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Last Updated on August 24, 2024 by Paul Clayton
5 Best Truck Campers Without Kitchens
There has been an increasingly common trend amongst those searching for truck campers. While the majority of RVers interested in truck campers search for a camper with as many amenities as possible, quite a few others are perfectly fine going without said amenities.
- Four Wheel Campers Project M
- AT Overland Habitat
- Go Fast Campers (GFC) Platform
- Vagabond Outdoors The Drifter
- AT Overland Summit
This section of truck camper enthusiasts is searching for campers without kitchens and campers that are as minimalistic as possible.
These truck campers are better suited to individuals who want to explore the great outdoors without the amenities and conveniences of the modern world.
This article aims to highlight 5 of these truck campers, particularly the pop-top ones, that offer you things such as a cozy bed, a decently sized storage area,
and enough standing room.
The truck campers in this list are suited to rugged RVers, as they have solid platforms to mount gear, such as bicycles and kayaks.
This lightweight truck camper aims to fill the gap between a traditional truck camper and a top-of-the-line, slide-in, full-featured camper.
The Best Truck Campers Without Kitchens
1. Four Wheel Campers Project M
Project M from Four Wheel Campers is the latest product from a company that has been creating truck campers for over 20 years. This assures you that the brand understands how to build a high-quality product.
While Four Wheel Campers is renowned for its slide-in, fully-featured truck campers, there is a large demand for lightweight campers, and it has tapped into that. Project M is the result of this determination to branch into the market.
Quite a few things ensure Project M stands out from the rest of the pack. Some of them include the vertical sidewalls and the large sleeping area. This camper is so wide that most people can sleep sideways.
Project M has two-bed sizes, depending on the truck. For midsized trucks, you get an 81 by 66 inches bed, and for full-size trucks, an 81 by 72 inches bed.
This design has been thoughtfully designed to fit the majority of trucks. This is an excellent feature, as few truck campers can fit the vast array of pickup beds available.
While the design might look wide and chunky on curvy and narrow trucks, thanks to the wide design and vertical walls, you get quite a lot of living space.
Project M has a massive lip in the camper, which connects to the pickup bed. This enables it to fit several trucks while offering built-in benches for the camper.
The look of this truck camper can significantly change depending on the type of siding you select. Smooth aluminum or black diamond siding is available alongside numerous color options. A 5-year structural warranty covers the camper’s siding, frame, and roofing.
Features
- Pricing starts at $11,495
- Large cab-over bed with mattress
- Adult sleeping of 2
2. AT Overland Habitat
The Habitat is the brainchild of AT Overland Equipment, a brand known for creating high-quality products for North American enthusiasts.
The company began its overland foray by creating adventure trailers with off-roading capabilities. Over the years, AT has entered the truck bed and rooftop living systems industry.
The very first offering is Habitat. This truck camper is unique in a seemingly one-dimensional market, thanks to its flip-over design reminiscent of rooftop tents. The Habitat can sleep with 2 people.
The Habitat is constructed with a honeycomb composite panel that is FRP-skinned. This construction means that it is low-weight, high-strength, and highly insulated.
You also get a dedicated two-person sleeping area, while the whole bed area in the truck acts as a living area with standing height.
A wonderful feature of the Habitat is its tent design system, which provides a covered compartment for use at the back of the truck.
It can be a great place to cook as it does not come with a kitchen, but it can also help store muddy and wet gear from the living area.
While this truck camper might look a little more fragile than other designs, it can handle almost anything the world throws.
When the roof is closed, it can support a maximum of 340 pounds, and the cantilevered bed can hold up to 600 pounds.
Habitat’s design has two disadvantages compared to the design of other truck campers. The most important one is that the gear placed on top of the room must be removed before the tent can be deployed.
The second con is that the interior of the Habitat can be very loud during windy conditions, given that the structure is not as rigid and there is more material to catch the breeze.
Features
- Pricing starts at $13,900
- Built-in mattress (48″ x 87″ x 2″)
- Ruggedly designed for 4×4 travel
- Interior carpeting
3. Go Fast Campers (GFC) Platform
If you are interested in a truck camper with a little style and flash, the Platform camper is perfect for you.
The Platform is a lightweight camper designed for camping adventures deep in remote and off-road environments. It is designed to fit midsize trucks and full-size pickups.
When the weather is perfect, no other camper takes advantage of it. The Platform can be fully opened, just like a cabana, and every component is made in-house.
The Platform’s frame consists of steel tubing, which makes it look like a roll cage. Due to this design, the truck camper is extremely rigid, and the sides can also be opened. You get a powerful roof hinge mechanism, and latches are made from aluminum.
This Platform’s tent is made from welded vinyl material and snapped in place. This ensures that it remains clean and can be maintained easily. It is also extremely durable.
A con, however, is that the welded vinyl can be condensation-prone. The mattress you get with this camper is only 2 inches thick, which is not sufficiently comfortable for many people.
GFC campers can replace or supplement that mattress using memory foam and other sleeping options.
Features
- The base price is $7,450
- The Platform weighs 275 lbs (depending on truck bed size)
- Sleeping Capacity: 2 Adults
4. Vagabond Outdoors The Drifter
The Drifter has been coming for the manufacturers, who have gained knowledge and experience working under a host of other manufacturers. Its wedge popup style is sure to catch attention.
A feature that makes the Drifter stand out is its drop-down cab window, which comes standard. This enables you to crawl through space to the truck’s cab. This only works if your car has a rear window sufficiently large enough to go through.
The camper features a 3-inch-thick bed, a high-density mattress, and a waterproof lid. The bed and lip design ensures the bed area remains in place when the camper is down.
Features
- Costs $8,750
- Aluminum construction
- Waterproof tent with 3 windows
- Insulated ceiling
5. AT Overland Summit
This is the second truck camper on this list from AT Overland. While the Summit takes cues from the Habitat, it still has its design. This truck camper has been built on an architecture similar to the Habitat.
A great advantage over AT Overland’s other offering is that the roof can take about 100 pounds of load and still be opened. You don’t need to take your things down to pop the top like you would on the Habitat.
You get a queen-sized bed that measures 48 by 80 inches. The mattress is 2.5 inches thick and can be moved out of sight when unused.
This is possible due to gas springs. You have enough space between the closed roof and the bed area to leave the bedding in place.
While the Summit is large enough, some users might gripe at their feet hitting the lower end of the roof when they turn over in bed.
This is not an AT Overland Summit-only issue. However, it is a frustrating one that is commonplace with wedge-design truck campers. That being said, if you are in a small size, this is unlikely to be an issue for you.
Features
- The base price starts at $13,200
- It weighs 360 pounds
- Sleeping capacity of 2
- 5 interior LED lights and 4 lift gate LED lights
- Insulated aluminum composite panels
Why Choose A Truck Camper Without a Kitchen?
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Space Efficiency: A truck camper without a kitchen provides more room for other amenities or cargo. This is particularly beneficial when traveling with a lot of gear or for those who prefer an open, airy living/sleeping space.
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Cost-Effective: Without the kitchen, a truck camper is usually more affordable. This can be an attractive option for those on a tight budget or those who don’t want to spend much on their camper.
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Flexibility in Food Options: Opting for a camper without a kitchen encourages you to explore local dining options while on the road. This could mean discovering new cuisines, patronizing local businesses, and enjoying a more authentic travel experience.
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Less Maintenance: Kitchens, with their appliances and plumbing, can often be the source of maintenance issues in a camper. Choosing a camper without a kitchen eliminates potential problems, translating into less maintenance and fewer repairs.
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Simplicity: A camper without a kitchen is typically more straightforward and quicker to set up and break down. This simplicity can appeal to novice campers or those who prefer a minimalist lifestyle.
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Outdoor Cooking: For some, the joy of camping is closely tied to cooking meals outdoors over an open fire. A camper without a kitchen nudges you towards this more traditional, and some would say more enjoyable, way of preparing food.
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Weight Saving: A truck camper can be significantly lighter without the weight of a kitchen and its appliances. This could result in better fuel efficiency and easier handling on the road.
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Increased Mobility: A camper without a kitchen is more mobile, has less weight, and has no concerns about securing kitchenware during travel. This is ideal for those planning to move around during their travels.
Summary
Truck campers without kitchens are gaining popularity for their simplicity, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness. These campers are designed for those who value mobility and convenience over luxury.
The Four Wheel Campers Project M is a prime example of this trend. This model offers a spacious living area while maintaining the essential functionality of a camper. It is light, durable, and optimized for off-road adventures.
Another notable model is the AT Overland Habitat. It provides ample sleeping space and considerable storage capacity, with an architectural design that maximizes the use of space and minimizes weight.
Go Fast Campers (GFC) Platform is another exemplary model known for its robust design and ultra-lightweight construction. This camper can be easily mounted on various truck models and is perfect for those who enjoy high-speed off-road driving.
Vagabond Outdoors The Drifter takes a different approach by offering a minimalist yet comfortable design. It’s a compact, lightweight camper that can be easily attached to your truck and is perfect for solo travelers or couples.
Finally, the AT Overland Summit stands out with its unique flip-open design and exceptional build quality. This camper offers unparalleled comfort and convenience without forgoing the fundamental aspect of being a truck camper without a kitchen.
In conclusion, truck campers without kitchens like Four Wheel Campers Project M, AT Overland Habitat, Go Fast Campers (GFC) Platform, Vagabond Outdoors The Drifter, and AT Overland Summit offer a distinctive blend of comfort, convenience, and affordability while enabling adventurers to connect more with nature.
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