Scott Moore
New Member
Posts:50
 | | 04 Dec 2009 11:18 PM |
| It will be after christmas before i can do it, but I haven't been seeing cany canopys on craigslist lately that are what I want and if they are what I want, they are way out of my pricerange. So I am thinking of building one. I was planning on using plywood and 2x2s like building a boat, and then sealing it with bedliner of some sort....I am a carpenter by trade, so I think it will work out ok.... just thought I would through my Idea out there to see if anyone else had any good Ideas that might make it better. I would love a plip pac....but I defenitely can't afford that and I don't know how I would make the dent to make my own.....so think fip pac minus the flip....I also thought about getting a lumber rack and enclosing it...then i would have a cargo rack too......I am sure this all sounds ghetto but what are you gonna do? | | |
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Grant Mossman
Veteran Member
Posts:1409
| | 05 Dec 2009 08:33 AM |
| Nothing Ghetto in home made if done properly...
Would you consider a steel or alum. internal frame? Could save weight and density, tho more spendy than wood.
Depending on where you are, I may be able to help you make something up. | | | |
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Scott Moore
New Member
Posts:50
| | 05 Dec 2009 09:41 AM |
| steel would be Ideal, but I think that aluminum would be a bit expensive and I don't really know how to weld aluminum. I was mainly thinking of using wood due to cost and ease of construction. I have a lead on a lumber rack that is missing the mounting brackets that I may be able to get for free. I could then make brackets and enclose the roof, sides and front and back over the bed with plywood or sheet metal and have a built in cargo rack and an almost truck length place to mount an awning of some sort.....oh, and I am in eugene. thanks for the offer to help! I think this is my favorite forum...a smaller group and everyone seems to be up for helping eachother out! | | | |
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Craig Miller
Posts:11799
| | 05 Dec 2009 03:18 PM |
| What about a few hoops and a canvas cover? I always thought the canvas canopies looked cool on pickup trucks. Edit: I just re-read your question and you aren't really looking for suggestions for low cost canopies but rather input on building a wooden canopy. I don't know much about wood working. | | | |
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Todd Eliason
Veteran Member
Posts:3515
| | 05 Dec 2009 04:13 PM |
| I think it would be cool to come up with a design that would either;
1. Allow the sides to fold up to create a flat surface to set up a tent, also allowing easy access to stuff inside.
2. A roof that folds out to create a tent surface and awning in one step.
Both options would increase weight, and would be hard to seal for weather, but I do think it would be cool!
Or possibly a side that folds down to create your kitchen... hmmmnnn
just dreaming. | | | |
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Scott Moore
New Member
Posts:50
| | 05 Dec 2009 04:14 PM |
| not a bad Idea...I might just do that....I bet I could do that with a waterproof canvas tarp......... Damn! now I have a third possible Plan......oh decisions.....and I am not good at that! I am looking at low cost canopy Ideas, and that is a good one. I just need it to keep gear/dog/ me dry.....that would be very light too! | | | |
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Craig Miller
Posts:11799
| | 05 Dec 2009 08:16 PM |
| One thing I do want to mention is that home-built projects often seem like they will be cheaper, but in the end wind up being just as expensive. All those parts, tools, etc add up. Generally speaking, pre-made units are cheaper than something you will make; so unless you are creating something custom with additional functionality it is rare that it winds up being a true cost saving measure. I can't tell you how many things I've built that wound up costing more than just buying one outright... the awning I made comes to mind.  The other thing is that you need to do a gut check and make sure that you will truly be satisfied with what you are building. I love my rear door shelf, but hate the awning and original air tank install I did. I wound up doing 2-4 versions before giving up and just buying the commercial product that did the same thing but better. I wound up paying for the same thing 2-3x; definitely not a cost savings. Sometimes you are better off saving for something that you really want rather than doing something that is *almost* instead. Not saying you shouldn't do it, just make sure it is something you really want to do. From the sounds of it, you already think it might be kinda *ghetto*.. so I'm left as the reader of your post with a sense that maybe you are unsure yourself. Just be honest with yourself and make sure it isn't impatience that is motivating the project. As a friend, Craig | | | |
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Scott Moore
New Member
Posts:50
| | 05 Dec 2009 10:23 PM |
| I appreciate your concern and I hear what you are saying. I say ghetto, because I wasn't sure what other people would think of my Idea and some forums aren't very receptive of things like this, thats all(I have found that is not the case here!). I am wanting a "contractor" style canopy with the double doors on the back and no tailgate. Everything I can find like that is $600 used and I deff. can't afford a flippack right now. I have all of the tools being that I work in residential construction, and I figure that I can do it with 4 sheets of plywood, 4 2x6s ripped down to 2x2, and a gallon of bedliner (hurculiner/Duplicolor) and maybe some plexi for windows. I do like your idea about the canvas cover that has some potential as well....It would be easy to take on and off when I need to haul something large......You have really got me thinking.......... | | | |
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Craig Miller
Posts:11799
| | 06 Dec 2009 12:54 AM |
| I'm not speaking for everyone, but in general I think this group appreciates high build quality, good ergonomics, and pleasing aesthetics. I fully respect anyone who can design and fabricate their own products that are of exceptional quality. I've seen a couple of wood canopies made by boat builders that were beautiful, but too heavy for serious offroading. A plywood canopy sounds to me like something you are going to regret.
I understand everyone has a budget, but I bet you could raise $600 by cleaning out your garage and selling it on craigslist. | | | |
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Scott Moore
New Member
Posts:50
| | 06 Dec 2009 11:08 AM |
| point taken....I also didn't take the weight into full consideration. It would probably be to heavy....I am still pondering the canvas option. | | | |
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Jay Erickson
Advanced Member
Posts:811
| | 06 Dec 2009 01:59 PM |
| One of the best things I ever did was put a canopy on my truck. I tried a tool box, ended up building a big wooden box (2ft over cab, full rail all way to tailgate) to hold stuff for a move and then left it on for about a 6 months and while it worked great, it started to look bad quick and forget going down even unimproved fire roads.
Then I bought what to me was an overpriced used canopy but dang if it didn't turn into the most useful add-on for the truck.
I camped in it several times...so much easier than the tent plus it gave me a feeling of security for my stuff when I was away from it. An added benefit of closing in the back of your pickup..people quit asking you to haul trash to the dump!
If you do decide to make it yourself, go whole hog and make it fit your needs to a T. No commercial 'all things to everyone' product is ever going to fit your needs as well as something you make and revise for yourself. Plus you'll have some bragging rights around the campfire. ;)
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Craig Spaeth
Basic Member
Posts:436
| | 06 Dec 2009 03:24 PM |
| I designed and helped in the fabrication of the rack on the back of my VW Double Cab. Pretty much what Craig listed off is true. I have about $1200 in it now. It is in no way "ghetto" but in no way cheap either. I don't have the option for a pre made version, other than the NATO canopies (which I will get if I can find one). I am planning to eventually deck the rack and make folding canvas sides, but once again to do this correctly and to have it function properly I am looking at least another $500 to $1000. My whole Rover cost me less than that. You might not be able to find a flippac or whatever they are called (highly cool), but I bet you could find a decent aluminum canopy for pretty close to the price for the wood, good hinges and hardware and plexiglass and framing to install it. I guess my point would be if you are looking at it as a challenge then go for it. If you are looking at it for a way to save money than I would say spend you time on Craigslist and find a dirty or slightly broken production canopy and fix it up. Good luck and if you do tackle it make sure and take pics. the other Craig | | | |
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