Hiperlion / qian / Chinese hardshell campers
Posted by ParsleyQuick5306@reddit | overlanding | View on Reddit | 22 comments
I’m looking at buying a Chinese hardshell camper. Downsizing and from my F350 and northern light 10-2000. On a few different Chinese company and direct websites you can find hard show campers like hiatus for a fraction of the price. All the information reviews that I found say that they are good quality, structurally sound, and last quite a while! Looking for some opinions I’ll drop some links here.
https://hiperlionoutdoor.com/product/hard-pickup-truck-camper/
https://www.alibaba.com/x/B1WgMh?ck=pdp
These campers are pretty incredible for the price. Does anyone have personal experience with either company?
Strict_Cut9290@reddit
I’m buying a qian TP06w right now. Should complete and be ready to ship by April/ May.
Pollymath@reddit
I'm curious, are the truck topper based campers modular in shipping? As in, will you get the lower section as a pile or panels that you put together? Or will it come fully assembled?
B0rtellj@reddit
don't remember who it was, but I recently saw a video where they assembled it. The pop-up part arrived fully assembled already. The lower portion between the bedrails and popup were packed flat and need to be assembled.
I almost wish the pop-up piece came in a few sections becuase that piece is a couple hundred pounds and needs to be lifted on top.
Pollymath@reddit
I actually confirmed this with the Qian team.
Shipping for the "Topper" is about $900, where as shipping for the "Slide-In" is closer to $3000.
B0rtellj@reddit
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shP14bvX0Gs
ParsleyQuick5306@reddit (OP)
How has the process been? Have you used Alibaba?
Strict_Cut9290@reddit
Yep. Used alibaba, asked for ddp freight forwarding. Paid through the alibaba site just in case. 50% down and I’ll pay the other 50 before ship. Customer service was very communicative with good English. So far so good.
blindao_blindado@reddit
Are they handling the shipping and taxes importing paperwork? How does it work?
B0rtellj@reddit
For the hard sided-ones, I know you have to pull the mattress out to close the topper. Looking at the way hard sided toppers fold to close, none of the exterior surfaces of a hard-side popup shoull touch an interior surface if its closed after a rain, but I do still wonder how much moisture gets through the hinged joints.
Ok-Pizza3922@reddit
They also run a group called Overland & Truck Camping Community | Hiperlion.
losinator501@reddit
There’s a Facebook group called Alibaba Camper Canopies if you want to learn more about
Ok-Pizza3922@reddit
They also run a group called Overland & Truck Camping Community | Hiperlion.
doomshockolocka@reddit
There’s a guy on YouTube that bought one last year for a Gladiator and then posted a 6 month update. Seems like a pretty decent deal, all things considered.
doomshockolocka@reddit
I can’t find the one I’m thinking of, but I’m seeing a lot of newer videos popping up in the last couple months as these things seem to be taking off.
https://youtu.be/_SSdQhyxh5I?si=7K7KkeSwbFP0jCfb
EmbarrassedTonight94@reddit
The guy took it down because he's trying to import and sell them now
doomshockolocka@reddit
Lollll. I had the same thought when I did the napkin math while cruising Alibaba. Turns out I value my spare time though.
EmbarrassedTonight94@reddit
I have a Qian TP03 on order right now. I keep looking for videos to prove to my wife that I'm not being scammed
ParsleyQuick5306@reddit (OP)
I would agree!
Fayelovenature@reddit
Thanks for sharing the link — that second one mentions almost $2k for shipping. Do you know if that includes customs and delivery to the US?
I’m also researching this route. I’m trying to understand actual landed cost if someone were to import these aluminum-shell builds — most of the Alibaba shipping estimates seem very rough.
Curious if anyone here has dealt with actual sea freight vs Alibaba freight pricing and how they compare once cleared into the US?
SlightlyWet@reddit
I just finished buying a custom slide in camper from Alibaba and so far it’s been pretty awesome. Feel free to check my post history for some pictures and details.
Teardownstrongholds@reddit
Lol, bad bot
ParsleyQuick5306@reddit (OP)
Me?