I have a cargo trailer that I camp in and in order to assure zero dust infiltration I use a computer fan and a conical air filter inside a snorkel like intake to keep the inside pressurized with dust free air. You still want to do your best in assuring good weather sealing. I think a rigid vacuum filter (You can get HEPA ones now) could be another candidate for filtration.
Thank you for sharing your experience! I may look into doing something like that. I put a tail gate seal on my truck and that has cut down on 80-90% of the dust coming in. Thanks for the comment and watching!
I totally get the concept that bigger is not necessarily better - this thing doesn't have all the functionality of a full pickup camper, but it doesn't have all the cost, the weight, the top-heavy nature, the complexity and the maintenance of those systems either. And yet compared to a simple topper, you've got significantly more space and functionality - this is the goldilocks solution!
That is a great way of putting it! I totally agree with you. I'm posting a video tonight on some upgrades I've done to the Moonlander, it is a sweet setup! Thanks for the comment and watching.
I recently drove down from Fort Collins to talk to Luke and see the Moonlander in person. For my needs, it looks like the perfect solution. Luke answered all my questions and was very personable! Awesome product from a good dude 🤘
I think the Moonlander fits a lot of people's needs. It certainly did for me! Did you put a deposit down on one? Luke is a good dude and will make sure you are happy with your Moonlander. Thanks for the comment and watching!
@@ColoradoCamperman I have not yet, but plan on doing so very soon. I’m paying off a few things, but once those debts are settled, I’ll be putting my deposit down for sure.
@@denim_joey Good man! Hammer out that debt and don't go back into debt! We're debt free thanks to Dave Ramsey & his teachings. Check him out if you haven't heard about him, his teachings has changed my life and the way we handle money. Keep working hard towards that goal and the Moonlander will be that much sweeter when you get it!
Wow that looks pretty awesome. Definitely a huge plus having it wide to give you a sleeping platform across the width. Some 1” foam board would definitely keep it more temperature and humidity controlled but the fan will also help with that. I probably would have looked into that had I known about them last year. I got an aluminum leer contractor cap that I built into a camper on the inside.
I will do the 1’ insulation on mine when I get it. I want to put a thin plastic adhered to the exposed side of the insulation so they won’t get dented and can be easily wiped off… any suggestions of material?
Makes your work truck better for work and your weekender better for camping with no compromise to either. Looks overbuilt honestly which is great. I'd say this blows away the roof top tents I see so much of. Nice find Brian!
You said it perfectly! That is pretty much the exact reason I got the Moonlander! I've never had a roof top tent setup, but from what I've heard, I would agree that the Moonlander is much better than a roof top tent! BTW, how did your race in Lake City go?
Perfectly put. While searching for the “perfect setup” I’ve purchased and sold three different roof top tents. Honestly, they were too much of a hassle and they didn’t suite my needs or wants. I recently put down a deposit for a Moonlander, which should be completed summer of 2023. For me, someone with just a midsize truck, it’s the perfect option.
My wife bought me the hunting blind chair that you got, it's very comfortable, went and visited Luke and he gave me the tour, he will be finished building my moonlander in the middle of July. He is putting the 2nd gen. Roof on it , I was worried it would not be as strong as the original, but he showed it to me, he was jumping up and down ( really hard) and it handled it like the original ( Luke is always looking for improvements).
I love that chair! It works perfectly in the Moonlander. That is exciting you will be getting yours in July, congrats! You will enjoy it, we still love ours! Thanks for the comment and watching!
Nice set up! Looks much better than a contractor cap. Hope they're still around in the next 18 months. Plan on buying my truck then and I think the Moonlander is what I'm going to buy. Looks perfect for my needs....great price and lots of versatility.
Thanks! I agree, it is a much better setup than the contractor cap and the width of the Moonlander is a GAME CHANGER! I bet they will still be around, just talked to Luke today and sounds like they are getting a ton of new orders! I hope all goes well with your new truck in the future and hopefully you can get a Moonlander. Thanks for watching!
I like it !! Perfect shell topper design for hauling and camping . And lots of options to choose from is a plus . Seems pretty tuff enough to put up with the trail and roads out there ...a good investment for sure for the outdoorsy type of folks like us . Well i have been doing my fall fishing tour thru out nevada , utah and now in the sierras ...its snowing last 2 nights as well up high on the peaks . Thanks for the video , i must of missed it when it 1st came out ....have a good winter season and be careful going up n down the ladder with your Christmas lights .....🏔️⛷️🎣
It has been perfect so far! We are really glad that we got it. Sounds like you've been having a good fall! I would love to do something like that. I have been keeping super busy with Christmas lights! Been working six or seven days a week, 12-16hour days, it's been crazy! Take care!
Nice video and another neat camper approach and made in U.S.! I made a camper from aluminum once. Too much energy transfer even though I insulated it. Wood is soon much better from that aspect but to each his own. Thanks!
Great segment. Your enthusiasm is a good indicator of how happy you are with the purchase. Looks like a very well made product. Curious if the flared out sides on a smaller mid sized Tacoma bed would allow east to west sleeping for someone 5'10'. Thanks for the review.
The Moonlander is really awesome so it is easy to talk about it, lol! Not too sure on the mid sized Tacoma width. Pretty sure it would fit you. My Moonlander on the inside is 7'2" wide. Reach out to Luke at Moonlander and I'm sure he'd let you know. Thanks for the comment and watching!
Luke said 72 inches on Tacoma with slim walls If you get standard flare that will be way more than you need. I’m 5’8 and will get standard just for more room to attach lightweight things to the walls of the lander
Looks very functional. Finished interior with insulation to stop condensation, heat, cold and noise would be fun to add. Beauty, however, is in the eye of the beholder...
A secrete to help With the dust inside. Turn that awsome max air fan on while your off roading. Have it blowing in , it kinda pressurizes inside keeping dust out ! I just found this new camper is really cool .
Funny you should say that. I tried that for the first time a few weeks ago and it definitely seemed to help! I also put in a tailgate seal and I just installed a Bedrug too. Both have helped. Thanks for the comment and watching!
These moonlanders look amazing. I am extremely interested in them. I love that it is a hard sided aluminum shell and that you don't have to mess with jacks and doubles as a functional truck bed topper. The price point is really reasonable as well. Is the shell glued on or is it just secured by those C clamps within the bed?
I will drill holes in lip of the lander and the bed rail of my truck. Then use some stout stainless steel plates on top and below to distribute the pressure.
I didn't know there was a tailgate seal. I use a pool noodle cut in half, longways. The dust also comes in under the inside bed lip where the mounting holes are. I plug them with foam filler.
I love it. Simple. Small. Affordable. Quick to sleep. Quick to break camp. I would ad a small ac unit for summer and a propane heater for winter. I wonder if you could still put a roof top tent for 2 kids up on the roof?
Well said! I bet you could put a roof top tent on. However, if you did, you may not be able to add a vent/fan for the roof. But, if you add AC, that probably wouldn't matter. Thanks for watching!
Just ordered an optioned $3600 Snugtop Rebel canopy topper. Base model is $2800. This is for a 5' new Ford Ranger bed. This Moonlander is priced between a traditional canopy and a bedrail mounted popup (GFC, etc). I'm 6'4" and would likely not fit east-west in a midsize truck w/ 5' bed version, so I'm screwed, but the product seems a welcome addition to the market.
Thank you for sharing these things look amazing. I've been using a soft topper for years so I still have the use of my truck, like hauling a Dirtbike. The problem I've had is cold weather camping and having more headspace. This seems to answer all of these questions. The question I have for you how much of a hit does your Mileage (MPG) take having this on. Thanks again!
You're welcome! The Moonlander is amazing, I'm still really happy with mine. We tailgated at Monarch yesterday between runs. 3 of us hung out inside the Moonlander on camping chairs, it's nice having all that space! My MPG went from 12-13 down to 10-11.5. So, not as bad as a truck camper but a standard topper you probably wouldn't notice a difference, I know we didn't on our last truck. I hope that helps, thanks for watching!
I really wanted to like this. The price is right, I like that it isn't a cabover... but not being able to stand up is a non-starter for me (I also have back issues).
Yeah, if you plan on spending a lot of time inside, no being able to stand could stink. I put a small chair that I use for hunting inside. I sit on that on trips to reduce how much standing I do inside. Hopefully you find something that works for ya!
Hey guys, you know what will be a cool idea? these toppers for Jeeps and Willys from the 40s, 50s through 90s!!! I have been in the market for something like this for a while...
Great video! I would like some kind of topper for my truck to augment my tiny Casita camper. I want something that is both a back up sleeper and or guest quarters, but also a art / craft studio for me when I travel. There are very few options that are perfect. I don’t want all the standard camper features, because I don’t be using it in a standard camper way. This one comes the closest I think to what I want.
👍II’ve watched this entire video 2x as well as your 2nd video on it. Subscribed to your channel now. Question- I noticed you have the Maxx-fan mini. Do you think I could get Luke to install the Max-fan deluxe? Thank you👍
Thanks for watching and subbing! Mine is actually the Maxx Fan Deluxe. The standard one from Moonlander is the normal Maxx-Fan. I'm sure you could get him to install since he did on mine. I love the Deluxe! It is nice to be able to have the vent open while driving or it is raining. Thanks for the comment and watching!
@@ColoradoCamperman 👍actually spoke with Luke yesterday- he seemed a bit hesitant and said they had done them. They place it further forward or aft than usual for some reason. I was a bit confused on that.. Just now watching your tailgate seal vid.. I will make a comment and give 👍 on all your camping and Moonlander vids.. I know it helps w RU-vid algorithm… you and that TFL kid should go camping in your Moonlander’s together and make videos.. His moonlander vid is approaching 400k views now but he has the TFL name to help him
@@oscarmike4596 Thanks for the comments and thumbs up! It helps for sure. I didn't know TFL made a Moonlander video, I just watched it. Thanks for sharing!
The fact that you have used so many other camping setups (like me), your opinion has credibility, certainly would like to hear how your winter camping experience is, especially during hunting season or just in general. Certainly looks like that bare aluminum should be insulated. Would be interesting if any larger, better funded company could help them get the right amount structure to weight ratio. Certainly looks well done, but I’m always hesitant about “DIY” builds that turn commercial.
When making my decision on the Moonlander, it definitely helped to having several other setups before. The Moonlander worked great for hunting! It didn't get too cold when I used it, at night it would get between 34-38. Basically, what the temp was outside, is what the temp was inside the Moonlander. It was nice not having any wind though. I kept a window slightly open and opened up my roof vent. That minimized the amount of condensation on the inside. It is still holding up strong and I would definitely still recommend it. Thanks for watching!
hey Brian, Great informative video. Thanks! How is the rear visibility using your side mirrors. Is it compromised very much? Any more thoughts or ongoing videos now that you've had your Monnlander awhile?
Thanks, glad it was helpful! You lose a little rear visibility but you will get use to it. If you get a rear window on the Moonlander, you can still look at your rear view mirror. So now my rear view mirror is basically a vanity mirror. I also have tow mirrors that extend out, however, unless I am towing, I do not extend them out with the Moonlander on. My thoughts on the Moonlander since the video....It is still awesome! I love the thing! Besides camping, it has been an amazing topper to just haul things around. Right now I have a bunch of tools and gear in the Moonlander and it snowed 4inches today. Everything is dry and protected! Thanks for the comment and watching.
Luke said one of his customers has been adding foam insulation between the framing. The cool thing is you can get the base model and then deck it out as you please. It would definitely be a sweet ski rig and we fully intend on using it during this upcoming season! Thanks for the comment and watching!
@@rollie3383 You definitely could! I want to keep mine as a topper most of the time but be able to use it as a camping rig as needed. So I'll probably keep it pretty basic. Eventually I'm going to build a little kitchen cabinet/countertop which will be cool. I'm sure I'll come up with more ideas as I use it more.
I like the idea but that's quite a price premium over a 36" tall ARE dcu. Don't get me wrong the extra width is nice for the crossways bed but a brand new ARE is around 3 grand.
True, this is more than just a topper though. I would say it is more comparable to those wedge/popup overland rigs. Those rigs start at $12-13k. So in comparison to those, it is much more reasonable. The extra width and height you get in the Moonlander over a normal ARE topper is worth it in my opinion. Thanks for watching
Really Nice Genius Product! ' ad a 'full floor Tent back' to it, that would be the ultimate! That particular propane tank mount placement' is a bit vulnerable' in my opinion' tho you do see it a lot to save space. Great video, Thank you🖖
You're welcome! It is really a great product. We have really enjoyed if so far. That would be pretty sweet to be able to add a full floor tent back! Thanks for the comment and watching!
I have an idea for moonlander have yall at moonlander thought about have awning that on the roof side or sides to sit under if it rains that would be another good option. O am impressed with this moonlander product
That would be an excellent addition! The guys at Radica are open to receiving feedback and are fielding ideas from customers on every build. Luke is trying to keep the production process fast and efficient. Add-ons unfortunately slow that down. But, if he continues to get the same feedback on every build, I am sure he'll make it an option. If not, the frame is built so that you can easily screw additional items to the Moonlander. Thanks for watching!
Do you have any problems with getting an oil change or any truck maintenance with the topper on? I’m concerned with getting my truck maintenance done with a topper of this size. Love the video
Truck maintenance and oil changed are fine. Car washes are not, lol! I can go to a DIY car wash but my days of going to an automatic car wash are over. Thanks for the comment and watching!
It looks awesome! Are you planning to insulate it? Also, to go with the tailgate seal, it looks like they did not put foam seal between the topper and the bed rails. Add the bed rail foam too and that should help greatly.
It's pretty sweet! No plans to insulate yet. I may do so in the future though. I added a tailgate seal. Moonlander did add a seal between the topper and bed rails. They also added a seal between the tailgate & back door. They made sure it was water tight before I left. Thanks for watching!
@@ColoradoCamperman Also, I have seen some of the Australian campers have a filtered fan system running while driving to add positive air pressure to keep the dust out. Should be fairly easy to rig something like that up.
Looks like a very useful concept. Also looks like the stock side mirrors are pretty useless. I would definitely upgrade to tow mirrors. I'll probably end up with one.
Thank you! We love the Moonlander so far. Luke was guessing it weighs around 300lbs, still very light weight considering how big it is. I probably won't insulate it. I am mainly going to camp in it during the summer months and archery season (which is in September). Last year it got down to 28 at night, so not super cold. I think the Moonlander should be much better than my old Coleman tent, lol! Thanks for the comment and watching!
Yeah, it's awesome! Maybe, you would have to mount the jacks to the side wall. The corners and bottom of the part that flare out are at angles, so that might be difficult. Thanks for watching!
You must have a good job 😂 I looked up the price of one those and starting price is 6000 dollars. I’ll have to order a softopper 😂 Yours is awesome though!! I’d order one right now if I could. Or a 4x4 adventure van RV.
The Moonlander is still amazing! I love the thing. I've only camped it in a handful of times but I love it as just a huge topper for everyday use. It is amazing how much room you have in there because of the height and width of the Moonlander. We just finished our basement and I have made countless trips to Lowes to grab lumber, doors, trim, paint, bathroom vanity, toilet, etc. It is nice to have everything out of the elements and locked/protected if I needed to go to multiple stores. A lot of times, I would just keep my lumber in the back of the truck as I worked on the basement, so it basically doubled as a shed. We have also done some tailgating this winter at the ski slopes with it. One day it was around 5degrees out and snowing pretty bad. I had 4 adults and 1 kiddo in the back of the Moonlander on camping chairs (I have an 8' bed, so there's a ton of room). We even had brought a propane firepit with us and had it ripping in the back of the Moonlander! We cranked open the windows and had my tailgate down for airflow, but it stayed nice and toasty in there as we ate lunch. I truly don't have any negative feedback on the Moonlander yet. I would highly recommend it! I hope that helps.
Nice. Is this considered a self-contained rig by most campgrounds? I saw a dude get kicked out of a park at night by sleeping in one of those basic truck toppers.
You're welcome! The aluminum is pretty thick. It's definitely more durable than plastic and probably a fiberglass top too. They just added a window that you can install up front, so that you can have access to the cab. Hope that helps, thanks for watching!
I want one of these that goes to the end of my tailgate. With it down . Biggest door possible. Also about 30 inches over the back part of my rear doors. Over the roof for a 30 inch sleeper or so.
@@ColoradoCamperman hey, how annoying is the reduced rearward visibility? I am intrigued by the Moonlander but worried that I'd hate not being able to use my mirrors. I guess maybe I could add mirror extenders to help with that though? What do you think about the issue?
@@davidmull7263 I don't find it annoying at all. I can't use my rearview mirror but I've been driving utility vans for work since 2005, so, it is not an issue for me. Having tow mirrors would probably help. My mirrors are huge. Not extended out, I have good visibility. Extended out, I have a little better visibility. The pros of the Moonlander outweigh the cost of lower visibility in my opinion. Hope that helps. Thanks for watching!;
Wow thank you for the video! I’m 5,7 do you think they could make one of these less wide and less tall. I’m looking for something that can still fit in a garage and parking structure.
Yeah, the height of the Moonlander has not bothered me at all. I put a swivel chair in mine and it helps get me around and I don't have to be hunched over all the time.
No, the Moonlander had a metallic smell to it for maybe the first few weeks. Now I doesn't smell like anything, just my stinky gear in the back, lol! Thanks for watching!
I checked the comments and found the weight and cost... but, haven't seen any measurements for the raised bed. I'm 6'4" and 235 lbs... would I fit? This would make for a great mobile outdoor office being able to sleep comfortably, and work at a table in a camping chair during the day, having solar power to charge laptop/tablet/phone/camera batteries, etc... Some would say get a Sprinter van, but this mounts on a pickup 4x4 truck, which is much more capable off-road getting out to remote sites. And, a 3/4 ton truck would tow my Jeep much easier for further exploration than a Sprinter van would. Very interesting! Cheers! Pete - KI7LIL
My Moonlander on the inside is 7'2" wide. Outside is approximately 7'5". Keep in in this is built for my truck but if you're looking at a 3/4 ton truck, most likely your Moonlander would probably be about the same size (I have a 2019 Chevy Silverado 2500). Good luck with everything and have fun looking for something that suits your needs. Thanks for the comment and watching!
I keep seeing these with the back flap up. Was wondering if you can close and lock the Moonlander from the inside, or do you have to sleep with the flap up?
We used to have a topper exactly like that. Right now new, those toppers will cost around $3,500-$4,000. Those toppers are a great option and work for a lot of people. In my opinion, the additional cost of the Moonlander is worth it, hence why I bought it versus buying another fiberglass topper. Thanks for the comment and watching.
@@ColoradoCamperman the reason I'm selling it is it too narrow and short. I want to be able to have more room and stand up. So I'm building my own....yes I'm recording the build 🤣
@@huckleberrychris That makes sense. Especially if you want to stand up. I had considered building one too until I found the Moonlander. I look forward to seeing the build videos!
@@ColoradoCamperman but the door was different. Glasstite was bought out years ago. That toppers store in OCC has changed... they're all ARE and accessories and better selection. I can get older parts from them to.
Aluminum welds on a piece of 4x4 gear? GFC and Superpacific are using rivets. This thing is going to get shaken apart on CO trails. Good for campgrounds though
@@camillafigueroa3694No issues with rain. Dust is a problem but it is my darn truck bed! The side walls of my bed have gaps that allow dust to come in. I installed a tailgate seal which helped tremendously but I need to fix my side walls. I'm thinking I will spray foam the walls.
Does the longer width present any problems? I'm thinking of the somewhat narrow road to Fern Canyon in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park in CA. The path is fairly narrow, a regular truck is no problem, I'm thinking of the time when 2 vehicles need to pass each other.
The Moonlander is no wider than my mirrors, so it is not a problem at all. Carwashes are a problem though, lol! The added height restricts me from ever getting an automatic car was again. Thanks for the comment and watching!
@@ColoradoCamperman Thanks for the reply! I would imagine any vehical that has added height or width would be a problem at a car wash or even a drive through. Heard a van with a topper is best left in the parking lot at McDonalds, lol!
Yesterday I was inside the truck bed installing a BedRug. It was about 85 degrees outside. I was parked in the partial shade at my house and had my Maxxair fan cranked on high. It was about 80 degrees inside the Moonlander. It does get hot in there. I usually camp with the Moonlander at high enough elevations where it doesn't get hot. I also make sure to setup camp in the shade, so it hasn't bothered me. Hope that helps, thanks for watching.
You can cover the foam board with automotive or outdoor upholstery for additional insulation, asthetics, and moisture control. Had a friend who's done that.
@@reynetallents It is a really good idea and I am definitely considering doing that in the future. There is one rig on the Moonlander's website that someone finished on the inside. It looks really nice!
Thanks for your quick response. Right now I go from 19mpg with truck only to 11-13mpg while towing a 16’ camper. I’m ready to downsize and think this is a good alternative.
@@barbbodemer6103 I totally understand what you're talking about. We have a 28-ft travel trailer that when we tow, we only get maybe 10 miles per gallon. Good luck with whatever you choose to do. We love the Moonlander!
No, it is not insulated. You could get some rigid foam insulation and insulate yourself though. Luke said one of his customers who bought the Moonlander already did that.
Yes you can. The lift has two platforms. One is the size of a twin bed and the other is maybe 18" or so. They are very lightweight and easy to take out. I purchased the tri-fold bed so I could put the bed away in the case when not in use. Thanks for watching!
Are you talking about the aerodynamics of the Moonlander or the air flow on the inside? Either way I agree with you, lol! The aerodynamics are definitely good. For the air flow inside, between the fan and side sliding window, I can get a great cross breeze in there! Thanks for the comment and watching!
In temps under ~38 degrees, yes, there is moisture build up. But I also don't have the windows open as much while sleeping in the colder temps. I've had truck campers before. When I've slept in the bed over the cab in temps under ~35 degrees, there's moisture build-up. In cold temps, in a small space, moisture build up is going to happen.
Have you ever been in an old popup camper with a metal roof or a barn when it is raining? Kind of like that. You can hear it in the video a little bit. Thanks for watching!
With tax and everything, it was around $8,800. Much cheaper than a wedge pop-up or 4 wheel truck camper. The cheapest wedge pop-up I saw for an 8' bed was $12,995 before taxes. And a 4 wheel truck camper Project M starts at $11,500 without any windows or add-ons, so by the time you deck it out like a Moonlander, it's probably $14,000 or so. Thanks for watching!
You can stand up in the Moonlander if you are under 4'10", lol! The door opening is 4'6". Those are the inside height dimensions of my setup. It will vary based on how tall your bed side rails are and also how tall you cab is. Thanks for watching!
Not directly from Moonlander but you could add it yourself. If you listen to the interview at the end of the video, Luke talks about the structure and how you can add things. Thanks for watching.
