COLLAPSIBLE TRUCK BED cap
Initial Research
brief
The ability to protect and secure items in the bed of a truck is important for many truck owners. The current products on the market that provide protection from the elements often compromise the versatility of the truck bed and don’t provide theft prevention. There is an opportunity to create a coverage system for truck beds that is both versatile and secure.
Truck Accessory market
Of the 17 million motor vehicles sold in 2019, 12.3 million were trucks while only 4.7 million were cars and SUVs
A study conducted by Foresight Research of almost 7,500 buyers found that being able to accessorize a vehicle influenced 12% of all trucks sold
23% of the new truck buyers said that the availability of accessories was an influencing factor in selecting a dealer
According to the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), truck enthusiasts spent 6.94 billion dollars on aesthetic accessories alone in 2016.
Truck enthusiasts spent a total 11.95 billion dollars on all specialty equipment and performance accessories
the three types of coverage systems
BEd caps
Pros
Provides shelter (camping)
Security
Protection from the elements
Privacy
Cons
Limited vertical space
Obstructs rear and side visibility
No versatility (can’t carry large items without removing the cap)
Large (difficult for storage)
Difficult to remove and install
Tonneau Covers
Pros
Doesn’t obstruct visibility
Versatile - can be opened to carry large items
More easily removable
Cons
Only small items can be protected from the elements
Many options only provide limited security
Many require semi permanent installation
Collapsing Soft Bed Caps
Pros
Offers more vertical storage space
Easily removable
Cons
Offers no security
Summary
Truck bed caps and tonneau covers have their individual pros and cons. While collapsing soft bed caps are a solution that addresses the problems with both bed caps and tonneau covers, they don’t offer any security.
Solution
Create a truck bed coverage system that combines the functions of both bed caps and tonneau covers that still offers security of the items in the truck bed.
Mechanism inspiration
Oru Folding Kayak
Origami-Inspired Bulletproof Shield
Mechanism exploration
ideation
final sketch render
final direction
Lockable rear hatch opens like a conventional truck bed topper.
Tongue and groove mechanism provides security when taut.
Truck bed cap collapses into a tonneau cover as the sides and rear hatch of the topper fold inwards and the top expands outwards to meet the rails of the truck bed.
The lockable tonneau cover can be opened from the rear to access cargo in the truck bed.
The truck bed cap’s components folded into the shell of the roof/tonneau cover.
The tonneau cover can be removed and folded for storage. It’s not uncommon to see truck bed toppers dilapidated due to being stored out in the elements.
A series of struts support the truck bed topper in its popped up state and allow the topper to collapse into a tonneau cover.
The entire system is mounted to the rails of the truck bed and is secured with clamps. No permanent modifications to the truck bed are needed.
The truck bed cover in its collapsed tonneau cover state also allows for items to be stored on top of the cover while weather sensitive items can be stored below.