Outpost showcased all of their 2026 updates at Expo West and brought a still-in-development prototype that had jaws dropping. Let’s start from the top.
There were enough feather flags flapping in the Arizona wind at Expo West to trick an ornithologist into thinking they’d discovered a new bird. Nearly every booth had at least one vertical banner flying furiously in the dry and dust-blown wind. So how does a company stand out in this visual cacophony of bold fonts, bright colors, and eye catching logos? You go higher—much higher.
Clamped directly to Outpost’s new-for-2026, powder-coated aluminum adjustable roof rack were two Outpost flags standing head and shoulders above the competition. And if you think for a second that the Bayfield, Colorado team had accidentally hoisted their namesake above the overland fray, think again. Outpost knew the Overland Expo flag game, and came ready to play.
This was our first time seeing Outposts’s 2026 additions and we wasted no time getting on top of what they’d brought, starting with the new welded aluminum ladder.
After stepping onto an open truck tailgate, the Outpost team directed me to place my left foot on the end of the truck bed rail, and then my right foot on the first rung of the new ladder. This approach requires attention, but with one hand firmly on the ladder, it was an easy ascent.
The ladder itself was exceptionally stout and steady, something too many off-the-shelf RV ladders lack. Even better, the ladder is directly riveted to the aluminum frame of the camper and didn’t move. As someone who has no interest in looking over the edge of anything taller than a street curb, this was very welcome.
Beyond providing the ability to reach the Outpost’s full walk-on roof to clean solar panels, store gear, and remove the needles and cones from that Douglas-fir branch your better half warned you about, the ladder itself is multi-functional. Each heavy-duty rung features mounting slots ready to accept up to 100 pounds of Maxtrax, ski racks, bike carriers, and whatever else your passions need packed.
With one hand firmly gripping the top of the new welded aluminum and powder coated roof rack, I bravely took the photo above. The roof rack offers two fore-and-aft adjustable crossbars and multiple mounting slats and tie-down points for kayaks, canoes, surfboards, and gear boxes. Of course you might block the roof-mounted solar panels a bit in the process, but that’s physics. Outpost offers two solar panel positions and up two roof racks, so even that challenge could be averted.
Back on terra firma, I shut the camper door to inspect the new welded aluminum and powder coated heater box with MOLLE. Where the ladder and roof rack are new Outpost elements, this new box was a major step-up from the original Zargas-style aluminum box Outpost originally employed.
In our conversations with the Outpost team, they’re determined to bring as many elements as possible in-house, and maximize the design, quality, and value in the process. The new heater box is a strong testament to this strategy.
On the outside, the box features a MOLLE pattern panel. The MOLLE on the heater box is rated up to thirty pounds, perfect for shovels, axes and RotopaX with fresh water or diesel. It also looks cooler than a plain aluminum box, which I realize isn’t a big deal in the Overland world, but bears mentioning.
Inside the new heater box we found a German-made Espar diesel heater capable of working up to 13,000 feet. Espar has become something of a standard in the Overland market and was seen everywhere at Expo West.
Another 2026 Outpost update we checked out are the two optional front windows. These two thermal pane acrylic windows are more durable with better seals than the single window option they replaced.
Inside, the windows bring in a lot of natural light and make the camper feel even more modern and airy. In the cabover you’re treated to 180 degree views. I wish our camper had this.
Parked a few feet from the 2026 Outpost 6.5 was an as yet unannounced prototype Outpost. Outpost was tight-lipped on details, but we can reveal that this new model will be a long bed with a… wait for it… full wet bath.
We can also share that this soon-to-be announced new Outpost model isn’t just a bigger 6.5. While a lot of important items are still in development, what we could see, and what we were able to pry from the team, is going to make a lot of Outpost fans very happy.
As soon as this new Outpost model is ready, we’ll have the full scoop, photography, and deep dive information on Truck Camper Magazine.
For more information about Outpost Campers, visit their website at outpost-campers.com. Click here for an Outpost Camper brochure.
