BigJimCruising
Adventurer
Subscribing to keep updated about this. Won't know until close to the 10th but would like to make it! Happy Camping, Jim.
We are having a get-together in the Eastern Sierras July 10th and 11th to get a first hand look at the XPcamper. Anyone here that wants to join is certainly welcome. Details here:
http://www.wanderthewest.com/forum/index.php?/topic/3331/
Mid-size trucks aren't stout enough to meet the 2000 lb carrying capacity recommendation. So we're talking full size trucks here.
The 2010 crew cab 2500 pickups come in two wheelbases: Short (about 150) and long (about 165). The exact numbers vary with the manufacturer.
For the short wheelbase trucks, the distance from the back of the crew cab to the axle is about 40 inches. Long wheelbase cab to axle is 55 inches, more or less.
The flatbed on the XPCamper prototype is about 100 inches in length. The Hemi powered Dodge Power Wagon is available only with the short wheelbase, 149 inches, and cab-to-axle of 40 inches. Personally, I'd choose the longer wheelbase to reduce the rear overhang (and to be able to have the Cummins diesel).
After almost being bankrupted by the 6.0 engine and owner's complaining of the abysmal 6.4 fuel economy,I hope Ford's in-house 6.7 works out well for them. The 5.5' reduction in turning diameter thanks to coils up front, along with the build quality and huge cab makes it a winner. Just don't pop the hood.I hope people put these on one ton SRW pickups. The numbers will say a 3/4 ton should be enough. But, well, we know how THAT goes.
Having owned a dodge pickup I can recommend a 2011 Ford diesel one ton SRW without hesitation.
After almost being bankrupted by the 6.0 engine and owner's complaining of the abysmal 6.4 fuel economy,I hope Ford's in-house 6.7 works out well for them... Just don't pop the hood.
Hooray! Marc Wassmann is now taking orders for the production version of the XPCamper. The web site has been updated with photos, options and prices. See http://www.xpcamper.com
The web site shows several sample configurations, ranging from $23.5K for the unfinished shell (including the pop-up roof, entry door, windows, bathroom and pre-wiring for lights) up to $59K "fully loaded." These prices do not include the truck or the flatbed (tray) that the camper rests on.
The production schedule takes 3 to 5 months. 20% down is required to secure your spot in the schedule. See the web site for more details.
If you can't wait this long, the XPCamper prototype is for sale. Update: The Prototype 1.1, shell only, is for sale for $14,500.[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, Univers,San-Serif]
[/FONT]
I heard some noises today that Marc might be working on a non-cabover prototype design for a smaller vehicle, such as a LR D130 or similar size. I really like the idea of a non-cabover, hard-side, composite construction, pop-up cabin.
Christian, I've thought about the "slide-in on a trailer" idea as well, but I'd still go with a cabover. My plan would be to go that route to initially save the expense of buying a truck, but still have a kicka$$ camper. Then when more funds became available, I would buy an appropriate truck to mount the flatbed and camper to.
The camper is so light, it could be pulled by most any vehicle, even my minivan!