Peak Performance Campers’ Stealth pickup camper is the lightest we’ve ever handled, weighing in at a nice rounded 550 lb (249 kg). Thanks to Peak’s extruded aluminum frame and Modu-Lock component system, it’s also the most versatile, easily converting from a bare-bones composite drop-top body to a fully-equipped base camper. Rearrange these components to customize the comfort and adapt the camper to trips of all lengths and destinations.
Building a pickup truck camper that weighs 1,000 lb (454 kg) or more is still impressive, but over the last few years, a number of manufacturers have been dropping the weight into triple digits. Peak Performance is the first to claim to have practically halved that 1,000 lb figure, using a wood-free fiberglass-clad composite structure with an aluminum exoskeleton to keep the weight down as much as possible.
The Stealth has an estimated base weight of 550 lb (250 kg), a full 50 lb (22 kg) lighter than our previous ultralight pickup camper king, the teardrop-shaped TC Truck Camper. The Peak maintains this impressive weight claim while offering a pop-up expandable design with considerably more interior space than the TC's non-recessed fixed-roof model, along with a configurable main floor and a 76 x 54 in (193 x 137 cm) recessed bed area. We don't quite believe the Peak's claim of sleeping up to six people (not in any self-respecting comfort, anyway), but it can certainly sleep three to four people with a couch or two without being overly comfortable.
Peak Performance Campers
Peak continues to rely on aluminum-framed composite construction to build lightweight modular furniture and storage components that can be installed, removed, and rearranged in countless ways. Discreet buyers can rearrange things based on factors like planned activities, number of people, equipment needed, etc. to design ideal floor plans or even different floor plans for different trips. Make it a digital nomad getaway on one trip, a roller ski lodge on the next, a family camper, etc.
Peak calls its system Modu-Lok, and it starts with more than 100 feet (30 m) of pre-installed L-rail and about 150 pre-built mounting points on the basic Stealth shell. From there, buyers can choose modules and components to build a lightweight but functional interior.
Peak has been working overtime to develop different modules and explain them in detail on its YouTube page. It showed a variety of kitchen units that include an integrated sink/single-burner hob, refrigerator slide or shelf, water supply, and storage. One of the primary kitchen designs has a removable top with a stove, sink, and countertop, which falls into an accompanying fold-down stand for outdoor use. Peak says the camper still weighs under 700 lbs (318 kg) dry when equipped with multiple module options.
Beyond full modules, Peak offers other storage and organization solutions, such as MOLLE panels and ceiling mesh, to help users make the most of their compact living space. Integrated mounting points and rails make it easy to add these accessories and continually update the build as new issues and needs are identified in the field.
Peak Performance Campers
Right now, Peak appears to be in the brainstorming phase, building and testing every concept that comes to mind. Unless it plans to focus on custom builds and use its own concepts as a springboard, it seems like it could benefit from really fleshing out a few specific retail components.
The Stealth has a narrow base of 6.2 feet long (1.9 m) and is designed to fit most trucks on the U.S. market, from full-size icons like the Ford F-Series and Ram 1500 to mid-size mod machines like the Toyota Tacoma. The base model starts at $24,000 and is essentially an empty camper shell, though it does include the aforementioned Modu-Lok mounting points and rails, electrical pre-wiring, and a companion Apple iOS/CarPlay app that works with embedded leveling and moisture sensors, as well as additional hardware.
Peak Performance Campers
Peak emphasizes that the Stealth is built to be strong and rugged enough to traverse the terrain, and that the camper has been developed and tested as a climbing approach vehicle and base camper. It is also developing a lighter pickup truck-mounted wall-mounted camper top that will compete with the Catapult Launch as the most mod-ready retractable roof on the market.
Source: PeakPerformance