Pop up bronco campers.

[bax]

I have seen a few bronco campers. They really do commit a bronco to a "special use" category. As far as I know they are not in production anywhere. Should they be? Is there even a market for them enough to justify building a hundred or so? Anyone know what they did cost new? From what I see many improvements could be made and a modernization of equipment and materials would help too.

 

[blubuckaroo]

Bax, You won't be able to stand up in it.
You're built sort of like a wookie.

 

[bax]

Bax, You won't be able to stand up in it.
You're built sort of like a wookie.

Not true. I have stayed a few nights in one. For their limited size they do a good job. I can stand up and even cook lunch in one. Tasker on the other had would have problems getting any of his realitives in one.

 

[73stallion]

that would be sweet! thinking on building them exactly like the old ones, or making some modern revisions with more modern appliances and such? i'd love to have one, but i don't wanna pull my cage and tie my bronco up with a camper full time.

 

[blankenship76]

Seems like truck campers in general are a thing of the past, yeah there are still some but with relative low cost of pull behinds, I can't see a manufacturer reproducing these. Especially, with the current economic situation for most RV/camper companies.

 

[Scoop]

Bax, another thought, instead of going into full production, would be to design one, build it and then sell plans and parts or full kits. I bet you would get a lot of interest. Also with a little modification to how it attaches the same design could be used for a full size Bronco. Probably even more of a market there.

But, LOL, you must have adult onset ADHD. Only yesterday you were going to build an airplane . . .

 

[bax]

I kinda have to think much like what stallion and Blankenship is saying. I dont think a dedicated camper bronco is all that practical. Even a little pull behind would free up the bronco to be used as needed. I can't see anyone sliding their camper off the bronco to use the bronco for something else.
Scoop? I can see the unassembled kit camper as an option to the assembled one. I think the real problem would be very limited interest.

 

[Tito]

There are some trails out here where you could wheel in with the cab on but damn it would suck to bash a corner of it on a rock, that balsa wood would crumble. Would love to have one though.. I think their Eagle is like 10k + new, would fit on my stretch but.....way out of my range for something like that.

 

[rjrobin2002]

I think making a trailer out of a 66 pick-up bed painted to match your Bronco with a camper on the truck bed woould be the best option, and their is probably a camper in production that would fit the truck bed.

 

[ghost66]

I don't see a market for these either but if someone were to build one that looked like an air stream I could see this look catching on but still not enough numbers for them to be profitable. They would have to come in at around $2000.00 for anyone to consider buying them. I'm willing to bet that 10-20% of Broncos are under construction with no plans to go as a Camper type, 30% are probably trail type with cages, and the balance 50% are stockers or slight mods that we use as weekend vehicles. I bet you couldn't sell more than a hundred campers and I think that is being generous. But, I personally would still like to have one and would suffice with finding an old model and refurbishing it. Unless of course BAX wants to take this on and make a few of them for us. This is probably not a if you build it they will come situation. I wonder how many beer cans it would take to get a good start on one?

 

[Steve83]

I've considered a true pop-up for my FSB, but I haven't tried to hash out the mechanism.



This is an idea I had for Frank's so he could haul hunting dogs, a 4-wheeler, & have a clamshell tent on top:

 

[Viperwolf1]

If you want to use a Bronco to pull it, I think the best solution is an expedition type trailer with popup tent. Might have trouble fitting a bigfoot in that though.

 

[dnewman9]

I really do not see the market for them. I have seen Broncos go for less because the buyer has to remove the camper. That being said for those interested there seems to be plenty out there you could grab and "restore/modernize" We ran into a guy here in Denver who sent his back to the factory and had it fully restored, siding, top etc. He claimed to have over $10k in that alone.

I have said this before, my dad had a 77 and we camped all over Colorado in it, 2 adults, 2 kids, and 2 golden retrievers. We camped well above treeline many times and it was awesome!!. Mind you back then they did not have the offroad popup selection that is available now but it was still cool.

My dad has one but I just can't get the wife to allow the kids to sit sideways with little or no protection like we did back in the 80s. There is a totally different standard of safety I guess. (my parents also bought a conversion van minus the seats on the inside and thought it was safe for my sister and I to sit on beanbags in the back for many years)

If it was me I would buy a Jayco or Fleetwood offroad camper or rooftop tent. Much cheaper and more modern amenities, plus you could go much deeper into the rough stuff.
Dennis

 

[bax]

I think making a trailer out of a 66 pick-up bed painted to match your Bronco with a camper on the truck bed woould be the best option, and their is probably a camper in production that would fit the truck bed.

I could see someone doing that. Same basic outside quarter panel but longer. Camper is bigger and lower to the ground. Pull behind with corner jacks to level. never a production item, 66 truck beds are also getting hard to find.

 

[ghost66]

I could see someone doing that. Same basic outside quarter panel but longer. Camper is bigger and lower to the ground. Pull behind with corner jacks to level. never a production item, 66 truck beds are also getting hard to find.

I must live in a special part of the country cause i see 66 f-100's on CL all the time here in Missouri

 

[Tito]

I must live in a special part of the country cause i see 66 f-100's on CL all the time here in Missouri

About a third of the gardeners out here are using those beds.

 

[NGABronco]

Hey bax, there was this rig at Townsend (you know, the one you didn't show up for!!!) I believe he's out of Southern IN or N. KY. Had his wife and 1 or 2 kids.;D;D;D

And if Scoop gets on ya' too hard I'll loan you this "T" shirt!!!

 

[1sicbronconut]

I think a flip pack made for a Bronco would work out better, although I'm in the market for a Bronco camper for a project if anybody knows where there's one laying around Here's the linky for flip pack. http://flippac.com/

 

[73stallion]

NGABronco, is that yours? how does it tow? i'm looking for something to tow behind mine right now, and can't get myself to buy anything bigger than a teardrop. had looked at this one though;

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/rvs/1938108697.html

 

[Evian]

Are you talking about one that goes in the back bed section of a halfcab? If so, I haven't seen any. I would love to see a photo of one though.