New Bundutec Camper

For those who want to jump ahead, here are the links to camper specs, flatbed pictures, camper pictures

I started my search for a camper about 3 years ago. Vicki and I both retire in 2025 and we wanted something for camping off the beaten path. We plan on boondocking most of the time because I want to be able to walk out the door and start shooting images. What led me to Bundutech USA was that they were using more advanced technologies than many of the popup camper manufacturers at the time. From the Truma Combi heater & water heater combo to USB charging ports throughout the inside and some on the outside. We used to own a 9.5 ft slide-in camper, but I wanted one with a lower COG, solar power, a more efficient heater, an efficient 12-volt refrigerator, and lighter overall weight.

We knew we needed to look at one in person, so in 2022, Vicki and I planned to attend the Overland Expo in Flagstaff AZ. Then Overland Expo announced they were having an event in Redmond, Oregon for the first time. Less than a 3-hour drive from home compared to flying to Arizona sounded better to us. I contacted Jenn at Bundutec and verified that she and a Bundutec camper were going to be at the PNW show.

We were also looking for a flatbed since storage space is limited with a pickup camper. Trying to decide between a flatbed model camper and a slide-in camper to be able to have side boxes was part of the process. Vicki did not care for the toilet position on the flatbed model, and I was leaning toward the additional storage space of side boxes.

We looked at Don Chase’s Bundutec camper at the show and talked to Jenn for a while. Then we went to the Highway Products booth and looked at a flatbed with another brand slide-in popup camper on it. I talked to the owner of the pickup and he backed up what the sales reps were saying. I have seen Highway Products toolboxes for years and knew they were one of the best on the market. We got some ideas and talked about what we wanted to do, then came back the next day with more questions. Jenn was able to answer most of them, but we did need to run some of them past Rory, the owner and designer of the Bundutec line.

Flatbeds are about 4-6″ higher than the factory pickup bed height, so a slide-in camper sits higher over the cab. There is another flatbed manufacturer that builds beds with wheel wells, so the bed height is the same. However, the boxes were not as sturdy, the cost would have been higher, and they had a longer lead time. I did not want all the extra height and higher COG, and Rory was able to come up with a custom build for the camper to make the section closer to the pickup cab. We lost one small storage space, but I thought that was better than such a large gap over the cab. We decided to order the flatbed from Highway Products and the custom slide-in Bunducamp model from Bundutec USA.

Camper Build Specs

Below are the current specs and floor plan for the Bunducamp model camper. They have made more items as standard equipment, I assume because most people choose them as options. It is nice to see them update builds based on what customers are ordering. The large freshwater tank, cassette toilet, Truma heater, and a willingness to customize is a big selling point. Build time was estimated at 14–16 months, but due to Covid supply chain issues, it ended up taking almost 18 months. I understand the build times are less now, contact them for current lead times if you are interested.

When Equipped with Standard Equipment:

Dry Weight: 1,725 Pounds/Certified Wet Weight: 2,060 Pounds
Closed Body Height: 70” {Exterior measurement from floor to top of roof vent closed}
Interior Height Open: 82”
Interior Height Closed: 60”
Exterior Width: 84”
Overall Length: 165”
Overall Floor Length: 101”
Fresh Water Capacity: 32 Gallons
Cassette Toilet Waste Capacity: 4.75 Gallons
Gray Water Tank Capacity: 18 Gallons
Fridge Capacity: 3.1Cu. Ft. {12v Compressor style}

Standard Equipment

4 Post Electric Interior Lift System
4 Corner Manual Crank Loading Jacks
12v Compressor Refrigerator
35 amp Converter (Lithium Compatible) – NEW STD Equip
MaxxAir Deluxe Roof Vent/Fan
190-Watt Roof Solar Charging System – NEW STD Equip
Complete LED Lighting
Interior USB Connections
Interior Volt Meter Display
Interior GFCI Outlet (active on-shore power only)
North/South Queen Size Mattress
Side Hamper & Under Bed Storage
Shore Power Inlet Connection
Rear 7-way RV Plug Connection
Gray Water Holding Tank (18-Gallons)

Single Glass Top Sink + Pull-Out Faucet – NEW Std Equip
Pressurized Water System
Fresh Water Tank (32-Gallons)
Gravity Water Fill
Locking Slide Front Pull-Out Table
Truma Combi Eco + Water Station & Exterior Shower Port
2 Burner Glass Top Stove
Upright 20-lb Propane Bottle
Aluminum & Fiberglass Exterior
Insulated Windows with Built-In Screens & Shades
Screened Entrance Door with Deadbolt Lock + Tinted Window
Folding Entry Door Assist Handle
Exterior Locking Storage
Single G27 AGM Battery

Optional Equipment that I had added

• Glass Top sink – now standard equipment.
• Dual overhead cabinets
• Insulated skylight
• Lithium-compatible converter – now standard equipment
• 340-watt solar package, and I supplied the Victron Connect MPPT controller.
• Glass top for the stove – now standard equipment
• Radiant reflective tent panel package
• TV mount
• Exterior shower enclosure
• Bundutec Bundu “L” awning that covers one side and the rear of the camper.
• I provided a Lifeblue 200Ahr lithium battery, Victron BMV-712 battery monitor, and the Victron MPPT solar controller, which they installed during the build.
• I also found a used 5-step Glow Step, which I installed myself, Torklift Fastguns, and OEV tie-down brackets, that Highway Products installed.

Flatbed Build

The build time at Highway Products for the flatbed was about 9 months when we first talked, but by the time I ordered it, the lead time was 12 months. I also needed some customization to the flatbed and boxes to meet my needs. I worked with Rory, at Bundutec and Highway Products to be sure everything would fit. Highway Products suggested changes, such as offset doors on the front boxes to clear the camper jacks. They also suggested using OEV tie-downs, which are much stouter than most of the tie-downs on the market.

I use the front lower toolboxes for tools, tire chains, air compressor, tow straps, and more. The rear lower boxes we use for dirty clothes and garbage, and that keeps the smell out of the camper. We use the upper boxes to store camp chairs, hiking poles, rear entry steps, spare oil and filters, tarp, BBQ, and spare propane bottles. We purchased an adapter to hook up a 1 lb propane bottle in case the 20 lb one runs out. We have plenty of room to store extra food, a shovel and axe for the backcountry, and more. The rear door also allows one-piece 8-foot fishing rods to be stored. There is nothing we need to put inside the camper, due to all the room in the flatbed boxes.

We had the flatbed installed in December 2023, then had Line-X spray the bed and inside edges of the upper boxes. I decided to use the bedliner in a can on the inside bottoms and sides of the toolboxes, to keep things from sliding and protect the boxes. Now it was just waiting on Bundutec to finish the camper build. They had it done in February, and we arranged to drive to Iowa for the installation in early March, hoping for better weather. One of the downsides of ordering from Bundutec was the 4000-mile round trip to have it installed and return home. My brother came along, and I dropped him off in Iowa City, where he attended Med School, to see some friends. Then I continued on my way to Bundutec in Raymond, IA.

Camper Pictures

Upon arrival, the day before the installation, I swung by Bundutec and got all the manuals to read that night. I measured for the DC/DC charger cables and connections needed, as I planned to install a DC/DC charger when I returned home. I was back at Bundutec in the morning and they started the installation process. Jenn let me use a desk and Wi-Fi to check email, and order the parts I needed for the DC/DC charger install.

The fridge on the right, a Queen-sized comfortable bed, hamper storage along the edges of the bed, storage under the bed, and storage on top of the water tank, in front of the dinette. The table for the dinette has locking slides, to slide it in or out. There are two small storage areas under each dinette seat too. The light around the skylight is blindingly bright. The popup sides unzip and have screens for good airflow when it is hot out. The Truma heater and water heater controls are on the right side above the dinette seat. 12-volt plug and USB A & C plugins are on the left, near the solar power cables, and USB ports are on the front right side.

Double overhead cabinets, with 3 position touch light over glass top 2 burner stove and glass top sink. Lots of kitchen storage, with light items above the sink and stove and push-button latches for the lower drawers and cabinet doors. The small windows open and have a screen or shade that pulls over the window.

The single overhead cabinet, with puck light over the bathroom storage area and toilet. I added hooks to each side to hang a privacy panel in front of the toilet. The cassette toilet swivels so you have more legroom if you have to use it.

There were a few things that needed to be addressed for the installation, and those were taken care of during the day. Jenn gave a thorough walk-thru explained how everything worked and answered any questions I had. If she couldn’t answer them, then Rory filled me in. I spent the night alongside the Bundutec facility, used the stove to cook dinner, and set the furnace for the night. There was a minor item to take care of in the morning, then I was on my way back to Iowa City to pick up my brother and head home.

On the trip back home we stayed in a Nebraska Wildlife dispersed camping area and used the radiant tent panels. Due to a snowstorm that evening Highway 80 was closed near Sidney, NE, so we stopped a hundred or so miles east of there. We had the heat set to 50 degrees, which was too warm since we had sleeping bags. I opted not to use the 7-way connector since I often tow a boat, and with the 4-way connector, there was no power from the pickup to the camper battery during the return trip. Even though it was cloudy and raining most of that day, we had 100% battery when we stopped. It was 7 degrees the next morning, and I used the Victron Connect app on my phone to check the battery power, which was 91%.

Vicki, our grandson, and I had a trip planned to Joshua Tree National Park for the end of March and I wanted to connect a DC/DC 30 amp charger before we made the trip. I connected that while Vicki decided how to arrange all the kitchen utensils, plates, cups, mugs, food, and more, including the bathroom cabinet setup and cleaning supplies.

Buying a camper and having it installed 2000 miles from home is different from buying one from a lot near your hometown. I knew it was a big project and that there might be some issues, which there were, but the way Bundutec took care of them was what mattered. The first issue was my failure to fasten one of the front latches, which fell off somewhere between Willows, CA, and Barstow, CA. We found out it was missing at an earlier rest stop, but had to find a hardware store to figure out how to fix it. Home Depot in Barstow helped me use my pliers and pliers from the rack in the store to bend a new hook. Half of the original latch was gone.

• Jenn sent a new latch and pop rivets, at no charge, to replace the latch, and pop rivet a rear one that came loose. I ended up installing crimp nuts on all 4 latches, so they would not change position once they were set.
• Issue two was the hold down attachment points for the tie-downs needed to be moved outward. The flatbed and camper are both 84 inches wide, so the torqelift tie-downs were contacting the upper toolboxes at the rear.
• The next issue was a slight propane leak that turned out to be where the line was flared to connect to the stove. It was such a minor leak, that it took forever to find it, with only a whiff now and then, and the propane detector only went off once. I could have taken it in locally to have the leak fixed, instead I had Rory send his flaring tool, which he shipped to me Next Day Air.
• The forth issue we had was one of the overhead cabinets came loose, because the screws were off 1/2″ and did not completely thread into the aluminum frame in the roof. Rory sent new screws and a diagram of how to measure and fix it.
• The last issue were the latches on the dining table did not always click into place when pulling it out. I added a piece of wood to the back side of the table, so it would not come out again.

Now the good things about the camper, and information I could not find answers to about power use while boondocking.

• At this point, I think one solar panel would have been enough. The solar panels charge more than I expected, and I have never needed to plug the camper into shore power. The solar panels keep it charged every day. On one trip, I had parked the camper under trees, it was 30 degrees outside with the heater running, cloudy, and snowing all day. I left in the morning before sunrise, and the battery was at 88%, when I got back after sunset, it had charged back up to 98%.
• The 12-volt-only refrigerator is also efficient and helps conserve battery life.
• I love the Truma Combi Eco, running the heater overnight set to 62 degrees, even if it is only down to the low 40s is enough to get hot water in the morning, without turning on the water heater. The battery usage is also very efficient compared to older-style heater fans which are noisy and use a lot of power. Having heard that the Truma units were quiet, which is correct, I could hardly hear the heater when it was running. The old-style heaters wake you up when they come on and use a lot of battery power. The Truma is installed with three vents which help distribute the warm air throughout the camper.
• I haven’t installed an inverter yet, but almost everything I need to charge will charge with USB-C, so I may not even install one. If we don’t leave first thing in the morning, about 1-2 hours of daylight, even if it’s cloudy is enough to charge back up to 100%.
• USB-C & A charging ports throughout the camper are a plus. I did replace the outside USB port with a 12-volt receptacle, mainly to be able to run a 20-volt 5A USB-C for the Starlink Mini.
• I like the cassette toilet because it can be emptied in an outhouse and you don’t have to find a dump station. Then I drain the grey water into the toilet holding tank to rinse and dump again.
• The Maxxair fan is nice too, it really moves a lot of air and kept us somewhat comfortable on a 95-degree evening along the Owyhee River, Oregon. We opened the front three screens to create airflow from front to rear, where the fan is.
• The mattress on the bed is very comfortable.

Overall I am happy with the camper and the flatbed and would recommend both BundutecUSA and Highway Products.

Trip to Joshua Tree National Park and The Sawtooth Mountains