One question for you would be where do you see this hard sided pop up fitting into the RV market hierarchy? I am assuming you are not thinking of a 'mass market' product with the most 'standard' RV bling for the least $ (Palomino etc). But are you thinking the 'utilitarian market', with a focus on light weight an longevity, with less bling for more $$ (FWC, ATC etc)? Or are you looking a the boutique market, with ruggedness and features (XP, Earthroamer etc) with a corresponding price point?
I am thinking as a small scale new player, you will be limited to the boutique market as your production costs would be high, at least initially. From a market standpoint, the problem here is that there are just not that many customers that are willing to pay much more for less (ask Alaskan and XP about this). Look at the mainstream RV market as and example, it seems to me that the only number that matters is $/sqft and $/bling feature, which has lead to the current low point in mass market RV quality and longevity. But this is all speculation, as I am not expert on the RV industry.
From my personal standpoint, I could be interested in hard sided pop-up sometime in the future - but it would need to be light weight and low profile. I have no interest in the current offerings in hard sided truck campers - for me you loose so much capability with this sort of camper due to the high profile, terrible COG and and overall weight, that it has almost no advantage over a 4x4 or even a lifted 2wd sprinter van camper. I would even consider a flatbed Alaskan, but my turn off is the aging design. If someone would make a composite panel version with a similar operating mechanism to the Alaskan, with a modern interior and materials, I would definitely be interested. The issue with the front part of the pop up seems relatively easy to address. You could add a FWC like soft liner that goes on the outside of the hard side bed walls that would provide weather tightness while you fold up the walls.
I also think a flatbed design would also be a wise choice. It seems that FWC is selling flatbeds like hotcakes, even though they are significantly more expensive. Just from my interactions on WtW and with people we meet out and about - the market for these sort of campers has shifted a little. It is no longer dominated by hunters and weekenders who camp on the weekend and use their truck for work during the week. Now there seem to be many more travelers/climbers/hikers/bikers who want (and can afford) a capable camper, but don't need a pickup truck. This is particularly true as you get into the 'boutique' market and are competing with XP and EarthRoamer. I think the flatbeds also play to the 'expo' crowd who at least aspirationaly want an 'overland' vehicle than looks like an 'overland' vehicle, not a work truck loaded up for a weekend of camping.
Any, that is way too much rambling from me,
Edited by rando, 26 December 2017 - 04:32 PM.