FAQ

Shipping Parts to UMV Our goal is to build the camper you want so you can enjoy it for many years to come. We recognize that new products come to market all the time, and there are many more accessories and parts available than Ursa Minor can ever possibly stock or offer on our website. There are also occasional issues with availability for parts we do offer. As a result, customers may wish to purchase and ship parts to the UMV shops for inclusion in their build. There are a few important things to keep in mind when shipping parts to Ursa Minor. Camper Specific Parts Parts mounted to, or included in, the build of the camper are considered camper specific parts. Common examples include: Awnings Lights Solar Panels Racks Vehicle Specific Parts Parts and accessories mounted to the vehicle, but not on the camper itself, are considered vehicle parts. Common examples include: Dual Battery Systems Interior cabinetry and storage Electrical controls or monitoring systems Accessory mounting systems Ursa Minor is a dealer for many systems to extend the capability and range of your vehicle, but there are alternatives available. These can be purchased along with a camper or independently. Customers may order these accessories for us to install when the vehicle is at the shop, but at this time we do not handle Lifts Bumpers/Armor Suspension work Exhaust work. Please do not drop ship components that we do not install to our shop. For any shipments, please ensure the name on the shipment is the same as on the camper order, and note the last 4 numbers of the order as a reference on any document. As soon as an item is purchased, please forward the tracking information by email. Ursa is not responsible for unexpected non-signature deliveries. Timing We can usually estimate completion of an order within a couple weeks, but on average there is at least several months between ordering and building Ordering parts earlier in the process allows time for shipping, inspection and installation We will not hold a camper build for customer drop ship parts to arrive. If parts are not available when the camper is built, they will not be installed and will be returned to the customer at pick up, or shipped back at customer cost. Some parts are best installed after the camper is built. This will extend the time the vehicle is needed in the shop for a typical install. Application (Usability) Prior to ordering parts for drop ship, check in with Ursa Minor to see if we have experience with installing a component. We may be able to let you know if we have worked with this part previously, or if it will definitely not work. We also may have never seen the part previously, and can only confirm fit once we try it. Some components are designed for easy install with little modification or customization needed to the part or the camper. Some components can be fitted but may require significant customization of the part or camper to allow use. Ursa can not always accurately estimate the time required until the work is done. Customers acknowledge that Ursa will charge a shop rate for the work, and the work may result in the part being modified. Some parts just may not work with the camper, due to the vendor design or by changes over time in Ursa products. Parts that fit on older generations of campers may not fit newer versions. If a part is not usable, Ursa can return the part at customer cost, or return to the customer at camper delivery. If shop time is used to check fit, Ursa may charge a shop rate even though the part was not installed. Any modifications needed to install a part may void manufacturer warranties and/or returnability. Ursa does not take any responsibility for such impact, and does not always check with the customer before proceeding with modifications. If a part installed is a component of a system that is incomplete at delivery, Ursa can not check functionality and makes no judgement on fitness for use. Costs The work we do is fun, but Ursa will generally expect to be paid for work performed. For any parts drop shipped to Ursa Minor, customers will be charged a handling fee of 10% of the retail value of the part. This reflects efforts to track, receive, inspect and store parts. If not provided, we will use a quick google search to determine the retail price. Time needed to install parts will be charged at an hourly shop rate. The minimum is a 1 hour charge. Current Shop rates are $120/hr Our shop rate is similar to all automotive shops, and reflects the total cost of having the capacity, experience, and tools to perform specialized work. We do not warranty any parts not sold by Ursa Minor. If requested, Ursa can estimate the cost installing a part before proceeding. If a part is dropped shipped, we assume that we will install it unless informed... Read more

Starting on 9/1/21 our new software will show the order moving through production by stages.  Orders placed before this dates will be updated to show their currrent status, and then updated regularly as things change.   Stage: Pending / Processing If a credit card is used for payment while ordering, the website runs the card for 10% of the total order as the down payment.  The order status online will show pending because the order is not complete or totally paid for, since there's still 90% of the payment remaining, and we have not shipped or installed the camper.  It may also show Processing, this stage is the same as Pending, it just means there are notes on the order. When a customer places an order on our website, there are several things that happen in the background: The order is reviewed for any issues or missing information The product is logged by date into our production queue A file is created where questions, changes, and follow ups are tracked.   Stage: Fabrication Backlog Orders in Fabrication Backlog are waiting to be made in our composites shop.  Most order options can still be changed in this stage without delaying delivery.  Note that changing between product lines completely (from JK to JL for example) would delay delivery.   Stage: In Fabrication Orders at this point are in the composite molds for forming or getting cut/trimmed/drilled to the order after demolding. JK or JL J30: In this stage of production, parts will go into our polyurethane spray booth for our standard finish texture.   Some order options can still be changed at this stage, options that are now locked include paint options and quarter window choices. Stage: Assembly Backlog Orders in Assembly Backlog are made, but waiting to be assembled by our team.  Some order options can still be changed in this stage without delaying delivery, but due to allocations some changes could delay delivery if parts or accessories added are not available by the time the unit goes into assembly. Stage: In Assembly Unit is in the final stages of production.   Changes to the order will no longer be made, but some accessories may be able to be added (such as a rack tower/crossbar if the order already has the mounts) if there is stock available.  If a specific installation or conversion date has not be confirmed yet, customers will be contacted to schedule in this stage. Stage: Ready for Install / San Diego Unit is 100% complete and has passed the final Quality Control inspection.  If the unit is getting shipped out to the owner or another shop or dealer (JK, JL or Bronco) the final balance is due before the camper is packed.  If the unit will be installed or converted in our Portland facility, it will move into Crating as soon as there is... Read more

The installation of the J30 camper will impact the Jeep satellite antenna reception in the Jeep Wrangler.     The camper uses carbon fiber for low weight/high strength construction. This material is slightly conductive, and shields the Radio Frequency (RF) transmission from satellites. Blocking the signal leads to gaps in the Sirius playback and loss of navigation location on the GPS. Relocating the Sirius/GPS antenna ensures a better signal to these systems. The antenna looks like a small black hockey puck, and is weatherproof, allowing it be mounted externally if needed. This antenna does not need to be relocated if: The stereo has been replaced by a non-Jeep aftermarket head unit with a separate satellite antenna or GPS pick up The stereo does not have the Sirius satellite radio feature The Sirius system is in-active (non-subscriber or preview mode) The antenna has previously been moved When ordering for factory install, the decision to move/not move can be made as late as the day of installation. JK Antenna The JK Model (2007 to 2018) satellite antenna is located on the passenger side of the roll cage B pillar bracket, under the roll bar padding. Jeep may use this antenna for both Sirius and GPS signals depending on the trim and radio package. The antenna is removed from the stock location and mounted on the right side valence panel (between the hood and windshield) After the camper is installed, moving the antenna can be very difficult as access to the part will be limited. JL Antenna The JL Model (2018 to 2023) satellite antenna is located on the center of the B pillar cross bar of the roll cage. Jeep may use this antennal for both Sirius and GPS signals depending on the trim and radio package, but for most JL models the GPS antenna is under the dash. The antenna is removed from the stock location and mounted under the left side valence cover (between the valence and fender) For hybrid versions, the antenna is relocated to the right side in the same location to avoid the plug-in panel. Generally with a factory installation the original antenna is left in place, and a new one mounted using a new cable. The process of removing the original antenna and cable is quite time consuming, and involves a lot of interior... Read more

As a small manufacturing company, we asses our products regulary for improvements, growth prospects and profitability. Since launching the ECamper, unit sales peaked in 2010, but have then remained at a pretty regular pace. With that sort of response,we expect to keep not only building ECampers, but improving the design, for quite a while. A few items of interest: There were more than 350,000 Elements produced, ensuring a wide a range of prices and conditions if you don't already own an Element. About 75% of our customers already own an Element when they hear of us! While Volkswagen has not offered a camper in almost 20 years, there are several companies on the west coast that just restore and sell only Westfalias. The oldest Element out there is still newer than the newest VW Camper! The small size is not for everyone, yet interest in small campers is large. Consumer Reports has consistently rated the Element very well. We have converted a number of well-cared for Elements with over 150,000 miles. We also build other campers that share many key parts with the ECamper. This standarization across the line helps us to offer any parts or service that may be required in the... Read more