Truck Campers [Updated]

Truck Campers: It’s not easy to choose a home. And it’s almost as hard to choose a home-away-from-home. That’s why we decided to list the best truck campers you can find on the market.

So in this article…

Let’s talk about truck campers – what they are, why and why not you should buy one for your next camping trip. Also:

• The best truck campers, their specifications, pros, and cons;
• My family and friends’ firsthand experiences with these truck campers;
• What made them unique; and
• Lots more!

You might still be undecided whether this is the right mobile home. But we don’t blame you because there are many RV types to choose from.

So, buckle up.

It’s going to be a bumpy ride…

Truck Camper vs. Travel Trailers

Simply put…

Travel trailers are towed or pulled behind a truck, SUV, or car with a high towing capacity.

On the other hand, truck campers are placed on top of a truck. You might have a standard or an extended cab. As long as it can take the weight, you better get a truck camper.

But there’s more to it than that…

Why Truck Campers?

As the driver, the most important thing for me is how easy it is to maneuver a truck camper. You can’t just back up or take a U-turn with travel trailers.

That means it’s easier to drive off-road. So there are a lot more choices of campsites. And it’s easier to park truck campers when you have to stop somewhere.

Also…

Truck campers are more secure than trailers. They’re built with heavier materials and aren’t easy to break into.

It’s also more comfortable, especially in rugged weather conditions. Controlling the temperature in a truck camper is like doing it at home.

Why Not Truck Campers?

Generally speaking…

Truck campers are more expensive than trailers. They’re also hard to attach and detach, so you can’t have a versatile camping experience.

And when the car breaks down, the whole thing breaks down. When the truck camper breaks down, the whole thing breaks down.

In other words…

Truck campers are in a single unit with the truck that carries it. Unlike trailers, where you can easily unhitch it and drive around while your mobile home awaits you at the campsite.

And there are fewer risks of mechanical deficiencies with tow-behind trailers.

But…

If you think the pros outweigh the cons, then, by all means, get a truck camper! Here are the best ones to choose from…

1. Hallmark Ute 8.5

When popped down, the Hallmark Ute 8.5’s dimensions are 14 x 5.3 x 6.9 feet. But it extends to 14 x 7 x 6.9 feet when popped up.

Its dry weight is around 1643 pounds, but you can load up to 1000 more. And it has a 30-gallon freshwater capacity.

Those numbers don’t mean anything to some people. So I’ll tell you what to expect from this large truck camper.

Most importantly…

The Hallmark Ute 8.5 is so spacious! Truck campers are known to be cramped up and small. But not this one.

It opens at the rear, so the hallway or walkway looks longer. That can already give you a spacious vibe, if only psychologically. But it goes beyond that.

In fact…

Three to four of us could stand simultaneously in the hallway, unlike any other truck camper.

We also have lots of storage space for our gear. There’s a place for our inflatables, hunting and fishing tools, and bikes for the kids.

Also…

The Hallmark Ute is surprisingly lightweight for its size and capacity. As the designated driver of the family, that’s a huge plus for me.

It’s easier to maneuver than other pop-up truck campers of the same size. And it’s more stable on the off-roads.

Another thing…

Most truck campers are made to shelter you from any type of weather. But some of them fail at a certain temperature degree.

We once slept in a camper with great air conditioning but terrible cold protection. And it was the other way around for another trailer we tried.

But snow, rain, or shine, the Hallmark Ute protected my family! It’s well-insulated and has almost perfectly weatherproof.

On top of that…

Its large windows provided a scenic view for everyone. Whether in the bed or dining area, we could see as much of the outdoors as we liked.

I think Hallmark Ute is worth the money. It’s more expensive than other truck campers, but you can’t put a price on quality…

2. Lance 650

Based on my experience, it’s hard to find truck campers that would fit snugly on my short-bed pickup truck. Then, Lance 650 comes along…

This truck camper is specifically made for short-bed half-ton trucks. In other words, trucks usually can’t take the weight.

Good thing…

The Lance 650 camper is only 1694 pounds. But its wet weight can go up to 2463 pounds. It’s also smaller than most truck campers – 15.5 x 7.2 x 9.2 feet.

The Lance Camper Manufacturing Corporation used light yet sturdy materials like LitePly plywood. And its floorplan is space-efficient and functional.

However…

The Lance 650 doesn’t have a cover over its cross-members. They’re completely exposed under the camper as part of the lightweight feature.

That’s why I won’t recommend it for winter camping. But at least the cross-members are made of durable aluminum, so you won’t have to worry about possible damage.

I still check it regularly, though. And in all the years I had it, I haven’t had any incidents except for the occasional need for cleaning.

As for the rest of its construction…

The wet bath is made of ABS plastic instead of fiberglass. Again, that’s for the sake of being lightweight.

In the bedroom, you can fit a queen-sized bed, and there’s a place for a TV. And there are enough cupboards and countertops for your supplies.

The best thing…

When we go camping in the summer, the interior is cool and cozy. It doesn’t heat up as much as other campers we’ve tried.

We didn’t even have to upgrade the A/C. So we don’t have a lot of complaints, except that it’s just enough for our family. We only take this out when we don’t have company.

Overall…

The Lance 650 is worth every penny. Its size and weight are what make it unique.

It’s compact, but it has ample living and storage spaces. So if you want a camper but don’t want to buy a bigger truck, Lance 650 is your best bet.

3. KingStar Camino 88

If you’re planning on a winter adventure, you might want to consider the KingStar Camino 88.

Why?

This truck camper has wood framing and closed-cell foam insulation. It also has thermal pane windows, making it resistant to any weather.

Snow, rain, or sun, Camino 88 can keep you cozy or warm inside. This is a camper that you can use all year round!

But…

This isn’t one of your lightweight truck campers. It falls on average at 2175 pounds dry weight. So it’s still okay for a short bed, depending on the condition of your truck.

The weight mostly comes from its stainless steel wet bath, twin lounge, powered footrests, and other features.

The manufacturer didn’t want to compromise your comfort and the camper’s durability. You can tell by the heavy-duty materials used to build Camino 88.

Thankfully, because…

Most models are either good for the off-roads or only the glamping experience. But Camino 88 can withstand challenges on the way to the campsite. You may meet stubborn tree branches or rocky hillsides but come out with no major damage on your Camino.

Its center of gravity is also impressive. Your pickup truck will remain stable even if you drive through bumpy, muddy roads or sandy beaches.

That’s one of the most important things for four-wheel campers.

In the end…

It all boils down to whether or not you wasted your money. The KingStar Camino 88 is one of the expensive truck campers. But you won’t mind that because of its features.

There are budget truck campers that are great options too. But Camino 88’s overall durability and comfortability don’t come along that easy in the RV industry.