Just a couple of guys trying to build a better camper

Looks awesome! Wouldn't mind seeing how* it would do on a 2nd gen DCSB though..

 

This is in the works for early next year!

 

Hows the campers coming along? Im having trouble wrapping my head around carbon fiber camper for 150lbs of weight

 

@Manfred thanks for checking in! Over the past couple months we've successfully rolled out a handful of units to our first customers, which has been exciting. As you can imagine, we've learned a lot in the process, and due to the highly custom nature of this camper, we are spending a lot more time than anticipated creating the various components and assembling each unit. The result is we have had to raise the tag on the ultra-lightweight Leentu Carbon.

In an effort to allow us to grow and sustain, we're now working on a second model-- the Sunzal Utility Pop-up -- featuring robust aluminum and carbon fiber composite panel monocoque construction, which will allow us to build a broader range of trucks immediately. This camper is similarly low profile, but a bit more economical (starts at $7599) and will weigh in closer to 300lbs for mid-sized trucks. We're taking reservations for this model now and looking to start shipping our first orders around May.

More info can be found on our website (www.leentu.com) and we've got a number of upgrade options including windows and windoors, roof racks, ventilation fan, a solar package and a handful of different carbon fiber weaves (colored/camo/honecomb) that can be swapped for the standard black twill featured on the exterior of the side panels.

Here are a few photos of the flagship Leentu Carbon on the long bed, and a couple renderings of what you'll see for the Sunzal very soon!

 

Oh, and regarding the photos of the popped-up white unit, those images were taken during the polar votex when it was -5, so we didn't have a chance to trim up the very frozen tent. Now that things are warming up around here in the midwest, we're looking to do a more legit shoot soon, and will share better photos at that time.

 

@HIghlande2 @fatfurious2 @Fleabag @Shikokaon

 

Three more questions that I've thought of

1) Prinsu racks are a popular addition. Do you forsee your product working in conjunction with the rack + its accessories (pelican, plano cases, traction boards etc)?

2. How much dead load would it be able to sustain? With the addition of solar panels and perhaps snow would it be able to sustain the weight of such cases?

3. Do you need some Canadian field testing I know a few guys.... @llamasmurf @Joe23 @Canadian Joe myself that would be willing to put it through its paces and give you some honest criticisms and feedback

 

#1, no, not really, well maybe on some trucks. On long beds the overhang will be a little shorter so on a long bed crew cab there should be a fair amount of, if not all of a rack like the prinsu habitat roof rack clear of the overhang and available for use. Height-wise the overhang will most likely clear the rack but it will also cover most of it (length-wise) on shorter trucks. This is something we'll need to verify in field, people are welcome to try but we're making no claims about it as of now.

#2, As far as I can tell, prinsu doesn't offer a rack that would fit a flat roof so I'm not sure what you're asking re: cases. The traditional track mounted roof racks from thule, yakima et al will all work, as will the addition of appropriately sized solar panels, whether they're encased glass units on a rack or semi flexible units placed directly on the roof. We (and most roof rack manufacturers) will never suggest more than around 150 lbs on the roof of your vehicle regardless of the roof's structural ability to hold more weight. Weight on the roof of a vehicle drastically affects handling safety, especially on higher clearance vehicles. If you have special considerations for the roof operation ie, you want to carry a couple of kayaks without having to remove them every time you pop the roof up or you expect large loading of sticky snow we can accommodate you with larger gas springs and/or locking units but these will not be offered standard.

Ok, on rereading this I see what you're asking... I was confused It's only Tuesday and it's already been a long week, forgive me. While the above remains generally relevant information, Stationary snow/solar panel loading with the roof closed won't be an issue (within reason of course, if you let 5 feet of snow settle on it and then get rained on or something you may have an issue, as this could amount to thousands of pounds) but generally, worst case scenario with the maximum amount of wet snow that is likely to be able to stick to the roof without falling off should be about 700-900 lbs which, distributed and stationary, will be fine.

#3 Let us get a little inventory built up first, stay tuned. We're pretty happy with what we have now but this is a product that is going to be (relatively) easy to evolve because of the low setup cost for most changes and we expect our evolution of this design to be a constant process (we will always be learning things we can do better) as we welcome and receive feedback from the community. We are going to remain as a locally made product and won't be manufacturing huge numbers of these at least initially so we can be pretty flexible and responsive to feedback and suggestions. This is intentional, we know what we like and how we think things should work but we're only a small slice of one demographic who will enjoy this and ultimately this product belongs to you, the consumer and truck camping community and we want to make it the best product we can for you.

Thanks!
Chris

 

I can appreciate the amount of effort and thought that goes into a project like this.l look forward to seeing your progress.

 

What ever happened with these guys?

 

Probably bought out .. or out of business for making a pop up camper that maybe 2% of truck owners would purchase.

 

Good question. I looked around and can't find anything other than their Instagram, Facebook and website are all gone.

My dad just bought one on eBay second-hand Sunzal and is waiting for the transaction/hand-off to actually happen.

 

Might be better for the cyber truck .