Slate Auto Truck Camper Concept | Vanlifer Lightweight Pop-Up Design

Why Vanlifer Is Excited About the Slate Auto Truck

There’s a new modular truck rolling onto the scene, and it’s a bit of a revelation. It’s called the Slate Auto Truck, and if it makes it to New Zealand or Australia, Vanlifer is ready to jump in boots and all.

Slate’s idea is simple: take everything heavy, complicated, and stuck in the past about trucks, and bin it. In its place comes a lightweight, electric, modular platform that looks like it was actually designed by people who leave the city on weekends. It’s the kind of rethink we live for. If Slate crosses the Pacific, Vanlifer would love to become an authorised accessories manufacturer, building lightweight, adventure-ready modules that match Slate’s philosophy.

The Future of Trucks Looks Different

Side view of a standard Slate Auto Truck, a modular electric vehicle with a minimalist design, parked on a white background.

Slate is ditching the weight, the bloat, and the ego that has haunted modern utes and pickups. Instead, they are offering:

A fully electric drive system
A chassis designed for modular pods and trays
Accessory rails you can actually use
Simplicity that feels refreshingly modern

No pointless chrome. No fake air vents. No pretending it’s still 2005. Just a clean sheet and a clear purpose.

At Vanlifer, we believe in keeping things simple and minimalist while maximising what really matters—your outdoor adventure. It’s the philosophy we apply every day in our campervan builds, and it fits the Slate Auto Truck perfectly. The same lightweight, practical thinking that makes our vans stand out is exactly what we would bring to Slate: smart, flexible solutions that help you spend more time exploring and less time managing gear.

Vanlifer’s Concept: A Lightweight Pop-Up Camper

We couldn’t wait, so we rendered a concept ourselves—a featherweight pop-up camper module designed specifically for a modular EV truck like the Slate. Our vision focuses on:

A pop-up tent roof for real standing height
Composite lightweight bodywork to protect EV range
Sleeping space for two adults on a pull-out bed
Basic cooking facilities with a compact burner and prep bench
A compact 12V electrical system with solar options
Quick swap-out mounting to match Slate’s modular design
A fixed toilet installation, designed to meet New Zealand’s Green Warrant self-containment standards

Minimal weight, maximum utility. Every kilogram, every watt, and every millimetre matters.

This is just an early concept. We know weight is critical for EVs, and although we’ve designed with lightness in mind, real-world testing would be essential to see if the full setup can meet efficiency targets. There’s even potential for integrating a small auxiliary battery system into the module, helping extend the truck’s range while off-grid or stationary.

The idea is simple: maximise adventure, minimise compromises. We take what we’ve learned building compact, capable campervans and apply it to a whole new platform.

What Vanlifer Wants to Bring to Slate

Standard Slate Auto Truck parked in an outdoor setting with trees and a lake, showcasing its sleek, modern design for adventure.

When the Slate Truck arrives here, Vanlifer is ready to deliver the accessories it deserves:

Adventure-ready pop-up camper modules
Modular trays, racks, and storage solutions
Clip-on bike and board carriers
Solar charging and off-grid power systems
Self-containment options ready for New Zealand freedom camping

Lightweight, practical, and designed to fit perfectly with the modular spirit of Slate.

This Is More Than Just Another Ute

Slate Auto Truck with Vanlifer camper module parked by a beach with waves and picnic tables, capturing an inspiring adventure scene.

There are plenty of trucks that look tough, but very few that are actually smart. The Slate Auto Truck isn’t just another ute chasing a bigger, noisier version of the same old thing—it’s a proper rethink, and it’s exactly the kind of rethink Vanlifer has been waiting for.

We’re ready to design, build, and deliver gear that helps Slate owners push further, camp smarter, and travel lighter. We’ll be first in line when the doors open.