CAMPTEQ's 80 Series Land Cruiser pop top Prototype

[upcruiser]

Eric, thanks for taking the time to chat with Alyssa and I at Expo. I have been debating for some time what direction I wanted to go with my next rig for my long trips and round the world trip in a couple of years. I honestly think we can make my 80 a pretty livable truck with the pop top and some basic interior mods. I found it interesting to stand in an AT Habitat on a Wrangler Unlimited and the other Ecamper type popup. The amount of useable interior space in the 80 is noticeable, especially if you cut the roof up to the front seats. A nice minimalist camper setup is more realistic with the 80 popup.

One question, are you planning on offering a headliner for the unit? I think it would go along way to quieting wind noise and help insulate it for cold weather camping when heating the truck is necessary. I know for me personally, 4 seasons utility is suer important as well as water proofness and ventilation. Sounds like some of the materials you offer will take care of the weather ability for sure, and with the possibility of screen windows that zip up in poor weather and it's a winner.

As far as Price.... It isn't cheap but if you look at the price of a flip pac or a fwc, you see what other options for an overland camper setup in this segment are. I love the idea of reducing drag on the highway versus my RTT and the idea of setting up from inside and cooking and sleeping inside when the weather is bad. I am so tired of all these overland camping setups that seem to not take into consideration living day in and day out in crappy weather. Not everyone goes weekend camping in ideal dry weather in the southwestern deserts. Keep up the good work and thanks again for making a long standing dream come together and making this available. Now I just need to formulate a plan to fund one! If you need some long term testing done, let me know! Haha

 

[rain76king]

6k......Whats the shipping like on that as well?
I guess I'll be fabricating my own since it's far out of my price range.
Great idea and build though.

 

[Plantdriver]

Shipping cost question:

I use FedEx Ground to ship aluminum WVO tanks and based on the fact that it's about $100 to ship a tank as large as 5' x 24" x 24", I'd guess FedEx Ground - which Eric would use to ship the top and cushions - would be a max. of about $350, probably less. Forward Air is cheaper, but they only ship to and from major airports, and that may not be an option, depending upon where the customer lives - or how far they want to travel. And Eric's near Aspen, and for those who could drive to him, that would of course save shipping costs - and Colorado is - I think - the most amazingly gorgeous state in the US, and you'd get to camp in your new pop-top if you took the $ you saved on shipping and paid Eric to help you cut the roof hole (unless you're going to use the sunroof and an exterior ladder) and install the top.

 

[Wheelingnoob]

Was worried the prices would be in this range (3 x what my truck cost me). I would have really liked to see them in the 4k range.

I'm very interested in a DIY set up, even one that is just the Aluminium pieces cut, I can build mattresses and weld aluminium.

 

[ab1985]

I'll keep an eye on this thread, but I'm out at $6k. IMO comparing this to a flippac to establish a price point is completely inappropriate (not saying that is what the owner is doing here). I hope there are more realistic options available when the tent goes into production.

 

[upcruiser]

I'll keep an eye on this thread, but I'm out at $6k. IMO comparing this to a flippac to establish a price point is completely inappropriate (not saying that is what the owner is doing here). I hope there are more realistic options available when the tent goes into production.

My arguement was more along the lines of what options would I have for a small camper 4wd vehicle. A Tacoma with a flippac or FWC versus my current 80 series with this conversion. So as an alternative for buying a flippac this is more appealing and similar in price. With either you have to configure an interior for day to day living. I think this would be superior to a flippac from an ease of use in foul weather standpoint and arguably better in bad weather. Sure I would rather see it at 4k myself but from a value standpoint, if it functions and works like they say, it is worth it to me. WAAAAY better than a RTT.

If you compare it strictly by design, form, and materials I agree, it isn't a good comparison. Given the low volume production and design costs, it is reasonable to see how this could be a bit more expensive versus a large company like FWC or Flippac that sell more volume. This is a startup, so its expected for it to be a bit on the pricey side, especially at the launch.

 

[Sempertoy]

I wonder how this would compare...

http://80seriespoptop.blogspot.com/

 

[Rando]

Does anyone know what the dimensions are? Or at least the dimensions of an 80 series roof?

 

[Plantdriver]

Does anyone know what the dimensions are? Or at least the dimensions of an 80 series roof?

The base, or lower portion of the Campteq unit is 90" long, and the upper, or hinged portion, is 7' long. Width is 52" for the bottom section, and 48" for the upper portion.

 

[Rando]

The base, or lower portion of the Campteq unit is 90" long, and the upper, or hinged portion, is 7' long. Width is 52" for the bottom section, and 48" for the upper portion.

Thanks! That was exactly what I was looking for. As a follow on, how much of the length is taken up by the bed when it is deployed? In other words, is there enough room at the rear of the bed (when it is set up for sleeping) to climb in from inside the vehicle. For instance if there were two people sleeping up there, could one person get out through the back of the vehicle without waking the other?

 

[Plantdriver]

The bed is almost exactly 7' long, but the rear zippered window/door is almost as wide as the bed, so one person could exit and enter the bed even if there was someone else in the bed,

 

[Rando]

Do you think it would be possible to install a 6' bed and have some room to get in from the inside of the vehicle? Or do you need the whole 7' to offset for the lack of foot room at the front where the roof slopes down? I am really interested in this as an option for better foul weather camping than my wildernest, and have to either both get up or to climb down the outside of the vehicle would be a bit of a draw back.

 

[Plantdriver]

You can get into bed from inside the truck by flipping up one of the 3 upholstered foam-and-plywood cushions that make up the mattress, and hop down into the truck the same way, sort of: if there ate two people in bed, and one of you wants to remain in bed, they have to scrunch up a bit toward the front if the bed while you exit via the flipped-up cushion.

 

[Rando]

Thanks for the answers! I am trying to visualize how exactly this would work for camping in a variety of conditions.

 

[Airmonger]

If I was building an American based expedition vehicle this would be far and above the best option for long distance offroad travel. Sadly I'm not much more
Than an weekend camper and at 6 k price its out of my price range. Best of luck and I hope that the price can come down a bit to make it more attractive to the weekend warrior masses.