Last updated on September 10th, 2023
10 Best Truck Campers For 1/2 Ton Pickups
A truck camper is an excellent alternative to an RV. It offers the RV experience to campers for way less and with less difficulty. It is the perfect option for newbies in the RV world and RVers seeking to give up their RV for a cheaper or less complicated option. This is because a truck camper can boondock anywhere and can be packed anywhere. You can expect little or no disruption to your camping as truck campers are easy to maneuver.
Once mounted, they form part of the truck as they fit in the bed of the pickup. Thus apart from the added weight and height, you’re literally driving a truck and may not notice that you have a mobile home attached. With a truck camper, you can drive and park in most places.
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Truck campers, in addition to all these benefits, are still motorhomes and detachable ones. Thus, you can easily unsubscribe to the RV lifestyle by separating your truck camper from your truck, and you can get back to the RV life by mounting your camper anytime you want.
All these juicy benefits of truck campers make them a desirable option amongst campers. I bet you’re reading this article because you’re seriously considering getting a truck camper for your ½ ton truck, and I would love to help you make that decision.
The type of truck you’re going to use for your truck camper is the ultimate consideration when buying a truck camper. This is because each pickup has a payload capacity. The payload of a truck refers to the amount of weight that a truck can safely carry. In other words, it is the capacity of the truck, and it is expressed in pounds and kilograms.
The payload is a product of the truck’s Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), and it determines what you can fit into the bed of your truck. The payload ½ ton pickups range from 1000-3000 pounds or more. So you are going to have to buy a truck camper that fits into the right weight classification of your ½ ton pick up.
Wondering what these are? We have good news for you as we have compiled ten best truck campers for ½ ton pick up in this article. Keep reading to find out the best ones out there.
The Top 10 Truck Campers for 1/2 Ton Pickups
Lance 650
This video has been included for its clarification of the topic matter. Credit goes to
It’s Brad
The Lance 650 is made with modern materials such as Azdel composite and LitePly plywood. These materials make the Lance 650 lighter than its counterparts and suitable for a 1/2-ton truck.
The Lance 650 has a smart awning that automatically retracts if it gets too windy. It has power jacks on all four corners of the truck for easy mounting. You can use a remote control to fix and separate the camper from the pick-up quickly.
The Lance 650 has up to a 12-volt battery and a solar panel that charges the battery. It has euro acrylic windows, which makes RVing in all seasons very comfortable. The Lance 650 not only comes with a 60 by 80 domestic residential bed, but it also has a domestic refrigerator, closet, and multimedia center, 12-volt television, fully equipped kitchen, microwave, and other appliances to make your camping fun.
There’s also a wet bathroom in the camper. The wet bath is constructed with ABS. It is the largest and most fully featured wet bath possible for a truck camper of this weight with just enough room for sitting and standing.
Despite the weight of the camper, the camper is still beautifully designed, airy, and roomy. Also, the Lance 650 has a huge 6-foot, 4-inch, U-shaped dinette, which is more significant than what is obtainable in most truck campers for ½ ton trucks and many larger campers. With a dry weight of 1,694 pounds and wet weight of 2,463 pounds and floor length of 6’10”, the Lance 650 is easily one of the best truck campers for ½ ton trucks.
The perks of this camper are durability and comfort. The Lance 650 is an excellent buy for anyone seeking a long-lasting truck camper that is also well equipped.
Bundutec Wild Pop-up Camper
This video has been included for its clarification of the topic matter. Credit goes to
The notable feature of the Bundutec wild Pop-up camper is that it has a wet bath, unlike most campers suitable for ½ ton trucks. It is equipped with a shower, toilet, and a water tank unlike most pop up campers. The Bundutec Wild is designed for a short bed truck. The Dry weight of the Wild is 1,610 pounds, which is ideal for ½ ton trucks.
This truck camper comes with not only a complete wet-bath, but also a large water holding tank that makes using that wet-bath possible. The capacity of the holding tank is 21 gallons, and that of the heater is 4 gallons.
For a pop-up camper, the Wild has quite a lot of fixtures. It has a kitchen, refrigerator, a dinette, a north-south 56×74-inch mattress with lift up under bed storage. If you want a camper with enough space, you will enjoy the Wild. Also, the Wild camper comes with a group 27 deep cycle battery.
The Wild is a wood-framed camper, and the exterior of the camper is made of .030 aluminum, laid over the wood frame of the camper. This makes it sturdy and durable. The front nose is built with fiberglass, which is another superior material used in constructing truck campers. In fact, the manufacturers of this truck camper invested so much to ensure that this model is durable.
Most of the Bundutec wild truck camper are designed with grey and contrasting black colors. This gives the camper a unique look and feel. So if you are looking for a superior look, this camper if one of the best looking models out there.
With all these features, it is safe to conclude that this truck camper offers great value for a ½ ton truck camper.
Cirrus 620
This video has been included for its clarification of the topic matter. Credit goes to Hartleys Auto & RV Center
There’s a gas stove with two burners fitted in the kitchen for you to cook your meals with. Just above the gas stove is an exhaust fan to control the smoke. So you can cook a storm in this camper conveniently. There is also a three-way fridge large enough to keep your groceries for days, four large cabinets in the kitchen for storage, and three huge cabinets underneath the stove and sink. In fact, with the Cirrus camper, you get enough storage space in the kitchen.
The dinette in the Cirrus camper is large enough for two adults to sit and have their meals comfortably. Thus, you can travel in pairs with the Cirrus camper. There are two large cabinets beneath the fridge and above the dinette for storage.
The Cirrus truck camper has five large windows that are properly insulated with a screen and shade system for privacy. There are LED lights, speakers, and a 110 outlet and 12-volt outlet on either side of the bed.
While the inside of the Cirrus 620 is quite impressive, the exterior is equally amazing. The frame is designed with a combination of aluminum and kusa board, which keeps the camper light and suitable for a ½ ton truck. Also, the exterior walls are made with fiberglass sidewalls and azdel backing.
There are outlets and a nice storage compartment on one side of the Cirrus 670 truck camper. All the connections and propane are on the other side and the compartment where you can access the cassette toilet.
When it comes to storage space, the Cirrus 620 shines. There is a lot of storage space in this truck camper so you can pack enough things. You do not have to limit what you pack for your trip as you will probably find enough storage place to fit them all in. This truck camper delivers great quality and is one of the best out there.
Four Wheel Camper Hawk Model
This video has been included for its clarification of the topic matter. Credit goes to Four Wheel Campers
There is also an optional 6 gallons water and outer shower package. Thus the maximum water capacity is 26 gallons, which is fair for a half-ton truck camper. There is an external grey water tank, and there is no black water tank. This is not that much of a big deal for most campers but still one low point for this camper.
Other interior features of this Four Wheel camper include a fully equipped kitchenette, an east-west queen bed, a three-way refrigerator, and a 1.7-cubic foot reefer. The kitchen is well-equipped with a two-burner gas stove, a kitchen sink, and cabinets.
When ordering the Four Wheel camper, customers can choose from three-floor plans vis; a rollover side couch, side dinette, or a front dinette. You get options, and you can pick the one that best suits your taste and needs in a truck camper. Also, more amenities like a cassette toilet and an outside shower can both be added as options.
You’ll find the 160-watt roof-mounted solar system and a dual battery setup helpful if you are interested in extending your trip off-grid.
The Four Wheel Camper is open and very spacious because there is no upper cabinetry. This camper also comes with a 5-liter DC compressor refrigerator and two 10-pound propane tanks. Propane tanks are lighter to lift, and this is a significant advantage. However, 10-pound tanks cannot be easily exchanged like 20-pound vertical tanks.
Generally, this camper is a good option for campers who just want the basics in a truck camper. It still offers some of the best features in a camper and is a perfect match for a ½ ton truck.
Hallmark Milner
The Hallmark Milner, like every other Hallmark camper, is constructed with durable molded fiberglass composite exterior topped with a low-maintenance, one-piece molded composite roof. The Hallmark Milner weighs about 1212 pounds dry and is an excellent match for ½ ton trucks.
The Hallmark is a pop-up truck camper with standard features which includes a 60×80-inch east-west bed with under bed storage; a large, 30-gallon freshwater tank; molded one-piece countertops; a three-way 3.8-cubic foot refrigerator and a 5-gallon propane tank.
The Hallmark Milner camper reveals exclusive big view double windows when popped up. The windows have three layers. From the outside to the inside, there’s a UV-rated automotive clear plastic, tight-pattern bug screen, and an insulated soft-wall panel which are adhered with heavy-duty Velcro. This ensures enough privacy and can be quite handy in all seasons.
There are also overhead cabinets with Tambour doors in this camper. The manufacturers were very generous with the cabinets, and campers get to enjoy enough storage space. Also, there’s enough space to walk around inside the Milner. This is as a result of the Lagun table system of the dinette.
The dinette is on the driver’s side but can be moved to the passenger’s side to create more space when not in use. The dinette can also be converted to a 73.5 inch by 30-inch bed.
Also, under the dinette seat, there is an optional porta-potti. The porta-potti is accessed by a cabinet door constructed explicitly for this purpose. There is also a 110-volt outlet, 12-volt outlet, and two USB outlets in the dinette table.
In the kitchenette, there’s a gorgeous two-burner gas stove with an optional flush mount stainless steel SMEV cooktop. The cooktop can be closed to reveal more counter space for meal preparation and washing dishes. The fiberglass counter stop still provides enough cooking space even with the cooktop left open.
There is an inset sink beside the gas stove for washing dishes. The single sink is large enough for washing cooking pots and pans.
The Hallmark Milner has a battery compartment large enough to hold two 6 volt golf cart batteries. There is also a cubby large enough to store a portable toilet, and a shower pan for indoor showers.
Just like many other campers. This camper has the basics. It is thus one of the best options for ½ ton trucks and one worth buying.
Alaskan 6.5
This video has been included for its clarification of the topic matter. Credit goes to
Mixflip
This truck camper has a dry weight of 1,390 pounds and a floor length of 6’5′. The interior of the Alaskan camper is one of its major selling points. The manufacturers invested in gorgeous and attractive-looking materials to give this camper a charming look and unique design. There is a beautiful leather dinette inside the camper, a wood-paneled ceiling, and attractive maple cabinets throughout this camper.
The windows of these Alaskan campers are made with insulated panels that can fold in. When raised up, the camper is about 6’3. There is a large cab over and a drop-down single bed. There are tonnes of overhead storage in this camper, so you get enough space for your things.
In the kitchenette, there is a two-burner stove and a single sink. There is also a portable potty right opposite the kitchenette and a three-way 2.5-cubic foot refrigerator.
The Standard features of this camper include a 15-gallon freshwater holding tank, a 5-gallon propane tank, Hehr windows, and a full-length door that requires no stooping when entering or exiting. It has a standard group-24 battery, but as many as two can be added as an option.
This camper is definitely one of the best options out there for owners of ½ ton trucks
Adventurer 80RB
This video has been included for its clarification of the topic matter. Credit goes to Fraserway Kamloops
There is a single-bowl sink with a tall faucet and a two-burner gas stove in the kitchen. The arrangement of the gas stove and the kitchen sink gives enough space on the countertop to prepare meals and wash dishes.
This truck camper has a 4 cubic foot two-way domestic refrigerator. This should hold enough food for three to five days, depending on your eating habits. With a dry weight of 1,750 pounds, the Adventurer truck camper is ideal for 1/2-ton trucks.
Across the kitchen slide out is a wet bath with a shower and toilet. There is also a large U-shaped dinette with a round table that can be moved away to create more space in the camper. The dinette can comfortably accommodate four adults. Also, the dinette can quickly be converted into a 60-inch by 30-inch bed. Thus it could serve as either a dining, lounge area, or a bed depending on the arrangement.
You will also find a storage compartment, an audio-video system, and speakers above the dinette. There is also a 57-inch by 80-inch east-west cab over in the Adventurer 80RB. The only major shortcoming of the Adventurer 80RB is the capacity of the tanks. It has relatively small tanks: 11 gallons fresh, 6 gallons gray, and 6 gallons black. A maximum of 4 days for a solo camper and two to three days for a couple.
Thus, the Adventurer 80RB might not be suitable for long trips, but it is definitely one of the best options out there.
Northstar Hardside Lerado
This video has been included for its clarification of the topic matter. Credit goes to Beautiful Adventures-Amazing Places
The Northstar Hardside Lerado is small but still has many amazing features. It has a 6 by 6 bed, indoor and outdoor shower, autoignition heater and LED lighting inside and outside the camper.
The Northstar Hardside Lerado camper is built to keep you warm during any weather. It has gas-filled thermal insulated windows that keep the inside temperature warm and also screen and shade for privacy.
The kitchen is well-designed and fitted with many amenities to make your traveling comfortably. It has a two-burner gas stove, a sink with a faucet, and lots of storage space. The gas stove and sink are positioned in such a way as to give campers enough countertop space. There is also a three-way refrigerator measuring 6 cubic ft.
Although this kitchen does not have a microwave oven, it is one of the options available to campers to fit in a microwave of their choice
The cab-over has 110 and 12-volt outlets and a standard dinette with an optional upper dinette bunk. The laguna table system is used for the dinette, allowing campers to rotate the table to accommodate more people on the dinette. You can also rearrange the dinette to reveal a 56-by-35-inch bed.
With this and the upper bunk, the Hardside Lerado truck can accommodate more people than most truck campers.
Also, the Lerado truck camper has an immersion digital thermostat, which allows more inside temperature control. There’s also a hatch on the ceiling to brighten up the camper and give it an outdoor feel. It is definitely worth recommending.
Travel Lite 770R
This video has been included for its clarification of the topic matter. Credit goes to Josh the RV Nerd at Bish’s RV
The Travel Lite 770R truck camper has a shower and shower pan in the bathroom. It has a wardrobe with aluminum doors and a hanger to hang clothes. Also, the kitchen has a two-burner gas stove and an inset sink. There is just enough countertop space for meal preparation and washing dishes. There is some extra storage above the sink and gas stove. There are also cabinets underneath.
There is a three-way 3-cubic foot refrigerator and a portable cassette-styled toilet in the truck camper. The camper has a 48 by 82 inches bed.
However, this camper is not self-contained as it lacks holding tanks, a fixed bathroom, and other features. Campers who prefer their truck campers to be a bit better equipped may need to go with some other truck camper. The Travel Lite 770R might not be the best option for them. However, it is affordable, lightweight, roomy enough for comfort, and provides the necessary facilities for basic camping.
Capri Retreat Truck Camper
This video has been included for its clarification of the topic matter. Credit goes to D&H RV & Marine
There is a dinette on the passenger’s side. The Capri follows the standard floor plan that’s been used by various manufacturers for decades. Opposite the dinette is a well-appointed kitchen with a single basin stainless steel sink, two-burner flush-mount propane cooktop, a microwave, and a 2-way, 3-cubic foot Dometic refrigerator. There are an optional microwave cabinet and a hollow middle cabinet under the counter, which gives the kitchen extra storage space.
Just like most truck campers, the dinette can be rearranged to a shorter bed to accommodate more people. There is also a medium storage cabinet under the dinette. The cabover in the Capri Retreat is an east-west configuration.
Conclusion
Slide-in truck campers offer an ideal solution for individuals seeking the freedom of the open road, coupled with the comforts and amenities of home. They offer a perfect balance between portability and luxury, and their diversity ensures that there is a model to suit every type of adventurer.
Their appeal lies in their ability to be conveniently mounted onto the bed of a pickup truck, transforming it into a mobile home that is equipped for both short excursions and long-term travel. They offer an excellent middle ground between the flexibility of tent camping and the comfort of RVing, enabling you to access rugged, off-road areas while also providing a comfortable, cozy shelter.
The above models have their own unique strengths: some are designed for lightweight and compact travel, while others are focused on providing a luxurious, spacious living environment. Some are designed specifically for use in all seasons, with high-grade insulation and sturdy construction, while others prioritize customizability and personal preference in their design.
Slide-in truck campers represent a diverse, adaptable, and highly practical category of mobile accommodation, providing an excellent choice for anyone who wants to enjoy the freedom of the road without sacrificing the comforts of home. Each model above brings its unique flair to this balance, and your perfect camper depends on the specific blend of mobility, convenience, comfort, and adventure that you seek.