Pop up truck camper questions

[Roktman]

Hey Guys, a couple questions, I’ve got a 2025 gmc 2500 AT4 8 foot. Bed, thinking about 2 campers at this point ORU BRUIN OR THE HIATUS , first thing what have you heard about about these 2 campers , I’m hearing a lot of build issues with ORU and pretty much just the high price for the hiatus plus ridiculous high pricing on upgrades or fixes as I call them,
1) 2 Maxx air vents or one and a small 12 v fan whats your experience
2) losing the tailgate on my truck seems difficult with the radar and sensors ect if I go with hiatus barn doors anybody done this
3) any feedback ,experience with heaters for a pop up
4) any feedback about popups campers in general and about the hiatus and oru in particular ,thanks

 

[Spencer for Hire]

Hey Guys, a couple questions, I’ve got a 2025 gmc 2500 AT4 8 foot. Bed, thinking about 2 campers at this point ORU BRUIN OR THE HIATUS , first thing what have you heard about about these 2 campers , I’m hearing a lot of build issues with ORU and pretty much just the high price for the hiatus plus ridiculous high pricing on upgrades or fixes as I call them,
1) 2 Maxx air vents or one and a small 12 v fan whats your experience
2) losing the tailgate on my truck seems difficult with the radar and sensors ect if I go with hiatus barn doors anybody done this
3) any feedback ,experience with heaters for a pop up
4) any feedback about popups campers in general and about the hiatus and oru in particular ,thanks

JoIn the Hiatus owner/future owners group and you should be able to do some research there: https://www.facebook.com/groups/hiatuscampers

 

[K9LTW]

Heater solution depends on what you're willing to spend and what you're looking for. I have an OVRLND on my Power Wagon. I punched a hole in the bed (well...the installer did), and have a Webasto Air Top 2000 STC installed in a small enclosure. It's the gas-burning unit and plumbed into the fuel tank for effortless, push-button, thermostat-controlled heat. Other folks are happy to drill a 3" port into the side (if it doesn't come with one) and run a cheap diesel heater outside <shrug>. I have a y-pipe with a vent blowing out at floor level, and a vertical stack I put in with insulated wrap that has another port at bed level for when the bed is pulled out.

I can't speak to the Hiatus or Oru, but am pretty dang happy with our OVRLND. They offer far more add-ons then when I bought it back in '22, but it's been bomb-proof and a fantastic compromise to access tighter trails than you could in a hard-sided camper while keeping weight to a minimum. It's 100% up to you what the interior looks like. I have full barndoors on mine (a huge reason I went with it as they were the only ones offering that at the time). I simply relocated the factory camera with a cable extension and ran it to above the doors. Pro-tip...if you do something similar, don't be an idiot like me and put it ABOVE the 3rd brake light rendering it useless at night

Only thing I'll be sure to look for in a future camper is a wider shell (OVRLND now makes the Chubby) that would allow for EW sleeping. I'd much prefer Tune's full-time queen set-up with the bigger cabover. No bed conversion shenanigans necessary. That gets old, quickly, particularly with two adults and two dogs cramming for space inside when it's pouring rain out. But Tune doesn't offer a full barndoor option which is a non-starter for us. When it's time to retire the current set-up, we're looking at a flatbed/camper solution should future funding allow for it.

 

[PNWLife]

I, too, can't speak to the Oru or Hiatus. I have FWC Swift with two Maxxfans and I'd absolutely get two. In hot weather having one pulling air in and one exhausting is really nice. You can also use them to help you raise and lower the pop-top (using the exhaust function means I don't worry about attaching the sidewall bungies when lowering the roof).

As for heaters, I have a Truma VarioHeat unit and love it. My wife and I have used our Swift in temperatures down to 3º F in complete comfort with it.

We spent five years using a roof top tent before transitioning to the Swift and it was a game changer for us. With the RTT nasty weather (especially wind) was a significantly limiting factor for us. The Swift put an end to that and opened up late fall/winter/early spring camping to us; and in the summer out here strong west winds would make life pretty miserable in a RTT. Again, the Swift makes those winds a non-issue.

In short we are very, very happy with our Swift.

 

[FAW3]

At the end of the day you will treasure:

• Powered fan over bunk and near cooking area.
• If canvas/vinyl sides an insulation package.
• As much storage space as you can get.
• A 12 volt compressor refrigerator built in or chest.
• At least a minimal water system and a sink.
• A comfortable bunk requiring no set up, that permits bedding to stay in place when top down.
• A decent solar setup with lithium battery.
• A screen door.

Good luck and safe travels.

 

[dstefan]

Lotsa good feedback here. Couple of additional things:
— 3 big pop up advantages are lowered wind resistance, weight, and trail/branch clearance off-road. Topper pop-ups typically have better side clearance, though the Tunes and Project M’s are wider.
— For many folks the inclusion of at least one side hatch/windoor is a huge plus in reaching in an out for things versus climbing in and out. Also, typically a topper popup feature. I couldn’t live [edit of typo] with without them
— Keeping the tailgate gives you a porch and with a 180 degree rear awning it really expands your living area. Sort of hybrid in and outdoors both. We like the half barn doors and the tailgate combo a lot for that reason. Can easily screen the rear opening.
— No experience with the hardside “foldups” like Hiatus, but unclear how much it really buys you in insulation. My Ovrlnd canvas is very tight and quiet in the wind and with a thermal liner and heater we’re plenty warm. Just something to research.
— For three, and for sure, four season camping you definitely will appreciate a heater. Just don’t go with the Wave or Mr Heater Buddy catalytic heaters. You’ll get drowned in condensation and they do have some dangers closed up inside. Circulating air heater like Truma, Pro-Pex, or the myriad of diesel heaters are your friend, though more expensive and involved installations.

If you search EP for the brands mentioned in this thread you’ll find plenty of discussion and info.

 

[Spencer for Hire]

Don't get the side wing doors. I never use mine. Lots of hype and how often do you need to reach in the side. Also now you have reduced the amount of wall space you can build on/out because of the door opening. Get real barn doors like the Hiatus has. Tailgates suck for dust/moisture intrusion and climbing in and out of.

 

[dstefan]

Don't get the side wing doors. I never use mine. Lots of hype and how often do you need to reach in the side. Also now you have reduced the amount of wall space you can build on/out because of the door opening. Get real barn doors like the Hiatus has. Tailgates suck for dust/moisture intrusion and climbing in and out of.

@Spencer for Hire illustrates effectively how so much depends on personal preference, camping style, build out intentions, use case, etc, etc. I definitely agree the TG creates a new project for sealing against dust and moisture (kinda also depends on truck model as to how much of an issue it is), but it is manageable, and absolutely the climbing over issue is a pain. We don’t really crawl over much and use a curtain in the back or screen to separate the in and outdoor space when needed. Do your research and think through how, where, and when you’ll be using the camper. There’s always tradeoffs!

 

[Westy]

One really important thing to consider is bed / sleeping width space.
I would recommend a camper with vertical walls to maximize space for sleeping and comfort.

 

[AbleGuy]

Lotsa good feedback here. Couple of additional things:
— 3 big pop up advantages are lowered wind resistance, weight, and trail/branch clearance off-road.

X2

And….The lower profile also greatly reduces side to side sway on winding roads and uneven dirt track surfaces (also helps keep your gear inside the camper from getting flung around) fwiw