Sönke's hard-side popup camper

[pete.wilson]

Hey

This has been an excellant thread; I would like to see something similar to Sonke's but on a full size american/Toyota 3/4 or 1 ton vehicle chassis. My compliments to Sonke on a very good looking, well executed camper. I would be curious to know approx. how much you have invested, which I would imagine would be quite high with all of the custom work that was done, but is shows quality throughout! Nice rig.

Pete Wilson

[soenke]

Hey Pete, thanks

I can just tell you, that for a simillar cabin Marcus would now start charging by 25K€.
It will depend very much on the shape, welding rounded profil takes a lot of time...a simpler shape and the use of rightangle profil will make it a lot cheaper.

if you ship your truck Marcus would be glade to help you..

[pete.wilson]

Hey

Soenke,

Even if you added another 10-15% to the $25K, that's still not too bad when you consider how much stuff costs these days and even a comparable decked out trailer would run you $15K+. I like how it's all self contained.

Pete Wilson

[haven]

25.000 Euro is about $35,000 in Yankee dollars. Craftsmanship
commands high prices, on both sides of the Atlantic!

$35K actually isn't that bad. You'll probably pay $25K to
Alaskan Campers to make a custom design. The camper part
of an Earthroamer XV-JP costs $70K.

I wonder if we could convince Markus to develop a standardized
design for a full-size American pickup with flatbed. Sort of like
the Terra Cross line that Unicat makes.

Markus' web site is http://www.offroad-schmiede.com/
It's in German, natürlich.

Chip Haven

[pete.wilson]

Hey

Good point, I forgot about the money conversion aspect. Thanks also for the web address.

Pete Wilson

[TACODOC]

Amazing truck and camper!!!

[jeepdreamer]

I sit in AWE at that which you have created! In design, perfection. In execution, nirvana! Im consistantly amazed at the quality and craftsmanship that Europeans in general (and you specifically!) attain. The forsite, planning, function of design, and overall utilitarianism leaves me envious. I find it almost silly how, as Americans, we explore so little of what our beautiful country has to offer. Meanwhile, our friends accross the pond will jump at any oppertunity to "scratch thier feet" on the unknown wilderness. To see you not only create such a fabulous exploration vehicle, but to witness you USING it..! Perhaps one day i will find the means to mimick what you've done...? Until then, I must force myself to live vicariously through your work of art! Thankyou sir!!!

[soenke]

thanks Jeepdreamer ,
I wich it will be half as perfect as you assume one day...

[Mickldo]

thanks Jeepdreamer ,
I wich it will be half as perfect as you assume one day...

What would you change? Anything you would do differently if you did it over?

[soenke]

our circumstance of life changed, instead of travelling with open end as we had planed, we settled down and bought an old farm house right at the baltic sea. A once in a life chance. But this will keep us busy for the next years and allows us just short travelling.

but in I can take comfort in driving right into the kitchen




So if I had known that before, I would have designed the cabin and a pick up bed for quick exchange to have a bit more of a work horse..