Someone Needs To Make An "Overland" Shell

[jeepers29]

We’ll be in the Ouray/Montrose/Telliride area doing the major passes.

If you have not been in Ouray for fouth of July, I highly recommend it. They really do it up. The water hose fights are great fun to watch.

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[Snowcavemike]

OK, hear me out -

I'd love a half-height fiberglass shell with rails on top to mount a tent. I can't seem to find anyone making one. Something where the sides and back open up awning-style for nearly full bed access from 3 sides.

I have a diy truck drawer system that is about 7" tall, so a tonneau cover only leaves me ~11" height for loading the bed. With a 12-14" high camper shell, I can still mount the tent below the roofline and have a decent amount of storage under the cap.

As of now, I have to pull the tonneau off when I put the rack/tent on so I have enough height for storage, but it's not at all secure.

I have a go fast camper shell. Built a 41 x53 x 13 drawer. Fits. 6 milk crates, 12 gallon water tank behind the drawer.

 

[Fpolanco]

OK, hear me out -

I'd love a half-height fiberglass shell with rails on top to mount a tent. I can't seem to find anyone making one. Something where the sides and back open up awning-style for nearly full bed access from 3 sides.

I have a diy truck drawer system that is about 7" tall, so a tonneau cover only leaves me ~11" height for loading the bed. With a 12-14" high camper shell, I can still mount the tent below the roofline and have a decent amount of storage under the cap.

As of now, I have to pull the tonneau off when I put the rack/tent on so I have enough height for storage, but it's not at all secure.

Checking in...what did you finally decide on?!

 

[tikijimmy]

Checking in...what did you finally decide on?!

Finally got around to planning something, and here's what I'm thinking -

- 11" high custom "outer" shell made of wood with an aluminum frame, covered in fiberglass (or poor-man's fiberglass, depending...)
- That shell will sit over another inner shell that is just the front and two sides, no back.
- The roof tent can be mounted to the outer shell's aluminum frame
- The inner shell is attached to the truck bed using brackets to the Trail Rail
- The outer shell is on linear actuators so it can be extended straight up when needed. Each actuator can lift 300+ pounds, so the shell+tent+2 people will easily fit in the WLL.

It's a little complicated, but I get everything I need. When driving, I can leave the outer shell "down" over the inner shell, keeping the tent below the roofline, which means it will fit in my garage and not hit gas mileage too much. It also gives me a completely enclosed and safe place for storage in the bed.

When at the campsite, I can raise it up, giving me headroom under the tent when it's unfolded (I have an enclosure that slides in under the tent overhang that we use for a changing/toilet room) and lots more space inside the bed to spread out gear. The sidewalls I put up around the tent will enclose the privacy room into the whole back of the truck now, making it possible for people to sleep in the truck bed

Quick Sketchup (not to scale)

 

[Fpolanco]

Finally got around to planning something, and here's what I'm thinking -

- 11" high custom "outer" shell made of wood with an aluminum frame, covered in fiberglass (or poor-man's fiberglass, depending...)
- That shell will sit over another inner shell that is just the front and two sides, no back.
- The roof tent can be mounted to the outer shell's aluminum frame
- The inner shell is attached to the truck bed using brackets to the Trail Rail
- The outer shell is on linear actuators so it can be extended straight up when needed. Each actuator can lift 300+ pounds, so the shell+tent+2 people will easily fit in the WLL.

It's a little complicated, but I get everything I need. When driving, I can leave the outer shell "down" over the inner shell, keeping the tent below the roofline, which means it will fit in my garage and not hit gas mileage too much. It also gives me a completely enclosed and safe place for storage in the bed.

When at the campsite, I can raise it up, giving me headroom under the tent when it's unfolded (I have an enclosure that slides in under the tent overhang that we use for a changing/toilet room) and lots more space inside the bed to spread out gear. The sidewalls I put up around the tent will enclose the privacy room into the whole back of the truck now, making it possible for people to sleep in the truck bed

Quick Sketchup (not to scale)

oh I likey! Def keep us posted!

 

[Snowcavemike]

OK, hear me out -

I'd love a half-height fiberglass shell with rails on top to mount a tent. I can't seem to find anyone making one. Something where the sides and back open up awning-style for nearly full bed access from 3 sides.

I have a diy truck drawer system that is about 7" tall, so a tonneau cover only leaves me ~11" height for loading the bed. With a 12-14" high camper shell, I can still mount the tent below the roofline and have a decent amount of storage under the cap.

As of now, I have to pull the tonneau off when I put the rack/tent on so I have enough height for storage, but it's not at all secure.

I love my Go Fast Camper. Having extra room is great. I use the access to 3 sides all the time. I've got 13 gallons of water and a 53 x 41 inch drawer that fits 6 milk crates at 12 inches. I just got back from putting 21,000 miles on one trip.

 

[TexasOverlander]

I have the same issue with insufficient garage height for any of the flip open units that extend over cab. I bought the RLD steel cab height canopy and love it, but really would like more head room.
I would love to find a cab height unit that flips open from rear and drops a canvas to extend over tailgate. That could give a 6 1/2 ft bed, and a bit of standing room.

 

[Panda]

Finally got around to planning something, and here's what I'm thinking -

- 11" high custom "outer" shell made of wood with an aluminum frame, covered in fiberglass (or poor-man's fiberglass, depending...)
- That shell will sit over another inner shell that is just the front and two sides, no back.
- The roof tent can be mounted to the outer shell's aluminum frame
- The inner shell is attached to the truck bed using brackets to the Trail Rail
- The outer shell is on linear actuators so it can be extended straight up when needed. Each actuator can lift 300+ pounds, so the shell+tent+2 people will easily fit in the WLL.

It's a little complicated, but I get everything I need. When driving, I can leave the outer shell "down" over the inner shell, keeping the tent below the roofline, which means it will fit in my garage and not hit gas mileage too much. It also gives me a completely enclosed and safe place for storage in the bed.

When at the campsite, I can raise it up, giving me headroom under the tent when it's unfolded (I have an enclosure that slides in under the tent overhang that we use for a changing/toilet room) and lots more space inside the bed to spread out gear. The sidewalls I put up around the tent will enclose the privacy room into the whole back of the truck now, making it possible for people to sleep in the truck bed

Quick Sketchup (not to scale)

I’m currently building something similar. Look forward to seeing your final build.

 

[Krash1642]

I’m currently building something similar. Look forward to seeing your final build.

how has your build come along?

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