Hey everyone I just recently picked up a new to me but kinda used Mesa for my Gladiator. I say kinda used because the original owner purchased the camper but while waiting for it to be delivered decided he wanted a pull behind style instead he was an older gentlemen. He received his camper in April shipped to him and left in the crate for 2 months. He finally put it on his truck a month ago and decided it defiantly wasn't for him he couldn't climb up and down well. He didn't even sleep in it once and his truck was parked in the garage the whole time it was mounted. The camper looks and smells brand new. I wasn't necessarily in the market for another camper as I just sold my GFC a few months back. I wasn't happy with the quality and bed setup on the GFC. When this one came across on market place I had to take a look. I new of Topo but never seen one in person. The quality seems really good and I like the bed setup of this camper. The best part is I was able to get the camper for $6500 so I got to save on wait time shipping cost and taxes and got a discount on the camper basically. It has the side windows and front and rear with the front being a slider and drop down which I really like. Future mods will be lighting, solar, and probably a new mattress. Im super psyched to get the camper and use it.
Topo Toppers
- Thread starter shmabs
- Start date
I didnt like that there was no access to the bottom level basically when your in the bed. And the mattress wasn’t any good and it’s part of the bed panels so you can’t really upgrade it unless you buy there’s for like $700.
Brought home my Mesa this weekend. Initial impressions are great; build quality seems to have improved over my very early badlander, set up and take down time is QUICK, and the bedding stores easily up top. I enjoy the large windows, though I do wish that there was a clear layer to allow the sunlight without venting, but I may come up with my own solution for that at some point.
Happy to have a camper back on the truck!
Happy to have a camper back on the truck!
Curious why you went to a Mesa having owned the early Badlander prior? Outside of the price difference I struggle to see why a wedge would be more ideal than the full pop top.
Asking as I am pretty set on going with their gen 2 Badlander.
I owned a wedge camper before (vagabond) and I like the speed and simplicity of popping it up and then stowing it as well.
We're splitting hairs, but for my smaller self (5,7", 120 lbs) the wedge takes less time and effort. Often times, it's just me and one other person, or I'm solo so the extra space of a full pop wasn't "needed". The wedge is a bit lighter, has less moving parts, sheds snow easier, and has more windows (though the gen 2 badlander solved the window issue!).
To be clear, they're both great options, and seeing the gen 2 badlander in person had me wondering "what if....." and I know there will be times when I miss the space of the badlander.
Really, it's just personal preference, I think you'll be happy with the badlander.
What kind of vehicle are you putting it on?
A Ranger Raptor. I'm trying to get availability when Topo is open to go by so they can check out the dimensions of the 2024 / Raptor box since it's different from the prior gens they've done - they mentioned I can also check their campers out while there.
I also need a final push to commit to it. Sounds like a pretty permanent install, Topo stated they bolt through the bed rails and Ford requires removal of the rail covers. Kind of having too much fun with the truck to want to add more permanent weight right now.
I also need a final push to commit to it. Sounds like a pretty permanent install, Topo stated they bolt through the bed rails and Ford requires removal of the rail covers. Kind of having too much fun with the truck to want to add more permanent weight right now.
concretejungle
Adventurer
jumping in with a low level question. Several manufacturers are saving on weight and are leaving the inside roof bare. Meaning it's composite board or whatever material the roof structure is.
IIRC there was one major complaint about GFC and that was the condensation build-up on the inside of the bare roof due to no insulation.
is that an issue with these campers because I'm pretty sure the roof is not insulated on the inside.
IIRC there was one major complaint about GFC and that was the condensation build-up on the inside of the bare roof due to no insulation.
is that an issue with these campers because I'm pretty sure the roof is not insulated on the inside.
Dave in AZ
Well-known member
There is always condensation if no airflow... you can add insulation easily to any roof if desired to avoid condensation there. But the answer is to have your fan running on low, and an air source, window etc, open slightly, particularly when cold, to exhaust the 1 litre of water you breathe out each night.
Insulation moves the point where dewpoint and temperature are equal, away from the roof surface IF YOUR CAMPER INTERIOR IS HEATED TO ABOVE THAT DEWPOINT!
So say outside temp is 30f, and dewpoint is 38f, insulation on inside will move that point to somewhere in middle of the insulation, where water vapor can't get to it and condense to dew... assuming you've heated inside to above 38f dewpoint. If you haven't, and camper is below dewpoint, then NO AMOUNT of insulation helps, the insulation surface will be below dewpoint and you get condensation on it.
However, ruglike material can still collect that condensation and keep it from dripping on you, but it quickly gets mold and mildew growth if not quickly dried out each day.
Condensation Strategy from BEST TO LEAST GOOD:
1. Move the air with your 1 L of water breath out of camper to avoid condensing it on cold surfaces.
2. Heat camper interior above dewpoint, with some insulation in place, to keep interior surface above dewpoint and avoid condensation
3. Use water absorbing materials on condensation surfaces to hold any dew for later evaporation.
llamalander
Well-known member
Topo is offering an insulated roof for around $600, I believe.
Otherwise it is finished aluminum with 2 formed bare aluminum thwarts thats about 7/8" deep.
The Mesa top interior is about 100" x 46" so you will need more than one standard sheet of foam to insulate it.
Otherwise it is finished aluminum with 2 formed bare aluminum thwarts thats about 7/8" deep.
The Mesa top interior is about 100" x 46" so you will need more than one standard sheet of foam to insulate it.
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