Hey everyone, ive lurked for a long time and i finally felt the need 'give something back'

For the past few days ive been building a foldout canopy/tent for the back of my cherokee, something that would help keep the sun or light rain off you while fishing, camping, ect......and after a trip to the local hardware store, this is what i came up with





the materials i use for this project were:

40' of 1 1/4" PVC
2 X 'T' Brackets
6 X 90* elbows
1x D-cell maglite automotive holder
6'X9' tarp

i think the entire project cost just under $60 and can be built lazily over a weekend

i think its pretty straight forward from the pictures, but if you have any questions please dont hesitate to ask.......

now for build pics!



initial test fit for size




All sized up and tarps test fitted.......now it just needs some paint.









All Finished.

the entire canopy simply clips into the Maglite clips and is held very securely, it goes up in under 10mins and comes apart is under 5 mins. and the entire structure comes apart so it stores in the back quite nicely.

EDIT:
i made up a dimension drawing in case anyone was curious of the sizes i used.

 

Nice! I like!

 

I LIKE IT!!!! I've been wanting to do this for a while now too

 

I LOVE it. Thanks for posting.

I think this just might be my next Jeep project.

 

I was considering making a floor extension that fits into the high mounted reciever in my aftermarket rear bumper so I could set up a full lenghth matress. It would probably go well with your shelter.

 

Nice I think ill try it.

 

I was thinking of making something in the same line. The one thing that I wasn't sure about was how to mount it to the lift gate and I already have the maglite holders. The only thing that I would do different then what you have is instead of the rope to hold it I would use bungee cords. But very good idea. Now I know how to go about making something.
Thanks for posting.

 

Pure genius!

 

Awesome idea...Ive been toying with the same idea for yrs now. Think Ill make one for my new to me ZJ cause Im taking her to the outer banks in the fall. GOOD JOB.

 

Velcro to hold the tarp?

 

Sometimes the simplest ideas are the best!

 

nice, u should add more to it like have it attach to a tent as a canopy or something,
still nice

 

hey everyone, thanks for all the comments!

i got a chance to test it out the other day and it worked great, and i was initially worried that it was going to be to small to be of much use.....but ive determined its just large enough to be useful, and still small enough to not be a burden.

somethings i will say though is that you may want to carry a piece of pipe/ flexible drier hose to redirect the exhaust..........i had to use a power inverter to power my laptop and thus had to have the truck running...and the exhaust vents right under the canopy, which isnt a problem if you only have the top on it.....but if youve got the sides down it could be a problem...

also, if its windy, the tarp will flail around a bit....again, not a huge problem.....ide imagine some of those clamping tarp clips to some bungie cords will solve that issue pretty quick.

i think the best part about this is that because its PVC, it is incredibly modular......so adding extensions is a snap....something i plan on looking into over the rest of the summer.

 

Good idea thanks for sharing