Why I canceled my Ursa Minor order for Hatchet Overland Camper 

I have had an Ursa Minor for 4 years now. Yes the mattress is thin, but you can add foam to increase the thickness to your liking. I added close cell foam to mine for added warmth retention when the cabin air is less then freezing. When closing the Ursa Minor you need to vent the air trapped inside the tent(Simply leave a portion of the inside top door fabric unzipped, not the mesh). If you do this you can leave pillows and bedding up top as well. Keep in mind you need to make room for the tent fabric, simply pull the bedding to the center strip. The reason folks are getting the fabric caught in the scissor mechanism is improper technique when closing(usually trapped air pushing the fabric out). I have zero issues with wind noise. I will say that getting in and out with two adults is a flexibility challenge, but there are two hatches and it can be done while the other person is sleeping. The LineX has been awesome. Zero pinstripes and a simple coat of 303 protectant makes it look like new. As far as your deposit. I’d go on Expedition Portal and post your spot up for sale and recoup your money. Full disclosure, I will be in the Ursa Minor booth at Overland Expo West 2022. I also paid full price for my Ursa Minor back in the day. All of your points are valid. I just think the viewers should know that there are work arounds for most of them. I look forward to meeting you in person at the event.

💋 certainly one of the most informative, comprehensive videos on RU-vid, of any subject.

i was just thinking of getting the URsa minor but your video just cleared many of my questions.. tks!

Just putting thought into this! Thanks for this video. I'm checking out more...

Great video! Thank you for sharing!!

Great video! I love both products, however I agree with all of Justin's points (like him, I'm an enthusiast). I looked at the Hatchet before purchasing my Ursa Minor on the aftermarket last year. I too am a side sleeper and I also weighed the two options extensively. Here are the aspects of the Ursa that ultimately pushed me in that direction - #1 - it's a mature product (generation 3 Ursa's have been built since the beginning of the year), whereas the Hatchet is still a work-in-progress (prototype entering early small run production). With the mature product comes great electrical options such as the cell phone chargers in the camper loft and above the rear view mirror that I really love. #2 - Tent Fabric. Ursa is using Sunbrella which is used on sailboats and is known for being really durable in the weather. I had some concerns that the Hatchet (while it looks wonderful) might have issues with the fabric keeping out the weather. I've found from experience that the Ursa Minor loft area is usually 10 degrees higher than the outside air temperature when it is closed up. I'm not sure if the fabric solution on the Hatchet would offer the same warmth. #3 - Roof color. The white Ursa top reflects the sun and the black Hatchet absorbs it (I know that some Ursa Minor owners elect for a black top - I wouldn't). When I spoke to Hatchet last year they said that it was possible to make a white top and I look forward to seeing that option in the future as the company matures. #4 - Awnings - Ursa's integrated mounting points have steel reinforcement for the awning brackets molded into the fiberglass. At this point I don't know if Hatchet has an awning mount offering. I'm sure that they will figure it out in time, but I don't think it is currently available. #5 - JK instead of JL's. JL's are wonderful and they are also more expensive new and used. Hatchet only makes a camper for the JL presently and Ursa offers one for JK and JL. I was able to get into my low mileage 2011 JK with Ursa Minor already installed for 34K. To purchase the same setup in a JL with Hatchet or Ursa would have put me at least in the 50-65K range (a substantial cost difference). #6 - Aesthetics. The Ursa Minor looks stock like a high end espresso machines and the uninitiated won't even realize that there is a camper there. The Hatchet looks more boxy like a Transformer (which I suppose it is). I personally prefer the look of the Ursa. I also want to share that I keep two down sleeping bags, two pillows and a blanket in the Ursa loft at all times and it fits just fine (larger pillows have made the top closing snug, but it still works when they are properly placed. I also practice optimum closing technique and I installed the hinge tamers to reduce the chances of pinching the fabric when closing the top. So far, no problems at all! With all of that said, it sounds like you made the right choice for your objectives - if sleeping 2 adults who need to use the restroom in the middle of the night and comfortably side sleeping is the primary requirement, the Hatchet is superior stock. Also, the entry/exit setup is ingenious and wonderful and I love the pre-install for solar and the integrated traction board solution into the roof and the thick mattress. I'm sure that you and your wife will enjoy your Hatchet. I look forward to hearing how it shakes out for long term overland use for you, particularly concerning heat retention and keeping out the weather. I also can't wait to see how the Hatchet improves incrementally over time. It has all of the promise of a world-class platform!

That looks cool man. Never seen one before.

Ross is a good guy and has been working on this idea for a while. His custom Tacoma build before his JL was pretty awesome as well. Having been on some adventures with him, it's cool to see this idea come to life over the years. Spot on with the Ursa Minor too. I wish they did more of a wedge style design like the Alu-Cab and some sort of rear roll cage kit replacement like Dan Grec's Jeep.

Thanks I had never heard about the Hatchet. I was thinking about the Ursa but really wasn't, convince. So the JX was very tenting but also expensive. This solution same to be a good one.

Thanks for the video. I’ll have to check them out and I only live 2 hours away from Denver.

I almost consider getting myself a jeep. That looks to make it simple I like it.

I have an Ursa Minor, I'm happy with it, other than a UV fading issue at about a year and a half, in Oregon sun no less. This looks interesting, what Ursa Minor needs is compitition, and a lesson in after sale service.

Very cool idea! I like the idea of being about to stand in the back vs the middle and have it open in case of emergency. Do you know if they plan to make it for the new bronco?

All looking good, an funny I also had bought an RV looked just liked yours an yes sold it , I spent 3 months in the Keys last year but the ever was not for me

You should talk with Chris of venture4wd. He has extensive use of the URSA minor top.

I went the same route. The Ursa is interesting, but a 2 inch mattress is not going to cut it for me.

I’d like to see one of these in person. I own the Ursa Minor J30 and some of your points are valid. It should have had a better mattress from the beginning, the provided on sucks. I modified mine with mattress topper foam to make it 5” thick and I keep my blankets and pillows up there. As for the hinges damaging the tent, it happens. I designed and manufactured a limited run of hinge tamers that keep the tent fabric out of the hinge when closing the top. The center entry is still an issue with the Ursa Minor. All in all though I’d buy one again. My top is quieter than a factory hard top going down the road and I’ve spent a lot of nights in it in all weather conditions. I hope that the hatch is a good product because competition creates innovation and I’d love to see a mature competitor in the marketplace. Either top is a much better solution then a rack and rooftop tent on a Wrangler IMO. Enjoy your new top and I look forward to a long term review!

If they make one for the bronco I'll consider it!

Why not just go with a tear drop trailer? Have you seen the Black Bean? In the event you change vehicles you’ll always have a stellar light weight trailer with all the room to take momma’s beauty stuff/comfort items. As a 2016 JKRU owner I’ve looked at all options. Still a big fan of the Safari JXL & Ursa Minor though.

👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

Great video. When your tent is up, your inside and you want to exit the Jeep, can you exit through the tailgate? If so how do you open it? I can not open mine from the inside.

Regarding the Hatchet Camper - where are you planning to store your belongings since the rear of the Jeep needs to be open for standing?

I have built a custom rack for my gladiator. I'm now looking for a tent that is capable of gladiator bed access. I believe I can make this work.

Do you have pricing, with different options? I checked the web site and couldn't find any prices. If I can have an idea, to see if it's in our budget.

This was informative but I think you need to show the products as you talk about them more, rather than showing you talking about them. Did you get the item yet?

2:26 the wait is real. 4:25 you don’t really have to move your partner. They can stay in place. You just have to scoot back, move your hatch to your foot area and slide down. Granted, not elegant, and not easy for larger folks. The one really relevant consideration, in my opinion. 5:40 Ursa now provides thicker mattress options. 6:44 one of the best features of the Ursa is its streamlined, low profile design. 7:15 plenty of room for my very thick sleeping bags. And two pillows. And awning poles. 7:41 I don’t know of anyone who brings their bedding down, except maybe those who added mattress toppers or opted for thicker mattresses. 8:21 never heard of this. I have front latches and there is no noticeable noise unless I forgot to latch it. Now, I did have squeaky noises from the top rubbing on the roll bar, but that was solved with a small piece of rubber. 9:11 sounds cool. As does the traction board space. 10:22 that price difference might be moot if you consider the money recouped from the sale of the original top. I have been using and enjoying the Ursa Minor on my JLU for over two years. With a 2.5” lift and 35” tires, I can still pull into my garage! I have taken it from Arizona to Massachusetts and back. I have slept 21 straight nights in it (which went by too fast). After a rugged day in the wilderness, I can’t wait to get up there and get cozy and enjoy the view. It is my favorite place to be. It is my second and last rooftop tent. I can only say I wish it were my first.

what tires, lift and total height is your rig? I have a 7'6" garage door...

Where to mount front light bars? Where to mount awing?

Have they gone out of businesses? They dont have a website? 😢I I really hope not. I want one of these so bad!

Do they make it for the JK and what’s the estimated cost?

I can't believe you lost your deposit from Ursa Minor. I would have went ahead bought the unit and then sold it for a profit because people would not have to wait.

the only downside of this productbus that it had about 12 inches of height to the jeep. Do they ship to Canada? Do they have a dealer here in Canada?

How much are they? Can't find a price anywhere ETA $8500 base

How does it latch in the front?

Did you check AT Habitat ?

Please tell me they ship to Sweden 🙏

How much?

You did not have too loose your deposit, you could bought one still have someone else buy with a reduction in deposit.

It appears that Hatchet Overland is out of business.