If you’re looking to get a small truck camper, you don’t have to sacrifice quality or luxury. Despite their size, there are plenty of smaller truck campers out there with tons of features. That’s why we took the time to find and highlight the five best small truck campers you can take on your next adventure!
5 Best Small Truck Campers
Arctic Fox 865
Arctic Fox 865
Northern Lite 8-11 EX
Northern Lite 8-11 EX
Cirrus 920
Cirrus 920
PRODUCT NAME
PRODUCT NAME
Treehouse Standard Snap! Treehouse
Treehouse Standard Snap! Treehouse
Best Small Truck Camper Reviews
1. Arctic Fox 865
If you’re looking for a premium truck camper, you’ve found it. This high-end camper is loaded with features and comes with everything you need to travel the country in style.
It has a full wet bath and a 42-gallon fresh water tank, so you never have to worry about running out of water. Furthermore, it comes with a state-of-the-art kitchen so you can make the same meals you could make at home.
It has a three-burner stove, an oven, a residential-style sink, and a large 2-way seven cubic foot refrigerator. But the amenities go beyond that. There’s tons of overhead storage at every turn, and a privacy curtain separates the sleeping area from the living area.
Other premium features include a designer wood grain finish, a 22″ overhead microwave, and tons of headroom throughout with a 6’7″ interior. Furthermore, there are sunroofs in both the hallway and the bathroom.
The biggest drawback to the Arctic Fox 865 is the weight. With a dry weight of 2,641 pounds, the Arctic Fox 865 is definitely on the heavier side.
However, if your truck can handle the added weight, there are even more optional features that you can purchase to really set your truck camper apart.
They offer an optional 28″ LCD television for the bedroom, either 100-watt or 170-watt solar panels, a rear backup camera, and DirecTV or Dish satellite hookups.
Furthermore, if you’re looking to do a little outdoor grilling, the Arctic Fox 865 has an optional Aussie Grill and brackets that mount the assembly on the rear of your truck camper.
Finally, if you’re looking to upgrade your 2-way fridge to a 3-way fridge straight from the dealership, they have options for that too. If you’re not familiar with the difference between the two, 3-way fridges operate on battery power while you are driving, while 2-way refrigerators will not cool while you’re driving.
No matter what you’re looking for, the Arctic Fox delivers a premium experience even with their base model. But if you’re looking for luxury, they have plenty of options for that too!
Pros
- Wet bath
- Extremely large 44-gallon fresh water tank
- Optional solar panel upgrades
- Large interior height at 6’7″
- Premium finish on all materials creates a high-end look throughout
- Two sunroofs provide more natural light throughout
- Full kitchen setup gives you plenty of options
- Premium stereo and entertainment control center provides great audio throughout
Cons
- 3-way refrigerator is a paid upgrade
- Backup camera is a paid upgrade
- Television option is a paid upgrade
- Heavy – the standard package has a 2,641-pound dry weight
- Air-conditioning unit is a paid upgrade
2. Northern Lite 8-11 EX
The Northern Lite 8-11 EX has a ton of premium features that come standard. Features include two 100-watt solar panels, a 7′ rear power-operated awning, a 10′ side power operated awning, and a 3-way 6.3 cubic foot fridge. The only features that should come standard but don’t are the overhead air-conditioning unit and the over the range microwave.
The entire kitchen is a premium setup. It comes with stainless steel appliances, a 3-burner glass top stove, an oven, and a deep residential style sink. Furthermore, it comes with a rear bumper patio, which is enhanced by the awning.
They also have options for truck campers with either a wet bath or a dry bath so that you can choose from your preferred setup. Moreover, it comes with a large 33-gallon fresh water tank, which is more than enough for you to enjoy a shower on the road.
While the Northern Lite 8-11 EX doesn’t have the largest interior height, at 6’4″ it’s still more than large enough for most people.
For entertainment, it comes loaded with options. There are speakers throughout, and an LCD television comes standard in the bedroom. However, the television is mounted on a swivel in a location that allows you to easily see it from both the bedroom and the dinette area.
The bedroom is separate from the living area, and privacy drapes establish clear boundaries. With the extra features found in the Northern Lite 8-11 EX, it’s not surprising that it’s a hefty dry weight at 2,800 pounds.
Finally, while this truck camper gives you tons of amenities before you ever pick up an option, that doesn’t mean you can’t upgrade the experience. They offer an optional wireless backup camera and you can supercharge your solar panels to two 185-watt solar panels.
When you’re purchasing a truck camper, you want one that is going to last. Northern Lite stands by their product, which is why they offer a six-year structural warranty on all of their campers. So, if you want a top-notch camper for years to come, buy a Northern Lite and never look back.
Pros
- Two power awnings come standard
- Six-year structural warranty
- Full loaded stainless-steel kitchen
- Large 3-way 6.3 cubic foot fridge comes standard
- LCD television comes standard and swivels for easy viewing throughout
- Wet bath and dry bath options
- Two solar 100-watt solar panels come standard – with options to upgrade
Cons
- Microwave is an optional upgrade
- Air conditioner is an optional upgrade
- Heavy at 2,800-pounds (dry weight) without any optional upgrades
- Wireless backup camera is an optional upgrade
3. Cirrus 920
While the Cirrus 920 might not offer all the same luxury features as some of the other truck campers that we looked at, that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have its own set of perks.
To begin with, the 9,000 BTU air-conditioning unit comes standard, which is a refreshing twist. From there, you get both internal and external stereo speakers. Whether you want to listen to your favorite tunes or connect your stereo system to the pregame tailgate, it’s easier than ever.
The kitchen area is a nice setup, but you only get a 2-burner stovetop, and a slide-out oven is an optional add-on. Furthermore, the 5-cubic foot fridge is smaller than most, and even the microwave is an extra option you have to purchase.
But if you get the fully-loaded Cirrus 920, it’s hard to beat. That’s because you’ll get all the features above, plus you’ll get a spacious 6’6″ interior height, a powerful 210-watt solar panel, a 38-gallon fresh water tank, and a motorized side awning that expands your outdoor living space.
Of course, a truck camper wouldn’t make our top five if it didn’t have a full bathroom, and the Cirrus 920 doesn’t disappoint with a full wet bath and plenty of fresh water storage.
If you’re looking for the best truck camper, the standard Cirrus 920 isn’t it, but the fully loaded Cirrus 920 makes a strong case. However, before you purchase this beautiful, fully loaded camper, make sure your truck can handle it.
The base model camper starts at 3,530-pounds, and all those extra features only add to the weight. Cirrus recommends at least a 1-ton pickup truck for their 920 model, and you’d be foolish to try to tow it with anything less.
Pros
- 9,000 BTU air-conditioning unit comes standard
- Large 38-gallon fresh water tank
- Large 6’6″ interior height
- Motorized side awning comes standard
- Keyless entry comes standard
- Internal and external speakers
Cons
- Small refrigerator – 5.0 cubic feet
- Extremely heavy with a 3,530-pound dry weight
- Wireless rearview camera is an optional upgrade
- Stovetop only has two burners
- Slide-in oven is an optional upgrade
4. GFC XL Platform Camper
There are two types of truck campers, the premium experience and the ultimate adventure experience. This GFC XL Platform Camper gives you an adventure experience.
It’s the outdoorsman’s dream – a camper that quickly installs to the back of your truck and allows you to hit any trail or road with ease. It’s incredibly lightweight, and you can install it on most ¼-ton pickup trucks without ever having to worry about overloading it.
These campers don’t offer any amenities like cooking areas, toilets, showers, or dining areas. They simply offer an area where you can set up all your sleeping arrangements, pull the camper down, and hit the great outdoors.
From there, all you need to do is expand the camper when you get to your destination, and you have somewhere to sleep!
But what sets these campers apart is their extreme durability. GFC protects every component on the camper with a comprehensive 2-year warranty, so you don’t have to worry about any of the components failing right after purchase.
While this might be the perfect way to get off the beaten path and experience the great outdoors, there’s one significant drawback to this camper. It only fits a limited number of vehicle types. We’ve highlighted those vehicles below, but if yours isn’t on the list, you’re not out of luck yet.
That’s because Treehouse offers another great pop-up camper that you can use, and we’ve reviewed that one below!
Fitment
- 2007-Current Toyota Tundra – Except 8′ bed
- 2009-Current Ford F-150 – 5.5′ and 6.5′ bed
- 1999-Current Ford Super Duty – Except 8′ bed
- 2003-Current Ram Trucks – 5.5′ and 6.5′ bed
- 1999-Current Chevy/GMC 1500-3500 – Except 8′ bed
- 2003-Current Nissan Titan – 5′ and 6′ bed
Pros
- Extremely affordable
- Doesn’t affect gas mileage and is ultra-lightweight
- Easy to remove and reinstall
- 2-year warranty on all parts
Cons
- Only fits a limited number of truck styles
- Does not offer amenities – it just holds your gear and elevates you at night
5. Treehouse Standard Snap! Treehouse
If a GFC XL platform camper doesn’t fit your vehicle, there’s still another great option for you. That’s because the Treehouse Standard Snap! Treehouse camper is a similar design, except it fits any truck with a 5′ bed or larger.
If you’re worried about an awkward fit because it’s a one size fits all product, rest easy. Treehouse makes every Snap! Treehouse to order, so you’ll get a perfect fit for your vehicle.
Like most pop-up campers, the Snap! Treehouse is exceptionally lightweight, and it will only have a negligible impact on your fuel economy – you likely won’t notice the difference.
It’s easy to use, and unlike most pop-up campers, you enter from the bed of the truck, so you don’t have to climb a dangerous exterior ladder.
Additionally, Treehouse offers an optional winterization kit, so if you want to have an outdoor adventure in the heart of winter, nothing is stopping you! Even better, it comes with a comprehensive 2-year warranty on all of the components and an even longer 7-year warranty on the fabric.
The biggest drawback to the Snap! Treehouse camper is that shipping is charged separately and costs up to $800. However, you can avoid this charge if you pick up the camper from their production facility in Pennsylvania. If you pick up your camper, they install it for you for free as an added perk!
Pros
- Optional winterizing kit
- Custom-fit to any truck with a 5′ bed or longer
- Enter camper from the truck bed instead of an exterior ladder
- Affordably priced
- Comes with a 2-year comprehensive warranty and a 7-year fabric warranty
Cons
- Does not offer any amenities – it just gives you a place to sleep at night
- Treehouse charges extra for shipping, which can be up to $800
Summary
If you’re looking to turn your truck into the ultimate camping experience, there’s no wrong way to do it! No matter the truck you drive, there’s sure to be a camper that lets you get outdoors and started camping!
Whether you’re looking for more of the glamping adventure or a way to immerse yourself into everything nature has to offer, a truck camper is one of the best ways to do it!
While we highlighted the five best small truck campers above, that doesn’t mean there aren’t other great options out there! The most important thing is that you do your research and find a camper that suits your needs so that you can start writing your own adventure!
