Question for those with pop up camper shells (GFC, etc.)

I've been going back and forth between some sort of pop up trailer and a pop up camper. I think I've given up on a trailer as it's just not my style. I don't want the hassle of towing something and being small and self-contained allows the most flexibility for me.

That said, sleeping/living in the truck means everything in the bed is also in the way. If you have a GFC, Super Pacific, or something similar, I have a couple questions and would appreciate your feedback.

1. how much stuff do you have in the bed on a trip and how much shuffling of things do you have to do?

2. If you considered a trailer or even just a ground tent, what ultimately persuaded you to get a pop up camper shell?

3. How long have you had it and have you considered giving it up for something else? If so, why?

4. I'm leaning towards the Super Pacific. If you have this one please share your thoughts on it specifically.

Any pics of your bed, setup when traveling would be appreciated as well.

Thanks.

 

Have you seen the DIY wedge/popup shell thread?

 

Thanks for starting this thread @phdog, I have similar questions.

I'm leaning towards the GFC; it's a little cheaper and I dig the lightweight, simple design.

Looking forward to seeing other folks' responses!

Rock on

 

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1. I just keep a cooler(locked in place) which doubles as a step to the bed when deployed. My clothes, cookware, and everything else besides bedding, pillow, and basic essentials stay in the cab of truck.

2. I used to camp with a ground tent often, but wanted something easier to set-up/takedown(less than a minute each). Also, I don't have to worry about rocks/roots on ground anymore. I do have some boards for leveling, however. Finally, it just feels more 'sturdy' than a regular tent!

3. Only 3 months and wouldn't trade it for anything! You get all kinds of attention with these, however, so be prepared for that.

4. Mine is an AT, but I hear very good things about Super Pacific!

 

I've thumbed through it. Not really looking to DIY the shell. Mainly just trying to decide if I can live in a 5' bed along with the stuff I need. Usually when camping there is enough stuff still in the bed after the tent goes up that it would be hard to get around.

 

Thanks. I guess I could move some gear to the cab when set up, but my dog rides back there so I'd be moving it around a lot. I'm hoping I can figure out a way to live with the stuff in the bed.

 

You keep saying “live in” if you plan to live in it i’d get a small trailer

 

I've only had my GFC for about 1.5 months, but I love it so far with minimal issues. To address a couple of your questions:

1. I have a good amount of stuff in the bed (especially for MTB/camping trips) but only 75-80% of the floor is covered when loaded. I just figured out what was easily stacked for me and the GF once at camp (each of our duffel bags on top of our plastic totes for cooking and cycling gear, respectively) and it has been smooth sailing. Keep in mind, you'll only be standing in so much of the truck bed.

2. I've had a soft and hard shell RTT, along with a sleeping platform under a topper - it has been years since I last used my ground tent. Nothing else combines living space, lockable storage, sleeping room, and general awesomeness the way that these types of campers do.

3. No thoughts on giving it up. It combines what I liked about my topper and my RTT's plus "living space" since you can stand up inside. I prefer to be outdoors while camping, but we've cooked dinner in it once when the bugs were bad and it was drizzling.

4. I don't know much about Super Pacific lead times, pricing, etc. but I'm a big fan of my GFC - just sorting out a couple of small break in issues, but no big complaints here. The purchase process with them was great too.

I see you're in NOCO, so if you're ever in the west side Denver area I'd be happy to show you the GFC and let you poke around one if you haven't gotten to already.

 

Not long term living, but it would be the only spot for cooking, eating, sleeping, ducking out of bad weather, etc. while camping/traveling so yeah I'd be more or less living in it. I don't want a trailer.

 

Thanks. Haven't explored one in person yet.

 

I... don't suggest cooking INSIDE a pop top. Maybe with a slide out, then some sort of awning for shelter.

 

Super pacific looks nice but damn the price and lead times are crazy

 

My tailgate is my kitchen so wouldn't really be cooking "inside".

 

I rarely hear anyone comment on how these affect the drivability when off-roading. Does the top-heaviness have any significant effect? I don't particularly like the aesthetics of these wedge camper combos but the design makes good use of space so I am curious.

Anyone have any opinions to share?

 

Good question. Hopefully someone can comment.

Also, anyone have the TrailFort camper. Not much info online yet and the two videos I found didn't say much about the inside setup or how usable the mini pass-through is or if it makes the already small truck bed even smaller.

https://trailfort.com/products/toyota-tacoma-short-bed-2016-2020

 

Same offer goes for me - I'm Denver area as well.

I've got a Vagabond Drifter that was on my 1st gen and now on my 2nd gen. The benefit to the Drifter over the others is because the overhang over the cab is longer, you have space to get down into the truck bed without disassembling the sleeping bed, unlike the GFC/SuperPacific/Alucab.

I have similar use cases to @SoCOTaco and your thoughts - It is a secure and dry place to carry and store gear for trips and we like to be outside when camping. Otherwise, we would have gone with a van and been inside a metal box while "outdoors".


If you want to save a LOT of cash, my dad will be driving out from the east coast in the next few months and selling his Leentu Sunzal for a fraction of the cost of any of the options mentioned here. Video of not his: https://www.motor1.com/news/348377/leentu-sunzal-utility-pop-up-camper/

Photo of his:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CPzYKhpnaWY/

 

I've had my GFC V1 for about a year now and I absolutely love it!

1. Yes. My truck tends to be the storage box for big trips and I even had 3 dudes, myself included, living out of it for a week-long climbing trip. So long as you stay organized (i.e. everyone gets their own section in the camper), it's great! I call the tent area "upstairs" and the shell area "downstairs". Since they're completely separated, no need to move stuff around to set up camp. Also, if you've got a 6' bed, you can sleep 4 people in the truck if the weather is too bad for tent camping!

2. I needed a truck cap anyways, and the cost for the included tent ended up being marginal. For my application, which is usually boondocking in remote places, a trailer wasn't stealthy enough. As far as a ground tent, where's the fun (and expense) in that?

3. Had it for about a year, but I'll be moving to Southern Alabama in a couple of months and am actually looking to trade it for a SmartCap. Although I've absolutely loved it, I just won't be able to use it down there.

 

Thanks for the info. Any issues with water in the bed? My topper leaks a bit but partly due to the bed not being very water resistant.

 

Camper bed? No, it's stayed completely dry no matter the conditions.

Truck bed? Yeah, it does unfortunately let some water in. I've seen some people do some really easy modifications though to essentially waterproof it.

I've also got a bedrug in my bed, so I don't really notice the water either way.