Truck Campers 10 years from now?

mbloof wrote:
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?

I am guessing you typically drive new cars, and are not aware of the frequent leaks in both new and older cars. Rusted floors are very common, and usually due to deteriorated seals or seals improperly installed.

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

Does it say re-caulk twice a year? Have you ever inspected and/or caulked your TC? Has it ever needed to be re-caulked?

mbloof wrote:

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.

You are reading into my post, and ignoring what I posted. "... little to no wood that needs to be replaced." is what I posted. While there is a lot of wood in there to get damaged it seldom does.

mbloof wrote:
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"?

If you reread my post, you might better understand what I posted. I was responding to a post that had wanted to see features that already existed. I really do not think, nor did I imply, your TC is a product of the "dark ages" even though it is constructed pretty much the same as my +25 year old TC. I am arguing most people do not take advantage of the technology that has existed for the past +25 years, including a molded TC. Bigfoot and Northern Lite are not the only molded TCs. I have never understood how Filon and rubber type roofs could be considered as good as a molded TC as it pertains to leaks. The molded TC even has about 1/2 the seams/joints that could leak.

My TC did not have the modern stuff inside the TC as do today's TCs. I think everything in the post I quoted has been around for quite a while. My bet is your Northern Lite will be here long after non-molded TCs will be gone. I question there will ever be a better outside construction than a molded TC. Lighter material maybe. However, there has been some PVC or ABS TCs built that were lighter.

mbloof wrote:
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.

Again, reread my post. With little exception, I was pointing out that most if not all of those things I quoted were in fact available now, whereas the poster said they would like to see in campers 10yrs from now. They are here now, if you want them, you just have to pay for them.