New Demountable Camper Design

[Truckamper]

Hi guys,

I'm new to this forum, but would like a bit of help. I'm looking at setting up a new business selling demountable campers. You can't get anything like them in the world due to their size and construction, so what do you think they are worth to sell?

So that you can gauge what the value will be, I will list a few details and specs.

Basically it is a demountable camper, designed to fit on any double cab pickup. It is based around a galvanised steel frame and aluminium shell. It fits totally inside the pickup bed with no overhangs, thus not needing to modify the pickup, but still being able to use the tow hitch and retain full 'off-roading' ability.

The roof is a pop up design which extends right to the front of the passenger cab, so that a full size double bed can be left made up with only a small removable intrusion int the living space.

Accessible from a small ladder up to the rear tailgate, the living area features a 2 way gas/12 volt fridge, a combination sink/two hob gas cooker, 23 litre fresh water storage with inline electric pump. 12v 85Ah electrical system with LED overhead lighting and additional power sockets. It will also feature a split charge system, utilising the vehicle alternator. The units are all hand built to a very high standard. Storage will be quite considerable, with a full height cupboard next to the door, and under seat storage on each side of the centre table. There is also the option to decrease the seating area slightly with the full front wall under the bed being turned into lots of storage compartments.

The pop top will be made of tough canvas on the outer layer with sewn in windows. There will also be an insulated inner layer. The walls and roof of the camper will also be fully insulated, so that the camper can be taken to almost any environment.

Due to the construction of the truckamper, it is very strong and is therefore ideal for overland expeditions. It has been designed so that you can mount equipment on the roof, sides and rear. Options will include jerry can holders, mounts for high lift jacks, sand ladders, shovels, etc. The roof will be strong enough, so that it will carry up to 75kg whilst still being able to operate the pop top.

It will basically be the toughest, most compact demountable camper on the planet.

The campers will initially be built to order in Cornwall and will therefore be totally bespoke. Customers will be able to specify their own individual requirements, thus prices will vary accordingly. But, if you could just go by the above spec for now.

What do you think? Good idea? Bad idea? Would you buy it? Have I missed any important features?

I've nearly finished the prototype, so I'll try to get some images on here. There's more info on my newly acquired website truckamper.com

Any constructive feedback at all would be appreciated.

Thanks guys

Stuart

[sasquatch]

Two attempts,to my knowledge have been made with dismountables(Sunseeker springs to mind), and they don't seem to have caught on. They are very popular in the States and Canada and have a certain following in Europe.
Perhaps their time has now come,with people needing to downsize and use the same vehicle as everyday transport and also to provide more flexibility on site,as long has it can be demounted easily.
Good luck in your new venture.

[Truckamper]

I forgot to mention that the camper will only stick up about 8 inches over the pickup roof bars, so will easily fit into a standard shipping container or onto a car ferry.

It is also easily removable via 4 jack legs - should take no more than 2 minutes.
Any questions, just ask.

[bob690]

heres my couple of bobsworth, it doesnt appeal to me because I need space for all my gear, but this type of equipment is ideal for say photographers, geologists, wildlife filmmakers etc. Espiecially as you can pull a trailer as well, I just feel these are avenues that other makers have not targeted. Sorry if Ive gone of subject a little, very good luck.

[lenny]

Hi Stuart, I must admit I,ve never given demountables too much thought apart from every time I see one it looks top heavy and perched a little too high up for comfort on the base vehicle. However I look forward to the images of your prototype and wish you luck in your venture

I agree with Bob690s comments on the possibilities for certain professions

[jimmnlizz]

Not for us either, as we have nowhere to park it, off the pickup at home, so it would be no better for us than our Kwackers! Also see this web site:-

http://www.wohnkabinencenter.de/

The photo on the right hand side is very similar to yours I think?

JIM!!

[Roger]

I see quite a few demountables in Australia where 4x4 work utes are very common, pop top roofs seem to be standard, 2 berth I assume. Plenty of variations on the theme, slide into the ute well, others that sit on the tray back, all have wind down legs of some sort. At one tonne for most 4x4 utes ON ROAD they struggle when going offroad and lose 250kgs for the 750kgs off road payload, some go even lower.

Not sure about double cabs - try sitting in the back if you are older than 3. No leg room. Plenty of aftermarket conversions to Toyota station wagons 80/90/100 series that remove the boot compartment and put a tray behind the second row of seats and/or convert to 6x6 or 6x4 to get the rear camper to fit.

If the cab moves independantly of the camper body the mounts will fail after a few 100 kms of corrugated or dirt roads. I've seen full length roof racks mounted on parts of the chassis and the roof - usually the roof peels wide open. You have to keep the two parts of the vehicle isolated.

For a succesful camper body to work on an offroad vehicle you have to go to a three point hitch that allows the body to remain rigid whilst isolated from the vehicle - but that will weigh as much as you can legally carry on most utes.

[wildweekend]

Hi, I’m new here and hope no one takes offence but as an owner of a double cab Navara D40 pickup which we fit with a Northstar demountable camper body for weekends away wild camping I have to come out in defence of the demountable concept.
Firstly if like me you use the pickup as a business vehicle during the week the fact you can throw the camper on the back and be off on an adventure by 5pm on a Friday in the same vehicle is a big plus. There is no extra vehicle licence, no second vehicle MOT, no special vehicle maintenance for a vehicle that might lie up for six months of the year.
Now I’m no novice, having first experienced motorcaravaning as a small child in the 60’s when my father used to take us every year to Torquay, returning every night to a large lay-by in Kinkerswell to wild camp. First in a Thames pop top then a Bedford CA pop top then Transit pop tops. As I got older and driving myself I had a Fiat Amigo Pandora camper of my own when I was 18yrs old. ( My girlfriends father used to call it the passion wagon!!!!). We then moved into Coachbuilts which my father would buy but were always available to me and my young family. So you can see I’ve had some experience of motor homing. The demountable would not suit us holidaying in the UK for more than a week as there’s not a lot of lounging room in there but abroad, though I have never taken it over seas I can imagine you would live out doors most of the time in the warmer climate. The couple I bought the body from (in their middle 60’s) told me they had 3 weeks in Italy with it no problem as they were always out doors. I like this concept as we shouldn’t really be sitting in our motor homes looking out the window ( which was how it always seemed to be with our last coach built ) but outdoors doing something.
Here’s some more undeniable pro’s in the demountables favour. I got the vat back when I bought the pickup, the depreciation goes against my tax bill’s as does all the expenses such as servicing and tyres. It has four wheel drive so you never worry your going to get yourself stuck. We tour and move on everyday never staying in the one place for more than one night but if we were the type that spends 3 or 4 days on a campsite the demountable could quickly be taken off, lowered and left on site whilst you drive around your chosen resort in a car like vehicle.
The camper has everything others have including a shower which the wife uses every morning we’re away, and a permanent king-size double sprung mattress bed. The area in the pickup behind the driver and passengers seats becomes “the garage” and can store lots of bulky stuff. I admit they may look top heavy but as soon as I had bought it I fitted the pickup with rear suspension airbags just in case and it sits fine on the road. The only downside I have encountered so far is the bouncing body effect. The camper body is fixed securely to the pickup body but is independent of the cab so the chassis flexes as you ride over uneven roads at speed and looking up out the side windows you can see the Luton moving up and down slightly more than I think exceptable. I am working on this problem.
God I’ve rambled on a bit here. If anyone is considering a demountable I will be delighted to answer any questions you may have.

[grath]

Not much interest in this poll.
Maybe someone could create a new poll

[JED THE SPREAD]

just buy a roof tent for your 4x4 pick up and you can go anywere, camp anywere, and have the true out doors experience. We have a 2wd VW hightop camper and have hardly been in it since we bought the pick up. Look, YouTube - My Syncro Doka 2.1idj

jed