Rigs We Dig: Snow Cat Camper

January 24, 2022 3 min read

HEST Rigs We Dig GMC Sierra Camper Buildout Back of truck Dually

Your name: Skylar, Genna, Stone, Revel Holgate

Location: Silverton, Colorado Rig Nickname: Gene Pa (Named after the original Thiokol owner and a real American cowboy) Vehicle Make & Model: 1963 Thiokol 1201 6 window with 1958 Alaskan 8’ NCO

Year: 1963

HEST products: Dually (primary bed), 2 Foamy (kid beds)

What do you like most about your rig?
It is the ultimate winter adventure mobile. It allows us to go deep and high into the snowy mountains to ski, snowboard, sled, and explore. There is something particularly special about settling in for the night when that alpenglow blankets the mountain peaks. We cuddle, and laugh, watch the sunset, enjoy meals, stargaze, sip cocktails and coffee, and watch movies with a projector that works perfectly with the original Alaskan white, pull down window shades. Camping in the snow with kids is A LOT more fun when you have a spot to warm up between adventures and after the sun goes down. And no one ever complained about a warm place to come after a big mountain day for a date night either.

HEST Rigs We Dig GMC Sierra Camper Buildout Back of truck platform bed with storage below

On your average weekend adventure, what is the gear set up you bring with you? How did you navigate gear storage needs into your rig setup?
All recreational gear including skis, snowboards, snow bikes, and sleds, go in custom tool boxes built onto both sides of the cat. The inside of the cabin has more than enough latching cabinets for kitchen appliances, food, and gear. Drop down soft shelves serve as the perfect organization for winter clothes, googles, and mittens. There are ample hooks for drying gear around the bed and back wall. A deep compartment under the main bed is the perfect place to store the rolled up foamy mattresses when the bunks aren’t set up.

Any cool custom details you’re proud of?
The camper platform started as a dilapidated 1958 Alaskan camper. Skylar rebuilt the siding, insulation, frame, and every other aspect of the camper interior. This entire rig is custom. He added wiring to run all amenities off of 400 watts of solar panels connected to a Bluetti 2400 solar generator and a Honda gas generator for back up. This system allows us to boon-dock for days off grid if desired.

HEST Rigs We Dig GMC Sierra Camper Buildout Back of truck camping set up with platform bed

Sickest place you’ve taken your rig to?
This rig is stored at our home in the heart of the San Juan mountains in Silverton, CO. We can drive from our house up many of the old mining roads that aren’t maintained in the winter. Our favorite spot is up Velocity basin at the base of Velocity and Storm peaks. You just really can’t beat this view or the easy access to epic skiing. We recently bought a tilt trailer so that we can venture into mountains that can’t be accessed from our driveway.

How long did this build take from start to finish?
Start to finish - over a year of working on it most evenings after work. When Skylar is excited about a project he goes all in! Each time he got close to finishing, he added a handful more custom details. The customizations really haven’t stopped.

What fun activities do you do from your rig?
Driving around and exploring in a snowcat is pretty fun in and of itself. We also love skiing and snowboarding, ski touring, and sledding with the boys. We have often rendezvoused with friends on snowmobiles and ski tours - we just don’t have to pack up and head back to town when they call it a day.