camper for my VW truck

[Dieselcaddy]

I work at a mountain ski resort and drive a 1980 vw diesel rabbit pickup other wise known as a caddy. A little about the truck, it's a 1.6na diesel I plan to turbo and run around 5psi on the turbo nothing extreme. It's a small truck so can't hold a ton of weight. I started looking for a canopy for my truck but due to the shape I have to find one specific to a vw caddy. Being they only made the trucks from 80-83 it makes it quite difficult finding one. So I began wonder how complicated it would be to build my own. I have my own tools have a back ground in wood working and can weld. Being only me I only am looking for room for a spot To sleep at about or around the height of the wheel wells and storage for my gear. Looking to keep it around the size of a canopy or slightly bigger. I want it to be light enough to lift off with a couple people and Take up a fairly small space when storing. What ideas do you guys have, has anyone ever done this with a caddy before? Any inspirational thoughts, the more encouragement the better ill post pictures of my progress and pics of my truck. Thanks Austin

 

[mobilekev]

You could build a canvas top like one of these out of sunbrella and waterproof it-<br>&nbsp;http://www.softopper.com/<br>Or it would be even easier to make it shaped like this and then maybe you could get some decent mpg's out of that thing&nbsp;&nbsp; <img src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" align="absmiddle" border="0">&nbsp; -<br>http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthread.php/commercially-produced-aerodynamic-pickup-bed-cap-583.html<br><br>

 

[stude53]

<p style="margin: 0px;">Welcome, Deiselcaddy</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">The key, I believe, to a successful project is to pay close attention to finished weight of a camper setup for your vw.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">When I googled vw caddy truck camper pics, I found a slideshow of a small slide-in camper on a vw caddy pickup, so someone has done it before.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;"><a href="http://www.autoevolution.com/truck-image/volkswagen-caddy-life-trampercamper-2005/4538.html#image" target=_blank>http://www.autoevolution.com/truck-image/volkswagen-caddy-life-trampercamper-2005/4538.html#image</a></p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">What climate will you be using the truck in?</p>

 

[Dieselcaddy]

I live in the pacific northwest in Washington state. I will be in the rain and snow. So something warm and dry is what I'm going for. Something that can block the wind. Something simple

 

[Dieselcaddy]

Link doesn't seem to work <img src="/images/boards/smilies/confused.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">

 

[Les H]

Hi and welcome, Austin. A buddy of mine had one of these and he got 50 mpg with 250kmi on it. I just saw one for sale a month ago here in n.Ga for $3000., worth every penny, even if only for the collector value. Is there any possibility of getting an "off the shelf" cap for a mini truck and modifying it to fit? Not sure what your fabricating skills are, but it should be easier than building from scratch, unless you would enjoy and take pride in such a build. I have seen a cap or two done very nicely( one was a boat builder, used all brass hardware and spar varnish for a finish.. Very sharp!) would something from a dodge rampage or a Subaru brat fit? ( both 80's micro trucks)
Les

 

[stude53]

<p style="margin: 0px;">Link works for me,</p><p style="margin: 0px;">But just Google ...</p><p style="margin: 0px;">vw caddy truck camper pics</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Bob</p>

 

[Seraphim]

<P>What about a light wood frame and canvas cover - such as a canvas canoe is constructed?&nbsp; Just an undevloped thought...<BR><BR>Aspirate an older engine ... what kind of shape is it in?&nbsp; If the engine is already old and wearing, the increase in torque isn't going to do it much good. Will the rods, bearings, valves, etc hold up?&nbsp; Are you going to do a rebuild first? I'd be concerned.<BR></P><A href="http://www.vwcaddy.com/index.php" target=_blank>http://www.vwcaddy.com/index.php</A><br><br>

 

[Dieselcaddy]

Hi and welcome, Austin. A buddy of mine had one of these and he got 50 mpg with 250kmi on it. I just saw one for sale a month ago here in n.Ga for $3000., worth every penny, even if only for the collector value. Is there any possibility of getting an "off the shelf" cap for a mini truck and modifying it to fit? Not sure what your fabricating skills are, but it should be easier than building from scratch, unless you would enjoy and take pride in such a build. I have seen a cap or two done very nicely( one was a boat builder, used all brass hardware and spar varnish for a finish.. Very sharp!) would something from a dodge rampage or a Subaru brat fit? ( both 80's micro trucks)
Les

I also get around 50mpg, been a great little truck so far. I bought mine about 2 months ago. It was for sale on Craigslist for 3,200 but got it for a lot less. I've also been looking for one for about a year wanted a clean non rusted diesel under 3,500 but it took forever until this one. I love it and am a collector so to me it is worth every penny<img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">

 

[rvwandering]

&nbsp;How about building a cap using Nida-Core? It's lightweight and very strong. This couple built a very unique camper - <a target="_blank" href="http://thesupercamper.blogspot.com/2006/09/super-camper-construction-begins-nida.html">http://thesupercamper.blogspot.com/2006/09/super-camper-construction-begins-nida.html<br></a>

 

[dragonflyinthesky]

&nbsp;How about building a cap using Nida-Core? It's lightweight and very strong. This couple built a very unique camper - <A href="http://thesupercamper.blogspot.com/2006/09/super-camper-construction-begins-nida.html" target=_blank target=_blank>http://thesupercamper.blogspot.com/2006/09/super-camper-construction-begins-nida.html<BR></A>

tried to comment on your blog but failed. To early in the am I guess. Dragonfly

 

[dragonflyinthesky]

dieselcaddy-pictures?&nbsp; Guess I will have to google images to see what you have.<br><b>Dragonfly</b><br>

 

[Les H]

Dragonfly, a dieselcaddy is essentially a VW Rabbit that has a pickup bed ( areally small one) behind the front seats instead of another set of seats within a hatchback body. Make sense? They were quite rare, but do pop up now and then.
Les

 

[Dieselcaddy]

Here is my Mountain Green 1980 Caddy<div>

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</div><div><br></div></div><div>and an artsy fartsy pic</div><div>

</div>

 

[Dieselcaddy]

<p>Aspirate an older engine ... what kind of shape is it in?&nbsp; If the engine is already old and wearing, the increase in torque isn't going to do it much good. Will the rods, bearings, valves, etc hold up?&nbsp; Are you going to do a rebuild first? I'd be concerned.<br></p><a href="http://www.vwcaddy.com/index.php" target="_blank">http://www.vwcaddy.com/index.php</a><br><br>

<div>some came with turbos and others didn't, I plan to only run 4-6psi max. The timing belt and all other&nbsp;maintenance&nbsp;has already been done and I don't beat on it. I just need the extra little help going up the mountain. If the motor does go I will be searching for a Mk3 (93-99) Jetta with a 1.9TDI and run a newer more&nbsp;efficient&nbsp;motor. This motor has 266,xxx and was a single owner truck with well maintained&nbsp;maintenance&nbsp;records and original window sticker for $7,485.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Update</div><div>I found an aluminum canopy from a want to buy add on craigslist and may go look at it today. Might work for what I need.</div>