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Alu-Cab Icarus Adjustable Backrest review
Alongside the Icarus pop-top, we decided to install the adjustable fold-up backrest at the same time. Over the past ten years, we’ve come to appreciate a good seating position in the sleeping area. After hundreds of evenings and a couple dozen days spent sitting against the rooftent frame, we fell in love with the idea of having a backrest integrated into the bed area.
Spending extended time inside a compact vehicle quickly makes you realize the difference proper back support makes. For reading, working, or simply relaxing, the backrest transforms the sleeping platform into a comfortable seating area — without sacrificing space when folded away.
It’s a subtle upgrade visually, but it has a noticeable impact on daily comfort, turning the interior from a simple bed into a truly livable space.
Installation: Simple with one catch
We installed the backrest during the Icarus conversion, but it can easily be added afterwards too. The installation itself is straightforward, though the supplied manual isn’t entirely clear. It instructs you to fully remove the hinges from the old access hatch. In reality, the hinges can stay in place; you only need to remove the hatch itself. This approach saves time, avoids unnecessary work, and reduces the risk of damaging the paint on the structural beams.
Removing the old hatch does require cutting through the trim fabric and carefully dismantling the existing LED light. We took our time here, as we planned to reinstall the LED on the new backrest frame. Once the frame was mounted, reinstalling the LED was simple, and interior lighting remained fully functional.
It really was an easy installation, except for one literal catch! The backrest folds open in intervals and can only be closed once fully opened. Keep your fingers clear of the hinge area, because once you get stuck… you’re stuck. A bit of ingenuity saved our mechanic’s fingers here.
You can find the original Alu-Cab Icarus Backrest instructions here.
Specifications
- Adjustable backrest
- Powder-coated frame
- Lightweight bamboo surface area
- Adjustable in intervals for comfort
Pros
- Great enhancement of the usability and livability of the sleeping area
- Perfect for dinner, watching a movie, or reading a book
- Really gets you comfortably through the day when its rainy
- Foldable in intervals to your preference
- User friendly
Cons
- Fairly expensive upgrade
- It creates more open spaces compared to the original hatch, giving easier access to mosquitoes
- The surface sits about two centimeters higher than the rest of the bed (no problem if your pillow is on this side, otherwise it will be annoying)
Using the backrest daily
Once installed, the adjustable backrest quickly became a daily-use accessory. It allows for multiple seating positions, from upright for working or reading, to slightly reclined for relaxing.
Key benefits we’ve noticed include:
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Turning the sleeping area into a usable seating area
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Improved comfort while working on laptops in the tent area
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Effortless folding out of the way when extra sleeping space is needed
The adjustability and fold-up design mean it doesn’t interfere with the interior layout. Combined with the dropdown table, it makes the tent area feel far more functional and “lived-in.”
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Would we install it again?
Absolutely. The backrest may seem like a small addition, but it has a surprisingly big impact on interior comfort. It’s one of those upgrades you don’t realize you need until it’s in daily use. Looking ahead, we’re considering pairing it with additional organizational accessories, like a ceiling-mounted multi-pouch storage bag, to make the interior even more functional.
One feature we’d love to see in the future is the ability to split the backrest into two sections for personalized seating. A dual-access hatch would also be handy, allowing one person to stay asleep while the other gets in or out. This is the biggest limitation compared to our old roof tent, though it’s more about the access hatch than the backrest itself.
So yes, we would install it again as it makes our lives upstairs a whole lot more comfortable and it’s great for both relaxation and work.
Check out these product shots
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