Illustrated Camperoo

If you want to go traveling on the open road with more than just your sig-oth, but you don't want the hassle of pitching a camp every night you really only have one option: The full RV, with its bulk and poor fuel economy. Sure a conventional pop top van can sleep two couples but it lacks the other full amenities that make for truely comfortable OTR travel. The problem with a pop-up campervan isn't a flawed basic concept, it's that designers have ignored the one great innovation in pop top technology, the vertical lift double extension tent. This design is very popular in the tent trailer category, but has never been implemented in a camper van.

This van consists of the upper section of a tent trailer consisting of the roof, extensions, jacks and canvas mounted to the roof of a conventional high economy van. This raises the roof line 8" but should incur a far smaller economy penalty than a high top van. The van itself is camper converted but no beds need be laid on the "ground floor" allowing space for larger toilet and galley facilities". When the top is popped and the slides extended there are now two berths atop the van and an area of standing room below where food can be prepared.

Upsides:

Sleeps 4 in comfort.

Allows for complete galley and bathroom.

More open than current Sprinter and Maxi-Van designs.

Should provide far better fuel economy due to near minivan wind resistance on the road.

Downsides:

Possible wind issues due to sail like shape when popped.

Van will be heavy and top heavy.

Bathroom has low headroom.

Seating for rear passengers must be dual purpose/stow able somehow.