This video dates back to 2022. I did eventually end up with a pop-up topper on my truck. Here is a video that shows what I got and how I built it out: th-cam.com/video/450VxrP50yA/w-d-xo.html
@softroadingthewest, thank you for this video. It offered a great overview of these 4 models in a clear, concise format. I rarely take time to comment but just discovered your channel and felt your work here deserved the accolades. Thanks again!
Thanks for watching and commenting! I eventually ended up with a Topo Topper on my truck, so if you're interested, there is a LOT more content about that particular camper that has filled my channel spanning the past 12 months. :-)
The video of the Project M topper was very cool, lot of living space in a very durable topper. If I was young I would really look in the this. The aluminum construction is a big plus, my experience in the past anything with wood either rots or separates, fiberglass cracks and ages. Metal has much longer life span and can be as light or even lighter.
I'll stick with my $2500 DIY wedge. I've talked with the owner of Super Pacific, great guy and their wedge is very well designed and built. Great video Donald👍🏻
The Exped Mega mat is the best money I've spent on camping. I've been using it for the last three years and my wife says everytime we camp (tent camping over 50 years old) that the Exped is the only reason she is enjoying camping now. Thanks for the Video, I'm trying to decide which topper to get.
The pop-ups were all great! Just love how this guy at 20:07 is so good at looking at passenger seat camera and kept taking both hands off the steering wheel to clarify everything for us.
I remember watching this months ago .. finally picked up a Super Pacific for my Tacoma 5ft bed. I've been out several times in it now and it's really a game changer in terms of shelter and mobility. it should be noted that the people at Super Pacific who did the installation really know what they're doing in terms of sealing up the notoriously leaky Tacoma bed ..very impressive. couldn't be happier!
@@softroadingthewest thanks 😄. I was doing tarp & cot, then the little tent-cot thing (I think you had one too for a while?) then I went to a gazelle t3x. gave all those away to family when I got the the wedge camper. but I still keep a lightweight backpacking tent and hammock in my kit. The gazelle+cot setup was really fantastic.. with the one problem that it's hard to dry out when one is an apartment dweller.
@@andy_an_outdoors_guy The Gazelle + cot is definitely a great setup. I still have mine, as well as the tent cot, which my son prefers on the rare occasions he camps with me. 😄
They were all very nice toppers and all of which you could still build out the bottom. Thanks for leaving links to the different companies will definitely check them out.
Of those 4, if I had to pick one of those it would be the Super Pacific. I went through all this picking out my camper. I ended up with a GFC and love it. It came down to lead time and availability for me. I have guys local with SuperP's, GFC V1/2 and live in Flagstaff with OVRLAND campers. All of them are quality products. Cater to different individual needs and wants. I love the light weight ness of the GFC. However, the SuperP with its open sides and extra bit of modularity is awesome! As far as a wedge style versus full pop up. Just remember your time camping in Utah. If you had a full pop up. The wind would have been beating it silly. Versus a wedge style, point into the wind and it becomes a minor issue.
Small note about the SuperPacific! It initially sounds like the inflate/deflate of the mattress is a pain but in practice it’s not really. I’ve had mine for a month now and I just leave the valve open which keeps the mattress like 80% full (since there’s foam on the inside). When it come to inflating the residual 20% it doesn’t take much time at all! That small amount of time is worth the comfort of the Exped mattress, it’s insanely comfortable compared to a typical foam mattress that would come in another camper. Not throwing shade at GFC but my buddy has one and that’s one complaint of him and many others that simple foam mattress isn’t comfy.
That's great to know! I'm hyper-sensitive to anything that slows me down because when it's time to make camp, it's also usually time when I'm running the most trying to get footage in the nicest light of the day. That's a great tip on leaving the valve open - thank you!
@@softroadingthewest I get that! I’m a photographer and deal with the same issue haha. I’m all about efficiency as well. Great videos man keep them up, I love watching your travels 🍻
That style of mattress is mostly self inflating. You set the valves to the correct opening, let it do it’s thing for 10 or so minutes while do other camp chores. Come back and top off to desired firmness with the included pump. Super comfortable mattresses!
@@norsefalconer funny you say that, my wife and I have been looking for a new home mattress. Our current one has been messing up our backs. We slept in the Super Pacific over the weekend and our backs felt better than our sleeping on our home mattress 😂😂
I always enjoy watching your coverage on expo events. As a fellow Frontier driver it does get disheartening trying to find any accessories tailored for my truck. So it's nice that you do point out who does or don't yet have things for the Frontier
I will say, I have a super pacific and I do not have to inflate or deflate. Just open up the plug when you close it and the wedge squished the air out. When you open it, it re-inflates. Very good video. I wish this side by side was around when I was making my decision. That being said, I am still sure I made the right decision.
Yeah, I feel bad about that remark, I was unfamiliar with the mattress. Hearing "inflate/deflate" just brought back awful memories of camping with (conventional) air mattresses. I did pin a comment at the top here ^ about the mattress misunderstanding. :-) Glad you are enjoying your Super Pacific. There was a lot I liked about their camper and their company.
Donald, thanks for your review, well done. I’m considering one for my small truck, and this was helpful. The Topo and Super Pacific. Leaning towards the S P.
The important call out is that the AT overland option is the only one of the bunch that has any sort of "insulation" properties. It's also the only one that includes interior carpeting. I think the Super Pacific has the better overall interior build options (more options for wiring internally, mounting, etc.) but the AT has better "livable" options (again the insulation, opportunities for hard mounted fans and windows, etc.)
Redmond Fairgrounds! Travelling from Mexico to Canada, one of our regular camp stops when we need a night of "shore power" and a nice, hot shower in clean facility... in a great little mid-Oregon city!
I like how you segmented the video. Maybe I missed it but my concern with soft side canopies is how they hold up in high winds that you encounter. I like # 1 and 2, seem to be more functional. Keep up the content you channel is very informative and entertaining.
I attended the show and was immediately overwhelmed by how much there was to see. Thanks for posting the videos with a deep dive into these campers, I wouldn’t have seen them otherwise. As a Jeep owner I won’t be in the market for any of them but it’s nice to see the innovation and I do know from experience with my Ursa Minor j30 that the configuration that they offer is a game changer in the comfort department. I also didn’t feel like any of these campers were exorbitantly priced for what you get. Btw, it was nice to meet you at the grizzly breakfast!
I have to agree with you donald, I was very excited when looking at the topo topper canopy camper. Only 300 lb or so with lots of room and a really competitive price. It was nice talking with you at the grizzly booth for a few minutes! We look for you every time we are out and about in central oregon. One day we may cross paths. Cheers!
I have an AT Summit on my king cab frontier, I was the first long bed and the 2nd frontier they have ever done. It is the same model they make for the Ranger, the frontier bed is maybe an ½-1" longer so they installed a small strip of aluminum to fill the space up front. 6ft camper fully optioned with all the euro windows and roof hatch is 460lbs.
We have a topper similar to yours on our Silverado but it’s made by A.R.E. I think one important feature that these toppers are missing is the rear door. It’s such a struggle to climb in over the tailgate. We use a small step stool for our first step then step on the bumper and we’re in. We don’t use ours as a camper though. It’s a nice storage area for our ebikes and other camping supplies.
One detail I love about my Leer cap was the possibility to have it built with barn doors. I would love to see the pop-up topper companies start offering other door options, though clearly that complicates the build quite a bit. As much as I love my barn doors - and how it allowed me to build my sleeping extension - there are times I do miss having the handy instant table that is formed when you open a tailgate. :-) Thanks for watching!
I have the AT Overland Summit (not the Atlas) I prefer the Summit. The Summit is their wedge design. AT Overland is really a better topper in terms of construction, insulation, options and still easily diy options. Check out the walkthrough under the news link on their website. The build is great and the options do start to add up but make for a really great camper. A lot of people complain about the mattresses on all these toppers. What we have that works really well for us is: we sewed a fitted sheet / mattress cover that stays on so we only need to wash that once in a while.... under the sheet we have our inflatable backpacking pads. We add very little air and it makes it perfect and since we have 2 pads we inflate it to our own liking.
A lot of nice toppers. I currently have a Snap TREEHOUSE on my PRO-4X and really like it. There are times a full popup would be nice. But I find that the wedge style works just as well and "Might" even have a slight advantage in higher winds. I did get mine pre-covid in 2020 when they were less expensive and have zero regrets
Really impressed by the Super Pacific topper, you can tell their build quality is on a different level, lots of aerospace touches everywhere. And the full length hatches on on the sides are icing on the cake. Wish I could afford one, it's perfect for me
I built out my 6.5 foot truck bed and my biggest challenge is humidity. Many areas AC and humidity control makes all the difference between just setting up a tent and sleeping in an insulated truck bed. I set the smallest BTU AC on the tailgate with a false tailgate for camping so I can get it cool enough for sleeping, but I have no room for the required dehumidifier.
You forget Ovrlnd camper. I went with them instead after going to Overland Expo and went inside all the ones you mentioned in video. They are the closest to project M but with better customization( like double barn doors) and slightly cheaper. I have to wait 9 months to pick up my camper. That’s the only issue-you have to drive to flagstaff, AZ for pickup.
Great review! I realize you just looked at the campers you came across but another interesting option you might consider are the Hiatus Campers. They are a hard sided pop up so they may do a little better in the windy western deserts than soft sides. Love the channel! Thanks for all the great content
Extremely well designed and put together. I liked the first one simply because when collapsed it looks so aerodynamic which on a long trip the dollars staying in my pocket and with the price of fuel lately
The exped in the super pacific is the best mattress out there. On it own it’s $300. I run one in my RTT. I have an battery powered pump that inflates it in under a minute and deflates even faster. I’m looking at the Snap outters camper popup since they’re will to completely custom make me one and I will be using the Exped mattress.
Shout out for Harker Outdoors EDC, that might not have been around when you made this video. Nice video by the way. They are just getting into full-size truck model. It is wedge but also has "annex" that uses the tailgate space. The bed is 7-1/2' long and you don't have to duck under the "headache" bar. I went with a Hikenture 4" self inflating mat. Excited to see it on my truck. It will fit into my garage with its 8' high door.
Vert walls of 4WC Project M (and OVRLND) are a major distinction. Results in true queen size beds and more room overall. Downside, isn’t as sleek. It is hard to swallow that a traditional canopy/topper is $3000, but pop up shells are $9k - $15k. Cab over, canvas and bed panels must cost $6k- $12k to integrate……ooof.
I really like all of these but I really want a hard sided full pop up for my truck,it's what I'm looking for now! Thanks again for another great video!
I assume you've seen Hiatus Campers? Nice hard-sided pop-up design. The price tallies up pretty fast though when you start adding options and looks like they're currently a year and half out.
I've been looking at these pop-up style truck campers for a while and, in addition to the basic that you've covered so well here, I always want to now if the thing will fit in my garage or if it is too tall. Thanks for this excellent overview. Safe travels.
I think you just have to contact the manufacturer and ask them how much additional height the camper adds, then measure the height of your truck.. all this compared to your garage entrance. I have a slightly lifted Tacoma 4x4 with an OvrLnd camper and it does NOT fit.. I just got a mini-motorhome cover which works well.
Very well put together Donald. This is definitely the style of system I'm looking at going forward. I like the idea of having a usable truck bed and something you can stand in. Topo Toppers seem reasonably priced and insulation would be a relatively simple project.
I was looking at many of the same models as yourself. As a trades worker I wanted something that could fit in a standard height garage. I believe the super pacific and topo topper are able to achieve this on most trucks without a lift kit or larger tires installed.
Great video! Super informative. We’ve thrown around the idea if, god forbid anything were to happen to the Land Cruiser, of going this route. They’re all great in their own ways, great video to weigh the pros and cons of each. Thanks!
All very nice, but I would still go with OvrLnd. I've had my OvrLnd for 2 years on a 2014 Tacoma TRD off-road 4x4. Incredible quality and craftsmanship and very nice people to work with. I think the wedge design is pretty much the same weight with much less space. I can put so much gear in the cab-over space when popped up and have the whole back of the truck free of clutter.
I'm loving my OVRLND on a 5' mid-size (JT). It's a square pop-up kind of in-between the ATO and Project M in bed size, much bigger bed area than the Topo or ATO. That style is a game changer with the small bed or for harder trails, lightweight and super livable. I can sit "upstairs" with the truck bed completely open, big negative with any wedge. I wouldn't let wind deter you from a square pop-up. The tent material is more important and multiple of the straight pop-ups are way heavier duty, plus most have the additional insulation liners. I've been in several snow and rain storms with 40mph+ wind and no flap or movement in the OVRLND, the tent walls are ridiculously tougher than a typical RFT or wedge. Not sure why the wedges don't use the heavier coated material, haven't seen one yet with the same material.
@@useitagain12 It was worth the wait for me, you'll love it. Not videos, but there's a good OVRLND group thread on the Expedition Portal forums while you wait.
I like the ORU that you picked up and think I'll get one instead of what I have been looking at. Some excellent videography going on here too! You'll have to discuss some of your techniques and drone tricks on a future video. Alabama Hills is wonderful but 10 miles further along that road is Horse Shoe Meadows and at 10,000 feet, much cooler to hang out at during the day.
Marvelous video! Love the comparisons, thank you. I am biased towards the Super Pacific as I will be donning one soon. But as you said, all of these options are great. Thank you for a wonderful video. Take care and be well
Great coverage Donald! I saw a vid where a couple built a full pop-up with foldable hard sides. It was all composite, and very light. Some company should build those, or similar. Wind noise can be a big issue with the tent sided units.
Pretty sure I've seen that build (or something very similar). I really like the idea of eliminating fabric entirely. That's one of my misgivings with anything that pops up...in wind and rain it's been awesome having the hard walls of my solid cap, and never worrying about putting away fabric that is wet. Always tradeoffs I suppose...the space inside these pop-up toppers sure is inviting.
Heh, another commenter pointed out this company: www.hiatuscampers.com/ Seems to be exactly what you're describing? Price definitely starts going up... :-)
I now have Topo's "Mesa" camper (wedge style) on my truck if you want a more in-depth look at one of these campers: th-cam.com/video/6sFqubbXd6Y/w-d-xo.html (you saw their "Badlander" full pop-up in this video)
I thought about doing a similar video looking at slide-in campers but I just couldn't get to it all. It was hot & sunny and I pretty much melted down by 1pm every day LOL and spent my afternoons awning surfing, hanging out in the shade of various booths where I knew people. :-) New backyard, check. No lawn to mow = perrrrfect for me. Plenty of shade trees = perrrrfect for me. :-)
That is all good . I have one problem is kitchen yes it's possible to carry a box with kitchen stuff but everyone knows to have pull out kitchen or side pull out kitchen like Alu-cab is very important. The kitchen is most important that can be fast set up and break to move. Like kitchen from the Clearview kitchen.
To me vertical wall construction like Toppo, Project M, and OVRLND is ideal for maximum sleeping areas. I went with OVRLND b/c of that and it leans toward DIY users and complete customization. I would def. consider OVRLND Campers out of Flagstaff, AZ
From what I was able to tell the Four Wheel Camper Project M will fit on a Nissan Frontier. I've seen other videos elsewhere where this has been mentioned and on their website they mention steps to prep a truck's suspension for the camper weight. When discussing this on their website they mention the Nissan Frontier.
lots of companys now offering pop top campers make me want another pickup. Lots of company's go fast camper/BF Camper/Yucca Campers/alucab Canopy camper and at overland has 3 different style of popup. Deleting the tailgate I think is the money, for helping seal the bed against dust and water.
The topper with woman sitting at table config...similar to what I want to be able to do...mobile office, working on the road while going to some cool places.
Yes they are. They’re relying on over payed California remote tech workers to over pay. The entire industry seemed to double their prices (some even more) since 2018. Reminds me of the Winnebago 4x4 sprinter van that everyone’s sporting. The van fully loaded from Mercedes was around 55K. They’re not paying 55K when buying these in the thousands but let’s just say 50k for simple math. Winnebago gets them, slaps in some prefabbed low quality plastic interior and charge 200K. Pure stupidity.
When u shop for more, ...well,..me, I soon thought the price on an -m..wasn't so bad. Mine will be ready soon.the other I was looking at,out of Yakima, was 40,000. 15 didn't look so bad..8 ft.
Nice reviews. Curious if you have looked at the ez-lift Topper system with the weekender package? I am just starting my build and would like to hear anyones lessons learned. This lift system with an ARE Overland topper is ~4K, carpeted fiberglass topper, lift system with weekender tent, blackout shades, and bedrug.
Good job reporting. I have an AT Overland being installed in August. Will have solar and a heater plus a max fan so price is high but quality I believe is superior. Going on GMC Sierra 1500 and will stay on permanently. This type of camping gives you everything you need at a reasonable price and light weight. Open Sky in Bozeman Montana is an excellent dealer, ask for Ralston, he is the best.
For me with what I need I would actually stick with something like what you already had because I have a 8-ft bed truck I can get a much taller contract cap that would still be tall enough and wide enough so I can put my 500 lb round bales in through and then just load what I need to for camping when I want to go camping in it but these are all really cool little setups though not going to lie
OVRLND, GFC, Vagabond, Lone Peak, Alu-Cab, etc...there are quite a few companies making somewhat similar-ish pop-up toppers that aren't in this video. These were just the ones I stumbled upon at Expo PNW last year. :-)
I replaced my iKamper mattress with that exped and I guarantee you won’t find a more comfortable rtt mattress anywhere. Most people don’t go straight to bed when they get to camp. It self inflates n plenty of time before sleeping, and deflating it is super simple. Super Pacific would be my choice for sure!
leer is basically making GemTop. same exact build except aluminum vs steel.. i used to work for GemTop finishing canopies and tonneaus. heard they closed the mfg facility off 205.
One thing to consider with all these options is you’ll give up the roof rack storage. What you’ve built already just needs detailing and as a single person camper is awesome though I must admit the only downside is not being able to stand up. Loving following your channel. Keep up the good work 👍
Great review. I like how you separate your comments from the walk around. I attended the same expo and saw those same campers. One feature that concerned me a bit, was the Topo Topper does not have a one piece roof. Their reasoning was a little unclear, but I wonder if that seam could be a failure point. Since then I have learned about the Vagabond Drifter and find that to be another very competitive model. Maybe you will get a chance to review one of theirs. Thanks for the thorough review.
Interesting, I didn't realize that. I don't know if all the others have one-piece roofs or not. Between companies that weren't at Expo PNW and companies who were there but that I overlooked, there are quite a few other pop-up clamp-on toppers out there, so I'm planning to do some kind of follow-up video that looks at as many of the other options as I can find. I won't be able see them all in person but I want to at least present the rest of the pack so viewers can see what all they have to choose from. :-)
Very nice selection 👌. I'm curious how these toppers handle windy conditions and rain like you experienced in your previous travels. They are pretty tall sails imho. I personally liked the Four Wheel model M. due to its long history. Cheers 🍻 Donald 👍.
There are quite a few other options out there as well. These are just the ones I encountered at this Expo. For the sake of completeness, I'm still hoping to follow up with a quick overview video of all the other clamp-on pop-up toppers available, just haven't been able to get to that project yet. :-)
I have a feeling Donald’s new setup is going to be a pop too barker EDC to be exact they are newer then the other company’s and I could see that being one he’s testing out just a hunch or a guess but that’s my prediction haha
love your videos! we're not overlanders, just outdoor enthusiasts. while watching this video, we wondered why you drove all the way to Albertson's on Marcola Rd. next time make it up to River Heights and say HI! and tour our Scout camper.
Haha, good eye! I was meeting someone there to make a Craigslist purchase. I actually grew up out in the Mohawk Valley and went to Thurston High so that area is part of my old stomping grounds. 😄
@@softroadingthewest my hubby and myself both graduated THS as did our kids. We lived in the mohawk valley for 40 years. that's why we know the area. our kids went to Mohawk Elementary.
@@softroadingthewest Hill Road. First kid was there ‘80 or ‘81 thru? Too long ago to remember. But in any case after you. All though you may have crossed paths at THS. If you were a band nerd you knew her!
@@c.stevenson3336 I was a band geek!! Marching band, symphonic band, drummer for jazz band & basketball band...84-88! Who was your kid & what did they play?
It will blow your mind when you start adding add ons. Where do you stop? You can add on and double the price in no time at all. If you just want with the base and did the rest yourself might be the way to go. I am talking Project M. I think you have to let them do the custom power set up to get you started. Maybe lights and fan. See...once you start adding it is hard to stop lol Been a hard decision, but at least wait time seems to be shorter wait time these days. Still undecided
Totally right. I suppose it depends on one's budget vs one's skill & motivation to tackle DIY work. I ended up with a Topo Toppers camper, and the only upcharge options I added were a specialized window on one side, a cargo door on the other side, and their proprietary awning mounts - all things that would've been beyond my comfort level to DIY. Their camper is near the bottom of the price spectrum so even with the options, the total finished price was lower than the starting price of some other campers. I then DIY'd everything else (build series: th-cam.com/play/PLy61X2ncSOSfwOqvc9gF3_NTD9smtunkr.html ) The Project M seems like a great camper though. I really like their vertical walls (unlike many of the campers, mine included, which slope inwards towards the top) - this both makes the interior feel a little more spacious, and makes interior modifications more straightforward with no tricky angles to accommodate. I have LOVED having a pop-up camper on my truck. After building out the interior to perfectly fit my specific needs, it is by far my favorite way I've ever camped. Good luck!
i like the super pacific system,with all mole racks and differents possibility to custom it for your personnal use.Another question, how many "softroadingthewest T shirts" send in europe?There is one in south of France now ;)
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This video dates back to 2022. I did eventually end up with a pop-up topper on my truck. Here is a video that shows what I got and how I built it out:
th-cam.com/video/450VxrP50yA/w-d-xo.html
Thank You for showing them all together in one video.
@softroadingthewest, thank you for this video. It offered a great overview of these 4 models in a clear, concise format. I rarely take time to comment but just discovered your channel and felt your work here deserved the accolades. Thanks again!
Thanks for watching and commenting! I eventually ended up with a Topo Topper on my truck, so if you're interested, there is a LOT more content about that particular camper that has filled my channel spanning the past 12 months. :-)
That SuperPacific impressed me with how well though-out everything was
The video of the Project M topper was very cool, lot of living space in a very durable topper. If I was young I would really look in the this. The aluminum construction is a big plus, my experience in the past anything with wood either rots or separates, fiberglass cracks and ages. Metal has much longer life span and can be as light or even lighter.
I'll stick with my $2500 DIY wedge. I've talked with the owner of Super Pacific, great guy and their wedge is very well designed and built. Great video Donald👍🏻
What’s yours like
Thanks for putting all those campers in one video. Very convenient!!!!
Go Ventura!....lived in Ventura for about 35 years....thanks for sharing Donald!
The Exped Mega mat is the best money I've spent on camping. I've been using it for the last three years and my wife says everytime we camp (tent camping over 50 years old) that the Exped is the only reason she is enjoying camping now. Thanks for the Video, I'm trying to decide which topper to get.
Yeah, I wasn't familiar with this product at all. I wish I'd realized!
The pop-ups were all great! Just love how this guy at 20:07 is so good at looking at passenger seat camera and kept taking both hands off the steering wheel to clarify everything for us.
This guy is an idiot, there are better channels to watch.
I remember watching this months ago .. finally picked up a Super Pacific for my Tacoma 5ft bed. I've been out several times in it now and it's really a game changer in terms of shelter and mobility. it should be noted that the people at Super Pacific who did the installation really know what they're doing in terms of sealing up the notoriously leaky Tacoma bed ..very impressive.
couldn't be happier!
Congrats! The Super Pacific is a fantastic camper, and they're great guys. I don't remember how you were camping before...ground tent?
@@softroadingthewest thanks 😄. I was doing tarp & cot, then the little tent-cot thing (I think you had one too for a while?) then I went to a gazelle t3x. gave all those away to family when I got the the wedge camper. but I still keep a lightweight backpacking tent and hammock in my kit.
The gazelle+cot setup was really fantastic.. with the one problem that it's hard to dry out when one is an apartment dweller.
@@andy_an_outdoors_guy The Gazelle + cot is definitely a great setup. I still have mine, as well as the tent cot, which my son prefers on the rare occasions he camps with me. 😄
They were all very nice toppers and all of which you could still build out the bottom. Thanks for leaving links to the different companies will definitely check them out.
Of those 4, if I had to pick one of those it would be the Super Pacific. I went through all this picking out my camper. I ended up with a GFC and love it. It came down to lead time and availability for me. I have guys local with SuperP's, GFC V1/2 and live in Flagstaff with OVRLAND campers. All of them are quality products. Cater to different individual needs and wants. I love the light weight ness of the GFC. However, the SuperP with its open sides and extra bit of modularity is awesome!
As far as a wedge style versus full pop up. Just remember your time camping in Utah. If you had a full pop up. The wind would have been beating it silly. Versus a wedge style, point into the wind and it becomes a minor issue.
Except if the wind changes or starts up after being calm and the trees don’t show a wind direction if there are trees.
That's why we are starting with a van with pop-top. If its windy, just keep the pop-top closed and sleep inside.
I've been in really strong winds/storms in my OvrLnd and no issues or leaking@@J.Young808
Small note about the SuperPacific!
It initially sounds like the inflate/deflate of the mattress is a pain but in practice it’s not really. I’ve had mine for a month now and I just leave the valve open which keeps the mattress like 80% full (since there’s foam on the inside). When it come to inflating the residual 20% it doesn’t take much time at all!
That small amount of time is worth the comfort of the Exped mattress, it’s insanely comfortable compared to a typical foam mattress that would come in another camper. Not throwing shade at GFC but my buddy has one and that’s one complaint of him and many others that simple foam mattress isn’t comfy.
That's great to know! I'm hyper-sensitive to anything that slows me down because when it's time to make camp, it's also usually time when I'm running the most trying to get footage in the nicest light of the day. That's a great tip on leaving the valve open - thank you!
@@softroadingthewest I get that! I’m a photographer and deal with the same issue haha. I’m all about efficiency as well. Great videos man keep them up, I love watching your travels 🍻
I have a single Exped. Its comfort is worth the trouble, imo. It offers similar, or more, comfort as my home mattress.
That style of mattress is mostly self inflating. You set the valves to the correct opening, let it do it’s thing for 10 or so minutes while do other camp chores. Come back and top off to desired firmness with the included pump. Super comfortable mattresses!
@@norsefalconer funny you say that, my wife and I have been looking for a new home mattress. Our current one has been messing up our backs. We slept in the Super Pacific over the weekend and our backs felt better than our sleeping on our home mattress 😂😂
Thank's Don for the excellent review. I like the Project M and the Topo Topper. Also looking at RTT's. Looking forward to more PNW Expo reviews.
Not my style of camping but I did enjoy your vid. Love to see how others camp. Thanks for not having dumb music while you are talking. Nice work!
I always enjoy watching your coverage on expo events. As a fellow Frontier driver it does get disheartening trying to find any accessories tailored for my truck. So it's nice that you do point out who does or don't yet have things for the Frontier
Great video Donald, thanks for taking the time with us!
Thanks for giving me the tour, great camper you guys are building and I was happy to introduce it to my viewers!
I will say, I have a super pacific and I do not have to inflate or deflate. Just open up the plug when you close it and the wedge squished the air out. When you open it, it re-inflates.
Very good video. I wish this side by side was around when I was making my decision. That being said, I am still sure I made the right decision.
Yeah, I feel bad about that remark, I was unfamiliar with the mattress. Hearing "inflate/deflate" just brought back awful memories of camping with (conventional) air mattresses. I did pin a comment at the top here ^ about the mattress misunderstanding. :-)
Glad you are enjoying your Super Pacific. There was a lot I liked about their camper and their company.
Donald, thanks for your review, well done. I’m considering one for my small truck, and this was helpful. The Topo and Super Pacific. Leaning towards the S P.
The important call out is that the AT overland option is the only one of the bunch that has any sort of "insulation" properties. It's also the only one that includes interior carpeting. I think the Super Pacific has the better overall interior build options (more options for wiring internally, mounting, etc.) but the AT has better "livable" options (again the insulation, opportunities for hard mounted fans and windows, etc.)
@603Cummins the FWCProject M has insulated walls as well.
Redmond Fairgrounds! Travelling from Mexico to Canada, one of our regular camp stops when we need a night of "shore power" and a nice, hot shower in clean facility... in a great little mid-Oregon city!
I think Nissan did an excellent job with the redesign of the frontier, looks like an off reader like the Tacoma.
I like how you segmented the video.
Maybe I missed it but my concern with soft side canopies is how they hold up in high winds that you encounter. I like # 1 and 2, seem to be more functional. Keep up the content you channel is very informative and entertaining.
I attended the show and was immediately overwhelmed by how much there was to see. Thanks for posting the videos with a deep dive into these campers, I wouldn’t have seen them otherwise. As a Jeep owner I won’t be in the market for any of them but it’s nice to see the innovation and I do know from experience with my Ursa Minor j30 that the configuration that they offer is a game changer in the comfort department. I also didn’t feel like any of these campers were exorbitantly priced for what you get. Btw, it was nice to meet you at the grizzly breakfast!
Thanks for stopping by at Grizzlies, great to meet you!
I have to agree with you donald, I was very excited when looking at the topo topper canopy camper. Only 300 lb or so with lots of room and a really competitive price.
It was nice talking with you at the grizzly booth for a few minutes! We look for you every time we are out and about in central oregon. One day we may cross paths. Cheers!
Super Pacific seems totally make it your own in that you can add whatever aftermarket materials ❣
I have an AT Summit on my king cab frontier, I was the first long bed and the 2nd frontier they have ever done. It is the same model they make for the Ranger, the frontier bed is maybe an ½-1" longer so they installed a small strip of aluminum to fill the space up front. 6ft camper fully optioned with all the euro windows and roof hatch is 460lbs.
We have a topper similar to yours on our Silverado but it’s made by A.R.E. I think one important feature that these toppers are missing is the rear door. It’s such a struggle to climb in over the tailgate. We use a small step stool for our first step then step on the bumper and we’re in. We don’t use ours as a camper though. It’s a nice storage area for our ebikes and other camping supplies.
One detail I love about my Leer cap was the possibility to have it built with barn doors. I would love to see the pop-up topper companies start offering other door options, though clearly that complicates the build quite a bit. As much as I love my barn doors - and how it allowed me to build my sleeping extension - there are times I do miss having the handy instant table that is formed when you open a tailgate. :-) Thanks for watching!
I have the AT Overland Summit (not the Atlas) I prefer the Summit. The Summit is their wedge design. AT Overland is really a better topper in terms of construction, insulation, options and still easily diy options. Check out the walkthrough under the news link on their website. The build is great and the options do start to add up but make for a really great camper. A lot of people complain about the mattresses on all these toppers. What we have that works really well for us is: we sewed a fitted sheet / mattress cover that stays on so we only need to wash that once in a while.... under the sheet we have our inflatable backpacking pads. We add very little air and it makes it perfect and since we have 2 pads we inflate it to our own liking.
A lot of nice toppers. I currently have a Snap TREEHOUSE on my PRO-4X and really like it. There are times a full popup would be nice. But I find that the wedge style works just as well and "Might" even have a slight advantage in higher winds. I did get mine pre-covid in 2020 when they were less expensive and have zero regrets
Newcomer Topo looks sweet
Really impressed by the Super Pacific topper, you can tell their build quality is on a different level, lots of aerospace touches everywhere. And the full length hatches on on the sides are icing on the cake. Wish I could afford one, it's perfect for me
Too bad they don't make a full pop up, i don't really like the wedge style.
I built out my 6.5 foot truck bed and my biggest challenge is humidity. Many areas AC and humidity control makes all the difference between just setting up a tent and sleeping in an insulated truck bed. I set the smallest BTU AC on the tailgate with a false tailgate for camping so I can get it cool enough for sleeping, but I have no room for the required dehumidifier.
You forget Ovrlnd camper. I went with them instead after going to Overland Expo and went inside all the ones you mentioned in video. They are the closest to project M but with better customization( like double barn doors) and slightly cheaper. I have to wait 9 months to pick up my camper. That’s the only issue-you have to drive to flagstaff, AZ for pickup.
Great review! I realize you just looked at the campers you came across but another interesting option you might consider are the Hiatus Campers. They are a hard sided pop up so they may do a little better in the windy western deserts than soft sides.
Love the channel! Thanks for all the great content
Hiatus wasn't at Expo PNW. That's an awesome design, definitely comes at a price, haha! :-)
@@softroadingthewest definitely true! That’ll buy a whole lot of fuel….even at today’s prices
if you want to wait until july 2024 for them to even start building it
Extremely well designed and put together. I liked the first one simply because when collapsed it looks so aerodynamic which on a long trip the dollars staying in my pocket and with the price of fuel lately
The exped in the super pacific is the best mattress out there. On it own it’s $300. I run one in my RTT. I have an battery powered pump that inflates it in under a minute and deflates even faster. I’m looking at the Snap outters camper popup since they’re will to completely custom make me one and I will be using the Exped mattress.
This is good to know. I may be biased by my old-school experience with old-school air mattresses, LOL. I haven't experienced the latest generation.
Shout out for Harker Outdoors EDC, that might not have been around when you made this video. Nice video by the way. They are just getting into full-size truck model. It is wedge but also has "annex" that uses the tailgate space. The bed is 7-1/2' long and you don't have to duck under the "headache" bar. I went with a Hikenture 4" self inflating mat. Excited to see it on my truck. It will fit into my garage with its 8' high door.
Vert walls of 4WC Project M (and OVRLND) are a major distinction. Results in true queen size beds and more room overall. Downside, isn’t as sleek. It is hard to swallow that a traditional canopy/topper is $3000, but pop up shells are $9k - $15k. Cab over, canvas and bed panels must cost $6k- $12k to integrate……ooof.
Just picked up a 2002 Nissan Frontier. Thanks for the pop up camper info and hope there are more options for the new Frontier.
Thanks for this vid. Great options for truck owners that want to keep the truck bed functionality.
I really like all of these but I really want a hard sided full pop up for my truck,it's what I'm looking for now! Thanks again for another great video!
I assume you've seen Hiatus Campers? Nice hard-sided pop-up design. The price tallies up pretty fast though when you start adding options and looks like they're currently a year and half out.
I've been looking at these pop-up style truck campers for a while and, in addition to the basic that you've covered so well here, I always want to now if the thing will fit in my garage or if it is too tall. Thanks for this excellent overview. Safe travels.
I think you just have to contact the manufacturer and ask them how much additional height the camper adds, then measure the height of your truck.. all this compared to your garage entrance. I have a slightly lifted Tacoma 4x4 with an OvrLnd camper and it does NOT fit.. I just got a mini-motorhome cover which works well.
Very well put together Donald. This is definitely the style of system I'm looking at going forward. I like the idea of having a usable truck bed and something you can stand in. Topo Toppers seem reasonably priced and insulation would be a relatively simple project.
I was looking at many of the same models as yourself. As a trades worker I wanted something that could fit in a standard height garage. I believe the super pacific and topo topper are able to achieve this on most trucks without a lift kit or larger tires installed.
For the price, motivates me to DIY my own popup camper. All in all very cool. Thanks for sharing
Check out Micah at overlandingunderbudget on all socials as he built a flatbed pop up camper on his First Gen Tacoma Double Cab
Great video! Super informative. We’ve thrown around the idea if, god forbid anything were to happen to the Land Cruiser, of going this route. They’re all great in their own ways, great video to weigh the pros and cons of each. Thanks!
love my topo topper, thing feels like its built for the apocalypse!
Nice to hear you've been happy with yours! What truck are you running?
Thank you for sharing, I like Project M camper. If I was interested I would choose them.
All very nice, but I would still go with OvrLnd. I've had my OvrLnd for 2 years on a 2014 Tacoma TRD off-road 4x4. Incredible quality and craftsmanship and very nice people to work with. I think the wedge design is pretty much the same weight with much less space. I can put so much gear in the cab-over space when popped up and have the whole back of the truck free of clutter.
Units I've never seen before, good show.
I'm loving my OVRLND on a 5' mid-size (JT). It's a square pop-up kind of in-between the ATO and Project M in bed size, much bigger bed area than the Topo or ATO. That style is a game changer with the small bed or for harder trails, lightweight and super livable. I can sit "upstairs" with the truck bed completely open, big negative with any wedge. I wouldn't let wind deter you from a square pop-up. The tent material is more important and multiple of the straight pop-ups are way heavier duty, plus most have the additional insulation liners. I've been in several snow and rain storms with 40mph+ wind and no flap or movement in the OVRLND, the tent walls are ridiculously tougher than a typical RFT or wedge. Not sure why the wedges don't use the heavier coated material, haven't seen one yet with the same material.
Still waiting on my ovrlnd.. I wish there were more videos out there about the ovrlnd pop up
@@useitagain12 It was worth the wait for me, you'll love it. Not videos, but there's a good OVRLND group thread on the Expedition Portal forums while you wait.
I like the ORU that you picked up and think I'll get one instead of what I have been looking at. Some excellent videography going on here too! You'll have to discuss some of your techniques and drone tricks on a future video. Alabama Hills is wonderful but 10 miles further along that road is Horse Shoe Meadows and at 10,000 feet, much cooler to hang out at during the day.
Hmmm...I think your comment may have been intended for a different video? I don't have the ORU and I've never set foot in Alabama Hills. :-)
The flexibility of the Super Pacific system is appealing
Great review thanks. I’ve been leaning towards the project M and this confirms it
That mega mat comfort is well worth the time spent in/deflating
Marvelous video! Love the comparisons, thank you. I am biased towards the Super Pacific as I will be donning one soon. But as you said, all of these options are great. Thank you for a wonderful video. Take care and be well
Lots of great info! I'm looking at turning my truck into a weekend warrior. You've given me some new options to explore. Cheers mate!
Great coverage Donald!
I saw a vid where a couple built a full pop-up with foldable hard sides. It was all composite, and very light. Some company should build those, or similar. Wind noise can be a big issue with the tent sided units.
Pretty sure I've seen that build (or something very similar). I really like the idea of eliminating fabric entirely. That's one of my misgivings with anything that pops up...in wind and rain it's been awesome having the hard walls of my solid cap, and never worrying about putting away fabric that is wet. Always tradeoffs I suppose...the space inside these pop-up toppers sure is inviting.
Heh, another commenter pointed out this company:
www.hiatuscampers.com/
Seems to be exactly what you're describing? Price definitely starts going up... :-)
Hiatus Campers perhaps?
@@softroadingthewest Thanks!
@@ThomasRodde Thanks!
Excellent review. I'm looking to purchase. Now I have some thinking and planning to do. Thank you!
I now have Topo's "Mesa" camper (wedge style) on my truck if you want a more in-depth look at one of these campers:
th-cam.com/video/6sFqubbXd6Y/w-d-xo.html
(you saw their "Badlander" full pop-up in this video)
Handsome Scouts in the background there. And, is that the new backyard? Thanks for the report.
I thought about doing a similar video looking at slide-in campers but I just couldn't get to it all. It was hot & sunny and I pretty much melted down by 1pm every day LOL and spent my afternoons awning surfing, hanging out in the shade of various booths where I knew people. :-)
New backyard, check. No lawn to mow = perrrrfect for me. Plenty of shade trees = perrrrfect for me. :-)
That is all good . I have one problem is kitchen yes it's possible to carry a box with kitchen stuff but everyone knows to have pull out kitchen or side pull out kitchen like Alu-cab is very important. The kitchen is most important that can be fast set up and break to move. Like kitchen from the Clearview kitchen.
To me vertical wall construction like Toppo, Project M, and OVRLND is ideal for maximum sleeping areas. I went with OVRLND b/c of that and it leans toward DIY users and complete customization. I would def. consider OVRLND Campers out of Flagstaff, AZ
From what I was able to tell the Four Wheel Camper Project M will fit on a Nissan Frontier. I've seen other videos elsewhere where this has been mentioned and on their website they mention steps to prep a truck's suspension for the camper weight. When discussing this on their website they mention the Nissan Frontier.
Cool, good to know - thank you!
Great episode and just what i needed to see for ideas.
lots of companys now offering pop top campers make me want another pickup. Lots of company's go fast camper/BF Camper/Yucca Campers/alucab Canopy camper and at overland has 3 different style of popup. Deleting the tailgate I think is the money, for helping seal the bed against dust and water.
The topper with woman sitting at table config...similar to what I want to be able to do...mobile office, working on the road while going to some cool places.
I have used canopies and slide-in real RV campers. These pop-up canopies just seem to be insanely overpriced for what little you get.
Yes they are. They’re relying on over payed California remote tech workers to over pay. The entire industry seemed to double their prices (some even more) since 2018. Reminds me of the Winnebago 4x4 sprinter van that everyone’s sporting. The van fully loaded from Mercedes was around 55K. They’re not paying 55K when buying these in the thousands but let’s just say 50k for simple math. Winnebago gets them, slaps in some prefabbed low quality plastic interior and charge 200K. Pure stupidity.
They are not only overpriced they are extremely poorly made
When u shop for more, ...well,..me, I soon thought the price on an -m..wasn't so bad. Mine will be ready soon.the other I was looking at,out of Yakima, was 40,000. 15 didn't look so bad..8 ft.
Nice reviews. Curious if you have looked at the ez-lift Topper system with the weekender package? I am just starting my build and would like to hear anyones lessons learned. This lift system with an ARE Overland topper is ~4K, carpeted fiberglass topper, lift system with weekender tent, blackout shades, and bedrug.
Good job reporting. I have an AT Overland being installed in August. Will have solar and a heater plus a max fan so price is high but quality I believe is superior. Going on GMC Sierra 1500 and will stay on permanently. This type of camping gives you everything you need at a reasonable price and light weight. Open Sky in Bozeman Montana is an excellent dealer, ask for Ralston, he is the best.
We're getting a Scout next month. I seen one in the back drop.
Great vid about a really smart, fresh, affordable camper segment. Thanks!!
Excellent video! Excellent comparison! Much appreciated!
For me with what I need I would actually stick with something like what you already had because I have a 8-ft bed truck I can get a much taller contract cap that would still be tall enough and wide enough so I can put my 500 lb round bales in through and then just load what I need to for camping when I want to go camping in it but these are all really cool little setups though not going to lie
Very good review on these toppers. I currently tow a 14R Viking with my Frontier and may be thinking about switching in the future.
That was really good side-by-side comparison, Just would like to see OVR LND in there.
OVRLND, GFC, Vagabond, Lone Peak, Alu-Cab, etc...there are quite a few companies making somewhat similar-ish pop-up toppers that aren't in this video. These were just the ones I stumbled upon at Expo PNW last year. :-)
4x4 campers are the best.... Strong.. durable.. And look cool... lots of options to choose from ...
Really good job again Donald. Thank you for your videos.
I replaced my iKamper mattress with that exped and I guarantee you won’t find a more comfortable rtt mattress anywhere. Most people don’t go straight to bed when they get to camp. It self inflates n plenty of time before sleeping, and deflating it is super simple. Super Pacific would be my choice for sure!
Yeah I was unfamiliar with that mattress...I heard inflate/deflate and it brought up some unpleasant camping memories from my younger days, LOL. :-)
Very informative and good products, certainly a lot of options out there for people to choose from, thanks Donald 👍👍👍lov the channel
leer is basically making GemTop. same exact build except aluminum vs steel.. i used to work for GemTop finishing canopies and tonneaus. heard they closed the mfg facility off 205.
One thing to consider with all these options is you’ll give up the roof rack storage.
What you’ve built already just needs detailing and as a single person camper is awesome though I must admit the only downside is not being able to stand up.
Loving following your channel.
Keep up the good work 👍
Thanks so much for this info! Keep your videos coming. Really enjoy your channel. Greetings from Florida.
Great reviews and walk around Donald. Very helpful.
Great review. I like how you separate your comments from the walk around. I attended the same expo and saw those same campers. One feature that concerned me a bit, was the Topo Topper does not have a one piece roof. Their reasoning was a little unclear, but I wonder if that seam could be a failure point. Since then I have learned about the Vagabond Drifter and find that to be another very competitive model. Maybe you will get a chance to review one of theirs. Thanks for the thorough review.
Interesting, I didn't realize that. I don't know if all the others have one-piece roofs or not.
Between companies that weren't at Expo PNW and companies who were there but that I overlooked, there are quite a few other pop-up clamp-on toppers out there, so I'm planning to do some kind of follow-up video that looks at as many of the other options as I can find. I won't be able see them all in person but I want to at least present the rest of the pack so viewers can see what all they have to choose from. :-)
Very nice selection 👌.
I'm curious how these toppers handle windy conditions and rain like you experienced in your previous travels. They are pretty tall sails imho.
I personally liked the Four Wheel model M.
due to its long history.
Cheers 🍻 Donald 👍.
This was a very helpful video, thanks!
Great great information thank you so much for all the research you do I'm looking forward to upgrading my 2015 Toyota Tacoma
There are quite a few other options out there as well. These are just the ones I encountered at this Expo. For the sake of completeness, I'm still hoping to follow up with a quick overview video of all the other clamp-on pop-up toppers available, just haven't been able to get to that project yet. :-)
I have a feeling Donald’s new setup is going to be a pop too barker EDC to be exact they are newer then the other company’s and I could see that being one he’s testing out just a hunch or a guess but that’s my prediction haha
love your videos! we're not overlanders, just outdoor enthusiasts. while watching this video, we wondered why you drove all the way to Albertson's on Marcola Rd. next time make it up to River Heights and say HI! and tour our Scout camper.
Haha, good eye! I was meeting someone there to make a Craigslist purchase. I actually grew up out in the Mohawk Valley and went to Thurston High so that area is part of my old stomping grounds. 😄
@@softroadingthewest my hubby and myself both graduated THS as did our kids. We lived in the mohawk valley for 40 years. that's why we know the area. our kids went to Mohawk Elementary.
@@c.stevenson3336 Me too, I went to Mohawk 1978-1980. We were on Sunderman Rd. 🙂
@@softroadingthewest Hill Road. First kid was there ‘80 or ‘81 thru? Too long ago to remember. But in any case after you. All though you may have crossed paths at THS. If you were a band nerd you knew her!
@@c.stevenson3336 I was a band geek!! Marching band, symphonic band, drummer for jazz band & basketball band...84-88! Who was your kid & what did they play?
Absolutely fantastic video. Thank you.
Excellent video! This answers so many questions for me. Thanks, and keep up the good work!
It will blow your mind when you start adding add ons. Where do you stop? You can add on and double the price in no time at all. If you just want with the base and did the rest yourself might be the way to go. I am talking Project M. I think you have to let them do the custom power set up to get you started. Maybe lights and fan. See...once you start adding it is hard to stop lol Been a hard decision, but at least wait time seems to be shorter wait time these days. Still undecided
Totally right. I suppose it depends on one's budget vs one's skill & motivation to tackle DIY work. I ended up with a Topo Toppers camper, and the only upcharge options I added were a specialized window on one side, a cargo door on the other side, and their proprietary awning mounts - all things that would've been beyond my comfort level to DIY. Their camper is near the bottom of the price spectrum so even with the options, the total finished price was lower than the starting price of some other campers. I then DIY'd everything else (build series: th-cam.com/play/PLy61X2ncSOSfwOqvc9gF3_NTD9smtunkr.html )
The Project M seems like a great camper though. I really like their vertical walls (unlike many of the campers, mine included, which slope inwards towards the top) - this both makes the interior feel a little more spacious, and makes interior modifications more straightforward with no tricky angles to accommodate.
I have LOVED having a pop-up camper on my truck. After building out the interior to perfectly fit my specific needs, it is by far my favorite way I've ever camped. Good luck!
In-depth and very informative.
Thanks for doing the video. I’m afraid I can’t afford any of those options. 😢
Fabulous explanations and reveals. Thanks much for this!
Great review! Thanks
i like the super pacific system,with all mole racks and differents possibility to custom it for your personnal use.Another question, how many "softroadingthewest T shirts" send in europe?There is one in south of France now ;)
Pretty sure there is at least one other, I think Jordan has one a little further north in France. :-)
@@softroadingthewest i forgot Jordan,Yep,🙂
Super pacific looks like my jam