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Escapod Introduces TOPO2 MTB: A Purpose-Built Camper for Mountain Bikers

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MTBR_NEWS

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Escapod has launched the TOPO2 MTB, a new version of its off-road teardrop trailer designed specifically for mountain bikers. Built around the Utah company’s TOPO2 platform, the MTB model integrates bike-specific storage and repair features while maintaining Escapod’s rugged, all-season performance.
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At the center of the new design is Escapod’s proprietary Switchback Hitch, a swing-away system that allows full rear galley access—even when carrying two bikes. The hitch locks in three positions for added stability and includes a bull bar, RotopaX mount, and a Feedback Sports Mechanic Clamp for on-the-go repairs.
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The trailer also includes Küat’s new Piston ION e-bike rack, rated for 80-pound bikes and RV use. Additional bike-specific features include a Feedback Sports Team Edition Tool Kit integrated into the galley and a Slide Lock Clamp Head mounted to the bull bar.
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“Mountain biking — and being able to easily access all kinds of rugged places to ride — is what led my wife Jen and I to create the Escapod brand in the first place,” said Chris Hudak, founder of Escapod. “This is more than just a comfortable place to sleep — it’s the ultimate mobile base camp for riding.”
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The TOPO2 MTB retains the core features of the standard TOPO2, including a patented single-piece molded fiberglass body and Escapod’s high-clearance Freeride suspension system. With 23 inches of ground clearance, the trailer is intended for remote camping on rough terrain.
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Its highly insulated shell and heated interior protect onboard water and lithium battery systems in cold weather. An outdoor shower and bike-wash setup offer convenience after long or muddy rides. The rear galley includes a full kitchen, gear storage, and integrated organization for bike tools. Despite its off-road capability, the TOPO2 MTB is compact enough to fit in a standard garage bay.

The TOPO2 MTB starts at $53,990. For more information, visit escapod.us.
 
#4 ·
al415 said:
If I’m spending $50k plus, I want to be able to change / get dressed standing up. The idea of towing my bed behind me with no other utility begs the question, how is this better than a tent or truck-bed camper?
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I agree about the cost. But this type of camper is very useful. For one, space. You can set up in small tent sites and boondock spots. Storage is better than a larger camper for people it might matter to. You can put something like this in a garage if you have a HOA to navigate.

Benefit of a towable is always the fact that you can leave it at camp and go to a remote trailhead without totally breaking camp. Drawback of a towable is that you have to have space to store it and maneuver it when you're out, so there are places one won't work.

Versus a ground tent, you have a real bed and you have better weather protection. vs a rooftop tent, you don't have to climb a ladder, you can leave it at camp, and related benefits. and if you like rooftop tents, you can still put one on top of the trailer to expand the number of people who can use it.

You can have a place to stand up and change, but you need supplemental side rooms/tents to do so.

These really heavy duty offroad teardrops have pretty limited scenarios where you really use their capabilities, honestly. The people who do use them are into offroading probably moreso than other activities.

I have a small camper that's NOT an offroad model. I put some AT tires on it for gravel forest roads and that does what I need. I've forded some sizeable streams with it, so even a non-offroad model can be plenty capable. I'd pull it on the roads pictured no problem. I'd bet that the more rugged shots are just spots off to the side of that exact same road. It's just a trailer and mostly all it needs is some ground clearance (those AT tires I installed are a bit bigger than OEM, which lifted it a bit). Mine was also hella cheaper than this.
 
#5 ·
The price of these things - not just Escapod - is just forking ludicrous. Starting at fifty-four grand, $7k more than the average transaction price of a new car, but no engine, no transmission, no seats, no software, half the wheels, need a storage spot.

For the price, I could build a reliable 4wd/awd van that would be perfectly serviceable and keep half that wad in my pocket AND not need something to tow it with. Just dumb. I can't help but wonder who buys these things. I can tell you that I have never seen one in the wild.
 
#6 ·
al415 said:
If I’m spending $50k plus, I want to be able to change / get dressed standing up. The idea of towing my bed behind me with no other utility begs the question, how is this better than a tent or truck-bed camper?
Click to expand...
If you're spending 50k on camper, might stretch a bit and get something like Winnebago Revel where you can stand, shower and cook inside. It's far more expensive (100k), but comes with well.... a car.
IDK how about typical buyer of those things, but I really like idea of shower for any activities
 
#8 ·
Agreed on the price!

I picked this up 9yrs ago for $20k. It was from the manufacturers rental fleet, new they were $50k. But that is with a composting toilet, solar panels, refrigerator and cook top. Fits in my garage with an 8' door. It could hypothetically sleep 4, but really it's perfect for a couple and dog. Big enough for a few people to play cards inside on a rainy day. We can recharge eBikes off the solar/battery system.

The obvious downside, this thing is not very offroad friendly. I've learned that lesson and have done repairs. I think the price of that Escapod is largely in suspension and off-road durability. OVERLANDING!

The company that made mine has since gone under, I think it would be a great basis-of-design for a DIY project. Maybe make it with ACM panel sides & a welded alu frame for durability.
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#10 ·
You can get a full travel trailer for half that, with plenty of of space to store your toolkit and your work stand, along with a full bathroom, kitchen, dining area etc...

I get these are far more compact etc... but it's just crazy how all of these 'adventure' products are so expensive e.g. this, TAXA Cricket, Sylvan VAST etc...
 
#12 ·
chiefsilverback said:
You can get a full travel trailer for half that, with plenty of of space to store your toolkit and your work stand, along with a full bathroom, kitchen, dining area etc...

I get these are far more compact etc... but it's just crazy how all of these 'adventure' products are so expensive e.g. this, TAXA Cricket, Sylvan VAST etc...
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What you need to look at here is the size of the builder. The vast majority of the mass market RVs are incredibly flimsy and they're mass produced. Something like this or the Sylvansport VAST are made by small builders one at a time. They've got a ton more labor tied up in them. I live REALLY close to where the VAST is made and I've only seen a single one of them, and that was at a trade show. I really like the idea of it, but ouch.

Now, I'll agree that there are other, more direct competitors to this particular trailer that are still a LOT less expensive. I think half this price can still get you a nearly equally off-road capable trailer. But the construction will be different. This is one of those spare-no-expense halo products. Compare the suspension used in this one to the more typical solid axle you see on the much less expensive ones. Better? Sure. But the kinds of scenarios where that makes a real substantive difference are incredibly uncommon compared to how most use these things.

Not to mention the insulated fiberglass shell as one of those things that's going to bump the cost way up. Insulating the water tank for cold weather use is another one that's going to add a lot of cost.

Compare something like a Casita to an Oliver and you see a similar sort of doubling+ of cost to get a trailer with a well insulated cabin and protected water system.

One thing that's not given enough attention in rv-world is whether a bike rack is suitable for a trailer. RV-rated bike racks are absolutely a thing and if you throw any old rack on the back of a trailer, you're taking a huge risk. Not to mention the capacities of the hitches on the trailers themselves. This one has all that accounted for, so you don't have to think about it.

It's still way more than I'd spend. But as a halo product for someone who just wants to throw money at the thing and be done with it, I can see it. Those are the kinds of people who are going to buy this. it's totally an #overlanding thing.
 
#13 ·
al415 said:
If I’m spending $50k plus, I want to be able to change / get dressed standing up. The idea of towing my bed behind me with no other utility begs the question, how is this better than a tent or truck-bed camper?
Click to expand...
I have used a NuCamp Tag teardrop for 2 years. It’s very easy to tow, even with a small car, they are light so you don’t need a 1/2 ton pickup. Very quick to setup, 10 minutes to unhitch and get level. Very, very comfortable sleep in, much better than any tent with cot or air mattress. Much easier to get setup than a tent system, more waterproof as well. Many can add an awning so you’ve got good shelter. Water and propane on board so cooking is easy, just raise the hatch. Mine has a 12v fridge, so I don’t bother with a cooler with ice. It’s the next logical step for 2 people from a tent, which we did for 30 years. Ours is a near king size bed, so very comfortabl. I used to camp maybe twice per year, now it’s 8-10 times, it’s so much easier. You can purchase more basic teardrops for $10,000. Mine was $20,000 but has more features. You dont need to spend more that that,
 
#14 ·
TLN said:
If you're spending 50k on camper, might stretch a bit and get something like Winnebago Revel where you can stand, shower and cook inside. It's far more expensive (100k), but comes with well.... a car.
IDK how about typical buyer of those things, but I really like idea of shower for any activities
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If using campgrounds, state or private, they usually have showers and toilets, thus not always needed in a camper.
 
#15 ·
Harold said:
One thing that's not given enough attention in rv-world is whether a bike rack is suitable for a trailer.
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But.... then you have to move the camper just to move the bikes. Same issue with sprinters and tent toppers.
Pickup trucks are the answer. They tow, haul bikes, and other things, and you can shuttle or ride elsewhere while your trailer stays at camp.
 
#16 ·
I could see a business buying one and using it to haul stuff to trade show and events like Sea Otter. Get it wrapped with some attention getting vinyl. There's a place for a product like this, but it might not be a very large market.
 
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#18 ·
FM said:
But.... then you have to move the camper just to move the bikes. Same issue with sprinters and tent toppers.
Pickup trucks are the answer. They tow, haul bikes, and other things, and you can shuttle or ride elsewhere while your trailer stays at camp.
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This is a common question I see on the FB page for the teardrop I own, how to carry bikes. The model I have, a NuCamp Tag has no rear hitch capability and the manufacturer does not recommend adding one, which requires welding a structure to take a bike rack. Most folks recommend a Jack-It unit that installs on the front tongue unit, but that adds a lot of weight with the bikes and can exceed tongue weight. Compounded that a lot of folks using RV’s are older and want to bring along their e-bikes, which can weight 40 -50 lbs each, so problems develop. A teardrop with a rear hitch might carry e-bikes, but then you deal with models whose batteries are not removable, so a lot of undersirable weight on the rear, makes handling sketchy. I almost recommend figuring out how to use the tow vehicle to carry the bikes as that gives you the ability to do remote rides. E-bikes are a problem and I often tell folks get a regular bike that maybe weighs half what an e-bike weighs. Folks hate that suggestion.
 
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