I get what you are saying, but honestly, like the Camp-x, which if it ever gets here it will be 50k, there is only so much you can do with a square box that goes into a fixed square box. But honestly, your comparsion to Ford trucks, and I work at Ford, the changes really are not that much. Its a hell of a lot easier to change body panels and trim then a square camper. I think its more the same, how many years did Ford use the 4.6 or 5.4? same transfer-case for 20 years, how many years has a Dana 60 or 44 Ford 8.25 been used? and still going today.
Curiosity, how well do you think that fiberglass non insulated roof will deal with condensation, that I am curious about.
I believe on the video the guy says the cost of the Camp X is $25k. There's actually a member on the forum who has purchased the Camp X in the video so he'll likely give a report on his findings.
As far as some things remaining the same like the Dana 60, 44, etc. Yes I totally agree dependent on use, simple is often the best option.
50 years from now a hammer will likely still look like a hammer. That said, we also have pneumatic nail guns and electric nail guns so something as simple and useful as hammer has actually evolved in the interest of building efficiency. Back before the first pneumatic nail gun I bet there was a lot of die-hards who refused to use it and stuck to their trusty hammer, eventually they probably came around. Heck I remember when I was growing up I remember my dad refused to by a car with fuel injection and power windows. He held out as long as he could, but obviously he relented.
I respect the fact that you work for Ford, but I think they've have changed quite a bit. I mean a 1947 F-series truck has nothing in common with a 2018 F-series except that both have a bed and 4 wheels. In terms of comfort features, technology, exterior design, exterior materials (aluminum) etc. I think they're a drastic departure actually. I mean what would you rather drive across the country, a 2018 truck or a 1950's version?
As far as a fiberglass non-insulated roof and condensation I really have no idea. The only thing I can think of for a comparison is that my wife and I have spent many a night sleeping in our truck bed with a Leer fiberglass shell on a sleeping platform. It has that fuzzy, carpet type covering on the interior, a common option on camper shells. It's a tight space with 2 warm bodied adults and we've slept in cold weather. I've never noticed condensation on the roof or walls. Again I'm not sure that's a good comparison. I do know that people who don't have that covering do often have condensation issues.
I often hear the term "thermal bridges" in relation to condensation. It is referenced in the video for the Camp X as they made attempts to reduce them as much as possible.
This conversation can go on forever. I like FWC's. I just feel like they've stopped developing their camper decades ago. The design was just never taken to the next level, whatever that level looks like. That's not saying it hasn't seen "improvements" over the last 30 years.
I think of the FWC as being in the middle of a production cycle of it's first generation. Similar to when a new model of truck comes out and it's production cycle is 8 years. Over the next 8 years they will make little tweaks here and there, new options, a new front grill or a new dash, some new technology is offered in year 8 that wasn't offered in year 1 for example. After year 8, they often start from scratch. They wipe the slate clean, take what they've learned, improve it, and make a new generation of truck.
I think of the FWC as being in it's first generation with only tweaks to the original design. It's just a really really long production cycle.
