Wildernest Alternative?
- Thread starter ntsqd
- Start date
adrenaline503
Explorer
Thats a cool design. I like how the COG is low, aerodynamic too.
DaveInDenver
Middle Income Semi-Redneck
It does have a lower COG and all that, but isn't quite the same idea IMO. The advantage of a 'Nest or Flip Pac is that they are decent campers and you still get essentially a full pickup topper with the tent closed. You can stack it cab high full of junk for work during the week and camping junk on the weekend. This could be really cool on a trailer, maybe?
Nice find!
Here's a photo that shows how the flip-open tent on the trailer version works. Looks like it would set up real fast. I'm not sure how much gear you could pack inside and still fold the tent closed.
I think the Earthroamer XV-JP tent top opens in a similar fashion.
Chip Haven
Here's a photo that shows how the flip-open tent on the trailer version works. Looks like it would set up real fast. I'm not sure how much gear you could pack inside and still fold the tent closed.
I think the Earthroamer XV-JP tent top opens in a similar fashion.
Chip Haven
DaveInDenver
Middle Income Semi-Redneck
I just don't see it from their photos. My tape gives me about 108 cu-ft of boxy space with my 'Nest closed. With the space over the wheel wells and the other nooks and crannies I figure I'm in about the ~120 cu-ft range with soft stuff packed in. This is with the back of the truck packed to the bottom of the tent inside the camper, which is about 4 feet off the bed deck. I have about 25 sq-ft of floor space front to back between the wheel wells. So I dunno, I guess it depends on how it's configured. But with the back of my truck filled with around 55 cu-ft of junk, I can still open the cooler lids and get inside of boxes for clothes and gear. I doubt that's an option here without opening it or pulling stuff out. Not to knock it, I think having lightweight options like this is good if I was to ever have to replace my 'Nest. I just need a well made glorified tent with a nice mattress, not much more.ntsqd said:
Big Daddy Chia
Adventurer
Denvertaco said:
Too much. Checked through there dealer list and one place had them for 4500
DaveInDenver
Middle Income Semi-Redneck
That about what a Flip Pac currently costs and in the same neighborhood as the 'Nest was originally. When you adjust the WilderNest price from ~1988 dollars to 2007 it would be around $5500~$6500 now. That strikes me as a pretty fair price if you consider a fiberglass topper alone goes for around half of that.
One of the newer designs is reflecting back to the late 60s/early 70s of the basic canvas camper.
Made by Livin'Lite, the Quicksilver is an alternative to the basic camping needs of people interested in starting to camp without having the full expense of apartment sized camper. This is just their truck camper but they also have trailer campers in 3 different sizes.
I've got a trailer platform I'll be using with this truck camper. Camper weighs in near 400# itself. I'm getting an 08 camper for $2300. For some aluminum, canvas and couple seats, it is pricey, but in comparison, cheapest I can find for it. They are selling these with a generator in Portland for $3500.
Many years ago, this slide-in was available
Made by Livin'Lite, the Quicksilver is an alternative to the basic camping needs of people interested in starting to camp without having the full expense of apartment sized camper. This is just their truck camper but they also have trailer campers in 3 different sizes.
I've got a trailer platform I'll be using with this truck camper. Camper weighs in near 400# itself. I'm getting an 08 camper for $2300. For some aluminum, canvas and couple seats, it is pricey, but in comparison, cheapest I can find for it. They are selling these with a generator in Portland for $3500.
Many years ago, this slide-in was available
Martinjmpr
Wiffleball Batter
Hmmm...I still wonder why someone hasn't just come up with a topper that incorporates a pop top. Either a hinged 1 side top (like a VW camper) or a 2 sided top (like a Blazer Chalet) it seems like it's be less expensive than the full tent on a Wildernest or a Flip Pac.
Of course, I think I know the reason, and it's money, plain and simple. They couldn't sell enough of them to make a profit. That means people like me who want to sleep in their trucks and have some headroom will just go with a high-rise topper.
Of course, I think I know the reason, and it's money, plain and simple. They couldn't sell enough of them to make a profit. That means people like me who want to sleep in their trucks and have some headroom will just go with a high-rise topper.
kcowyo
ExPo Original
jagular7 said:
I think that's a neat concept. I like that it allows for the tailgate to remain available. I think a hardtop would be a great addition so people could mount bikes on top or a roof rack for carrying more gear when travelling.
Good luck with yours. I hope you'll post more photos when it shows up.
Martinjmpr said:
They are out there, but not widely known. The slide-in truck camper industry has this kind of top to better the aerodynamics of the truck and camper. By keeping the overall height during transit low, it's better mpg. To pop up, they crank from inside the camper to get to the upper bed bunk area.
Other camping trailer mfrs outside the US actually do mfr what you are describing. It will come to the US eventually. Australia is the main source for the great outback. Campers have to be light and compact to maneuver out there. Same for Africa.
I found these photos from some South Africa Rover forum. Nice campers and great ideas to get more room for a compact layout.
I have drawn up but decided at this time not to build, something like the above pic with a flip-pac (bed loft) option. Reasons is the cost of the Quicksilver was in easy reach for me now, and its light at 440#s. I think the trailer was about 250# itself. I only have 4 people to sleep at night, camper use is only when I go wheeling with the Jeep (quick need this spring), and spring is here. My top was going to be a small pickup fiberglass tonneau cover. That was my idea at least. Craigslist sells items cheap.
Others on a Teardrop and Tiny Traver Trailer (T&TTT) forum actually have built a tilt top camper. They are known as Winter Warrior. Check out Hall of Fame pics and do a page search for Winter Warrior.
kcowyo said:
With this design, it would be difficult to attach anything to the top since the cover entombs it. Here are some more pics to show the setup of this model. However, think of it sitting high in a pickup bed and I wonder why they even sell. The fliptop bedding is supported with steel black bars and I would think it would be PITA to get them installed in the front of the camper (near the front of the bed).
I picked mine truck camper this weekend, but I placed it on a trailer frame. The wood is temporary. I've got a front triangulated aluminum trailer box for the front that will work great. And for the rear, I've got a truck bed aluminum box that will be my 'kitchen'. It will swing off to the side. I'll be swapping out the button snap cover (broke one already the first night) with a bungee cord one. I'm also looking at a different way of 'holding' the bed weight with swing side 'A' frame.
Straps are what is securing it to the trailer for now.