2002 Member # 14004 Location: Illinois Posts: 846	Here you see the bed closed. Note the full length piano hinge and 1/2" flakeboard construction. Underneath on the left you will notice a little white button, this is what locates the tent pole when the bed is flipped open. Attached Images __________________ 82 CJ7 - TBI 304/T18a/D300/44/70/4.88/40's 87 Samurai - GSX carbs/16V 1.6/GRS-II/linked rear/31's

06-27-2010, 04:03 PM	#4 (permalink)
Kreep Granite Guru Join Date: Sep 2002 Member # 14004 Location: Illinois Posts: 846	With the bed open, you can see the clever way its supported. Barely visible is the stiffening rib hanging down underneath. This is a 3-4" piece of flakeboard attached with piano hinge that flips down automatically to keep the bed from sagging. I weigh 200 lbs and have to say this really works. When you fold the bed up, it just drop down flat. Pretty slick. Attached Images __________________ 82 CJ7 - TBI 304/T18a/D300/44/70/4.88/40's 87 Samurai - GSX carbs/16V 1.6/GRS-II/linked rear/31's

06-27-2010, 04:14 PM	#5 (permalink)
Kreep Granite Guru Join Date: Sep 2002 Member # 14004 Location: Illinois Posts: 846	Inside shot of the aluminum tube that supports the tent. There is a 1.5" plastic post screwed to the roof that holds the upper pole in place. On the left you can see the full length vertical zipper in the corner. This allows you to stuff the front/back up behind the telescoping supports before lowering the top. This is the only poor aspect of the design, as the fabric gets pinched if you don't do this. Note damage from previous owner. Attached Images __________________ 82 CJ7 - TBI 304/T18a/D300/44/70/4.88/40's 87 Samurai - GSX carbs/16V 1.6/GRS-II/linked rear/31's

06-27-2010, 04:18 PM	#6 (permalink)
Kreep Granite Guru Join Date: Sep 2002 Member # 14004 Location: Illinois Posts: 846	Overall dimensions from their (now defunct) web site: Attached Images __________________ 82 CJ7 - TBI 304/T18a/D300/44/70/4.88/40's 87 Samurai - GSX carbs/16V 1.6/GRS-II/linked rear/31's

06-27-2010, 04:22 PM	#7 (permalink)
offroadwagon Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Member # 134278 Posts: 26	Great build!

06-27-2010, 04:24 PM	#8 (permalink)
Kreep Granite Guru Join Date: Sep 2002 Member # 14004 Location: Illinois Posts: 846	I've got this listed in the for sale section (shameless plug) so let me know if you want to see details of the lift mechanism or anything else while I still have it. Attached Images __________________ 82 CJ7 - TBI 304/T18a/D300/44/70/4.88/40's 87 Samurai - GSX carbs/16V 1.6/GRS-II/linked rear/31's Last edited by Kreep; 06-27-2010 at 05:29 PM.

06-27-2010, 04:31 PM	#9 (permalink)
IDASHO Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Member # 83932 Location: Idaho! Posts: 689	Interesting. Ive always had the itch to toss one of those pop up trailers onto my flatbed. Same idea I think

06-27-2010, 05:23 PM	#10 (permalink)
jpfrk2001 New Beginnings Join Date: Sep 2007 Member # 99513 Location: On the move Posts: 4,244	Mount that on the front of say a. . 20' trailer bed laterally, and you have a real awsome poor mans toy hauler? ! Its giving me some ideas! __________________ My jeep is a hotrod! /forum/jeep-hardcore-tech/658004-going-against-odds.html NEW BEGINNINGS: /forum/general-4x4-discussion/971511-jealle-o-cigano.html

06-27-2010, 05:36 PM	#12 (permalink)
jpfrk2001 New Beginnings Join Date: Sep 2007 Member # 99513 Location: On the move Posts: 4,244	yea, I checked your ad, but at that price, I have a hook up on a slide in for my duelly with all the eminities. Good luck with it. __________________ My jeep is a hotrod! http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=658004 NEW BEGINNINGS: http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=971511

06-27-2010, 06:40 PM	#13 (permalink)
fred99tj Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Member # 86268 Posts: 133	do you builod these or is something pre-built? Interesteing and I also would LOVE one for my trailer but at your listed price I can get a nicely equipped full size pop-up. Are these made for a 6' bed or 8' only? __________________ Tellico Rally #645

06-28-2010, 07:03 AM	#14 (permalink)
Kreep Granite Guru Join Date: Sep 2002 Member # 14004 Location: Illinois Posts: 846	I am not trying to pimp my camper in this forum, please post replies related to the sale in the Misc For Sale post. The point of this post is to give you ideas on building your own. If you are handy it would be pretty easy to fab up your own with fiberglass or marine plywood. These were made in Canada by Box Tents International and marketed in the States by Outback Products if I recall correctly. They came in long and short box configurations but are no longer in production. You can find one for sale from time to time, especially in Canada. __________________ 82 CJ7 - TBI 304/T18a/D300/44/70/4.88/40's 87 Samurai - GSX carbs/16V 1.6/GRS-II/linked rear/31's

10-05-2011, 10:56 AM	#15 (permalink)
OlRusty Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Member # 29407 Location: Reno NV Posts: 71	Found this similar product today and remembered this thread. http://www.leesurelite.com/truckcampers.asp And another one http://www.livinlite.com/camper-overview.php __________________ Rust never sleeps. 1975 FJ40, rolling rust. Last edited by OlRusty; 10-05-2011 at 10:59 AM.

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