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This is a fully expanded XP Camper. The section above the truck cab is fabric but everything else has hard siding. You can see a line along the center of the body where the top section slides over the bottom section when the camper is compressed. The side entrance allows a full width table with picture window at the back but means that this camper is not a slide in. The truck bed is converted to allow a full width camper. See the industrial metal base that is substituted for a truck bed.

XP Camper

Campers

Great design comes with some inspiration.  What is missing in other products that will be present in yours?  Along with being a beautifully sophisticated pop-up truck camper, the XP Camper benefits from the love and detail that comes from a founder who cares about beer.  Tired of not being able to store that case of beer in the odd-shaped storage bin? These storage receptacle dimensions come with a consideration of what could be stored in it.  Right below your feet when you first walk in is a storage space that can fit two cases of beer cans.  A strangely small storage bin by the bed is perfectly sized for fitting a bottle of bourbon.  Now, I’m a scotch drinker, personally, but we do spend a good amount of time in Kentucky and Tennessee, so I wouldn’t say “no” to a good spot to store some bourbon.

Perhaps, I am being too facetious.  One doesn’t shell out $100K for a truck bed camper just because it can optimally store your bud light. One spends that money because so much thought has been put into the design of this space that even simple issues like alcohol storage are taken into account.  This is a popup camper.  Often, these are designed as budget solutions for people who may not be able to afford the more expensive trailers and fifth wheels.  But XP campers are for people who want the optimal setup for off-roading and boondocking.  The camper that we had the pleasure of seeing is owned by a couple who have traveled in it continuously for the last 3 years.

For us, the XP Camper isn’t a matter of do we want one (Oh, we want one) but can we afford it…we’ll need to wait on that question for later. It has everything we want: low profile for travel, optimal space for living, a large table, a toilet, and one of the best kitchen sections we have seen in a popup camper.

This is a fully expanded XP Camper. The section above the truck cab is fabric but everything else has hard siding. You can see a line along the center of the body where the top section slides over the bottom section when the camper is compressed. The side entrance allows a full width table with picture window at the back but means that this camper is not a slide in. The truck bed is converted to allow a full width camper. See the industrial metal base that is substituted for a truck bed.
This is a fully expanded XP Camper. The section above the truck cab is fabric but everything else has hard siding. You can see a line along the center of the body where the top section slides over the bottom section when the camper is compressed. The side entrance allows a full width table with picture window at the back but means that this camper is not a slide in. The truck bed is converted to allow a full width camper. See the industrial metal base that is substituted for a truck bed.
The interior reminds me a lot of the fiberglass interiors of boats. Walking around, I could almost be inside a little sail boat of my own. Just, this is a land ship. The bathroom section is open here. You can see the metal ring at the top that a shower curtain can be attached to. The back section folds down to act as the top of the bathroom section when not in use so it can be an extension of the counter. A nice addition when cooking.
The interior reminds me a lot of the fiberglass interiors of boats. Walking around, I could almost be inside a little sail boat of my own. Just, this is a land ship. The bathroom section is open here. You can see the metal ring at the top that a shower curtain can be attached to. The back section folds down to act as the top of the bathroom section when not in use so it can be an extension of the counter. A nice addition when cooking.

I think the dining area is one of the parts that has me the most delighted. Sure, it's great to have a toilet in a popup camper (most of popups don't) but the table is also often a compromise. Since most popups we are looking at are slide ins, the entry way is at the back and all of the camper is divided in half by a walkway to the bed in the back. By having the entry in the middle, the walkway only splits the kitchen and bathroom. The table spans the full width of the camper, making it one of the largest tables we have seen in a truck bed camper. It even folds out a bit more when needed. That's great both for when we are working and when we are eating. It is next to the wall, so we can enjoy a picture window of whatever is behind the camper. And, oh, do we enjoy views.
I think the dining area is one of the parts that has me the most delighted. Sure, it’s great to have a toilet in a popup camper (most of popups don’t) but the table is also often a compromise. Since most popups we are looking at are slide ins, the entry way is at the back and all of the camper is divided in half by a walkway to the bed in the back. By having the entry in the middle, the walkway only splits the kitchen and bathroom. The table spans the full width of the camper, making it one of the largest tables we have seen in a truck bed camper. It even folds out a bit more when needed. That’s great both for when we are working and when we are eating. It is next to the wall, so we can enjoy a picture window of whatever is behind the camper. And, oh, do we enjoy views.
The toilet is simple and elegant but exposed. As the owner observes "If you can't use the toilet in front of each other, you have bigger problems." I suppose you could set up the shower curtain to got to the bathroom. But I do rather like the idea of a toilet with a view—you face the table picture window, after all. The wood planking on the floor of the bathroom gives a little refinement and separation from any water yet to drain.
The toilet is simple and elegant but exposed. As the owner observes “If you can’t use the toilet in front of each other, you have bigger problems.” I suppose you could set up the shower curtain to got to the bathroom. But I do rather like the idea of a toilet with a view—you face the table picture window, after all. The wood planking on the floor of the bathroom gives a little refinement and separation from any water yet to drain.
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Lexi lives in a truck camper down by the river.

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Comments:

  • Steve

    November 1, 2016

    The XP Camper is not only a great design, but it’s a clever one too. My Partner & I have lusted over a number of adventure campers with pop-up roofs, including the XP Camper, but we are keen on and Earthcruiser. Obviously it’s an order of magnitude more expensive that the XP, but we want to be able to travel off the grid through the Australian desert, down the pan American highway, or even through the wilds of Canada…. Always dreaming….. 🙂

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    • Lexi Goforth

      November 1, 2016

      I get you, Steve! We keep dreaming, too…that may be why we still haven’t settled on a rig. As it is, we just keep tinkering with our truck shell camper until we either find the perfect rig or our budget loosens up. The Earthcruiser certainly is another example of thoughtful design. One of these days…

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