new from Austria: ActionCamper for Jeep Wrangler Unlimited

[mhiscox]

What am I missing? David

Technically, you're correct, and are certainly right that a heavy overloaded vehicle will stress the engine, suspension and driveline more.

Practically, though, I'm not so sure that it's a crisis--and I'm speaking based on my EarthRoamer Jeep experience. It is very likely that the carrier vehicle will be significantly modified and, if so, the heavier suspension and bigger tires will go a long way toward making things safe (each of my tires is good for roughly 3000 pounds, as an example). And the additional load on the engine and transmission doesn't seem to be killing things quickly, as the engine and trans temperatures stay normal, even on a good-sized grade. And the brakes still stop the truck appropriately.

Do I wish the XV-JP weighed a lot less? Sure, but I think turning a Jeep into a motorhome is one of those "You can't make an omelette without breaking eggs" things. Any significant hard-sided accommodations will likely push a loaded JK past the stock GVWR, and there's not a lot to do about it. My ER Jeep seems plenty safe and stable, with the extra weight being noticeable much more in diminished acceleration and speed.

It may be that the biggest issue will be pushing the cabin through the air at highway speeds. The added drag of the ER Jeep cabin has a pretty significant effect on performance and fuel economy, and this option is substantially bigger. The good thing is that many of these will go on JKs with the new 3.6 liter, 285 horsepower engine, rather than the ER's 202 hp 3.8L.

 

[ETAV8R]

First I've seen of the ActionCamper. Pretty cool. Keep up the good work. Love the wood interior.

 

[elcoyote]

ActionCamper pictures

The ActionCamper is getting ready to leave on an backcountry trip to Utah on Saturday and I thought I'd take the opportunity to post up a bunch of interior shots. Enjoy!

 

[SLO_F-250]

WOW that thing looks plush! Nice! Have a great time! :elkgrin::elkgrin:

 

[NotAMog]

Very impressive! It's hard to believe that is the back of a JK when looking at the pictures. I really like those SMEV appliances. It's too bad they are not more readily available in the US. The flush folding line really works well in a rig with a folding or pop top.

 

[Saiyan66]

x2. That is very roomy and well designed. I am impressed it is built on a jeep.

 

[ActionCamper]

Thanks to all of you. All these compliments are very good to hear after a year of hard work. I made a Website for all US Overlanders. http://www.actioncamper.info. Here you'll find the newest pictures, 360x180 interior panoramas, etc.. Now I'm back to Austria, to get production ready. My friends from AT Overland will answer all questions in the future. Of course I'll allways answer design related questions.
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Panoramas: they can be controlled individually with the mouse; the buttons at the bottom enlarge when the mouse arrow approaches; by holding down the left mouse button and moving down an 360x180 can be turned down ; the mouse wheel is a zoom wheel; depending on the connection speed they may take a while to load; please be patient!

 

[ActionCamper]

Sounds like a great adventure in itself! Looking forward to seeing it assembled and many thanks for all the photos. Pretty sure I'm not the only viewer who's enjoyed seeing all the details!

Why didn't me make it to SEMA on time? The container ship had bad weather in the panama canal = 4 extra days; it arrived in Long Beach Friday night, until the container got to the deliverers warehouse it was almost Saturday noon; the union doesn't allow to move things until Monday morning at 8:00; we where lucky to get a VIP spot at the entrance where the check-in is on Saturday at 3:00 p.m.; mission impossible. Sorry! I hope for next year.....

 

[ActionCamper]

The panoramas are made in various steps. I think many of you might want to do panoramas of your work/destination so I describe it. Hope the not interested don't mind!
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I use a Canon 8-15mm Fisheye on an NodalNinja R10 at 7.5 degree up, the NodalPoint is set to 11mm; with a Canon 5D MII mounted to an Manfrotto 055 Carbon tripod.
I shoot at 13mm so the edges of the round (8mm) image are at the upper and lower edge (portrait mode) F9 (sharp from near to far) in RAW format, all settings manual;
4 shots around (360) with remote, one Nadir (vertical down) hands free shot. Zenith shot is not needed because of the 7.5 degree up shooting angle. (overlap on zenith)
In Photoshop CS5 develop images to TIF, in PTGui 9.1.2. pro stitch all images to an 76 Mpix TIF, in Photoshop fine-tuning, in Pano2VR 3.1.2 convert TIF to SWF.
Publish with our self-programmed e-commerce/web/photo/panorama software.

 

[ActionCamper]

To see the Grand Canyon so peaceful, quiet and undisturbed was a unforgettable impression.
Maybe some of the ExPo members would like to see the panoramas > see details

 

[ActionCamper]

We want to find manufacturing companies in the U.S.. Any suggestions who could be good for that?

 

[mrshish]

I'm no expert but I might try Coyote RV in Denver, Colorado. They do a lot of custom work and being a smaller company I'm guessing they would be more willing to talk to you. They also seem to be willing to brake from the normal stuff and try new things.

http://www.coyoterv.biz

 

[ActionCamper]

If we shift the production from Europe to the U.S., we need to manufacture all components.
The main decision will be based on the fiberglass parts, the most cost intensive and critical parts.
We can't work with regular fiberglass manufacturers because of the low target weight and high strength.
Chopper guns are definitely not our way to go. In Italy we tried to manufacture one body with vacuum
infusion. Way to complicate.
.
The extremely lightweight, flexible and strong prototype was done by hand layup, which is slow but perfect.
To split the body into pieces would make vacuum infusion possible, but increases weight. So the decision
is hard to make. If we continue to manufacture in Europe, where I can inspect every part, I would stick to
hand layup.

 

[ActionCamper]

I'm no expert but I might try...

Thanks for your reply. We look for a fiberglass manufacturer who is specialized in this field and doesn't market his own camper.

 

[18seeds]

What about Marc at xpcamper?