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Last Updated on August 24, 2024 by Paul Clayton
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9 Great Flatbed Truck Campers
There are many types of campers in the market. So, why invest in a flatbed truck camper for your RV? Many RV users choose a compact trailer that can handle rugged terrain better than big, bulky motorhomes.
Key Takeaways:
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- Versatility and Convenience: Flatbed truck campers are highly versatile, offering the convenience of dismounting the camper to use the truck for other purposes. They can be customized to fit various truck sizes and offer more space and stability than traditional truck campers.
- Off-Road Capability: These campers are ideal for rugged terrains and off-road adventures, providing better maneuverability and durability than classic motorhomes. They are also designed to be compact and fuel-efficient, making them suitable for boondocking and long-distance travel.
- Cost Efficiency: Flatbed truck campers save on insurance and maintenance costs, as they are classified as cargo rather than motorhomes. The camper is easy to store and maintain, with low-profile designs that fit into standard garages.
- Living Comfort: Despite their compact size, these campers offer quality interiors with kitchens, bathrooms, and sleeping areas. They also feature advanced power systems, including solar panels, to support off-grid living.
- Customization and Innovation: Continuous innovation in flatbed truck campers allows customization to suit individual needs. This flexibility makes them popular for those looking to enter the RV world or downsize from larger motorhomes.
Truck campers have become increasingly popular in recent years. This is because people are traveling more and are looking for a vehicle that can take them to the winter lands and still cruise easily in the rugged mountains and deserts.
Truck trailers are fully equipped with everything you need for a long trip across the country. Depending on the size you choose, these truck campers can sleep from two to five people if you have the imagination to maximize the living space.
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You will find a bedroom, a living space, a kitchen, and a bathroom. There are many floor plans to choose from, and if you can’t find one you like, you can have one custom-made to suit your needs.
Unlike an RV, truck campers can be dismounted from the truck. This way, you don’t have to invest in a new vehicle to carry it. You can use your workhorse to go on vacation.
Truck campers have two types: flatbed and truck campers.
Truck campers are more popular than flatbed campers. You do not need to alter your pickup to use this type of truck camper. The trailer is lowered onto the bed of a pickup truck and then secured using screws ad ties. Pickup campers come in all sizes, even for half-ton pickups, and can carry a load of 1000 pounds max. Large campers require a more powerful vehicle, such as a three-quarter-ton and one-ton pickup.
As the name suggests, flatbed truck campers are mounted on trucks with a flatbed. Flatbed trucks have no sides or roofs. If you own a regular pickup truck with a body, you must have it configured to carry a flatbed camper. Some people remove the truck bed from their pickup truck and replace it with a flatbed.
We have a ton of truck camper articles here, as well as other useful articles on RVs.
Unlike pickup truck campers, which have to fit the truck’s size, flatbed campers can be larger, some as long as forty feet long, accommodating a bigger, more spacious camper. The camper part can be lifted off, and you can use the pickup for other purposes when not camping.
Why Choose a Flatbed Truck Camper?
Apart from the fact that this camper can be dismounted to allow you to use the truck for other duties, there are other benefits of owning a flatbed camper.
Livability and Convenience
A truck and camper can go just about anywhere. The truck retains its original functionality to tow and transport. A camper is available for nearly any half-ton and above truck. Therefore, if you have a pickup, you only need to purchase a camper that fits your budget, and off you go to find your next adventure.
Boondocking Becomes Easier
You need a truck camper if you love to hit the mountainous terrain or want to check out the deserts or national parks. This is the right rig for people who love off-roading and boondocking. This camper will handle rough terrain beautifully, unlike classic motorhomes, which are best used on smooth surfaces because their weight and clearance won’t allow them to be used the same way a truck would.
The four-wheel-drive capabilities of most pickups let the truck tackle sand, rock, mud, and bumpy conditions with little effort. You can scale rough terrains compared to two-wheel drive vehicles that may have trouble in rugged, hilly areas by purchasing a four-wheel drive.
Drivability
A truck camper can go anywhere, park anywhere, and tow anything compact. Get on the road without the stress of towing a massive trailer behind you. Trucks are designed to maximize aerodynamics, giving you much power on the way. Since they tend to be compact, they are more stealthy on the road and can drive fast.
Truck campers are generally shorter and smaller compared to motorhomes. You will have an easier time backing out of a tight parking spot with a truck camper than the RV. Also, you can park anywhere since they usually fit in a regular parking space.
Mileage
You will pay less for gas using a truck than a full-sized RV. You already know how much gas you use daily. Therefore, you can estimate how many miles you will get per gallon when you load it up. Owning a newer model truck engineered to save on gas and costs is even better.
You Can Tow with Your Camper
One thing we appreciate about this type of camper is the ability to tow with it. The truck has enough muscle to and the right hitch configuration to pull a couple of dirt bikes or even a boat behind without compromising on your safety or exceeding weight limits.
Insurance Savings
You will save a lot on insurance, licensing, and registration fees. Many states classify camper bodies as cargo instead of motorhomes, which must be registered as separate vehicles. Owners must maintain the license and registration on the truck itself. The same goes for insurance, although some companies will offer an individual rider for the truck camper, usually at a low cost.
More Space
Flatbed campers don’t have to fit snuggly into the truck; you can choose a wider camper, which offers additional space for storing water batteries and propane. This frees up your living space to minimize clatter.
Since the camper is laid on the Flatbed without any cutouts around the wheel wells and sides, it offers a low center of gravity, making the truck more stable.
Low Maintenance Costs
The only maintenance you will have to do is on the truck alone. The camper does not need servicing; if you are handy, you can carry out some of these tasks yourself. Unlike an RV that must be serviced regularly at a high cost, your only expense will be the truck you use daily.
Easy to Store
This camper will fit perfectly in your garage until you need it for your next adventure. Low-profile campers are easy to store because they fit through your garage door. A small RV shelter will do a great job protecting the camper and will not take up much space. If your HOA rules don’t allow storing it in your home or having room, you can rent a small, affordable storage container to maintain payments.
Quality Interiors
Manufacturers of this camper are focusing more on giving customers quality interior campers with state-of-the-art appliances and fixtures. Because space is limited, the camper has fantastic floor plans to fit anything you need when boondocking from bigger water tanks and enough power (solar energy and propane).
The right truck for a flatbed truck camper
Nearly any kind of flatbed truck can be fitted with a truck camper. Various brands of campers are designed to be compatible with specific flatbed lengths and sizes. However, a three-quarter-ton or one-ton truck is generally preferred to handle the various options popular on flatbed campers.
Another requirement for assembling a truck camper is that the camper must fit correctly on the flatbed and that the truck can handle the total payload.
There are companies specializing in making flatbed trucks for bigger campers. A good example is Overland, which converts vehicles to handle certain campers.
Creative people are getting on the flatbed craze by making their conversions to make a camper that meets their needs; in most cases, they will also construct their camper instead of purchasing what is on the market.
New truck campers are sold separately as a unit or a camper, giving buyers options. If you have a truck, you can get the camper or the whole unit. Those with a camper top who want to install it on a truck can find an appropriate vehicle.
Continuous innovation, flexibility, and convenience make truck campers an excellent choice for anyone downsizing or entering the RV world. Here are nine flatbed truck campers we feel are the best. Whether traveling as a family, as a couple, or even alone, you will find one that will suit your needs in this list.
Alaskan Flatbed Side Entry Camper
The Alaskan Flatbed is a hard-side pop-up truck camper with a side entry. Overland, the manufacturer, is well known for its powerful truck campers on the road and offers more living space and storage solutions. Alaskan Campers come with upgraded hydraulic cylinders and Truman combination water heater and furnace units that are very energy-sufficient
The Alaskan Flatbed Camper is a hard-side pop-up truck camper for long-bed trucks. The interior floor length of the Alaskan Flatbed is eight feet five inches, and the interior height is 6’3. The overall width is seven feet and four inches. The overall length of the cab and camper is just over thirteen feet.
The Alaskan has a dry weight of 1,949 pounds and standard features. The Flatbed is fitted with a 27-gallon freshwater tank and a 4.75-gallon cassette toilet but does not have a gray tank. The camper includes two Group 31 AGM batteries and one horizontal twenty-pound propane tank for lighting and cooking.
The truck is a powerful GMC 3500 4×4 powered by the 6.0L Vortex V8 engine and GMC’s 6-speed automatic with Method race wheel, capable of handling rough terrain like a champion. The truck is lifted with a Cognito Stage 21 leveling kit to give it more clearance.
The flatbed is made of ProTech aluminum and consists of two large storage boxes, a custom bolt-down system to keep the camper securely in place, mud flaps, and a rear light panel with six oval lights.
The spacious eight-foot floor plan features a leather dinette that can be converted into a bed, a large kitchen with cabinetry, and an overhead storage solution. The kitchen has a two-burner stove, sink, and a 12-volt charging station. The sink faucet is long enough and can be used as an outside shower hose as it stretches to the outside of the camper. Under the stove, you will find a Nova Kool compressor fridge, AGM batteries, and propane gas.
The camper comes with a Thetford cassette toilet on the opposite side of the kitchen. The camper has an overhang towards the front of the truck, where a queen-size bed is fitted. The camper comes with tinted windows on all sides to provide enough ventilation. The interior comes with LED lights for lighting, and there is a fan installed on the roof of the camper to make sure air circulation is top-notch all the time.
When packed, the top of the camper pops up to give you more than six feet of standing room. The pop-up drops down when you are on the move. The Alaskan can be customized to your liking. With Overland, you can choose a different floor plan, add a 54-gallon freshwater tank, and install a wet bath and grey tank. The standard version comes in dark colors, but there are other options.
If you plan to invest in a powerful four-wheel drive fitted with a camper, the Alaskan from Overland is an excellent choice, though it will set you back a hundred grand.
Specs
- Width- 7 feet 4 inches
- Travel height- 58 inches with the pop-up -79 inches
- Interior height- 6 feet 3 inches
- Floor length – 8 feet 5 inches
- Freshwater tank-27 gallons
- Blackwater tank- 4.75 gallons
- Dry weight- 1949 pounds
You can read more about it here
Camper Logic Voyageurs Truck Camper
This Camper Logic flatbed camper is a premium model sold as a unit, including the decked-out truck and the camper.
The truck is a RAM 5500 4X4 wheel chassis fitted with a Backstop winch bumper. This truck offers a smooth ride, even on rough roads. The Flatbed has fitted storage for all your gears and holding tanks under the truck. The back of the camper is fitted with hauls that can hold a motorcycle or a couple of bikes
The camper is made of an all-aluminum frame coated with a ceramic barrier and a complex insulation system that protects in extreme temperatures, from sub-zero cold to blazing desert heat.
The camper is angular, with a side door near the passenger’s door and retractable steel stairs.
The stunning interior comes standard with bamboo flooring, aluminum, loads of aluminum framing and birch wood storage cabinets, and a large kitchen fully fitted with a stove, oven, and fridge. The bathroom is a wet bath measuring nine inches. This camper has two sleeping areas; the booth dinette converts into a queen bed, and on the cabover, a king bed is located.
The camper is equipped with an 800-watt solar power system, 12-volt monocrystalline solar panels on the roof, and a 3000-watt inverter. A diesel heater keeps the cabin warm and draws energy from the truck engine. The truck comes with a 40-gallon freshwater tank and a 30-gallon gray tank. This camper comes with a portable toilet and two MaxTank 155-amp-hour batteries.
The camper has windows on the driver’s and passenger sides and a fan on the roof.
Specs
- Width -7 feet 1 inch
- Interior height- 6 feet 3 inches
- Floor length – 12 feet
- Freshwater tank-40 gallons
- Gray water tank- 30 gallons
- Dry weight- 1949 pounds
You can read more about it here
Patagonia Global Expedition Vehicles
The Patagonia Global expedition vehicle is the ultimate boondocking truck for you and your family. It is designed and manufactured to explore the far reaches of the globe in complete comfort. Patagonias come in many sizes; the shortest is 17.5 feet, and the longest is 29 feet.
This massive rig, with enormous tires and a 240-gallon fuel tank, will enable you to explore the Arctic and the deserts in the South. It also has a large freshwater tank that will let you wander for weeks without refilling.
Global Expedition uses a variety of commercial chassis in building these rigs, from Kenworth, Mercedes, MAN, and BAE. This will allow you to carry all your favorite toys without worrying about weight limitations. Large Patagonia’s can easily tow a midsized car.
Depending on the vehicle chassis, you can have a cab-to-cabin entry, so leaving the rig to get into the back is unnecessary. The inside is stunning, with all the amenities you need on the go. The kitchen has state-of-the-art appliances and an all-leather living area. If you don’t like the floor plan, you can have one custom-made for you.
The 44-inch seats in the dining area convert into a second sleeping area. The kitchen has an induction stove and oven, refrigerator, and wet bathroom between the kitchen and the bedroom. The bedroom comes with a king mattress in the back of the truck. These appliances are powered by an extensive solar energy system that uses solar panels on the roof and lithium batteries to ensure you don’t run out of juice while off-road.
The rig comes with a rear camera and motion sensor safety lights to give you peace of mind when you are deep in the jungle. There are two folding steps on the door and another in the back to access the garage
Specs
- Width -7 feet 1 inch
- Interior height- 6 feet 3 inches
- Floor length – 12 feet
- Freshwater tank-40 gallons
- Gray water tank- 30 5 gallons
- Dry weight- 1949 pounds
You can read more about it here
Camper Flatbed Hawk
This Hawk flatbed camper is affordable, well-built, and suitable for off-road expeditions. Its exterior is sleek and aerodynamic. The camper also features a side entrance and a longer cabover nose that houses a bigger bed and storage. It is sided with durable and lightweight aluminum and fiberglass panels.
The flexible pop-up material is a tent-like skin made of sturdy, vinyl-coated, durable, and well-insulated synthetic material. All camper’s windows are made of tempered glass with aluminum frames.
The low-profile camper is only 4.9 high with the pop-up down and weighs 1,050 pounds dry and 1,800 when fully loaded. The interior is spacious, 6.6 feet long, 6.6 inches wide, and 6 feet 6 inches tall, with the pop-up fully extended.
The camper has a living area that converts into a bed. Next to the kitchenette, which has a two-burner stove, sink, and small fridge, is a small indoor shower /toilet. The bed is on the over-cab, which pops up to create more space. The camper also comes with two 400-watt solar panels.
The Hawk is sold as a full-time rig with a 2015 Ram 3500 4×4 crew chassis truck with a fitted flatbed constructed from aluminum. The Flatbed Hawk makes an excellent expedition camper that is lightweight and steady on the roads
Specs
- Width -6.6 feet
- Interior height- 6.6 feet
- Floor length – 6.6 feet
- Freshwater tank-20 gallons
- Blackwater tank- 15gallons
- Dry weight- 1050 pounds
You can read more about it here
EarthRoamer XV-HD Monster Rig
EarthRoamer is a leading manufacturer of luxury off-road expedition vehicles. This camper is built on the capable four-wheel-drive Ford F-750 chassis. Thanks to a 6.7 L turbo diesel V8 engine, it will easily handle the roughest terrain.
The EarthRoamers’ off-road capability is enhanced by rear air suspension with Fox shocks and hydraulic leveling that keeps the vehicle level in uneven places. A 30,000-pound front winch can pull heavy loads out of the way to ensure you will never be stranded on the road due to a fallen tree. The super bright LED lights powered by a 20,000-watt lithium battery bank will illuminate your path on the darkest night.
This truck is made for long-haul excursions with a 15-gallon diesel capacity and a 250-gallon freshwater tank.
It’s designed to accommodate up to six people in total comfort. The interior is decked out in opulence, but that is expected for a rig in its price range. The interior has handcrafted finishes. The main bedroom is on the cab overhand, and two people can sleep. At the back of the camper, a sitting area converts into a bed. The dinette next to the kitchen also converts into a bed, ensuring you don’t leave anyone behind on your next adventure.
The camper has a full bathroom, shower, washer, and dryer. The kitchen has premium appliances, the floor is heated, and it comes with the latest entertainment systems. Other amenities include an outside kitchen and a 16-foot awning.
If you can scrounge up the change, the EarthRoamer HD might be the nicest overland vehicle you can buy. For the rest of us, it’s camper-eye candy.
Specs
- Width -8.5 feet
- Interior height- 13 feet
- Floor length – 35 feet
- Freshwater tank-250 gallons
- Blackwater tank- 125gallons
- Dry weight- 1050 pounds
You can read more about it here
Bahn Camper Works
This truck camper company is relatively new but stands out because it makes the industry’s lightest and highest-quality campers.
One thing that sets these campers apart is the seamless fiberglass shells that are light, making a quality expedition camper that can endure the harshest climates and terrain and will last for generations.
Bahn Camper offers two options to its clients. They offer a standard shell package with all the amenities you would find in a camper truck
The standard camper is built on a Dodge 3500 truck with Hutchinson Bead lock wheels. This 9-foot flatbed camper is heated by diesel and has an electric induction stove, a full wet bath, and a 60-gallon freshwater tank. The bed is located on the overhand and can sleep two people, and a spacious living area
The second option allows customers to work with the company to design a truck camper of their dreams. Custom builds start at six figures, but that includes the truck. If you want to design your truck camper, this company is well known for its work, and they only make 15 to 20 truck campers in a year, so you have to get in the line.
Specs
- Width -8.5 feet
- Interior height- 6 feet
- Floor length – 9 feet
- Freshwater tank-60 gallons
- Blackwater tank- 35gallons
- Dry weight- 900 pounds
You can read more about it here
XP camper
The XP Camper is a fiberglass shell with a pop-up design that creates less driving drag. With a button push, the roof rises to give you more headroom.
The seamless design is light and extremely strong, perfect for off-road expeditions. The XPCamper is compact, easy to drive, and designed with quality parts for rugged living. It is large and comfortable on the inside and small and maneuverable on the outside.
This camper utilizes marine technologies to produce a durable and lightweight product. It has an aerodynamic design for comfortable driving down rough roads
The truck tray is made of aluminum and is fitted with storage. The company makes a custom tray to fit the size of your truck. The camper features a spacious bedroom area on the pop-up area and a standard kitchen with a stove, sink, and fridge. The whole cabin is lined with cabinets for all your storage needs. The camper doesn’t have a full bath; instead, there is a cassette toilet and outdoor shower hose.
This compact camper is perfect for a person who travels over the weekend. It has all the amenities you need for a short mountain trip. It was easily towed by a half-ton truck
Specs
- Width -6 feet
- Interior height- 68 feet
- Floor length – 12.8 feet
- Freshwater tank-20 gallons
- gray water tank- 3gallons
- Dry weight- 700 pounds
You can read about it here
The Bengal Truck Camper
The Bengal is a class from Provan Campers. This adventure vehicle offers comfortable and convenient motorhome accommodations to RV users who want a bit of challenge in their excursions.
The Bengal comes with a choice of Ford, Chevrolet, or Ram one-ton 4×4 truck chassis, with the option of standard, extended/double, or crew cabs and gasoline or diesel engines. The truck is enhanced for off-roading by lifting it to increase clearance. It has skid plates, all-terrain tires, and an upgraded suspension system.
From there, they build a lightweight aluminum frame surrounded by fiberglass and insulation. The result is a sturdy, all-season cabin fixed-mounted directly to the truck chassis.
The interior has a clean layout and includes a sleeping area, kitchen, bathroom, and living area. The maple wood cabinetry is included.
The kitchen has a two-burner stove, a large sink, and a single-lever faucet. A two-way compressor refrigerator and a convection microwave come standard.
The Bengal features a wet bath containing a shower, porcelain toilet, and sinks in one room. The main bed is covered, and the seating area can be converted into an extra sleeping area.
This is a self-contained camper that is great for dry camping. The Bengal has maintenance-free 220-amp AGM batteries with 100w of solar on the roof. Additionally, it comes with a Cummins Onan generator to power the air conditioner and the microwave.
Specs
- Width – 6.8 feet
- Interior height-6.5 feet
- Floor length – 9.7 feet
- Freshwater tank -33 gallons
- Blackwater tank- 14 gallons
- Dry weight- 1000 pounds
You can read more about it here
Four Wheel Fleet Flatbed Camper
This flatbed camper’s robust yet lightweight aluminum frame and streamlined low-profile design offer a dual advantage. First, they alleviate strain on the vehicle and driver, ensuring a smoother, more comfortable driving experience. Second, this optimized design promotes superior fuel efficiency, a key consideration for any long-term travel.
The material choice and high-quality craftsmanship that define this camper’s hard and soft interiors are a testament to its longevity. With these attributes, the vehicle can offer reliable service for decades, even under diverse and challenging circumstances.
One of the standout features of this flatbed camper is its one-piece, lightweight aluminum roof. It is not just resistant to water but also exceptionally durable, poised to endure decades of wear and tear from diverse weather conditions and countless travel adventures.
Specs
- Width – 6.4 feet
- Interior height-6.4 feet
- Floor length – 80 inches
- Freshwater tank -20 gallons
- Roof length- 150 inches
- Dry weight- 1300 pounds
You can read about it here
Conclusion
Some considerations must be considered to ensure you buy the right flatbed camper.
Where are you going to use the truck camper? Are you looking for a camper for off-roading or weekend excursions? An off-road truck must be powerful enough to scale uneven terrain and have the right tires.
Weight – Suppose you own a truck and want to invest in the camper, but you need to know how much weight your vehicle can handle. A safe bet is either three-quarter or one-ton trucks. The bigger the camper, the bigger the truck has to be.
Size of the camper—how many people will be using it? If it’s just you, the camper can have one bed. Is there enough counter space, sleeping areas, and storage? How comfortable do you want to be? If traveling as a family, you need to consider going bigger.
Costs—Campers are expensive, especially the ones we all want with the best interiors and power. Get a camper within your means. There are affordable options and luxury brands.
There are other costs associated with campers. For instance, fuel costs, maintenance cost insurance, and registration. These costs can add up quickly if you hit the road for a long time. Look for a truck with good mileage and always service your vehicle to avoid breakdowns, which can be costly and inconvenient. Check if your manufacturer offers warranties. Some manufacturers provide five or even ten-year warranty on parts. This could save you money.
A flatbed camper is an excellent recreational vehicle option. You can travel around the country without incurring the added cost of buying another vehicle, and they are convenient and can be parked in regular parking spaces.
Before purchasing one, conduct your research and make an informed purchase. We hope this review will be an excellent starting point for guiding you through what to look for in a truck camper and the various options in the market.
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