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Last Updated on April 15, 2024 by Paul Clayton
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8 Best Short Bed Truck Campers – Plus Buying Secrets From Insiders
When it comes to camping out and touring the great outdoors, nothing beats the convenience of an RV. However, did you know if you already own a pickup truck, there is no need to rent an RV? You can slide a short truck camper onto your pickup bed.
- Lance 650
- NuCamp Cirrus 820
- Four Wheel Camper Hawk
- Bigfoot 10-6
- Northstar Liberty
- ALP Adventurer 910DB
- Arctic Fox 865
- Palomino Backpack HS-8801
Short-bed or slide-in truck campers attach to and fit snuggly onto the back of your pickup truck. They differ from RVs in that RVs come attached to a van or a truck, and a short-bed truck camper is an attachment.
You can detach the camper anytime you want to use the pickup truck for another task, such as carrying wares or doing farm work.
Most short-bed truck campers are a bit wider and higher than the cab of pickup trucks, which makes them stick out a little on the top of the cab and the end of the bed.
While this may ruin their physical appeal to some people, it maximizes space and comfort. This enables you and your family or companions to sleep out comfortably during your nights out.
You might also like the following:
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- 10 Best Small Truck Campers Perfect For Getting Away
These campers are very economical, convenient, and simple to use. You can take them anywhere and snap them to your pick-up truck with less effort than changing a flat tire.
If you are new to RVs, short-bed truck campers offer low-cost and straightforward options.
The Best Short Bed Truck Campers
1. Lance 650
Ever since the REV group acquired Lance Campers, things have risen slightly. The Lance 650 is their newest and most updated model. It is also worth noting that they put out more models than their competitors every year.
This short-bed truck camper results from efforts to make lighter and more durable slide-in campers. It is specially designed to fit a half-ton truck featuring a 5’ or 6’ bed. With standard features loaded, it supports a wet weight of 2,016 pounds.
The frame is made from the highest-quality aluminum,making it sturdy yet light. The windows are made from highly resistant radius acrylic thermopane.
Its roof is a one-piece PVC construct, which makes the entire camper lighter and easier to attach and detach.
Standard built-in electronics and appliances include a ducted heating system, a tankless water heater, a Bluetooth-enabled audio system, air conditioning, and a microwave.
It also has cabinets made from lite-ply to conveniently store all your travel essentials. It also has keyless entry, which is always convenient when roughing it out on the road or in the woods.
Pros:
• Carpeted and evenly constructed base.
• Has innerspring and memory foam mattresses.
• A roomy and well-designed bathroom.
• The kitchen comes complete with every essential amenity.
• Ideal for complete RV living.
Cons:
• It doesn’t come in many colors.
2. NuCamp Cirrus 820
This Ohio-based firm first took the world of short-bed truck campers by storm in 2015. NuCamp offers some of the most advancements in innovation and style.
Every model from this manufacturer ups the game, and the NuCamp Cirrus 820 is their latest offering.
This 2,847-pound camper has an impressive floor plan that spans 17 feet 8 inches, 10 inches in height, and 8 feet 2 inches in width.
It can comfortably house three burly adult males. Thanks to a class-defining aluminum frame fitted with break-resistant, tinted dual thermopane windows, it is sturdy.
It also has the Froli modular sleep system that will give you a better night’s sleep than most box spring mattresses loaded in most short-bed truck campers.
Other features that should pique your interest are a spacious cab-over that is fitted with a queen bed, a wet bath, a dinette, a spacious kitchenette, a 4.6 cu ft. refrigerator, a dual battery compartment, and a compartment for a generator.
It also has hydronic central heating for those frosty nights. It has LED interior lighting and plenty of storage for all your needs. You can get it in white or silver and have 10 colors and design trimmings to choose from.
Pros:
• Adequate LED lighting for enhanced illumination.
• Compact but still offers plenty of storage space.
• Ergonomic sleeping system.
• Comes with all the essential amenities needed for RV living.
• Lavish floor plan and stylish design.
Cons:
• You may need to add some counter space.
• The bath sink is very light in weight.
3. Four Wheel Camper Hawk
This entry-level short-bed truck camper from four-wheel campers is the best option for those new to RVs. If you want to do things on a budget, look no further.
Its amenities and comfort are great for road life, and its significantly lower price point adds to its appeal.
The short-bed truck camper is compatible with most full-size truck beds. It supports a dry weight of 1,200 pounds with standard features loaded.
Interior dimensions of 6 foot 6 inches in width and a height of 6′ 6, there is a decent amount of room for all your personal effects and sleeping arrangements.
Thanks to its low profile design, lightweight ply, and aluminum frame construction, it is the lightest short-bed truck camper on the list.
It may not have as many amenities as most campers listed here, but it can comfortably house 2 – 3 adults. It also has water tanks, fully integrated LED lighting, and storage cabinets.
Pros:
• Lightweight and solid profile.
• Optimal storage space design.
• Can accommodate up to four adults.
• Cost-efficient.
• Sturdy and weatherproof construction.
Cons:
• Older Hawk models may not fit updated truck models.
• Lacks an overhead cabinet system.
4. Bigfoot 10-6
The makers of this lovely camper had gone bust in the wake of the 2008 global financial crisis, but thanks to a 2010 acquisition by Grant Bilodeau, a former employee, it was saved.
Fast forward to the present, and Bigfoot is (pun intended) doing big things for the RV industry.
The Bigfoot 25C10.6E has a dry weight of 3,180 pounds and features 1.5-inch heavily insulated walls. It is made from a fantastic fiberglass clam shell with plenty of options in trimmings and designs.
It comes fully loaded with an oversized u-shaped dinette, a kitchenette with nearly anything you need, 6 a cubic fridge, a porcelain toilet, 11,00 btu A/C, a 30,000 btu propane furnace, 3 burner cooker, dual 20-pound out-change over propane tanks.
You can also customize it by ordering additional features like integrated stereo sound, battery disconnect switch, nightshades, 24-gallon grey water holding tank, and loads.
Pros:
• Two-piece molded fiberglass construction for superior strength.
• First-rate interior and exterior fit, finish, and overall quality.
• Exceptional storage prospects throughout the unit.
• Well-placed 110-volt, USB, and 12-volt outlets in the dinette.
• A bright, open, airy floor plan for a non-slide design.
• Durable construction.
Cons:
• Premium price for a short bed non-slide truck camper.
• Short bed truck compatibility is possible but requires careful matching.
• Optional microwave doesn’t match the stainless interior design.
5. Northstar Liberty
Iowa-based Northstar understands nothing is classier than a wood-framed short-bed truck camper encased in fiberglass with a smooth. They pay such close attention to the quality of the finish that every part of this camper is screwed and glued correctly.
It is also loaded with features and amenities to make life on the road as comfortable as life at home.
The Liberty is the smallest and lightest hard wall camper in Northstar’s premium line.
This camper is designed to fit the ultra-short beds (5′ 6″ to 5′ 10″) and standard short beds (6′ 4″ to 6′ 10″) of 1/2-ton and larger full-size trucks. It has a dry weight standard build of 1775 lbs. and a floor length of 7′.
Despite its small size, it still has many of the standard features of the larger Laredo SC, including insulated windows, an auto-ignition water heater, a cassette toilet, an interior/exterior shower, LED lighting, and a north/south extended cab-over with a Queen-sized 60″ x 80″ bed.
This small bed truck camper packs everything in a sleek, aerodynamic package. The only drawback with this model is its small battery compartment
Pros:
• The non-slide design avoids slide-out weight, maintenance, and potential issues.
• The non-basem*nt design keeps the overall weight, height, and center of gravity down.
• Dry bath design is a total knock-out – with an optional flush toilet and a fan.
• Huge kitchen area and sprawling kitchen counter sure to impress the chefs.
• An incredible amount of storage throughout the camper.
• Excellent fit, finish, and materials.
• Excellent overall quality.
Cons:
• 41-gallon fresh and 20-gallon grey tanks are mismatched.
• The thermostat is too close to the central heating vent.
• Dinette seating could be more comfortable, and the dinette table may be too small for some.
6. ALP Adventurer 910DB
The ALP Adventurer has a massive box-shaped design supporting a dry weight of 3,470 pounds. Its construction features a proprietary “Tru-Composite Construction,” which is wood overlayed with high-quality fiberglass and all-season tinted thermopane windows. It is very ideal for a one-ton truck.
It has a 10’2″ floor plan and is packed with the following features: a north-south queen bed, a spacious wet bath, a double-door wardrobe, and a big kitchen with an enormous 7-cubic-foot double-door fridge.
It also has tons of storage. Furthermore, the holding tanks in this authentic, all-season small bed camper offer the most storage capabilities in their class. It features a 44-gallon fresh water tank, 31-gallon grey water tanks, and 31-gallon black water tanks.
The interior is enhanced further with attractive hardwood maple cabinets. A slide-out storage tray offers additional basem*nt storage space. It has two 40-pound propane tanks. For your water heating needs, it features a 6-gallon DSI water heater (essential for most campers).
Pros:
• Can accommodate a large number of people.
• Interior is fully illuminated.
• Offers a simple entertainment system.
• Luxurious and spacious interiors.
• A set of awnings and windows are present.
Cons:
• Only fits long-bed trucks.
7. Arctic Fox 865
The Arctic Fox was initially struck out of the Oregon-based Northwood’s catalog in 2008. However, due to widespread public demand, they resumed sales for this small bed truck camper. This is because there is a renewed demand for non-slide-out campers.
However, it would be good to note that this camper is still very heavy, even without the slide-out features. It comes with a mandatory set of features known as “ The Fox package.”
This has a dry weight of 2,641 pounds, but you still get your money’s worth even with all this weight.
This is one huge camper. It has 9 feet 4 inches of floor space and a high cathedral-arched ceiling, and it packs in many handy and essential features and amenities.
It offers the largest water tank holding capacity of any short truck camper. It has 42 gallons of fresh water, 32 gallons of grey water, and 31 gallons of black water.
It also has thick insulated walls and a 20,000 btu propane-powered furnace, so it can be parked even in the coldest tundra.
Other features include a 6-gallon DSI water heater, a 100-watt solar panel, a Landing Step, a refrigerator, and the Onan 2500 generator. This camper qualifies as both a short-bed and long-bed truck camper, ideal for every season of the year.
Pros
• Fantastic non-slide floor plan; interior feels like a slide-out model.
• Rear panoramic view and arch ceilings make the camper feel spacious.
• One-piece fiberglass wet bath is high-quality and massive.
• Excellent storage opportunities throughout the unit.
• Overall fit, finish, and quality was exceptional.
• Single rear wheel compatibility is possible – but a dual is recommended.
Cons
• Wide kitchen sink wastes precious counter space.
• Unusually tall entry step into the wet bath.
• No space available for a dedicated kitchen trash container.
• The ladder to the cathedral arch roof is challenging to climb and descend.
• Four-light tank monitors and sensors are notoriously inaccurate.
• Fox Value Package could confuse customers concerning weight and price.
8. Palomino Backpack HS-8801
Last but not least, we have Forrest River’s Palomino HS-8801. According to the company website and various online reviews from enthusiasts and users alike, this short-bed truck camper can be hauled comfortably on the back of a ton pickup truck.
In addition to the single-piece rubber roof, it features an all-aluminum frame with an exceptional gel-gloss fiberglass exterior, enhanced further with lovely black accent trimming.
It has a 9-foot floor plan with enough room for a north-south queen bed, wet bath, kitchenette, dinette, and fridge. The freshwater tank on this model is 21 gallons, which is standard for this camper class.
However, the rest of the tanks are pretty measly. You get 7 gallons of grey water and 8 gallons of black water.
Over the years, there have been widespread complaints about the dwindling standards of this model, from crappy workmanship to sub-par components.
This short-bed truck camper has room for improvement.
Pros
• Has an incredible number of storage options.
• Dinette that can be converted to about 7-footbed.
• Push-button to initiate electric roof lift.
• North-South cab overused for easy entry/exit and storage.
• Compatible with a Half-ton when perfectly matched.
Cons
• The stability of the table could be improved.
• Lacks a shower, a toilet, and a bathroom.
• Doors and the cab over hamper openings can be small.
• The lining of some materials could be made better.
How to Choose Short Bed Truck Camper
If you plan to buy a short-bed truck, consider these essential factors to ensure you make the right choice.
With several such trucks in the market, it’s easy to get confused, and this could be worse if you are a beginner. These top factors should help as your guide to buying one of the best short-bed trucks that meets your needs:
1. Hard Side or Pop-Up Truck Camper
There are two kinds of pickup truck campers: the stiff side and pop-up truck campers.
Pop-up truck campers feature a roof that can be raised or lowered in the upper third of the truck camper.
To drive the truck, you need to lower the cab to the driving position. When you want to use the camper, you raise it to the camping position.
Hard-side truck campers’ fixed roofs have a stiff sidewall and are permanently raised to the camping position.
These types of campers offer many essential advantages, including better comprehensive insulation, heightened sound isolation, and extra interior storage and living space.
These campers also offer extra floor plan space for additional features and options like dry baths, slide-outs, and sofas.
2. Storage
Most truck campers are pretty bulky and cumbersome when not attached to a truck. For this reason, storage space is an essential factor to consider even before buying a camper.
The easiest option is to store a camper inside a garage or get a tarp to cover it. This will prevent damage and wear and tear from the weather, avoiding more maintenance costs in the future.
You should also avoid storing it on bare ground with dirt on the soil since you could have a termite or rodent infestation on your hands. The best practice is to store it on a well-cemented floor, as this will save time and money in future repair costs.
3. Bed Length
When buying a truck camper, the length of your truck’s bed is one of the first things to consider. Truck campers are built with this consideration in mind. There are campers for long-bed trucks, and some, like the ones in this article, are meant for short-bed trucks.
However, some campers mentioned in this article, like the Bigfoot model, can fit both short- and long-bed trucks.
The only limiting factor left to consider is the truck’s weight capacity, not to be confused with its towing capacity. This payload weight can be found on a placard on the driver’s side door or in the vehicle’s manual.
You can search the internet for the correct weight if all else fails.
4. Bathroom Options
Do you want a Wet, Dry, Toilet-Only, or No Bath? These are things to consider for the sake of price and comfort. No bath is self-explanatory; you will have no toilet or shower inside your camper.
The toilet-only option doesn’t come with a shower.
A wet bath is a shower stall containing a sink and toilet. A damp bath has to have a shower, a bathroom, and a sink. Wet baths have the entire arrangement inside one stall.
A wet bath is pretty much the same as the bathrooms with showers that you can find in most households.
Dry baths look a lot like wet baths, but they have to be dried after you take a shower. This is because their walls are not designed to be water-resistant or waterproof.
If you leave a dry bath wet, it will wick at the water, and parts of your camper will start to rot or grow mold and fungi. However, you can use the toilet and sink just like you would any other.
Short Bed Truck Campers FAQs
Can a half-ton pickup truck haul a camper?
The short answer is yes. However, it depends on the pickup truck’s overall payload rating. This rating determines the camper’s weight and size, which can be attached to the car.
If you consider a 2015 Ford F-150 short-bed pickup, it has a wheelbase of 154 inches, a double cab, and two-wheel drive. It is a heavy-duty truck with an impressive payload rating of 2,799 pounds (2.8 tons).
Most half-ton pickup trucks available in the market cannot handle this weight. The average pickup can support a payload of 1,600 pounds (1.6 tons).
Such a small rating limits your options to short-bed truck campers like the Northstar Vista or any other cab-less campers, pop-ups, and small hard-side campers.
Even with the Ford F-150, a few upgrades will be needed to support the camper as the pickup truck moves. You must change the tires and upgrade the shocks, springs, and breaks.
These improvements will go a long way to bolster the ability to support the weight of a camper.
How can you know your pickup’s payload rating?
The payload rating of any pickup or vehicle can be conveniently found on the driver’s side door on a placard attached to a pillar. It can also be found in the glove compartment on the certification form.
To determine your truck’s payload rating, subtract the curb weight from its GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating).
How can you correct swaying and pitching when driving a truck with a camper attached?
If you are experiencing too much sway or tipping every time you turn a corner, use Torklift Stable loads or a sway bar. These tools have different uses.
Stable loads manipulate the leaf springs to activate the overload springs. A sway bar keeps the truck stable by working the axle and frame, keeping it level.
These days, many trucks are built with a sway bar only at the front. A sway bar to the rear is needed when hauling a camper on your truck.
This forces many truck owners to install a more robust sway bar to enhance their trucks’ stability as they haul their campers.
Can you tow a wagon or boat when hauling a truck camper?
The answer is a resounding yes. One of the most significant advantages of owning a truck camper or a truck, in general, is the capability to tow things.
You should, however, factor in the tow weight against your truck’s payload rating. Getting a hitch extension is also another novel idea; this is because most campers extend beyond the tailgate of a truck.
Ideally, a hitch extension with a length of between 18 and 24 inches will do the trick.
Can I put a long-bed truck camper on a short-bed truck?
It is not possible or advisable in most cases. This is because you would force your truck’s center of gravity to move to the back of the rear wheel axle. Some hybrid models can fit on both short-bed and long-bed trucks, like the Northwood Wolf Creek 850.
Short-bed truck campers offer many side storage space you would lose if you used a long-bed truck camper. As mentioned throughout this article, weight restrictions determine the camper size you can attach to a truck.
Should I remove my truck’s tailgate before mounting my camper?
Yes, any camper that goes beyond the bed of your truck will force you to remove the tailgate. Removing it, even if the camper does not go beyond your truck’s bed, is still a good idea.
Remember that every ounce of weight that can be removed will make a difference. As you have seen, campers are pretty heavy, and tailgates weigh an average of 80 pounds.
It won’t take long to remove it, and it’s a better option than damaging your tailgate with rocks you will kick up while on the rail.
Final Thoughts
Short-bed truck campers are a versatile and compact solution for those who love the great outdoors but prefer not to compromise on comfort. The Lance 650 is a popular choice, explicitly designed for half-ton pick-up trucks with 5′ and 6′ beds.
It provides all the amenities of a larger camper with the added advantage of being lightweight. The NuCamp Cirrus 820, on the other hand, is known for its innovative design and premium features, including a queen bed, spacious living area, and a well-equipped kitchen.
The Four Wheel Camper Hawk stands out for its rugged construction and ability to handle off-road conditions. Bigfoot 10-6 offers unmatched quality with its two-piece design and insulation suitable for four-season camping.
Northstar Liberty is a hard-wall camper highly recommended for its spacious interiors and efficient use of space.
ALP Adventurer 910DB is a full-size camper offering luxuries like a dry bath and large refrigerator, while Arctic Fox 865 is renowned for its robust construction and comfortable living space.
The Palomino Backpack HS-8801, with its spacious floor plan and abundant storage, is an excellent option for longer trips. In conclusion, Short-Bed Truck Campers provide various options for different needs and preferences.
Whether you are looking for compact comfort, luxury amenities, or rugged durability, a short-bed camper will meet your requirements.
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