Truck campers are among the most affordable and compact RVs on the market. They sit on the back of a truck bed and can be attached and detached as needed, making them one of the most convenient and easy-to-use types of RVs too.
In spite of their small appearance, modern truck campers are surprisingly spacious on the inside. Depending on the model you choose, it can easily and comfortably fit up to two people without leaving you feeling like you’re crammed inside.
Key Takeaways
- Lightweight truck campers are increasingly popular due to their fuel efficiency and compatibility with a range of truck models.
- For adventurous off-road travel, specialized truck campers such as those from Four Wheel Campers and Overland Explorer Vehicles come highly recommended.
Leading Truck Camper Manufacturers
Truck campers have exploded in popularity in recent years. They’re especially popular for aspiring RVers who are looking for a small, easy alternative to traditional RVs. The fact that truck campers are also more affordable and easier to travel with than other RVs has also fueled this popularity boost.
Thanks to their popularity, there are seemingly more truck camper manufacturers than ever. Here are some of the top brands and models on the market, ranging from small and compact to spacious and luxurious.
Lance Camper
Lance Camper has been one of the top truck camper brands for years. From 2012 to 2021, it won the Gold Award in RV Magazine’s Readers Choice Awards in the truck camper section–nine consecutive years of dominating the truck camper market.
One of the reasons Lance is so popular is its wide range of different types of truck campers. They sell both compact RVs suited for one to two people, as well as more spacious rigs that can sleep up to six!
Every Lance Camper model has a wet bath and a full kitchen to go along with a queen-sized bed. A few even have slide-outs, significantly increasing the amount of workable living space.
Here are some of the top Lance Camper models currently available:
- Budget model – 650 Truck Camper
- Mid-range model – 855s Truck Camper
- Luxury model – 1172 Truck Camper
Four Wheel Campers
If you’re looking for a truck camper that’s built for off-roading and boondocking, Four Wheel Campers likely has the right RV for you. Four Wheel Campers is one of the oldest truck camper brands in the industry and they’ve used their experience to make some of the top truck campers around.
They offer four basic models with a wide range of amenities, features, and add-ons. A few of their truck campers also function as pop-up campers, which makes them extremely lightweight and aerodynamic (which means greater fuel efficiency).
Regardless of which model you choose, it’ll be perfect for one to two people. Their high-end campers include amenities like king-sized beds, solar panels, and lithium batteries. But fair warning: added amenities mean added weight, making these truck campers best suited for owners of three-quarter to one-ton+ trucks. Their smaller models, however, can fit on the back of any truck bed, including smaller half and quarter-tons.
Here are some of the top Four Wheel truck campers on the market:
- Budget model – Project M – $11,495
- Mid-range model – Slide In Classic – $17,995
- Luxury model – Orvis Special Edition – $38,000
Northwood Manufacturing
Northwood Manufacturing is another top-of-the-line producer of some of the best truck campers on the market. They offer two truck camper lines – The Arctic Fox and the Wolf Creek.
The Wolf Creek line offers more compact and lightweight options, whereas the Arctic Fox line has larger and more spacious RVs.
Regardless of which Northwood Manufacturing camper you choose, however, it’s bound to be high-quality, durable, and built to take you anywhere. Many of their models offer slide-outs for additional living space and large black, gray, and freshwater tanks for extended off-road capabilities.
Being built and designed in Oregon, Northwood Manufacturing truck campers are also built to handle cold-weather camping conditions. They are well-insulated and include propane furnaces that will keep you toasty, regardless of the weather.
Here are their top three models:
- Budget model – Wolf Creek 850
- Mid-range model – Arctic Fox 865
- Luxury model – Arctic Fox 1150
Brands With the Best Lightweight Campers
One of the top reasons that people opt for truck campers is because they’re lightweight. However, some are certainly lighter and more compact than others. This is especially true of truck campers designed for back-country adventures or smaller trucks.
Here are a few of the best lightweight campers on the market:
- Tune (M1)
- Overland (Aterra XL)
- Supertramp (Flagship LT)
Each of these truck campers weighs less than 2,000 pounds and fits on the back of any truck.
Brands With the Best Small/Compact Truck Campers
Because of the overlap between compactness and total weight, the same truck campers featured in the lightweight section above will also appear in the best compact section.
However, in addition to each of the listings above, some truck campers are compact while still packing in the weight.
The compact size of these truck campers makes them perfect for people with smaller, short-bed trucks who want to be able to travel and camp anywhere.
Here are some of the brands with the best small truck campers available:
- Armorlite Technologies (Top-rated model: EXP-2)
- Bison Overland (Top-rated model: The Slide-In)
- Bundutec USA (Top-rated model: Wild)
Brands With the Best High-End/Luxury Models
While truck campers are commonly associated with off-road adventures and roughing it, there are actually some surprisingly luxurious newer models. These more luxurious, high-end models typically have air conditioning, wet baths, larger refrigerators, ovens, and additional features like granite countertops and real-wood cabinets.
Luxury campers are also typically more spacious than typical truck campers, which means they’re also heavier and taller.
Here are some of the top options on the market:
- Host Campers (Top-rated model: Mammoth)
- Palomino (Top-rated model: Backpack)
- Bigfoot Manufacturing (Top-rated model: 10.6)
Brands With Specialty Truck Campers for Adventurers
Did you know that there are truck campers built specifically for off-road adventurers? While all truck campers allow you to go places a typical travel trailer cannot, these truck campers make it even easier.
This category of models typically includes features like solar panels, lithium batteries, and other boondocking-friendly features it takes to be the best truck camper for off-roading.
Here are some of the top brand options for off-roaders:
- Hallmark Guanella (Top-rated model: Stormtrooper)
- Palomino (Top-rated model: Rogue)
- Alaskan Truck Camper (Top-rated model: Slide-In)
Key Features to Look For in a Truck Camper
Now that you know some of the top truck camper manufacturers, let’s look at key features to consider when choosing your hard-sided or pop-up truck camper.
Important Standard Features
Because there’s such a wide range of truck campers on the market, they have fewer standard features than other types of RVs.
Essentially, the only things you’re guaranteed with a truck camper are a place to sleep, four walls, and that’s about it. Everything else–including AC, heat, water hookups, or a bathroom–is considered optional for a truck camper.
Additional Options Worth Considering
Traditionally, truck campers were thought of as anything but luxurious. However, luxury is now an option if you want to travel in your truck camper in style. Want features like a working kitchen, a bathroom, a queen-size bed, an entertainment center, and more? There’s a truck camper that will fit the bill.
Weight and Dry Weight Considerations
The whole point of getting a truck camper is that it’s lightweight and compact.
If your truck camper is too heavy, you won’t be able to take it to as many off-road destinations, and it will also reduce the overall fuel efficiency.
Additionally, some larger truck campers are too heavy for mid-size trucks. Therefore, it’s important to know how much weight you can have on your truck bed and choose a truck camper to match. (Use this guide to calculate your truck’s towing capacity).
Final Thoughts
Once you decide which type of truck camper is right for you, you’ll be faced with lots of maintenance and upkeep. If you want to keep maintenance to a minimum, it’s important to properly store your truck camper when it’s not in use.
If you don’t have somewhere safe and secure on your property to store your new truck camper, consider using Neighbor. Neighbor is a peer-to-peer storage marketplace offering hundreds of RV storage options across the country!
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are the Benefits of Choosing a Lightweight Truck Camper?
Lightweight truck campers are better equipped for boondocking and off-road excursions. They’re also less likely to cause wear and tear on your truck than heavier models. The best part? You also don’t need anything bigger than a half-ton pickup truck to hold them.
Why Is It Important to Consider the Weight and Dry Weight of a Truck Camper?
Considering the dry weight of a truck camper is important to ensure it isn’t too heavy for your truck to handle. Exceeding your vehicle’s towing capacity can cause undue stress and damage to your axles and truck bed.
