I thought I would start this conversation and see where it goes! My basic question is: What does light weight mean to you when talking about truck campers? I'm not talking about what is available, but what sounds reasonable to you??
Background: I've been adventuring in the outback since before I could legally drive. That puts it around 45 years. My very first overland camper was a 1967 VW baja beetle. I removed the back seat and built a flat deck. Then I removed the passenger seat and extended the deck out to the dash. I put a rack on top for extra gear, and my first one man back country camper was launched! I could sleep along the passenger side. I had storage under everything, and I had a little space left behind the drivers seat to cook a simple meal in bad weather. The light weight and simple design served me well.
I've had many offroad adventure rigs since those early days, one was even featured in a magazine. Every one had to be home built because there simple were no options for someone wanting good serviceable back country accommodations without a ton of weight.
I learned early that weight was a killer, whether on my back when packing, or when building a vehicle for rough use. Added weight and oversize dimensions are a huge detriment in the back country. They put added strain on suspension and frame components, raise the center of gravity, and present problems when negotiating wooded areas.
Even today, with all the wonderful modern materials, you can't even buy a sturdy serviceable shell camper that weighs under 500 pounds. Am I alone in wondering why?? Should it take 4 strong men to lift a shell sturdy enough to sleep in, cook a meal, and provide some comfort in a rugged setting? Well, I know the answer is "no". A really nice, super strong short bed camper shell can be built under 350 pounds using modern materials. Most manufactures don't even post the weight of their campers. Do they not believe the weight is a primary factor in deciding what model to buy? My conversations with a few manufactures have been frustratingly vague. It usually comes around to them saying that "nobody has ever asked for this information", and making me seem unreasonable for even asking.
So, I'm posting this because I'm wondering if I am alone in this frustration? I don't need to recreate my living room in the outback. I need a dry place to sleep and prepare a meal in bad weather. I need enough insulation to make the camper heat-able in winter conditions. Good basic shelter. Most importantly, I need it to not be more of a burden than it's worth. I need something that doesn't limit my travels, but enhances them.
Comments?
Background: I've been adventuring in the outback since before I could legally drive. That puts it around 45 years. My very first overland camper was a 1967 VW baja beetle. I removed the back seat and built a flat deck. Then I removed the passenger seat and extended the deck out to the dash. I put a rack on top for extra gear, and my first one man back country camper was launched! I could sleep along the passenger side. I had storage under everything, and I had a little space left behind the drivers seat to cook a simple meal in bad weather. The light weight and simple design served me well.
I've had many offroad adventure rigs since those early days, one was even featured in a magazine. Every one had to be home built because there simple were no options for someone wanting good serviceable back country accommodations without a ton of weight.
I learned early that weight was a killer, whether on my back when packing, or when building a vehicle for rough use. Added weight and oversize dimensions are a huge detriment in the back country. They put added strain on suspension and frame components, raise the center of gravity, and present problems when negotiating wooded areas.
Even today, with all the wonderful modern materials, you can't even buy a sturdy serviceable shell camper that weighs under 500 pounds. Am I alone in wondering why?? Should it take 4 strong men to lift a shell sturdy enough to sleep in, cook a meal, and provide some comfort in a rugged setting? Well, I know the answer is "no". A really nice, super strong short bed camper shell can be built under 350 pounds using modern materials. Most manufactures don't even post the weight of their campers. Do they not believe the weight is a primary factor in deciding what model to buy? My conversations with a few manufactures have been frustratingly vague. It usually comes around to them saying that "nobody has ever asked for this information", and making me seem unreasonable for even asking.
So, I'm posting this because I'm wondering if I am alone in this frustration? I don't need to recreate my living room in the outback. I need a dry place to sleep and prepare a meal in bad weather. I need enough insulation to make the camper heat-able in winter conditions. Good basic shelter. Most importantly, I need it to not be more of a burden than it's worth. I need something that doesn't limit my travels, but enhances them.
Comments?