Wedge Campers & Assorted Oddities

And it was literally their first TW post, like they made an account specifically to post in a vendor thread to advertise their own product.

 

Posted this in a different thread but it might be useful here for the DIY crowd. Nice moonroof at a reasonable price.

https://www.dkhardware.com/sfc-17-x...NzPmGEMwKWNP9HmpzMdq6MOskWoKo3C138caAg2KEALw_

 

Just got on the build list Can’t wait to post pictures/reviews/etc in the coming months

 

https://gearjunkie.com/lightweight-pop-top-truck-campers

 

That cover photo though!!

 

i like how they used that photo of your truck but put vagabond on the bottom of the list. i'd imagine they'd use one of jimbob's (@inv3ctiv3) or AT's photos first or something in order of listing.

 

AT being slow to update their site is nothing new, took them forever just to get the Habitat up in the first year.

 

lol. bruuuuuuuuhh

 

Ovrlnd camper base price is wrong, base price on their website is $6400/6800

 

They have a good following, probably sells itself. Even though they have done zero marketing. It is at the top of my list because it has a couple extra features the others don't (at least yet)

 

Glad they are dragging their feet.

 

such as?

 

Lifting bed mechanism, insulating property of the composite panels they use. With the bed, just simply lift it up. No shuffling of panels or bedding. Insulation, it is already done don't have to add more. The Vagabond is a very close 2nd only lost out due to those two things.

With the GFC or Snap Treehouse, those more of a RTT on a bed rack that has closable sides. Your either in sleep mode or cook mode, can't do both.

Where-as with my Wildernest you can do both, one person can hang out in bed while the other can be cooking. That is probably the best thing I like about my Wildernest, and the open-ness of it, being able to hang out in it when the weather is foul and not be cramped, I can jump out of bed and standup, stretch and whatnot. Going to a wedge style I will have to give some of that up. And so far the Summit is the only one that is close to that. I will have to move to a fullsize truck to get that similar type of space. I would have to move the sink that is in the pictures, can't think of a worse spot for a spare, that thing needs to be on a swing out....but that is the beauty of these campers you can outfit it however you want.

 

On longer trips, years ago, we would take the my wife’s 4Runner with a sleeping platform. And leave the Scout/ 4wc at home in the driveway.

It was hard going from standing up and putting on your pants, to lying down doing the same task. When we visited my wife’s late grandpa in Montana during early spring (2010), it was obviously much less comfortable camping in 20 - 30° weather compared to the 4wc. Which is why a popup camper was absolutely #1 on the list when we got the Tacoma in 2011. Aside from tires, it was the first mod.

Relatively light popup campers are more than a trend and the more people that see them in person, the more popular they will become. “Once you stand up, you never go back.” I think that’s how the saying goes...

As humans have evolved to stand up, so will the overlanding community.



Or maybe I’m saying you should walk around nekkid in your camper. Interpret it however you’d like.

At Expo, someone from one of the camper companies said, “A rising tide lifts all boats.”

We all hope this holds true and that there’s plenty of space in the growing market for all of us.

For comparison, here’s the RTT market as of 2 years ago:

https://expeditionportal.com/buyers-guide-soft-shell-roof-top-tents/

And that doesn’t even include hardshell RTT’s.

 

Obviously everyone is going to have a different need/use for each camper, so my needs aren't necessarily going to apply to you or anyone else. BUT

I remember seeing the lifting bed mechanism in one of Andrew St Pierre White's videos about his Alu Cab roof conversion on his 70 series Troopy (probably my dream rig honestly) and seeing the lifting bed mechanism and thinking how cool it is. But ultimately, I think the way the Vagabond and GFC have it handled is actually better and more fexible/customizable.

Pros:

• You already have around 30 inches of standing room in a short bed Vagabond camper. That's more than enough room to work around the truck, cook a meal, or work on a computer (what I'm doing right now). It doesn't sound like much but it's actually quite a bit.
  
• The lifting bed mechanism is an all or nothing solution - there's no middle ground. For instance, I like being able to use the bed portion as a table (flip a cushion up), or storage space if I am rearranging my bed. Additionally, I can even take the bed platform and slide it under the one completely freeing up the bed space while still be able to utilize the cab over portion for storage (or in my case I will put my dog there).
  

Just my thoughts.

The insulation is pretty neat, and something I would like to see offered for the Vagabond eventually - but I'll be honest and say I am a couple months off from having to even think about that.

 

It does. However you are in either sleep mode or kitchen mode.

GFC waaay too tight compared to a Wildernest.







The GFC and Treehouse are not even on the radar for said reasons. Just a slight step above a RTT.

The way I have my Nest setup is, I have 24X48" table that I put at the front of the truck bed. Not the best picture, but gives you an idea. No need to shuffle things around to go from cook mode to sleep mode, simply climb into bed. Come morning crawl out of the sleeping bag and throw some water on for coffee...



So that arrangement gives me 4' of floor open space. (not to mention the 2' under the table) Plus since the bed is off to the side. Gives you a lot of room. The 'Nest does have some downfalls. But it would be really hard to give up that space. AT Summit on a fullsize truck gets me kinda close. And yes, I will pay extra for that, as usable interior space becomes a premium. Especially if the weather is foul. I do most of my camping during the shoulder months, so lots of rain and cold. Need a fairly open space to hangout in at night. I also have been looking at Alaskan Campers so if that puts things in perspective. The AT might be the most expensive out of the bunch, but a heck of a lot cheaper than an Alaskan. Believe these wedge campers can take a lot more abuse too, like running tree branches down the side as I often do. Had to break out the chainsaw last weekend to get to the spot I wanted to go. And that is in a compact Wildernest.

I would put it on a F250 with the 6.75' or 1/2 Ton with a 6.5' bed. With the bed deployed it would give me roughly 4.50-4.75' of open floor. My wife and I both ride dirt bikes, so we have two large moto bags amongst all the camping gear BS, and having to change in and out of moto gear...so another reason I want more space. 8' Bed would be ideal. Not sure if I can talk AT into building that though.

I don't use the truck as a sole vehicle for exploring like most of you guys, I use it to haul/tow dirt bikes too. 99% of my trips revolve around riding. Have to carry more gear.

Plenty of room to use the bed portion as a table when it is deployed, simply roll back the mattress if you want.

After using a Wildernest the better part of 10 years, the last thing I want to do is to loose interior space. The Summit on a fullsize gets me close. Not having to shuffle around planks and bedding I see as a real bonus. Others may not see it that way, but I do.

It is great to finally get some more options. Instead of battling it out on roached out Flip Pac or Wildernest craigslist finds...

..though it isn't like these things are anything new. Just taking awhile to catch on.

 

Different strokes, why some of these campers will work for some and not others. It is awfully nice to have some options now, finally! I was getting ready to build my own. I was going to do a Callen style with a poptop. Out of steel tubing, since I don't know how to weld aluminum but I am not bad at steel.

I don't like to cook inside either, but I like to have the option. Use the shit out of my truck too, so when it is camp mode I will build some modular cabinets that I can toss in, maybe build some hinged counter tops that fold out of the way when not in use, or just do what I do now, those 24X48" folding tables work great. Use my folding bike stand to set my cooler on. Keep everything in the garage and just toss it in when I am going on a trip. Which is about every other week currently. It is trail clearing time in the mountains here in Idaho. Heading back out this weekend.

Oh the other thing I forgot why I like the AT the bed overhang is shoved way forward so it gives you more interior floor space. (the GFC & Treehouse aren't that way) I know some of you guys don't like the exterior aesthetics about that, but I am more concerned about usable interior space. I don't know if you guys travel to Colorado in the summer (we usually go for 2 weeks) but every afternoon it pours down rain for a couple hours so you're stuck inside, being able to move about a bit, make some hot coffee and hot food. It is worth its' weight in gold. Years and tears ago we have done that trip in a 2 person ground tent and it sucks, came back that year and started looking at options, and that is when I discovered Wildernest. And now I am looking for something to replace the Wildernest, something better in the cold and the wet.

 

I had no idea Wildernest made a wedge camper

 

That is what I plan when I retire...right now just need something a little better than what I have, but something get me to the retirement rig.

I have done spartan camping for years and years. Need something just a touch more. Also have done the jetboil cooking in a tent, it is all fun and games until you spill boiling water on your sleeping bag. Why I need a little more room than the GFC and Treehouse offer.

I have been looking at the OVR LND too. Like those straight walls, gives a little more interior space.

Loose the lifting bed mechanism, but the straight walls might make up for it. Not crazy about the tube construction though, like the brake press style of the AT and Vagabond better. Gonna wait a year and see what changes to all the campers are made, or maybe they'll be some new ones on the market too.

 

Very rare. I have yet to see one in person.

We used to have a VW Westy for 8 years. I like to call them Westy style over Wedge, but to each their own.

Of course the Aussies had these style campers long before us, wonder why it has taken so long to catch on here.