MKBHD called Ford’s new F-150 Lightning the iPhone of pickups, meaning it’s functional and might soon become a part of everyday life for Americans. Well, TFL is taking that quite literally by converting this groundbreaking EV into a home away from home, probably the first F-150 Lightning ever put together and certainly the first to go on an Alaskan adventure.
Being such a conventional shape certainly comes with a lot of benefits in this case. The Lightning is just like a regular F-150 in most aspects, especially the shape of the bed. So while Tesla fans are still waiting on their Cybertrucks and dreaming of a wedge-shaped camper conversion, TFL just went ahead and bolted on a normal camper to their electric F-150 within about a month of delivery.
To do that, the F-150 Lightning first had to make the trip from Colorado to California and into the workshop of Four Wheel Pop-up Campers. They chose the Project M series, designed to be a lightweight, rugged, and cabover bed priced from around $12,000 in the case of a full-sized truck.
Apparently, Ford said you shouldn’t fit a camper to the F-150 Lightning, but TFL just went ahead and did this without any problems. Like a snail’s shell, this lowers onto the bed of the EV. It adds about 420-465 lbs of extra weight, which is well within the payload rating.
Weight, as you probably know, is the enemy of range. This is a dual-motor model with the 130 kWh pack, which would be rated at 320 miles before the camper installation.
First EV camper conversion?
The camper is 43 inches tall off the bed rails (roof closed) which grows to 60 inches when popped up. TFL measured after the installation and the Lightning was now 96 inches tall to the top of the vents, in case you’re worried about clearance.
A thick piece of weatherstrip rubber should ensure the cold stays out and the bed is comfortable enough for people to sleep in. And in case you’re wondering, TFL’s posse will consist of four people, and their F-150 hybrid truck is also coming along for the ride, maybe to provide the Lightning with some emergency juice.
TFL’s camper is also equipped with a battery in the bed for the lights and fans which can be charged via a fold-out solar panel. However, because this is a Lightning, a 110V charger outlet from the bed can be used.
