Pop-Top Campers sit low to the roof of your vehicle when not in use and add a ton of headroom when set up. Their low profile down position also doesn’t cause much affect on fuel consumption. Most pop tops provide a sleeping platform when set up.
GTRV has over 25 years of experience building the van conversion that is right for you! What has made GTRV unique from the very beginning is our unique roof pop-top campers designs and our quality. Our pop-top campers allows additional standing room as well as an extra sleeping bunk, maximizing the available space and providing enormous value for our customers. We build on a multitude of different van chassis, with and without a pop-top, and with standard and custom layouts.
We install pop tops on many vans, large and small – Toyota Sienna, Nissan NV200, Mercedes Metris, Ford Transit, Ram ProMaster, Mercedes Sprinter. Our pop top for the Transit, ProMaster, and Sprinter is low-profile and is designed for stealth.
We offer three standard layouts as well as custom designs.
Pop top only – best for customers on a limited budget who want to “do their own thing” inside their van. Our pop tops are color-matched and blend seamlessly with the rest of the van.
Weekender – Includes the pop top with interior finishing and a bench seat that folds down into a bed.
“Westy” – Our full camper and most popular build with electrical, water, propane, cabinetry, and a variety of different options such as Lithium batteries, solar, and heat.
Custom – Customer specified floorplans and features. Bring us a design or work with us to design the van that fits you!
If you are looking for the highest quality and value, we’d love to talk to you! We’d be honored to have you join the GTRV family of satisfied van-conversion owners.
Four Wheel Campers’ partnership with Clean Up The Lake began in 2022, and we are pleased to share the details of our latest event with the Lake Tahoe-based 501(c)(3). Not only did our volunteers collect and sort hundreds of pounds of debris and litter at Fallen Leaf Lake, but we got a tour of Clean Up The Lake’s research truck, which is outfitted with a Project M camper. Four Wheel Campers donated the camper to Clean Up The Lake in late 2022, and it has helped the nonprofit on cleanups and pilot missions across California and Nevada.
“Four Wheel Campers and our customers appreciated the opportunity to assist the Clean Up the Lake team in their ongoing effort to restore our lakes and nature spaces,” says Dan Welty, President of Four Wheel Campers. Through our volunteer events and donations to environmental nonprofits, Four Wheel Campers is committed to giving back to our public lands — and working with organizations that support these endeavors. To date, we’ve run four successful volunteer events alongside three conservation nonprofits, and our goal is to host one event per quarter in 2024.
After getting rained out of our June 2022 cleanup at Donner Lake, we held a two-day volunteer event at Fallen Leaf Lake in June 2023. On the first day, half of our volunteers assisted with a trail cleanup near Fallen Leaf Campground, while the rest joined Clean Up The Lake on the water to assist scuba divers in collecting nearly 350 pounds of debris from the bottom of the lake. Half a dozen volunteers snorkeled near the divers to help spot debris, and half a dozen more hopped into kayaks to help gather debris at the surface. One of our volunteers even served as captain for the day, driving Clean Up The Lake’s tritoon boat. After lunch, both groups reconvened to help unload debris. With two different cleanup crews, plus two dive groups, our volunteers also had the option to take time off after working, giving them time to explore the stunning scenery at Fallen Leaf Lake. We were pleased that everyone was able to participate in their first-choice volunteer activity.
On the second day, our group spent several hours sorting the debris we gathered from Fallen Leaf Lake, along with nearly 900 pounds of debris collected at Convict and June Lakes a few weeks earlier. We began the sorting process by separating debris on several tarps, which were labeled with nine categories for material types, and 83 different use-type subcategories. The debris was then weighed and logged, and the process was repeated. Sorting and cataloging debris is just as important as removing it from the environment, as this comprehensive dataset is critical in producing educational materials and mitigation solutions. Simply put: this data gives Clean Up The Lake the information they need to present the community with ways to make a change.
While our volunteers generally spend four to eight hours each day working at our cleanup events, we also enjoy kicking back at camp. Four Wheel Campers provides camping for volunteers, plus light breakfast fare, snacks, beer, wine and one meal per day (either lunch or dinner). At our Fallen Leaf Lake event, we ordered two dozen sandwiches from the deli at Camp Richardson, and happy hour began around 6 p.m. If you’ve been to a Four Wheel Campers rally, you know these events attract a certain crowd, and our cleanups are no different. These are the kind of folks you want to share stories with around the campfire, and from new friends to familiar faces, it’s the people who truly make these events.
After the sorting event and a leisurely lunch at camp, we sat down for a Q&A session with Clean Up The Lake founder and executive director, Colin West. Half of our volunteers got to work alongside Colin on the first day, but it was great for everyone to get a brief history of how the org was created, and how they plan on expanding in the years to come.
Clean Up The Lake’s equipment manager Hayden Farris then gave our group a tour of the org’s research truck, which is outfitted with a Project M — a donation made by Four Wheel Campers in 2022. The full-size truck camper houses everything from scuba tanks to kayaks, and it has made pilot missions much easier, as Hayden and other staffers now have a much cozier camp setup. “It’s been a game changer for us,” Hayden said, noting that the previous setup was either a tent or the back of an SUV crammed with gear. Four Wheel Campers is thrilled to support Clean Up The Lake, and we look forward to our summer 2024 cleanup with the nonprofit, date TBD.
Thank you to everyone who attended, and we look forward to seeing you at our next cleanup! For more information on volunteer events, be sure to check the Four Wheel Campers’ Events page, and subscribe to our newsletter for updates and event coverage.
Access to clean, pressurized water while overlanding can be a challenge, whether you’re camping in the backcountry or enjoying a day at the beach. TheIronman 4×4 Powered Water Tank tank is designed specifically for overlanders and outdoor enthusiasts for a simple convenient on-the-go water solution.
PRESSURED WATER SUPPLY: The Powered Water Tank by Ironman 4×4 comes equipped with a built-in 12V pump, providing pressurized water whenever needed. With a max water flow of 1 gallon (4L) per minute, the 12V pump easily connects to your vehicle’s 12V DC cigarette lighter outlet. The tank’s pressured water supply provides the convenience and ease of a personal hose or tap, making it a must-have addition to any overland water system.
COMPLETE KIT: Constructed from food-grade roto-molded UV stabilized plastic, this water tank durable enough to withstand the abuse off-road backcountry travel. This water tank is designed to mount to roof racks or platform racks, making it the perfect fit for any overland vehicle. The kit also includes a flexible coil hose with quick-connect fittings and a handheld multi-spray trigger head, providing a complete water solution that’s ready to go when you are. Whether you need to wash off after a long day of off-roading or simply want to freshen up while out in nature, the Ironman 4×4 8 Gallon (30L) Water Tank is the perfect overland shower system.
FEATURES:
High pressure water flow, 4L per minute
8 Gallon capacity
Only weighs 15lbs when empty
Complete water tank solution, with built-in water pump providing pressured water
Food graded roto-molded construction
Designed to mount to roof racks, with included mounting brackets
Quick connection fittings with included flexible coil hose, power cable and handheld multi-spray trigger handle
When hitting the road less traveled, it is important to have reliable communication to insure one’s safety. With Midland Radio’s MXPW115 Ammo Can Base Station, off-roaders, overlanders, and outdoor adventurers alike can take powerful MicroMobile communication on the go.
The MXPW115 packs a punch with features allowing radio users to simply connect the base station to their MXT115 and take communication with them no matter how remote their location.
The MXPW115 is made in the USA and built into a genuine, surplus ammo can. The base station is waterproof and nearly crushproof, ensuring that it stands up to the most rugged of environments.
When setting out on an extended excursion, power will not be concern. The MXPW115 Ammo Can Base Station comes stacked with a 4Ah LiFePo4 Battery, providing up to 20 to 25 hours of listening and 4 to 12 hours of general use battery life to any adventure. The base station charges through AC power and Midland Radio’s MXPW01 Solar Panel (sold separately). With multiple power options, the MXPW115 is sure to bring communication throughout the duration of any off-grid expedition.
Built for the MXT115, the MXPW115 Ammo Can Base Station gives overlanders the ability to take 15-Watt radio communication wherever they go. That power brings great range and voice clarity. With the MXPW115 Ammo Can Base Station and MXT115, outdoor adventurers can stay safe by receiving the latest NOAA Weather Radio alerts as well as the ability to reach others in case of an emergency. Those bringing the MXPW115 along can create lasting memories by staying connected with others in their group as they take in all that their adventure has to offer.
When paired with the MXT115 MicroMobile® Two-Way Radio, Midland’s MXPW115 brings durable communication that adventurers can count on. Compatible with all of Midland’s walkie talkies and MicroMobiles, the MXPW115 is perfect to set up at a basecamp as others venture out to explore the area. The MXPW115 Ammo Can Base Station also gives overlanders the option to carry powerful radio communication from vehicle to vehicle without having to worry about installation.
While cellphone service is often spotty or non-existent in remote locations, adventurers are sure to want to keep their devices charged throughout their trip. The MXPW115 Ammo Can Base Station includes a 3 AMP USB Port for users to charge their equipment along their journey.
The MXPW115’s other features include a volt and amp meter, laser engraved faceplate, 3-Watt dual speakers, headphone jack, two sets of power poles, and a fan switch.
The MXPW115 does not come with the MXT115 MicroMobile® Two-Way Radio. The MXT115 must be purchased separately.
MXPW115 Ammo Can Base Station MSRP – $474.99 BUY HERE
The above article is a Sponsored Post. TAP does NOT receive any commissions from sales originating from this article.
While we started dreaming of a camper vehicle years before we got our Winnebago Revel, affectionately known as the Gnar Wagon, we didn’t get serious in our research until a little over six years ago. Our primary motivation for wanting a camper was a planned year-long trip around the United States and Canada, but we wanted a rig that would serve our needs long after the trip, including weekend ski trips, camping outings with friends and summer road trips. As part of our research, we rented both a truck camper and a van, pored over blogs and forums, visited countless RV shows and started planning our big trip. We quickly realized that we wanted a camper that could do it all and would shine in a range of environments, from busy city streets to rutted remote forest roads. We came across an announcement for the Revel in the fall of 2017 and knew right away that it was the rig for us. Our favorite thing about our van is its ability to thrive in lots of settings while still providing our non-negotiables, including:
4-wheel drive to give us peace of mind in winter weather and on rough roads.
A bathroom, including a toilet and a shower, so we can be self-contained camping in urban areas and stay clean on longer trips.
Seating for four so friends and family can join us on our travels.
Storage for a full year of gear.
Ability to be parked in our driveway, along with our car.
The list and pictures below showcase the full range of where the Gnar Wagon has taken us. We love that when we put up the window shades and settle in for the evening, the van feels like home wherever it is parked, whether in the woods or a Walmart parking lot.
Numerous ferry rides, including the van’s first ferry across Upper Arrow Lake in British Columbia, Canada. Riding a ferry is easy when your rig is barely bigger than a standard passenger vehicle!
Gaspe Peninsula in eastern Canada, which we visited as part of our year-long trip around the United States and Canada. We spent about a week traveling around the peninsula, largely camping on public land and enjoying the coastline.
New York City, where our Winnebago Revel had no problem parallel parking on a busy street. During our trip, we spent a good amount of time visiting friends and family in busy cities, as well as exploring new cities we hadn’t been to before, like Montreal and Quebec City. We love that we can parallel park the van and navigate narrow city streets with relative ease.
Remote camp spots up long, rough forest roads, including along the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina. The Winnebago Revel excels on heavily rutted roads and we can easily carry enough supplies and have enough battery power for numerous nights off-grid.
Snowy roads and camp spots, like we experienced on Snoqualmie Pass during a historic storm. The van had no problem exiting this camp spot the next day, and even helped a camper bus that was struggling to get out of the parking lot. Our winch has helped several other vehicles, although we’ve never actually needed it to rescue ourselves!
Local camp spots not far from home, including one of our favorite camp spots on a ridge near Hood River, Oregon. It is easy to take the Winnebago Revel camping for just a single night since it doesn’t take any time to set up or take down camp. The van has enabled us to do more exploring close to home and is the perfect vehicle for a quick weekend trip.
Walmart and other urban camp spots, including this Walmart in Fairbanks we visited several times while in Alaska for the summer. Although the views aren’t as epic, the van is still cozy and feels like home, even in a parking lot.
The Denali Highway, located east of Denali National Park, is mostly gravel and around 135 miles. The Denali Highway was the original route for accessing Denali National Park and provides great views of the surrounding mountains. We enjoyed a quiet camp spot for the night along the highway and had no problems with the unpaved road.
Harvest Host stays in the United States and Canada, including a winery in Washington on our way home from Alaska. We appreciate having a shower and toilet so we can be self-contained when needed, whether in an urban spot or Harvest Hosts stay.
Trailhead accommodations for hikes near and far from home, like Mt. Adams in Washington. Starting a big climb in the early morning is a lot easier when we’ve spent the night in the van, and it is nice to have a fridge of beverages and food waiting for us after a long day out!
By Kelly Laustsen and David Somach – Gnar Wagon
For more Gnar Wagon Adventure Van stories CHECK HERE
For more information on the Winnebago Revel CHECK HERE
Keep your gear reliably dry and carry it comfortably on your back. The Big River Dry Backpack is a durable, and abrasion resistant option that uses a strong 420D nylon fabric. If your idea of outdoor recreation involves rugged water sports like kayaking, canoeing, rafting, or exploring some motorcycle touring, Big River products are the perfect storage bags to keep your gear dry.
Adjust the comfortable straps around your shoulders, sternum and waist to keep it in place. A white interior laminate affords greater visibility, and lash loops allow secure stacking or attachment to watercraft, motorcycles and other equipment. The hypalon non-wicking roll-top closure keeps water out, and the Field Repair Buckles can be replaced in seconds with just a Philips screwdriver. It was also designed with an oval base to save space when packing and prevent it from rolling away.
Features of Sea to Summit’s Big River Dry Backpack include:
Reliably Dry: Waterproof, roll-top closure secured with our patented Field Repair Buckles for a reliable seal and double-stitched, fully taped waterproof seam
Minimalist Carry: Streamlined and adjustable EVA foam pack harness with supportive sternum strap and removable 1.5″ / 38mm – webbing hipbelt holds pack firmly in place
Built Tough: Heavy-duty 420D Nylon fabric is super-strong, abrasion and puncture-resistant with a triple-coated oval base for increased water-shedding and durability
Grab + Lash: Strong and versatile grab-handle and daisy-chain for confident handling and lashing to kayaks, bikes, motorbikes and roofracks
See Inside: White interior TPU laminate reflects light to provide greater visibility of gear
PFC-free
If you’re looking for a similar product, just not in backpack form, check out the Big River Dry Bags varying in sizes 5L to 65L, available in a variety of colors.
