Ursa Minor Shell for Tacoma

I'm in Northern California and usually camp in heavily wooded areas. Every year there's a story of some kid in Yosemite or some similar camp site in the PNW dying from a bough during a storm or dry rot from a prolonged drought.

 

Would people be interested in a service that converts their current aluminum topper into a westy/four wheel style camper?

 

I owned a Westfalia, and a FlipPac and have played around a bit with a Tacoma Habitat. The room inside these is quite amazing ... but achieved in different ways. The Westy has height and length inside the base vehicle, so the modest percentage of volume gain from the poptop is still useful. A pickup bed, especially a short (5') Taco doesn't gain as much from a poptop, unless it's a cabover (like Iggy's). The flip over campers add a huge amount of volume, plus separated sleeping space. I really don't understand the value of an FWC on something like a Taco ... significant weight, reduced floor space due to the slide in, and limited increase in horizontal room when popped up. Sort of the worst blend of flip over and poptop. But, I've never actually been inside one, so perhaps I should reserve judgment. Honestly, the FlipPac is the best architecture, spoiled by poor detail design and materials. With a truly waterproof tent, a strong torsion bar and stainless or aluminum structure (no steel and no wood) it would be very good. A $2500 shell, a $1000 tent and an additional $1000 in structure/hinge/latches and seals make this a good $5000 product. But it may never happen, so the Habitat or Iggy's poptop seem like pretty decent alternatives. I am leaning towards Iggy's design, it just seems simple and elegant.

 

Good info - I didn't realize that Iggy is working on something very similar. I'll have to keep an eye out for his progress.

 

I also spoke to Ursa Minor and they confirmed they are working on a Tacoma camper but won't have it ready until 2018. I am planning my rig now and I'm trying to decide if I should go with a JKU Rubi or a Tacoma. Hopefully they'll have more info on the Taco version later this year.

 

I'm in the process of building a similar model custom. PM me if you'd like info.

 

I wish flippac were still made bc I love that the truck is the footprint And is my main gripe with the habitat (also the price kills me). Excited to see Ursa Minor camper and how it will compare to iggys$1 build. Only thing that sucks is that everyone is located on the west coast!