Camper Shell concept for Slate pickup

[sodamo]

Just celebrated our 43rd anniversary on the 8th.

Congrats, our 43rd next month.

 

[dmon4u]

I have wondered why most of these do do extend over the roof of the Truck while parked ?

 

[The Weatherman]

Our 50th will be celebrated in November this year.

Maybe I should take her to Atlanta for a fine dinning overnighter with stop at the Slate event? 🤔. I know she would love that. 🤣

 

[KonaKaiKen]

Jack stands to lift shell

 

[Firstevexcited1]

I just want a plain aluminum topper...... hopefully someone will build one aftermarket. I'm done with camping....🤣

 

[Slatester89]

I just want a plain aluminum topper...... hopefully someone will build one aftermarket. I'm done with camping....🤣

Isn't there one in the Maker?

b

 

[WolfWings]

Isn't there one in the Maker?

Not yet, no. Only the "'Flated Air-Topper" stuff currently.

The "cargo" style meant for fleet use primarily is coming at some point when they finalize the options on that one for access panels versus glass on the side, etc.

 

[chappyHall]

I designed this camper shell. This is a modified and improved version of the one I did several weeks ago and posted on Reddit. The height inside is about 6'-2". The floor space is bigger than a queen size bed.

This is a fantastic design! It keeps the aero the same as the square back losing very little range if any, but expands dramatically! I know this is a model, but what material would it be made of?

 

[KonaKaiKen]

This is a fantastic design! It keeps the aero the same as the square back losing very little range if any, but expands dramatically! I know this is a model, but what material would it be made of?

Possibly aluminum. maybe blow molded polyethylene with steel reinforcing, or maybe the same material that Slate uses for the body panels or a mix of this and that. I modified the design with some struts to strengthen the structure.

 

[chappyHall]

Possibly aluminum. maybe blow molded polyethylene with steel reinforcing, or maybe the same material that Slate uses for the body panels or a mix of this and that. I modified the design with some struts to strengthen the structure.

The more you share on this model the more I'd love to build it. I'm a DIYer and have some experience with custom fab work. Id probably send it to my local shop to build the panels and just figure it out from there.

 

[kvermeer]

Possibly aluminum. maybe blow molded polyethylene with steel reinforcing, or maybe the same material that Slate uses for the body panels or a mix of this and that. I modified the design with some struts to strengthen the structure.

I expect that for low-volume builds with large curved assemblies like that, woven fiberglass cloth and resin laid up over a foam mold will be most cost-effective.

If you want to ship them efficiently, you'll want the roof/sides/back to be three separate flat-pack sheets, which would make an off-the-shelf panel of aluminum or polyethylene work.

But that curve is a key design element...

 

[KonaKaiKen]

The more you share on this model the more I'd love to build it. I'm a DIYer and have some experience with custom fab work. Id probably send it to my local shop to build the panels and just figure it out from there.

It would be challenging to do DIY. Might want to wait for the Chinese made version in a year or two. It'll probably sell for under $3000.

 

[sodamo]

It would be challenging to do DIY. Might want to wait for the Chinese made version in a year or two. It'll probably sell for under $3000.

That’s my feeling re the bed topper. If Slate doesn’t release either the SuV minus rollbar and seat or Cargo version at a reasonable price, there will be one on Alibaba at some point.

 

[Moe]

IMO, 5’ beds ruined truck bed camping. You can still order a regular cab, 6.5’ bed, V8 4x4 3.73:1 F150 but only in the lowest rubber floor XL work truck trim level. The 48” between the wheel wells is room for a 30” wide x 6.5’ mattress and sleeping bag on top of a rod/cargo box with 18” for feet on the floor when sitting or a dog sleeping at night. But you’re looking at $50K plus the cap.