New prototype truck camper

[rtz549]

Just when you thought you'd seen it all:



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tr7JFMeAZNA

[Carb_Cleaner]

The TV box would constantly be in the way. Over your feet/knee caps while watching in bed and in front of the fridge for cabin viewing. It's too small, too, but I'm a TV screen-size hog.
What are the 9 purple things on the mattress? Table feet?
The fridge looks like the same size as our's.
I like the LED lights over the rear door. It looks like a third brake light. I wonder if they're switched inside and multi-color capable ie. white and/or amber for a scare light (that would be sweet). The rest of the rear-end treatment looks like expensive, excess bulk afterthought, but it is nice to see a little style and the built-in steps might be handy (but you'd probably require a separate step to reach them while loaded on the truck). They need a new Exterior Color Coordinator. While the splash of green inside is OK, I actually like green (just not baby diaper green), the interior is bland. Maybe, I'm used to the traditional, garish swirls and plaids. Overall, the interior looks bright, IMHO.
The escape window in the over-cab looks like it'd be cold in the Winter and hot in the Summer. A personal preference, but I really don't like a boxed-in bed with a small opening.
Nearly zero kitchen counter space. Although I don't/rarely do the cooking, I see the sink being utilized A LOT while the Chef is in action, so I don't consider a sink cover as counter-top. I think I like the cabinets and doors. I hate Ikea, so maybe I wouldn't like them in person. I'm on the fence.
Maybe, it's not a big deal, but it appears the roof's ladder interferes with the door's swing. It's a cool looking ladder, though. There's no lower window in the door, which I use all the time while motoring. Perhaps, a rear-view camera takes care of that.
Why would it necessarily be short-bed only? A long bed truck would offer storage between the front of the camper and the truck. It might look a little off, but I don't see the harm (beyond a custom tie-down system for the truck).
I assume it has some tweaks in the works, since it's touted as a prototype. Really nice first effort, but in its present form, it wouldn't make my short list. It'll be fun to follow its introduction.

EDIT (nine piece purple-thingy mystery spoiler alert)
I watched the 2nd video. The purple array is part of the mattress system.
I noticed a sliding cover for the escape hatch, which would help with outside temp extremes.
I'm gonna flip-flop on the cabinetry, and run with I don't like the style. I hate Ikea. I like the idea of upper cabinets in the cab-over, as long as they're small enough to prevent the S.O. from shoving 50 pounds worth of "camping gear" in each compartment.
Also, the components looks very boxed in. The dinette/bed, which appears short in length (less than 6'), looks like a small bar booth with a window. The entrance door, the galley, and the over-cab bed are all closed in. Yuck. I get the feeling I'm not their target market, and I'm fine with that.

[NMace]

I bought a traditional truck camper from one of the Little Guy Amish contractors in 2009, it was extremely well built and a good value. I would buy from them with confidence.

[Bumpyroad]

when I was looking at Tab trailers, I remarked to the salesman that there was no furnace. he pointed under the booth seats and said some mumbo jumbo about it heating the place up. certainly didn't see any strange/additional hookup to the TV.
I suppose the tab web site has some information if one was really interested.
bumpy

[Powelligator]

OK, I get that but in the case of a truck camper is there some sort of interconnect for when the camper is on? It would have to be electrical, and that's going to be connected anyway. I can't see a radiator fluid connection between the two. If it's an electric heater, and heating the camper while underway would just be the same as, well, leaving the heater on while you're driving. Nothing really groundbreaking about that.

Maybe I'm overthinking this. It's late for me... 🙂

-Joe

[jimh406]

Class A coaches can have an auxillary heater core at the back of the coach. Maybe something similar? It only works under way.

[Powelligator]

Well, call me the odd one here but I looked at the videos and I like this. I'm quite familiar with T@B trailers, and like the detail and fit and finish. I like big windows I can see out of, and this one nails that requirement.

I have no idea what they mean by a "heat transfer system while the truck is underway"? Anyone have an idea on that?

But then the kicker... For short bed trucks only. Dang - no love for the original full size 8' bed. I guess I get to keep my money for another few years...

-Joe

[RobertRyan]

rtz549 wrote:
Just when you thought you'd seen it all:



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tr7JFMeAZNA

At least the interior looks bit better than I have seen with US Truck Campers. Comments it maybe small could be on the money.
What I was interested in as well, was the comments on the Aliner. Avan in Australia, licences the U.S.Aliner but makes. Improved versions of the Aliner here. They also have another upmarket Folding Trailer, nothing to do with Aliner

[deltabravo]

brholt wrote:
A few other things I noted that I liked:

- Seelevel Tank monitoring (Not sure why the "premium" campers don't use this.

I noticed that too.

I installed one in my AF811 and LOVE IT. It's nice to have detailed status of the tank level, instead of a couple of idiot lights.
I've heard of people asking the factory to install one at the time their camper is built, and the manufacturer refuses, even if the owner (purchaser) supplies it.
The same wiring is used in the walls, so it's a cop-put on the part of the manufacturer refusing to add a nice feature.

[bcbouy]

i like the simple clean look of the interior.i like the folding sink. i'm not a small guy.bigger bathroom the better.for people like the wife and i who don't spend much time inside the camper it's not bad.that bumper has got to go though.

[brholt]

A few other things I noted that I liked:

- Seelevel Tank monitoring (Not sure why the "premium" campers don't use this.
- Outside lights on the the Right side (but none on the left?)

I am glad to see them entering the market. The more competition the better the campers get.

[valhalla360]

ScottG wrote:
I'd like to see them paint the black pieces. Otherwise it looks like when a kid sticks a body kit to his aging accord and leaves it white.
Just doesn't look finished.

That makes more sense. I thought it was on some kind of flatbed with the flatbed sticking out.

They need to do a better job making it look like a whole unit.

Overall good to have competion as that keeps prices under control and moves things forward but....

[silversand]

....looks interesting.

The roof is one-piece aluminum "seamless" (sounds like the Livin-Lite roof); the heating system sounds interesting (a heat exchanger, too; the heating system will keep camper heated when you are driving).

Not enough additional info to make a detailed analysis (ie. no dimensions inside or out, etc)....will follow this one closely!

S-

[rtz549]

jimh425 wrote:
How to you figure it is a prototype?

That's what he said in the first video at 8:06.

[trail-explorer]

sabconsulting wrote:
It is good to see another manufacturer moving into the market. There are some very interesting ideas here and hopefully it will apply pressure on other manufacturers to compete.

I can't criticize the E/W bed or the folding bathroom or the size in general since this is clearly an attempt to produce a small hardside truck camper, and everyone else is producing larger and larger hardside campers. If you want more space there are plenty of products on the market, but if you want something compact (this is for shortbed and is about 7ft wide) your choice is currently limited.

Exactly what I'd agree to.
It's just like their trailers (T@B, Little Guy).... they are building stuff to appeal to a different market. Bigger is better for some people, but smaller is better for some people as well.