JK/J8 Flippac rumor??

[haven]

My vote is to put off the development of an LJ of the Flippac. Concentrate on marketing the JK version. Get samples into the hands of people who have visibility on the Jeep forums, like Jason de Monto at Airpark Jeep in Tucson. Send Expeditions West staff off on some epic trip with the J8 to show how the Flippac does not compromise the vehicle's performance off-road. Take some high resolution glam shots of the Flippac to include in a press release that you send to all the Jeep and 4x4 magazines. And so on. There will be time enough to consider an LJ version once the JK version is established.

Looks like the Hollister Rally is going to be great: Introduction of the JK FlipPac, Scott's slide show about the Mongol Rally, an Expedition Trophy competition, pig roast, and lots more. I hope those who attend will take lots of photos!

 

[ox4mag]

I don't think anybody is expecting AT to focus on an LJ-version at this time. As a matter of fact, it's been made pretty clear by AT (as evidenced in the interview below) that they will revisit the idea of other Jeep vehicle platforms once the JK version has been proved, etc.

There are many of us anxious to get this thing out in the field and start showing its capabilities to the Jeep community, and the AT folks are aware of the many opportunities they have to build enthusiasm for this product. But there's nothing wrong with folks expressing a long term interest in other vehicle platforms and this is good for AT in determining how to proceed long term.

http://online.jpfreek.com/2010/08/19/industry-interview-with-adventure-trailers/

 

[kb7our]

I don't think anybody is expecting AT to focus on an LJ-version at this time. As a matter of fact, it's been made pretty clear by AT (as evidenced in the interview below) that they will revisit the idea of other Jeep vehicle platforms once the JK version has been proved, etc.

There are many of us anxious to get this thing out in the field and start showing its capabilities to the Jeep community, and the AT folks are aware of the many opportunities they have to build enthusiasm for this product. But there's nothing wrong with folks expressing a long term interest in other vehicle platforms and this is good for AT in determining how to proceed long term.

http://online.jpfreek.com/2010/08/19/industry-interview-with-adventure-trailers/

Why do I get the feeling that long term an existing company with capital to spend on a proven design will purchase rights from AT for big $$ to begin mass production of various configurations starting with the JK?

 

[elcoyote]

Could you give me a ruff estimate (I understand it is a swag) on what number of LJ's you would need to:
1. produce at least a prototype
2. mass produce
3. and if all else fails, what the cost would be to produce a custom top for just one LJ (mine) :sombrero:

I just want to know how hard I need to start campaigning with these other LJ owners to make this happen.

1. At least 20 that would be willing to put down a deposit
2. Determined by interest in #1
3. $25-30K +/- because the R&D of #1 still has to happen first

While the total number of LJ's was limited they seem to be falling into the hands of enthusiusts when they enter the resale market. I think that the percentage of LJ owners that might consider a flippac would be considerably higher then the average JK owner. I would be very interested in one for my LJ.

Data? How many LJ's were built? How many in the hands of enthusiasts? The universe of JK owners is without a doubt larger than that of the LJ hence our decision to pursue the JK Habitat version first.

My vote is to put off the development of an LJ of the Flippac. Concentrate on marketing the JK version. Get samples into the hands of people who have visibility on the Jeep forums, like Jason de Monto at Airpark Jeep in Tucson. Send Expeditions West staff off on some epic trip with the J8 to show how the Flippac does not compromise the vehicle's performance off-road. Take some high resolution glam shots of the Flippac to include in a press release that you send to all the Jeep and 4x4 magazines. And so on. There will be time enough to consider an LJ version once the JK version is established.

Looks like the Hollister Rally is going to be great: Introduction of the JK FlipPac, Scott's slide show about the Mongol Rally, an Expedition Trophy competition, pig roast, and lots more. I hope those who attend will take lots of photos!

This is exactly what we are doing with Habitat project. Expect lots of pix. Are you going to be there to share some carnitas & vino verde with us? :chef:

Why do I get the feeling that long term an existing company with capital to spend on a proven design will purchase rights from AT for big $$ to begin mass production of various configurations starting with the JK?

Anything is possible...stretching a hammock in Aruba sounds pretty good to me

 

[jeepdreamer]

While the total number of LJ's was limited they seem to be falling into the hands of enthusiusts when they enter the resale market. I think that the percentage of LJ owners that might consider a flippac would be considerably higher then the average JK owner. I would be very interested in one for my LJ.

Of course you could let them work their magic with the JK version, buy one after the initial breakeven costs are recouped (or used eventually) and then try and entice JScherb into modifing it to fit a LJ and a CJ8...LJ for you and the 8 since its my idear...heehee.:elkgrin:

 

[kb7our]

Only nearly 64K reads within this thread...must be one of the more boring posts on the portal :Wow1:.

Any chance of posting a few more Habitat pics showing progress towards Hollister since last week's partial reveal?

Do you anticipate moving on the first 10 production run by month end or ?

 

[BPage]

Of course you could let them work their magic with the JK version, buy one after the initial breakeven costs are recouped (or used eventually) and then try and entice JScherb into modifing it to fit a LJ and a CJ8...LJ for you and the 8 since its my idear...heehee.:elkgrin:

Hey I agree with you... I subscribe to both these post (JScherb and this one) and I think it would be an awesome combo! A modular hard top that was easy to store, and the ability to swap the top plate only to add the FlipPac. That way all AT would have to modify is the top.

That would be a dream top!!!
:sombrero:

 

[Ford Prefect]

I think that the sleeping platform would too short to be comfortable in the configuration that we have designed. A minimum of 80" is needed for the mattress which means 85" of roof line.

I understand what you are saying.

Is there any reason that you could not fold the matress in half like on an RTT? If you did that, you would easily have the space. God with a full length fold out like on the JK and then you have a nice twin + bed in there. Well... that is what I was thinking anyhow, and I realize that I am speaking from a place of relative ignorance.

Anyhow, cheers

Brian

 

[elcoyote]

Only nearly 64K reads within this thread...must be one of the more boring posts on the portal :Wow1:.

Any chance of posting a few more Habitat pics showing progress towards Hollister since last week's partial reveal?

Do you anticipate moving on the first 10 production run by month end or ?

We'll have some more pictures in another week.

Production could commence soon after Hollister.

For now, I refer you to this thread about the J8 conversion that will feature many of the solutions we will be offering that are designed to work in harmony with the Habitat top

http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=48971

 

[haven]

"Rumor" no longer: The Adventure Trailers web site now has a page for the JK Habitat

http://www.adventuretrailers.com/jkhabitat.html

The more I think about it, the more I like the entrance to the tent through the side, rather than the rear of the vehicle. That lets you leave your gear in place (perhaps in a drawer system) inside the Jeep when you head upstairs. In most small vehicles, you have to unpack your gear when it's time to camp.

 

[SilverBullet]

cool, and nice job AT on the new product.

 

[elcoyote]

The more I think about it, the more I like the entrance to the tent through the side, rather than the rear of the vehicle. That lets you leave your gear in place (perhaps in a drawer system) inside the Jeep when you head upstairs. In most small vehicles, you have to unpack your gear when it's time to camp.

Our thought process exactly.

 

[Desert Dan]

Couldn't you have the option to enter through the screen doors in the tent?

 

[elcoyote]

Couldn't you have the option to enter through the screen doors in the tent?

That option will exist in the production version.

 

[kb7our]

Well done to consider outside ingress/egress as well as internally between the roll bars - the very best of both worlds. Where would a ladder attach or is that a future development?

Do you have mattress dimensions at this stage?