A truck camper can be an affordable way to get the taste of RV living. When looking for the best truck campers, you should also pay attention to the manufacturers. Most manufacturers are the same that produce regular campers, so you’d know some already if you’ve ever bought a camper or RV before.
The truck camper is small, but it usually has a bathroom, a kitchen, and a bed. It attaches to the truck’s bed, so you can basically turn your truck into a mini camper anytime you like. This makes it a viable option for truck owners who also like to travel in their truck.
Top 10 Truck Camper Manufacturers
Knowing who is producing the best truck campers can help you find the best value product for your truck. Here are the top 10 manufacturers of truck campers:
1. Lance Camper
Lance Camper is the most popular company when it comes to truck campers and lightweight campers. Based in Lancaster, CA, the company produces both long bed trucks and short bed trucks.
Currently, Lance Camper offers nine different models of truck campers, varying in sizes and features. You can also find vehicle specific models from this manufacturer. If you own a Ford F150/1500, F250/2500, or F350/2500, they have a truck camper for those Ford models.
Similarly, they also have campers for the Toyota Tundra and Nissan Titan. Lance offers a four-season truck camper certification option. That provides all the amenities and insulation for using the truck camper year-round.
Another thing that sets Lance apart from other manufacturers is their Eco-Green RV construction. In fact, they are Green Certified by TRA Certification.
What is Green Certification? This means that the camper has been produced creating the least possible emissions. Also, the RVs’ materials are generally eco-friendly and follow the standards set by the California state government.
Lance also employs cutting-edge CAD when designing campers to keep their weight minimum. For a truck camper, the lighter the camper is, the better it gets on the road.
The Lance 650 truck camper is a great example of their quality engineering. This particular model is one of their best, as it looks small but packs in quite a space on the inside. That’s just the outcome of some sound design work, using every space efficiently.
Key Features
- Innovative designs
- Strict manufacturing standards
- Four seasons
- Lots of options
- Eco-friendly
2. nuCamp
nuCamp produces a variety of small campers, including their iconic Teardrop camper. In the truck camper category, they make the nuCamp Cirrus truck camper. This particular truck camper is quite different from what most truck campers are like.
There are two models of nuCamp Cirrus, the Cirrus 820 and the Cirrus 920. The main difference between the two models is size. The 920 is a bit bigger than the 820 model.
No matter which model you go for, each comes with a 38-gallon freshwater tank, 32-gallon grey water tank, and an 18-gallon black water tank. They also contain a small refrigerator and two standard 20-pound propane tanks.
The Cirrus 820 would work with all ¾ ton trucks. These are four-season models, so also suitable for those frigid winters.
In the beginning, the solar kit was an additional expense, but now it’s a standard in both models. Other options include rare awnings, wireless camera, roof rack, and Torklift glow steps. I, for one, think they’ve done an outstanding job in terms of the amenities and features they could pack in a camper as small as a truck camper.
nuCamp is relatively new but has managed to make a name for itself through its innovation. But what stands out to me is their impressive craftsmanship. All their campers are produced in their facility in Ohio, apparently under very stringent quality standards.
Almost all the models, including the Cirrus truck campers, have some form of warranty that you can directly claim from nuCamp.
Key Features
- Great use of small space
- Quality craftsmanship
- Lots of amenities
- Four seasons
- Good value for money
3. Livin’ Lite
Livin’ Lite’s CampLite trailers are instantly recognizable if you know about the company and its flagship camper. However, they have stopped manufacturing now, so you might only be able to buy used campers.
They produced a CampLite truck camper, which is one of the best-value and most lightweight truck campers in the market right now.
They did not use wood at all in this camper, so it’s aluminum through and through. I like the 8.4s model the best, as it offers additional space with a slideout structure. Other than that, you have three more floor options.
The material being aluminum is mold and water-resistant so that the camper lasts longer. Also, the walls, roof, and floor wall are insulated. This is essentially a four-season truck camper.
The interior is quite nice on these campers, and the color varies. The Euro double-pane windows with built-in nightshades are also high-quality, something you wouldn’t find on all campers, especially smaller ones.
It’s unclear why they stopped manufacturing and whether they will ever return to producing their campers. However, their CampLite models still remain one of the favorites in the camper community.
Key Features
- All-aluminum construction (even the kitchen cabinets)
- Lightweight camper
- Insulated
- Affordable
4. Adventurer Truck Campers
When you’ve been in the industry for over five decades, you’re sure to know a thing or two about making a great camper. Adventurer Campers have been around since 1969. They offer six different models of truck campers.
Adventure is one of my personal favorites because of its interior. I find the interior aesthetically pleasing and practical as well. You can clean it easily, keeping it functional for years to come.
Another great thing about Adventure Truck Campers is that they offer a decent space. You’re already pressed for space when using a truck camper, but their designs manage to offer ample space for living in the camper days on end.
For instance, the 80R camper model has a sleeping capacity for four individuals. That’s something you’ll find in RVs. The floor-length, height of the roof and width of the exterior is slightly bigger than what you would usually find in campers this size.
The 80R comes with a bathroom equipped with a shower as standard. That alone has me convinced that it’s one of the best truck campers out there. It’s basically for long bed trucks like Toyota Tundra.
Based in Washington, the manufacturer is still going strong, bringing new designs out gradually. They have taken their time to perfect their craft as in so many years, they have only released six models for truck campers. That said, each model has become a kind of a brand in its own right.
Key Features
- Spacious interior
- Fully-equipped bathroom
- High-quality make
- Compatible with a large range of trucks
5. Northern Lite
Northern Lite is another popular name in the truck camper world. The highlight of their truck campers is that you get a choice of wet bath or dry bath. I’m a big fan of the Northern Lite 8-11 EX Dry Bath truck camper.
You have both short bed and long bed truck campers, so there’s essentially something for everyone. There are three models available: the Special Edition, Sportsman Edition, and Limited Edition.
The manufacturer uses two-piece fiberglass, which makes the campers very lightweight. In fact, this is something Northern Lite is known for. They also offer some of the best aftersale service and warranty.
They have been around for over 30 years now, perfecting their craft over time. The resale value of their truck campers is good, too, because they are quite in-demand.
Even though essentially there are three models, they offer multiple floorplans for each. Both Special Edition and Limited Edition models come in five floorplans. On the other hand, Sportsman Edition comes in three floorplans.
It’s important to note that all campers are four-season truck campers. The interior is high-quality and aesthetically pleasing. For instance, the kitchen cabinets are solid plywood, while the drawers are nine-ply Russian Birch.
The frame can be wood or aluminum, but either way, it’s quite lightweight. The weight is 25% less than the usual camper weights made of aluminum or wood frames. Also, the campers are fully leak-proof.
Key Features
- Four seasons
- Lightweight
- Dry or wet bathroom options
- Lots of floorplan choices
- Great customer service
6. Northstar Campers
Northstar Campers has been producing truck campers since 1961. It’s based in Iowa and credits itself as ‘the Truck Camper People.’ Well, they have been in this business for quite some time, after all.
Northstar produces two kinds of truck campers: hard wall and pop-up. The former is a typical one that you’ll find with most manufacturers on this list. The latter is good for virtually all truck sizes.
I like Northstar campers because of their value and price range. They offer several models with varying prices, but more importantly, the campers are of great value. In other words, you get the bang for your buck.
The 600SS is also a great model, which is one of their lowest-priced items. You can get it for both short and long bed trucks of most makes. It features an extended cab-over bed and a screen door.
Their latest Liberty Camper is for ultra-short beds and typical short beds. There are actually quite a lot of options for both short bed and long bed trucks.
Northstar campers are the best for conditions below freezing point. They are equipped with the necessary features to insulate you and protect you from rough conditions. You can always add more features to make it even better.
Key Features
- Four seasons
- Hard-wall and pop-up truck campers
- Both short and long bed campers
- Table systems
- Great value for money
7. Northwood
Northwood produces one of my favorite truck campers, the Arctic Fox. It’s one of those campers that are super feature-rich. The number of amenities and features in Arctic Fox gives even the most luxurious campers a run for their money, at least in my opinion.
The other model that Northwood makes is Wolf Creek. While the Wolf Creek has only two floor plans, the Arctic Fox offers a whopping eight different floor plans. The bed is also quite large, and the bathroom is a wet bathroom.
Northwood is an instantly recognizable name because it produces a wide range of travel trailers. In fact, they have a lot of choices for travel trailers and fifth wheels, including insulated fifth wheels. However, you only have two options when it comes to truck campers.
The company is based in Oregon and started in 1993. Since then, they have made quite a name for themselves. People prize their Northwood campers because they genuinely are high-quality.
The Arctic Fox has an aluminum frame and is made of single piece fiberglass. The walls are polyurethane laminated and multi-layered. You also have residential wear floor covering.
The truck camper features external LED lighting and a 20-watt solar panel. The shower is on the exterior. All in all, it has everything you could ask for in a truck camper.
Key Features
- All four seasons campers
- Quality construction
- Lots of features
- Great design
- Generous storage
8. Palomino
Palomino was a division of Forest River and has now been acquired by Berkshire Hathaway. The company produces a single model of a truck camper, the Palomino Backpacker.
The Palomino Backpacker is a spacious truck camper that fits on a large variety of trucks. There are two variants of this model. Both come with multiple floorplans, so even though there isn’t a lot of variety in terms of the models, there are certainly some options within the model.
The HS-750 is a hard-side version with six floorplans, whereas the soft-side version also has six floorplans. Made of Hi-gloss Gel coat and complete with high-density foam insulation, the camper is good for all seasons.
The frame of the camper is aluminum, and it features a battery charging station on the outside. The soft sides version also has a Rieco Titan Electric Roof Lift. On the other hand, the hard-side has a walkable roof.
It just comes down to personal preference really as you can customize both the versions to exactly how you want it. You can add more stuff like an awning, solar panels, and air conditioning.
Although it lacks a dry bath, it’s still a great truck camper, mainly because of the manufacturer. It’s an established name in the Mid West and has been making RVs since 1968. They manufacture many popular brands including Columbus, Puma, and Solaire.
Key Features
- Six floorplan options
- Foam insulated
- Solid frame
- Modern design
9. BigFoot RV
BigFoot RV makes premium travel trailers and truck campers. The company, which is based in British Columbia, makes two series of truck campers: 1500 Series and 2500 Series.
For the 1500 Series, you have three floorplan options. However, the 2500 Series offers six different floorplans. The standard features on both these models are similar.
The prices are higher than what you would typically pay for a truck camper this size. However, that’s mainly because of the premium components and materials they use. For instance, their fiberglass material is of exceptional quality.
If you’re looking for something durable and long lasting, BigFoot may just be the answer. They are not as popular as some of the American manufacturers on this list. Nevertheless, their product qualifies them to be featured as top 10 camper manufacturers.
I like both the 1500 and 2500 series simply because of the storage capacity. You’ll find the space to offer decent storage for those longer journeys. If you carry a lot of equipment with you, this camper will give you ample storage to stow it away.
As is typical with truck campers, you can add more amenities for a price. You can add a TV, microwave, air conditioning (11,000 BTU), awning, exterior shower, rear camera, and a lot of other cool stuff.
Key Features
- Premium quality materials
- Lots of customization options
- Durable construction
- Wet bath
10. Host Campers
Host Campers is another luxury camper manufacturer, so their campers have a hefty price tag. Unlike many other manufacturers, Host Campers produces a large variety of truck campers, offering seven camper models.
Host Campers was founded by Hogue and Storch, who also created the Beaver Coaches line. The company is based in Oregon, in the Cascade Mountains region.
What I like about Host Campers is that they go quite grand when it comes to standard features. You’ll find some of the models to have standard features that often come at an additional price in typical truck campers.
The construction of the campers is UltraLite aluminum. As a result, they are lightweight and easily maneuverable. As for the extras, there are just so many options to go with.
If you’re not constrained with a budget, you can create a luxury experience with their truck camper models. The Host Campers Mammoth remains their most popular one, with multiple layout options under a single floor plan.
Key Features
- Luxury campers
- Lightweight aluminum frame
- A lot of standard features and amenities
- Variety in terms of design and size
- Three-year structural warranty
Finally
There are many other manufacturers as well, but these, in my opinion, deserve the top spots. All of these manufacturers have decades of experience. A lot of the camper models have been around for years too.
