There are dozens of truck camper models offering different comfort and functionality levels. Choosing one as a newbie could be confusing. This is why we have compiled this detailed review on the best truck camper and how to get one that covers your needs. It is essential to know that no particular truck camper is a good pick for all. A track will be right for you so long as it fulfills your needs, and needs can be relative and subjective.
Understanding these preferences before-hand shields you from being persuaded into making a purchase you may not like afterward.
Truck Camper can be categorized into two. These are hard sided campers and pop up campers. Hard side truck campers have hard walls. Their roofs and sidewalls are fixed and stable. Among their advantages is that they have adequate storage space and have better sound insulation properties. They also have more floor plan. Pop up campers have soft walls applicable for both camping and travel. Their lower profile makes it fuel efficient with higher dynamics compared to hard-sided campers.
If you are planning to maneuver rugged and off-road areas, your ultimate choice will be the pop-up camper due to its lower weight. They can also move with much ease in the highly forested regions, have lower branches and more obstacles on the road. Hard side campers do not have the luxury of undertaking suck expeditions. Their compatibility to mini-trucks also adds to their versatility.
Campers who prefer going for backpacking, off the road, and off the grid trips find the pop-up truck more appealing. Their ultimate fuel-efficient advantage and compatibility to mini-trucks make it an ideal choice for budget campers.
If he's got golf clubs in his truck or a camper in his driveway, I don't hire him. Lou Holtz
Hardcore RVers get more attached to hard-sided campers because of their versatility and ability to go anywhere and tow anything. Pop up campers can further be grouped into hard side pop up and soft side pop up. Hard side pop up truck campers are made up of wood or aluminum hard wall panels while the soft wall pop up camper side walls is fabricated with waterproof vinyl material.
The advantages of a hard side pop up truck camper are relatively the same to a hard sided camper. They are more durable, have improved insulation and sound insulation capacity. However, they are a bit pricey, have more weight and have a higher center of gravity making long off-road navigation quite hard.
Soft-sided pop up truck campers weigh less with a lower center of gravity and are cheaper. Cons attached to it is that they have lower insulation levels are less durable.
Both types of campers can accommodate full motorhome amenities such as a bathroom, fully equipped kitchen, ample storage space, and a bedroom.
What Are The Types Of Bed Lengths For Truck Campers
Upon arrival on the decision of the type of truck camper to buy, the next consideration is the bed length of the truck. Pick-up trucks come if different bed length sizes. These are long bed, short bed, and super short bed.
Hard sided truck campers have more extensive floor plans hence suitable for long bed models. Expert campers advice to first picking out the truck camper that fits your preferences first and then deciding upon the bed length and payload capacity your camper requires.
Multi-Slide, Single Slide Or Non-slide?
Multi slides offer more space, have dry baths and recliner option. Whereas they provide optimum comfort, they require higher maintenance and service levels. More slide outs mean more moving parts of your truck camper as compared to non-slide truck camper models. Slide outs add more weight, and for this reason, they require additional rear wheels.
Non-slide out truck campers do not accommodate the comfort available in the slide out models. However, they are lighter, cheaper and require less maintenance. Your slide model will often dictate the type of bathroom to use. Wet baths are incorporated with a sink shower and toilet. They, therefore, take up less space but require to be dried after showering. Dry baths are more luxurious and have separate shower stalls and toilets. They take up more space but offer more dry storage space.
Why Should You Buy A Truck Camper?
If going off-grid for some time sounds great to you, get a truck camper. Its versatility allows for multiple uses, from the freedom to go anywhere to the ability to move around personal items and tow almost anything behind their truck rig.
Pick-up trucks can go anywhere and so can truck campers. Because they use pick-ups as their base, it means that they can match the difficulty of any terrain.
How To Get The Best Truck Camper Match
Compatibility between the two units is the most fundamental factor to consider when deciding on the best match. Most manufacturers produce standard truck campers that can comfortably mount on any truck size.
How We Reviewed
Considering the variable options of truck campers available in the market, we have gone through numerous online consumer reports to come up with the best options for you. We have also put up information that we deemed essential from expert opinions.
Overall Price Range
We have not included the pricing for our best truck camper because their quotes vary depending on the features you are looking for. Some of these features are already pre-installed while others can be customized.
The Best Truck Camper
2019 Lance 650
The 2019 lance 650 is the latest addition to the lance truck camper series. Its affordability does not limit its comfort and space. It offers more room for with a standard bedroom and bathroom. The bedroom is fitted with foam mattresses that make your sleep more relaxing. Other features include full windows for an ultimate explorer experience, cabinets, and drawers. These smart storage facilities are great at keeping all the personals that you may require for your trip.
This design is compatible to half-ton pick-ups that are 5’6’’ fits. The frame is aluminum plated. It also has a single PVC roof, Bluetooth enabled, modern AC and microwave.
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Lance, Rv Trader
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Cirrus 920
Manufactured by nuCamp, the Cirrus 920 is a non-slide hard sided luxurious camper. Some of the best features most spoken off include a comfortable bed room, a spacious bathroom, and an impressive kitchen. Its window offers perfect views making it ideal for most campers. The kitchen area has ample space with adequate storage facilities. This truck camper also comes with a dinette adjacent to the large window which makes meals more pleasant.
More storage space is available above the bed, and there is an additional window at the roof area of the bedroom. The water lines are also covered making this an all season truck camper model. The heating system is also not exposed. This helps to maintain the inner warmth during the cold season. You may be required to clean the bathroom after every shower because it’s a wet bath. Leaving water may lead to mold build up and progressively destroy any wooden fittings.
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Rv Trader, nuCamp
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Northern Lite 8-11 EX
The Northern Lite 8-11 EX model by the Northern Lite puts it among the best-arranged campers in the market. It falls under the short bed truck camper category. Compared to other models they have manufactured, it pre-installed with a dry bath, and the dinette has more headroom. It also falls among the most durable versions because of its quality materials and compact design.
For the campers looking for aesthetics, the interior layout of this model is elegant. The dry bath could be considered a great additional feature, but it has not been completely modernized, and the sink may not always be dry. The upside to the dry bath is that is has a functional storage space.
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$ 41,995
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2018 Adventurer 910 DB
The 2018 Adventurer 910 DB is a multifunctional truck camper. Its versatility features an excellent floor layout, great amenities, and functional storage space. It is also spacious enough to accommodate five to six averagely proportionate people.
If you are looking forward to spending comfortable nights, this camper is fitted with large foam mattresses. Other additional amenities include a bed bunk that utilizes its vertical space. It also has high insulation levels making it ideal for summer camping.
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$39,999
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Phoenix Mini Max
If you are looking for a multi-featured unit, the Phoenix Mini Max is an excellent pick for you. It is quite small in size, but the manufacturers have utilized this space to fix more features, hence the name. It may cost you more however because it’s a premium model. You also have the option to customize as per your requirements and preferred bed size. Areas such as those below the bed have been transformed into storage facilities.
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$37,000
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Bigfoot 25C10.4
The Bigfoot 25C10.4 is a premium brand by the Bigfoot Industries. Made out of fiberglass, this truck camper is aimed at selling to the high-end market. However, its durability approves of its pricing making it an ideal long term investment. It also seems to have windows fixed on all its sides. The window at the back offers scenic views, and the one at the dry bath is also pretty great.
Coming from the name, you could have guessed that it has an impressive number of storage cabinets and drawers. This gives you the option of carrying as many personals and consumables as you wish. The tank areas are also extended some great care.
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$ 43,260
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North Star 12STC
The North Star 12STC is one on the unique designs in the North Star Campers designs. If you are looking for a no slide out but luxurious truck camper, this is the one for you. It is also lightweight, high walls have been excluded and have a lower center of gravity. The bathroom is a dry type, and it has ample storage space for all your needs. Its downside, however, is that it has limited vertical space making it unsuitable for taller people.
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North Star Campers, Rv Traders
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Palomino SS-550
Contrary to its ancestors, the SS-550 has some of the best original features. To start with the floor plan was well thought of. The interior unit’s compatibility is also a thumbs up to the manufacturer.
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$12,578
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The Verdict
When looking out for the best truck camper align them to your needs and preferences. If you are considering the price, check the durability and amenities provided. This will make decisions easier for you. You can always customize to maximize on available features and amenities. The Four Wheel Camper Hawk’s practicality makes it the ideal newbie truck camper. You have the opportunity to analyze what features you may require in your next purchase.