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Truck Camper Forum _ Truck Camper Specs _ hard sided pop up TC

Posted by: Beatrice Oct 4 2015, 10:33 AM

OK, I will try again but there doesn't seem to be any action at all on this forum. Is there a hard sided on-truck (in the bed) truck camper out there other than Alaskan, which I already am familiar with? I'm looking for a light weight, low profile pop up that is all hard materials, preferably fiberglass or metal. No canvas etc. Anybody?

Posted by: Spanky Oct 4 2015, 07:23 PM

I personally do not know of a pop up camper that does not have canvas.

Posted by: Nobody Jun 29 2016, 05:54 PM

Pretty sure the Alaskan is the 'original' truck camper, & as far as I'm aware it is the only 'hard side' pop-up. They've been around for a lotta years, are kinda heavy & pricey! Even a used one in decent shape goes for bigger bucks than most 'soft' side pop-ups...

Posted by: Freespool Jul 3 2016, 07:53 PM

Hallmark and Northstar IMO make the best pop up units, however both appear to have a little canvas just under the lid. Both of these builders again are the best in the industry and I would bet you will be happy with one of there offerings. Take a look at some of Northstars hard walls while your at there site, you may change your mind about wanting a pop up.

Posted by: Colorado_Kid Sep 25 2017, 11:57 PM

I know this is late but the XP Camper is a hard side pop up but the bed area does have soft canvas.
http://xpcamper.com/versions/v1-full-size/

I am surprised more truck camper manufactures don't at least try a hard side pop up.

Posted by: SidecarFlip Sep 26 2017, 08:12 PM

QUOTE(Colorado_Kid @ Sep 25 2017, 11:57 PM)
I know this is late but the XP Camper is a hard side pop up but the bed area does have soft canvas.
http://xpcamper.com/versions/v1-full-size/

I am surprised more truck camper manufactures don't at least try a hard side pop up.
*



You have got to be joking.. $114,000 for a truck camper. The people who own this outfit are smoking something real good....

Big hit with the upwardly mobile fat cats maybe, Not so much with people who have to work for a living....

Posted by: RV_Tech Nov 23 2017, 05:15 AM

Hard sided pop-ups really do pose some challenges in design and even where they have existed in the towable side of things, they have never really drawn a very big following.

Personally I think there would be a market for them. Certainly Alaskans have a very strong following, but they do hit a different price point, there doesn't seem to be much choice in floorplans and unlike many slide-in owners, we sometimes camp where not having a full bath is a real inconvenience. I am skeptical there is much demand for a $100K+ truck camper, but stranger things have happened.

The biggest downside for us in using our Hallmark, other than the obvious of lowering and raising the top when we have to make a short run to the grocery is when we were in "bear country" there didn't seem to be any consistency to regulations. In some parks there were no food restriction for pop-ups, for others no food allowed inside, and in others no pop-ups were allowed to raise their tops, period!

But man, when we were in those Wyoming winds, I was thankful for the lower profile!

Steve

Posted by: SidecarFlip Nov 23 2017, 06:33 AM

The reason why you got minimal replies is..

Other than the Alaskan, there aren't any. Pretty simple really.

Post your question on Expedition Portal or Open Roads Forum and you'll get the same answers.

You could build your own I guess.... blink.gif

Posted by: DWJoyce Nov 24 2017, 12:24 AM

QUOTE(Beatrice @ Oct 4 2015, 10:33 AM)
OK, I will try again but there doesn't seem to be any action at all on this forum. Is there a hard sided on-truck (in the bed) truck camper out there other than Alaskan, which I already am familiar with? I'm looking for a light weight, low profile pop up that is all hard materials, preferably fiberglass or metal. No canvas etc. Anybody?
*



Why is a popup important? Some old 80's cabovers only weight around 1500 pounds wet. More air resistance than a popup and taller of course, but nice and light.

If you found one, you would probably need to make repairs, which you could use as an opportunity to customize it to your tastes. Mine was extreme, but free. It required a complete rebuild using the original siding and windows. It now has winter-capable insulation, a double sink, stove, microwave, fridge, modern lighting (LED) and hookups, shower, and a sofa that converts into a desk. Enough water and propane for several days of boondocking too. A lot of work, but just what I wanted.

Posted by: SidecarFlip Nov 24 2017, 08:25 PM

QUOTE(DWJoyce @ Nov 24 2017, 12:24 AM)
Why is a popup important? Some old 80's cabovers only weight around 1500 pounds wet. More air resistance than a popup and taller of course, but nice and light.

If you found one, you would probably need to make repairs, which you could use as an opportunity to customize it to your tastes. Mine was extreme, but free. It required a complete rebuild using the original siding and windows. It now has winter-capable insulation, a double sink, stove, microwave, fridge, modern lighting (LED) and hookups, shower, and a sofa that converts into a desk. Enough water and propane for several days of boondocking too. A lot of work, but just what I wanted.
*



With me at least, I went the other way from a Lance Hardside to a Palomino pop up. Why? Because of overhead clearance. A tall hardside cannot negotiate the north woods on unimproved roads. The tree limbs would destroy the camper in short order.... and I can now park the outfit in my garage in the winter a huge plus.

Outdoor storage of any RV is detrimental to it's lifespan, don't care if it's tarped up or not. My unit will look as good as new in 10 years as it did when I bought it because it stays indoors when not in use.... and...

I sure don't miss the weight of the Lance nor the wind resistance or the handling in cross winds. I do miss the illusion of security a hardside offers but it is an illusion, not a fact. Mine is a hardsode except for 2 feet and the roof is a hard roof. That collapsable 2 feet makes a world of difference when toting it around.

I have on again, off again pondered an Alaskan but I'll probably never get one due to the cost.

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