Really lite weight truck campers

[AZCPP]

I have been working on an idea to build an "Adventure Bed" for my Dodge and have found these lite weight campers. Just thought I would share my findings.

I like the construction of this one but not the way the tent opens off both sides as it prohibits my "flip up kayak rack" idea.They had one of these listed on ebay for a B.I.N. price around $2600.00http://www.livinlite.com/TruckCampers/index.shtml

I like the way this one opens and the large bed, but not the fiberglass construction and the price tag seems kinda high.http://www.tent-trailer.com/ then click on "Truck"

I don't care for this one but her it is anyway.http://www.com-pac-camp.com/truckspec.htm

 

[AZCPP]

Here is the listing from ebay for the Livin'lite unit. Lots of pics.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ultimate-Lite-Weight-Truck-Camper-Ship-WORLDWIDE_W0QQitemZ140131165381QQihZ004QQcategoryZ50061QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[erod]

if it were up to me i'd get a 4wheel or allterrain and be done with it. go with the shell model if weight is a big issue. i bet they would out perform both those tent campers in inclement weather. i got a 4wheel a couple months ago and am never going back :wings: ! cheers! oh yea, check out www.usedfourwheelcampers.com for some used ones!

 

[DaveInDenver]

Interesting. I like the idea of the tent-trailer one, for example.

Do you guys leave your campers in all the time and how hard are they to get out? The light weight option would probably be nice pulling and reinstalling it. I realized how much I actually do use my truck as a pickup this winter when it wasn't running. Trying to strap things to roofs, get friends to pick up sheet goods, etc. I know erod left the 'Nest flock for the greener pastures of a heated camper, but I just haven't been able to figure out the storage and pull/install routine. Plus I'd always thought my little 22R-E would struggle mightily with a pop-up, but some of those campers weigh less than my 'Nest (it's about 300 lbs).

 

[mightymike]

Thanks for posting those Chuck. I've been looking at rooftop tents and just can't seem to justify the cost (For me at least-$2k plus is a lot for a tent...). These look like a lot more bang for the buck without as much of as weight penalty as a FWC and easier to load and off-load than a Flip-Pac, perhaps. I would love to hear if anyone has seen any of these in person-to see how the build and material quality rates. As much as I'd like to think of my outdoor adventures as true expeditions, they are usually a three or four day weekends spent camping, hunting and fishing. The boss likes the look of them as well-not as high off the ground so they are easier to get in and out of.

 

[paulj]

I left my Wildernest on all the time. The tent and mattress only chews up a few inches of ceiling space.

paulj

 

[AZCPP]

The design I was working on included a RTT. Then I found these and they got me thinking along a different line. I don't want anything to stick up above the cab and I don't want it to stick past the side of the cab. The roof top tent was ideal for what I was thinking up with. It would be nice to have the ability to stand up inside your tent or have a place to relax, eat, or whatever in bad weather. I plan to remove my factory bed and build a steel frame to mount aluminum boxes, maybe drawers, a plastic RV water tank, a rear mounted swing out tire rack. a flip-to-the-side kayak rack that I have designed, and maybe one of these units or a RTT. I am trying to talk to the Livin' Lite people about a couple custom changes to there unit to accommodate a couple top sider aluminum boxes down each side. I know they have storage under the seats inside but I want access to storage from the outside.
I know some might look at my idea a little differently but I don't drive the truck but only once or twice a week, sometimes less than that. So, I feel that the "adventure bed" will serve more useful that the factory bed. If I need to haul something big I can just pull a trailer. I will keep the box so if I trade the truck I can put it back on.

 

[eugene]

I've been toying with the idea for a few years to take a regular truck cap and sit a couple folding walls between it and the top of the bed rails.

lets see if I can do a crude ASCII drawing

| cap wall
==folded wall
| bed side

partially folded up (had to put .. in for spaces)
|
\
..\
../
/
|

all the way up
|
|
|
|
|
|

I just need to figure out a front and back that will setup easily. I'll have to make a real drawing someday.