DIY canopies

I'm thinking about building my own canopy and wondering what others have done. If this is already a thread I'd love the link.

 

Bed shell?

I know of a guy that did that. Custom bed bars with a cut of canvas stretched over. Looked cool as hell

Unfortunately, he was unwelcomed from here a while ago, so he isn't around to talk about it.

 

Like this?

 

Yeah bed shells or some variation. I'm curious about playing with fiberglass, I like the canvas idea. I'm wanting to stay light

 

Dude!! That's awesome. Is that for boats up top?

 

I think the lightest ones are aluminum. Fiberglass ones get pretty heavy since they have to be thick, but maybe theres a way to do a thin fiberglass over some sort of a frame?

 

Yeah, kayaks. I was supporting a race and built the canopy to keep the cooler cooler.

 

Hmm it's been a while since iv tig welded I might have to step away from the aluminum idea. That might be the way to do it. I do like your set up looks like those side fold down?

 

Nothing really folds there. I can unwrap the tarp a bit and get some more shade on the sides, but then I have to bungee the tarp down to the bed. I thought about making folding bedsides but that was more mechanically complex than I wanted to try and so far just a rub rail with stake holes has been great.

 

What about a variation of this, but without the wedge tent?

(not mine, see thread link below...)



https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-to-diy-wedge-camper.604686/#post-20377380

 

Yep this was exactly what I was looking for thanks

 

the max panel or alu panel is interesting material, if you bend it it will keep shape which is nice for rounded curves when using it to skin a trailer. the 3mm thickness works for the floor, but if you stand on it feet shoulder length apart, it will dent and given enough traffic will look like a hammered caribbean drum