Tilt and bows - anyone ever built one for a SWB stepper?

[Neatbeard]

Hi Folks.

I don't know if you call them the same thing, but over here in the UK they are called 'Tilt and bows' – basically a couple of steel hoops with supporting bars that a toneau cover/canvas can be thrown over to provide make-shift storage/camping area.

See image here for the kind of thing i'm thinking of:

http://www.pret-a-rouler.eu/img/vw_new_cover_4.jpg

I'm thinking of making something along these lines so that when I go to the car shows this summer I can throw a double air bed in the back of the truck and sleep in it. It saves messing around with a tent, etc. Plus it can all lay flat in the back for traveling and just slot into the existing holes that I have in the truck bed............... I know that you can get camper 'boxes' to attach to the back of the long bed trucks etc but I don't want something that permanent, just something to protect from the elements that's easy to put up and take down and can be stashed away.

Whatcha reckon guys?

Anyone got any pix of this kind of thing or seen it done before?

[spacedebris]

Back in high school we used to take 3/4" PVC pipes 10 feet long and just simply stick each end into the stake pockets on our pickups. Then throw a tarp over them and snug down with bungee cords. Looked sort of like a modern covered wagon. LOL. Cost less than 10 bucks back in the day. Is that what you mean?

[MisterC]

I've never seen one, but I love the possibilities!

[BRASSHEAD]

Anyone else reading this with a British accent? Or maybe it's just me.

[Neatbeard]

Originally Posted by spacedebris

Back in high school we used to take 3/4" PVC pipes 10 feet long and just simply stick each end into the stake pockets on our pickups. Then throw a tarp over them and snug down with bungee cords. Looked sort of like a modern covered wagon. LOL. Cost less than 10 bucks back in the day. Is that what you mean?

Yeah thats the kind of thing i'm thinking although i'd like to make a lightweight steel frame so that I could drive with it up/attached if I wanted to.

Originally Posted by MisterC

I've never seen one, but I love the possibilities!

Yeah same here.

Originally Posted by BRASSHEAD

Anyone else reading this with a British accent? Or maybe it's just me.

hahaha I say old bean, anyone for cup of tea?

[Neatbeard]

Well I've had my first quote in from a guy who builds these set ups for VWs and it's around £1300 (just over $2,000!!) for a full kit - powder coated steel hoops, wooden reinforcing rails, canvas cover with windows and a zipper section for access.

At that price i'm thinking of making the frame myself and getting a tarp company to make me a cover that will fit.

Will keep you updated (if you're interested?).

[UK62LW]

What-ho neatbeard. Pip pip

Funnily enough I'd thought of exactly the same thing and wondered how dissimilar Series Land Rovers are - never actually got as far as measuring / Googling, but would be interested to hear how you get on

I'm leaning more towards an aluminium topper, but getting one shipped over here will be equally extortionate !!

[Neatbeard]

What ho Barney!

Ooo yeah good call I didn't think of Land Rovers, will have to hit google and research some more.

Hell yeah an aluminium topper would be big bucks for sure!

[1Bad62Pro/Street]

I'm glad to see more UK fellas on here!
I think the cargo cover would look good on a stepper! You can use the stake holes/pockets!



http://www.studegarage.com/Caravan.htm

http://www.canvasco.com/

http://www.sosmv.com/Canvas.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...f_World_War_II

http://olive-drab.com/od_mvg_odpaint.php

http://militaryvehicleweb.com/

http://www.militaryfactory.com/armor...ary-trucks.asp

List of U.S. military vehicles by supply catalog designation (G508)
List of U.S. military vehicles by model number
List of U.S. Signal Corps Vehicles
DUKW
General Motors
M35 2½ ton cargo truck
Chevrolet G506 trucks
Studebaker US6
GMC CCKW
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GMC_CCKW

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[Neatbeard]

Yeah thats exactly the kind of thing i'm thinking of 1Bad.

Use the stake holes for the two main curved bars, then run some lightweight bars front to rear to give the 'roof' some shape and stop it sagging when it pours with rain, couple of window sections front and rear so I can see when driving if it's all up and a double zipper section at the rear, same width as the tailgate for access.....

Had another ball-park quote of £700-£100 ($1175-$1679) just for a cover to be made, thats a rough price as I haven't built anything yet and they haven't seen anything.

The Land Rover option is looking good if I can get measurements from one, as i've found a company that does the frames for around £300 ($500) and the covers for the same, so around £600 ($1000) all in....... Still thinking that i'll make a frame myself as I can do it way cheaper and then get a custom cover made. Lots more research to do.

[Woogeroo]

Check with the folks that make the cloth tops for boats... if there is one nearby, they will have the machines and materials.

Worth a shot anyway.

-W

[Neatbeard]

Yeah cheers Woogeroo I have asked a couple of yacht places for cover quotes.....

[1Bad62Pro/Street]

http://www.softopper.com/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0HYxhS2QFE

http://www.can-back.com/

http://www.bestop.com/component/prod...=product&id=55
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6560X-WsZBM

http://www.familytentcamping.com/product/7206
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mu8AHG0Eic8


https://www.google.com/search?q=Canv...ed=0CAkQ_AUoAg

https://www.google.com/search?q=Canv...w=1680&bih=949