RADICA Introduces Hard-Sided STARGATE Pop-Top Camper

The story

RADICA has expanded its lightweight truck-camper range with the STARGATE, a hard-sided pop-top designed for pickup-bed use. The product replaces conventional fabric pop-top walls with nested aluminum shells that raise and lower to create additional interior height.

According to the product announcement, the STARGATE is manufactured in Denver, Colorado and is available for pre-order. Pricing starts at $16,899. The roof is deployed using electric actuators, allowing the camper to change between its travel and camping configurations without manually raising a fabric roof.

RADICA’s design addresses a familiar tradeoff in pop-up campers. Traditional pop-tops reduce overall travel height and weight, but their canvas walls can be less suitable for severe weather and may require additional care in wet or cold conditions. The STARGATE uses hard sides in the raised section to provide a more enclosed shell while retaining a lower closed profile than a conventional fixed-height camper.

The camper is built entirely from aluminum, according to the launch information. That construction approach is consistent with the weight-sensitive requirements of pickup-bed habitats, where payload capacity, center of gravity and suspension loading directly affect the suitability of the truck-and-camper combination.

The powered deployment system is another significant part of the product concept. Electric actuation can simplify setup for users who frequently move between driving and camping modes, although final real-world utility will depend on system reliability, serviceability and the available backup procedure if power is unavailable.

RADICA’s announcement does not establish final delivery dates, complete dimensions or a full equipment list. The current information identifies the core structure, operating concept, place of manufacture and starting price. It positions the STARGATE as an alternative to canvas pop-tops rather than as a conventional fixed-roof slide-in camper.

The product adds another example of manufacturers using aluminum and powered mechanisms to pursue a compromise between low travel height, weather protection and fast setup. Those characteristics are especially relevant to expedition-oriented users who need a removable habitat that remains compatible with off-road vehicle dimensions.