ThairCamper installed.

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Horror_Stop8261@reddit

Why in the world would you buy this? 🤦‍♂️

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If: \- You have limited storage for a slide-in camper. \- Your truck has a limited payload \- If your budget doesn't allow a traditional slide-in but you want comparable space. These are just off the top of my head, I'm sure you could come up with something if you thought about it.

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Qwell41@reddit

How long does this actually take to inflate? I have inflatable paddle boards and they have significantly less volume and then take like 15 minutes lol

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HOUphotog@reddit (OP)

Yeah….. not 15 minutes. I’ve only inflated once after removing it from packaging. Took me over an hour, there are 9 plugs to inflate including the window covers. Luckily the pump locks in and you can set the psi so you don’t have to babysit it.

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geekedupj@reddit

So it takes an hour but you can’t drive more than 30mph with it??? How the hell would you blow that up on a trip? Or god forbid multiple times on a trip if you’re not staying in one location the whole time

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HOUphotog@reddit (OP)

Can confirm, without it sitting high on the Decked drawers I get 19mpg going 70mph.

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CAElite@reddit

You can't drive with it up? Yeah I really don't see the point, all the downsides of a tent, with none of the upsides? At least a roof tent is quick to put up and down.

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OkSafety272@reddit

Yeah if it’s inflatable then the benefit for me would come from being able to drive it uninflated then inflate at camp … why the hell would you wanna drive with anything inflatable ever

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TeflonDonatello@reddit

They never said they couldn’t drive with it inflated. They said they didn’t feel comfortable driving while it was on top of the decked system in the bed of the truck.

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ConditionSure3012@reddit

I believe that was when it was on top of the decked drawers. I’d imagine when in the empty bed you can drive highway speeds

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Several_Computer1316@reddit

I am very pleased with my ThAirCamper, and it meets all my expectations. I can drive my f-150 at way speeds ~70 mph and hardly recognize it being there. It has been easy enough for this 66 yo gent to install, remove, and store inflated in my garage. Backorders for accessories is a little bit of bother, but considering it’s a small company importing as a special make from China, it’s understandable. The tie downs work well in securing the camper to the truck. I just purchased a small ac unit to help stay cool in the hot South Fla summer. Wish I could post photos of it to this chat, but looks like they’re disabled. Overall, very pleased.

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SkeetRange@reddit

Minimum 48" between wheel wells is lame. Gmc Canyon is 44.4

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Mountain-Exchange-98@reddit

Their website currently says minimum width between the wheel wells is 44". I emailed the guy, specifically asking about my 2008 Tacoma with 44" width, and he said it will fit.

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crushedrancor@reddit

Thats cool however it looks as if it’s designed to drive while infated which seems like a strange choice to me, why not use it like a rtt and get the gas mileage benefits of having it deflated while traveling

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Mountain-Exchange-98@reddit

Because you get more room than most RTT's and you can set up the camper and most of your sleeping configuration before you travel/arrive at your destination. That's not important for everyone, but pretty key for some people. Another huge advantage is relatively quick/easy assembly onto your vehicle, if you normally want to keep your bed free of canopy/racks/RTT.

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HOUphotog@reddit (OP)

Exactly. You can use it a few different ways. You could fully deflate it and take it from the garage to the back of the truck and drive off getting normal mileage, then inflate it when you've reach your destination area. You can inflate it, install it and drive off with it ready to go. You can do kind of an in-between thing where it's installed buy you deflate sections so it folds into the truck bed. The designer was going for versatility so it's pretty simple.

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Lost_Zaylin@reddit

Ok, cool. Neat that can be done in sections since to me a hybrid version would make more since that way you can it it below and inside your cab profile.

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crushedrancor@reddit

Neat!

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aceinagameofjacks@reddit

That’s cool. My concern is not so much the cold or the wind, but the desert sun. Hmm interesting concept.

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Longjumping-Air-7532@reddit

Same, I’ve had paddle boards pop the seal in the Utah desert heat when I left them in the sun for about an hour.

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Remarkable-Host405@reddit

and it's black. but also, just let some air out. an air-tending system isn't out of the question. i'm surprised there's 9 separate valves, they could easily be linked all together.

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CSLoser96@reddit

You dont want them linked together. If one pops, the rest stay inflated. Thus, making use of the camper shell in a bad situation a small bit easier. The same reason inflatable kayaks or rafts have separate chambers. You dont want it to pop a hole and they all be connected while out on the water.

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Remarkable-Host405@reddit

If one part pops, the thing is toast anyway. If you don't have a pump you shouldnt be using this thing.

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Mountain-Exchange-98@reddit

The owner has since demonstrated that it won't collapse if a single chamber loses air.

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New_Inflation634@reddit

Same here. In the summer, I take trips with friends out in the Nevada deserts. Currently i just sleep in my full-size truck back seat, but am looking at getting a Tacoma or Colorado. I was already looking into these ThAir toppers for something better to sleep in. Looks like it will trap heat in.

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Anxious-Knee-1956@reddit

You have to keep your tailgate down ?

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HOUphotog@reddit (OP)

In a 5.5’ bed yes. It’s annoying but can’t do much about it.

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Anxious-Knee-1956@reddit

Ah ok. I have a 5 ft bed so that’s good to know. Ty

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Individual-Risk-5239@reddit

Follow up review?

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scottatu@reddit

0% chance I’m paying over 2k for that.

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Historical-Garbage-5@reddit

Not sure why that price is expensive? What would you buy that has this much room and versitility that could compare? RTT, roughly the same price with a lot less room. A canopy new is more expensive also less room. I guess you could do a ground tent for less.

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Analysis-Euphoric@reddit

Throw that thing in the trash and get a hotel room.

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Horror_Stop8261@reddit

Facts

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beelzebob909@reddit

This is a solution for a problem that never existed.

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Horror_Stop8261@reddit

No this is called a scam

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wychimp@reddit

Lmao wtf is this trash

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Horror_Stop8261@reddit

For real bro

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Cool-Willingness-723@reddit

Would you buy it again ?

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Historical-Garbage-5@reddit

I am looking for a quick weekend adventure sleeping area without spending a ton of money on a bigger camper. I currently sleep in the bed under my canopy. This has more head room and I think will be more comfortable. The price seems great for what it is, you can't buy a new canopy for that amount. Love the port for Heat/AC. Thank you for posting.

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HOUphotog@reddit (OP)

This is so much better than a roof top tent or the Flated topper we used on our trip. MPG takes a decent hit hit, but it just way easier for quick trips.

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Historical-Garbage-5@reddit

I tried a RTT and hated it. Getting up and down the stairs in the middle of the night was terrible. I know I wont be able to stand all the way up in this and that's ok. It will be way better than an RTT or sleeping in my canopy while I'm camping.

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Imaginary_Farm_1345@reddit

Have you thought of any solution to driving with it on with the deck system still installed? What if you just inflate the side walls a bit less so it doesn’t stand as tall? I’m thinking that would still give you storage space on the inside and then when you get to camp inflate it the rest of the way. What do you think?

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Xxthenomadsoulxx@reddit

Neat idea I guess?? Not for me personally but I’d be interested to at least hop in one to check it out.

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DJNoRequest@reddit

I bet that fits better on an access cab - looks like everything would line up and you could keep the gate up.

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HeleWale@reddit

Fill it with helium. Your mpg will improve

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HOUphotog@reddit (OP)

My 13yr old said that exact thing last night. Unfortunately it only weighs 180 pounds as is, the main problem to MPG is the wind resistance.

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Dense_Comment1662@reddit

I figured it would be light but 180 is awesome

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HOUphotog@reddit (OP)

Yeah, it’s a bear to move when deflated, but fairly easy for one person to move it around and install when it’s inflated.

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jamesmcdash@reddit

Well fill it with wind and use it like a sail

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djryan13@reddit

I love it… BUT.. for Gen 3… I would like to see a way to have it “pop up” when ready to camp but be folded down to cab height when driving. Basically, inflate bottom part and top couple feet separately.

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HOUphotog@reddit (OP)

I know exactly what you mean and agree, it would be cool.

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Miserable_Advance_79@reddit

How’s the smell? Any plastic fume smells?

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HOUphotog@reddit (OP)

Nope, no weird off-gassing smells at all. And I’ve sat in it when it was hot inside.

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Holiday_Body8650@reddit

I wonder how many minutes inside that thing before you get cancer?

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roberttheiii@reddit

I love to see innovative products come to market but I'm not sure this particular one is for me.

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Kindofaphotographer@reddit

Same. Not a fan.

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TheKernels@reddit

There’s a pun here somewhere

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Monksdrunk@reddit

i think the hype is mostly inflated

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Holiday_Body8650@reddit

Hey, dont let him down

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ximagineerx@reddit

There it is

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you_know_i_be_poopin@reddit

OP must be pumped

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TreeLovTequiLove@reddit

Exactly. Like any other market, the bubble will pop eventually.

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ximagineerx@reddit

And you’re not just blowing hot air

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ximagineerx@reddit

Probably the result of too much inflation

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drinkdrinkshoesgone@reddit

At first I was pretty *pumped* about a possibly affordable slide in camper, but then I saw the price.

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Harry_Gorilla@reddit

Seems pretty literal. It’s a camper shell. It is not a fan.

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Hi-Point_of_my_life@reddit

Maybe a pun, but hopefully not a pun-cture?

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Special_Pool4676@reddit

Can you still get your your power outlets in the bed with your Decked system?

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HOUphotog@reddit (OP)

Yes, there’s about 8” of room on either side.

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Special_Pool4676@reddit

Very cool. Thanks.

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ChesticleSweater@reddit

Probably not for me - but I'm curious, would inflating it at a campsite be an option? I'm just thinking there are some places that trees or pokey things might be a bad idea for this design, but inflating it once at a location might work. Or is the folded up size just too much to transport efficiently? (thinking camping/hunting trip).

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Remarkable-Host405@reddit

not sure if you know about these, but i have a whitewater (class iv) inflatable kayak. there are also videos of people whitewatering stand up paddleboards like skateboards.

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ChesticleSweater@reddit

Oh yeah for sure. And repair kits are standard. Not a bad alternative to a rooftop tent. I've got a fiberglass topper on my F150, but this wouldn't be a terrible temporary or "weekend warrior" option. I could definitely see this being a thing for weekend seasonal hunters.

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HOUphotog@reddit (OP)

That's one way to use it. And I may end up using it that way for longer trips.

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yourbasicnerd@reddit

I had to go to their site and watch the whole video. Very cool. Definitely a way to stay under payload with a small truck!

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jayw900@reddit

Even full-size trucks don’t have much. I had a ram 1500 and its payload was around 1500. The Ford Maverick I have now has a payload capacity of 1400 and some change. It’s also nowhere near the size of a full size pick up.

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Agile-Cancel-4709@reddit

I’ve seen Ram 1500’s with under 1,000 pounds of payload. Like EcoDiesel Laramies.

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HOUphotog@reddit (OP)

That's my main problem. My truck only has around 1300lbs of payload. With my fat ass, the kids, the wife and our gear we're already at 850lbs. That doesn't leave much left for a traditional slide-in camper.

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visionaryOptions@reddit

I guessing it's not bear proof.

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Remarkable-Host405@reddit

not sure what the psi is, but if i bear bit a hole in this it'd blast em with air and make a giant popping sound. i'm sure you can find a video of someone popping a stand up paddleboard somewhere. 15psi of air exploding ain't no joke.

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HOUphotog@reddit (OP)

Nope, like a vinyl wrapped appetizer.

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kokemill@reddit

Bear Buffet.

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Inevitable_Sun8691@reddit

That’s a cool concept, and I’m sure it’ll be great until you’re driving down the road and a rock gets kicked up in front of you and goes right through it.

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HOUphotog@reddit (OP)

That would definitely suck. Even worse, if the rick bounces off the topper and hits the sunroof.

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hashslingingsasher@reddit

I actually love this. Such a good idea for smaller old trucks too like a ranger or Tacoma. Excited for china to make a knock off for half the price eventually.

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Negative_Forever1@reddit

How small does it pack down?

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HOUphotog@reddit (OP)

When crated it was about 2’x5’.

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wercffeH@reddit

How would it do in cold / snow?

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HOUphotog@reddit (OP)

We’re going to find out.

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wercffeH@reddit

Lmk - might be interested in using for the overnighters at ski parking lots

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almogrant88@reddit

I'm so pissed about this. I followed their project since March. I tried to sign up to the first round of deposits but their payment link wouldn't allow Canadian payments. They said it's okay, they'd ordered enough units and my name was on the list. They said they're struggling to get things in place to ship to Canada but they'll be able to do it. Then comes September and they say they'll send out the final payment link to pay and get it ordered. I never received the link. I emailed multiple times and got no reply. If they can't deliver to Canada, fine. Just tell me that. It's an awesome product and I was happy to buy an American product and support an awesome product despite what's going on but I'm just so disheartened by their lack of communication. P

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HOUphotog@reddit (OP)

Ouch. That really does suck.

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59eurobug@reddit

Looks cool but it looks too much like it's duct taped together for me. What's the price on it? I assume looking at the pics that it's for a 6.5 ft bed?

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dreydin@reddit

![gif](giphy|hzrvwvnbgIV6E)

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dreydin@reddit

![gif](giphy|JjjNaJRvTfeQtA1icx|downsized)

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smashnmashbruh@reddit

I am going to sound dumb but do you install and inflate before the trip and leave it inflated or is it inflated once you are at the site?

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HOUphotog@reddit (OP)

It’s all good. You could do it either way. Keep it inflated and go overlanding or deflate parts of it to squish it down into the bed and throw a strap over it to secure until you get to camp. I’m going to try both ways to see which works best for me.

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kokemill@reddit

any pics of the deflated, i didn't see any on their web site.

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HOUphotog@reddit (OP)

https://preview.redd.it/3mkbfkju6ywf1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=27d349cd5adb61b4b75f3c3c171df64c065218e1 This is after I unfolded it. Was about 1/3 that size all folded and placed in its cover.

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kokemill@reddit

Does it work with that bed box installed?

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HOUphotog@reddit (OP)

It works for camping, but it sits up higher so I wouldn’t drive over 20mph. I took the drawers out and reinstalled it.

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kokemill@reddit

I don’t think I would drive with it. I like the idea of inflating in at campsite. I don’t think it would work at the speeds I drive.

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smashnmashbruh@reddit

That’s my take. You lose the entire storage of your bed or you unload everything inflate this and load back up. Seems like something to fix a problem that doesn’t exist.

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Deadliftmickey@reddit

The only thing I don’t like about it is the ability to stash camping stuff in my bed. What say you OP? Just throwing equipment/needs in the air camper?

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HOUphotog@reddit (OP)

Yup. I don’t love that part either. There’s a little room in each corner of the bed to stash recovery gear and stuff, but everything else goes in the back.

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irishpwr46@reddit

I'd be getting pulled over left and right for obscuring the license plate with the tailgate

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cloud_coder@reddit

That's one approach to dealing with inflation

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thegadgetfish@reddit

With inflatable SUPs, you aren’t supposed to drive with them strapped onto the roof due to the sun and also flying rocks but I’m wondering if there’s a material difference in these. Is there a warranty, can you leave it inflatable for long amounts of time outdoors, and will you overheat on a warm day? It’s for sure a cool idea.

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HOUphotog@reddit (OP)

Good question. It’s the same material/construction as the Flated toppers. It’s meant to stay on the truck for long periods without damage, but we’ll see.

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Rat-beard@reddit

![gif](giphy|ukGm72ZLZvYfS)

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HOUphotog@reddit (OP)

Agreed.

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ptstampeder@reddit

Is there a chemical smell?

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HOUphotog@reddit (OP)

Thankfully no.

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throwawaydixiecup@reddit

What climate is good for this? I feel like it would be sweltering in the summer time, and frigid in the cold.

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HOUphotog@reddit (OP)

It has an opening on the back for AC/Heat. So in most climates you could be at least as comfortable as in a rooftop tent, or popup trailer with the same AC/Heat.

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Burque_Boy@reddit

Interesting. I know people love their inflatable Opus campers. Having spent a lot of time in whitewater I can see the appeal. I do worry about it traveling though, have to be moderately careful with rafts to adjust the pressure as you change altitude and temp so you don’t blow out baffles. I’d be worried about that with this but I also live somewhere with lots of temp variation and altitude changes.

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Jaymez82@reddit

While I can see a use for Flated inflatable bed cap, this is a harder sell for me.

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Lifetwozero@reddit

That’s a very interesting concept. Really cool to see.

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Beauuuuuuuuuu@reddit

Careful with altitude changes and running at full PSI!!

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fattywomps@reddit

One stick about to end this man’s whole career

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Outlasttactical@reddit

I think it’s cool, but the cost doesn’t seem justified for such a “temporary” solution. Good for you tho hope you enjoy it!

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HOUphotog@reddit (OP)

No worries.

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tcgJimmy@reddit

Have you driven with it yet?

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HOUphotog@reddit (OP)

Just headed down the road to Total Wine, a mix of city and highway. It did great although I didn't go over 65mph, a little bit of added wind noise but that's it. It's also very windy here today. MPG was about the same at those speeds, maybe 1 less than normal.

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sasabomish@reddit

What’s that held together with? Looks like duct tape? I’m not being snarky, I’m actually curious to know.

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HOUphotog@reddit (OP)

They weld the seams....with glue, like stand up paddle boards. Same thing that Flated does with their topper, but the Flated toppers look much more refined. This is only the 2nd gen and the first ones to be sold commercially, so hopefully they'll improve with time.

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UnlikelyCash2690@reddit

It looks like a sonically or heat welded tape. Probably the same stuff they use on inflatable SUP boards.

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HOUphotog@reddit (OP)

It's exactly that, drop stitched and seam welded (glued). Similar to Flated or SUPs. Looks crappy but hopefully holds.

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A_Style_of_Fire@reddit

Are the sleeping surfaces also inflated, like a built-in sleeping pad?

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HOUphotog@reddit (OP)

Yes, every flat surface is inflated. The floor can be used as a mattress, the sides can be used as benches or beds and the cab-over area can sleep a kid or small adult.

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desertSkateRatt@reddit

Being that the topper is inflatable, I wonder how it will do if the weather gets significant wind while it's up...

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HOUphotog@reddit (OP)

It’s very solid when inflated and you can drive 80mph down the road with it.

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ThinkingThingsHurts@reddit

Looks cool. How much?

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HOUphotog@reddit (OP)

I got the two bunks included for about $2,300 which included freight shipping to my door. The unit weighs about 180pounds but comes in a big ass crate.

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ThinkingThingsHurts@reddit

That's not bad. I was expecting around $5000

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HOUphotog@reddit (OP)

It’s actually pretty cheap considering everything you get. A nice RTT is $2k these days.

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katrk824@reddit

That’s cool!

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