If you dream of purchasing a truck camper, you’ll find many brands to consider. However, like most things, some are better than the rest.
Purchasing an RV is a significant financial decision and one that you shouldn’t take lightly. The rig you choose can make or break the entire experience.
Today, we’re diving into the best truck camper brands that can help you make the most of your adventures. Which one is right for you and your crew?
Let’s find out!
Truck campers are recreational vehicles that sit in or on the bed of a pickup truck. They’re one of the best solutions for those seeking mobility. Despite their small stature, they typically contain sleeping areas, a kitchenette, and potentially even a bathroom.
These are popular options amongst adventurers who enjoy traveling to and staying in remote locations. With a robust and capable vehicle, you can park just about anywhere. Consider a truck camper if you’re tired of camping in crowded RV parks and state parks. You can maximize your space and privacy while enjoying epic views at your campsite.
Pro Tip: Check out the Most Reliable Trucks for RVing before purchasing your dream camper!
While there are many things to love about truck campers, their price is often not one of them. For their size, these tiny campers tend to be more expensive per square foot than trailers.
One of the biggest reasons for this is due to the manufacturing process. Engineers must get creative when it comes to assembly. They must constantly balance the need to be lightweight with durability. If their rigs are too heavy, they severely limit their potential customers. Unfortunately, not everyone has a big, beefy dually.
Additionally, the demand for truck campers is much lower than other types of RVs. According to RVIA, there were 5,570 new truck camper shipments in 2022. Although, there were over 400,000 new fifth-wheel and travel trailer shipments during that same time. As a result, manufacturers don’t benefit from increased production to reduce costs.
With so many options, you’ll need to start narrowing down the brands. We first recommend looking for a brand with a positive reputation in the RV community. You should read plenty of reviews from current and previous owners and consider their experiences. They’ll be able to provide insights into the quality of craftsmanship and customer service.
Next, you’ll want to consider the features the brand provides in its units. Having a list of items you consider essential is a good idea. Your list may contain amenities, appliances, or a full bathroom. Knowing what you want in a camper is critical to eliminate any brands or models that won’t work.
Lastly, you’ll want to consider the weights of the campers. Some brands are notorious for having heftier rigs. This may be because of increased insulation and climate control features. Despite this, these may cause you to exceed the payload capacity of your tow vehicle. If you don’t have a heavy-duty truck for hauling, you’ll want to focus on lightweight truck camper brands.
With so many truck camper brands to consider, it’s hard to know where to start. To help you get going, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best in the industry.
- Large Car Organizer, 24 x 16 inch size, extra-long straps with quick-release buckles ensure a perfect fit for any car
- Multi organizer pockets on the front for handy storage of drink, umbrella, books, pen or kids toys
Northwood Manufacturing was started in 1993 by Ron Nash. They produce Arctic Fox and Wolf Creek from their facilities near La Grande, Oregon.
These four-season campers are perfect for camping in various climates and weather conditions. Their fiberglass exteriors sit on an aluminum frame. This makes them lightweight but still sturdy enough for whatever adventures you throw at them.
They have eight floorplans across the two lines, all featuring kitchenettes and bathrooms. Whether for weekend trips or a cross-country road trip, Northwood Manufacturing is one of the best truck camper brands.
Lance Campers have been rolling down the highway since 1965. Their motto, “Quality Comes First,” can be seen throughout each unit. These rigs get produced at their massive 22-acre campus.
All of their nine floorplans have a bathroom and weigh between 2,061 and 4,318 pounds. Additionally, they provide sleeping space for three to six people. Whether you have a short or long bed, Lance Campers is one of the truck camper brands with a positive reputation. They’ve received multiple awards for their innovative design and commitment to customers.
In 1978, a group of friends joined together to start Bigfoot Industries. These savvy businessmen were Clyde Burgess, Erwin Kreig, and Terry Mayall. Armed with an innovative two-piece fiberglass RV, they quickly grew in popularity and prestige. Customers loved that having fewer seems meant fewer chances for water damage.
Today, Bigfoot RV offers their 1500 and 2500 series of truck campers. The 1500 is their lightest option and features 1-inch R6 high-density insulation and numerous upgrade options. Upgrading to the 2500 series features 1-1/2″ inch R8 high-density EPS insulation. You can’t go wrong with either since both have a four-season rating.
Bigfoot RV is another truck camper brand that can be great for short vacations or extended trips. Some nomads even choose them to be their permanent homes as they enjoy constant travels.
Adventurer Manufacturing has multiple truck camper brands under its umbrella. These include Adventurer, Eagle Cap, Overlanader, and SCOUT. Since Erdman Epp founded the company in 1969, they’ve put a laser-like focus on attention to detail in every rig.
Although, in the spring of 2022, Adventurer Manufacturing announced the discontinuation of the Eagle Cap brand. In addition, they paused production on their Overlander lineup. Their Adventurer and SCOUT models are top-rated. This major decision allowed them to give these two brands the attention their customers deserve.
Their Adventurer series are tough and rugged campers capable of withstanding any outdoor adventure. They have options for short-bed and long-bed trucks. In addition, they have some lightweight models that weigh only 1,806 pounds.
Furthermore, their SCOUT lineup is a game-changer for the truck camping community. They use state-of-the-art technology to create the lightest four-season campers in the industry. These tiny truck campers weigh between 930 and 1,091 pounds. They unlock the world of adventure for those with light-duty vehicles.
When it comes to the best truck camper brands, it’s hard to top EarthRoamer. You’ll notice the differences immediately without considering the $700,000 base price tag. After all, consumers can fully customize these truck campers, and the prices can quickly increase to seven figures. Despite the incredible cost, they maintain a waitlist between seven and 10 months long.
The company started in 1998 when its founder, Bill Swails, set out to build a new expedition vehicle. He aimed to reach some of the most remote places on earth to capture wildlife photography. It wasn’t until 2003 that his dream became a reality.
Today, these luxury truck campers are some of the best in the world. More than 300 of these vehicles now roam all over the world. They feature massive lithium battery banks, high-end finishings, and the ability to live entirely off the grid. They use heavy-duty Ford F-550 and Chevrolet 6500 chassis with turbo diesel engines to generate power to go anywhere.
When you step inside these rigs, it feels less like a truck camper and more like a designer home. Their engineers will work with you to think through every possible detail to make your EarthRoamer a luxury home on wheels.
Northern Lite uses the two-piece fiberglass construction to create truck campers built for four seasons. You can enjoy adventures in the harsh Canadian winters or intense Arizona summers. With over three decades of experience, they create lightweight campers capable of withstanding whatever you throw at them.
They offer the Limited Edition, Special Edition, and Sportsman Plus series. These RVs have R7 insulation, thermal pane windows/skylights, and heated tanks. You’ll be able to stay incredibly comfortable no matter what Mother Nature is doing outside. Whether you’re looking for all the bells and whistles or not, don’t overlook Northern Lite truck campers.
With more than 60 years of experience, Northstar Campers has been a family-owned business since 1961. They produce high-quality hardwall and pop-up truck campers that can withstand extreme temperatures.
Their hardwall versions come in three different options and include insulated windows. These rigs range from 5’6” to 8’ long. On the other hand, their pop-up campers may not come standard with insulated windows, but you can tack on their sub-zero package. These lightweight campers can fit on light-duty trucks like Ford Rangers, Toyota Tacomas, and Nissan Frontiers.
No matter what truck camper brands you’re considering, take your time to make your final decision. The goal is to find the perfect rig for you and how you’ll spend your time adventuring. Don’t make a quick decision and experience buyer’s remorse. The most important thing is to get your rig so you can get out and start exploring.
