After a wild decade-plus ride, the much-hyped rig formerly known as the Action Camper finally seems possible.
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Thirteen long years ago, adventurous corners of the internet were abuzz over anaftermarket Jeep Wrangler Unlimited buildthat looked primed to rockthe overlanding space.
Boasting an integration with the vehicle so seamless, it looked like it had been there all along, Austria-based Thaler Design's Action Camper seemed destined for massive success.
But as any inventor or entrepreneur knows, getting from concept to actual product can be quite a rocky road.
The good news is, after more than a decade in the proverbial wilderness,the concept could finally come to fruition, believe it or not.
By any other name
I won't bore you with the details of everything that has happened since 2012, including the multiple potential partners that the Action Camper didn't quite work out with.
What's important is that reliable pop-up roof specialist Colorado Camper Van has purchased the designs and molds.
Bringing 16 years of experience to bear, it is giving them new life under its new Laramie, Wyoming-based sub-brand,Two Track Campers.
That means (eventually) an ambitious micro-RV, courtesy of an Action Camper-style fiberglass-shelled X4 built onto the back of a four-door Jeep Wrangler Unlimited's chassis.
Unlike the original Action Camper X2, this setup would leave the rear doors and seats intact, relying on a passthrough to create a lower bed on top of the folded rear seats.
That arrangement would be complemented by a second bed housed in a wedge-style pop-top, plus a small kitchen area and a two-seat dinette inside the rear hatch.
Baby steps
Starting small, however, Two Track's first product is a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited pop-up sleeper roof.
The setup replaces the stock roof with a 3-inch thick mattress and an 86-inch by 53-inch sleeping area enclosed in a fiberglass shell with a white gelcoat.
The unit is hinged at the rear, meaning the front lifts up to open up the pop-top space, complete with nylon canvas walls, triple-layer window and interior latches that enable you to climb up into it directly, without leaving the Jeep.
This setup is significantly more streamlined than the original X2 design, which added 440 pounds to the Jeep's weight — and presumably the planned X4.
The inaugural Two Track product adds just 100 pounds to the Jeep's weight while increasing the total height by seven inches.
Both numbers are lower than those of a typical rooftop tent, putting it head and shoulders above most of the market — and on the block of theLittle Bear J30.
Game-changing dreams
The Two Track roof can be mounted on a standard Wrangler, with roof conversion available for JKU and JLU models dating back to 2007.
Meanwhile, Two Track may get nearly as much attention with its other available product: a Military Front Clip body kit inspired by the 1960s Kaiser Gladiator, which boastsunmistakable retro style.
Two Track hopes this is just the beginning. It plans to make Ursa Minor sweat even more by introducing aFord Broncopop-up sleeper, followed by, of course, that potentially game-changing micro-RV.
Considering the brand has already done more than previous efforts produced in more than a decade, I'm looking forward to seeing those big ideas come to life.
Availability and pricing
The Two Track pop-top is available starting at $10,000, which includes installation. Lead time is currently four weeks.
Options include color-matching paint, MOLLE storage panels, and Yakima roof tracks.
The Military Front Clip body kit, meanwhile, starts at $7,500.
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