Truck Campers 10 years from now?

Reddog1 wrote:
I have a 1988 molded fiberglass TC. I bought it in 2004 in stock condition. I modified/upgraded it with the things I wanted.

I have a 2014 molded fiberglass TC, I'm currently adding features that I feel are missing.

Personally, I don't count a better charging system and a extra battery as much of an improvement while incremental its not a innovative thing. Maybe someday we'll see LiPO battery packs instead of the lead acid?

Reddog1 wrote:
Todays TC if much different than a +25yrs old TC.

Other than the introduction of 'slide outs' there's really been very little improvements unless we count that seemingly EVERYTHING was optional years ago and many features are now "standard". We'll have to agree to disagree here.

Reddog1 wrote:
I am the second owner of my TC. I was the first to reseal the entire TC. I did so in 2004 and it is a 1988 TC that has never been under a cover. I have checked the seal joints since, and only re-caulked the windows. They were not properly caulked at time of manufacture. I have argued, and will argue, that this is only possible with a molded TC. Mine is molded fiberglass.

With only Bigfoot and Northernlite selling molded fiberglass campers, there are quite a few buyers whom get models which are not as easily sealed or as reliably sealed. Failing seals is almost always blamed on the owner. Put in perspective how often does the inside of your car get wet?

Then again, even my 2014 NL's owners manual says that all seals need to be inspected twice a year.

Reddog1 wrote:
The molded fiberglass TCs have little to no wood that needs to be replaced. There is a little wood in the construction, but seldom proves to be a problem.

Sorry, while the "shells" on these units are fiberglass+foam with thin plywood backing and (outside of the molded fiberglass bath) the entire inside is wood construction. You name it, basement, dinette, cabinets, floor it is all wood. A seal leak likely will not lead to scrapping the camper but there is a lot of wood in there to get damaged.

From what I've read so far, I suppose your arguing that TC's ought to remain in the "dark ages" and buyers/owners will continue to have to spend a few $1000 in "upgrades" to make them more "modern"?

I must of jumped on the wrong thread - I THOUGHT we were discussing what we'd like to see in campers 10yrs from now - NOT what I can do today myself.