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Was going to use the 9, but thought that may be overkill 😎

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Yeah thanks

We put it on shortly after buying the truck, so I never got good baseline mpg data. With it on we get about 19 mixed use. The tonneau is light, the plexiglass is light, and the 8020 is fairly light…all this helps with weight. The aluminum composite is heavy, but you could always use colored plexiglass. You will notice in the videos the truck doesn’t even squat. Hope this helps!

@@FlipTopTopper Will some kind of wind faring on the front help on noise and MPG?

@@kingoftweaks I would think it would have to help some. However, Gen 1 six cylinders are rated 17/19, so we aren’t losing much. If I had a garage and didn’t need the cover I would build a fairing, and attach it to the 8020 on the cab side resting on the roof. I think that would help with wind and look cool 😎. As far as wind noise, we really don’t notice any, and we drive with the windows down often.

You’re welcome!

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I think you are asking if I connected two pieces of 80/20 at the ends to make longer pieces. The topper is all single length pieces with no binding, because I wanted to make it as strong as possible. All, pieces were ordered to the lengths I needed. Enjoy your build and I hope this answers your question.

Check out our video titled: DETAILED DIY 8020 Truck Bed Sleeping Platform

We initially had the same idea and did try it for two nights last fall. We put it under the bed on a cookie sheet 🤣 Three things we learned: 1) It did warm the bed up but not the air above the bed as much 2) We couldn’t reach the controls 3) My anxiety was to high thinking of the plastic heater catching on fire under our bed. We like the adjustable platform a lot more, as it fixes all three concerns. Mattress is colder, but that’s okay. Thanks for the comment!

Glad it was helpful. If you get your measurements perfect you don’t even have to cut anything with 8020…just order to spec. Have fun with your build!

In the future we will try to zoom in more and maybe explain in more detail. Thanks for the tip!

I’ve seen some really cool videos of bed platforms made of wood and got my idea from watching them. We went with aluminum because I didn’t want to worry about mold. If the boards that make up the bed platform get compromised, I can easily switch them out for about $100 bucks. Enjoy your build!

@@FlipTopTopper thanks for the info, mold is a consideration thats why I plan to do my best to seal everything before final installation.

Thanks for the compliment. The three pieces that sit on the bed rails are all 1x3’s that lay flat. They are the base of the build and are wide enough to clamp to the bed rails. The top is a tonneau cover and the door over the tailgate is a simple hinged door with struts. The “folding or accordion doors” are probably the sun visors we use to block light. Hope this helps!

Length 77, Width 62, Height 25.5. The 1x3’s L 77, W 56; Posts 2x2’s and 1x2’s H 23.5. Hope this helps!

Thanks 👍

Thanks! Yeah, we jokingly called it the “box” for a while, but stopped after we learned the box style gives you more space. Aesthetics versus function.

Have you watched our waterproofing video? th-cam.com/video/YgZLE6HG7uI/w-d-xo.htmlsi=Vd9BM2BhSuSCLJik

OPTIX Temper Elite 3030 Green 0.177-in T x 24-in W x 36-in L Green Acrylic Sheet - Great Stuff! We used a panel gasket on the outside and no silicone. However, you could use a panel gasket on the inside and silicone the outside to make it super waterproof.

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We weren’t going to set-up Instagram account, but what the heck. We just reposted at fliptoptopper. Thanks!

Thanks! Hopefully, you will have a chance to build your own. It was a lot of fun!

The lightweight tonneau top really helps reduce weight. If I would have built a cab over clamshell roof out of 8020, it probably would have been too heavy for our stock tacoma. Thanks for the comment!

Thanks for the comment!

We may do a waterproofing video in the future. It is hard to explain how we made it waterproof in writing.

Thanks! We weren’t 100 percent it would work with the tonneau, but the risk paid off.

Thanks 🔥

Dope!!!

Thanks!

Glad you think so!

Updated this response since we just uploaded the build video. At fliptoptopper.com we have a digital download video of the topper build with screen shots of the spreadsheet AND we have a parts spreadsheet for the inside bench and bed build that goes with the “DETAILED DIY 8020 Truck Bed Sleeping Platform” video that is on TH-cam. Super fun build! fliptoptopper.com

​@@FlipTopTopper Thanks I'll give it a look

All I am concerned about is after long driving, especially offroad consistently vibration, shocking and moving can cause screws to loosen, thus it may become very unsafe. Furthermore, GFC barebone one just cost about $7000. Yes, it is $3000 more, but workmanship and material are more reliable.

Snap Treehouse is what we really wanted. We priced out a bare bones GFC (great product) and after shipping to east coast it was over 9K (wish I could add screenshot). We built the topper for $2,200 and if you look on Amazon you can buy the Extang Trifecta 2.0 for $440. $2,640 plus a $200 tent (Rainfly) puts the build under 3K. A 6K difference to us was a lot. Plus it was fun to build. As far as loose screws: I also worried about that in the beginning. However, not one screw has come loose since the build in June and I didn’t use loctite. Now the bed rail clamps are a different story. I have had to tighten them down a few times. We hit fire roads almost weekly but nothing crazy light jeep trails. Hope this helps and thanks for the comment. It is nice to hear what people think.

Thanks! It is actually prototype #3. #1 and #2 were huge fails...lol

Awesome! Hope you enjoy your Tacoma as much as we do!

Thanks. Tacomas are great for DIY builds due to the fact there are so many after market parts. Enjoy your build!

@@FlipTopTopper I am enjoying the Tacoma actually had it for almost a year before I got a cap for it that was in great shape because the new ones are over $4k now, within two days after I had a very simple build done to stay in it lol. Have had one night boondocking more to come I'm sure lol. Hope you have an awesome week.

Many stores carry it. Search on: Coghlan's Double Wide Mosquito Net 63" x 78" x 59"

We are planning on doing a video about the tailgate padding in the near future. As far as mpg I can’t say for certain, because we added the topper soon after getting the truck. There is some drag so I’m sure we lost a little, plus we rarely take the highway. Cool you have a gen 1 with 280k…they are awesome trucks!

At fliptoptopper.com we have a digital download video of the topper build with screen shots of the spreadsheet and we have a parts spreadsheet for the inside bench and bed build that goes with the “DETAILED DIY 8020 Truck Bed Sleeping Platform” video. Thanks!

Stars at night are super cool! Thanks!

Thanks! And thanks for the tips!