The Ursa Minor Modern Shell/RTT Concept Thread

[Dave Bennett]

For those interested...send me an email titled "Truck Camper" and let me know year/make/model/bed length x width and where you are located (city/state). I'll file it away in folder and eventually I'll find a night in a couple months (to set expectations) where those interested can meet at our shop one evening to look at some things , and if I need a little bit of information about a particular vehicle, I'll know who to contact.

thanks for the enthusiasm,
John

NOTE: My responses to this or any thread, pm, voicemail or email may be delayed, I have a kid due rather soon ​

:victory:

 

[homemade]

Given that FRP are what they are and do (and don't do) what they do and they still sell flippacs - it would be hard to believe that a significantly improved product sold by someone who has any interest in marketing and sales wouldn't sell well (a reseller tacks on a couple grand for what sounds like the same product and sells them apparently based on improved marketing and service alone). Good luck, I'll try to check in once and a while on this site for info as your project progresses.

 

[ETAV8R]

Great thread and discussion.

Not much to add really. Most of the issues have been covered. Function before fashion. It looks hideous. I did have a guy stop in a shopping center last night stop and ask about my rig. He was driving a 2wd Dodge with a metal shell with barndoors and lots of stickers which he said had bunks outfitted in the back. He really liked the flippac and I gave him some websites to check out.

A redesign would be interesting to see but I'm not sure I am heading that route in the future. I'm dreaming of a FWC. Now depending on what the future brings I know I want to see a tent redesign sooner rather than later and I believe the market demand will produce supply. From where exactly we don't know but there has been enough commentary here lately that shows people do want improvements.

 

[beerhiker]

I like the pop-up style (J30); to fit my 04 double cab would have to overhang cab (2 ft?), I would not want barndoors, would go base no frills.
When you are in sleeping mode and you have to get up at night, do you have to re-arrange everything to open the hatch?
Very interested!

 

[Haf-E]

When you are in sleeping mode and you have to get up at night, do you have to re-arrange everything to open the hatch?
Very interested!

On the Jeep with the J30 you can exit out the tent directly - like from a roof-top tent. Not the best during a rainstorm.... an awning / add-a-room option would help a lot in that kind of situation.

 

[Clutch]

I hear a lot of interest in "barndoor" style door on the back. It seems to be a cool concept, but it would probably be a constant battle to keep properly sealed. That would be another feature I would pass on.

I would like to see a kit that converts the tailgate to one like on the Honda Ridge line.





I have had a bunch of ideas rolling around in my head for years for a Wildernest/Flip Pac re-do...even thought of getting a Kickstarter thing
going to help fund the tooling. Sounds like Ursa-Minor is going to beat me to the punch.

Lets face it, the Flip Pac and Wildernest are butt ugly. For one I would start with a shell like this SnugTop Sport Hi-Liner....stealthiness is very important to me, try to get it to look as clean as possible and un-camper like when closed.

I do have an idea to get the mattress length needed, without making the shell have an overhang, like the FP or the Wildernest, it would look stock when closed. Would ditch the traditional foam mattress, and go with something more modern as well.

 

[Ursa Minor]

I like the pop-up style (J30); to fit my 04 double cab would have to overhang cab (2 ft?)…When you are in sleeping mode and you have to get up at night, do you have to re-arrange everything to open the hatch?

In the truck-camper version with some overhang, there’s enough length available that there wouldn’t be a hatch, just a open area toward the back of the camper – so no rearranging needed to step outside.

I would like to see a kit that converts the tailgate to one like on the Honda Ridge line.

Agree the flexibility would be useful, but given the range of trucks a camper top would need to fit, probably not cost effective to design/build for retrofitting on every truck.

… the Flip Pac and Wildernest are butt ugly. For one I would start with a shell like this SnugTop Sport Hi-Liner....stealthiness is very important to me, try to get it to look as clean as possible and un-camper like when closed.

I posed this trade off earlier:

Big Boxy shape: function > form, leads to more interior room and more applications for a given design. (the Flip-Pac style)

Sleek , aerodynamic shape: form > function, leads to smaller camper interior due to sloping walls narrowing it at the top, and the specific profile may need to be matched to a given truck to avoid interference as well as aesthetic issues. (which I also lean to, mostly because that fits with existing designs here at UMV)

The Wildernest used a more sleek top from one of the big cap manufacturers that had been sliced and modified, but I don’t think that leads to a good strong fiberglass part as the stresses are pretty significant when something is cantilevered out from a wall, and most trucks are non-directional chopper gun or chopped matt construction.

I can’t post up any progress or updates from Ursa Minor, I had a son show up early in March and am only now getting somewhat caught up on things…like sleep, much less new designs!

 

[Clutch]

Agree the flexibility would be useful, but given the range of trucks a camper top would need to fit, probably not cost effective to design/build for retrofitting on every truck.

Would be a nightmare for the manufacture. Similar to the problem of various truck shape and sizes with a hatch/center door like on the A.R.E's



Will have to build my own, multi-swing tailgate.

I posed this trade off earlier:

Big Boxy shape: function > form, leads to more interior room and more applications for a given design. (the Flip-Pac style)

Sleek , aerodynamic shape: form > function, leads to smaller camper interior due to sloping walls narrowing it at the top, and the specific profile may need to be matched to a given truck to avoid interference as well as aesthetic issues. (which I also lean to, mostly because that fits with existing designs here at UMV)

The Wildernest used a more sleek top from one of the big cap manufacturers that had been sliced and modified, but I don't think that leads to a good strong fiberglass part as the stresses are pretty significant when something is cantilevered out from a wall, and most trucks are non-directional chopper gun or chopped matt construction.

Yeah, trying to appease everyone is an impossible task, compromises must be made.


The slopping sides wouldn't be too much different than when a SUV is converted to a pop-top. I didn't have an issue with interior space when I had my Wildernest, actually found it quite roomy. I am used to camping off a motorcycle with a 1 person tent...so anything bigger than that seems like a mansion. :ylsmoke:

You can do a lot with limited space.







For the stress issue of the canti-lever, where Wildernest used wood. I would use an interior aluminum frame "cage" if you will, molded into the 'glass, that takes the stress off the fiberglass. Of course this adds to the cost. I have been casually looking for a used SnugTop Hi-Liner so I can cut it up and build a prototype. My girlfriend knows how to make dress patterns so a tent wouldn't be that much of a stretch, have a couple friends who own machine shops...just a matter of transferring ideas off the napkin.

My main issue with the 'Nest was the angle of the rear window, I broke my glass 3 times. All were from driving down a dirt road. I have a trailer, so I think rocks bouncing off the trailer would shatter the glass.

I can't post up any progress or updates from Ursa Minor, I had a son show up early in March and am only now getting somewhat caught up on things…like sleep, much less new designs!

No worries! Your family comes first. I am in no real hurry, I can't even decide what truck to get next...a tacoma, tundra...maybe a chevy silverado?

I do like the Quick-Up camper design, but limited to a 8' bed (which hardly anyone uses anymore), have to convert the seating area to bed, instead of like the Flip pac where it is already made and out of the way...plus the FB bed acts as extra storage during the day. With the QuickUp, might be limited on how much gear you can haul by the way the walls are stored. I love how it looks closed, quite nice and spacious when deployed. If that design was available I would be hard pressed not to get a single cab Tundra with an 8' bed, don't know if you can sleep in it in the close position though, for stealth camping.

http://www.quickupcamper.com/

Somewhat related I found this old Wildernest, could mimic SUV popup...interior space would be limited though.

 

[JasonRedwood]

Hopefully this quick sketch loads from my phone. Also I hope it's understandable, it was done in 2 minutes while waiting for class.
What about having the sleeping platform, when deployed, divided by say 80% on the roof and 20% on a stationary part of the camper? That way there wouldn't be an over hang...
Just an idea. Curious to see what people will say about the cons.
Just to clarify the sketch is a drawing of the camper deployed and closed, the tent didnt make it in. Ha

 

[Clutch]

Hopefully this quick sketch loads from my phone. Also I hope it's understandable, it was done in 2 minutes while waiting for class.
What about having the sleeping platform, when deployed, divided by say 80% on the roof and 20% on a stationary part of the camper? That way there wouldn't be an over hang...
Just an idea. Curious to see what people will say about the cons.
Just to clarify the sketch is a drawing of the camper deployed and closed, the tent didnt make it in. Ha
View attachment 159715

Might eat up interior space, unless it flips out of the way for day use.

My idea is to have an extension that slides out from the lid, basically a pullout drawer. If you can imagine what I thinking. This would be on a side flip version like the Wildernest so you can grab it easily. perhaps a nice formed piece of heavy plastic that spans the width of the lid, that is connected to a aluminum telescoping drawer slides.

Sorry super quick sketch, hopefully it conveys what I am thinking about.





Instead of a foam mattress use a material and suspension system like on the Thermarest cot, so there is a space for the "drawer mattress extension" to slide under. I have seen other styles of a suspension mattress on some Euro campers, but can't recall the name of it currently.





Think I want a better more modern Wildernest rather than a Flip Pac. Still trying to find a used SnugTop Sport HiLiner, so I can turn my ideas into something physical.
Would like to have windoors as well so you can access the cabinets from either the outside or inside of the camper, perhaps an inner door that folds out to make a shelf.
one for protecting the glass, another to have a useful shelf.

 

[JasonRedwood]

I do like the side flip top as well. Makes for a useful cooking and shade area.

 

[Clutch]

I do like the side flip top as well. Makes for a useful cooking and shade area.

Downside is, it is too low to stand up under. I had a bicycle rack on my Wildernest...it was good for hanging towels and clothes.

 

[Roktoys84]

I would like one for a 2012 4dr Frontier please. :drool: One feature that I would love to see is zip open screens like Sportsmobiles have. It would be great to use as a wildlife photography blind.

 

[Clutch]

Quick and dirty illustration of a more modern Wildernest. Plan on building a prototype this fall/winter. Too dang
hot in the workshop right now.

Might be a personal one off, or who knows....

 

[Sleeping Dog]

Nope. Space is already at a premium on a first gen Tacoma. The extra living space given with the overhang is priceless. I also would refuse to give up tent/mattress width. If people find it ugly, good. Maybe a thief will pass on my truck because of the shell... Form follows function.

+2 - Form follows function. One of the benefits of the Land Rover Defender as traveling vehicle are the vertical sides.

An issue with sloped sides is the resulting width of the sleeping area. On a full size pick up it may be sufficient, but not on a Taco or Frontier.

Jim