With all the options on the market, adding a camper to a pickup truck is fairly easy, but startup Space-Lander is working on a solution for those with flatbed trucks, another popular platform for DIY overlanding projects.
Still in the prototyping stages, the Space-Lander is described as “a lightweight, compact, hard-sided, pop-up truckbed camper designed for overlanders, 4×4 off-roaders, and weekend warriors.” The name and design appear to be inspired by the four-footed Apollo-era moon mission landers, known as LEMs, or Lunar Excursion Modules. LEMs detached from a sister ship, the Command Module, while in orbit around the moon and landed on the Moon’s surface, then ferried the astronauts back to the Command Module after surface activities were completed.
Space-Lander’s overlanding lander pod is designed to be compacted while in transit and temporarily secured to a truck’s flatbed. Once on site, the Space-Lander “lands” on four extendable and adjustable feet while the top section rises on hydraulics to make room for two adults and two kiddos. Once the legs are deployed and locked, the truck can detach and drive away.
Space-Lander says the camper pod will be hard-sided and feature aluminum construction similar to how aircraft are built, including flush-type rivets. Features include a “double skinned insulated aluminum structure,” hot and cold water supplies, electric connections, heated beds, a fold-out kitchenette, a modular storage system, glazed acrylic windows, a fold-out table, awning, skeeter nets, and an exterior shower enclosure.
No pricing, exact sizing, or a production schedule has yet been specified for the Space Lander, but we are in touch with the company and will update readers as more details are announced.
