New pop up camper? Topo Toppers

Get the lightest camper you can if you’re offroading.

 

The Mesa and GFC are close to the same weight of the RTT/rack/tonneau setup that I've been running for the past couple years (250lbs , plus whatever my awning and mounts weigh). I'm mostly interested because the tonneau cover's design and the height of the rack severely gimp the bed capacity, especially combined with the bumper swingout. I figure that by moving the spare to the bed (can't be done with the tonneau) and fuel cans to a hitch-mounted carrier (on the rare occasion I need them), I can offset the COG and overall weight increases and make the bed more functional again.

The Mesa has most of the options I would have to DIY on the GFC available from the factory, and at a similar overall cost to a bare GFC. It also has an actual passthrough in the bed. However, it's less modular.

The GFC looks stronger and maybe a bit sleeker, has bigger barn doors (although they are blocked by the supports), is more modular, and has more aftermarket support but requires a lot more DIY drilling and hole cutting to get the features I'd want to add, and really seems more like an RTT with the option to get in through the bed than a camper.

The main reason I was looking at the Tenfold is because I could mount a fuel cans straight to each barn doors, and not need to fab up a hitch mount.

 

I'm not the best example since I don’t crawl but I have zero driving issues with mine. What I am normally on is fairly basic trails. In those instances you know it’s there but it’s not bad. I also don’t have things all over my roof top. Washboards are no worries, I’ve been nervous about the mounting clamps and they haven’t moved since the initial retorque. Last weekend was the 5th desert trip with it and still on there rock solid and the shell itself hasn't shifted at all.

My Mesa is around 300lbs empty if that helps at all. I also have L-track top/sides and molle panels so it’s not ultralight.
I do wish the pass through doors were larger but in all honesty it’s pretty easy to use the tailgate.

It’s stout though, nothing seems flimsy. The rear door has some wobble when opening and closing but it’s latched on both sides and I've never had an issue with it. Tent held strong in 40 mph gusts the other weekend.
Plus Thomas and Katie are super good people