Introduction
The Overland Expo, a mecca for journey journey lovers, is the place innovation meets exploration. Yearly, this gathering showcases the most recent and best in overlanding gear, automobiles, and, in fact, truck campers. The twenty seventeen Overland Expo was no exception, a vibrant show of ingenuity and craftsmanship that left attendees impressed and able to hit the open highway. Among the many myriad choices, sure truck campers constantly drew crowds, capturing consideration with their mix of ruggedness, consolation, and cutting-edge options.
Truck campers maintain a particular attraction for overlanders. Their compact footprint, in comparison with bigger RVs, permits for navigating difficult terrain and accessing distant areas. They provide a self-contained dwelling area, offering shelter, cooking amenities, and sleeping quarters wherever the journey leads. The power to detach the camper and use the truck independently is one other main benefit, providing flexibility for day journeys and exploring native areas.
This text delves into the highlights of the twenty seventeen Overland Expo, particularly spotlighting the highest ten truck campers that really impressed. Our picks are based mostly on a mixture of things: progressive design, distinctive construct high quality, standout options, and total worth proposition. Put together to be impressed as we discover these adventure-ready rigs that exemplify the spirit of overlanding.
Standards for Choice
Earlier than we dive into the listing, let’s briefly define the standards used to pick out these standout truck campers. Our focus centered on:
- Innovation and Design: Did the camper introduce new ideas or distinctive options to widespread overlanding challenges? Was the design aesthetically pleasing and functionally environment friendly?
- Sturdiness and Construct High quality: Might the camper stand up to the pains of off-road journey and excessive climate circumstances? Had been high-quality supplies and building strategies employed?
- Options and Facilities: Did the camper provide a complete set of options that enhanced the overlanding expertise, resembling ample storage, environment friendly home equipment, and cozy dwelling areas?
- General Worth and Performance: Did the camper symbolize a very good worth for its worth level? Did it successfully steadiness measurement, weight, and performance to satisfy the wants of significant overlanders?
It is necessary to do not forget that it is a curated listing, reflecting our observations and the thrill surrounding these specific campers on the expo. Many different glorious truck campers have been on show, and particular person preferences will naturally range.
Prime Ten Truck Campers
Camper Quantity One: Host Mammoth Truck Camper
The Host Mammoth Truck Camper towered above the competitors. This double-slide camper impressed with its spacious inside and splendid facilities.
Key highlights embody: A dry tub with a separate bathe and bathroom, a full kitchen with a big fridge and ample counter area, and a snug dwelling space with a dinette and couch.
The Mammoth impressed on the expo as a result of it blurred the road between a truck camper and a small condominium, providing an unparalleled stage of consolation for prolonged overland journeys.
Camper Quantity Two: Lance Mannequin 855S Truck Camper
Lance has a long-standing popularity for high quality, and the Mannequin eight fifty-five S exemplifies that dedication. This camper is well-suited for full-size quick mattress vans.
Key options embody: A dinette slide-out, a moist tub, and a completely outfitted kitchen. Its lighter weight, in comparison with a few of the bigger campers, made it a well-liked selection.
The Lance impressed as a result of it supplied an important steadiness of options, construct high quality, and affordability, making it an accessible choice for a lot of overlanders.
Camper Quantity Three: Northern Lite Ten-Two EX CD Truck Camper
Northern Lite is thought for its molded fiberglass building, which gives distinctive sturdiness and climate resistance. The Ten-Two EX CD is a well-liked selection for these looking for a four-season camper.
Key options embody: A spacious structure, a moist tub, and ample storage. The molded fiberglass building eliminates seams, lowering the chance of leaks.
The Northern Lite impressed on the expo on account of its popularity for longevity and its skill to resist harsh circumstances.
Camper Quantity 4: Alaskan Eight-Level-5 Cabover Truck Camper
Alaskan Campers are legendary for his or her distinctive pop-up design. They characteristic exhausting sides that decrease for journey and lift for tenting. The Eight-Level-5 Cabover is a flexible choice.
Key options embody: A low profile for improved aerodynamics, a sturdy aluminum body, and a snug dwelling area when popped up.
The Alaskan impressed due to its traditional design, confirmed reliability, and the flexibility to deal with difficult terrain.
Camper Quantity 5: 4 Wheel Campers Fleet Mannequin Truck Camper
4 Wheel Campers are synonymous with off-road journey. The Fleet Mannequin is designed for mid-size vans and prioritizes light-weight building and sturdiness.
Key options embody: A pop-up roof, a minimalist inside, and a deal with performance. It is excellent for many who wish to journey mild and entry distant areas.
The 4 Wheel Camper impressed due to its ruggedness, simplicity, and off-road capabilities. It embodies the spirit of minimalist overlanding.
Camper Quantity Six: Hallmark Milner Truck Camper
Hallmark Truck Campers are constructed with a deal with craftsmanship and customization. The Milner mannequin is a flexible choice that may be tailor-made to particular person wants.
Key options embody: A composite building for lowered weight, a customizable ground plan, and a variety of optionally available options.
The Hallmark impressed due to its excessive stage of customization and its dedication to utilizing progressive supplies and building strategies.
Camper Quantity Seven: Phoenix Customized Campers Ute Flatbed Truck Camper
Phoenix Customized Campers focuses on constructing bespoke truck campers to satisfy the particular necessities of every buyer. Their Ute Flatbed camper exemplifies this method.
Key options embody: A custom-designed structure, a sturdy aluminum body, and a variety of accessible choices.
The Phoenix impressed due to its unmatched stage of personalization and its skill to create a very distinctive overlanding answer.
Camper Quantity Eight: Bundutec USA BunduAwn Truck Camper
Bundutec USA is thought for its progressive and rugged overlanding gear. The BunduAwn Truck Camper combines a conventional camper with their signature BunduAwn awning system.
Key options embody: A spacious inside, a built-in BunduAwn, and a deal with out of doors dwelling.
The Bundutec impressed due to its seamless integration of indoor and out of doors area, making it excellent for many who take pleasure in spending time in nature.
Camper Quantity 9: Capri Camper Retreat Truck Camper
Capri Campers provide a variety of light-weight and inexpensive truck campers. The Retreat mannequin gives a snug and purposeful dwelling area with out breaking the financial institution.
Key options embody: A easy and environment friendly structure, a light-weight building, and a budget-friendly worth level.
The Capri impressed due to its affordability and accessibility, making truck tenting a actuality for a wider vary of individuals.
Camper Quantity Ten: AT Habitat Truck Camper
AT (Journey Trailers) Habitat is a pop-up truck topper that transforms the mattress of a pickup into a snug tenting shelter. Whereas not a conventional truck camper, it supplied a compelling various for minimalists.
Key options embody: A light-weight aluminum body, sturdy canvas partitions, and a spacious inside when popped up.
The Habitat impressed due to its simplicity, affordability, and talent to supply a snug and safe tenting area.
Traits Noticed on the Overland Expo
A number of traits emerged from the truck campers displayed on the twenty seventeen Overland Expo. There was a transparent push towards lighter supplies, with producers more and more using aluminum, composites, and fiberglass to scale back weight and enhance gas effectivity. Solar energy integration was one other distinguished pattern, with many campers that includes built-in photo voltaic panels and battery methods for off-grid energy. We additionally noticed a rising deal with off-grid capabilities, with campers outfitted with options like water filtration methods, composting bogs, and high-capacity holding tanks. Lastly, customization was additionally gaining traction as producers provide extra bespoke choice, catering to particular person wants.
Conclusion
The twenty seventeen Overland Expo supplied a fascinating glimpse into the world of truck campers, showcasing a various vary of choices for adventure-seeking vacationers. From luxurious double-slide fashions to rugged pop-up campers, there was one thing to attraction to each style and finances. These high ten truck campers exemplify the innovation, craftsmanship, and spirit of journey that outline the overlanding group.
If you happen to’re contemplating embarking by yourself overlanding journey, exploring the world of truck campers is a superb place to begin. These versatile automobiles provide the liberty and adaptability to discover distant locations, whereas offering a snug and self-sufficient base camp. Attending occasions just like the Overland Expo is a incredible strategy to see the most recent fashions, meet producers, and join with fellow overlanders. As truck campers proceed to evolve, we are able to anticipate to see much more progressive designs and options emerge within the years to come back, additional enhancing the overlanding expertise. The way forward for truck campers appears promising.
