Flip-Pac Camper Shell

Shruk · 11-14-2006, 11:50 PM

My new camper shell is done and on. It is made by Flip-Pac in Riverside, CA in case anyone is interested. Basically, when closed it looks like a regular camper shell for the most part, but flip it open in about a minute and you have a full-size bed above the cab area. Its a very nice way to camp without having to set up a tent or find a flat piece of ground with no rocks.

I'm not affiliated with the company at all, but they are nice folks. They have dealers in other states, mostly in the southwest I think. http://www.flippac.com/

Galaxyblack · 11-15-2006, 06:59 AM

Nice... I saw this set up when I was looking for a shell. Because I bought my truck in '04 there wasn't much available at the time. Not this set up for sure

Does it feel pretty stable out at the end of the long cantilever over the cab? Seems like it would be like a diving board. Are you going to paint it the same color as your truck?

FlimFlamMan · 11-15-2006, 09:37 AM

Hey now that is pretty cool!

Shruk · 11-15-2006, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Galaxyblack

Nice... I saw this set up when I was looking for a shell. Because I bought my truck in '04 there wasn't much available at the time. Not this set up for sure

Does it feel pretty stable out at the end of the long cantilever over the cab? Seems like it would be like a diving board. Are you going to paint it the same color as your truck?

I did the same thing in '04 and they weren't available yet. I kept bugging them for two years and they finally relented and took all the measurements from my truck and mocked up their forms and all.

The bed is actually very stable. There is some sort of mechanism inside the spring hinge that stops it and supports the weight, then the bars at the front stabilize it.

I'm going to leave it white. We do a lot of camping the the Titan is already too wide for some trails, so I'm afraid painting it green it would end up with white stripes down the sides from branches and things.

King Titan · 11-15-2006, 10:57 PM

That looks awesome. How much did it set you back?

Shruk · 11-16-2006, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by King Titan

That looks awesome. How much did it set you back?

$3600 from the factory. I think they said the dealer pricing would probably add $800-$1000 in shipping and profit.

**Carbeaux** · 11-16-2006, 08:00 PM

What's the inside of the shell/bed look like? Regular camper shell?

DRTYAZN · 11-17-2006, 01:33 AM

I do like that setup, of course I would have to get my shell painted to match... when you get chance shoot some pics of inside...

**Helinut1970** · 11-17-2006, 05:57 AM

That is a sweet idea!! Great way to get off the ground! Are the front stabilizers bolted into the fenders?? How do they support the weight??

OMNIHUGE · 11-18-2006, 11:52 AM

4000 Dollars for a shell with a friggin tent!!! I must be missing something here. You can buy a great HUGE 3 room tent by coleman for like 100 bucks.

wow

Shruk · 11-19-2006, 09:11 PM

Sorry guys, I meant to get some more pics today and ran out of daylight. I'll get some this week, including the inside with the tent up and down. It mounts to two small pins that are installed on the inside of the fender under the hood. (Another pic wuld help.)

Regarding the cost, it is a bit more than just a tent. It's a full camper shell that allows you to use it as such but becomes a tent with mattress at a moments notice. It's much like carrying around a tent trailer in your shell. With my setup I can sleep four comfortably (which includes a platform I made out of 6' tables on the top rail of the bed). I store all my gear under the platform and go off-road anywhere I want to go. Considering the low volume of units they will make, I'm happy with the price. I'll bet it takes longer than 30 seconds to setup or take down that three room Coleman tent.

I'm using it after Thanksgiving for the first time. I'll definitely get some pics by then if I have not already.

Shruk · 11-26-2006, 09:07 PM

As promised, here are some more pics of the camper shell. They include:

1. A shot from straight behind, showing the platform I made out of 6' folding tables for the kids to sleep on and gear storage underneath.

2. The interior looking up towards the bed with the cot to the left. (Ignore the foam pad laying on the cot that goes down on the platform at bedtime.)

3. As shot of the bed itself that is attached to the shell roof when closed and sits over the cab when open.

4. A shot of the truck with the shell closed, filthy dirty and full of scratches from a fun trail we took out of Joshua Tree NP.

Hope you all enjoy. Let me know if you have any other questions.

DRTYAZN · 11-27-2006, 04:11 AM

Now that is awesome! Very nice indeed, definitely something I am seriously considering now after seeing what you have done... very nice pictures! looks like you and yours had a great time...

Doom's Titan · 02-16-2007, 01:42 AM

Shruk I have a couple of Q's if you're still monitoring this thread.

1. What is the weight capacity of the hammock/cot that hangs over the truck bed and how long is it?

2. Is there a window in the front of the shell that could communicate with the cab if you have the roll down rear window?

Thanks in advance.
DT

Shruk · 02-18-2007, 10:11 PM

Digging up the old stuff, eh Doom?

I believe they said the weight capacity of the hammock is 150 pounds. They did say it would be fine for a kid to sleep on but for an adult it would probably get uncomfortable. My daughter (eight years old) didn't mind it, but prefers the tables and foam. It's slightly longer than my crew bed, probably just under 6'.

There is a pass through window that slides open.

And for the record, I still love it. It puts my height at 7' or so, so no more parking structures. I don't drive my truck daily anyway so no problem here.