The Sidepod started as a challenge: take a product from idea to finished, sellable part in six weeks. We call it 'Ship it in 6'.
The process
- 3D scan of the Toyota Hiace to capture the exact body shape.
- CAD design of the pod, modelled to the scan.
- Pattern and tooling. We CNC milled the pattern and built the mould in-house.
- Fibreglass layup of the first part.
Timeline
- Week 5: first part out of the mould (shared on our YouTube channel).
- Week 6: second pod made, with the laminate refined further.
We've since sold the first Sidepod. Next, we're cutting a custom interior camper kit to make the most of the space inside the pod.
A handy accessory: magnetic fastener holders
To hold the Sidepod in place while the adhesive cures, we designed 3D-printed holders with captive magnets. They're simple and quick, and they make installation much easier.
The Sidepod also proved itself in a full camper build. It gave the clients in our Hiace 200 Series fit-out enough room to sleep sideways.
Want a Sidepod for your Hiace, or have your own product idea? We take parts from scan to production. Talk to us.