Explore Cowal

Looking for alternative accommodation I decided to purchase a roof tent for the Hilux.

Converting the truck bed: With the bedroom sorted the truck bed with canopy were the ideal option to cook/relax in. The conversion of the back meant that it had to be something easily removable so it could revert to a pickup.

Initially a ply floor was installed allowing any units etc to be screwed down.

Adding some non slip mat to the underside.

Floor in, it was time to butcher a unit from the B&Q Konnect range. Wheel arches really are a pain!!

Whilst a lot of storage is lost due to the arch I didn’t want to loose to much floor space. I used a 4 cube for the main run.

Units in, nearside arch boxed in and stick on tiles to flooring.

Battery added with 12v and USB sockets in an upright unit.

The Roof Tent: I’d been looking at roof tents for a while, both canvas (fold out) and hard shell (pop up) types. I decided hard shell was the way forward due to Scotlands climate – easier to erect and take down, less to get wet. . > Some USB powered LED lights added And a folding laptop table.

In action at the Lawers Range.

Roof bars: Extended bolt on bars and offset tent to allow kayak on too….

Extended a Bed: ACME extend a bed, a works in progress. If it’s to wild for the roof tent the the truck bed will be long enough to lie in with the additional foot box. Turns the 5′ bed into a 6’8″ bed.

3/4″ ply construction

Matching flooring

Adjustable buckles to tie into existing floor.

External covered in 3mm rubber to make waterproof.

Final touched to the extent a bed. Plastic trim. Aluminium plate with fixing rails and trailer board for supplementary lighting. Was going to take the lights off the board and fit to box, but decided to keep as it is for use on trailer etc if needed.