From PopTop Overland to Truck Camper Garage
Founded by Zach and John — two craftsmen brought together by chance, united by vision.
Before Truck Camper Garage, there was PopTop Overland. PopTop Overland began not with a business plan, but with a shared love for craftsmanship and the open road. Zach, from Northern California, and John, from Connecticut, met on Shelter Island in Point Loma, both behind the wheels of nearly identical trucks — each topped with green, hand-painted, slide-in campers on matching flatbeds. One was crafted from lumber hauled out of the forest on a remote island in Washington, the other, aluminum salvaged from a desert scrap yard east of San Diego. Two trucks. Two builders. Parked side by side on a little island — it was meant to be.
Their friendship quickly evolved, from shared time on the water and dinners with their families to off-road adventures. As the COVID-19 pandemic shifted daily life, the two pooled resources to rent a small warehouse — more to organize their Craigslist finds than to launch a company. But what happened next surprised them both.
“We had a little shop and a few dollars, so we started small — outboard motors, dinghies. Then came a 1958 Alaskan Camper. Then two more. I posted a photo in a Facebook group and a guy messaged me instantly, telling me how rare it was to see three vintage Alaskans in one place,” John recalls.
What started as a curiosity quickly became a calling. Vintage Alaskan Camper owners from across the country began reaching out. As Zach and John carefully restored their first campers, word spread — and fast. Sitting aboard John’s boat, the domain was bought, the logo sketched on a napkin, and the name PopTop Overland was born.
Today, nearly six years later, with three shop locations behind them, hundreds of vintage campers sold and restored, and thousands of happy customers, PopTop Overland is ready for its next chapter.
Introducing: Truck Camper Garage - Our New Flagship Vision
PopTop Overland is evolving into Truck Camper Garage, a full-service retail, showroom, and fabrication facility unlike anything currently in Southern California. We are now the regional factory service and sales partner for seven top-tier truck camper brands, each chosen carefully for quality, design, and durability. Our fl agship location will feature:
• A boutique indoor showroom with 15+ new camper models on display
• A well-equipped workshop where clients can see their builds come to life
• A curated retail experience for overlanding gear, camper accessories, and parts
• A destination where truck camper culture is celebrated and craftsmanship is key.
