1989 - Volume #13, Issue #6, Page #20
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Pop Up Topper Turns Pickup Into Stand Up Camper
Developed by WilderNest Adventure Campers, Broomfield, Colo., the camper consists of a topper shell, tent, and 2-piece carpeted unit that slides into the pickup bed. The entire roof of the topper, which opens out to one side of the pickup and holds the extended double bed, is supported by a patented cantilever cable and coil spring system that holds up to 1,000 lbs. Large, netted zip-down picture windows offer views from both sides of the tent.
`The WilderNest camper offers 8 ft. of space from the pickup floor to the top of the tent, which is more than enough room to stand up. It offers three times as much space as a conventional slide-in pickup camper and even more space than most vans. One person can set it up in less than 5 min. After you've set up the bed and the tent, the cargo area of the pickup is left untouched, allowing for a variety of seating and cooking arrangements. When you're done camping you fold it back up into a topper shell, leaving the entire pickup bed free for hauling other things. You never have to remove it from the pickup. The WilderNest weighs less than 250 lbs. for compact pickups and 325 lbs. for full-size models so you still have the power to pull a boat or other RV," says Bud Jordan, president.
The waterproof tent is made of 8-oz. nylon packcloth, coated with urethane. Inside the tent top are fiberglass wands that prevent flapping in windy conditions. Extendable aluminum outrigger struts under the extended bed keep it stable in high winds. Two ventilation openings at the top provide for fresh air and humidity control.
Accessories include a a nylon mesh kitchen organizer net with rows of pockets that hold pots and pans; a roof rack; a tailgate screen door that allows you to keep the tailgate down and the rear hatch window up for easy access without constant opening and closing of the entire rear end of the topper shell; folding bench seats; a table with sink; interior lighting kits; and a carpet insert package that contains carpeted bench seats with storage which can convert to an additional bed, allowing you to sleep four inside.
The topper shell, tent, and 2-piece slide-in carpeted unit for a full-size pickup sells for $3,000; $2,500 for a compact pickup. Fits most pickups, including full-size, compact, domestic or import.
For more information, contact: FARM SHOW Followup, WilderNest Adventure Campers, P.O. Box 1447, 2005 W. Mid-way, Broomfield, Colo. 80038 (ph toll-free 800 432-6378 or 303 465-4247).
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