Camper shell
As a camper (also Absetzkabine [ engl. Demountable camper, American. Truck- camper ] ), should be referred to residential structures, which could be set to a pickup or similar vehicles. Normally, these are not permanently attached but the camper is fitted and fixed, for example at weekends or vacation trip only when necessary. Therefore, one can use the vehicle during the week normally and only when needed is an RV (English motor - home) from it.
Versions
The campers are divided into two main groups:
There are the hard wall campers, with solid walls and a rigid structure. The Lance shown to the right is one of the largest of its kind while Europe, these cabins are of course the pick-ups accordingly somewhat smaller, but offer to the customer almost all the bells and whistles from the camping area. Hard -Wall- campers are often limited offroad suitability, the high center of gravity and the size make maneuvering in the tightest terrain often impossible. Therefore, these cabins at the resort the greatest comfort. Popular brands in Germany include Artica, Tischer, North Star, Travel- Lite, Northstar, Bimobil and Mabu.
On the other hand there is the " pop-up " or " Folding" campers. This category is usually a lightweight and compact design of a camper. The roof is to boot with this cab either fully or diagonally unfold upwards. Thus, the focus remains in the driving low and the dimensions compact, while camping but also offer these cabins plenty of space and comfort. This cabin type is often built off-road suitability, and is often used for long distance travel or tours off the beaten track. The insulation is due to the use of tarpaulins or tent fabric parts not as good as a " hard- wall" campers, but can often with accessories ( additional Isoliervorhänge ) be upgraded. Popular brands in Germany include getaway, Northstar, Explorer, North Star, Four - Wheel Camper and ExKab.
Facility
In most cabins all major appliances such as heating, fridge, cooking facilities, sink, fresh water tank, etc. are present. In the alcove you will find a large bed for two people. Furthermore, the seating area can be quickly converted into an extra sleeping space in most living rooms, if necessary. A toilet with a toilet room is available depending on the size of the living room, with some models even have a shower.
On and take off
To sell the cabin, extendable supports are screwed to the cabin, with which you can then lift the car to drive the car out. Various commonly used supports with mechanical, electrical or hydraulically operated mechanism. The fuse on the board is via wire ropes, straps or chains. To replace this, be mounted on the back of the base vehicle load hook. Alternatively boom can also be screwed to the frame of the pickups that make it possible to clamp the cabin to the outside.
Care and use of
As a camper, unlike caravans and motorhomes has no stable steel frame as a platform, it is subject to more twisting forces. This is exacerbated by the fact that the cabin is usually clamped at four points with the body of the pick-up. Over a longer period, this weakens the compounds of the body parts and water can penetrate.
Especially with the roof bolted roof boxes and carrier are prone to leaks at the screw points and let water get there in the ceiling area. This also applies additionally installed awnings and bike racks.
Benefits
An advantage in this type of configuration is the easy way to separate the cabin from the vehicle. So you can travel with an attached cab to the resort. Once there is one from the cabin and has such a vehicle. There are no room charges for main and emissions testing and no taxes that would pay for an extra camper. The insurance will be lower because the vehicle is now regarded as a camper. Since most 1-1/2-Kabiner-Pickups as Registration Type lorry have open box, but a Sunday ban applies to them with trailer ( this applies from 1 April 2009 by special permit for pickups as canceled). Here it was then to be advantageous to enter the living room. This then results in open box truck - ww. Special car camper and you could pull a trailer on Sundays. Another advantage of this combination of camper and pickup is the better off-road by the four wheel drive. In particular, Scandinavia travelers know a camper to appreciate, as incurred on the ferry no extra cost for a caravan. In addition, you can for example take his motor boat on the trailer, and then has his camper on site as domicile, the pick-up as a flexible exploration vehicle and his boat to go fishing.
Disadvantages
Due to the nature of the structure, the space is much smaller than that of a normal RV. Also, due to the high center of gravity and the cab mounting on a relatively small level ( especially true for Japanese Doppelkabiner to ), not to recommend the drive on very bad roads despite wheel. Older campers with a wood frame structure tend to frequent use of off-road cracks in the seals and solution of the construction bonds. For this purpose there are special off cabins that have a roof can be lowered, and thus keep the center of gravity low. Ideal here are the welded aluminum frame used by some manufacturers, or similar, not wooden constructions.
Base vehicles for campers
As a base vehicles are pickup trucks like the VW Amarok, Nissan Navara, Mitsubishi L 200, Isuzu D-Max, Mazda B- Series, Toyota Hilux, Chevrolet Silverado, Dodge Ram, GMC Sierra, Land Rover, Ford Ranger, Ford F- 150 to F -350 used, and platform trucks. Such as the VW Transporter, which was one of the first base vehicles.
A very small variation is the Toppola, which is used in normal hatchback sedans. Through the expansion of the tailgate it can be used in the loading area. Toppolas were produced for Saab 99, Saab 900, Saab 9-3 and Ford Sierra and Scorpio.