At Expedition Portal, we have unparalleled access to a seemingly endless stream of new vehicles, campers, trailers, and the latest and greatest outdoor gear to review or feature for our readers. There is a common trend, though, a trend that many of our readers and followers have been quick to point out, and that trend is the ever-escalating cost of new outdoor products across the board. Not everyone has 100,000 bucks to spend on an entry-level camper. Luckily, a few manufacturers are producing innovative yet affordable products for those who would rather spend their hard-earned money on experiences rather than things.
Colorado-based Hower Built is building a line of electric pop-up campers for pickup trucks (and vans), and these campers are designed to offer convenience and durability with a smattering of luxury.
The concept is simple and trending: a pre-built slide-in camper that you can then equip as you see fit, adding as many features as you desire or can afford according to your needs. The beauty of these types of campers is that they are generally affordable, can easily be removed, and the vehicle can either be stuffed with bikes, a moose, and outdoor gear, or made to be a comfortable home away from home.
One standout feature of these campers is their impressive weight and load-carrying capacity. The crown jewel of Hower Built campers is their patent-pending electric pop-top system, a lift system that can handle a rooftop weight capacity of 300 pounds, allowing campers to leave their gear stored between trips or during multi-day adventures. And the cherry on top is that Hower Built campers are surprisingly lightweight, with a dry weight of just 400 pounds; they won’t significantly burden your truck’s suspension and can be removed by a couple of strong dudes.
Additionally, their compact design, measuring only 8 feet tall with the top down, allows access to places that are off-limits to larger campers. The campers feature a 3/16-inch aluminum extruded frame and composite panels that strike a balance between weight and durability while providing a highly consequential R5 insulation rating. These campers have apparently been extensively trail tested and approved by global explorers. Quality is of utmost importance to Hower Built.
Let’s delve into the specifications of these campers. With a generous interior headroom of 6 feet and 5 inches (varies with truck bed depth) and a total length of 112 inches, travelers can enjoy ample space to move around comfortably. The campers are equipped with two interior rigid LED strips, providing excellent illumination. Four USB ports, with two located upstairs and two downstairs, ensure that all devices stay powered and connected. A 50-amp-hour lithium battery, pre-wired for solar, ensures a reliable and sustainable power source. The camper features a 3-inch queen-sized mattress made of commercial-grade foam, guaranteeing a good night’s sleep. When closed, the bedding area offers a 6-inch cavity, optimizing space utilization.
Proudly made in the USA, each camper is assembled in Durango, Colorado, and almost all parts and products are sourced within the United States, with over 50 percent of them originating from Colorado itself. The canvas used in the campers is locally sourced and sewn in Durango.
Pricing for Hower Built campers starts at $19,000 and may vary based on additional features and customization requests (to secure a camper, a minimum deposit of $2,500 is required upfront, with a five-day refund period).
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