Pop-up truck campers, Part # 1 — ‘Perfect backcountry recreation vehicles’

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RonDonnaTuskind_WebsterPass_EricTuskindIn the early 1950s, a modified low-profile truck camper started appearing on the Alcan Highway.

This hard-sided recreation vehicle by Alaskan Campers  was designed to travel over rough terrain with reduced wind resistance and a lower center of gravity. Once at camp, the sides would telescope up into a roomy, walk-in cabin.

Over the years a number of RV manufacturers have started producing pop-up truck campers. Improved technology and materials, including soft-sided folding panels, have resulted in even lighter units, often hundreds of pounds less than hard-sided campers.

The advantages of pop-ups appeal to both serious off-road enthusiasts and to couples that want to slip away for quiet weekends at their favorite remote recreation area.

What continues to appeal to new pop-up owners it the low center of gravity, said Rich Bain, assistant secretary of the North America Truck Camper Owners Association. “The combined truck and camper package can handle better in off road situations,” said Rich Bain. “The lower overhead makes it easier to maneuver through tight logging roads that have branches and other obstructions hanging down.”

More on Pop-up truck campers — ‘Lightweight, easy to handle’ in the next post.

Photo: Ron and Donna Tuskind of Denver, Colo., took their Four Wheel pop-up camper over the Webster Pass near the top of Redcone Mountain (13,000′) in the central Colorado Rockies.  (Photo by Eric Tuskind)

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