TopperLift makes your truck home on the road. What you do with that is up to your imagination. We always like to see and hear about new truck camping builds. If you have a TopperLift story please share it with us. We also want to hear about your adventures as you use TopperLift to go farther in the wilderness or wherever the road takes you.
Here is Mr. Cook’s from Arizona’s TopperLift truck camping story:
The first step is to install a track bar to the front of the bed. This track bar is specific for a Toyota Tacoma and fits perfectly in the Zr2. Drill five holes use a drill stop so you don’t hit your cab and install plus nuts to secure to the bed. The track bar was from Amazon and the plus nuts were from eBay. Even though the front rams are installed at the front of the cab you can still use the lifting mechanisms on the side of the shell. Notice on the driver side front the bracket is turned long ways to reach to the side of the shell. Well the right side is a normal bracket install to the side of the shell. Tip. Order more 3M adhesive promoter as one package is not enough to do all of the Velcro install. This install did not require the front rams to lift the front of the shell where there is limited room for the lift brackets. Noticed on the driver side the bed is consumed with the fuel hose therefore the two front Rams need to be installed to the front rail. Because the ZR2 comes with a spray in bed, the supplied Velcro does not adhere well to it. Tip. Use self tapping screws in combination with the pictured adhesive (E6000) to ensure a good bond to the bed surface. Especially at the rear where the tent connects.
With an intelligent system and little effort, your pick-up turns into a camper ready to face any trip with comfort and safety.
The kit TopperLift the TopperEZLift is an electrical system (12V) that binds to pop up the rear of the pick-up and turns into a camper.
The TopperLift uses a relatively simple system of canvas walls, insulation and vents with zipper systems, all powered by the 12V battery of the vehicle itself, creating a space large enough to accommodate two people.
It fits in all trucks of medium and large size (by American standards) and can be assembled by the consumer himself at home.
The area of 1,5m x 2,45m, creates ample space for the head and feet with the addition of a screen extension that is on the back door of the truck. There is not much space for cooking or lounging indoors, but for two people to sleep is the optimal size, leaving also the option to build a platform below the sleeping space for storage of equipment and items of everyday life.
The company also provides thermal insulation kits for those who want to face more harsh climates. In addition, the TopperEZLift also sells a kit of optional installation tools to make things easier, but the full kit can be installed with just a few basic tools.
The main element of the lifting system itself are two powerful actuators installed on the ceiling and in the pick-up floor, connected directly to the battery and operated by a safety switch and a control box. They can lift 410Kg, and inside the camper there is a ceiling height of up to 1.52m, high enough to squat or sit on the mattress.
The roof of the truck is lifted and the sides of the canvas are pulled up to create an instant structure similar to a tent with a zipper entrance.
With the popularity of pick-ups increasingly high, the TopperEZLift kits certainly attract interest overlanders do not want to build a huge and expensive hard camper in the back of their pick-ups.
Of course, you will not have all the amenities and comforts you would with a full camper, but when it’s just you, the stars, a fire and a comfortable bed, what more do you really need to enjoy?
Camping options are becoming ever more flexible, adaptable and expandable; no longer are we limited to a standard motorhome or caravan, in fact why settle for one of those when you could have a 100 square foot expanding cabin? Or this expandable apartment that fits inside a van? Or why not transform your existing truck into a camper by simply raising the roof? This is the concept behind the TopperLift kit from TopperEZLift, a 12V lifting system which attaches to the back section of your truck and transforms it into a pop-up camper.
A truck, a tent and a camper van all in one.
The TopperLift uses a relatively uncomplicated system of zip-able canvas walls, insulation and actuators powered by the truck’s 12V battery, to create a space just big enough to sleep two people. It fits all full- and mid-size pick-up trucks, can be self-installed, and can be used to extend the space in the back of any truck to create a perfect mini getaway for fishing, hunting and camping trips.
The 5ft x 8ft space of a typical truck bed is raised an additional 17.5 inches by the EZ Lift system, creating ample headroom and foot space with the addition of a canvas extension that hangs over the truck’s tailgate. There’s not a great deal of room for cooking or lounging indoors, but for two people to sleep it’s an ideal size, and the installer even has the option of building a platform below the sleeping space for storage.
A full size sleeping space is created with the additional room of the tailgate.
Insulation packages are available, as is carpet, and mesh windows attached with High Temp Adhesive Velcro for keeping cool; it all depends on which package best suits your needs.
The Weekender package includes three side panels and a dome tent-style extension which hangs over the truck’s tailgate to increase sleeping space, while the Contractor package is designed with workers in mind. It creates an elevating box compartment for grabbing tools from the sides of the truck, and canvas sides which sit within the confines of the truck and can be un-velcroed, rolled up and stowed away when not needed. Additionally, TopperEZLift also sells an optional installation tool kit to make things easy, but the whole kit can be installed with just a handful of basic tools.
TopperEZLift have also begun taking pre-orders for their new package called the Nomad Camper; it’s a little like the Weekender, but doesn’t require a TopperLift to raise the roof. It’s like a tent inside a pick-up truck, and will begin shipping in January.
TopperEZLift’s new Nomad package, as seen on two different types of truck.
The main element of the lifting system itself is two powerful actuators bolted into the truck’s roof and floor, wired directly to the truck’s battery and operated by a safety switch and control box. They can lift 900 pounds up to a height of 17.5”, creating a space that is almost 5ft high inside, just tall enough to crouch or sit with the addition of a mattress. The truck’s roof is raised, and the canvas sides are pulled up to create an instant tent-like structure with a zippered entrance. The sides are made from heavy duty material, and are available in either grey or tan.
A demonstration of the TopperEZLift Weekender package being set up.
Pick-up trucks being arguably the most popular vehicle across the U.S., the TopperEZLift kits are sure to tempt a few avid campers away from the confines of a typical camper van, and at a fraction of the price too. The Weekend and Contractor packages are both retailing for $1,995, but a standalone lifting kit is also available for just $1,195, and the Nomad package will be less again at just $345- clearly TopperEZLift know their market.
Sure, you don’t get all the commodities and comforts you would get with a camper van, but when it’s just you, the stars, a roaring campfire and a comfy bed, what more do you really need on a camping trip?
“The TopperLift is a topper lifting system. This Universal all electric system is powered directly from your vehicles’ 12 volt battery. That means no hydraulics or air to worry about. Holding the safety switch, select up or down on the control box, and your existing topper lifts to give you the extra room you need. No need to remove your topper when you need more space!
The linear actuators are capable of lifting a total of 900 lbs with a lifting height of 17.5 inches. Your topper seals firmly back down onto your truck bed just as easily as it raises. Eliminate headaches from removing your topper for those large loads, simply lift the topper up to solve those problems.
Add the Weekend Camper package and transform your existing truck and topper into a cozy pop-up camper in seconds!. Large zippered side windows allow for easy side load access, good ventilation and a big view of those amazing vistas! Hauling, camping, fishing, hunting and all your outdoor activities just became that much easier! The Weekender Camper Package Includes the 3 side panels and the Weekender Back. The Weekender Back Utilizes the tailgate for extra room and is perfect for short bed pick-ups needing to maximize sleeping space and the entrance functions similar to a traditional dome-style tent.”
Nowadays, simplicity is key. The trend of big and excess has been winding down for a while and folks are finding more and more ways to work with what they have. Some people have found creative ways to do that and realized it’s worth sharing with others. One is Tod Bruestle, owner of TopperEZlift – a product that lifts the topper off the back of a pickup truck.
“I kept trying to get my four wheelers and tractors to the cabin and it’s frustrating with a topper on,” says Bruestle, “It seems you always end up missing by just a few inches.” Originally, Bruestle made his own topper out of aluminum and made it so it would roll up. “It was really ugly on a new truck, though,” Bruestle says. He started to work with products already on the market. “Since the 80s, manufacturers have made most toppers as a one piece molded fiberglass, so it’s basically like a boat haul,” he says. As such, toppers are really strong and they do not need to be reinvented. Instead, a product needed to be made to accommodate large loads.
Meet the TopperLift. This topper lifting system is all electric and powered directly from a trucks’ 12 volt battery. The linear actuators that raise it are capable of lifting a total of 900 LBS and life the topper 17.5 inches. After the load is put in, simply press the button to lower the topper. Best of all – it is universal. It fits every truck and topper on the market, whether the truck has an 8′ bed or a 5′ bed. “Essentially we redesigned the way the topper is clamped on,” Bruestle says.
A full size sleeping space is created with the additional room of the tailgate.
TopperEZLift’s new Nomad package, as seen on two different types of truck.
A demonstration of the TopperEZLift Weekender package being set up.
