Tent Camper Hard Sides: Diy Guide

how to make hard sides on a tent camper

A hard-sided pop-up camper offers the best of both worlds: the comfort and protection of an RV, and the lightweight portability of a tent. If you're looking to upgrade your tent camper, you may be considering adding hard sides. This modification can provide better insulation and protection from the elements, but it's important to weigh the benefits against the drawbacks, such as increased weight and reduced fuel efficiency. In this article, we'll explore the process of converting a pop-up camper to a hard-sided one, including the materials, design considerations, and potential challenges.

Characteristics Values
Cost The cost of a new hard-sided camper can be more than $10,000
Weatherproofing Hard sides make the camper sturdier and more weatherproof
Weight The camper will be heavier and may push the limits of the tow vehicle
Fuel efficiency The higher profile and weight of the camper will lower fuel efficiency
Temporary or permanent You can choose to make the hard sides temporary or permanent
Pop-outs You can keep the pop-outs, but it will add complexity to the build
Weight capacity You must know the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the camper frame to ensure safety
Materials You can use wood, aluminium, plywood, or other lightweight materials
Windows and doors You must cut out any openings for windows and doors before adding insulation
Insulation You can use traditional batting insulation, spray foam insulation, or rigid foam insulation
Plumbing and wiring Ensure you do the necessary plumbing and wiring before closing the walls
Finishing Consider the durability and weight of the finishing materials

shunauto

Hard sides can make your camper more comfortable and weatherproof

If you're an avid camper, you may have experienced the inconvenience of a canvas-sided camper that doesn't hold up well against the elements. Cold nights, high winds, rain, snow, and ice can all be a challenge for a soft-sided camper, leaving you feeling uncomfortable and wishing for a sturdier setup. This is where hard sides come in – they can make a significant difference in your camping experience by providing insulation and protection from the weather.

The main benefit of adding hard sides to your pop-up camper is the increased sturdiness and weather protection they offer. Canvas sides don't provide much insulation, and they can deteriorate over time, especially when exposed to harsh weather conditions. By adding hard sides, you create a more rigid structure that can better withstand the elements, keeping you warmer and drier inside.

Hard sides also provide additional benefits such as improved privacy and security. The solid walls offer more protection from prying eyes and potential intruders, giving you peace of mind during your camping trips. Additionally, hard sides can enhance the aesthetic appeal of your camper, with some resembling petrified tents or quirky spaceships. While aesthetics may not be the primary concern for some campers, it can be a nice bonus to have a unique-looking camper.

When considering adding hard sides, it's important to keep in mind the weight limitations of your camper. Hard sides can add significant weight, affecting the axles and structural integrity of the trailer. It's crucial to ensure that your camper's frame can safely handle the additional weight of a hard-sided build. You should also be aware of the potential loss of the low profile and ease of travel that a soft-sided camper offers. The increased weight of hard sides may push the limits of your tow vehicle and impact fuel efficiency.

If you decide to go ahead with the conversion, you'll need to plan carefully. You can choose between permanent and temporary hard sides, with the former being more straightforward to construct. You'll also need to consider the materials you'll use, such as wood, aluminum, or other lightweight options. The process involves building a frame, adding walls and siding, cutting out openings for windows and doors, insulating, and finishing with durable and aesthetically pleasing materials.

While adding hard sides to your tent camper can be a labour-intensive project, it can be a rewarding one for those with the necessary skills and enthusiasm. The result is a more comfortable, weatherproof, and secure camping experience that can make your outdoor adventures even more enjoyable.

Transforming a Previa into a Cozy Camper

You may want to see also

shunauto

Consider the weight of your camper after the conversion

When converting a soft-sided camper to a hard-sided camper, it's crucial to consider the weight of your camper after the conversion. Here are some essential points to keep in mind:

Weight Limitations and Safety:

Firstly, you need to be aware of the weight limitations of your camper's base. Adding hard sides, a roof, and other amenities can significantly increase the overall weight. Exceeding the weight limit can affect the axles and compromise the structural integrity of the trailer, making it unsafe to tow. Always refer to the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) to ensure you don't exceed the maximum weight capacity. Surpassing the GVWR can also lead to dangerous driving conditions when towing, so it's a crucial safety consideration.

Choosing Lightweight Materials:

To mitigate weight concerns, consider using lightweight materials for the conversion. Instead of wood, which can be heavy, opt for alternatives such as aluminum framing materials, plywood, or aircraft-grade aluminum. These materials provide the necessary strength and durability while keeping the weight down. Additionally, consider using thinner plywood or plywood of different thicknesses to reduce weight without compromising on structure.

Weight Distribution:

Even if you stay within the weight limit, ensuring proper weight distribution is crucial. An uneven weight distribution can wear out your suspension, tires, and axles prematurely. Aim for a balanced weight across the entire chassis, from front to back and side to side. Place heavy items, such as water storage and batteries, on opposite sides of the camper to improve weight distribution.

Fuel Efficiency:

Adding hard sides will likely increase the weight of your camper, which can lead to lower fuel efficiency when towing. Keep this in mind, especially if you plan to travel long distances or frequently move between campsites. The increased weight and profile of the camper can also affect your vehicle's handling and acceleration.

Tow Vehicle Limitations:

The added weight of the hard-sided conversion may push the limits of your current tow vehicle. Ensure that your tow vehicle is capable of handling the increased weight, especially if you plan to tow the camper over long distances or challenging terrain. You may need to upgrade to a vehicle with a higher towing capacity to accommodate the converted camper safely.

Camper Living: Exploring the Mobile Life

You may want to see also

shunauto

You can make the hard sides permanent or temporary

If you want to make the hard sides temporary, you have two options. You can either create a design that allows the soft sides to remain intact when removing the hard sides or create a design with foldable hard sides that can collapse when closing the pop-up. The former option is more complex as you will need to carefully plan and design a structure that can be removed without damaging the soft sides. The latter option is more challenging as you will need to figure out a collapsing mechanism for the hard sides.

There are also semi-permanent options where you can convert your camper back to its original state when it is not stationary. For example, you can replace the sleeper with a hard cap cover to switch from a fully equipped camper to a practical truck canopy.

It is important to consider the weight limitations of your camper when adding hard sides. Permanent hard sides will increase the weight of your camper, which can affect the axles and structural integrity. It is also crucial to ensure that the hard sides are properly sealed to prevent water intrusion.

shunauto

You can keep the pop-outs or not

If you're looking to put hard sides on a pop-up camper, you may be wondering if you can keep the pop-outs. The short answer is yes, you can keep the pop-outs, but it will add complexity to the build.

Many pop-up campers have beds or seating areas that pop out, providing extra living space when the camper is set up. If you choose to keep these pop-outs, you'll need to incorporate them into your hard-sided design. This will require careful planning and framing to ensure that the pop-outs are adequately supported.

The weight of the hard sides and pop-outs will also need to be considered. The gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the pop-up camper frame should not be exceeded, as this could compromise the structure's integrity and create dangerous towing conditions.

It's important to note that keeping the pop-outs may also affect the overall profile and weight of the camper. The higher profile and increased weight can lower fuel efficiency when towing. Additionally, the complexity of the build may impact the cost savings of choosing to add hard sides to your pop-up camper instead of purchasing a new or second-hand camper.

If you're considering keeping the pop-outs on your pop-up camper, be sure to do your research and plan carefully to ensure a safe and successful build.

shunauto

Make sure the camper can safely handle the weight of a hard-sided build

When considering adding hard sides to a tent camper, it is crucial to ensure that the camper's structure can safely support the additional weight. This involves evaluating the camper's gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), which is the maximum weight the vehicle can handle when fully loaded. Surpassing the GVWR can compromise the structural integrity and lead to hazardous driving conditions.

To make an informed decision, you need to determine the weight of your pop-up camper's frame or base. This weight should include not only the structure itself but also the weight of essential components such as walls, roof, and other built-in features. Additionally, consider the weight of supplies and people that will be accommodated within the camper.

It is important to note that adding hard sides will likely increase the overall weight of the camper. The weight increase can be influenced by the materials used for the hard sides. For example, using wood for the framing and plywood for the walls can significantly add to the weight. On the other hand, opting for lightweight materials like aluminum framing and alternative wall options can help reduce the overall weight.

Before committing to the conversion, it is advisable to consult experts or forums to gain insights into the potential weight increase associated with the addition of hard sides. This information will enable you to make an informed decision and ensure that your camper's structure, including axles and trailer integrity, can safely handle the additional weight.

Furthermore, when considering the weight limitations, it is essential to factor in the impact of personal belongings, water, bedding, propane, batteries, clothes, and other provisions. These items contribute to what is known as the "wet weight" of the camper, and they can significantly influence the overall weight.

In summary, ensuring that your camper can safely handle the weight of a hard-sided build is a critical aspect of the conversion process. By carefully considering the GVWR, the weight of the hard sides, and the weight of additional supplies and people, you can make an informed decision that prioritizes safety and structural integrity.

Frequently asked questions

Adding hard sides to a tent camper makes the vehicle sturdier and more weatherproof. It also adds privacy and better insulation against the cold.

The main disadvantages are the loss of a low profile and ease of travel. The vehicle will likely weigh more, which could push the limits of your current tow vehicle. The higher profile and weight will also lower fuel efficiency when towing.

You need to consider whether you want the hard sides to be temporary or permanent, whether you want to keep the pop-outs, and if the frame can safely handle the weight.

You can use wood, but this is heavy. Aluminum framing materials and other lightweight options are also available. For the walls, you can use plywood, but make sure it's marine grade.

Written by
Reviewed by
Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment