10 Best Pop-Up Truck Campers for Half-Ton F150-1500 Pickups

If you’re thinking about buying a pop-up truck camper, you probably fall into one of two groups. One, you’re looking to upgrade after camping in tents or, two, you’re looking to downsize after owning something larger. Whatever the reason, buying a pop-up truck camper is a great move. Not only is it cheaper, more aerodynamic, and more fuel-efficient than a hard-side truck camper, but it also weighs less, handles better off-road, and is easier to store. What’s more, the pop-up’s compact size and low center of gravity means that you can take it to places where most hard-side truck campers can’t. Sure there are negatives associated with a small pop-up—its compact size, lack of amenities, and the need to raise the roof to effectively use it immediately come to mind—but the pros of having a small pop-up truck camper far outweigh the cons. In this article, we rank the 10 best pop-up truck campers for half-ton Ford F150, Ram 1500, Chevy Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 pickups, including the popular Toyota Tundra.

Several companies make truck campers light enough and small enough to fit in the bed of a half-ton short-bed pickup truck. That’s the good news. The bad news is that the constraints associated with fitting on a half-ton also means that getting a camper with a full wet-bath won’t be easy. You might be able to get either a cassette toilet or an indoor shower, but the pickings are slim if you want to get both—in fact, only two exist. The same applies to having a gray water holding tank. Some pop-ups have them, some pop-ups don’t. In general, amenities are lacking in a small pop-up. That might work for some truck camper aficionados looking for a more minimalist approach to camping and overlanding, but it won’t work for all, which is why some decide to buy a larger truck so that a larger pop-up or hard-side can be purchased instead.

As you probably know, the process of picking a perfect truck camper can be difficult. Numerous decisions need to be made before purchase. If you’ve already decided on a pop-up, good for you. You’ve made it past the first hurdle. The biggest hurdle is deciding on which camper to get. With so many great companies and truck camper models, picking the right truck camper can be extremely difficult. That’s the purpose of this article. We’ve ranked the best pop-up truck campers for the half-ton, short-bed pickup truck and provided some important specifications and characteristics about each to help you make a better, more informed decision. Remember, you saw this comprehensive, well-researched list here first, well before Internet copycats with nearly identical lists publish theirs. So without further adieu, here are our 10 best pop-up truck campers for half-ton F150-1500 pickups.

1. BundutecUSA Wild

The hands-down winner and a relatively new design by Rory Willet, the BundutecUSA Wild pushes the truck camper envelope in a big way. The Wild not only comes with a complete wet-bath, but also a large, grey water holding tank that makes using that wet-bath practical. The standard color of the Wild is an attractive gray—not your standard, everyday white—and features contrasting black trim and black accents on the exterior. The camper is skinned with a smooth .040-inch aluminum that not only looks great, but also holds up better than standard fiberglass siding. The 7-foot floorplan of this 1,610-pound camper features a kitchen and wet-bath on the driver side, a refrigerator with loads of storage on the front wall, and a full-length dinette on the passenger side. Standard features include a north-south 56×74-inch mattress with lift up under bed storage, a 21-gallon fresh water tank, a 17-gallon grey water holding tank, a NovaKool R3000 compressor refrigerator, a stainless steel sink, and window and door screens fine enough to keep out annoying “no-see-ums” bugs. A plethora of options are offered by Bundutec. Three worth noting are a Zamp 160 watt solar power system, the BunduAwn wrap-around awning, and the revolutionary Truma Combi water heater furnace that not only saves on weight and space, but is also whisper quiet when in operation. The list price for the BundutecUSA Wild is only $26,593, a real bargain when you consider all that you get for the money.

2. Phoenix Level 2

Interested in a semi-custom pop-up to haul on your half-ton truck? Well, the good folks at Phoenix Campers build perhaps the coolest looking truck campers in the industry. Customers start with a base model like the Level 2 and add only the options that they want. The 7-foot floorplan features an east-west 60×80-inch bed, a large dinette forward, a cassette toilet on the driver side, and a small kitchenette on the passenger side. With a dry weight of only 1,180 pounds, construction consists an all-aluminum double welded tube cage frame, stuffed with high density foam, and protected by a tough outer shell of pre-laminated thick, one piece Crane fiberglass. Level 2 highlights include an 18-gallon fresh water tank, a Thetford cassette toilet, an 8-gallon grey water holding tank, a water heater and a shower, and a Dometic 1.9 cubic foot compressor refrigerator. The standard cabinet color is birch with a clear coat finish, but more exotic cabinet materials like bamboo can be ordered. Popular options include integrated power inverters with a built-in transfer relay, solar power systems of various sizes, roof racks, a rear ladder, flood lights, a low profile air conditioner, and Rotopax fuel-water containers. They’re also one of the few companies that can paint your camper a custom color to match your truck. Easily one of the 10 best pop-up truck campers for half-ton F150-1500 pickups. Comes in two versions: the Level 2 version comes with a water heater and shower, while the Level 1 does not. Previously marketed as the Mini-Max, pricing for the Phoenix Level 2 starts at a cool $37,995.

3. Four Wheel Camper Hawk

With a floor length of 6.5 feet and a dry weight of only 1,075 pounds, the Four Wheel Camper Hawk is a perfect match for today’s half-ton pickup. The Hawk features a 20-gallon fresh water tank, a fully equipped kitchenette, an east-west queen bed, a three-way 1.7-cubic foot reefer, and attractive yet durable interior woodwork. Customers can choose from one of three floorplans when ordering a Hawk—a rollover side couch, side dinette, or a front dinette. For those want a more amenities, a cassette toilet and an outside shower can both be added as options. Interested in extending your time off-grid? Four Wheel Campers has that covered, too, by offering a 160 watt roof-mounted solar system, a dual Battle Born lithium battery setup, an 85-liter DC compressor refrigerator, and two 10-pound propane tanks. Four Wheel Campers uses a proprietary tie-down system consisting of four, zinc-coated eye bolts reinforced with steel backing plates that are mounted to the bed of the pickup. The advantage of having a hidden system like this is that it not only presents a clean look on the outside of the camper, but it also works great for driving off-road. Without a doubt, one of the 10 best pop-up truck campers for half-ton F150-1500 pickups. The Hawk lists for only $25,625, but don’t let the price fool you. This rugged, well-made camper can take you almost anywhere you want, and with its welded aluminum frame and aluminum exterior, will last for decades.

4. Outfitter Spire 8

A brand new, full-size offering from our friends at Outfitter RV. The Outfitter Spire 8 features everything that made the Apex and Juno models popular but with a number of enhancements to make the camper lighter and more nimble. These changes include removal of the heated basement, a smaller, 24 gallon fresh water holding tank, a larger 20 gallon grey tank, and a cassette toilet. Construction of the camper, however, remains the same as other Outfitter models and includes a foam core roof, a fully-welded aluminum frame with block foam insulation, vacuum bonded composite walls, and an electric roof lift with a manual override. Standards include a three-way 3 cubic foot refrigerator, a three-burner cooktop, molded countertops, a 20,000 BTU furnace, a north-south, queen-size bed, underbed storage, bed-side cabinets, an overhead storage cabinet, and an interior privacy shower stall and cassette toilet. With a dry weight of 1,850 pounds and a floor length of 8 feet 4 inches, the Spire 8 is perfect for half-ton trucks like the Chevy Silverado 1500. The best options include a 200 watt Renogy solar power system with a 30 amp Go Power PWM charge controller, a 30 amp Blue Sky Energy MPPT Charge Controller, and a Renogy 2,000 watt inverter with a built-in transfer relay. Battery options include a 12 volt AGM battery, dual 6 volt AGM batteries, and a Battle Born 100 amp hour lithium battery. Sold factory direct, the list price for the Outfitter Spire 8 is a cool $37,495.

5. Hallmark Milner 6.5

Introduced in 1969, the Hallmark Milner 6.5 has stood the test of time as an enduring classic. Like all Hallmark campers, the Milner is constructed of a durable yet attractive molded fiberglass composite exterior topped with a low-maintenance, one-piece molded composite roof. In spite of its stout construction, the camper still only weighs 1,212 pounds dry. Standard features include a 60×80-inch east-west bed with under bed storage; a large, 30-gallon fresh water tank; molded one-piece counter tops; exclusive big view double windows; a three-way 3.8-cubic foot refrigerator; a 5-gallon propane tank; attractive overhead cabinets with Tambour doors; and a battery compartment large enough to hold AGM or Battle Born lithium batteries. The list of options Hallmark offers is just as impressive and includes a 12 gallon gray tank, a 5-gallon black tank, a cubby large enough to store a portable toilet, a north-south bed, a shower pan for indoor showers, a 4.2-cubic foot compressor refrigerator, and a Zamp 160-watt solar suitcase. Hallmark even gives you options on the look of the interior cabinetry. All of their campers come standard with Oak or Amber Bamboo cabinets. Cherry, Blond Bamboo, Maple, and Hickory cabinetry are also available for an additional $1,200. Coosa composite cabinetry is available for an additional $2,000 if it’s wanted. Better yet, Hallmark campers come with a 5-year structural warranty, one of the best in the entire industry. A venerable classic, one of the 10 best pop-up truck campers for half-ton pickups, the Milner 6.5 lists for $44,695.

6. OEV Back Country 6.85

Debuting at the 2018 Overland Expo West, the Overland Explorer Vehicles Back Country 6.85 is a superb, three-season truck camper . This well-built, 1,350-pound camper features a proprietary composite construction with R8 insulation, and an aluminum extrusion system to help keep the weight down, while at the same time increasing the strength of the camper and nearly eliminating thermal transfer. The 6-foot 2-inch floorplan features a king-size bed, 6 feet 10 inches of headroom, a large kitchen on the driver side and an L-shape dinette on the passenger side. Features include a 20 gallon fresh water holding tank, a 20-pound propane tank, a Victron group-27 100 amp hour battery, a Dometic CFX DC compressor refrigerator, a Remo Removable Dinette Table, Redarc Manager 30 with display, a Truma AquaGo water heater, and a Truma Vario Heat furnace. The camper also comes with an outside shower enclosure bracket kit with universal adapters, four Reico Titan manual lift jacks, and four Torklift Anchor Guard Derringer tie-downs. Options include a 180 watt solar panel, a 125 amp hour lithium ion battery, and OEV light bar, OEV roof rack, and OEV king-bed extension kit with refrigerator. Designed specifically for half-ton and 3/4-ton trucks with either a 5.5-foot or 6.5-foot bed. The Overland Explorer Vehicles Back Country 6.85 lists for $38,771 USD for the base model.

7. Supertramp Camper Flagship LT

Looking for a cutting-edge pop-up with all of the amenities including the latest tech? Then the Supertramp Camper Flagship LT is for you. The Flagship’s monocoque structure consists of a 100 percent composite fiberglass/epoxy shell using a vacuum infusion process for an optimum strength-to-weight ratio. The floorplan features a queen-size cabover bed, a full kitchenette, a dinette and a wet-bath. The camper also features a quick-disconnect jack system for serious off-roading and a pop-top that raises and lowers using four electric linear actuators in just 10 seconds. Standards for this space-age camper include a 330 watt solar power system, 24 gallon fresh water holding tank, a 5 gallon grey water holding tank, two 10-pound propane tanks, two thermopane windows with interior screens and shades, a heated basement, two Maxxair vent fans, a 65L Isotherm DC compressor refrigerator, a pull-out exterior stove, a portable cassette toilet, and a Truma Combi Eco water heater-furnace. Options of this high-end camper include a 400 amp hour lithium battery system, an interior and exterior shower, a 1,500 watt inverter, a 180-degree awning, and can be ordered in several colors and wrap combinations. The Supertramp Flagship LT is made for half-ton pickup trucks with 6.5-foot and 8-foot beds with floor length of 82-inches and 100 inches respectively. Fully optioned-out, the camper weighs only 1,350 pounds. Lists for an affordable $59,975. Sold factory-direct from the company’s Golden, Colorado factory.

8. Scout Yoho Pop-Up

Capitalizing on the enormous success of the Scout brand, Adventurer Manufacturing launched the Scout Yoho Pop-Up, a pop-up camper made for mid-size trucks. The new pop-up offers a number of firsts for the Yakima, Washington-based company—a new Easy Rise roof lift system, a one-piece monocoque roof, and resin-reinforced cabinets made out of recycled paper. Furthering Scout’s ethos of camping simple, the new Scout Yoho pop-up camper features a manual, “easy-rise” roof lift system and an optional bed extension that provides a generous 75 inches of sleeping space. Using the collapsible J-shaped dinette, the camper can comfortably sleep up to four people. Like all Scout campers, the new Scout Yoho pop-up offers a portable Goal Zero Yeti 3000x lithium power station, a Lifesaver portable 4.9 gallon Jerry Can, and an optional portable propane cooktop with a recessed interior countertop mounting. These portable units can be used both inside and outside the camper. Additional standards of the Yoho pop-up include dual 100 watt rooftop solar panels, panoramic soft wall windows with privacy zip walls and screens, a 12 volt Fan-Tastic Vent Fan, LED lighting, a Lagun adjustable table, a stainless steel sink, and a convertible dinette lounge with sleeper conversion. Like all Scout campers, the new Yoho pop-up is built to last. Construction features a composite substrate construction, aluminum exo-skeleton framing for extra strength and durability, a gel coat fiberglass exterior and roof, decorative interior composite panels, dark walnut removable marine flooring, and Scout’s first ever vacuum infused monocoque composite roof that utilizes the company’s iconic nose profile and slope to shed water.

9. Hiatus Camper Topper

The unique, lightweight design of the Hiatus Camper offers all of the benefits of today’s truck topper without the use of canvas for a better four-season experience. “The pop-up truck camper market is dominated by canvas sided models, so our folding, rigid pop-top really stands out” explained Erin Sofinowski, co-owner of Washington-based Hiatus Campers. “Our fully hard-sided design insulates you from the cold, stands up to wet and snowy weather better, and provides a barrier from wind and external noise. Another thing that sets our camper apart is the option to upgrade to the double-back door, which makes it easier to get in/out of the camper and does a great job keeping dust/water out of the camper.” The Hiatus Camper is fully insulated, mounts to the bed rails of the truck, and provides a comfortable four-season camping experience. The campers weigh 460-550 pounds depending on truck size. The innovative, patented design features a large bed that can comfortably sleep two, which slides-out, and can be assembled in seconds. For a mid-size truck, the sleeping platform is 50×74 inches and for a full-size truck 57×74 inches, but if customers opt to upgrade to the vertical lower frame they will gain 11 more inches of width. Standard features include slider windows with screens in the pop top, a cab pass through window, a side access door, a roof vent, fixed window in the tailgate compatible door, an integrated third brake light, and Yakima tracks. They also offer the option to customize your camper, including adding electronics, extra windows, awnings, and customizable frame options. Pricing for the full-size version starts at $17,000.

10. Cube Series RV Pop-Up

Another hybrid design this time from Cube Series RV, a brand-new company based out of Oregon. What makes the Cube Series camper unique, is that it’s both a hard-side AND a pop-up. Collapsed, the camper is only 52 inches high, meaning it will fit in most garages even while mounted on the truck. One thing that sets the Cube Series apart from the competition is the basement where the furnace, the holding tanks, and most of the electronics can be found. This approach saves of topside space and keeps the weight down low, thus improving the off-road handling characteristics of the camper even more. Depending on options, the dry weight of the Cube Series camper varies between 1,206 to 1,750 pounds, meaning it can be hauled on the Toyota Tacoma with no problem. The camper features an automated, 12 volt roof lift system that makes setup quick and easy. The entire set-up process takes about 60 seconds and provides 6 feet 5 inches of height inside. The Cube Series camper features 100 percent aluminum cabinetry, thermo-foil counter tops, synthetic leather upholstery, an opposing dinette that converts into a 75-inch sleeper, a two-burner range and sink with a glass top, LED lighting, and 110 volt outlets and 12 volt USB ports. Amenities include 21 gallons of fresh water, 10 gallons grey, a 1.7 gallon 12 volt water heater, a 16,000 BTU furnace, Torklift Stow N- Go Steps, an AGM battery, an electric water pump, and a battery monitoring system. Pricing starts at $43,090.

Read This Before You Buy!

Before purchasing a pop-up camper, make sure you have the right truck to haul it. When it comes to hauling a truck camper, the payload rating of your truck is the most important number you need to know. For half-ton trucks like the Ford F-150, Ram 1500, GMC/Chevy Silverado 1500, and Toyota Tundra, this rating can be less than 1,000 pounds or as high as 3,200. This means your camper, plus passengers and gear, must be below this number. Determining your truck’s payload rating is easy. It can be found either on a driver side door pillar sticker or can be determined by taking the truck to the scales and subtracting the weight of the truck from the truck’s gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR). The payload certification form in the truck’s glovebox will have this information, too, but it will also say something to the effect that hauling a slide-in truck camper is NOT recommended. You can ignore that recommendation, especially if you’re planning on getting a lightweight pop-up. As long as you stay within the payload rating and GVWR of your truck, you’ll be safe, but you’ll probably need to upgrade your tires to get the weight-bearing capacity that you need. For a half-ton, that usually means upgrading the OEM passenger-rated tires that came with your truck to a good light truck tire with a load range D minimum.

Interested in a hard-side truck camper for your half-ton truck instead? Then you’ll want to check out our top eight ranked here.