Overland Expo West provides prospective customers with the opportunity to get up close and personal with mythical big-ticket items they’ve only seen online. There’s no alternative to quality time spent examining the construction of a rooftop tent, recovery kit, or the latest overland accessories in person. Truck campers are no exception, and this year’s Expo attendees perused over two dozen models, including flatbed, chassis-mounted options, slide-in campers, and truck toppers. While many vendors offered repeat performances from last year’s event (understandably—it was eight months ago), a few were new (or new to me). Here’s a round-up of the debutants presented during this year’s who’s who of overlanding.
Overland Explorer Vehicles Camp-FX
Featured in the AT Overland booth, Overland Explorer Vehicles’ (OEV) Camp-FX made its debut at Expo West atop Mario Donovan’s burly Ram 3500 Cab Chassis. A riff off OEV’s Camp-X, the FX has a similar layout and specifications but is offered on a flatbed platform. Managing Partner Arnold Baker and President Mark Cymbaluk have refined this model by incorporating additional storage space (including under-bed storage) and a wet bath. The FX truck camper is estimated at 1,463 pounds and is ideal for a 6.5-foot flatbed. With quality camper materials and only a handful of flatbed camper conversions on the market, I predict this one will be a strong contender.
See dealer for current pricing | overlandex.com
Supertramp Flagship LT Camper
Last year, the Supertramp Flagship LT camper made its first expo appearance at Mountain West in Loveland, Colorado. I checked it out during this year’s Expo West event and was impressed by the company’s attention to detail and quality finishings. From the zipper pulls adorned with the moniker Supertramp to various interior cushion color options to choose from (Glacial Valley cool tones or Desert Mesa warmth), the inside space was bright, with plenty of windows and a comfortable dinette.
The shell is a Monocoque fiberglass composite structure with a 200% recycled PET foam core, while the pop-up is constructed of a three-layer insulated fabric. The rear door opens via keyless entry, and a 48-inch pullout basement storage drawer would be a convenient place to store shoes without mucking up the floor.
Creature comforts include a 65-liter Isotherm fridge, 5-gallon greywater tank, 24-gallon freshwater tank, a hidden portable cassette toilet, 300 watts of solar, a Truma Combi on-demand hot water heater and furnace, and a heated floor for the water tank. Supertramp also offers a generous list of optional upgrades, including an interior shower. The stated weight is 1,200 pounds.
Pricing starts at $52,000 | supertrampcampers.com
Scout Campers
Scout has some interesting new additions for 2023 pre-order customers. Buyers can choose from several optional upgrades for their Olympic, Yoho, or Kenai models, including an external diesel heater, roof rack, bed extensions, vapor barrier beneath the mattress, front windows, and bilateral rail runners. These options are also compatible with older Scout models, and the company’s dealers and service centers will be able to satisfy parts purchases, compatibility, and installation starting this fall.
Scout is also working on new standard features for 2023, including improved lounge seating in the Kenai camper, integration of a thermal barrier along internal seams of aluminum extrusions in all models, and advanced performance composite resulting in reduced weight and improved insulation values and exterior finish.
Rossmönster Lagom Series Topper
Inspired by the Swedish word lagom, which means “just the right amount,” Rossmönster Overland designed their latest offering, the Lagom Series topper, which I had a chance to look at during its debut at Expo West. Constructed with hard-sided aluminum and a folding wall system, Rossmönster states that the camper is four-season capable with easy access to the sides of the truck bed and upholstered wall panels.
Following the launch of The Baja, their high-end truck camper built on a three-quarter-ton chassis (and larger), the company decided to innovate a product for those looking for a smaller, lightweight camper at a lower price point. “We are thrilled about the launch of the Lagom and its ability to serve an entirely different consumer, said Luke Farny, owner and co-founder of Rossmönster Overland. “Offering a product that is lighter and more affordable than anything in our current lineup opens the door to a whole new realm of possibility and allows us to bring adventure to a much more broad subset of people.”
The Lagom Series is compatible with 2016 and newer Toyota Tacomas with a 5- or 6.5-foot bed, 2015 to 2020 Ford F-150 trucks, and 2019 or newer Jeep Gladiators. They also have other models in the works. The stated weight is 350 to 450 pounds.
Three trim packages are available: Base, Base Plus, and the Expedition Package. Standard features include the hard-sided folding wall system, front and rear window panes, upholstered wall panels, a full-size mattress, window covers, and secured and locking latches at all access points. Base Plus includes all of these amenities plus dimmable LED dome lighting, a MaxxAir fan, Yeti 1500 Goal Zero power system, and up to 200 watts of solar.
If seeing isn’t quite believing, Rossmönster Overland offers vehicle rentals, so you can take the Lagom Series topper out for a spin before committing.
Base $14,000 | Base Plus $17,000 | Expedition Package $4,000 | rossmonsteroverland.com
EarthCruiser Terranova
The newly updated EarthCruiser Terranova made its first show appearance at Overland Expo West. Stepping up into the camper, it felt cozy and modern with a triple-layer curtain with eight windows and a 360-panoramic view. New features include a skylight over the bed, induction charging in the lounge area, a semi-integrated Nomad external draw water filtration system, and the Garmin Overlander with a 360-degree camera system.
The Terranova is suited to new Ford, Chevy, or Dodge models with 1-ton chassis and is built with a foam core fiberglass construction that protects against the elements year-round. With a lengthy specifications list, highlights include a Mastervolt lithium battery system, Sunflare solar panels, a 3,000-watt inverter, and Webasto Air Top Evo 40 heater. Customers can also choose from a selection of backsplashes to complement their kitchen design.
EarthCruiser has also announced dates for various EarthCruiser Adventures, small group tours for Earthcruiser owners. Tour Leaders liaise with local guides to take participants off the beaten path, with destinations including Central and Eastern Oregon, the Baja peninsula, Montana, and Alaska. The first international is scheduled for September 2023 and will cover South Africa and Namibia.
Contact EarthCruiser for pricing | earthcruiser.com
Adrenaline Industries 2022 Ford F-550 4×4 Crew Cab (“Eleanor”)
Another Expo West premiere, this beasty truck camper made quite the entrance with its glossy onyx exterior (although technically Antimatter Blue) and liquid springs suspension system. The active suspension technology allows users to raise or lower the vehicle by 10 inches, choose from five ride height settings, and three adjustable ride quality settings (Sport, Normal, Comfort).
With a 6-foot 9-inch height, tall folks can easily stand up inside without the need to stoop. The camper shell is extruded 6061 aluminum with foamular insulation, Tern Overland windows and a roof hatch. The build includes 1,100 watts of Zamp solar panels, a Victron MPPT 150/60 solar controller, two 360Ah Expion360 lithium batteries, various chargers, and a touch screen monitoring system. Eleanor boasts an over-cab bed with a king-size mattress, while the dinette folds into a queen-size bed for guests or additional occupants. The spec sheet includes most of the usual suspects, but the sound system caught my eye. A JL Audio Media Master 100 Marine Unit, 8-inch subwoofer, C2 internal and external marine grade speakers would likely turn a lonely night in the desert into your own personal Burning Man or Woodstock festival.
Despite a rush to complete this build for Expo, a few details remained unfinished. This situation wasn’t unique to Eleanor, (many large builds that I walked through weren’t quite done), but if I were a prospective buyer at this price point, I would be eager to see all of the details dialed and wrapped up in a perfect package.
$450,000 | adrenalinind.com
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