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Dustin Johns, Travel Lite’s Sales Manager, talks about the surprise introduction of three all-new pop-up truck campers. Is that the telephone ringing again?
It seems the truck camper industry has been very busy this winter. The phone at Truck Camper Magazine has been ringing off the hook with upcoming industry news and announcements. One company is going direct, several companies have new and exciting campers to be announced, and Travel Lite is now building pop-ups.
You might be thinking, "What’s the big deal about building pop-up campers? Isn’t it easy to build pop-up campers if you’re already building hard side campers?" While that may seem logical, the truth is that pop-up campers bring with them a number of structural challenges. Not to mention that the pop-up camper buyer is very different than the hard side camper buyer. Pop-up campers are a whole different ball game.
So why is Travel Lite throwing its hat into the pop-up camper ring? And what do they think will separate them from the already strong pop-up camper competition? We talked to Dustin Johns, Travel Lite’s Sales Manager, to find out.
TCM: Why is Travel Lite debuting a new line of pop-up campers?
Dustin: Our dealers and customers have requested that we build pop-up campers with the same level of quality that our hard-side campers are built with. So we listened. Pop-up campers are a natural fit for us since we have built truck campers exclusively for a long time.
TCM: What will distinguish Travel Lite pop-up campers in the marketplace?
Dustin: First off, you’ll notice that all of our pop-ups are made with high gloss gel coat exteriors. These are constructed using the same method as on our hard-side campers, which eliminates the possibility of delamination.
We offer a very large 5” under bed storage area with hydraulic lifts, felt lining, and double bracing. To the best of my knowledge, this under bed storage area is larger than the under bed storage found any other brand.
We also use a European sink and stove standard in every model. They are recessed into the countertop, made of stainless steel, and have hinged acrylic covers. Not only are they aesthetically appealing, but they are highly functional and add a lot of counter space when not in use.
TCM: On your new website, there are three pop-up camper series. What distinguishes the three Travel Lite pop-up camper series?
Dustin: Our 610 model is built for mid-size trucks like the Chevy Colorado and Dodge Dakota. The 760 model is built for a half-ton or larger truck. What’s really great is that our 760 model fits on a short-bed or a long-bed truck.
Our third model is the 875. It comes in both short and long-bed versions. This unit also includes an indoor shower and toilet.
TCM: Are the Travel Lite pop-up floor plans based on your hard side floor plans, traditionally popular pop-up camper floor plans, or are they new floor plan designs?
Dustin: We have definitely done our homework in this regard. We listened to our dealers suggestions and looked at the pop-ups that are currently in the marketplace. We tried our best to combine the strengths from each and eliminate the weaknesses we saw in the competition. These floor plans are brand new and we are very excited to have them in our line-up.
TCM: What materials are your soft walls made from?
Dustin: We use a mildew-resistant vinyl that has tinted windows, screens, and privacy curtains. The color we chose is unique and looks great with our exterior decals.
TCM: Are your pop-up campers built with wood frame and hung wall construction like your hard side camper models?
Dustin: Absolutely!
TCM: How have you built your pop-up campers to handle the unique structural stresses a pop-up camper encounters?
Dustin: This is one of the benefits of wood construction. Wood has the ability to give and take yet maintain it’s structural integrity. Aluminum is very rigid. This causes problems in the long term when combined with wood cabinetry because of the differences in flexibility and expanding/contracting rates.
TCM: Tell us about the insulation materials and techniques in your pop-up campers.
Dustin: Just like our hard-side campers, our pop-up units are insulated with R-7 insulation and also foam insulation. The walls, ceiling, and floor are all insulated, which makes our campers great in cold weather climates.
TCM: Do the pop-up campers have their own production line or do they run down the same line as the hard side models?
Dustin: They are built on the same production line and are built using the same construction methods, cabinetry, and appliances.
TCM: Are Travel Lite pop-up campers currently available on dealer lots?
Dustin: Yes they are. If a customer’s local dealer doesn’t have the pop-ups yet, have them give me a call.
TCM: Are there any changes to the Travel Lite warrantee for the pop-up models.
Dustin: There’s no change to the warrantee for the pop-up models. All Travel Lite campers come with a 1-year full coverage manufacturer’s warranty.
TCM: Now that you’ve developed a pop-up line, is there a new vision for where Travel Lite is going?
Dustin: Our goal is to continue to grow and gain market share by building quality products that we are proud to stand behind. And all the while, maintain the hometown, family roots that this company is founded on.
We are a family owned and operated business and have been building truck campers for twelve years now. I’ve always taken a lot of pleasure out of knowing that our campers help in creating quality family time for our customers.
TCM: Is there anything I didn’t ask that you want included in your interview?
Dustin: We have just launched our brand new website www.travellitecampers.com. It includes several customer testimonials from Truck Camper Magazine readers and an interactive construction module that really gives our customers insight into how our units are constructed. Please visit the website often for news updates for all things Travel Lite.
For more information on Travel Lite, visit their website at www.travellitecampers.com.
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