Beginning in April 2020, PopTop Overland (PTO) was founded with an emphasis on quality and craftsmanship. We had rapid growth stemming from a solid social media presence, our reputation in the industry quickly made PopTop a household name. With our ideal geographic location in Pacific Beach, San Diego and a diverse dealer network that consists of high end manufacturers, sales have steadily grown along with the network of companies that want to work with us exclusively (in our demographic region). A collection of the highest quality vehicles, campers and products on the market are now synonymous with the offerings exclusively found at PTO. We are seeking funding to acquire and build out a facility that includes a fully stocked retail space where customers can find anything needed for their overland adventures, coupled with access to a knowledgeable staff, the best technicians in the industry, and a showroom stocked with a collection of flagship campers ready to roll, We will be a one stop destination shop for anyone traveling through the states and beyond.
The units we carry are not available at big box RV dealerships. The builders of these highly specialized customizable campers, trucks and trailers, want the dealers that sell them to be a part of the overland industry. They are mostly small businesses themselves, so they want their customers to feel a certain level of comfort and support while shopping for their products. Currently, Overland style trade shows are held a few times a year, spread out across the country. These are the consumers only option to see and feel the newest tech and models in person unless they travel to the manufacturer. These events, such as Overland Expo, draw hundreds of thousands of people who eat, sleep and breathe "Overlanding". The offroad vehicle market is worth more than $12.3 billion globally (allied Market Research off-road vehicle report), a 2017 Overland Expo survey found that 60% of participants claimed incomes over $80k annually, with 30% claiming over $150k annually,(SEMA.org 2022) It's safe to say the market for these high end rigs is expansive. In an article written by SEMA (Specialty Equipment Manufacturing Association) the 2019 adventure tourism market (aka Overlanding) was valued at $586 Billion and is expected to reach $1.63 Trillion in 2026. The consumers in this industry have typically done their research online but the ability to feel and test the ever changing tech going into the products at this level is essential in making the right decision for them and their family. We are seeking to make the experience more localized and available year round.
PTO was started to meet the demand of people wanting something that outperforms the status quo. The RV industry was founded on vehicles and trailers built cheaply for minimum usage in controlled environments. We hear it over and over again that the traditional RV dealerships and repair facilities are stuck in the past. Overcharging for uninspired work and unable to understand the need for small setups packing a big punch. They are more interested in selling a new 5th wheel trailer or 40ft coach with a fireplace than getting a lithium battery and solar setup to run a mobile office from your van or truck.
Off-grid tech has come a very long way. Advancements in building materials, battery tech and power generation have paved the way for the new generation of recreational vehicles. With millions of people seeking to work remotely, digital nomads have joined the ranks of adventure seekers and now have more options than ever before to live on the road. Billions of dollars have gone into the new age of travel and living abroad. The demand for capable, long lasting, and reliable vehicles is higher than ever. The rigs and equipment they choose for this life must rise to this challenge. The new generation of workers and retirees are less focused on traditional property ownership when capable, comfortable high quality off grid options are so abundant. Companies like Starlink are revolutionizing the workspace and the ability to remain connected anywhere you choose to be. The critical step to this setup is having a high quality install and gear to keep it all running smoothly. Your time can then remain focused on what's important to you.
The wholesale margins on new equipment, campers and trailers fall in the 18-30% range. The average sale for a new unit is between 40-100k with multiple units retailing for $150-250K. Everything we sell is RVIA Certified and on NADA listings so it can all be financed. Up to this point we have been carrying 3 manufacturers, in the last month we have added on three more so the growth in new sales is expected to rise accordingly. The average upfit for solar/batteries/refrigeration in the shop invoices around $5-6k. Standard labor rate is 150/hr with typical jobs being 1-2days, but many falling in the 4-5 day range. We are limited in what we can take in due to shop and team size, growth in both these sectors will bring much higher revenue.
We started this company 3 years ago with our own capital and have grown it without taking on external debt. We know that bringing in an investment partner is the only way we will reach the goals we have set. The money would be used to build out a retail property, buy and hold inventory as well as hire a team to help run the operation. We have a full scale shop currently in operation with tools, materials, several employees and infrastructure currently running efficiently.
The owners Johnathan Carver and Zachary Dirks have over 35 years of combined experience in custom craftsmanship including, electrical, plumbing, home and commercial building, marine, wood and metal fabrication and other small businesses. Some of the brands we are currently representing are Overland Explorer Vehicles, Skinny Guy Campers, Boreas Trailers, Expion360, Dakota Lithium, Zero Breeze, Renogy, Big Battery, Alu Cab, SoCal Teardrops, Turtle Back Trailer and BunduTec. We get more messages every week from camper and trailer manufacturers, battery and solar developers, and appliance dealers, all wanting representation in our area by our company. All we need is the space to bring this dream to fruition.
www.poptopoverland.com@poptop_overland