Alu-Cab Canopy Camper Roll Call

[LuisRecio]

Need y'all help
So, I purchased my Alu-cab Explorer canopy from a person from San Antonio. I'm the 3rd owner.
When I got it, he show me that the 1st owner installed some rivet nuts on the side windows but remove before selling it.
Our guess was, that he got like a molle panel set-up? Both windows have the same nut pattern.
Do y'all know a molle panel that have this kind of pattern?

Thanks in advance

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[mquetel]

So, as an FYI for people potentially reading here and being interested in the water tank:

Don't. Just don't. It's a horrible mount in a stupid location, and the bags to mount against are handy to have, but would be much, much better, bigger, more convenient if the stupid tank wasn't behind them.

Now, more details: the steel mounting braces for the tank literally squeeze the tank between them. I get that 50kg of water plus tank must be secured, but this mounting is just beyond me.

And if you still decide to get it: do not let a "professional" install it. Here's what we found when we took the tank and bags off:

This eff-up was from TinyRig. How hard is it really to think for two seconds and decide that washers for the steel brackets might be suboptimal for the much softer aluminum of the bag holder and then (that's a guess from my side) use a power tool to hammer the nuts on to the point that I had to really work with a normal size 1/2" ratchet to get some of them off.

Overall, I can only say: find space for two jerry cans of water, which gives you nearly the same usable amount of water in a MUCH more leak-proof way.

Not been my experience at all with the water tank. I did install it myself, plumbed in an RV pump and installed an acquor hydrant at the rear on the filler plate. I appreciate how sturdy the mounting system is, and its placement (in front of the rear axle) given the weight involved. I thought the alu-cab bag system was tacky at best, so instead used 813 Fabrication's molle panels to mount my own accessories. Sure it uses valuable space inside, but not everyone is trying to create a livable space downstairs in the same way you are. Different strokes and all.

Are there other ways to carry a similar volume of water? 100% yes... and new ones are coming to market that might have prompted me to do things differently, today (looking at you again 813 Fab). The important thing is that I prefer to reserve hard mount points at the rear for things I really don't want inside: fuel. In my case diesel and propane. After that, there is a limit to the amount of crap I want hanging off the outside of the camper. I like my water inside... clean, dust-free, mud-free and permanently plumbed in. It takes quite a bit more to freeze it that way also.

 

[caryt]

I just did mine and so far no issues with the install or usage. I did use 1/2" Neoprene behind it.

 

[813 Fabrication & Design]

I just did mine and so far no issues with the install or usage. I did use 1/2" Neoprene behind it.

Nice, I have been waiting for someone to use that bracket for something other than the water heater. Mind if I use your photo for the website?

 

[813 Fabrication & Design]

Not been my experience at all with the water tank. I did install it myself, plumbed in an RV pump and installed an acquor hydrant at the rear on the filler plate. I appreciate how sturdy the mounting system is, and its placement (in front of the rear axle) given the weight involved. I thought the alu-cab bag system was tacky at best, so instead used 813 Fabrication's molle panels to mount my own accessories. Sure it uses valuable space inside, but not everyone is trying to create a livable space downstairs in the same way you are. Different strokes and all.

Are there other ways to carry a similar volume of water? 100% yes... and new ones are coming to market that might have prompted me to do things differently, today (looking at you again 813 Fab). The important thing is that I prefer to reserve hard mount points at the rear for things I really don't want inside: fuel. In my case diesel and propane. After that, there is a limit to the amount of crap I want hanging off the outside of the camper. I like my water inside... clean, dust-free, mud-free and permanently plumbed in. It takes quite a bit more to freeze it that way also.

My 8GAL / 30L tank kit is now available! It is a great alternative for carrying extra water or if someone doesn't want to use the Alu-Cab tank inside. If it is something you want to use in cold weather, I believe a few RV heater pads could do the trick.

https://813fabrication.com/products/alu-cab-outside-bulkhead-8gal-30l-water-tank

 

[cug]

Not been my experience at all with the water tank. I did install it myself, plumbed in an RV pump and installed an acquor hydrant at the rear on the filler plate. I appreciate how sturdy the mounting system is, and its placement (in front of the rear axle) given the weight involved.

We have now installed it ourselves as well of course, since it was out and now back in. The stainless brackets going over the tank put a very high pressure on the tank itself, it literally gets "squeezed" between them and I can see a very slight deformation.

The main problems I have with the tank are:

• The price, $699 is ridiculous given that this isn't one off or super small series fabrication.
• The way the mount squeeze in the tank.
• The bottom outflow, which will empty into the camper if it ever fails for whatever reason.
• The plastic plugs for unused outflows. Like, why on earth does this thing have four outflows? I can see two, one for left, one right, on the same side as the filler, but that's about it. Why are there two more on the back? This is obviously a tank custom made for Alu-Cab. I might be missing a usecase, that I just haven't seen.
• The position of this much weight up so high. It isn't a problem for us, we aren't rock crawlers, I'd still prefer the weight under the front extrusion (I hope it's clear what I mean by that, basically, under the current position, which is on top of the extrusion.)

I don't think my complaints, maybe other than the last point, are due to our build concept. With a different setup, there would be pretty much guaranteed no possible full outflow of all water if there ever is a leak in the downstream system, but at the cost of needing a $30 or so pump.

The important thing is that I prefer to reserve hard mount points at the rear for things I really don't want inside: fuel.

Totally, we do the same. I was not suggesting jerry cans on the outside. I was suggesting putting a "row of jerry cans" under the front extrusion. There is a very deep space there, I could have made this work easily. Then, of course, it's not a gravity flow anymore, so that would be a clear downside. Not for me, but for others.

And yes, the bag mounts are soft cheese, cream cheese like.

 

[813 Fabrication & Design]

We have now installed it ourselves as well of course, since it was out and now back in. The stainless brackets going over the tank put a very high pressure on the tank itself, it literally gets "squeezed" between them and I can see a very slight deformation.

The main problems I have with the tank are:

• The price, $699 is ridiculous given that this isn't one off or super small series fabrication.
• The way the mount squeeze in the tank.
• The bottom outflow, which will empty into the camper if it ever fails for whatever reason.
• The plastic plugs for unused outflows. Like, why on earth does this thing have four outflows? I can see two, one for left, one right, on the same side as the filler, but that's about it. Why are there two more on the back? This is obviously a tank custom made for Alu-Cab. I might be missing a usecase, that I just haven't seen.
• The position of this much weight up so high. It isn't a problem for us, we aren't rock crawlers, I'd still prefer the weight under the front extrusion (I hope it's clear what I mean by that, basically, under the current position, which is on top of the extrusion.)

I don't think my complaints, maybe other than the last point, are due to our build concept. With a different setup, there would be pretty much guaranteed no possible full outflow of all water if there ever is a leak in the downstream system, but at the cost of needing a $30 or so pump.



Totally, we do the same. I was not suggesting jerry cans on the outside. I was suggesting putting a "row of jerry cans" under the front extrusion. There is a very deep space there, I could have made this work easily. Then, of course, it's not a gravity flow anymore, so that would be a clear downside. Not for me, but for others.

And yes, the bag mounts are soft cheese, cream cheese like.

Do you have any insulation on the bulkhead wall behind the tank? My previous camper and the new MODCAP water tanks have not been tight like that so just curious if your tank might have a slight defect if it is that tight.

 

[cug]

Do you have any insulation on the bulkhead wall behind the tank? My previous camper and the new MODCAP water tanks have not been tight like that so just curious if your tank might have a slight defect if it is that tight.

We do now, but it was the same tightness when we took it off and without the thinsulate. We cut out the shapes of the brackets to avoid too much pressure, so the insulation value is low anyways.

It’s possible that there is a slight defect, but that wouldn’t help me since getting anything after the sale from TinyRig other than invoices is a baseless hope. If that tank ever fails, it’ll ruin quite a bit inside our camper, I just hope it’ll hold until I might just replace it.

 

[813 Fabrication & Design]

We do now, but it was the same tightness when we took it off and without the thinsulate. We cut out the shapes of the brackets to avoid too much pressure, so the insulation value is low anyways.

It’s possible that there is a slight defect, but that wouldn’t help me since getting anything after the sale from TinyRig other than invoices is a baseless hope. If that tank ever fails, it’ll ruin quite a bit inside our camper, I just hope it’ll hold until I might just replace it.

Gotcha! I added a ball valve at the tank to try and avoid any water leakage also.

 

[cug]

Gotcha! I added a ball valve at the tank to try and avoid any water leakage also.

We did the same. It’s not directly at the tank because we just couldn’t get it turned so that it was still usable with the furniture underneath, but added a drinking water valve with a short piece of hose.

And another “gotcha” - the professional install also included teflon tape wound the wrong way, so it was all torn and pushed up on the thread. Fixed that as well along the way …

 

[caryt]

Nice, I have been waiting for someone to use that bracket for something other than the water heater. Mind if I use your photo for the website?

Sure can, PM me where you want the full size files emailed to and I'll take a few from other angles.

 

[813 Fabrication & Design]

Sure can, PM me where you want the full size files emailed to and I'll take a few from other angles.

Thanks!

 

[813 Fabrication & Design]

Alu-Cab Back of Camper RotopaX Mount
Another new product for the campers. These work with the new MODCAP and the previous Canopy Campers. I have both passenger and driver side. A cheaper, lighter, less bulky way to carry a RotopaX container on the rear for fuel or water. Made from powder coated 1/8" stainless steel.

Driver Side
https://813fabrication.com/products/rear-backside-of-camper-rotopax-mount-driver-side

Passenger Side
https://813fabrication.com/products/rear-backside-of-camper-rotopax-mount-passenger-side

 

[cug]

Something else I have been working on an finally have it were I had envisioned. I am putting these together as a kit if interested.

This turned out very nice. I really like the smooth surface of the new Camper. Much better looking and probably also easier to work with. For some reason, each hole we needed to drill ended up on one of these stupid ridges of the diamond pattern ....

Still, the rear door turned out okay for us as well:

"Diesel stuff" is in the Pelican case.

 

[813 Fabrication & Design]

This turned out very nice. I really like the smooth surface of the new Camper. Much better looking and probably also easier to work with. For some reason, each hole we needed to drill ended up on one of these stupid ridges of the diamond pattern ....

Still, the rear door turned out okay for us as well:

"Diesel stuff" is in the Pelican case.

Looks good!

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