Supertramp Flagship LT pop-up slide-in pickup camper

[Chadx]

Bit of gas mileage match for those asking for ongoing data.
Baseline: Pickup is a '24 F250 Supercab with 7.3L gas (with 8,800miles on it so far), 10 speed and 3.73 diff ratio. Not lifted, but running LT285/75R18 which are 2.1% larger circumference than stock LT275/65R20.
With Supertramp Flagship, all camping and recovery gear and two of us in the cab, gross weight is 9,520lbs (4,540F/4,980R). Payload is 2,315lb.

Last trip was a total of 572.2 miles (2.1% corrects to 584.2 miles). Approx 50 miles of that was 75mph interstate, 350 miles was 65 to 70mph (relatively windy and hilly and crossing two mountain passes). Remaining 180 miles was mountain forest service roads.

584.2 miles / 46.48gallons = 12.6mpg hand calculated. Dash computer estimated 12.2mpg. I reset one of the trips for a hwy/interstate section heading home and dash estimated 13.7mpg for that leg.

As mention previously, all my hand calculated mileages, with the camper on, have been the same or better than my 2013 Toyota Tundra with 4.6L V8 and similar payload (different camper, but within 100lbs of the same payload as now). I typically ran that 6 speed in 1:1 gear (4th) with occasional use of 5th. Typical 65mph to 75mph rpm was 2,800 to 3,200rpm in that truck.

With the F250 and camper, add on 3,000lb fishing boat or 3,000lb 16' low-profile enclosed trailer, and I get 10.5mpg; the same or better than the Tundra with that camper but the same trailers.

 

[Fueggia]

Attention All Supertrampers!
Hoping your summer has / is going great.
A friendly reminder that we have one Custom Magnetic Door Bug Screen left from our previous run plus a few more custom sink boards too! Reach out if interested in these two enhancements to your rig! - Link to details.
Thank you from Lyle's Bugout team - Mauricio and Julia and Mr T
Link below directly to our website page.

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/64e76ede9d2c1d27d6858b9d/t/6687f1ac5f59764633d5ed98/1720185261694/Lyles+Bugout+Products+V3+web.pdf

 

[SimplyAnAdventure]

Owners that are using the stock Supertramp mattress, what do you think? Using as is or with mods? Would be good info to share for potential buyers, even though everyone has different preferences. I get asked about it, but we already had a pieced-together mattress that we'd been using in two of our previous campers, so chose to delete the Supertramp mattress from out build.

Our mattress story started three campers ago. We bought a 1.75" eggcrate memory foam topper to put on top of the hard FWC mattress they were using back then. Still no good. Replaced that topper with a 3" memory foam topper. Better, but stock FWC mattress was too firm to be a backer for a memory foam topper. I searched around locally and found a very soft open cell foam at a local store (JoAnn's fabric/hobby lobby type store. Don't recall as it was 7 years ago). That 2" thick, soft, open cell foam was perfect backer to the memory foam topper. It came in 24" wide strips so there were several pieces under our Queen sized topper, but it worked great once in place. We moved that entire setup to the next camper and used it another three years. That stock mattress was stored in a spare bedroom, never used, and sold with that camper. When we ordered the Supertramp, we knew we wouldn't use the stock mattress and didn't want to store it, so we deleted it from our order. We brought our pieced-together mattress down to CO so we'd have something to sleep on when we picked up the Flagship.

I'd been meaning to find one large piece of backer foam to replace the 24" wide strips and find an appropriate mattress cover. Figured we'd bump up from 2" to 3" backer foam at the same time. We ordered a very soft 3" foam from The Foam Factory and also a mattress cover to accommodate what would now be a 6" thick mattress. The backer foam was much too soft. I reached out to The Foam Factory and they agreed I could mail them a little piece of the green 2" foam we liked. They compared to their various foams and found a close match. We ordered a 3" thick piece of that foam in Queen size to back our existing 3" memory foam. Worked out to be the perfect blend for us.

After confirming comfort over a few camping trips, it was time to trim both the memory foam and backer foam to make it fit the unique shape of the Flagship cabover. Not only the two angled front corners (approx. 45% angles) were trimmed, but the entire front of the cabover comes to a point, so a bit of trimming there. The stock queen size was also a bit long and hampered access to the underbed storage because it rubbed a fair bit on the soft top on the way up and down. I shortened the overall mattress length three or four inches and it now lifts up much easier.

View attachment 849902


View attachment 849903


View attachment 849904


View attachment 849912


While I had the mattress out, it was time to address a small issue with the trim on the under bed storage panel. It was slightly separated when new and the gap increased over time. Supertramp uses a specific version of Sikaflex adhesive (Sikaflex 505) and offered to mail a tube. But, 505 only comes in 10oz cartridges and I only needed a dab, so I had them hold off and said I'd try a fix with some other adhesives. I had a half-used tube of Loctite brand marine epoxy that seems like it was worth a shot. I mixed it up, gooped it in, and strapped it for 24 hours; 2 hours recommended so 24 hours is better, right? Really it just worked better with my schedule. That did the trick. Trim is now staying in place.

The trimmed mattress went back into it's mattress cover and back in the camper. Several trips later, the trim epoxying and trimmed mattress are all working great.

View attachment 849906

View attachment 849907

View attachment 849909

View attachment 849911

We added a 3” foam topper onto ours the day after we picked it up from ST. With the foam topper it has been amazingly comfortable but without we found it much too firm. Only slight issue the topper creates is when closing you need to pay a little more attention to get the sides tucked in since you do lose quite a bit of volume for the sides to collapse into. Hasn’t been an issue in about 60 or so nights in it so far.

 

[ejl04]

Just got back from the first road trip with the ST. Over 2k miles , 16 days and 11 nights spent in the ST down the Oregon and CA coast. For the mattress we added a 3” foam topper another member recommended. Overall the setup is okay. I wish it could be a little softer. Wondering if the Hest mattress would be a better option. We do have the occasional issue of sides not coming in all the way when closing. I also noticed some condensation under the mattress. May add a hyper vent layer to help with that.

Overall the camper performed great. Need to add a water filteration system so that tank water can be good drinking water. Full Pics and trip report coming soon.

View attachment IMG_5090.jpeg

 

[AlwaysRoaming]

Just got back from the first road trip with the ST. Over 2k miles , 16 days and 11 nights spent in the ST down the Oregon and CA coast. For the mattress we added a 3” foam topper another member recommended. Overall the setup is okay. I wish it could be a little softer. Wondering if the Hest mattress would be a better option. We do have the occasional issue of sides not coming in all the way when closing. I also noticed some condensation under the mattress. May add a hyper vent layer to help with that.

Overall the camper performed great. Need to add a water filteration system so that tank water can be good drinking water. Full Pics and trip report coming soon.

View attachment 851764

Great setup. Thanks for sharing.

 

[SimplyAnAdventure]

Just got back from the first road trip with the ST. Over 2k miles , 16 days and 11 nights spent in the ST down the Oregon and CA coast. For the mattress we added a 3” foam topper another member recommended. Overall the setup is okay. I wish it could be a little softer. Wondering if the Hest mattress would be a better option. We do have the occasional issue of sides not coming in all the way when closing. I also noticed some condensation under the mattress. May add a hyper vent layer to help with that.

Overall the camper performed great. Need to add a water filteration system so that tank water can be good drinking water. Full Pics and trip report coming soon.

View attachment 851764

The sides take some time to “learn” the correct bend. If you’re really having trouble put your fan/ fans on high OUT and close it a little slower it’ll suck the fabric right in!

We love our mattress with the 3” topper but I’d be super interested in hearing how the Hest is. If you get one please provide feedback.

As far as condensation…. Honestly it’s unavoidable in a truck camper…. The ST is better than many others because it’s made from a composite but any time you have cold outside the camper (the huge overhang above the cab) and warm inside (your body and the heater on the inside) you’ll have condensation, no different than the sweat on a beer glass….

We are considering a Froli mattress system to address both the issues you bring up…. I think it might be a really good choice.

 

[SimplyAnAdventure]

Just got back from the first road trip with the ST. Over 2k miles , 16 days and 11 nights spent in the ST down the Oregon and CA coast. For the mattress we added a 3” foam topper another member recommended. Overall the setup is okay. I wish it could be a little softer. Wondering if the Hest mattress would be a better option. We do have the occasional issue of sides not coming in all the way when closing. I also noticed some condensation under the mattress. May add a hyper vent layer to help with that.

Overall the camper performed great. Need to add a water filteration system so that tank water can be good drinking water. Full Pics and trip report coming soon.

View attachment 851764

My buddy @DTAdventure has a video about installing one in his (now sold) Supertramp. I’m sure he’d be happy to answer any questions!

 

[goffredo]

I am astonished at the wealth of information and detail in this thread! This is great, a big thanks to everyone who has contributed.

I just toured the inside of the two campers I'm looking at, the Supertramp Flagship LT and the Overland Explorer Vehicles Back Country 6.85". I find myself scratching my head, wondering if I missed some critical detail? How is it that the Flagship LT is so much more spacious inside than the Back Country? Seriously, what did I miss? Does the Flagship have a much taller build-up than the Back Country, which allows for the spaciousness?

The BC is cramped, there is no good place to put the fridge except where you'd want someone to sit, there's no interior shower solution, and I don't believe there's even a graywater tank. How did Supertramp do so muc better with the Flagship?

Despite bagging on the Back Country, I still feel like the Back Country is more in my price range than the Flagship. I wish the Flagship offered a manual lifting system, to cut back on the price. When I asked the Supertramp rep why the base price of the Flagship was so much more than the base price of the Back Country, she said the automatic lift system, which is standard in the Supertramp and around $10,000 option in the Back Country, brings them much closer in base prices. I understand that, but honestly I couldn't care less about an automatic lift system, that would be the last option I would ever want to add to either of these models, so I would much rather get the Supertramp with a manual lift and save 10 grand!

 

[SimplyAnAdventure]

I am astonished at the wealth of information and detail in this thread! This is great, a big thanks to everyone who has contributed.

I just toured the inside of the two campers I'm looking at, the Supertramp Flagship LT and the Overland Explorer Vehicles Back Country 6.85". I find myself scratching my head, wondering if I missed some critical detail? How is it that the Flagship LT is so much more spacious inside than the Back Country? Seriously, what did I miss? Does the Flagship have a much taller build-up than the Back Country, which allows for the spaciousness?

The BC is cramped, there is no good place to put the fridge except where you'd want someone to sit, there's no interior shower solution, and I don't believe there's even a graywater tank. How did Supertramp do so muc better with the Flagship?

Despite bagging on the Back Country, I still feel like the Back Country is more in my price range than the Flagship. I wish the Flagship offered a manual lifting system, to cut back on the price. When I asked the Supertramp rep why the base price of the Flagship was so much more than the base price of the Back Country, she said the automatic lift system, which is standard in the Supertramp and around $10,000 option in the Back Country, brings them much closer in base prices. I understand that, but honestly I couldn't care less about an automatic lift system, that would be the last option I would ever want to add to either of these models, so I would much rather get the Supertramp with a manual lift and save 10 grand!

The answer to your actual question is yes the ST is designed differently than a normal slide in camper so yes it has more room.

Top photo is my camper and you can see that it fills the entire back of the truck width wise where the OEV and most all other campers sit between the wheel wells so they are quite a bit smaller.

This makes taking the camper in and out a little more time consuming but gives you more space.

I was dead set on buying a OEV for a number of reasons but my wife couldn’t stand the interior. In particular the fridge location and the complete lack of storage….

Once we flew out and looked at the ST we didn’t even consider a different camper.

Yes it’s a lot of money, but it’s honestly worth it. The electric lifts are awesome. I know it’s a lot of money but honestly, if you can make it work you won’t regret it.

Happy to answer any other questions but I think those photos and my explanation should clear up why it feels so much bigger!!

 

[ejl04]

I am astonished at the wealth of information and detail in this thread! This is great, a big thanks to everyone who has contributed.

I just toured the inside of the two campers I'm looking at, the Supertramp Flagship LT and the Overland Explorer Vehicles Back Country 6.85". I find myself scratching my head, wondering if I missed some critical detail? How is it that the Flagship LT is so much more spacious inside than the Back Country? Seriously, what did I miss? Does the Flagship have a much taller build-up than the Back Country, which allows for the spaciousness?

The BC is cramped, there is no good place to put the fridge except where you'd want someone to sit, there's no interior shower solution, and I don't believe there's even a graywater tank. How did Supertramp do so muc better with the Flagship?

Despite bagging on the Back Country, I still feel like the Back Country is more in my price range than the Flagship. I wish the Flagship offered a manual lifting system, to cut back on the price. When I asked the Supertramp rep why the base price of the Flagship was so much more than the base price of the Back Country, she said the automatic lift system, which is standard in the Supertramp and around $10,000 option in the Back Country, brings them much closer in base prices. I understand that, but honestly I couldn't care less about an automatic lift system, that would be the last option I would ever want to add to either of these models, so I would much rather get the Supertramp with a manual lift and save 10 grand!

As someone whose previous camper was a manual lift FWC, the motors are a big reason why we liked the STC. It makes getting set up and take down super easy. Also, if you need to get something from the underbed storage, it’s super easy to do. Also, the lack of bungees across saves time. It just feels real easy to get set up for camp. The FWC is easy too, but this is just way better. Worth 10k? I dunno. That’s a personal question. The OEV has a lot of storage in cabinets vs under seat. That makes it feel more cramped. There’s a benefit to that though when needing to grab something and there a dog or items on the bench. Trade offs. Like Simply said, the using of the full width of the bed does open things up a little and a little goes a long way in a small space. Also, I’m not sure of the exact dimensions, but the cab over length on the STC looks longer. You can do a full queen without having to pull the bed out and limit seating space. I’m not sure on OEV, but if you wanted a queen on a FWC, you need to extend the bed, at least on my 2015 model. One plus for OEV that STC doesn’t have is storage on the roof.

 

[ejl04]

View attachment 851785

My buddy @DTAdventure had a video one installing it in his (now sold) Supertramp. I’m sure he’d be happy to answer any questions!

Yeah, I’ve been considering that one. Some reviews online says it leaks. Looking at maybe doing a 2 stage before the water hits the tank and then a final non UV filter for inside. Won’t have to worry about electrical. Biggest thing I want to take care of is making it taste better. I need to do a tank cleaning first and see how that affects the taste.

 

[ejl04]

The sides take some time to “learn” the correct bend. If you’re really having trouble put your fan/ fans on high OUT and close it a little slower it’ll suck the fabric right in!

We love our mattress with the 3” topper but I’d be super interested in hearing how the Hest is. If you get one please provide feedback.

As far as condensation…. Honestly it’s unavoidable in a truck camper…. The ST is better than many others because it’s made from a composite but any time you have cold outside the camper (the huge overhang above the cab) and warm inside (your body and the heater on the inside) you’ll have condensation, no different than the sweat on a beer glass….

We are considering a Froli mattress system to address both the issues you bring up…. I think it might be a really good choice.

I considered the Froli before, but the lady is a light sleeper and I heard the Froli makes some sound when tossing and turning. I’m a tosser and turner. Had the Hypervent in the FWC and it totally eliminated under bed condensation. I was really impressed with the STC on wall condensation during our trip. We were on foggy coasts and didn’t have any wall or ceiling condensation. A little on the inside of the window panes. Ran both fans on 10% out all night.

 

[AlwaysRoaming]

In my early talks with Supertramp. Question for those of you that have had yours a while. What are the things you wish you would have ordered that you maybe didn't as well as what did you order that you wish you hadn't? I see a few complaints on the noisy AC, but luckily I am a little hard of hearing and can deal with that rather than be hot. I am very hot natured so AC is a must.
I have watched all of the videos on Youtube as well as read every post here and the Tremor Forum about them. Just trying to make sure I make the best decisions prior to placing my order.
Thanks in advance.

 

[Chadx]

Just got back from the first road trip with the ST. Over 2k miles , 16 days and 11 nights spent in the ST down the Oregon and CA coast. For the mattress we added a 3” foam topper another member recommended. Overall the setup is okay. I wish it could be a little softer. Wondering if the Hest mattress would be a better option. We do have the occasional issue of sides not coming in all the way when closing. I also noticed some condensation under the mattress. May add a hyper vent layer to help with that.

Overall the camper performed great. Need to add a water filteration system so that tank water can be good drinking water. Full Pics and trip report coming soon.

View attachment 851764

Great looking rig!

After picking up in March and installing our 6" mattress, it took a while to train out softsides. The driver's side rubbed and picked up the residual oil from that sides actuator because it would rub as it went down. We tried to clean it and made it worse. Ha. Big ring resulted. Talked to other Supertrampers that had the same thing happen so guess it made me feel better that we were not alone. For a while, I made sure to run a tissue over the actuator tubes prior to lowering and then would swat down the softside as it folded in before it made contact with the tube. Seems like there is less residual oil on the actuator after ongoing use. We have since bought the Supertramp recommended cleaner (Link: ANC Pull Out 2), which we should have asked before traying a random one that made the ring. We haven't tried it yet. Need to get to it. Regarding softside folding, I noticed these last couple times that the softside is getting trained and is collapsing better. I've not really needed to swat it down as it collapses down before making contact with the actuator tube.

We've not really notices any condensation, but we are dry here in MT. But even in cool spring fishing trip where it rained most the week, just some fog on the inside of the clear windows. I sometimes vent with the front window at night (rather than leaving a vent open like I used to do in other campers), but have found the softsides breath so well that we haven't even been doing that most of the summer. Probably will need to as things cool down. Had condensation in the OEV CAMP-X a fair bit (the extrusions). The FWC? That is why we sold it. Was a sopping wet mess on every surface all the time. Ha.

We haven't settled on a filtration system yet. I like the idea of both the Acuva and Guzzle H2O with both carbon filter and LED UV, but main concern is that it will impact the slick gravity drain winterization. Haven't explored enough to know easily either system will disconnect and either drain or be removed for winter. Really, we don't need the UV as our main need is for flavor (plastic water tank taste). We've always brought some drinking water from home, but when we need, we've used a PUR pitcher, that we keep in the camper, and that quick filtration removes all taste. Since that is such a simple solution, haven't bothered to move forward with built in system research.

Looking forward to your pics and trip report!

​

 

[Chadx]

I am astonished at the wealth of information and detail in this thread! This is great, a big thanks to everyone who has contributed.

I just toured the inside of the two campers I'm looking at, the Supertramp Flagship LT and the Overland Explorer Vehicles Back Country 6.85". I find myself scratching my head, wondering if I missed some critical detail? How is it that the Flagship LT is so much more spacious inside than the Back Country? Seriously, what did I miss? Does the Flagship have a much taller build-up than the Back Country, which allows for the spaciousness?

The BC is cramped, there is no good place to put the fridge except where you'd want someone to sit, there's no interior shower solution, and I don't believe there's even a graywater tank. How did Supertramp do so muc better with the Flagship?

Despite bagging on the Back Country, I still feel like the Back Country is more in my price range than the Flagship. I wish the Flagship offered a manual lifting system, to cut back on the price. When I asked the Supertramp rep why the base price of the Flagship was so much more than the base price of the Back Country, she said the automatic lift system, which is standard in the Supertramp and around $10,000 option in the Back Country, brings them much closer in base prices. I understand that, but honestly I couldn't care less about an automatic lift system, that would be the last option I would ever want to add to either of these models, so I would much rather get the Supertramp with a manual lift and save 10 grand!

Like others have said, part of it is the flared out back half of the camper. FWC does this as well. OEV does not. It may not seem like much, but a few extra inches on both sides adds up by tucking the cabinets and components off to the side. We enjoyed out CAMP-X, but the layout was quite a compromise and seating wasn't comfortable for the person on the smaller more vertical seat (rear of the camper). Had the built in fridge so using the sink was not convenient because it was tucked away and had to reach around the fridge. Our was a 2020 and back then, no storage options (though I don't really care for the under bed and underseat storage options for the CAMP-X/Backcountry. The CAMP-X/Backcountry does have a large undersink storage area and underfridge storage areas, but the "side dinette" style eats up a bunch of real estate compared to a bench seat like the ST has. Also, make sure you are comparing apples to apples as the ST comes nicely equipped where the base OEV is lacking a fair number of things that you have to pay for as options (like solar, a second powered vent, etc. I haven't compared lately, but that used to be the case.

First two campers had manual roofs. Wasn't a deal breaker if the next one didn't have actuators, but thought it would be nice, but the real reason is we pop the top on a whim, now, rather than avoiding it. And, a very attractive part of that was it allows front and rear soft top windows since there are no front and rear brackets (and no brackets means I'd stop smacking my head on them when I was in the camper with the top down because I didn't want to pop it up for a quick stop). In short, it's one of those options that you don't think is that big of a deal but one you have it, you realize how nice it is. All opinion, of course.