Jay Baldwin, long-time Whole Earth editor and toolmeister, has designed a lightweight (800 lbs.) pickup truck camper that folds down for aerodynamic travel. Jay has built just one prototype. It’s not in production. To my question of getting investors, Jay wrote:
“I am not looking for investors (though I’ll listen to any decent ofer), as I do not feel up to starting a new company at 76. What I need is someone to make and distribute them., and send me the modest royalty. I designed it to be a a truck “conversion” in the same way that dealers sell van conversions with striped, big windows and a French Bordello interior. Feel free to tweet it, and say that we will suitably reward anyone who gets this going. I have talked to many RV makers (Airstream sat on my proposal for three months before saying no, even in aluminum). They all say pretty much the same thing is so many words: “It’s a great idea, but if we put it in our catalog, it would make everything else we sell look obsolete.” … I’ve had it in five shows and also featured it at Art Center school of Design in Pasadena. and two Dwell conferences and three years of the MAKER Faire, to much acclaim.”
Pix of camper at: https://www.quickupcamper.com/