Transition to XP

[DrJ]

We recently owned a FWC for about a year and enjoyed it for shorter trips. Since we are retired and want to take longer trips in regards to distance and time without giving up the versatility of a truck camper, we decided after much research and consideration that the XP Camper would be a good fit for us. The features we most appreciate about the XP are: the feeling of openness inside with large windows allowing you to appreciate the outdoors, the truck and camper are well designed for both road and off-roading, and dealing directly with Marc Wasserman, the owner and designer of XP, was also a deciding factor. We found Marc to be helpful, knowledgable, and practical in his recommendations.
We are picking up our XP at the end of December.

I'm definitely interested in your experience with the V1. I hope you post lots of information and pictures about it!

What made you choose XP over other truck camper options?
What about the decision of the V1 vs the V3?

 

[Tommieboy]

We recently owned a FWC for about a year and enjoyed it for shorter trips. Since we are retired and want to take longer trips in regards to distance and time without giving up the versatility of a truck camper, we decided after much research and consideration that the XP Camper would be a good fit for us. The features we most appreciate about the XP are: the feeling of openness inside with large windows allowing you to appreciate the outdoors, the truck and camper are well designed for both road and off-roading, and dealing directly with Marc Wasserman, the owner and designer of XP, was also a deciding factor. We found Marc to be helpful, knowledgable, and practical in his recommendations.
We are picking up our XP at the end of December.

Congratulations on your new XP purchase. You don't mention it above, is it the V1 you bought?
Can you describe the set up you chose in terms of truck as well as options of the camper?

 

[mmarkbauer]

Dr. J,
We will share our experiences with our XP V1.

We chose the XP for its compact size and open pleasant interior environment due to the design and materials used. We experienced first hand the interior of almost all truck campers on the market including FWC, Hallmark, Tiger, and even the Earth Roamer. Marc Wasserman of XP provides a turn key expedition truck/camper. He will modify the truck to maximize the function of the truck/ camper combination.

The V3 was not available when we placed our order.

Hope this is helpful.

 

[mmarkbauer]

Tommieboy,

Thank you. We are very excited about using our XP V1. We selected the 2015 F150 SRW diesel 4x4 with 158" wb, a 3.55 electronic locking axle and dual alternators. Modifications and adds by XP to truck are: flatbed w/air compressor, ARB front bumper, icon reservoir shocks, rear air bags, front springs, tire and wheel package, ARB snorkel, winch, and ARB differential breather kit.
Regarding camper options, we chose to include most of them due to our intention to use it on extended trips. They include: third solar panel, 2 additional batteries, inverter 2000W 12V, awning, and microwave.

 

[Tommieboy]

Tommieboy,

Thank you. We are very excited about using our XP V1. We selected the 2015 F150 SRW diesel 4x4 with 158" wb, a 3.55 electronic locking axle and dual alternators. Modifications and adds by XP to truck are: flatbed w/air compressor, ARB front bumper, icon reservoir shocks, rear air bags, front springs, tire and wheel package, ARB snorkel, winch, and ARB differential breather kit.
Regarding camper options, we chose to include most of them due to our intention to use it on extended trips. They include: third solar panel, 2 additional batteries, inverter 2000W 12V, awning, and microwave.

Nice set up, you are definitely equipped for off the beaten path and long haul. I'm sure you can't wait to hit the road.

 

[Tommieboy]

...We are picking up our XP at the end of December.

So Mark, I'm sure there are a few others wondering as well if you picked up your V1 yet - anything to report?

 

[Bigfoot]

I have some experience with XPCamper and can add a few insights to the discussion. As conditions change and more owners come on-line there will be more current info, of course.

We placed one of the early V2 orders in 2013 with a due date of year's end. Later we used the prototype V2 for 3 weeks. We visited the factory in California 3 times and had many conversations with Marc, the owner. He has a very cool design that solves some limitations of other truck campers. Nothing else quite like it.

The V2 "Compact" was designed to be much simpler to make than the V1, as well as being lighter and less expensive. However, by August 2014 XPCamper still could not deliver until (maybe) November and changed some of the design features we had talked about during the year since we had ordered. In the meantime they had added V3 and V4 variations to the menu to confuse matters. Combined with issues we learned about when using the prototype and at XPCamper's suggestion, we cancelled. That was painful.

So, my advice is to treat this like a kickstarter and be patient... very patient. They are a custom shop that builds to order and everything will take longer than you expect. Plan to wait at least a year, probably longer. Unlike EarthRoamer, EarthCruiser or Tiger which supply the truck (with a few options for the base truck when ordering), with XPCamper you supply the truck which must then be modified for their mounting and weight needs. Every truck is different which throws a variable into each project. They will have your truck for weeks or months.

Speaking of weight, the XPCamper weighs about the same as other truck campers of the same size. It is a premium design with a lot of storage and extras, so the tendency to overload is great. Plan accordingly.

Research what you want thoroughly and think of yourself as an investor rather than a customer. XPCamper has completed a relatively small number of projects and have expanded their production capabilities a couple of times. As a work in progress XPCamper is interesting to follow but can be frustrating. If successful, you will be part of a small family of XPCamper owners, and you will often field questions from curious and admiring strangers.

Best wishes to Marc and his family of owners.

 

[Redserge]

"...Combined with issues we learned about when using the prototype and at XPCamper's suggestion, we cancelled....

Are you waiting until XP's V2 develops further or have you moved on to a different company?

I've read a few blogs of V1 owners and they seem quite happy with their set ups, I guess that model was their first and is more fully developed. Did you not consider the V1 for any specific reason?

 

[Bigfoot]

Are you waiting until XP's V2 develops further or have you moved on to a different company?

I've read a few blogs of V1 owners and they seem quite happy with their set ups, I guess that model was their first and is more fully developed. Did you not consider the V1 for any specific reason?

We moved on for now (see Hallmark discussion). We did not want to wait any longer without a firm schedule and without some features we wanted such as a usable bed. The V2 was supposed to be my wife's birthday present but it didn't work out.

At the time the V1 was the only model that had been delivered, so I guess you could say it was more developed. I'm not sure of finished projects but there may be a couple of V2s out there by now although I have not seen photos of them, and one V4 "Cube" was built to a customer's specs.

We did not switch to the V1 because it was more than we wanted in terms of cost, weight and build time. We did look at one in the shop and drooled on it.

Marc in nearly completed V1

 

[Redserge]

"So, my advice is to treat this like a kickstarter and be patient... very patient. They are a custom shop that builds to order and everything will take longer than you expect. Plan to wait at least a year, probably longer."

Well, we're interested enough to fly across the continent from eastern Canada in a few days to visit Marc and get a first hand look at one of his units. We wouldn't be ordering immediately, especially with the state of our dollar, but at least we'll be able to decide whether XP is in the mix with a few other brands we're considering.

 

[gvb1940@gmail.com]

I'll hopefully be picking up my XP1 in a week or so. My truck is a 2015 Ram Tradesman Diesel auto shortbed crew cab. Marc emailed me a picture today of the truck with the flatbed installed. I'm getting really excited.

 

[simimike]

Oh boy, It doesn't get any nicer than that. Congrats on the new camper.

Mike

 

[Bigfoot]

I'll hopefully be picking up my XP1 in a week or so. My truck is a 2015 Ram Tradesman Diesel auto shortbed crew cab. Marc emailed me a picture today of the truck with the flatbed installed. I'm getting really excited.

image.jpeg

Nice! Enjoy, explore!

I'm curious as to when you ordered the V1 and how long they needed your truck.

 

[Florida]

I am the other person - the one that bought an XPV1and was thoroughly disappointed with it and disgusted with their customer service. I sold it at a considerable loss after 6 months. It also managed to cost me thousands in repairs and upkeep during that 6 months. I now own an Alaskan which was built onto the XP flatbed. The problems inherent in the XP are too numerous to detail here. If anyone wants to know specifics they are welcome to ask.

 

[Florida]

To directly address the topic, I was transitioning from a Syncro Westfalia to the XP. What a disaster! Fortunately I didn't sell the VW right away because I needed to live in it several times while the XP was repaired.

 

[snuffy]

What is the price on a camper like that?

 

[billharr]

What is the price on a camper like that?

First time I have heard of a problem with any XP. I looked at the V2, did not like the room inside compared to a FWC. The big one is in another class altogether.



From XP's web site:
V2 – Compact
Camper with truck tray starting at $42,975
With the success of the V1 and the popularity of midsized trucks around the globe the V2 was born. The camper utilizes many of the same systems and construction methods developed for the V1, just in a more compact and lightweight package. It also stays true to the hard-sided pop-up design featured on the V1. By utilizing XPCamper’s unique truck tray system the V2 offers a huge about of living and storage space in an extremely compact package, while still providing you with tons of utility from your truck when the camper is removed. The pricing on the V2 offers an incredible value, which makes it the perfect introduction into the quality truck camper overland lifestyle.

 

[Florida]

I know that there are few negative reviews of XP available. I did lots of research before buying mine. It cost me about $80,000 so you can bet that I looked into it! After I sold it I posted on XP's site about my disappointment. I didn't want to appear to be slamming the company in public, so I invited people to contact me at my email. THEN I learned about other disappointed owners and resales. I wish that they had posted their experiences so that I could have seen the total picture before I made such an expensive mistake.


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[DrJ]

Florida,
When did you take delivery of your camper?
At $80,000 was it a V1 model?

 

[Florida]

October 2014. Yes it was the big one, the V1. Sorry I originally posted wrong.


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