RVs are a great invention. However, not every person likes or is comfortable with roaming around in a massive RV. There are some individuals that prefer to have something that is light, simple, and of course, affordable.
For individuals like that light truck campers are the perfect solution. That being said purchasing a truck camper isn’t exactly straightforward or simple. There are quite a lot of things one has to consider when trying to find the best light truck camper for you.
There are numerous lightweight truck campers available for purchase today. However, not all of them are going to provide you with the best experience. There are some that offer a great experience, while others leave a lot to be desired.
While most websites would simply try to advertise their favorites to you. The aim of this article is to show you a list of the 10 best lightweight truck campers available for purchase, highlighting their features, pros, cons, and of course price.
All of this is to ensure that you are able to make an informed choice when selecting the best truck camper for you. On that note, let’s begin!
Ultra-Light Truck Campers
1. Outfitter Apex 8
Outfitter’s Apex 8 has been designed to not be just another camper. It has quite a number of features. For one, it has quite the largest freshwater tanks found in a truck camper. Its freshwater tank measures at 44 gallons, however, both the black and grey water tanks come with a 16-gallon capacity.
Prominent Features:
- 3-way 3-cubic ft fridge
- Dual thermopane Sietz windows
- Overhead storage compartment
- Maple interior cabinets
- Marine-grade porcelain toilet
- Underbed storage
- Weblon soft-walls
When you purchase this truck camper, you get a 5-year construction warranty, ensuring that you are protected for a long time. The base model of the Apex 8 is available for only $38,995 only.
2. Northern Lite 8-11EX
When it comes to luxurious light truck campers, Northern Lite is the name that pops up. For one, this Northern Lite model has a beautiful fibreglass constructed clamshell exterior.
Northern Lite ensured that this moulded fibreglass construction was able to make this model look not only aerodynamic but also stylish.
The construction quality ensures that zero leaks, as well as excellent durability, are standard. The 8-11EX WET has a 9-foot floor plan with a host of features.
What’s great about this truck camper from Northern Lite is the fact that it has a 33-gallon tank for freshwater. This makes it one of the largest on this list. The grey and black tank hold 24 and 13 gallons respectively. It is also possible to get this model with a dry bath.
Prominent Features:
- 18,000 BTU furnace
- North-South queen-size bed
- Spacious wet-bath
- Face-to-face dinette
- Plenty of storage
- A large kitchenette
- Three-burner propane cooktop
- 6-gallon DSI water heater
- Seitz windows
- A mirrored, three-way 6.3-cubic foot refrigerator
- All-wood cabinets with Sapele veneer panelling
- Side and rear awnings
- Dual battery compartment
- 95-watt solar power system
- 9,200 BTU air conditioner
- Two 20-pound propane tanks
- LED lighting
When it comes to warranty, this truck camper has a 6-year warranty. This is particularly useful given that this model costs $44,100. While this price might appear a little steep, it is one of the truck campers that gives you value for your money.
3. Capri Retreat
Capri is known in the camper industry for producing unique, ready-made designs which are perfectly suited for half and three quarter ton trucks. The Retreat embodies this with a completely aluminium enclosed wood construction that is bound to stand the test of time.
Capri offers the Retreat in two specifications, first as a fully decorated and equipped camper or as a lightweight empty shell that comes with a bed. If you are interested in going all the way, you should have a look at the options available for this model.
Prominent Features:
- Shower
- Microwave
- Cooktop
- Faucet and Sink
- Polar Cub 9200 A/C
- Dinette Table
- Manual Jacks
- 30-gallon fresh water holding tank
The Retreat is a truck camper that has an enthralling diamond pattern exterior. The exterior is created using aluminium and is available in over 10 varying base colours coupled with coloured accents and strips.
If you are the type of person that likes wood finishes, Capri makes this available to you. There are 4 varying yet stylish wood panelling selections to pick from. They are Cypress, Pecan, Weathered Cedar, Ridge Pine.
Additionally, Capri provides the ability to order a truck camper to suit your particular truck bed. You can select from as much as 8 foot to 6.5 and 5.5 foot.
This ensures that the Retreat is a wonderful choice for just about any truck. The Retreat can be purchased for just $21,845.
4. Alaskan 7 Cabover
The next truck camper on this list is quite different as it is a hybrid camper. A hybrid camper is one that is able to provide you with benefits of both the hard-side and pop-up camper.
The Alaskan 7 Cabover has a pop-top built with a sturdy wall construction as well as a hydraulic mechanism which raises and lowers the camper’s top using a switch flip.
Its telescopic design is not simply an aesthetic as it transforms into a complete classic interior room when camping. Additionally, due to its design, you can be sure to get reduced wind resistance as well as better mileage on your travels.
Prominent Features:
- Maple cabinets
- Leather dinette
- Large countertop
- Wood-panelled ceiling
- Larger Overhead storage
- Full-length door
The 7 Cabover is perfectly suited to fit on short and long bed trucks. And at just $29,900 this is perhaps one of the cheapest truck campers on this list.
5. Hallmark UTE 8.5
The Hallmark RV company can be heralded as a leader in the RV industry. The brand offers a premium and quality line-up of truck campers. In that regard, the UTE 8.5 is the best of the best. It has an extremely sturdy design made with composite fibreglass.
It also has a core made of balsa wood. Its roof is a single piece mould of fibreglass. The clue to its length is in its name, with the UTE 8.5 having an 8 feet 5 inches floor. It is capable of containing a queen-sized bed with an east-west layout.
What sets the Hallmark apart is that it has added storage under the bed, a massive kitchen located at the front, a U shaped dinette, as well as a full capacity bathroom.
Prominent Features:
- Overhead cabinets
- Large double windows
- Massive views
- Two battery compartment
- Lagun table that swings away.
- Moulded countertops
- Four gallon DSI water heater
- Customisable cabinetry finish choices: maple or amber bamboo
- Side awnings
- Inverter
- Custom flooring
- North-South cabover
- 200-watt solar system
The UTE 8.5 is the perfect size for any short or long bed truck. it also comes with a structural warranty of 5 years. The base model of the Hallmark UTE 8.5 is around $41,000.
6. Lance 855s
Lance is perhaps one of the longest operating manufacturers on this list. Due to this longevity, they have been able to build trust thanks to its 9 luxurious models. The 855s is a wonderful choice for those searching for a lightweight truck camper.
This is because it has a short bed design, making it the perfect length. Additionally, it has a slide-out dinette that comfortably sits 4 people. That dinette can also be converted into a bed that sleeps 2. Some of its standout features include LED lighting, an aerodynamic nose cap, a bed base with carpet and a deluxe mattress.
One of the most important things, however, is that the 855s has an extremely sturdy construction thanks to its aluminium framed walls, cabover, roof and floor. Additionally, the floors have been laminated and insulated. The roof has been made from a single piece to ensure against warping.
Prominent Features:
- Maple interior
- LED lighting
- Bathroom
- Sturdy construction
- 4 person dining capacity
- 4 to 5 person sleeping capacity
The Lance 855s can be purchased for just $40,900.
7. California Four-Wheel Camper Flatbed Hawk
This Four Wheel Campers from California are known to be unique durable campers. The Flatbed Hawk is no different. It does not matter how extreme road conditions may be, the Flatbed Hawk is able to withstand it thanks to its narrow girth and rear kickback.
The Flatbed Hawk has quite a number of interesting features, for one it is just 60 inches when the pop up is down. It weighs less than 1,500 pounds and goes up to just over 2,000 pounds when it is fully loaded.
Moreover, the frame is extremely lightweight, thanks to the roof made from a single piece of aluminium. The construction is high quality ensuring that its waterproof and durable designs are sure to last.
Prominent Features:
- East-West bed layout
- Massive dinette
- Isotherm 3-way fridge measuring 1.7 Cubic feet
- Indoor shower
- Dual battery box
- 14 interior material choices
- Small Kitchenette
- Wrappon Green 12 volt portable toilet
- 320-watt solar power option
Perhaps the only negative to this camper is the fact that the freshwater tank is a bit on the small side measuring just 20 gallons. Nevertheless, it is possible to install an additional water tank if you are interested in increasing your freshwater capacity thanks to the tray size.
The Flatbed Hawk has been specifically designed for full-sized trucks that have a 6 and a half feet bed. The base price of a Flatbed Hawk starts around $27,400.
8. Lance 825
This Lance Camper is the second product from Lance on our list. It goes without saying that Lance Campers is definitely a leading manufacturer in the camping industry. The 825 is the result of several years of work at Lance to create the lightest and most durable truck camper.
The 825 in its construction, embodies that desire. It only weighs 1,832 pounds. When the camper is fully loaded it can be a great choice for three quarter ton trucks. The 825 is available with an 8.6 feet floor plan.
Prominent Features:
- Equipped kitchenette
- Small wet bath including shower
- Ful seized dinette
- Large wardrobe
- Atwood water heater with a 6-gallon capacity
- Cherry finished cabinets to provide a classy interior
- 2 burner cooktop made with stainless steel
- Queen sized bed with North-South layout
- Removable carpet
- 100-watt solar power system with a roof rack.
This camper has a freshwater tank capacity of 30 gallons while its black and grey water tanks are 13 and 14 gallons respectively. The 825 has been designed to be sleek and aerodynamic thanks to its TPO nose cap made from one piece.
A unique feature on this list that isn’t seen on others is the ability to connect a solar panel or generator to the camper for easy battery charging. The Lance 825 base model can be purchased at $23,850.
9. Arctic Fox 811
The 811 delivers when it comes to quality and features. While most campers on the list can be considered truly lightweight, the Arctic Fox 811 is right on the upper bounds of it at nearly 3,500 pounds. While the initial dry weight is mentioned to be 2,874 pounds, there is a mandatory option called the Fox package that adds nearly 600 pounds to the base weight.
Prominent Features:
- Massive basement
- Heavily insulated walls (2 inches thick)
- Massive 2 way 7 cubic ft fridge
- 6-gallon DSI water heater
- 9 feet long floor plan
- 4 feet cabover
The base price of this behemoth stands at just $28,220 making it a great addition.
10. NuCamp Cirrus 920
NuCamp is a leading brand in creating innovative and high-quality truck campers. The Cirrus 920 is no exception as NuCamp’s flagship offering numerous features that could be difficult to find in other truck campers.
Prominent Features:
- Alde hydronic heater
- Low noise water heating furnace
- Heated floors
- Froli modular sleep system
- Massive storage space
- Huge wardrobe
- Queen-sized bed in North-South layout
- Bathroom sink that folds away to save space
- Large cabover
- Spacious wet bath
- Cosy dinette
- Spacious kitchenette
At 38 gallons, the fresh water tank is large enough to ensure you do not have to cut your vacation short. The black water tank holds 18 gallons and the grey water holds 32 gallons. If you are interested in this camper.
You have the option of purchasing this camper in a silver or white exterior alongside 10 varying colour accents. The Cirrus camper is available for about $39,533.
