So you’re thinking about buying a pop-up camper to haul on your mid-size truck. You’re not alone. Sales of small pop-up truck campers are on the rise. The main reason, of course, is the increasing number of mid-size trucks on today’s streets. Quality and cost appear to be the primary reasons. Full-size trucks, like the diesel-powered Ford F-350, are now pushing a ridiculous $100,000. In contrast, a well-equipped Toyota Tacoma can be purchased for only $33,000. Still a large sum, but much easier to swallow than a full $100k. While full-size trucks offer more payload and larger bed sizes, not everyone wants a large truck and camper. This is especially true not only for young couples with growing families, but also those who are looking to get into a truck and camper for less than $50,000. In this article, we rank the 10 best truck campers for mid-size trucks.
Fortunately, the American mid-size truck market is continuing to grow. The Toyota Tacoma, Honda Ridgeline, Chevy Colorado, GMC Canyon, Nissian Frontier have been joined by the recently resurrected Ford Ranger and the brand new Jeep Gladiator. The new additions to the mid-size market are especially welcome. The Jeep Gladiator, with its 4×4 capability and 1,600-pound payload, continue to excite as does the Ford Ranger with its rugged good looks and class leading 1,860-pound payload. For those looking to haul a small truck camper, payload is king and the Gladiator and Ranger newcomers offer more than those who proceeded them, even the well-built, wonderfully-equipped Toyota Tacoma with its 1,420-pound payload.
Here’s a big tip—weight is the key. When researching truck camper weights, it’s important to understand that the dry weight isn’t the end-all be-all when it comes to the camper’s final weight. The dry weight doesn’t take into account things like full tanks, batteries, gear, food, and options like air conditioners, awnings, and solar panels that were installed after the camper was built. All of this extra water and gear probably weighs a good 400 to 500 pounds, so a camper with a dry weight of 1,100 pounds will actually weigh around 1,600 pounds fully loaded. This means you’ll need to have a truck with a payload rating large enough to handle not only the fully loaded weight of the camper, but also all passengers and any gear you have stored in the truck.
So who makes the best truck camper for this size truck? That’s a great question. We looked at several factors to determine our truck camper rankings, including cost, quality, weight, features, and holding tank capacities. In this article, we placed more emphasis on weight because of the limited payload ratings found in today’s mid-size truck. Happily, the seven pop-ups that made the final cut offer the consumer a wide range of choices. Some are made of aluminum, while others are made of wood. Some are relatively light, others a little heavy. Significant differences between the campers are noted here. 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 the 10 best truck campers for mid-size trucks:
1. Four Wheel Camper Fleet Pop-Up
The hands-down winner in a very crowded field, the Four Wheel Camper Fleet delivers on adventure and ruggedness in a major way. The camper is equipped with a 20 gallon fresh water tank, a kitchenette with a two-burner stove and sink, an east-west 60×80-inch queen-size bed, a three-way 1.7-cubic foot reefer, and attractive yet durable interior woodwork. When ordering a Fleet, customers can choose from one of four floorplans—a rollover side couch, a side dinette, a front dinette, and a shell model. For those want a more amenities, a porta pottie 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 6 volt dual battery setup, an 65-liter DC compressor refrigerator, and two 10-pound propane tanks. Four Wheel Campers uses a hidden, proprietary tie-down system that not only presents a clean look on the outside of the camper, but it also works great for driving off-road. Due to its 6-foot floor length, the Fleet works best on a Toyota Tacoma, Ford Ranger, Nissan Frontier, or Chevy Colorado/GMC Canyon with the longer 6-foot bed. Weighs only 1,045 pounds dry. Available in numerous colors in smooth or ribbed aluminum. The Fleet is priced to sell, but don’t let that fool you. This low-profile camper can take you almost anywhere, and with its welded aluminum frame and aluminum exterior, will last for decades.
2. Outfitter Caribou Lite 6.5 Pop-Up
At 850 pounds, the Caribou Lite 6.5 is the lightest, lowest profile camper in the Outfitter Manufacturing catalog. The construction of this well-equipped camper consists of vacuum bonded composite walls, a full walk-on roof, and a fully welded, boxed aluminum frame. The Caribou Lite 6.5 is insulated to the hilt with Owen Corning block foam in the hard walls, and Weblon three-layer insulation in the top. One feature that really stands out is the full-size cabover bed that pulls out into a full-size queen. Standard features include a 24-gallon fresh water tank, 5-gallon propane tank, a 1.9-cubic foot three-way refrigerator, a quality Progressive Dynamics 45-amp converter-charger with the three-stage Charge Wizard, a torsion assisted lift system, a 16,000 BTU furnace, a three-burner cooktop, attractive birch interior doors and cabinets, and solar reflective windows. Notable options of the Caribou Lite 6.5 include a 5-gallon cassette toilet, an outside shower, a 3.8-cubic foot Tundra DC compressor fridge, a 95 watt solar power system, a King Dome satellite dish, a Yakima roof rack, and an air conditioner. A fantastic little camper that can be fully used off the truck. Without a doubt, one of the 10 best truck campers for mid-size pickup trucks. Fits on most mid-size trucks including Toyota Tacoma, Honda Ridgeline, and Chevy Colorado. Comes with a LIFETIME structural warranty, the best warranty in the entire industry.
3. Scout Yoho Hard-Side
A revolutionary hard-side truck camper design by Washington-based Adventurer Manufacturing, the Scout Yoho incorporates a number of industry-first add-ons to save on weight. Sure, the Yoho is smaller than other slide-in truck campers, but at 934 pounds, it’s also lighter meaning almost any mid-size truck can safely haul it. Standard features include an east-west bed, a 190 watt flexible solar panel, a portable Goal Zero Yeti 1500x lithium power station, a moon roof with a screen and solar reflective shade, a four person dinette with sleeper conversion, a stainless steel sink with a Lifesaver portable 4.9 gallon Jerry Can for water, and dual 5-pound propane bottles. Notable options include a portable two-burner cook top, a Dometic CFX3 45L Fridge/Freezer with WiFi, a portable 2.6 gallon toilet, bunk extensions or an under mattress vapor barrier, and a 270-degree “batwing” awning. The Yoho supports four-season travel with robust insulation and an optional diesel heater. The camper will last for generations thanks to it’s rugged aluminum, exo-skeleton shell and no-wood composite structural panels that will never rot. Without a doubt, one of the 10 best truck campers for mid-size trucks. Due to the camper’s diminutive 5 foot, 8 inch floor length, we recommend hauling the Scout Yoho with a mid-size truck with a 6-f00t bed.
4. Phoenix Level 1
The Level series is the newest camper in the Phoenix Camper catalog and the only camper in this article to feature a wet-bath. Phoenix is a quality manufacturer known for producing custom campers. The Level 1’s 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. Construction consists an all-aluminum double welded tube cage frame, packed with high density foam, and wrapped in a tough outer shell of pre-laminated thick, one piece Crane fiberglass. Mini-Max highlights include an 18-gallon fresh water tank, a Thetford cassette toilet, an 8-gallon grey water holding tank, and 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 truck campers for mid-size trucks. Weighs only 1,180 pounds dry. Can be modified to fit on any mid-size truck, though due to its length should be mounted on a 6-foot bed. Comes in two versions: the Level 2 version comes with a water heater and shower, while the Level 1 does not.
5. OEV Back Country 5.85 Pop-Up
Another outstanding, rugged popup by our Canadian friends at Overland Explorer Vehicles (OEV). Released in 2021, the Back Country 5.85 (formerly known as the the Camp-M) features a proprietary composite construction with R8 insulation, and an aluminum extrusion system to help keep the weight down. This approach increases the strength of the camper and nearly eliminates thermal transfer. The 5-foot 6-inch floorplan features a king-size bed, 6 feet 10 inches of headroom, a large kitchen on the driver side and an U-shape dinette on the passenger side. There is no bathroom. Features include a 20 gallon fresh water holding tank, a 20-pound propane tank, a Victron group-27 100 amp hour battery with a battery heater, a portable DC compressor refrigerator, a Remo Removable Dinette Table, a Truma AquaGo water heater, and a Truma Vario Heat furnace. To keep that lithium battery charged, the camper comes with a Redarc Manager 30 along with a Redarc 1240D 50 amp DC to DC Charger. The Back Country 5.85 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 200 watt solar panel with brackets, a universal awning adaptor kit, a rear Molle rack, and OEV roof rack, and an OEV light bar. Weighs only 1,055 pounds dry. Designed specifically for mid-size trucks with either a 5-foot or 6-foot bed.
6. Bundutec Topi Pop-Up
An excellent design by long-time designer Rory Willet, the BundutecUSA Topi weighs in at a hefty 1,380 pounds. The Topi features a solid wood frame overlayed with a smooth .040-inch aluminum exterior that looks great. The standard color of the camper is an attractive gray—not your standard, everyday white—and features contrasting black trim and black accents on the exterior. The Topi’s 6-foot 3-inch floorplan 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 20-gallon fresh water 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 BundutecUSA. Four worth noting are a Zamp 160 watt solar power system, a 2,000 watt inverter, the BunduAwn “batwing” 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. Fits on most mid-size trucks, including the Toyota Tacoma, Nissan Frontier, and Ford Ranger. Easily one of 7 best pop-up truck campers for mid-size trucks and built like a tank, the only real negative is the camper’s relatively high weight.
7. Hiatus Camper Topper
One of the best truck topper for your overland adventures, 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 to 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.
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. Soaring Eagle Adlar 5.0 Hard-Side
A brand-new release from our friends at Soaring Eagle Campers. A minimalistic hard-side truck camper, the Adlar 5.0 weighs only 890 pounds. The camper’s 4-foot 7-inch floor length also means it will fit in Toyota Tacoma’s with a 5-foot bed. In order to keep the weight down, you won’t find a lot of amenities in this camper. Yet, it still offers the essentials needed to camp comfortably when away from home. Standards include a 47×72-inch east-west cabover bunk, a 30-inch face-to-face dinette, a 12 volt vent fan, quick detachable jacks, and a battery compartment large enough to hold two 100 amp hour batteries. If you’re looking for a bathroom or toilet in the Adlar 5.0, you won’t find one. Nature calls will have to be held either outside or inside using a portable toilet. Options for the new camper include a DC compressor refrigerator, a microwave oven, lithium batteries, a 160 watt solar power system, a MaxxAir fan with rain sensor, a RecPro 9.5 roof-top low profile air conditioner, and a 74×72-inch pull-out north-south bed. When using the dinette as a sleeper, the Adlar 5.0 can comfortably sleep up three adults or two adults and two children. Like all Soaring Eagle campers, the Adlar 5.0 features an all-aluminum, wood-free construction using tubular aluminum for the frame. This approach, the company contends, ensures that the Soaring Eagle Adlar 5.0 will be a “generational camper” that will outlast the truck carrying it. Without a doubt, one of the 10 best truck campers for mid-size trucks.
10. Cube Series Hard-Side Pop-Up Slide-in
A hybrid design 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 most mid-size trucks 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.
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 matching a truck camper with your truck, the payload rating of your truck is the most important number. For mid-size trucks like the Toyota Tacoma, Ford Ranger, and Nissan Frontier, this rating can be as low as 900 pounds or as high as 1,860 pounds. This means that your camper, plus passengers and gear, must be below this number. It’s important to stay within the payload rating and GVWR of your truck as this keeps you and everyone sharing the road with you safe. It also prevents excessive wear and tear on your truck. You’ll also need to ensure that your truck is up to the task of hauling a camper. This means upgrading the passenger-rated tires that originally came with your truck with a good Light Truck (LT) tire with a Load Lange D. In addition, we also recommend getting a set of Hellwig air springs or Timbrens to correct rear sag that may occur from hauling the extra weight.
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