Walk through of New Hiatus Hard sided Pop up Camper on G2 Honda Ridgeline
Vložit
- čas přidán 28. 08. 2024
- We share our initial walk though and hacks in our new Hiatus Camper mounted on a 2018 Honda Ridgeline.
Camper Manufacturer: hiatuscampers.com
HACKS & EQUIPMENT
Hanging baskets: www.amazon.com...
Memory foam sitting pads: www.amazon.com...
Small Traction Boards: www.amazon.com...
Ecoflow Delta batteries: ecoflow.com/pr...
Indoor/Outdoor thermometer: www.amazon.com...
Magnetic light bar: www.amazon.com...
AC Port Plug: www.amazon.com...
I had my heart set on the FWC M Project but ever since I found out about the Hiatus, I have a change of heart.
Thank you very much for the walk through, stay safe and happy camping.
Thanks Eddie T. It’s working out well for us. Really cool design. You also stay safe and enjoy your travels.
The fact that they were so commentating is really great! Thank you!!
Erin and Tyler @hiatus campers were so great to work with! Most people will continue to modify and evolve, as we did. We had a lot of camping/camper/trailer experience. For us it was about distilling down to what we needing, committing to purchase and then getting out there.
I am always impressed by people's minimalist attitudes. I mean that sincerely. Most of us would love a 50ft diesel pusher with five slide outs. But somehow, something as simple as this seems more than adequate. I admire folks who can be happy with the basics. And I am glad there are others willing to design and build it (albeit a bit pricey in my view). It may be a "niche" market. But in my opinion, that "niche" is growing.
Like the "micro-brew" market this segment of camping seems to be growing quickly and some of the industry leaders look more corporate than cottage. We looked at bigger. However, cost is a significant factor, both initial and maintenance with a class A and C. They also have significant quality issues where something is always needing fixing for the "house-on-wheels"., Class B's are awesome but still have some quality issues and are remarkable expensive. As we like winter and remote camping, I was never crazy about towing. We spend most of our time outside, including meal prep and eating, unless their is inclement weather. Our play time is limited so appreciate the ability to get out without worrying about something not working so that we can enjoy outdoor activities.
This is my favorite set up so far it’s simple and efficient and you still have a lot of trunk space
Great review. I could still use my truck for work with a slide bed. This is the best/lightest I’ve seen so far. Thank you!
Thank you. The truck is a little heavier with TC but the bed is fully available when you get a bolt on camper (vs slide in) and a lot lighter.
Thanks for posting these thoughtful videos. Just watched the one on the North Yellowstone Loop. Both of these help inspire me to figure out my camping system so I'm outdoors more. I'm shocked by the negative comments. Why does someone even watch a video when they know they don't like Hondas? I've gleamed a few ideas to use. Most importantly that I haven't been to Yellowstone for too long and I will camp and hike when I'm there rather than "just drive thru." Keep posting more videos of your adventures!
Will do, thank you! Have a great trip! Hopefully two more videos 😁
Thanks! Really great job on the tour! Fantastic that someone has made a camper that fits a Ridgeline with all its neat features. Nice find. Yeah, Love the tailgate for work.
Hanging bags are great. For extra storage, I have been getting the closet-door-hanging 24-pouch shoe-storage units then cutting them to fit specific areas (usually in half), adding grommets and hanging them all over the camper and vehicle seats. Handy not having to dig to the bottom of a bin to get stuff. Still have bins that stack to make tables ... got’ta have bins.
Thanks again!
Yes. This is the one way to "tailgate" in a good way: Rustling up a meal.
I think you chose the best one out there! Very nice choice and thanks for the tour.
We love the camper! Thank you.
Been dying to see a Hiatus on a G2 Ridgeline, SO awesome! Stay safe, well & blessed. :)
Thanks! We had a great weekend in WV recently--the ultimate social distancing break :) A longer bed would be nice but well balanced across the axles, easy to drive and has enough room.
I had a GFC and sold it. Some of my biggest disappointments with the camper was dealing with condensation issues and lack of insulation for winter camping. Also, the latches were awful in cold/ice and the top literally tried to crush me in the middle of the night during a snowstorm (the struts could not handle the weight of the snow). So, I love your set-up a lot more than I loved my GFC.
Thank you! There are challenges with every rig but we do not have condensation issues and the insulation helps. Ice on top initially a problem but was easy to remedy.
What did you go with?
Haven’t made any decisions yet. After having the GFC I came away with a lot of positive and negative feelings. The entire design of that camper is not meant for the nasty, damp, Northeastern winter. I think the ultimate would be an electric “conversion van” with 4x4. I’m sure these type of campers are coming in the fairly near future.
@@hopnglo680 It seems the more I study this stuff, the further I become from making a choice. One thing is universal right now and that's every choice cost way to much right now.
I got lucky and purchased the GFC just before Covid. I was able to sell the camper a year later for what I paid for it.
GFC was very difficult to get ahold of after the sale. My polyfin hinges went bad after a short time and the rear door fell right off. Trying to get GFC to handle it or return my correspondence was a nightmare. I had to drive 4 hours to a central meeting place, get a hotel while the overworked service guy fixed about 10 campers on the side of the road. Was not a happy time and I was scared to be stuck with a $7500 piece of junk without doors on it.
Thanks for sharing! Great to finally see an option for the Ridgeline!
You are welcome! We are super happy to have found Erin and Tyler.
Thanks for sharing this. I wish this option was available when I got my Gen2 Ridgeline. I love the truck, but got it the first year and things were pretty scarce. I also had to add some extra mods like wider rear doors and tailgate lock. Glad to see that you are enjoying it!
Thanks! HR G2 camper options and availability still not great unfortunately. Definitely enjoying! Doing our 2nd Harvest Host this weekend.
@@ianpixs Have you run into any issues with Harvest Host? We have a Hiatus as well and we've wondered how we would be perceived. It seems like HH is more angled toward full RV's. It's a great idea, though.
@@gimmeabreak-h2h We have been pleasantly surprised by the quality of HH locations--Each time we were greeted warmly and no issues at all with the type of rig we were in.
@@ianpixs That's interesting. We'll give them a try!
Oooh! What is a harvest host? Tell me more!!
Thank you for taking the time to make this great video!
You are welcome!
OMG! I cannot believe this. I finally found an AWESOME camper on a Ridgeline. I love my Honda and camping, but no one seems to make any camping stuff for the Ridgeline. Thank you ssssooooo much for posting. Please post more videos of your AWESOME camper. If you don't mind, can the camper go through a standard garage opening? That's important to me as I plan to get one. What is the measurement from the top of the bed rails to the top of the camper? Thank you very much again.
It is a great fit to the RL! Not many other camper options either as you noted although we did not want canvas upper either. Ours is 7’6” to the the top of the fan. Our garage is 6’5” in house built in the 50s. You can build by 3-4” lower if you are not too tall (ours was built about 2” taller than standard due to me being 6’1” and RL relatively shallow bed) but still may not fit in garage unfortunately.
Thanks.....please post more videos of the camper. :-)
@@clee947 Plan to soon!
Love this!!! I have to go to website see if available in Canada. If you think of it can you do a small video with bed open? Would like to see how it looks, how you get in .. love it great videos
Great setup! I love my Ridgeline but it's a first gen so it's got that slanted bed rail. Needless to say camper shells are not easy to find.
Yes, even the G2 has limited options.
Very nice walk through. Just checked Hiatus website - 2 year wait to get one. There are other types of pop-up campers, but all seem to be tent material, and not hard sided for the sleeping section.
They are a small company that makes a great product. Their light, hard-sided pop-up was exactly what we wanted. Their willingness to fit the Ridgeline (when almost no one else would) speaks to their pioneering, innovative and generous spirit. I took a 6800 mile trip to pick up ours!
Yeah, this is typical of a startup that doesn't have a plan to scale capacity or manage demand. Erin & Tyler underestimated the difference between having a cool idea and scaling a viable, growing business. It's one thing to start in your garage and make a few one-offs for people, but once you tell the world via social media, you have to have the capital and infrastructure to keep up. At this point, they would be better served by licensing their patented folding design to a larger scale manufacturer.
This design is amazing. I want one of these campers.
It is like no other!
Wow , les bisons à la fin , juste wow , j'ai un Ridgeline aussi ! , merveilleux petit pick-up !
Merci!!!
this is my fave camper out of all of them cus the sides are hard sided. Looked at the price and its 15,000 for me oh and they wont start making it till Jan 2024 I couldnt believe when I read it lol, I think its just the bf and gf building them and a small team? Pretty amazing. Lead time is insane tho….2024!!!!
Yes high, demand and not inexpensive.
FWIW, I checked with a few local fabricators in my area and they can make the parts required to DIY this for less money and definitely less than 2 years. None of the components are unique or unavailable. If you are handy, you may want to think about this an option.
That's a pretty big heater for such a small space.
They look really nice. A little heavier than what I want.
Agree. We are sticking to small butane heater used at bedtime and in the morning if off grid or electric heater if electric available.
@@ianpixs If your space is small (like my mini-camper), a micro-heater, like they make for sitting at a cold desk or for warming up a car interior, might be able to run for hours off a marine battery.
Just doing some math: 400W at 120 volts is 3.333333 amps. You can buy a 60 amp-hour (or bigger) lead-acid marine battery, and power a 400W heater all night long. If you're driving every day and charging up that battery every day, that would probably work, off-grid.
I think I'd rather have something like your butane heater, or an oil heater. I'm also experimenting with a simple lantern box, because the space is so small. It doesn't move a lot of air, but it moves SOME air, which helps reduce condensation from my breath.
Nice small setup
Thank you!
Great Video, thanks for sharing!
Thank you!
I'm so currious why you said 1000wh battery. Ah is more specified to determine duration of battery😁
@Ianpixs
Great video. Can you tell me about the roof exterior? Is it a solid material? I know Erin and Tyler can install Yakima roof racks and I like the idea but really curious of the top shell durability.
The roof seems to be a composite material. Erin and Tyler could provide you a much better answer :)
nice setup
We think so! Thank you.
Looks great
Thank you!
Merci 👍
4:00 into vid. . Would be nice if that cord receiver was facing downward as to shield against water. As is, I would not connect or disconnect it in wet weather
Yes, agree. As future mod would be nice to have housing protecting from rain. Maybe something that slides off and on.
Very nice, thanks for the review! I'm interested in Hiatus campers and think it's esp. cool that they'll work with the Ridgeline (which is a mid-size truck I like but doesn't seem to be popular with too many camper shell mfgs.) Have you had any leaking issues with the hinges/joints on the folding top ?
David so for no leakage noted.
Do you need to upgrade any suspension on your Ridgeline for the Hiatus camper? My wife and I are looking into Hiatus camper also but have not decided on any truck platform yet.
It is recommended but we have not. We keep camper on full time. The back sags a little but so far have not had any issues. We think about it improving suspension but I also think of the Toyota Dolphin and how so many remain on the road decades later. Possible when using more often. Currently truck is mostly in storage until the end of 2025 due to move to Hawaii.
Thanks for posting, this is my dream! Did you do anything to the rear suspension of the ridgeline?
It’s a great camper! No mods to the suspension. We kept it ultralight, well within specs.
Great - thx 👍
With all that metal - like with the piano hinges - do you have condensation, wall sweating issues?
Some condensation but not terrible even in the rain.
Looks great! The hiatus topper is my goal too. Just wondering, what's the impact on your Honda Ridgeline's mileage after the camper is fully loaded with all gears?
Going highway speeds 70-80 mph 80% and 20% in town decremented about 20%. About 18-20 mpg.
Great video! What other companies did you find that would make a pop up shell for the Ridgeline? I'm thinking of getting a Ford Maverick and since it's also unibody I figure manufacturers would be able to do both. Thanks!
TBH none. Nobody else was even willing to have a conversation about it. I am very glad we went with Hiatus--because obviously they proved it can be done.
Thank you! Snap Treehouse also said they could fit G2 RL. We found no other. Ford Marverick is pretty small!🥺
Wanted to see it folded down for transport mode!
Will add in a future video.
Please see here: czcams.com/video/Y6ICiqixZWE/video.html
@Lee Surely Travel What's your gas mileage before and after camper? I'm a Ridgeline owner also, what would you do differently or improve on now that you've camped in it?
I got 22 mpg w/o shell and 17 with shell. Most of it at 70-80 mph. Super happy with build. I think two side doors would be nice. Screening is more difficult than we thought it would be. Maybe windows on side would be nice but also like solid sides.
I’m curious to know how much it weighs. I’ve also been thinking about getting a regular bed topper and setting up a tiny living situation (if I had a bed going diagonal I believe I’d have well over 6’ to lay down). Curious to hear any thoughts on that as well.
We estimate ours weighs between #450 and #475. Bed topper is fine if all you want is a place to sleep and store gear, and in inclement weather are okay sitting on the floor of the truck bed. We had custom table made to sit on the floor but found this not too comfortable. We added a trunk to sit on and store bedding with a galley table that we can only use with the camper is up. We also like the ability to stand and if needed use the toilet when popped up. We also get great ventilation with the fan and with two large screened windows when popped-up.
It would be nice to see folded away.....just a suggestion
Will plan to do that when we go out again. Thanks for the recommendation!
Do you have a video showing the pop top opening and closing? I want to see it happening slowly so I can get my head around how it folds / each panel stows away
We do. czcams.com/video/Y6ICiqixZWE/video.htmlsi=tJRBl6_fl-kwsqu-
Awesome camper. Do you any updates on using it? Recent camping etc?
So we had a major life change and now live in Honolulu, Hawaii The transition and new work has created time challenges. I plan to get some videos up soon. We stored our camper in the Pacific Northwest and also have trip to Glacier NP planned in September. Thanks for asking, again hope to have something new soon.
@@ianpixs awww... the Hawaii challenge... you got this!
Lee Surely Travel - it appears the C clamps use the existing torx screw mounts in the box. How many attachment points are there in total and how did they attach the camper to the front of the box? Also, does your truck bed leak and get dusty on dirt roads? How did they waterproof the camper at the bed rails? Thks
I did not notice any leaking or dust issues. There is a rubber/spongy waterproofing material between truck bed and shell.
Answers to the two questions that everyone wants to know: 1) Orders placed today will take at least 2 years to fulfill. 2) They cost somewhere in the $16000-$18000 range with mods. (From the manufacturer's website)
8:O
Dang, guess I’ll keep the old slide in. Lol. It’s a lot more homie too
Thanks. I checked with a few local fabricators in my area and they can make me the parts required to DIY this for less money and definitely less than 2 years. None of the components are unique or unavailable. If you are handy, you may want to think about this an option.
Can you tell me the weight of the hiatus? I’d like to know what the weight is for limit for pay load on a future truck? I don’t want anything heavy to weigh a truck down & break the suspension!
500 lb give or take
Was this custom made? Also how long and price please?
It was custom. It looks like around 14-15K is going rate now for basic setup.
Hi, enjoy your video.
What is height from ground up when it is closed? My garage entry clearance is 89 inches.
We sit at about 91 inches
Are you able to keep out the dust since it is not a self contained slide-in?
We have not had issues with dust. There is a fair amount of weather stripping between camper and truck bed. Not airtight but very well sealed.
great vid how much did this cost?
Prices have changed - best to look on website or contact.
Hello. How is the dust in the bed ?
There are areas that are not completely closed to the outside in the bed but dust has not been a big issue. We do sweep out the bed but this is mostly what we track in. The bed is original without any covering so we also use it like a mud room when needed.
The project m is a few levels above this unit and it’s significantly cheaper. This one is cool though
Project M does not have a build for Honda. Also does not have hard sided pop up section. The pricing and wait time on Project M are great, but if they won't build for your truck it doesn't work.
I wonder if this could fit a Hyundai Hyundai Santa Cruz?
The angling of bed and cab/bed transition might make this tough. Recommend you contact @hiatuscamper www.hiatuscampers.com/
Can you keep the bed where it is and use it ?
The bed needs to be slid in to bring top down
How easy is it to take it off and put it back on?
Not sure, but our plan was never to take on and off. Theoretically it is removable, it weighs ~500 lb and we did not get jacks so it would be difficult!
15000$ is just too steep for just a folding camper shell. you can buy a decent teardrop travel trailer for 15000$
hi. nice video, can you explane better why is not possible to have side pop up windows , thank you
www.hiatuscampers.com/
WAtch this video. It wouldnt be possible to have windows in the sides of upper portion.
@@ianpixs Yeah, I watched the video and read your response. Still, can't see why no windows on the sides. The sides do not have folding sections. The view may be inhibited by the struts, but that is an aesthetic issue not a structural limitation.
Do you mind if I ask how much they charge for the way you have it setup? Also did they install it for you or was it shipped directly to you?
We have a small bed and signed up early so it was a little cheaper than current rates here www.hiatuscampers.com/product/hiatus-camper/
The small additions we added seemed reasonable.
We actually drove across country (MD to WA) to pick it up. I don’t think they ship. Ours was first install of a Ridgeline so took 8+ hours to install. Erin and Tyler were terrific to work with and so happy we found them.
I have a 2017 Ridgeline. The fact they can fit it to a Gen 2 Ridgeline is interesting on its own, I haven’t seen any of the other pop up camper manufacturers include the Ridgeline in their list of vehicles. Two questions: the C clamps appear to use the existing torx screw holes along the side of the bed. How many attachment points are there in total and how do they attach to the front? Also, did you use a lot of butyl tape or some other form of waterproofing? Does the truck box get wet and dusty, there seems to be lots of places for water and dust to get in with the Ridgeline. Thanks
Where could I buy this one Sir?
@hiatuscamper www.hiatuscampers.com/
that doesn't look comfortable. I slept in the back seat of my gen 1 ridgeline. Do-able but not comfortable.
we don't sleep in the back seat, there is a cab over bed with memory foam mattress that is about the size of a double bed
I watched to observe the set up and takedown procedure….. nope.
Not for everyone, many options. Good luck finding what you want.
Eliminate the “ums”.
Agree, this was a one take video--we are by no means professional you-tubers :)
Never understood people who buy pickup trucks and also camper tops or other tops for the truck bed. Why not just buy yourself an SUV then? Something that is already covered from the factory. Like in this lady’s case what is wrong with using an SUV? Obviously you need it covered.
So you can stand up and function normally instead of constantly hunched over in an SUV.
Our focus is camping. Many are able to live or camp out of their cars or SUVs but this does not seem like a great solution for us. We spend most of our time outside but the pop-up camper has advantages overs an SUV when we are inside the camper. The pop-up has a full size bed. We can stand (roof height is 6'3") inside to cook or change clothes. We can sit to face each other and play cards. It has built in fan and screened windows for bug free, active ventilation that mostly eliminates condensation issues over night. Unique to the Ridgeline is a trunk. We have everything we need to be off grid in a small package. We owned a fiberglass trailer for 14 years and have rented a Class C camper. Every solution has pros and cons. We think it is smart to prioritize the features you want based on most likely use cases before making a large purchase.
What's so hard to understand about having over 6 feet of headroom? How many SUVs can you stand up and walk around in?
$20k Canadian ...crazy
we got in before their price increase, but yes, not cheap. Definitely less than a van though.
@@ianpixs I was first looking at getting a van and doing the vanlife thing. However, the van cost far more and is only good for one thing. A truck can be used as a truck....you know what I mean. And as a daily driver. A converted live in van wouldn't be could for much else then what its built to do.
@@johnmca5643 it definitely could be a daily driver and we love our truck for being a truck. We also considered a van but did not make sense for us. We did not need another vehicle, expensive, not as comfortable and more than we wanted.
Hi cutie 💓 at the 5:45 mark , was a dong?
Re
Who buys a Honda Ridgeline?
I did! It’s awesome. Sold my 2019 gas guzzling, rough riding Tacoma for it. Taking a 5 hour trip is a joy now instead of a chore.
We have also owned Tacoma's for the last 21 years. We've loved them as a work truck and toy hauler. If driving longer distances (we have driven cross-country twice) the Ridgeline is far more comfortable. Reminds me of driving my Dad's 80's and 90's circa Cadillacs back in the day. The RL clearance is a significant limitation, however.
@@hopnglo680 I had a 2019 Ridgeline BE with a Hiatus preordered. Ended up selling the Ridgeline for a 21 F-150 with a Radica Moonlander. The ride quality of the F-150 is on par with the Ridgeline, though cabin is quieter in Ridgeline thanks to its unibody. I would say its not DAY AND NIGHT difference though. Ford has done a good job wit ride quality. After all, it is their bread and butter. I do miss the in bed trunk though and the power mirrors that folded down when you reserve was also cool so you can line up your tire with the parking line. The Ford trumps the Ridgeline in interior room (headroom/leg/arm room,etc) because its a full size. Its hard to go back to a midsize once you get adjusted to the roomy interior lol
$15k. Ouch
But Its a Ridgeline....
They are super nice. Beautiful to drive.
@@hopnglo680 We have also owned Tacoma's for the last 21 years. We've loved them as a work truck and toy hauler. If driving longer distances (we have driven cross-country twice) the Ridgeline is far more comfortable. Reminds me of driving my Dad's 80's and 90's circa Cadillacs back in the day. The RL clearance is a significant limitation, however.
You show this video about a pop up camper. How about you show us how it opens and closes… disappointing video
please see our video on opening and closing: czcams.com/video/Y6ICiqixZWE/video.html
Nice pop up but over priced and thats a terrible truck. I have pulled those and Subaru out of the back roads many times with my jeeps
Jeeps are great off-road. Ridgelines don’t have the clearance for serious crawling. No full spare. The Ridgeline suspension may have advantage in some situations.
czcams.com/video/CWYqEinNGUM/video.html.
www.edmunds.com/car-buying/death-valley-torture-test-2017-honda-ridgeline-vs-2016-toyota-tacoma-trd-off-road-comparison-test.html
We went with clamp-on camper to keep trunk access which gives so much storage and access to spare. Also a much lighter camper. From CAT scales we calculated #1400 max payload in the Ridgeline. The #450-500 Hiatus camper allows us to bring whatever we want and stay in weight tolerance. Would be tougher with slide-in.
@ A ti - your comment isn’t kind or appropriate. These folks have a Ridgeline and so do I. They ride absolutely incredible. They make long drives a snap with a beautiful interior and excellent gas mileage, handling, ergonomics, etc. This is the trade off right? Nobody is questioning if a Jeep will go places a Ridgeline won’t. If that is your sole measure of a vehicle then I guess you should start comparing your vehicle to other Jeeps. I’m sure there are other Jeeps that kick the shit out of yours.
Nice turd cutter