In This GuideI
The simple addition of a camper to a truck can transform an everyday driver into a true adventure rig. The straightforward utility of a pickup truck combined with the expeditionary promise of a camper makes an immediate statement: Cheaper than a van, cooler than an RV.
Another fact is that there are a lot of choices out there. More today than ever, and this guide is hear to help educate you on the different types of truck campers on the market and distill down the things you need should know before you buy.
The truck camping rabbit hole is deep and complex, but it's fun. Immerse yourself into the details, carefully consider all of the pros and cons, and good luck on your journey to build the perfect rig for your wild pursuits.
The evolution of truck camping
Humble, Yet Limited Beginnings: For many years truck camping options were fairly polarized: On one end of the spectrum, we had the luxurious comfort of slide-in campers and on the other end our trucks had the basic shelter provided by fiberglass or aluminum camper shells. Truck campers were either bulky, mobile studio apartments or a bare truck beds with an old mattress, with little middle-ground.
The Lightweight Revolution: As mid-sized pickups have gained in popularity, so has the demand for smaller, lighter camper options. With payload considerations, and an increase in more nimble adventure options. some people didn't need the finished comforts of curtains, cabinetry, and a full bathroom. Others the everyday utility of their truck bed while still having easy access to a simple bed and tent for occasional trips.
An Explosion of Options: Attend a Today the options are wide-ranging, from minimalist setups, fully equipped mobile home, and a multitude of great options in between. there's now a camper designed to match your truck and your adventure style. More choices mean you can tailor your setup to fit your specific needs—making it easier than ever to hit the road with exactly what you need.
How to Choose the Right Truck Camper For You
With so many different campers to choose from it's important to remember there's no specific style of truck camper is necessarily better than others, just different, each with a trade-offs of one kind or another.
- Determine Your Priorities: How do you plan to use it? Will you use it for extended road trips or mainly weekend getaways? What seasons and weather conditions do you plan to use it in? Do you use your truck as a daily driver or a dedicated adventure rig?
- Set Your Budget: Don't forget to factor in the ongoing maintenance or add-ons you'll need to make comfortable or useable. Hidden costs.
- Do Your Research Visit a local dealer, attend an event, or coordinate with an owner of the same camper model nearby for a tour. Videos and reviews are a great way to do your initial research, Actually experiencing the camper in-person is the best way to get sense of how much space it offers and how well built it is. Ask about...
The World of Truck Campers
1. Basic Topper
Shell. Topper. Canopy. They go by different names but they all provide a good, basic shelter for your truck's bed. Common brands are Leer, SnugTop, or ARE, with SmartCap, and Go Fast Campers being newer entrants in the market. Once the camper shell is installed on your truck bed, a lot is possible with that space; from complete build-outs to simple open spaces with a foam mattress and a Jet Boil on a milk crate.
Price range: $2,000-4,000
Pros: Simple, affordable, versatile. No setup. A great option for stealth camping. Lightweight and nimble for off-roading.
Cons: Mainly space. If you leave your bed open, you have to pack and set up for every trip. Weather resistance is a common complaint for many toppers as well.
But if you build out a simple bed or storage, you lose a lot of the utility of your truck bed. Limited space. Not always designed to be weather proof. If you decide to sleep in your shell, there’s no mistaking that you’re sleeping a truck bed.
Weight: 200 - 400 lbs.
-
Who it’s ideal for:
Single people, or couples who don't mind roughing it a bit.
People who's truck is still their daily driver.
Adventurers on a budget.
2. Basic Topper + Roof Top Tent
Ok, so now you’ve got a topper shell, but want a bit more dedicated sleeping space. The natural evolution for many basic truck campers is to add a roof top tent (RTT) on the top of their camper shell. This combo provides a dedicated place to sleep up top, with an open truck bed for storage down below. Popular brands include Roofnest, FSR, AluCab, Roam Adventure Co.
Price range: $1,200-5,000
Hidden Costs: Don't forget, you'll also need a roof rack to mount the tent to the roof of you topper. Racks can range from $ XXXX - XXXX
Pros: Simple upgrade to an existing build, the RTT frees up space in the truck bed for dedicated storage and seating. Lightweight and nimble for off-roading. Lots of options to choose from at a variety of price points and features.
Cons: Requires some setup to pop-up, You’ll need to enter and exit your tent by an exterior ladder, lots of weight and stress on top of a camper shell, and tents are not always weatherproof.
Weight Range: 200 - 300 lbs
-
Who it’s ideal for:
Single people, or couples who want to step up from the standalone canopy.s
Adventurers on a budget.
People who like to 'stealth camp' without drawing much attention.
3. Wedge or Canopy Camper
Wedge, Canopy Camper, Compact Camper, this category of camper goes by a few different names, but the concept is generally the same. This system has integrated roof top tent with an aluminum camper shell. With hinges at the bottom, and struts in the middle, they pop open in a triangular wedge shape. Some may initially see these campers as a rooftop tent mated with a canopy and nothing more, but look a bit deeper and you'll see they offer more versatility than meets the eye. These lightweight campers allow truck owners to keep the bed area open, a blank canvas for custom builds or valuable space for everyday truck use. Available in hard and soft sides from brands like Super Pacific, Alu-Cab, Go Fast Campers, Topo Toppers, Lone Peak, and many more.
Price range: $5,995-18,600
Pros: Two levels for storage and sleeping, without the need to enter the tent from the outside: owners can enter the sleeping area from inside the truck bed. Standing headroom when tent is deployed. Still possible to keep truck bed open for everyday use, or build out storage and seating. Light weight, low profile, flexible.
Cons: Requires some setup. Not all tents are waterproof. Less insulated than a fiberglass camper shell or slide in camper.
Average weight: 346 lbs.
Choosing the Right Wedge Camper Can Be Tough—We've Made It Easier
Cut through the noise and find your perfect wedge camper with our 2025 Wedge Camper Buyers Guide and toolkit.
4. Lightweight Pop-up
Very similar to a wedge camper, but instead of a triangular profile, these campers have a rectangular profile because the roof pops straight up. These campers are typically wider than wedge campers and offer a bit more interior room. Available in hard and soft sides with options like the Tune M1, Four Wheel Campers' Project M, Oru Designs, Hiatus, and more.
Price range: $8,495 to $17,500
Pro's: More space and headroom on the camper interior. More interior space allows for more dedicated storage and seating.
Con's: Still requires some setup. Not all are very waterproof. Less insulated than a fiberglass camper shell or slide in camper. Generally a little heavier and bulkier than wedge campers. Still handle well on Forest Service roads and some more narrower trails. Not quite as ideal for your daily driver.
Weight Range: 360-525 lbs
Truck Stuff Rating: 9/10
Log Cabin on Wheels: 1/10
5. Traditional popup
Essentially a slide-in camper that collapses into a lower profile when packed away. These typically have hard-sided lower walls with a fabric pop-up. Some have water and power hookups along with built-out storage, seating, and a sleeping area. Four Wheel Campers, Palomino, Scout, and Alaskan are a few well-known pop-ups.
Price range: $23,000 to $39,000
Pros: Higher level of comfort and finish. Fully built, no need to customize the interior yourself. Options for serious amenities like sinks, ovens, showers, toilets, curtains and king size beds.
Cons: Weight and cost. Significant impact on gas mileage. Not as insulated as a hard side slide in camper. Harder on vehicle suspension, may be a little too big for regular off-roading, or narrow forest roads.
Average weight: 1,320 lbs
6. Slide-in
These are the campers most people think of when they hear the words 'truck camper'. They're fully finished hard-sided campers with a bed, bathroom option, built-in kitchen, seating, and storage. They designed to be super comfortable with lots of amenities, but not very practical as everyday drivers. You'll see these campers at the big RV dealership lots with brands like Lance, Capri, and Scout.
Price range: $11,995 to $30,000
Pros: Very finished and comfortable, essentially a mobile studio apartment. Options for serious amenities like sinks, ovens, showers, toilets, curtains and king size beds.
Cons: Weight and height. Harder on vehicle suspension, might be a little too big for regular off-roading. Significant impact on gas mileage. Not easy to load gear on and off the roof.
Average weight: 1,393 lbs
Conclusion
When it comes to choosing a truck bed camper for your next adventure there's really no wrong choice. It comes down to setting your priorities, understanding the trade-offs you're willing to make, and doing your research.
Shopping for a wedge camper? Explore our guide.
Cut through the noise and find your perfect wedge camper with our 2025 Wedge Camper Buyers Guide, and our Expanded Buyers Toolkit.
