We try to keep our camper order process pretty simple:
We require a 10% non-refundable down payment to confirm an order and assign a production slot
If you have any scheduling questions, call or email us at info@ursaminorvehicles.com
To make changes to your order please Email us at "Info@UrsaMinorVehicles.com".
Please include the name you used to place the order, your Order Number, and the change or changes you would like to make.
Example
To: Info@ursaminorvehicles.com
Subject: Joe Smith Order# 000123 Order Change Request
I would like to add Two Awning Brackets on the Driver’s Side.
Email us at "Info@UrsaMinorVehicles.com".
Please include the name you used to place the order, and your Order Number
We get questions about financing occasionally, and have looked into it. The short answer is we do not have a financing option available through Ursa Minor.
The longer answer is that because our campers go on a car, it is difficult to collateralize a loan, since there may be other loans on the vehicle that have priority. This forces the financing toward unsecured options, which usually are tied to one of the major credit cards.
In effect, the most common financing programs are essentially taking out a new credit card for just the purchase and paying it off over time. Unfortunately, that can get more expensive than if a customer uses an existing credit card, since there will be more fees for doing it through Ursa Minor and a financing company.
Our recommendation is to go with one of two approaches to finance the camper:
Some customers may prefer to make pre-payments while waiting for the camper. This not required by Ursa Minor, but if it helps to budget or plan, a customer can make pre payments by sending a check to our Chula Vista location made out to Ursa Minor Vehicles. In the memo, please note the last 4 digits of the order number and note it is a pre-payment. Any payments sent will be credited to the order, reducing the final balance due at delivery.
The Jeep Wrangler with OEM Hard Top is 71” tall (1.8 m or 5’-11”.) Mounting a J30 will increase the height by 10" depending on options selected: A stock Jeep with either a J30 or J180 camper mounted will be 81” tall (6’-9”.) With racks (J30 Only) Thule & Yakima racks (bars/towers) are easily removed when not in use, but the mounts remain in place and are about 1” high, increasing total height of the camper to 82” (6’-10”.) With Thule or Yakima rack towers and bars in place, the camper will be from 82" to 86” (6’-9”) tall depending on specific rack. As there are a large number of attachments offered by Thule & Yakima, the best resource for total height of rack + attachments is the Thule or Yakima website. For a rough idea, Kayak Saddles or rollers add another 3"-6” Bike Trays add 3”-6” Kayak "J-Bars " add 24” Ski Racks add 6” to 12” Many modern suburban garages are 7’-6” or more, leaving sufficient room for a Jeep with camper, but you may need to remove the racks depending on your choice of accessories. Total height can vary based on loading (passengers and gear) in addition to any changes dues to suspension or tire changes. Measure garage and Jeep before pulling in full speed!
Note that we are unable to mount racks on the J180 (Habitat) due to the impact on the torsion spring and possible interference when opening. For the J30 with optional rack mounts and rack: With the camper closed, you may carry gear on the racks subject to the load ratings specified by the rack manufacturer. Both Thule and Yakima rate their racks at 75 lbs per bar, but that rating should be taken with caution. Loading at capacity on a washboard road will likely result in issues or failures of the rack (not the camper) The more gear strapped to the racks, the more effort is needed to open the camper. We advise no more than 30lbs on the racks in order to easily raise the roof. This limitation is fairly generous in the pop-top industry. With 30 lbs or more on the racks, the opening of the camper will require increasingly more muscle power. Closing the camper will also require coordinating with a colleague to get the canvas tucked in neatly. In a practical sense, opening/closing with 2 bikes or 1 sea kayak is manageable, but 2 sea kayaks is really a struggle. Adding weight high on any vehicle impacts the center of gravity, and stability. We recommend carrying only things that won't fit in the camper on top - such as kayaks, surfboards, or bikes. Heavy items such as tires, tools and liquids (water or fuel) should be carried inside or as low as possible on the vehicle
Ursa Minor designs and manufactures composite campers, including the ECamper, the J30 and the J180 products. Our expertise is in engineering, design and production of vehicle based campers. We do conversions and installations of our products in San Diego, CA and ship worldwide to dealers and retail customers. AT Overland was an Ursa Minor dealer from 2011 to 2015. The JK Habitat was AT's name for the Ursa Minor J180. AT Overland now sells a completelyy diffferent camper called a JK Habitat. This camper is not made by Ursa Minor, and does not allow access from inside the vehicle. It is a permanentl mounted roof top tent for Truck Beds not an integrated camper, though the tent is similar.
The J30 and J180 fit: Jeep Wrangler Unlimited (JK Series) 2007 through 2018 X, Sport, Sahara, Rubicon and any other special edition trim levels (Anniversary, Altitude, etc) Soft top or hard top versions Right or left hand drive versions Any engine (Gas/Diesel) Any transmission (Manual/Automatic) J8 Four-Door - Military Specification Wrangler The J30 and J180 will NOT fit: 2004-2006 Wrangler Unlimited (LJ series) 2 Door Jeep Wranglers 2 Door J8 long bed Military Spec Wrangler We evaluated the potential to design a camper top for a 2 door jeep, and do not at this time expect it to be feasible. The LJ had a very limited production run, and the 2007 to 2014 JK 2 Door is just short enough that we don't have a good way of adding standing room or an access way, and the bed would be quite short. If you have a 2 door, the best choice for vehicle based camping is a external rack with a roof top tent.
The J30 replaces any top currently on the Jeep, whether hard or soft.
J30 does not require utilizing any parts or components from the OEM Hard or Soft tops
If you are buying a new Jeep, the base Jeep comes with a soft top. You can upgrade to a hard top at purchase for about $1500. This cost can usually be recovered some by selling the hard top.
Soft tops are a bit harder to sell, but you still might get $300 - $500 for a brand new one. Check ebay, or your local craigslist to see what prices are for used tops in your area.
revised 07-08-2024
It's straightforward to remove the camper, but calling it easy relies on having the team, skills and equipment needed on hand. While the steps are similar to removing an OEM hard top, the weight and awkward size of the camper tops makes installing or removal a task that involves preparation. The J180 is much heavier than the OEM top. It is typically installed with a forklift or hoist by trained installation shops, and is intended to remain on the vehicle for the long term. It can be removed for servicing, customizing or for transfer to another Jeep, preferrably by the shop that installed it originally. The J30 is heavier than the OEM top, but can be removed/installed by hand with 3 or more people. The challenge is not the weight, which is about 250 pounds, but balancing and lifting it over the roll cage and past the rear tire carrier. If the Jeep suspension is lifted, or if larger tires are mounted, the ergonomics become difficult and we would recommend using a hoist.
We elected to go with gray as a neutral color that hides the dirt & grime that seems to accompany outdoor adventures. For the J30, we can custom sew a tent from an alternate Sunbrella color with these constraints: The color must be available in the 60" roll size (sorry, no floral prints) Order to ship time may increase while we wait for the one-off tent to be sewn At time of ordering, the non-refundable down payment will be increased by $750 There is no guarantee that a Sunbrella color will match a vehicle body color in any way, even if it looks like it does on the computer Exact price for a custom color will be quoted on request
You'd be surprised how much room we squeezed out of the Jeep. For the J30 JK pop-up: The sleeping area is 7 feet long and is 4 feet wide at the widest point. Due to the sloping roof, the height of the sleeping area changes over the length of the car. At the front of the car where your feet go, the height is 12". At the back of the car where your head goes, the height is 42". With the top raised, standing room in the access way is about 6’6”.
No
The Jeep as a camper base is fantastic for off road adventures, but it is not a van. The camper has an access way to enable entry/exit from the bed and to provide standing room, but the size of this access way is limited by the OEM roll cage. We do not modify the roll cage as part of the conversion. With limited space inside, one approach to add cooking capabilities is similar to a tear-drop trailer. A stove, refrigerator,storage drawers and table are added at the rear to create a galley, and used while standing at the open tail gate. While this is a fair-weather kitchen, it is also recommended that in bear country you cook some distance from the camper to avoid having an ursa major check out your Ursa Minor! Installation of a rear galley can be quoted, sourced and installed on request.
As one can imagine, the backlog changes based on the season, with the impact of COVID increasing interest in camper our lead times are longer than previously. Current lead times for 2021 are typically 6 months. In other words, we'll be able to install or ship your top about months from the date the deposit is made. In high season of spring/summer this may increase. Once your installation appointment date arrives, we will need your car on-site for a full day to install a J30. If there is additional custom work being done, we will plan this out prior to installation. If the Jeep has additional accessories that must be removed or that we will need to work around, there may be more time required.
The J30 tent fabric is a highly durable and water resistant marine canvas called Sunbrella®. Much thicker than traditional tent fabric, it's mold and mildew resistant and does not shrink. You may find much more information specific to Sunbrella® on the manufacturer's website Will the conversion change how the inside of the Jeep ceiling looks? Yes, the interior of the J30/J180 is fully lined with black carpet. The area above the driver/navigator seats can also be customized with our Navigator map pockets and storage.
No. Though you can move the Jeep around in a camping spot if it's less than 50 feet of distance or so.
Due to changes in the engine over the course of production, the mpg rating for the Jeep differs depending on year. We can say that the addition of a J30 camper will not impact your mileage significantly, if at all. Adding racks will cause a 1 - 2 mpg loss, and we recommend removing the cross bars if you will not be carrying a load for best mileage.
Yes, we can ship domestically or worldwide. There are two cost elements to shipping:
Crating up a camper involves more than a box and foam peanuts! The crate has to meet freight regulations, but you will have enough wood to build a workbench, tree-house or have a nice bonfire (after removing top!)
Transport cost from San Diego (All prices are ex-works, or FOB, Chula Vista 91911) across the US varies widely, especially as the price of fuel goes up or down. It also matters if the destination is a major city on the interstate or a small town off the grid.
We can ship to a business, or to a freight depot, but not to a residence. The destination must be able to unload the crate, which requires either a fork lift or a loading dock. The crate is too big for a lift gate, and too heavy to safely unload by hand (even if it is a lot of hands)
Transport costs for consideration, shipping from San Diego California
International
For international shipments, crating costs increase due to the need to use heat-treated lumber for the crate to meet regulations. Crates typically go by sea, but we have air shipped campers. The other consideration for any international shipments is that we can only ship to the Port of Entry, not to a final address. Customers must arrange in-country transport, as well as payment of duties/tariffs.
Yes, the J30 will work with full or the optional half doors.
The sealing surfaces on the J30 match the OEM hard top, allowing for the use of full doors, half doors, or even running with no doors.
As a small manufacturing company, we asses our products regulary for improvements, growth prospects and profitability. Since launching the ECamper, we have seen unit sales climb, and then level off. We expect to keep not only building ECampers, but improving the design, for quite a while. A couple other items of interest: There were more than 350,000 Elements produced, ensuring a wide a range of prices and conditions if you don't already own an Element. About 75% of our customers already own an Element when they hear of us! While Volkswagen has not offered a camper in almost 20 years, there are several companies on the west coast that just restore and sell only Westfalias. There seems to be plenty of interest in small campers, and the oldest Element out there is still newer than the newest VW Camper! Consumer Reports has consistently rated the Element very well. We have converted a number of well-cared for Elements with over 200,000 miles. We also offer other campers that share many key parts with the ECamper. This standardization across the line helps us to offer any parts or service that may be required in the future.
Now that the last new Elements have long vanished from dealerships, everyone considering an Ecamper asks us which year would be the best to convert. There’s no specific “perfect” Element for the ECamper, but here’s our opinion: A 2007 – 2008 4WD is an economical conversion candidate. It comes with the sunroof, so you’ll save the cost of adding the access way. Also, starting in 2007, Honda also improved the interior ergonomics. The gauges are easier to read, the rear seatbelts moved from the suicide door to the seat easing egress/entry and a number of small features like cruise control, etc were improved. There was also a slight improvement in the automatic transmission and engine horsepower. That’s why these two years make for an ideal conversion. Choosing between the LX and EX or even SC trim is another decision. We lean toward LX trim models. The LX is cheaper, since it has steel wheels and a basic stereo, while the EX has more amenities –map lights, controls on the steering wheel, and on many years the fenders match the body paint. Our company campers were LX, mostly because it saved a few bucks – we later added EX rims from the used market, an iPod adapter, and 12 V outlets - and haven’t missed the subwoofer because there’s more room to climb in the back with just the cubby bin. The newer LX vehicles also have cruise control for example, which was only available on EX models previously. Other years may be found at cheaper prices, or with fewer miles, but what’s really important when buying a used Element is how it was treated – a well maintained, highway-driven 2003 DX may well be a better choice than a salvage title 2009 EX! We’ve converted Elements with 10 miles on them, and one with over 240,000! With that in mind, if you like the color, mileage, features or looks of a specific Element – go for it! We’re quite happy to turn any Honda Element into an ECamper.
Elements are converted into ECampers™ solely in our facilities. We have two locations, Chula Vista, California (San Diego Metro Area), and Sherwood, Oregon (Portland Metro Area) for direct sale at this time. We do not manufacture or sell converted Elements, and rarely maintain a vehicle inventory at our facility. For more detailed information on the purchasing process, please refer to our order process page or build one right on our website.
YES...we can convert all Honda Elements, but see notes below
The pop top sleeping loft is accessed either
Optional Honda spoilers must be removed for conversion into an ECamper due to interference with the camper top.
Important Note about conversion feasiblity
As time passes, the age and mileage of Honda Elements are naturally increasing. It is important to disclose to Ursa Minor any factors that may impact the conversion. Prices for the conversion on our website are based on an Element that is:
If the vehicle does not meet that expectation, Ursa Minor reserves the right to charge addtional shop fees as proportional to the extra work required, or decline to accept the vehicle for conversion.
Issues that create extra work can include:
No. Unfortunately when we designed the ECamper there were not a lot of awnings out there, so it wasn’t a consideration The side walls where a bracket would go are not strong enough to hold a an awning. We would recommend some of the lighter weight ones like the dragonfly or the moon for awnings.
The Ecamper™ design is specific to the Honda Element.
It will not fit other Honda models like the Odyssey or Pilot, or other manufacturer's vehicles. It's like trying to fit an Element fender on another car!
We now can convert a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited or Ford Transit Connect into a pop-up camper - and soon the Ford Bronco - but that's the only other vehicles we are working with at this time.
As we develop other pop-up camper conversions, don't worry - it'll be big news on our website!
No.
We considered shipping as a kit some time ago but here’s what our thinking was:
Our conclusion was it’s easier to maintain our focus on offering conversions only in our facility, which is normal for the conversion/RV industry,
This does mean that we have customers who have to travel some distance to reach us.
No, the Ecamper™ is designed to be a permanent installation. A number of fasteners are mounted into the roof of the vehicle, sealed and bonded. Should you have an accident, the parts could be removed for access or replacement by a qualified automotive service shop. While some customers are quite talented with automotive customization and would be capable of returning the Element to the original condition, there would likely be considerable time and expense involved that would exceed the value of the original conversion.
You'd be surprised how much room we squeezed out of the Element. The sleeping area is 7 feet long and is 4 feet wide at the widest point. Due to the sloping roof, the height of the sleeping area changes over the length of the car. At the front of the car where your feet go, the height is 18". At the back of the car where your head goes, the height is 42". With the top raised, standing room in the access way is about 6’6”.
No, The National Highway & Transportation Safety Administration standard FMVSS216 requires that the roof must withstand 1.5 times the weight of the car. This requirement is to insure the vehicle will withstand roll-overs and the resulting shock loads should you be that unfortunate. The roof of the Element® is quite strong enough for two adults and the lightweight composite parts of the pop-top. The base of our assembly spreads the load from the bed to the welded stringers that form the structural backbone of the car. We should state the obvious here that the sleeper is only for use when the vehicle is not moving.
The ECamper™ conversion lowers the load capacity of the Element by 130 lbs. Honda rates the Element at 4450 lbs Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) in the service manual. This amount is determined by the manufacturer based on chassis, axle and tire design choices. It can only be increased if Honda redesigns these components. The Honda Curb Weight according to the marketing materials ranges from 3468 for a 2003 DX MT up to 3661 for a 2008 EX AT. This figure includes a full tank of gas and fluids (oil/radiator water) according to the common definition of curb weight The National Highway Transportation Administration (NHTA) measured the vehicle curb weight of the 2008 Honda a little less at 3446 lbs when crash tested. The NHTA calculates curb weight using a full tank and standard equipment, including air conditioning, stereo, etc Calculation of load rating is: (GVWR - Curb Weight) = Load Capacity Depending on year and options, the Honda Element appears to have between 789 and 982 pounds capacity for you, your friends, and cargo. Honda however states a load capacity of 650 to 675 in the service and owners manuals for the various years. It’s not clear why the Honda stated load capacity differs from the calculated load capacity. Curiously, the Element increased in weight over the years with the addition of side airbags, ABS and other options, and the load rating increased 25 lbs but the GVRW remained the same. The ECamper™ conversion adds about 130 lbs net, leaving decent capacity for two campers and their gear, though we also recommend removing the rear seats on big trips, which takes 86 pounds out of the car, as they weigh about 43 lbs each.
The Honda Element (unconverted) is 70.4” tall (1.788 mm/(5’-10.4”)) tall, not including the antenna stalk.
The conversion will increase the height by at least 6" depending on options selected: The ECamper™ is 76” tall, (6’-4”) including antenna.
Thule & Yakima racks are easily removed when not in use, but the Thule or Yakima mounts remain in place and are about 1” high, increasing total height of the ECamper™ to 77” (6’-5”)
With Thule or Yakima rack towers and bars in place, the ECamper™ is 86” (6’-9”)
As there are a large number of attachments offered by Thule & Yakima, the best resource for total height of rack + attachments is Thule and Yakima websites.
For a rough idea, Kayak Saddles or rollers add another 3"-6” Bike Trays add 3”-6” Kayak "J-Bars " add 24” Ski Racks add 6” to 12”
Most modern suburban garages are 7’-6” or more, leaving sufficient room for the ECamper™, but you may need to remove the racks depending on your choice of accessories.
No. Ursa Minor Vehicles does not have any additional options or plans at this time for adding RV features to the ECamper™. The Element is a mid-size SUV, and does not really have the load rating or volume to contain a kitchen or bath. If one considers these features essential, it is recommended that consideration be given to a much larger full-featured Recreational Vehicle rather than the ECamper™.
The ECamper™ is an exciting product filling a market need for a small fuel-efficient camper vehicle. There are two factors that impact how fast we can build an ECamper. 1. Our backlog changes based on the season. Due to high demand for campers, our current lead times are running about 6 months from date of order. In other words, that is the time needed between when an order is placed and when we need the car at the shop. 2. Once your installation appointment date arrives, we will need your car on-site for 5 days to complete the conversion. 3. We begin conversions on Monday, and complete them by end of day on Friday, cars can be dropped off in either location using our drop box. We highly recommend picking up in person during business hours (Mon - Friday) so we can walk you through everything. 4. We do not schedule weekend pick up except under unique circumstances. If a customer must pick up on the weekend we will charge a minimum of 2 shop hours @ $120/hr to open the shop for delivery and demo due to the overtime for the staff required.
The tent fabric is a highly durable and water resistant marine canvas called Sunbrella®. Much thicker than traditional tent fabric and definitely overkill for this application. You may find much more information specific to Sunbrella® on the manufacturer's website Will the conversion change how the inside of the car ceiling looks? No, the inside, including the headliner of the car, looks the same after conversion. The hardware securing the camper assembly to the car is not visible from the inside of the car. However, the skylight glass is permanently removed to allow access into the camper assembly. The glass is replaced with two removable composite panels. These panels allow you to lie down over the skylight hole, or to close off the camper assembly while the cap is down for a clean internal appearance. For models without a sunroof, an access way is fitted in the same location as the original sunroof using OEM Honda parts.
No. C'mon, seriously guys....
MPG estimates for the various Honda Element® models may be found on the Honda website. The biggest determinant of MPG is actually your own driving habits. Did you know that reducing your highway speed to 65mph and eliminating aggressive starts and heavy braking can also help increase your MPG by up to 20%? That's pretty significant with rising fuel costs. That being said, in our ECamper™ demo fleet we get an estimated 23 MPG with roof racks if sticking to sane driving habits. This figure is right in spec with the Honda estimates, however your mileage may vary according to your own driving style.
With the camper closed, you may carry as much gear on the racks as you did before the conversion, subject to the load ratings specified by the rack manufacturer. Both Thule and Yakima rate their racks at 75 lbs per bar, but that rating should be taken with caution. Loading at capacity on a washboard road will likely result in issues or failures. The more gear you put on the racks, the more effort you will need to exert to open the camper. We advise no more than 30lbs on the racks in order to easily raise the roof. This limitation is fairly generous in the pop-top industry. At around 30 lbs or more on the racks, while it is possible to pop the top, opening of the camper will require increasingly more muscle power. Closing the camper will also require coordinating with a colleague to get the canvas tucked in neatly.
A completed Transit Connect Camper is 79" tall (6 feet 7 inches) Due to the design of the top, if rack mounts are added it will not change the total height. While rack mounts do not imact the total height, adding the rack and towers will add another 6" or more depending on components
The stock Ford Transit Connect is 72" tall, our camper adds about 7 inches
If the height of the camper is close to the maximum height of a garage, use caution as loading may impact height (fuel, passengers, cargo)
No, we are unable to convert wagons with the Ford OEM vista roof (moonroof). This large glass is part of the body structure due to the bonding and different sheetmetal surrounding it. Most aftermarket sunroofs or moonroofs will have also required cutting/modifiying the roof, and while the camper would cover a smaller sunroof, it might also require replacing the OEM headliner, adding significant additional costs to the conversion. If a smaller sunroof or vent were installed at the rear of the camper where the access way is cut, then the conversion would be feasible. If a van is modified like this, Ursa Minor would need to review photos or the van before approving for conversion.
No, we are not able to provide this type of modification. The challenges to building a swivel seat are:
No, the Ford Transit Connect was only avalible in Front Wheel Drive.
The Transit Connect was based on a smaller unibody platform. Ford's thinking behind this design choice was to keep the load floor flat to maximize cargo loading for in-city courier and freight use. This low and flat floor makes it harder to add a drive shaft to the rear wheels. The ground clearance of the Transit Connect is low, and we are not aware of any lift kits.
Since 2020, The Ford Transit (the "big" Ford van) is available with an AWD option. We do not currently offer or installl a pop-top that fits the Transit.
The loft bed has a fixed area 54" long by 43" wide when the access way panels are removed.
With both access way panels in place, the loft bed is 84" long by 44" wide.
In use, the loft bed can be used by children with the hatch panels out, adults will need the panels in place.
There at 2 panels, allowing a person to exit while leaving the other in place for another sleeping person
The area at the rear is 40.75 inches wide x 26 inches long when both hatch panels are removed. The standing room varies due to the taper of the top, but ranges from 6 to 7 feet.
We evaluated offering the Transit Connect Pop Top as a kit for Do-It-Yourself or for other shops to install some time ago, but decided it was not feasible.
Here’s what our thinking was:
Our conclusion was it’s easier to maintain our focus on offering conversions only in our facility (which is pretty standard for the conversion/RV industry.) We understand that this decision may impact interested customers that are a long way from our shop or located outside of North America.
We hope you'll consider a vacation to Portland, Oregon as a bonus part of the process
We install our Transit Connect tops in our Portland Oregon facility.
