July 6, 2008, Oregon, USA

"Tent Topped Camping Trailer" towable behind smaller, fuel
efficient vehicles is available to the US.
In 2005, after twenty six years with a major US corporation,
Scott Chaney found himself summarily out of a job. Instead of immersing himself in the fickle
job market, he decided to take a chance of starting a small business.
His love of the outdoors coupled with fuel efficiency and
economy, he designed and built the "Compact Camping Concepts Explorer
Box". This Tent Topped Camping Trailer
weighs in at 350 to 400 pounds and he tows it with his Subaru Impreza
Wagon. It sits behind the small car so
well, only costs a couple of miles per gallon of fuel.
The design incorporates enough storage space for all camping
gear such as stove, lantern, cooking implements, food, up to five Rubbermaid® Action Pack storage containers and
even a Pak Boat® foldable
kayak. Locking storage spaces provide
organization, security and efficiency.
The tent is similar to expedition style rooftop tents used
on safari in Africa and Australia. The two tent styles afford approximately a
queen size bed and eight feet of leg room.
Setup consists of removing the airtight zippered cover and pulling it
open, no poles to thread, no stakes to set.
It takes only seconds and a bed is available. Closed, one model is twelve inches high. The other model is half that height and
weighs a mere fifty pounds.
"Compact Camping Concepts" offers this innovative design in
a DIY Build Manual with detailed drawings and photos. More models and designs are being developed
to further afford campers the ability to enjoy the outdoors economically and
with a small environmental footprint.
Custom models will be available in the coming months.
Taking his design to outdoor shows and camping attracts the
attention of campers who are weary of high fuel prices and who are conscious of
environmental impact. It provides
comfort and ease of use with style. In
this time of almost $5.00 a gallon gas, it is a welcome innovation.