Interesting comment from Hallmark about a new totally wood-free pop-up

[John E Davies]

"Pair the "CC" series with the proper truck and you can can build a world class expidition vehicle for under 100K."

The thread page: ... http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=10150391701448934&id=168341913933

Their facebook page: .. http://www.facebook.com/pages/hallmark-mfg/168341913933

So, I wonder what that last sentence means for the price of the camper?..... US$40K? US$50K?

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

 

[docdave]

Probably at least that much....a new Cuchara is already $30K plus with options.....

 

[/dev/ram]

The folks that make the Jeep Extreme Off-road trailer make an entire series out of entirely aluminum. That appeals to me more than fiberglass somehow.

 

[John E Davies]

The folks that make the Jeep Extreme Off-road trailer make an entire series out of entirely aluminum. That appeals to me more than fiberglass somehow.

Not me! Aluminum gets trashed by winter deicing chemicals VERY rapidly.

Gel coated or painted fiberglass is pretty resistant, especially if it is kept well waxed.

John Davies
Spokane WA

 

[OutbacKamper]

Hallmark says on their facebook page: "We are the ONLY pop-up in the USA that uses molded fiberglass sandwich panels, but every piece of this camper can be woodless."

Hmmm....now let me see....can I think of any other pop-up camper produced in the USA that is made entirely from molded fiberglass sandwich panels? I have nothing against Hallmark campers, but I can't let this statement stand unchallenged.

There may be others, but I know that XPCamper exterior shells are made entirely from molded fiberglass/foam/fiberglass sandwich panels, although they also use carbon fiber in high stress areas such as the cabover. All the current production XP full size models feature, fiberglass interiors too. Only the original prototype had a wood interior. All the storage compartments, cabinets, interior partitions and even the countertops are fiberglass.

I was so impressed with the XP that I have ordered one for myself and signed up to distribute them throughout Canada. XP is currently building "molded fiberglass sandwich panel" pop-up campers for the US, Canada, Australia and one of their recently completed campers is headed to Africa.

I wish Hallmark nothing but success with their new CC series truck campers. I just wanted to correct their "ONLY" claim.
Cheers
Mark

 

[John E Davies]

I wish Hallmark nothing but success with their new CC series truck campers. I just wanted to correct their "ONLY" claim.
Cheers
Mark

Mark, I REALLY wish the XP Camper website was more complete and up to date. I saw all those pics with wood trim and floor and thought that is how they all are..... very pretty like a yacht, but high maintenance from dirt and dog abuse...

I really am interested in the XP Camper, but the aluminum bed is a real negative for me due to corrosion issues from road chemicals. Can it be powder coated before delivery, and are there other factory options line Line-X that would effectively fix this problem? I would hate to find white powder growing under the bottom of the bed after a couple of years. I would really like to have a glass option, like the lightweight utility bodies from Brand FX ... http://www.brandfxbody.com/products/service-bodies/service-bodies-detail/

I wanted to read up on the XP, but the search function is useless since "XP" is too short and "XP Camper" gets many pages of non-relevant camper stuff. Can you give me a some help finding XP threads here?

I am new to this forum. Only recently have I started to get interested in pickup options.... I want to explore, but I'm not going to get hard-core, Third World capable.

Thanks.

John Davies
Spokane WA

 

[OutbacKamper]

Hi John;
Please don't take my previous post as a critsism of you or your original post. I was only referring to the claim on Hallmarks' facebook page that you linked to. See additional comments below in red.

Mark, I REALLY wish the XP Camper website was more complete and up to date. Me too!I saw all those pics with wood trim and floor and thought that is how they all are..... very pretty like a yacht, but high maintenance from dirt and dog abuse...I understand, and personally I really like the wood "yacht" look, but the new fiberglass interior is much more practical: lighter, stronger, less costly to make, etc.

I really am interested in the XP Camper, but the aluminum bed is a real negative for me due to corrosion issues from road chemicals. Can it be powder coated before delivery, and are there other factory options line Line-X that would effectively fix this problem? The bed could be powdercoated or linexed, but you can also use your own custom built flatbed, Marc can supply you with the requirements to make any custom flatbed compatible with the subframe of the camperI would hate to find white powder growing under the bottom of the bed after a couple of years. I would really like to have a glass option, like the lightweight utility bodies from Brand FX ... http://www.brandfxbody.com/products/service-bodies/service-bodies-detail/

I wanted to read up on the XP, but the search function is useless since "XP" is too short and "XP Camper" gets many pages of non-relevant camper stuff. Can you give me a some help finding XP threads here? It is difficult finding up to date info on the XP and I don't want to hijack your thread (any more than I already have) so maybe I should start a new thread with XP info.HERE

I am new to this forum. Only recently have I started to get interested in pickup options.... I want to explore, but I'm not going to get hard-core, Third World capable.I understand, the XP is certainly only one of many options out there.

Cheers
Mark

 

[John E Davies]

I mentioned XP Camper at the Hallmark Facebook page, and he replied that Hallmark will be making the only all-composite pop-up TRUCK camper, as opposed to an all composite pop up FLAT BED camper....

I think it is really splitting hairs to limit the idea to bed type, but I guess he has a point.

John Davies
Spokane WA

 

[OutbacKamper]

...he replied that Hallmark will be making the only all-composite pop-up TRUCK camper, as opposed to an all composite pop up FLAT BED camper....

I think it is really splitting hairs to limit the idea to bed type, but I guess he has a point.

Maybe he means the only all composite "slide-in" truck camper? Anyway, you are right it is splitting hairs and I guess it isn't really that important. The important thing is that there will be a better selection of high quality campers to choose from in the future. Hopefully this will encourage other companies to invest in better construction techniques and provide customers with a wider variety of choices.
Cheers
Mark

 

[barndog]

Aluminum Jeep camper/slide in

I understand that Jeep did a corrosion test on that trailer and it had no apparent issues. I doubt that Jeep would put their name on a product that would not stand up to typical american road/off road use.

 

[The Adam Blaster]

I understand that Jeep did a corrosion test on that trailer and it had no apparent issues. I doubt that Jeep would put their name on a product that would not stand up to typical american road/off road use.

I have two words in response to that: Compass, Patriot.
lol

 

[GREY.HOUND]

I sent a message to Hallmark and they said the cost is about $5000 more and wieghs about 200lbs less than standard. They gave some other ways to save weight with a few different/omitted features which added up to a total of 300lbs less on any of their campers, (200lbs for the camper +100lbs for other stuff).

So, take $30k for a new camper + $45k for a new diesel truck and there's you "under $100,000" EXP vehicle.

Really though, that's interesting for me since I have an '07 Tundra and could get a fully loaded milner for about 1000lbs or a Guanella/K2 for about 1100lbs. Assuming I have the $$$$.