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Now that we are nearing completion of the cabin here at Mantle Rock Mountain Camp and our wedding will soon take place followed by our honeymoon, we are now starting to look at adventure travel again. Our honeymoon to Tulum, Mexico will kick off the activities. Once we return on July 3, I will be looking at building my next overland setup on the RAM 1500 Rebel.
The biggest issue with building a rig these days is delays or wait times. Some are a year out. Others about 5 to 6 months. The two setups I am most interested in are:
Super Pacific Switchback X1
I am considering a truck canopy with a built in pop up RTT. The Switchback in my opinion is the best on the market. Built strong using the same materials and techniques as aircraft. The lead time currently is 5 months but I have been talking to the team at SP about a partnership and hoping to get one in July or August. These are made in Portland, Oregon. I would be looking at a white body unit to match the truck. I would start with just the basics but eventually add solar and an aux battery. Not sure if I would add a refrigerator or just stay with the cooler. Another thing I like about the Switchback is that you can enter and exit the RTT from inside the canopy. I like this for a few reasons. First, if it is raining, we can get up in the morning and essentially put the bed away and stand inside the RTT. Also, this is great for safety. If there is an angry bear outside and he wants to eat us, well, we can climb out of the RTT and bring it down from the inside and remain inside the canopy until he departs. I know, this isn't totally ideal, but it is better than having to climb out of the RTT down a ladder and get inside the truck. Further, I can even move away from the issue with the truck even with the tent up. Lastly, this is great also because we can keep a small porta pottie in the bed of the truck and climb down and use it in the middle of the night if necessary.
Super Pacific: https://www.superpacificusa.com/
Watch the video:
https://www.youtube.com/embed/O-TGHJmWfHE
RSI SmartCap EVO Sport
I am also considering a SmartCap Sport. These are very similar to the Switchback but have no built-in RTT. I would have to add that to a rack on the top. The SmartCap is a very strong build as well and would fully support the RTT on top. Lead times on these are about 5-6 months as well. They are made in South Africa. I would then purchase a RTT. Likely not another iKamper as I don't want a side flip out RTT this time. I liked my iKamper a lot but I also like the idea of being able to easily move the vehicle around to better spots without necessarily having to drop the tent. Just a smaller footprint in general.
RSI SmartCap: https://www.na.rsismartcap.com/smarter-truck
Watch the video:
https://www.youtube.com/embed/g6EykdHksr0
I am leaning toward the SPSX1 mostly because I can likely get one sooner, they are made here in the USA so I can go get it myself and make a trip out of it, and the guys have responded well to the idea of a partnership.
One nice thing about my truck is that since I had originally installed the Overland Explorer Camp X, my truck bed is already wired with a harness so I have power from the alternator to the rear to keep things charging when in motion.
I like this kind of set-up for our use at this time because I can load the mountain bikes on the roof of the RTT and mount the motorcycle tray on the rear hitch and go. I can also hook a flatbed trailer to the hitch and pull M4X our side-by-side along.
And, of course, being a crew cab, I have tons of room in the rear seat area of the truck to hold clothing, my inflatable paddle board, etc.
Man it's too bad your truck has the short bed, or you could do a conventional camper and keep your profile low. With fuel prices like they are anything you can do to reduce drag saves real money!
As you know I used to drive commercially - between that & life long personal travel it became clear that the best solution will always minimize wind drag, side wind loading, any points of instability, poor load distribution, etc... it's not only about saving money on fuel there are a thousand little downstream effects and any minor handling quirk gets amplified fast when you're tired or sick or have an urgent situation.
I'm guessing the Switchback manages a somewhat lower profile than a Smartcap + separate RTT, even if you would pick the slickest hard shell unit. It looks really good too since you produce media your equipment's curb appeal is always a consideration. Well you learned that with Subaru content 🤣
That I did! The Overland Subi movement is a firestorm now. Yeah, I learned about drag, weight, etc with the Overland Explorer Camp X on the RAM 1500 which was definitely pushing its limits.