Car Back Door Tent

If you looking for a
tent you can put at the back door of your car you mostly have to spent a lot of money. This clamp gives you the opportunity to make your own for about 10€.

This is a simple clamp you can put at the back door of your car/van to build your own back tent.

All you need is a ~3m rubber band with up to 10mm diameter(I used 8mm) from your local hardware store and a canvas.

You need 8 clamps so that it fits properly.

Test it if its fits on your car. I made it for a Volkswagen T4.

Supplies

3D-Printer

3m rubber band, up to 10mm diameter

canvas (on the pictures i used a 2x3m canvas as a test)

Step 1: Printing

Print 8 clamps.

Scale the object to 50% with your slicer before printing.

Step 2: Attachment

Use a at least 3m long rubber band with up to 10mm diameter (I used 8mm).

Just connect the ends of the rubber band with two nods.

Now you can put the clams on the rubber band and put it at the back door of your car.

Two clams on each side.

Step 3: Connect the Canvas

Now you are able to attach a canvas wit a carabiner hook, a cable tie or just some ropes at the rubber band.

For additional support connect the canvas with the ground by using some hooks.

Step 4: Variation

You could also use some staves to put at the canvas and connect the
canvas only at the top of the construction so you are able to close the back door and still got a tent/cover to use.

Comments

[gaetana1946]

If you do not have access to a 3D printer what would you recommend to hold the band in place?

[keep_IT_simple]

Good question. I would use (steal) metal plates that you could form into some kind of a hook if you got the tools. For sure you need to isolate them with rubber/tape or something similar. It should be not to small. Wider is better so you don't have problems that the pressure is to high for the paint or its moving. Wood should be broke to fast, Aluminum plates would be also an option.
Hope that helps.

[gaetana1946]

I just found 2.25" magnetic binder clips from an office supply store. I am going to experiment with these.

[NirL]

Can you add a few pictures of the inside as well? looks like a nice camping van :) also, maybe a picture of the entire back door covered?
And one more thing - can't the door close on you??
welcome to instructables:)

[keep_IT_simple]

Hi, thanks for the warm welcome :). Yes you can close it (at least with the T4) but if i put the clamps near the back lights it wont close. At the one picture you can see its full closed. You can attach it and try it slightly to close...
Will see if I can make some more pictures these days.
Thanks for the compliment. Its a simple setup. The bench you can see is stow able so i can sleep inside but still got the opportunity for transport things.
Here is a picture from the inside with sleeping mode activated.

Best regards.

[NirL]

Looks great! I love how you used the area under the bed! well done! Thanks for the ideas :) hoping to see more instructables soon!

[Penolopy Bulnick]

Really nice job on this tutorial and on that tent for your van! That van looks pretty nice for camping too :) What program did you use to design the 3D printed part?

[keep_IT_simple]

Thank you :).
I use Blender for 3D-Parts.