Cabover camper shells have been around about as long as pickup trucks, and for good reason. That seemingly small cubby above the pickup’s cabin is a multi-purpose flex space that can stow gear, make into a bunk, or be the bridge of a mighty spaceship – to your kids at least. Or it can also be a bed for kiddos or a fur baby or three, or just serve as an accessible multi-purpose area that can hold that extra bit of gear you pack at the last minute.
Denver-based camper shell maker Radica has released an update to its original design, the MoonLander, calling it the MoonLander X. The key difference is the addition of a cabover space, while the shell itself retains the overall NASA lunar lander aesthetic of the original aluminum shell.
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Radica says the MoonLander X (also known as the MLX) features improved headroom, expanded storage, and “breathtaking design.” The company said the new larger, redesigned shell also enables multiple use scenarios, including a sleeping platform stretching six feet across in “Bed Mode” using a folding platform that can then convert to “Couch Mode” by folding in half. Big windows, including a skylight, provide a much better view than the astronauts had.
For maximum carrying capacity, the sleeping platform can be stowed or removed entirely to put the MoonLander X in “Storage” mode. A cargo net across the cabover area keeps gear from spilling down into the rest of the pickup bed. The bed bits and mattress can also be stopped in the cabover for “Stow Mode” when the shell is uncoupled from the vehicle. Radica says its sloping cabover design is aerodynamic despite the added section.
The MoonLander X is available in four sizes that fit the majority of standard bed sizes, from short to eight feet long. Every MoonLander X includes the base hard shell, slim side pods, a reinforced roof, rear lift-up door, locking T-handles with internal latches, a full size bed frame for the overcab loft area, pickup bed clamps for installation and DOT brake and marker lights. The MoonLander X weighs between 320 and 520 pounds depending on the size required.
Prices range from $7,950 for a standard five-foot bed to $9,650 for an eight-foot bed. According to the company’s website, veterans, active military personnel, and first responders qualify for a $200 discount. Perspective buyers can have Radica install the MoonLander X if need be; contact Radica for specifics.
