Fitness
Loki Basecamp Falcon: Adventure Lodging Right on the Bed of Your Truck
There are lots of truck campers on the market, but Loki’s Basecamp Falcon is the first one that’s truly tailored to outdoor enthusiasts who never want to plug in at an RV park. The aluminum body camper has numerous features that set it apart, including a sprinter van-inspired hydraulic lift back door that blurs the line between inside and outside. There’s also radiant floor heat, a rooftop deck, a drain in the entryway rubber floor, and a flexible interior that lets you rearrange the space to meet your needs.
It’s built by Loki, a company that previously specialized in converting shipping containers to trade show booths. When the pandemic hit, Loki’s general manager Pierre Mathieu asked half of his team—mostly bikers, runners, and skiers—to reimagine what a truck camper could be. Ditching the faux wood paneling and particleboard construction common in too many campers, they designed a futuristic aluminum-body camper that’s compatible with off-the-grid adventures—and made for real comfort, convenience, and security while you’re out there.
Starting with a brand-new design
Starting completely from scratch, Mathieu didn’t want the design to rely at all on any earlier prototypes. The key here was to create a “balanced” camper that was totally inside the truck’s tailgate. Among the many benefits of this design would be convenience (using your truck’s backup cam instead of needing to install one for the camper) and added security (when you lock your truck, you’ve double locked the camper too). Aesthetics were another top priority. “The nicest view is always in the back,” said Mathieu. “That’s why we made the back the only entrance—with a large door that lifts.”
It’s a unique design—with a hydraulic lift operated by a switch, a heavy door and, depending on the details of your camper design, a spare tire, storage boxes, and more mounted on a swing-away that has to be opened before the hatch lifts. With the hatch open, a heavy-duty screen rolls down to cover open space to keep bugs out. A door in the screen offers easy access to the tailgate hang-out zone—a great place to set a grill for outdoor cooking and shoot the breeze.
A camper with a mudroom
The mudroom is another feature unique to Loki, made with a rubberized floor that makes for easy cleaning. It has a drain, as well as a shower head attached near the door for indoor/outdoor rinse-off use—and you can hose out the floor when needed.
Every camper configuration has its pros and cons. A pickup camper doesn’t need registration or separate insurance. With the tailgate containing the camper, there’s also no need for a hitch extender if you want to tow gear or carry bikes on a hitch rack. Compared with a cumbersome tow-behind or a van, a truck camper can get you virtually anywhere your truck can go. Upgrade to a new truck with the same size bed and you don’t have to get a new camper. In about 20 minutes, you can move the Basecamp from one vehicle to another once the proper attachment points are installed.
A Falcon for all seasons
The Basecamp Falcon works great in the summer and fall, but Mathieu says it really shines in winter. The entire pod has R16 insulation as well as radiant heat. Double density composite insulation with high thermal and acoustic properties won’t absorb humidity, and it’s an excellent vapor barrier.
“The insulation and the radiant changes everything,” said Mathieu. “Winter in the Falcon is so much fun.”
The camper has a massive storage drawer accessible from the outside that holds everything from camp chairs to towing gear, tools, and more. The drawer pulls open with the truck tailgate down. It’s also accessible from the inside—so when you store a spare duffel of clothes in there and don’t want to venture into the rain to retrieve it, you can simply grab it by lifting up a panel in the camper floor.
In the kitchen, instead of a gas stove, the Falcon comes with an induction cooktop that can be stored in a cabinet for more counter space. Tabletops move from the sitting area to the kitchen area, as needed. The bed base contains vented aluminum panels that help move body heat-generated moisture out from under the mattress. Fold the mattress in half, and you can strap gear to the cutouts in the frame.
Made-to-order options
Loki makes every camper to order. Opt for European glass windows rated for extreme conditions or double-glazed Lexan windows. Order one with a queen-sized bed and a couch bed with an overhead storage loft; swap the seat next to the sink for a storage zone; or store the spare tire under the truck so there’s more real estate on the rear hatch for gear. The Basecamp is modular, so options are limitless. All the parts and pieces can be rearranged during build out—and many can be moved around during use.
Because the camper is aluminum, the roof functions as an auxiliary deck accessible through a hatch or a ladder bolted to the outside. It’s sturdy enough to walk on, and a great place to catch sunrise or sunset with the appropriate beverage in hand. We love that Loki positions solar panels on the angled front of the camper where they can’t get stepped on, and recommend adding the rack system for extra storage.
The Falcon feels stable driving even on severely potholed roads. While its hourglass design angling upward and out from the edge of the truck bed may look a little top heavy, it feels balanced on the road.
As far as logistics are concerned, Loki uses an intuitive phone- and panel-operable RedARC power management system to control lights, heat, and air conditioning, as well as its lithium battery bank, inverter, and charger. Wall outlet AC plugs and USB and USB-C ports scattered throughout the camper conveniently charge everything—powering the cooktop, electric kettle, and espresso maker. You can adjust a variety of lighting options to suit the mood, too.
A camper like you’ve never seen
The Loki Basecamp Falcon is one eye-catcher. Anytime we stop for gas, food, or anything else, it attracts an audience of folks who want to know more about it. The interior is just as unique as the outside. The unit has a modern industrial aesthetic with surfaces that are easy to clean, unique color schemes, and storage more like something you’d find in an actual house than a truck camper.
“The Basecamp turns a truck into an adventure vehicle,” said Mathieu. “That’s what we were after.”
Loki’s Basecamp starts at $95K. Learn more or reserve yours at lokibasecamp.com
For access to exclusive gear videos, celebrity interviews, and more, subscribe on YouTube!
The key to 360-degree muscle: 90-degree eccentric isometrics. It might seem like we’re throwing a lot of geometry at you, but the concept behind time under tension (TUT) is simple, says Joel Seedman, PhD, owner of Advanced Human Performance: “Perform the lowering phase of a movement in a slow, controlled fashion, usually 3 to 5 seconds; pause in the stretched position, typically around 90 degrees; then perform the lifting phase in a powerful yet controlled fashion.” Believe us, a time-under-tension workout can humble even seasoned lifters…Eccentric isometrics are like the pressure cooker of training.
“Rather than mindlessly performing slow-tempo reps, you’re using the increased time under tension as a means to fine-tune your body mechanics and alignment, which requires more mental engagement and focus,” Seedman adds.
If you want to forge functional muscle mass and strength while simultaneously bulletproofing the joints and connective tissue, give this 10-move, full-body eccentric isometrics workout a go.
Directions
Perform the following moves as 90-degree eccentric isometrics following the above protocol. Use heavy weight, but not at the detriment of proper form. Rest 60 to 90 seconds between sets and 2 minutes between circuits. Perform once every 2 to 4 days for optimal results.
Best Time-Under-Tension Workout for Total-Body Strength
Circuit 1
A. Barbell Back Squat
Set a squat rack up with heavy weight, then grasp bar and step under it. Squeeze shoulder blades together, then stand to unrack bar and step back with feet shoulder-width apart. Inhale, hinge at hips and slowly bend knees to 90 degrees. Pause, keeping natural arch in low back, then extend through hips to powerfully stand. 3 x 4-6 reps
B. Renegade Row
Start in the top position of a pushup with hands shoulder-width apart on moderate-to-heavy dumbbells (shown). Explosively drive right elbow back to row dumbbell toward ribs while balancing on opposite hand and feet. Pause, then slowly lower weight, stopping a few inches above floor. Switch sides after all reps are done. 3 x 5 reps each side
Circuit 2
A. Dumbbell Bentover Row
Stand with feet hip-width apart, holding two moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in front of thighs, palms facing you. Push hips back and hinge torso forward so it’s nearly parallel to floor, soft bend in knees. Dumbbells should be near shins. Drive elbows back to row weights toward ribs. Pause, then slowly lower down for 3 to 5 seconds. 3 x 4-5 reps
B. Incline Dumbbell Chest Press with Legs Raised
Set an adjustable bench to a 30- to 45-degree angle and lie back with dumbbells in either hand. Engage core and lift legs off floor, flexing feet. Press weights overhead, palms in. Slowly lower to 90 degrees, staying tight and compact. Pause, then drive weights up directly over chest. 3 x 4-5 reps
Circuit 3
A. Dumbbell Bulgarian Squat
Stand lunge-length in front of a flat bench, holding heavy dumbbells in each hand by your sides, palms facing in. Rest the ball on top (shoe’s laces) of your right foot behind you on the bench. Slowly lower your body until your front thigh is parallel to the floor. Pause, then drive through your heel to stand. Switch sides after all reps are complete. 2 x 3-4 reps each side
B. Single-leg Romanian Deadlift
Stand with feet hip-width apart holding dumbbells or kettlebells. Drive right leg up, foot flexed, knee aligned with hip, making a 90-degree angle. Hinge at hips as you slowly lever your torso toward floor, lowering weights and driving right leg back for counterbalance. Hold, then squeeze glutes to reverse. 2 x 3-4 reps each side
Circuit 4
A. Pullup
Hang from a pullup bar using an overhand grip with legs extended and feet flexed. Engage lats and draw shoulders down your back, then pull yourself up until chin is higher than hands. Pause at the top, then slowly lower. Pause at bottom, then reset before your next rep. 2-3 x 4-5 reps
B. Kneeling Overhead Barbell Press
Hold a bar with moderate-to-heavy load at shoulder level with forearms perpendicular to floor. Kneel at end of bench with feet flexed to grip edge for support. Inhale, engage your core and glutes, then press the bar overhead, pushing your head forward so it passes your face, exhaling at the top.
Slowly lower until elbows are at 90 degrees, then hold to maintain tension. Begin your next rep from here. 2-3 x 4-5 reps
Circuit 5
A. Dumbbell Pushup
Place hands on dumbbells (this provides greater range of motion) at shoulder width and feet wider than shoulder width with just toes touching the ground. Keep head neutral and hips high to increase tension on core, chest and tris and reduce stress on spine. Slowly lower to the floor. Stop
once elbows hit 90 degrees, pause, then push up to start. 1-2 x 6-8 reps
B. Biceps Curl
Stand with feet hip-width apart with moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in each hand hanging by sides. Engage biceps to curl the weights up, keeping upper arms still. Pause at the top, then lower slowly. Don’t let arms drop all the way down to keep greater time under tension on biceps. 1-2 x 6-8 reps
For access to exclusive gear videos, celebrity interviews, and more, subscribe on YouTube!
