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33 truck campers for toyota tacomas(no popups), hard-sided campers for toyota tacomas and other mid-sized trucks.

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Thats not a thing. So, if you’re looking for a used lightweight slide-in camper for Toyota Tacomas, you have to gear up for a lengthy research session. One that could span days, weeks, and even months before tracking down a pickup truck camper that will fit your mid-sized truck.  

Other Tacoma Truck Camper Articles

But, regardless of why your searching for a hard-sided truck camper, I’ve compiled a list of 33 campers for Toyota Tacomas that will let you take full advantage of an outdoor lifestyle and save you a massive amount of research time.  

This ultimate list of campers for Toyota Tacomas are a sleek ultralight design versatile enough to fit a variety of mid-sized trucks, and my list of Tacoma Truck campers range in price from $3,000 to $40,000. Weighing as little as 750 pounds, and up to 2,100 pounds dry weight. Depending on the year, make, and model could have an aluminum or fiberboard exterior. These Tacoma campers come fully equipped with a full-size kitchen, bed, bath, and double dinette. Along with a host of exclusive truck camper accessories and amenities you can’t find on any other pick up truck campers. Like the outdoor gear closet on the Livin Lite 6.8 ultralight camper.  

So if you are in the market for a lightweight short bed camper for a mid-sized truck like a Toyota Tacoma, let me help you navigate your choices. Below are  17 truck camper manufacturers and their 33 models of hard-sided full-sized 4-season cabover pick up truck campers that will fit any Toyota Tacoma.

Most of these small, lightweight truck campers will also fit any Nissan Frontier, Dodge Dakota, Chevy S10, and Ford Ranger mid-sized trucks with a few modifications to your suspension, frame, and/or camper.  

• Quick, Easy Installation
• Increase Payload Capacity

Tacoma’s popularity is growing with outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy traveling, and the most reliable, rugged, heavy-duty mid-sized truck on the market today.  

Forcing truck camper manufacturers to take notice of the increasing demand for short bed slide-in truck campers. Creating more choices than the usual  5 best small truck campers  we are used to seeing at RV shows and Overlanding expos. So, let’s take a look at the 33 lightweight slide-in campers designed for Toyota Tacomas and their mid-sized truck counterparts.

Travel Lite Truck Camper Models That Fit A Toyota Tacoma – 590, 610R, 610SL, 625SL, 690FD, 700SL, 770R, and 770SL

First up are the Travel Lite truck campers. There are eight different Travel Lite truck camper models you can choose from to fit a Tacoma. The 590, 610R, 610SL, 625SL, and 690FD are cabover campers that will fit your Tacoma and other mid-sized trucks without any vehicle or truck camper modifications.  

Meanwhile, the 700SL, 770R, and 770SL truck camper models will require modifications to fit your truck because of how spacious these campers are. 

Depending on the camper model you choose, you will have to upgrade your suspension, and in most cases, an airbag suspension system from Firestone will be adequate enough.  

• Increased Payload Capacity

In other cases, you will have to  cut the corner of the truck camper to fit in between the wheel wells, as I discussed in my other Tacoma camper article . Or you can always pull off your truck bed box and install a flatbed system to carry your new truck camper.  

These spacious small campers from Travel Lite are big enough for two people and come with amenities like a porta-potty, refrigerator, bed, pantry, and table. 

Travel Lite’s lightweight short bed camper models are somewhere around 1,285 pounds except for the smaller 590, which is only 1,120 pounds. Except for the 5’9″ floor length of the 590 cabover model, the 610R, 610SL, 625SL, and 690FD are all at least 6’2.5″ and no more than 6’9″.

The slightly bigger models like the 700SL, 770R, and 770SL would need to be modified to fit a Tacoma or any other mid-sized truck, but the extra work and the higher price tags they come with make it worthwhile because of how spacious and more luxurious they are. Not to mention they come with a full-sized bathroom.  

The 700SL may be smaller than the 690FD, but the 770R and 770SL camper models are slightly longer and wider. This will require you to  shave a corner of the truck camper to fit between the wheel wells of your truck bed box . The spacious designs of the 770 also come equipped with extra amenities like a sunroof and a full-sized bathroom with a stand-up shower.  

Travel Lite truck campers can be purchased from dealerships around the country for about $15,000. Some dealerships have them as low as $10,000, and I’ve spotted a few on craigslist for $8,000.

Lance Truck Camper 650 Is Designed Specifically For Toyota Tacomas

The 650 is the culmination of Lance Camper’s experiments when it comes to smaller hard-sided campers that will actually fit mid-sized trucks such as the Toyota Tacoma. The design of the Tacoma camper Lance 650 allows it to fit a smaller type of truck bed and weighs in at about half a ton(1,000 pounds).  

What’s great about the floor plan of the Lance Truck Camper 650 is that it’s well-balanced between the bedroom and the living room space. 

This well thought out floorplan includes a full bathroom in the spacious design. Making it the most premier camper for Tacoma’s on the market today. Lance Campers did well with the 650 as they made a small and comfy camper that fits quite well with mid-sized trucks and comes equipped with all of the accessories truck camper owners are used to seeing.  

Cirrus Truck Camper 620 and 670 Will Fit Your Toyota Tacoma

The Cirrus Truck Camper 670 is yet to be revealed to the public as it will be available in 2021, but there is also news about a 620 camper model reported to fit half-ton trucks such as the Toyota Tacoma. Meaning it will be one of the smaller campers in the Cirrus line of products, but the demand for small hard-sided campers comes with big rewards.

Meanwhile, the 670 is a newer model that has only been around for two years. The frame is made with aluminum and comes with a sleek and spacious interior that has a total length of nearly 15′. The bedroom looks more luxurious than most other campers on the market, and the bathroom is beyond reproach. The most impressive thing about the Cirrus 620 truck camper is the vast amount of storage created from transformer furniture.  

Although the Cirrus 620 truck camper isn’t on the market yet, expect to find a price tag of $25,000-$30,000.  

Palomino Truck Campers 6601, 650, 690, and 750 Fit The Toyota Tacoma Perfectly

Meanwhile, the 650 is nearly as big but is lighter and more compact than the 6601. Still sleeps two people and comes with a standard floor plan of most truck campers. The 690, while being more compact, is built just as heavy-duty as the 650 so that it feels and looks sturdier. Still, it can sleep two people and is excellent for those who want a camper without the need to modify their mid-sized trucks.

Finally, the 750 is slightly smaller than the 6601 but requires you to modify your Tacoma or mid-sized truck for it to fit within your truck bed. It is more than 16′ feet long and weighs nearly 1900 pounds. Which means you are going to need a suspension upgrade. I used the fireside airbag system for my Toyota Tacoma. 

Sun-Lite 690 Was My First Tacoma Truck Camper

One of the older models of campers on this list, the Sun-Lite 690, was the first truck camper I put on my Toyota Tacoma. It’s a compact, hard-sided camper that will surely fit your mid-sized truck but actually requires you to modify it to fit between the wheel wells. 

Check out this popular Tacoma Truck Camper article on how I did that . 

Despite its age and modification requirement, the Sun-Lite 690 is a heavy-duty cabover camper that will fit your Toyota Tacoma and costs less than $3,000.

Although I added a bathroom, 3-stage water filtration system, solar power, roof cargo boxes, and a makeshift office, the Sun-Lite 690 truck camper only has a 6’6″ floor plan. Making it one of the smallest footprints on this list, but still comes equipped with a kitchen, side dinette, and cabover bed. This one should be best for those who are solo campers because it might only be enough space for one single person, and its storage options will leave you a bit envious.  

Livin’ Lite Camplite 6.8 Truck Camper Is The Most Heavy-DUTY Toyota Tacoma Slide-In Camper Available

The Camplite 6.8 with an all-aluminum designed frame is easily one of the top truck campers on the market today. Some unique feature exclusive to the Camplite brand is its massive outdoor gear closet, spacious kitchen, and over-sized wardrobe closets. And what I really like about the Camplite 6.8 is the heavy-duty design it displays both on it’s interior and exterior. With every corner being protected by an aluminum guard.  

The Camplite 6.8 also comes with one of the best kitchens you can find in a small camper, the most versatile dinette, and a conveniently located fridge. Allowing you to quickly grab a snack at night from a fridge that doens’t take up valuable real estate inside your pickup truck camper.  

Before I move on to more campers for Toyota Tacomas, the most significant thing about the Camplite 6.8 model is its high resale value and the potential life span of 60 or more years. Because of its all-aluminum design.  

Expect to spend around $12,00 for one of these heavy-duty truck campers for Toyota Tacomas.  

Forest River Real-Lite HS-1805 Makes For A Quality Mid-Sized Truck Camper

Made by the same people behind Palomino, this is a tremendous hard-sided camper for those looking for a spacious floor plan and still be able to fit a mid-sized truck.  

With enough space for a queen bed, a full-size kitchen, and ample storage, the Forest River HS-1805 is a great two-person lightweight short bed camper design. That will surely fit a half-ton mid-sized truck like a Toyota Tacoma, and has a reputation for dependable, durable flooring options. 

One unique feature of the Forest River HS – Model 1805 is its walkable super flex membrane roof that will hold up for decades. Encouraging truck camper owners to use this as their own personal rooftop patio. 

The Forest River Real-Lite HS-1805 is one of those sleeper campers that flies well below the radar, and you can find them on craigslist for under $6,000. Because most of the owners have no idea what they have.   

Northern Lite 6-10 Fiberglass Truck Camper Is A Classic Tacoma Camper

Built when things were meant to last, the Northern Lite 6-10 truck camper was created. A highly sought after mid-sized truck camper commodity. With its heavy-duty design & well-insulated frame, this cabover is a true lightweight short bed camper built for ages. Making it one of the rarest lightweight truck campers on the market.  

The Northern Lite 6-10 weighs around 1,000 pounds (dry weight) and comes equipped with all the usual accessories and appliances. Complete with sink, stove, fridge, fan, toilette, heater, and two wardrobe closest.

Because of how rare this small truck camper is, it can command a price tag close to $30,000. Making it one of the most expensive campers for Toyota Tacomas on this list.  

I’ve seen it on craigslist and rvtrader for less than $15,000, but it was scooped up in less than a day. So if you come across this rare bird during your Tacoma camper research, don’t hesitate. Pull that trigger.  

Bigfoot 6-11 Truck Camper Made for Mid Sized Trucks & Tacomas

Another classic fiberglass camper built back in the 90s that will fit a Toyota Tacoma is the Bigfoot 6-11 short bed slide-in truck camper. This 2-section fiberglass shell screams reliability and durability. Unfortunately, it was only made for 2 years before Bigfoot pulled the plug on this lightweight Tacoma pickup truck camper.  

One remarkable feature of his relatively lightweight and straightforward designed camper has over the Northern Lite 6-10 is its built-in bathroom. This lightweight camper is oozing with potential with a modern-day makeover for the right person, but the original design is a no-frills masterpiece.  

No hardwood flooring.

No granite countertops.

No transformer furniture.  

Limited storage.

At 1,600 pounds, fully packed with all of your camping gear along with your ski gear, this little camper packs a punch.  

Cozy at -10°, and just as comfortable with 100° temperatures. The Bigfoot 6-11 is a rare bird, and if you should come across one while searching campers for Toyota Tacomas, scoop it up immediately.  

They usually sell in the $10,000 neighborhood, but I know one guy who paid less than $3,000 and another who spent more than $50,000.  

Kimbo Is One Of The Newest Toyota Truck Campers Available

Kimbo truck camper’s slogan is “Nimble, simple living,” and is one of the newest Tacoma campers on the market. With some incredible space-saving furniture, unique one of a kind accessories, and unbelievable craftsmanship.  

With that said, they are the essential bare bones slide-in camper. Yes, their floorplan includes a bathroom, shower, kitchen, and even a wood-burning fireplace.  

Still, the kitchen is basically an oversized Jetboil stove with a one-basin sink. The bathroom is a toilette vanity combo with a shower just inside the entry door that requires a wrap-around shower curtain. All tied together with a Dickenson fireplace made for sailboats makes a very unique handcrafted Tacoma camper.  

Aesthetically pleasing. Next-generation craftsmanship and tons of upgrade potential. Right now, you can pick up this 11 foot 1100 pound dry weight Tacoma truck camper for $20,000 direct from the manufacturer in Washington. 

Scout Yoho Lightest Tacoma Truck Camper Available

At 958 pounds dry weight, the Scout Yoho is one of the lightest campers for Toyota Tacomas on this list. Second only to the Sun-Lite 690 truck camper.  

Made with an aluminum skeleton frame, lightweight exterior boarding, flexible solar panels, and portable appliances, the Scout Yoho is an energized hard-walled camper thats as versatile as a tent and can fit in the truck bed of your Toyota Tacoma. Its portable appliances and transformer build allow this lightweight truck camper to sleep 4 full-size adults comfortably. A quality you won’t find in any of the other Tacoma campers on this list.  

At the time of this writing, you can only pre-order one of these truck campers for $20,000, and you’ll have to go pick it up since they do not offer delivery service.  

Cheapest Campers For Toyota Tacomas Is The Drifter By RV Direct

Drifter is a brand new truck camper for Tacomas that will be available in 2021. Mimicking the same style and design as the Travel-Lite truck campers, but at almost half the price.  

Featuring a jackknife pull out couch, kitchen, bathroom, fridge, and overhead cab sleeping area, the Drifter uses its full footprint to offer an array of features.  

Starting at $13,000, the Drifter is the most affordable brand new Tacoma camper on this list and offers plenty of upsell options. Such as solar, on-demand hot water tank, AC/DC inverter, or even an outdoor shower. If you’re considering a camper for a Toyota Tacoma, you should give some serious thought to purchasing a Drifter cabover camper.   

Northstar Liberty Truck Camper Is Designed For Half-Ton Toyota Trucks

The lightweight Northstar Liberty truck camper is a mighty mouse version of their 8.5 model. Featuring an “L” shaped dinette, a wet bath with a cassette toilet, and a large spacious kitchen creates a very comfortable living space.  

What really makes this Toyota Camper stand out from the rest is the ridiculous amount of storage and potential storage options. With a 20-gallon freshwater tank, 13-gallon grey water tank, 6-gallon hot water tank & 5-gallon blackwater tank, you can do some serious boondocking in this Toyota pickup truck camper. 

With 6’4″ of headroom and 3 blank walls, you can add plenty of interior cabinetry to increase your storage options. The roof is wide open for a cargo box or solar panels, and remove one of the propane tanks to make room for an extra battery.  

The Northstar Liberty cabover camper is a little on the heavy side at 1,750 pounds but still within the towing capacity of mid-sized trucks like the Toyota Tacoma or Nissan Frontier. With plenty of potential to upgrade as you see fit.   

The Alaskan Cabover 6.5 Is A Mighty Tacoma Camper 

Worth its weight in gold, the mighty Alaskan Cabover truck camper is a hybrid between a pop-up and a hard-walled truck camper. Which is the only reason it makes this list because I hate pop-up campers and everything they stand for.  

Weighing in at 1,300 pounds dry and 1,500 pounds wet weight, this highly functional cabover camper is an impressive display of engineering for mid-sized truck campers built for vehicles like the Toyota Tacoma.  

Instead of using canvas walls like most pop-up truck campers, the Alaskan features a solid-wall design accompanied by a patented telescoping hydraulic mechanism. That raises and lowers the top half of this lightweight truck camper into position by the flip of a switch. 

Accessorized with custom leather mattress and cushion dinettes, 4-burner stove with an oven, and a farmhouse sink. There isn’t another camper on this list that offers more functional appliances than the Alaskan Cabover 6.5.  

All this patented technology and high-end finish comes with a price tag of around $31,000, though.  

Capri Campers Make Two Models For The Toyota Tacoma

Capri Campers are out of Texas and made my radar about 3 years ago when I searched for my first Toyota Tacoma Truck Camper. They came onto the scene out of necessity for cowboys looking for affordable living quarters while traveling from rodeo to rodeo.  

A Capri camper can come as loaded or as unloaded as you’d like it to be. With nothing more than just a bed and four walls, or as loaded as you’d like with the Capri package known as “The Works.”

Capri campers come with an exceptionally “handcrafted” feel to them. As they are built entirely out of wood with an exterior aluminum wrap. That you can even choose from 10 select color patterns. Even the interior wood paneling offers 4 different wood pattern choices, and you can choose from 3 different truck bed sizes.  

Capri campers are one of the only lightweight truck campers I know of that you can customize interior color, appliance lineup, and exterior colors direct from the manufacturer. Not only that, you can create your own floorplan. For $10,000-$20,000, you can get your own customized Toyota Tacoma truck camper from Capri through a short phone call and a few back and forth emails.  

You can also find these mid-sized truck campers on craigslist for around $5,000.  

Adventurer 80RB Is A Highly Polished Camper for Tacomas

Finally is the Adventurer truck camper lineup, and my personal favorite the 80RB truck camper designed exclusively for light-duty full-size short truck bed boxes. Like the ones found on a Toyota Tacoma.  

The Adventurer 80RB is a ridiculous model name, but in the top 3 of high-end finishings regarding campers for Toyota Tacomas. Don’t overlook this unbelievable mid-sized truck camper.  

This self-contained, fully-featured truck camper incorporates a comfortable bathroom complete with a shower and toilet as a standard feature on all of its models.  

Adventurer Camper Manufacturing offers 6 models (80RB, 86FB, 89RB, 89RBS, 901SB, 910DB) that will fit a Toyota Tacoma, including 2 of them with a full wall slideout. Can you imagine a camper slideout on a 1/2 ton truck!!!

These 6 camper models will fit truck bed sizes of short-beds (5.5′, 6′, 6.5′, 6.75′) and long-bed (8′) trucks.

These high-end truck campers made by Adventurer manufacturing start out at $20,000 and go all the way up to $50,000, depending on the package you select.

Finding Campers For Toyota Tacomas

Why you have to search multiple cities, states, and even other countries to track down a short box truck camper that you can afford to fit the popular rugged Toyota Tacoma is beyond me.

Every ski bum, surf bum, climber, hiker, camper and outdoor enthusiast dreams of the day when they can say, “I own a Toyota Tacoma truck camper.” Not to mention its the #1 vehicle of choice for overlanders across the globe. 

That doesn’t mean it’s any less baffling why the number one most reliable, rugged, heavy-duty, and most popular mid-sized truck doesn’t have an endless supply of used & affordable Tacoma campers to choose from, on sites like craigslist , rvtrader or facebook marketplace .  

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Got Feedback?

Let me know in the comments below if I missed any truck campers that could fit a Toyota Tacoma, or other mid-sized trucks. Share your experience with one of these small lightweight truck campers. Got any advice for others looking to add a backpack camper to their truck? Let us know your thoughts, concerns and advice below.

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12 Comments

Thank you so much for a detailed list of campers that fit Tacoma trucks. It must have taken a lot of time to research all of this so many thanks. I am little confused though. The standard payload size of a Tacoma max that I could find is about 1400 lbs, many Tacoma’s are at about 1100lbs. It would appear that most of the campers on this list far exceed the payload limits of Tacoma, even that of a Tundra which rated at 1700lbs. So they may fit but really shouldn’t be used on a Tacoma?

Take the Lance 650 which has a dry weight of 1700 lbs or the Travel Lite 610RSL which has a dry weight of 1600lbs – Am I missing something, how could Tacoma carry these (safely)? I really wish I felt better about using a Lance 650 or Travel Lite 610RSL. I do thank you very much for the hard work that it took to research this.

Thanks for visiting my travel blog, and sorry for the delayed response. Your truck’s payload ratings are more subjective than you think and should be labeled with numerous footnotes and asterisks. Because there is no industry standard “variables” in the industry-standard equation used to define vehicle payload capacity.

For example, Ford defines “curb weight” as cargo only while GM defines “curb weight” as passengers and cargo weight. Then you have other gray areas like GM who calculates passenger weight at 150 pounds, but Dodge calculates passenger weight at 160. The FAA is considering increasing passenger weight to 170 to account for a more accurate calculation to help avoid overloading small aircraft, but the average individual weight in America is closer to 200 pounds per individual nowadays.

So its really important to keep in the mind that websites, brochures and salesman project a “best-case” scenario when configuring payload capacity, but in reality are really giving you a worst case scenario. Because vehicle owners can manipulate payload capacity by swapping out steel wheels for aluminum wheels, aluminum engine blocks versus cast iron, smaller mirrors, deleting spare tires and removing bumpers. Or any number of things, right?

But you are correct about the Tacoma’s payload capacity ranges between 1,050-1,685, but that’s with factory suspension. If you add airbag suspension like these https://amzn.to/3vN3DfJ you can increase you payload capacity tremendously. In fact, a couple of years ago I threw a Sun Lite 690 truck camper onto my Tacoma for over 22,000 mountainous winter storm chasing miles during ski season, and you can read how I did that in this article. https://aowanders.com/toyota-tacoma-truck-camper/

The key thing to keep in mind to payload capacity is not to let your payload ride on your frame. That is when things break. Which is why I installed an airbag suspension from amazon for my Tacoma ( https://amzn.to/3vN3DfJ ), but I’ve also been dragging a 30 foot travel trailer with a 12 foot slide fully packed with outdoor gear for over 5 years before ever installing my airbag suspension. Tacoma’s have an incredibly sneaky “unofficial” payload capacity which is why they are the most popular mid sized truck on the market.

The trick to stretching your payload capacity is balance and proportionate weight distrubution. So for a Lance 650 or Travle Lite 610RSL you should be ok as long as you cut a corner to make it fit your box. You will be a little top heavy which means you won’t be able to do as much off roading as you like, but if you stick to “normal” roads and campsites I wouldn’t worry too much. My Sun Lite 690’s base measurement (part that sat in my truck bed) was 81 inches long. Both the Lance 650 truck camper and Travel Lite 610 RSL cabover camper if I remember right are both under or right at 81 inches long. Just keep in mind both of those truck campers are around $20,000, and to make it fit in your Tacoma truck bed you’re going to have to cut a corner down to 43 inches to fit a 2nd generation Tacoma. On top of air bag suspension I would also recommend getting load range “E” tires to help carry the weight. Along with a tire pressure monitoring system which you can find here https://amzn.to/2UmBTBq , and the next few days are Prime days so there should be some real good deals right now.

Let me know if you have any more questions.

Safe Travels, Adam

I am confused about a couple of things in this article. Its a wonderful resource for identifying which truck campers will actually fit a Tacoma, but do airbags allow you to go over the low payload capacity of a Tacoma? I’ve also been reading your, “ Weight of a small camper ,” article, but I’m still unsure as to what airbags do in regards to the payload capacity of a Tacoma.

What a great question Mark!!

There’s a lot of bad information out there regarding payloads and towing capacities. Let me preface my answer to your question in a couple of ways. First payload & towing capacities are merely guidelines and not absolute (black and white) numbers. They are there for people that need directions and guidance before making decisions.

Secondly, I have been towing a travel trailer with my Toyota Tacoma that weighs close to 10,000 pounds after I load up all of my gear for over 8 years. Before that, I was lugging around a 3,000-pound pickup camper for 3 years, and I’ll be honest I never once looked at my payload & towing capacities. All I did was hook up and see how it felt driving down the road. I could do this approach because my brother owns his own mechanic shop, so I wasn’t as scared of things breaking as most people are because I wouldn’t get an astronomical repair bill no matter what broke. Also, I am the type of guy that is more of a “let’s see what happens kind of guy.”

So, to get back to your question, “Does adding airbags to your vehicle increase its payload and towing capacities?” The short & simple answer is, NO!. Because you have to remember that an airbag suspension system only addresses the management of your payload or towing capabilities from a weight distribution variable, but an airbag suspension like this one ( https://amzn.to/3vN3DfJ ) from amazon doesn’t take into account your Tacoma’s braking, cooling & transmission systems that are specifically manufactured-rated for a Tacoma or whatever vehicle your adding airbag suspension to. Exceeding manufacturer’s ratings is NEVER a good idea, but like I said above not only did I ignore them I never even consulted them before drastically overloading my Tacoma for over 11 years. Keep in mind though, I had a safety net that wouldn’t compound my stupidity with a repair bill I couldn’t afford.

So, while airbags do increase your ability to manage larger payloads or heavier towloads in reality all it does it transfer the stress of larger payloads to other mechanical parts that aren’t equipped to handle increased payload capacities, and could result in expensive repair bills or other catastrophic failures.

Hope that answers your question Mark.

Happy travels, Adam

Don’t worry about your truck’s payload as long as the truck camper fits the truck bed.

Bill, Frank is right. Truck engineers design trucks in a way that doesn’t allow accidental payload overloads because you can only carry so much in the space provided. You have to intentionally ignore weight, shapes & sizes to go over your truck’s payload capacity. On top of that, truck camper designers have the same focal points, and they don’t want to be sued for liability negligence. If a truck camper fits the dimensions of your truck bed you are most likely within your payload capacity, and any full-size truck with an 8×4 foot box was the foundation that every manufacturer designed around. Today’s trucks with shorter truck beds have better shocks and suspension allowing them to tote around backpack campers from the 1970s, 1980s, and even the 1990s. Most truck campers nowadays are built with lightweight materials. The only thing you need to be careful of is when you start looking at truck campers with slideouts because that adds a significant amount of weight to a truck camper or any camper for that matter. Hope that helps Bill.

Well I am putting 590sl in my short bed tacoma. It weighs 1300lbs dry. I am going to install Timbrens. I will let everyone know how it goes.

Thanks Bruce. Would love to hear an update about your rig.

Great article! Thanks for this! I now need to figure out which ones would fit a short bed Tacoma. Any chance you have a list? I’m also new to campers. I have air bags installed but I suppose I need Billie bars installed as well?

I had a shortbed 2012 Toyota Tacoma, and it had a 41 in wheelbase with 5 foot 6 inch box. I put a Sun lite 650 in there for over 3 years using only airbags.

For a Tacoma setup like that I would stick to any truck camper that calls itself a 525,550 or 650.

Hope that helps.

Regards, Adam

I have been doing a lot of research lately on truck campers. I reall appreciate all the information here. Because its way different than what I have come to understand from reading a lot of the truck camper forums, information about payload capacity for slide in truck campers, and weight of many of the truck campers listed in your chart.

I wish I could find one of those older Lance 650 truck campers for 1000 lbs because the newer models are 2000 pounds without any upgrades.

Most of the truck campers on your list have a dry weight (without propane, water, and batteries) are at least 1300 lbs. Payload on my f150 is 1730 lbs, and this has the beefed up suspension for greater towing, higher the most 1/2 tons. Several Tundra’s I’ve seen are around 1250 lbs. How did your Tacoma carry the weight of your truck camper. Do you think an S10 could really host a slide in cab over camper?

Sure, if you have a standard cab 2wd you might get near 1500 (4×4, extended cabs all add weight which decreases your payload), but who drives those? More like 1100lbs for these rigs. I will be traveling with 2-3 people and 2 dogs so that is 500-650lbs. So a 1300 lb camping trailer, with wet weight and passengers I am probably 300 lbs over. No gear yet.

I’ve often read, assume 1000lbs over dry weight is your total weight, but you can trim this back a little. I am willing to go 300-500 over the payload with airbags (which does nothing for payload, just handling). But I have a big truck. Seems like most recommendations here are really focused on the life test capacity rather than the manufacturers payload capacity of smaller trucks. I do appreciate that.

Thanks for reaching out to me through the comments on my site, and I understand your concerns as I did exactly what you’re doing now. After a couple of months, I finally said, “FUCK IT!”

I circled back to a truck camper that had been posted months ago and was still for sale, but it was the closest camper to my box size. Honestly, I didn’t even know about payload capacity. Towing capacity. In fact, if I’m being really honest, I am extremely lucky that I didn’t find a bigger truck camper to fit my box because I would have just bought it.

Because I had just spent 5 years dragging a 30-foot fully loaded 8,000-pound KZ sportsman travel trailer with a 12-foot slide around the country with my 2012 Toyota Tacoma. Up and over every mountain range I could find to ski, and I wanted something more manageable and less obvious.

So I pulled the trigger on a SunLite 690. To make it fit inside my box I had to cut a corner back 2 inches, 10 inches high, and 34 inches long if I remember right. And I did nothing to reinforce that corner structurally. All I did was get some rolled roofing tin and cut it to size. You can read about that here https://aowanders.com/toyota-tacoma-truck-camper/

That camper weighed 1300-1400 pounds dry weight. I added a bathroom and a full-size air conditioner. that included 2x4s and a custom steel-plated shelf. Both of these were installed with a “wing it who gives a fuck,” attitude by simply just cutting and drilling into exterior walls with no concern for wiring, plumbing, or structural stabilities.

After that, I loaded that doghouse up with over 2000 pounds of gear. From toolboxes to skis and hockey equipment. I ran out of room I had to start mounting things on the ceiling, walls, roof and exterior walls to make it all fit. I even made a closet bar in the backseat of my tacoma to hold 200 pounds of shirts and hoodies that I thought I would need while living full time out of a truck camper. I made the classic mistake of every rookie traveler….I overpacked

If you’ve missed the point, here it is………I was ignorantly bliss to weight, payload capacities, young and dumb, BUT after loading up my truck camper to the brim I motored around the country for 3 years with a V6 Tacoma lugging around a 3,000-pound plus backpack camper with no problems ever. I drove up and down mountains in the worst conditions possible. When they closed schools, governments, and highways that’s when I was out playing on the mountainside in my grossly overweight truck camper with its weakened structure and had ZERO problems.

And to add insult to injury if I had any knowledge of solar panels I would have also added a battery bank to run my A/C and furnace instead of a 3,400-watt dual fuel generator .

I hear what your saying. I know what your saying. I read what your saying, but I’m the kind of guy that says, “let’s find out,” “let’s break this rule and see what the consequences really are.” and I’m here to tell you that I didn’t even know the payload capacity of my truck at the time and I was lugging around almost triple what its recommended amount was with my sunlite 690 truck camper.

Sometimes book smarts aren’t equivalent to life skills and sometimes they surpass street smarts, but just because they stray from the norm doesn’t mean they aren’t valid.

I am currently running a crew cab tundra with a 5’8″ box, steel wheels, lift and airbags rocking a Lance with a slide-out because I vigorously tested truck camper life with a much smaller truck than your F150. You’ve got an F150 that has a better resume than my Toyota Tough Tundra. Find something in between what I would do and what you would do and I’m sure you’ll be fine with anything from that level on down.

And before you go spending hundreds on truck camper tie downs heres how to make your own for under $50 (well maybe before inflation) https://aowanders.com/discounted-torklift-frame-mounted-truck-camper-tie-downs/

Warm Regards, Adam O.

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2022 Super Lite Truck Campers

Experienced truck camper enthusiasts appreciate the lightweight and natural characteristics, as well as the durability of the Super Lite Truck Campers by Travel Lite RV.

Our solid wood construction compared to the one-inch foam and glue composite walls being assembled by our competition is much stronger. Foam and glue manufacturing may add speed to an assembly line and cost less to produce, but wood offers the best solution for strength, durability, weight savings, and ease of repair. Because we choose to use the best products, our customers can take any trail knowing that their Travel Lite will withstand the abuse.

Standard and Optional Features

• Standard Features
• Optional Equipment
• White Oak Interior
• Natural Wood Construction
• Aluminum Exterior 
• Fiberglass Front Cap
• TPO Roof Membrane
• Black Diamond Plate Knee Wall
• Fresh Water Tank
• On-Demand Tankless Hot Water Heater
• Single Bowl Stainless Steel Sink
• High Rise Kitchen Faucet
• Shur-Flo Water Pump
• 40AMP Converter
• Refrigerator
• 2-Burner Stainless Steel Stovetop
• 12,000 BTU Furnace
• 2000lbs Convertible Jacks w/Pre-Wire for Electric
• HD TV/AM/FM Antenna
• Outside Shower
• 20lbs LP Tank
• Detachable 30 AMP Power Cord
• Bargman Power Cord
• Solar Panel Prep
• Porta-Potty (Excludes 770 Models-Flushable Std)

OPTIONAL EXTERIORS

• Matte White
• Matte Charcoal

OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT

• Monitor Panel
• Wireless Electric Jacks w/Battery
• AM/FM/HDMI Stereo w/Indoor-Outdoor Speakers
• Microwave-Stainless Steel
• TV- 22″ Digital HD TV/DVD Combo (12v&110v)
• 13.5k BTU Roof Mount A/C
• Fantastic Vent in Center (All floor plans) N/A with A/C
• Fantastic Vent in Bathroom (610, & 770 Only)
• Aluminum Scissor Steps
• Brophy Tie Down System
• Dually Brackets
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2nd Gen , 3rd Gen , Camping , Overland , Trail Tested

Community poll: 6 tacoma camper builds.

Welcome back to another community poll. This is a column interview Q&A with independent owner-submitted feedback from the overland community – centered around one topic. Each owner has thoroughly tested their products through off-roading or overlanding and gives us their honest opinion review of their set-up.

Have you ever heard of the term G lamping?  Well, if you haven’t, you’ll have a better idea of what the word means by the end of this post. Now, these setups aren’t your run-of-the-mill Leer 100R Truck Cap or SnugTop Super Sport Topper . No, these are the kind of trucks that bring the creature comforts of home out onto the trail with you, including (sometimes) even the kitchen sink…

So why would one need to spend $7,000-20,000+ on one of these overland mobile hotels? Well, they are a lot more than just truck bed covers. These systems will turn your Tacoma into a functional home away from home. If you’re serious about spending time off the grid, or even in cases where you want a little base camp for those winter ski runs, a camper might be the best option for you.

Let’s talk about the integrated tent/sleeping area. A good quality RTT will run you close to $3,500+, but you still need a camper shell or a bed rack to mount one. At that point, you’re halfway in terms of price when looking at a GFC Platform Camper, with only your tent. In addition to the sleeping area, you are getting lockable storage and retaining your Tacoma’s bed for utility purposes. Optimizing your truck experience is important, and if you’ve ever spent any extended amount of time traveling on the road, or off the grid, you know how valuable organization and time are.

Table Of Contents

1. tj: go fast v1.

• Base Price $7,700
• Weight = 255lbs
• Black anodized aluminum pop-top camper assembly
• Black anodized aluminum space frame
• Operable, locking, powder-coated hard-sided panels
• Installation kit designed specifically for your vehicle

I love the ease of setting up my tent with my Go Fast. It typically takes about 60 seconds or less to set up the tent, genuinely remarkable!

I love the look of the orange bars when it is cabana mode. Another great benefit of this camper is the added security it provides for everything in the bed of my truck.

2. Zach Page: Lite Industries Camp-M

In mid-December of 2021, I purchased the Lite Industries Camp-M. The camper was marked well below market value at only $18,900.This shell is a mid-sized pop-top truck camper that offers high comfort levels while being under 1000lbs dry. It also offers a smaller fold-down sleeping platform as well.

Its loaded with options like a Truma 12k BTU gas furnace, Truma Aqua Go (an on-demand gas hot water heater), Dometic 65L 12v fridge, Dometic flush mount sink, and a two-burner stove. It also offers a Maxx air vent fan on the ceiling with integrated interior lighting. This Lite Industries also offers a Redarc battery manager 30, 190w solar panel on the roof, and a 100ah AGM house battery.

It also offers shore power hookup for regular campsites and an additional exterior solar panel input for the more nontraditional campsites. The Camp-M holds 20 gallons of fresh water and also has an outdoor shower that you can use all 20 gallons of hot water, if your heart so desires.

The best thing about the Camp-M is its compact size and ease of use. I can install it on or off the truck in a matter of 30 minutes. Having the ability to remove it solo in under a half-hour is so awesome.

It’s a fully loaded, self-contained unit that provides high levels of comfort with minimal effort. Having a 12k BTU furnace with a thermostat is also a game-changer. It can be 17 degrees outside and it will be a comfortable 65 degrees inside the camper.

3. Konrad Chojnowski: GFC V2

• Front & Rear Windows
• Tent Side Doors
• Solar Panel Tray
• Quilted Sheets
• Mantis Claw + Ladder
• Assorted Accessory Mounts
• My Configuration: ~$9900
• 50″ x 90″ Sleeping Area

If you follow along with Trail Tacoma’s IG page, you might have seen that I just came back from a bit of adventure out to GFC. I live in Illinois, and we made the haul out to Montana to check out the entire GFC operation, and of course, grab our new camper.

Since we haven’t been able to get the weather and our schedules to cooperate just yet, we haven’t had the chance to really put it to use. However, just from what I’ve been able to take away thus far, I’m super impressed. Not just with the camper, but the entire GFC operation. It was incredible to see the inner workings of a company like GFC. Wheeling season is coming, so we are beyond excited to really spend some quality time in the GFC and get the entire bed platform dialed in. Stoked!

4. Paige & Tyler Winterfield: Four Wheel Campers

This is a 2020 Four Wheel Campers Fleet Shell model custom ordered in 2019 for $13,500.

Our living space was completely constructed by my wife and I. The space includes a sink, fridge/freezer combo, dinette with swivel table, toilet, queen-sized bed, and tons of storage. These are pop-ups, giving them plenty of clearance while driving and tons of headspace while inside.

We built raised dinette seating which provides an abundance of storage below the seats and the dinette floor.

We heard someone say, “headspace is wasted space in a pop-up,” and built our dinette around that concept. We can still see out of our vinyl windows so we can enjoy the view even if we are inside.

5. Daniel Elo: Alu-Cab Canopy

• Alu-Cab Canopy Camper
• Starts at $13,000
• Sleeps 4 with Goose Gear Sleep Platform
• Keep all of your camping gear in the truck at all times
• Endless 12v power

The entire system, when built out with options, is truly a dream. While it is a bit more pricey than some of the other options, it just works super well for us. Nothing ever breaks; everything just works.

Never having to pack the truck with gear makes taking a weekend camping trip with the wife and dog easy. We just grab food and clothes and just take off to wherever we want to go. The Alu-Cab is strong enough to take the abuse of Baja, but comfy enough to sleep a 60-year-old retired couple.

6. Thomas Rhines: GFC V2

This is the V2 Platform Camper with added windows and tent doors. As for cost, I think it’s around $8,625. With the beef racks and awning brackets, this thing is easily a $9000 unit.

I love the modularity of the Go Fast V2. It allows you to keep the functionality of a truck by leaving the bed completely open.

I can use my truck for truck things, or use it to sleep in when needed. With the GFC, I don’t feel like I am paying for a ton of extra stuff I don’t need either. It’s the perfect setup for my needs.

Final Thoughts

What an awesome set of Tacomas for this week’s features!

A full camper set up like these would 100% be the direction I’d go with my Tacoma build if a budget was no option. Having a setup like this is the best of both worlds, you have tons of room to sleep and you are protected from the elements. How could you complain about that? You can’t go wrong with any of these brands, it seemed like the owners were more than happy with their setups.

If you want to be featured for Taco Tuesday, submit your build through TrailTacoma.com/Feature . Next week’s Taco Tuesday will cover Midnight Black Tacoma Builds . We’re looking for awesome rigs to showcase! If this is you and you love your Midnight Black setup, send in your rig and details because we want to see it.

Thanks for reading guys. I’ll see you next week!

Jon Gangloff

I love Toyota news, reviews, and how-tos! There are big things on the horizon for Toyota and I can't wait to share them with you all!

What an amazing post! Informative, to the point and no rambling! Thanks so much! I think GFC V2 is suitable for my budget.  But some people said the condensation factor is a big deal in using this campers in cold weather especially running a heater. Is that right? I wanna get some to start my journey.

If anyone has questions on the Alu-Cab stuff, please feel free to reach out to us. [email protected] or 657/400/2009

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2016 Travel Lite 625 Super Lite Review

TCM reviews the half-ton targeted Travel Lite 625, a short or long bed hard side, non-slide, non-bath truck camper.  Can a camper small enough to fit inside a short bed tailgate actually be worth owning?

According to Dustin Johns, President of Travel Lite, the reasons for building the Travel Lite 625 called him on the phone constantly.  When the Travel Lite 625 debuted in Truck Camper Magazine in June of 2015, Dustin explained, “Our customers and dealers have wanted a half-ton short bed camper that would allow the tailgate to be kept up, offer plenty of interior room, and feature basic amenities including a stove, sink, and refrigerator.  I was asked to build this camper many, many times.”

Above: The Travel Lite 625 at D&H RV Center in Apex, North Carolina

From the repeated requests, the Travel Lite team designed a hard side truck camper that would fit inside of a 6.5-foot short bed truck with the tailgate closed.  Keeping the camper inside the tailgate would allow for towing without an extension hitch and provide the best possible turning radius for the rig.  Once lowered, the tailgate could then become a small deck for sitting or gear.

Perhaps the Travel Lite 625’s most impressive trick is its ability to work with short and long bed half-ton trucks.  It looks a bit odd mounted on a long bed, but the two feet of bonus truck bed storage is perfect for toys, gear, and water containers.

To keep the weight down, Travel Lite used the materials, construction approach, and design concepts of their best-selling 770 Super Lite model.  The 625 features the same overall profile, kiln-dried Banak wood from South America, and cabinetry netting as the 770.  Further eliminating weight, the 625 was designed without a bathroom, black tank, or grey tank.

Dustin reported the initial dry weight of the 625 at 1,285 pounds and gave the camper a $10,495 MSRP with standard build options; refrigerator, sink, stove, fresh water tank, converter, and manual Rieco-Titan jacks.  Clearly Dustin was looking to put a sizable dent in the half-ton truck camper marketplace.

Of course the path to half-ton truck camper paradise is paved with good intention truck camper designs that never caught on.  These campers were usually too heavy, too expensive, or too small to become a consistent seller in the marketplace.

The question is, will the Travel Lite 625 break through where so many others have failed, or end up in the half-ton truck camper bin of history?  It’s time to put the 625 under the microscope.

We photographed the 2016 Travel Lite 625 seen in this review at D&H RV Center in Apex, North Carolina.

Floor Plan Evaluation

As seems to be the trend of late, the Travel Lite 625 is infused with the ideas and lessons of the past five decades of truck camper design.  This is not a fancy SolidWorks modeled multi-slide with intricate cuts and exotic amenities.  You’ll find no CNC-routed curves or luxury appliances here.

What you will find is an firmly old-school, pencil-to-paper, saw-to-wood truck camper design that shoe-horns an impressive amount comfort and utility into a short bed half-ton compatible truck camper.  Shut the tailgate and that’s exactly what Travel Lite’s dealers and customers asked for.  As the saying goes, give them what they want.

Above: The large 4-foot sliding dinette window brings in a ton of light

Stepping into the 625, the careful design decisions are everywhere.  The main living space feels open and spacious with plenty of light from a dual-window entry door, two large windows in the dinette, and a cabover side window.  Kitchen and dinette cabinetry and storage are readily available and the overall level of materials feels solid and durable.

While we didn’t take precise measurements, it appears that half of the available kitchen counter top is taken up by the single-basin sink and two-burner cooktop.

The flip-up counter helps by adding about 25-percent more counter space, but it’s still a tight set-up for preparing anything other than the basics.

To put this into perspective, Angela and I are connoisseurs of culinary basics on the road.  Our coffee, tea, one-pot-meals, and endless PB&J sandwich preparations would all work fine between this kitchen set-up and dinette table.  Now our laptop-to-laptop work requirements would be seriously challenged, but that’s another topic.

The U-shape dinette in the 625 was designed to accommodate three to four adults (if they’re very good friends) around the table for meals, conversation, and cards.  In reality, the dinette seating, table, and available leg area is best for two adults.  With just two, there’s plenty of floor space for legs and feet underneath, and ample table room for two plates of food, and drinks.

If this were our camper, we would want a larger table, and a more stable table leg and/or wall attachment system.  There’s nothing worse at a restaurant than a table that moves when you put your dinner plate or elbow on it.  With a single post, this table is fairly stable, but requires care not to bump it.  Naturally, one table leg is less weight than two, and a smaller table weighs less than a bigger one.  Compromises, compromises.

Above: The table and table leg are easy to remove for more room, or to make the dinette into a bed

Above: The porta-potti has a convenient storage compartment under the dinette

The dinette quickly makes into a 6-foot bed with the provided cushions.  This makes the 625 an ideal choice for the hunter or fisherman who wants to bring a friend for a weekend trip to that remote hunting ground or fish camp.

Above: The dinette makes into a 6-foot long bed

On the rear wall, the 625 features a 110-volt outlet and the thermostat.  While I don’t foresee this unit connected to shore power often, this outlet will be vital for charging computers, phones, and cameras while hooked up to AC or a portable generator.

Above: Standard on the 625 is a two-cubic foot refrigerator, which can be upgraded to the three-cubic foot size shown

The three-cubic foot, three-way refrigerator is ample for a camper this size.  In the past, campers targeting the short bed half-ton size and weight came primarily with ice boxes if they had cold-food provisions at all.  Having an actual three-cubic foot, three-way refrigerator is quite a luxury in this weight category and price.

Just below the refrigerator is a cabinet dedicated to a sealed enclosure for the 625’s single battery.  When I opened this cabinet, I was hoping to see storage, and found myself disappointed that this space was almost completely used.

I would look into moving this battery elsewhere.  My favorite go-to battery moving product is the Torklift International Hidden Power that places a battery inside a protected and sealed box under your truck.  With this modification, you could recapture this valuable storage space without losing the house battery.

Another option is changing to sealed AGM battery in this location.  You won’t gain your storage back, but you’ll likely gain more amp hours.  Then again, a bigger battery adds cost and weight.  When designing a camper for a half-ton short bed, trade-offs abound.

To the right of the refrigerator and battery cabinet is a large two-section cabinet and pull-out drawer.  With its immediate proximity to the kitchen and dinette, the drawer will likely be used for silverware, cooking utensils, and other kitchen items.

The large two-section cabinet is open season.  Some will use it for dry food, pots, and pans, while others will store clothing and camping gear.  We would at least attempt to use the cabinet over the sink for all dry food, cups, and plates, and use this space for a limited number of pots and pans, and then clothing and camping gear.  In truck camping, less is more.  In truck camping in a small camper, even less is even more.

Below the pull-out drawer is where you’ll find the stereo system, power converter, and fuse panel.  Having the stereo system and fuse panel easy to reach mid-ship makes sense.

The opening into the cabover is wide open and inviting with white-color LED lights perfectly placed for general lighting and reading.

Above: The cabover ceiling has a 110-volt outlet and provisions to add a 12-volt television

On the other hand, there’s not a single cabinet for clothing in the cabover.  Not one.  There is however a main LED area light, two smaller reading lights, a 110-volt outlet, and provisions to add a 12-volt television.  No cabover muss.  No cabover fuss.  That’s it.

Above: The overcab bed on the passenger’s side (left photo) the driver’s side (right photo)

In practice, I expect most folks will bring duffel bags for their clothing and keep the bags in the cabover when they’re not sleeping.  Duffel bags (or whatever cloth based luggage you prefer) are light weight and highly portable, especially compared to standard wood cabinetry.  Unless you just have to have your clothing folded up and put away, duffel bags make a lot of sense in a small camper like the 625.

Specifications

At 1,285 pounds dry, the Travel Lite 625 is not the lightest weight hard side truck camper on the market, but it’s in the ballpark.

Travel Lite offers a range of options for the 625 including a solar panel system, electric remote-controlled Rieco-Titan jacks, roof rack, ladder, and an awning.

Above: Rieco-Titan manual jacks, cable television connection, shower power connection, and 110-volt outlet

Unfortunately, you could quickly defeat the concept of the light weight 625 if you add a lot of options.  Just the above mentioned list could add 150 pounds, or more.  In a camper where the design team opted for cabinet netting instead of cabinet doors, that doesn’t make a lot of sense.

Above: The Travel Lite 625 is 78-inches wide and 7-feet, 4-inches tall on the exterior

The 78-inch width of the Travel Lite 625 is 14-inches narrower than Travel Lite’s mid-size truck campers and 17-inches narrower than their largest models.  Obviously, every additional inch in length, width, and height on a truck camper adds weight.  For a camper targeting short-bed half-ton trucks, the 78-inch width strikes a good balance between interior space, and weight.

Above: The ceiling in the 625 is full height at 6.5 feet

One aspect of the 625 design that’s full-size is the interior height.  At 6.5 feet, standing in the Travel Lite is like standing in a much larger truck camper.  There’s plenty of headroom, even for tall folks like me.  That headroom helps give the 625 its roomy feel.

Above: The Travel Lite 625 on a long bed truck, photo courtesy of Travel Lite Campers

Perhaps the most controversial aspect of the 625 is its long bed compatibility.  Mounted on a long bed truck, the 625 looks fairly ridiculous as it locates the unit two-feet inside of the truck bed.  To say this is an unusual rig aesthetic would be an understatement.  For many – us included – the immediate reaction was, “What the heck is Travel Lite thinking?”

Well, Travel Lite was thinking that the 625 is compatible with the widest possible number of truck bed lengths and payload capacities.  In short (no pun intended) the 625 is compatible with many half-ton trucks, all three-quarter and one-ton trucks, and works equally well with short bed or long beds.  Does it look funny on a long bed?  Absolutely!  But very few hard side truck campers have this kind of truck compatibility.

Above: The 625 on a short bed truck with the tail gate closed, photo courtesy of Travel Lite Campers

And we must recognize the point that mounting the 625 on a long bed allows for the remaining two-feet of bed space to be available for whatever the owner wants it for; bikes, water, gear, you name it.

With nine gallons of fresh water, no grey tank, no black tank, and no inside bathroom, there’s not much to talk on the subject of the 625’s holding tanks.  Since you’ll likely only be using the fresh tank to wash hands, wash dishes, and brush teeth, the nine gallons could last upwards of a week, or more.

If you plan to scare the bears and use the outside shower, the nine gallons may only last you a couple days.

Speaking of bears, I can hardly believe Travel Lite included a city water connection for the 650, but they did.  Without an inside shower, I can barely find a reason for this.  Maybe so those who enjoy flashing the wildlife take extended outside showers?  Hide your eyes Mother Nature.  Nothing to see here.

The single vertical 20-pound propane tank is absolutely perfect for the 625.  Not only are vertical tanks exchangeable at nearly every Walmart, Lowes, Home Depot, and gas station from coast-to-coast, but a 20-pound capacity should last a long time in a camper this size, unless you’re camping in the seriously cold.

When camping with a single tank you always need to keep tabs on your usage.  When that tank runs out, there’s no second tank to change to.  If we had one tank, I would fill it long before empty, just like putting fuel in the truck.

Travel Lite lists the battery as optional on the 625.  You could connect the 625 to your truck’s battery and gain the space we talked about earlier, but that would not be our recommendation.  All it takes is one night of running the furnace in cold weather and you could be stranded with a dead truck battery.  Whether you get the built-in battery Travel Lite provides, or another battery storage solution, we definitely recommend a house camper battery.

Wet Weight Calculation

Using the standardized Truck Camper Magazine wet weight calculation, let’s run the numbers on the Travel Lite 625.

Base Dry Weight, plus single battery option

Travel Lite 625: dry weight, 1,285 pounds + 9 gallons fresh, 75.1 pounds + one battery, 65 pounds + 20-pound full propane tank, 20 pounds + stuff, 500 pounds = 1,945.1 pounds

Since we don’t foresee or recommend many options being added to the 625, we’re not going to run an optioned wet weight calculation.  As it is, the final wet weight of 1,945.1 pounds may shock some folks.

500 pounds of that weight is the standardized “stuff weight” that we add to each and every wet weight calculation in Truck Camper Magazine.  In a small camper with limited storage like the 625, 500 pounds of stuff weight is likely more than required.  If we subtract half of this stuff weight, we get a more realistic 1,695.1 pounds.

Truck Recommendations

To remain conservative, we are going to match the 625 with a 1,695.1 pound wet weight (250 pounds of stuff).  This may still be high, but we always play it safe when it comes to truck and camper matching.

For those who haven’t looked at too many payload stickers, it may come as a surprise to learn that many half-ton trucks don’t have 1,695.1 pounds of payload.  Many older half-ton trucks, or trucks with fancy packages and long option lists, have considerably less.  Do not assume that any half-ton truck has this kind of payload.  It might, but it might not.

That said, it would be a cinch to either locate or order a half-ton truck with 1,695.1 pounds of payload, or better.  If you approached your preferred local dealer and said, “I need no less than 1,700 pounds of payload in a half-ton truck” they should be able to work out the specifications you require, and locate or order the right truck without trouble.

You could also take those same specifications and find a used half-ton with enough payload.  New or used, always check the actual payload sticker (the yellow sticker inside the driver’s side door) on the actual truck before making a purchase.

If you are purchasing a new or new-to-you truck, it’s also worth considering buying even more truck.  Two years from now you may want a bigger camper.  Why not buy the right truck for that bigger camper now?  In trucks, you often don’t pay that much more to get a lot more payload.

The Verdict

Some truck campers are designed to wow the senses.  You walk in and they have a dance floor of interior space, a dinette ready for six, a refrigerator that could swallow a beer keg, and storage that could empty your attic.  You know you’re in one of these campers when the HDTV is almost as big as the one you have at home, and there’s a fireplace underneath it (almost kidding).

Where these campers “wow the senses”, the Travel Lite 625 “wows with common sense”.  From the very concept of the unit, to the way the camper was designed and built, everything about the 625 is a carefully considered compromise to create a hard-side unit that’s truly half-ton compatible.

Judged from this perspective, the 2016 Travel Lite 625 is a roaring success.  Yes, it’s chock full of compromises compared to the “wow the senses” models, but these compromises were the right ones to make the half-ton targeted size and weight.  The form, function, and comfort this camper offers half-ton truck owners – especially for the price – is very impressive.

In short, Travel Lite has built a truly half-ton compatible truck camper that’s worth owning.  Yes, you will still have to run the numbers to make sure the 625 will match your half-ton truck, but the chances are very high that it will.

If you’re in the half-ton truck camper market, and can live with the 625 list of compromises (tight kitchen, no bathroom, no grey tank, no cabover storage, etc.), this camper deserves to be on your list.  With the 625, Travel Lite has a serious half-ton ready contender.

Pros Low weight and forward COG maximizes half-ton potential Short and long bed truck ready Tailgate closes on a 6.5-foot short bed truck Excellent sense of interior space for a small camper Good amount of kitchen and dinette area storage Dinette makes into a 6-foot bed

Cons Very tight kitchen area Very limited 9-gallon fresh tank, no grey, no black No bathroom, but features a porta-potti cabinet Extremely tight kitchen counter space, but extension helps Optional single battery takes up valuable interior storage No storage in the cabover – pack your duffels

Model Information 2016 Travel Lite 625 MSRP: $10,495 Warranty: 1 year from time of purchase

Travel Lite, Inc. 71913 Country Road 23 New Paris, IN 46553

Quality, Customer Service, and Long-Term Reliability

Truck Camper Magazine inspects all reviewed truck campers for design, material, and quality issues and reports what we find.  However, since Truck Camper Magazine reviews only brand new truck campers, our reviews do not address long-term quality, customer service, or reliability.

To learn about a brand’s long-term quality, customer service, and reliability, Truck Camper Magazine recommends talking directly with truck camper owners at truck camper rallies and online via truck camper forums and truck camper owners groups.

Please be sure to balance your gathered feedback across multiple sources including direct correspondence with the truck camper manufacturers and your closest truck camper dealers. Click here if you are new to truck campers.

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5 Best Toyota Tacoma Truck Campers

By: Author The Drivin' & Vibin' Team

Posted on August 29, 2021

If you’ve got a Toyota Tacoma, you might want to tack on a truck camper. Why not get the best of both worlds with your truck and camper all in one place?

We’ve searched high and low to bring you the best truck campers for your Toyota Tacoma.

Let’s check them out!

What’s the Payload Capacity Range of the Toyota Tacoma? 

The payload capacity of the 2021 Toyota Tacoma ranges from 1,050 to 1,685 pounds. The Tacoma comes with six models, each with different trim options, bed sizes, and payload capacities. The bed size options are five feet and six feet. 

The 2021 Toyota Tacoma with the highest payload capacity is the 2021 SR5 4×2 access cab with a four-cylinder engine, six-speed automatic transmission, and a six-foot bed. This model has a payload capacity of 1,685 pounds. 

Why Payload Capacity Matters for Truck Campers

It’s important to understand the difference between towing capacity and payload capacity. Towing capacity is how much weight the truck can safely pull behind it. Payload capacity is how much weight the truck can handle directly in the bed. 

Payload capacity is the number to look for when it comes to truck campers because the entire weight of the truck camper sits in the bed. There’s no towing when it comes to hauling a truck camper. 

How Much Does a Truck Camper Typically Weigh?

The majority of truck campers weigh more than 1,000 pounds, making it difficult to find models that work with the Toyota Tacoma. Truck camper models can vary in weight between 1,000 and 5,000 pounds. 

Factors that affect truck camper weight include whether or not they’re hard-sided or pop-up, amenities and features like a bathroom and water holding tanks, and slide-outs. Holding tanks and slide-outs add a lot of weight to a truck camper. 

Pro Tip: Make sure your vehicle can handle the amount of weight your RV weighs. From truck campers, 5th wheels, and class motorhomes find out How Much Do RVs Weigh?

5 Best Truck Campers for Your Toyota Tacoma

Many of the lightweight truck camper options that are best for a Tacoma truck are pop-up campers. However, there are hard-sided options available too. Let’s take a look at five of the best truck camper options for your Tacoma. 

1. Four Wheel Campers Project M

The Four Wheel Campers Project M Pop-Up Truck Camper isn’t only a great lightweight option; it’s great on your wallet, too. This truck camper starts at less than $10,000 because it’s totally customizable. It’s basically a base to build your own truck camper with. 

The Project M Truck camper is essentially a truck topper on steroids. This is perfect for the DIYer who wants to create their own custom truck camper layout, and it leaves you plenty of weight to spare. The six-foot bed model weighs just 377 pounds. With a 1,685-pound payload capacity, that leaves you 1,308 pounds for adding whatever you want to your truck camper. 

2. Scout Yoho 6.0

The Scout Yoho is one of the lightest hard-wall truck campers in the industry. This six-foot truck camper weighs just 958 pounds dry and can sleep up to four people. The starting price of the Scout Yoho 6.0 is about $20,000. This camper contains everything you need for an off-grid adventure. 

Features of the Scout Yoho 6.0 include four-season construction, an aluminum frame and no-wood composite walls that will never rot, built-in solar, a Goal Zero power station, a convertible lounge for eating, sitting, and sleeping, and more. Available options include a dometic fridge, portable toilet, fireplace, and more. 

3. Four Wheel Campers Swift Model

The Swift model is another excellent choice from Four Wheel Campers and a great pre-built lightweight truck camper option. You can buy it built out starting at about $21,000, or you can choose a shell model to build yourself for about $14,000. The Swift base model dry weight is 935 pounds. It includes many fabric customization options. This camper also comes with a 20-pound fresh water tank, a sink, and tons of storage. 

4. Hallmark EXC

The Hallmark EXC is a functional and lightweight truck camper that’s perfect for the Toyota Tacoma. This truck camper has models for truck beds from 5.5 to eight feet long. Base models start at $21,995. 

The Hallmark EXC weighs 995 pounds, which is well within the payload capacity of the Tacoma. 

These pop-up truck campers come with a cabover bed, a dinette, a stove, a sink, and plenty of natural light. This camper also comes with optional fresh, gray, and black water systems, an optional propane system, and an optional water heater. 

5. Kimbo Camper

Last but not least is the Kimbo Camper . The Kimbo Camper is a sleek and rugged hard-wall lightweight truck camper that starts at $20,999. The base model weighs in at about 900 pounds, which is perfect for the Toyota Tacoma.

The Kimbo is a six-foot, all-season truck camper made out of a lightweight aluminum frame. This camper has dual-pane windows, blackout shades, a roof vent fan, a 12-volt battery system, LED lighting, a gear closet, two benches, a loft bed, and so much more. 

Pro Tip: There are always pros and cons to each RV type. Here are 5 Reasons To Avoid Truck Campers .

There Are Amazing Options for a Lightweight Truck Camper

Thought you couldn’t find an amazing truck camper for your Toyota Tacoma? You might want to think again. Whether you decide to buy a low-priced topper-style camper shell, like the Project M, or a rugged, lightweight beast like the Kimbo camper, you have plenty of options. Which of these campers fits your camping style best?

Discover the Best Free Camping Across the USA

To be honest with you,  we hate paying for camping . There are so many free campsites in America (with complete privacy).

You should give it a try!

As a matter of fact, these free campsites are yours.  Every time you pay federal taxes, you’re contributing to these lands.

Become a FREE CAMPING INSIDER and join the 100,000 campers who love to score the best site! 

We’ll send you the 50 Best Free Campsites in the USA (one per state).  Access the list by submitting your email below:

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• Travel Lite Truck Camper 690fd

Travel Lite Truck Camper 690fd RVs for sale

2012 Travel Lite Truck Camper 690fd

Crawford, Colorado

Make Travel Lite

Model Truck Camper 690fd

Posted Over 1 Month

2012 Travel Lite Truck Camper 690fd , This 2012 Travel Lite 600FD slide in camper fits 1/2 ton pickups (Tacoma & Ranger). It sleeps 4 with the dinette down. Comes with standard heater, sink, refridgerator, and stove. It has an RV Dealer installed Dometic Air Conditioner and fold out steps. It has been covered during the winters and is in excellent condition. It is locate 1/2 hour from Crawford but I can make arrangements to show in Hotchkiss to serious buyers. I am willing to deliver it to anywhere on western slope of Colorado for an added fee. Please email to arrange a viewing $10,750.00

Missoula, Montana

Model RAYZR SS TRUCK CAMPER

2016 TRAVEL LITE RAYZR SS TRUCK CAMPER, " DEALER PREP"

2016 Travel Lite TRUCK CAMPER 690FD

Montross, Virginia

Model TRUCK CAMPER 690FD

Brand New 2016 Travel Lite 690FD truck camper. This truck camper is designed to fit in the bed of most mid-sized trucks such as a Toyota Tacoma, Dodge Dakota, etc... This camper has many great features such as 2 cu foot 3 way refrigerator, outside shower, 2 burner stainless steel stovetop, water heater, furnace, CD/AM/FM/MP3 with indoor & outdoor speakers, HD TV Antenna w/ built-in Meter, A/C, 45 Amp Converter/Charger, Shur-Flo Water Pump and more...This camper weighs 1095 lbs. For more information call Ed at 804-238-4004 or the office at 804-493-1100.VA DLR. No processing fee.Prices excludes taxes and tags. Factory Warranty.Visit our website at 100% financing available with approved credit!!

Shakopee, Minnesota

Model Truck Campers 770 Super Lite Series

2016 Travel Lite Truck Campers 770 Super Lite Series, Step inside this Travel Lite hard-sided 770 super lite truck camper. These campers were designed to fit most full-size 1/2 ton truck beds and larger. The camper will extend past the bumper of a 6'6" truck bed by a few inches and will sit approximately 5" in front of the rear of an 8' truck bed.As you enter notice the convenient toilet room with removable porta potty on your right with storage, along with another storage closet on the left. Cooking will be simple with a two burner cook-top, sink, and 2 cu. ft. 3-way refrigerator. There is a booth dinette for meals that easily converts to sleeping space for a single guest. Plus you can step up to a 54" x 84" cabover bed for the main sleeping area.Add removable carpeting, a 19" hi-def TV/DVD combo, and wireless remote electric jacks, plus so much more! RAISED FLOOR;GRANICOTE KITCHEN COUNTERTOP, TABLE & ADDITIONAL COUNTERTOP;BEDSPREAD, PILLOWS, AND SHAMS;RVIA COMPLIANCE & SEAL NUMBER;GECC APPROVAL NUMBER

Toledo, Ohio

Model 770RSL

Travel Lite affordable truck campers. Features shower with Porta Potty, dinette, refrigerator, sink, stove, furnace. Fits most full size trucks. Truck not included.

2017 Travel Lite Truck Camper Hard-Sided Campers 690FD

Sturtevant, Wisconsin

Model Truck Camper Hard-Sided Campers 690FD

Category Truck Campers

2017 Travel Lite Truck Camper Hard-Sided Campers 690FD, INCLUDES: Water Heater Outside Shower Station CD/AM/FM w/USB & Aux with Indoor and Outdoor Speakers Pre-wire w/convertible jacks HD TV Antenna w/built in Meter Bedspread, pillows, and Shams! INCLUDES:Water HeaterOutside Shower StationCD/AM/FM w/USB & Aux with Indoor and Outdoor SpeakersPre-wire w/convertible jacksHD TV Antenna w/built in MeterBedspread, pillows, and Shams! 2017 Travel Lite Hard-Sided Campers 690FD The 690FD is designed to fit in the bed of most mid-sized trucks such as the Dodge Dakota, Toyota Tacoma, Chevy Colorado, GMC Canyon, and Ford Ranger.

2012 Travel Lite Truck Campers 690FD

Jacksonville, Florida

Model Truck Campers 690FD

2012 Travel Lite Truck Campers 690FD, Travel Lite 690FD Truck Camper Designed to Fit Mid-Sized Trucks Such As: Toyota Tacoma, Dodge Dakota, Chevy Colorado, and Ford Ranger w/Rear Entry Door, Closet, Counter Top w/Opt. Refrigerator Below, 2 Burner Cooktop, Kitchen Sink w/Overhead Storage, Dinette/Bed w/Step Up to Double Bed and More! Available Options May Include: Removable Carpet, Electric Jacks.Stabilizer JacksRoof Air ConditionerSingle Door RefrigeratorFront BedRear Entrance

2016 Travel Lite 690FD

Poncha Springs, Colorado

Model 690FD

2016 Travel Lite 690FD, Holiday RV in Poncha Springs, CO has the best selection of truck campers. Call us at 719-539-3577 or stop by and we'll show you around! This camper is designed to fit smaller, short bed trucks such as the Ford Ranger. Call Holiday RV and get all the details!

2016 Travel Lite 690 FD

Melbourne, Florida

Model 690 FD

LOOK at this Travel Lite 690FD it is designed to fit in the bed of most mid-sized trucks such as the Dodge Dakota, Toyota Tacoma, Chevy Colorado, GMC Canyon, and Ford Ranger. The dry weight is 1100 lb. This truck camper is loaded with a water heater, outside shower, cd/am/mp3 with indoor outdoor speakers, built in microwave, HD TV antenna, with built in meter, Filon front wrap, 9200 BTU low -profile high effeciency A/C, bedspread with pillows, and shams, 12000 BTU furnance, 45 AMP convertor / charger shur-flo water pump, 2 Cu Ft. 3 way frig and 2 burner stainless steel stove top. You can see this RV at Grandsport RV at 1245 S Wickham Rd. melbourne Fl. 32904, call us at 321-480-3063 (Larry) or Scott at 321-536-7996. The price is out the door plus tax, title and tag fees. Never a dealer prep fee.

2017 Travel Lite Truck Campers 690FD Series

Liberty Lake, Washington

Model Truck Campers 690FD Series

2017 Travel Lite Truck Campers 690FD Series, ThIS Travel Lite 690FD hard-sided truck camper has been designed to fit in the bed of most mid-sized trucks such as the Dodge Dakota, Toyota Tacoma, Chevy Colorado, GMC Canyon, and Ford Ranger.As you enter notice the storage to your immediate left with a convenient closet. You can cook up light meals and snacks with the kitchen amenities provided which includes a two burner cook-top, A round single bowl sink, and a 2 cu. ft. refrigerator for your perishable goods. Dine at the booth dinette which can also double as extra sleeping space if needed at night.Step up in front to a 48" x 84" cabover bed where you can rest up for another fun day of adventure, plus so much more!

2016 Travel Lite 690 FD - Fits Mini Truck

Canton, Michigan

Model 690 FD - Fits Mini Truck

2016 Travel Lite 690 FD - Fits Mini Truck, 2016  TRAVEL  LITE   690 FD    - Fits Mini Trucks ,  HARD SIDE  TRUCK  CAMPER    # 1095  DRY WT. ,  Dinette  , East - West Double Bed  50 " x 74 " x 27 " tall,  Mesa Aluminum  Exterior ,  3 SLEEPER ,  2 Cu. Ft. Refrigerator - 3 way 110v - 12v ,Propane , kitchen sink   , Rear Window in Entrance  Door ,  CHERRY WOOD  Cabinet Doors , Bedspread , pillow  & Shams ,  R7 Fiberglass Insulation , Bow Truss Roof design , Rubber Roof w/ 12 yr .Warranty , Radius Doors & Windows , L.E.D. light pkg., Exterior Door Light & 110v  Receptacle , 4 Corner Stabilizer Jacks , Diamond Plate Knee walls , Battery Disconnect Switch , Cable Hook-up , A/C Prepped , Single # 20 lpg Bottle , Hydro Flame 12,000 BTU Furnace , 30 Amp Convertor / Charger , 12v Shur Flo Water Pump  , LP/ CO Detector , Smoke Detector , Fire Extinguisher ,* * Bargman 12' 12v power cord , Fantastic 12v High Output Fan , CD/AM/FM-w USB & Aux. with Indoor & Outdoor Speakers . .   H.W. MOTOR  HOMES Inc.    Canton , Michigan   ( 800 ) 334 - 1535 ,

2016 Travel Lite Truck Campers 690FD Series

Kalispell, Montana

2016 Travel Lite Truck Campers 690FD Series, The Travel Lite 690FD truck camper has been designed to fit in the bed of most mid-sized trucks such as the Dodge Dakota, Toyota Tacoma, Chevy Colorado, GMC Canyon, and Ford Ranger.As you enter notice the storage to your immediate left with a convenient closet. You can cook up light meals and snacks with the kitchen amenities provided which includes a two burner cook-top, round sink, and 2 cu. ft. refrigerator. Dine at the booth dinette which can also double as extra sleeping space if needed at night.Step up in front to a cabover 54" x 75" bed in front.Â

2017 Travel Lite TRAVEL LITE 690FD

Knox, Indiana

Model TRAVEL LITE 690FD

2013 Toyota Tacoma extended cab. 45000 miles, excellent condition. Camper sold separately or with truck Camper: $12,000.00 with Truck: $27000.00. Camper Used twice, one nighters. 2017 Travel Lite Truck Camper Hard-Sided Campers 690FD, INCLUDES: Water Heater Outside Shower Station CD/AM/FM w/USB & Aux with Indoor and Outdoor Speakers Pre-wire w/convertible jacks HD TV Antenna w/built in Meter. INCLUDES:Water HeaterOutside Shower, StationCD/AM/FM w/USB & Aux with Indoor and Outdoor SpeakersPre-wire w/convertible jacksHD TV Antenna, 2017 Travel Lite Hard-Sided Campers 690FD The 690FD is designed to fit in the bed of most mid-sized trucks such as the Dodge Dakota, Toyota Tacoma, Chevy Colorado, GMC Canyon, and Ford Ranger.574-249-8880

2015 Travel Lite TRAVEL LITE 690FD

St. Louis, Missouri

For Sale2015Travellite690FDTruck CamperTruck slide in camper lightweight and just enough room. Come and see the newest models.Stock #: 3625$12,876New Contact Sales Department

2013 Travel Lite idea i17

2016 Travel Lite Truck Campers 690FD Series, The Travel Lite 690FD hard-sided truck camper has been designed to fit in the bed of most mid-sized trucks such as the Dodge Dakota, Toyota Tacoma, Chevy Colorado, GMC Canyon, and Ford Ranger.As you enter notice the storage to your immediate left with a convenient closet. You can cook up light meals and snacks with the kitchen amenities provided which includes a two burner cook-top, round sink, and 2 cu. ft. refrigerator. Dine at the booth dinette which can also double as extra sleeping space if needed at night.Step up in front to a cabover 54" x 75" bed in front. You can choose to add an optional 19" Hi-def TV/DVD combo if you like, plus so much more!

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Travel Lite Rove Lite 14BH

The  Travel Lite Rove Lite 14BH travel trailer  is the perfect RV for your next camping trip. With a front dinette to help you host meals with your family, you are sure to make memories to last a lifetime. The sofa bed gives you a versatile place to rest that can be used during the day for lounging or at night for sleeping. This travel trailer is going to help make your camping experiences more enjoyable.

Additional Features:

• Front Dinette

The stainless steel appliances are easy to clean.

Travel Lite Rove Lite 14FL

The  Travel Lite Rove Lite 14FL travel trailer  has a sofa bed that will give you a space to use both at night and throughout the day. The dinette offers a space to spend time with your family. Whether that be over breakfast, lunch, and dinner, or a friendly board game to pass the time, you are going to make memories that will last a lifetime.  You won’t regret making this travel trailer the one to make your family vacations more enjoyable.

This great dinette for two is perfect for breakfasts together.

Travel Lite Rove Lite 16RB

If you are looking for a new travel trailer for your future camping excursions, the  Travel Lite Rove Lite 16RB travel trailer  is a perfect choice. This travel trailer is an excellent choice for anyone wanting to take a camping trip but keep the comfort of home close. The booth-style dinette offers a cozy space to share a meal with a loved one. Enjoy coffee as you watch the sunrise together, or have lunch in the afternoon to fuel yourselves up for a hike in the woods.

• Bed & Bath Sliding Barn Doors
• Booth Dinette

Order yours today.

Contact us  today to find the perfect travel trailer for you and your family. We are sure to have one to fit the needs of everyone you plan to take with you on your next outdoor adventure!

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(253) 236-3914

(253) 455-7837, 6300 pacific hwy e fife, wa 98424.

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10 Popular Campers You Can Pull with the Toyota Tacoma

The Toyota Tacoma is one of the most popular mid-size trucks available today, thanks to its long-lasting durability, excellent fuel efficiency, rugged off-road capability, and numerous standard safety features. 

But perhaps the biggest reason why the Toyota Tacoma is so popular is its class-leading towing capacity.

As the most recent Tacoma has a 3,500 to 6,800-pound max tow capacity , depending on the trim level.

Allowing the Toyota Tacoma to pull a wide variety of campers, including teardrop campers, pop-up campers, travel trailers, and toy haulers. 

Toyota Tacoma’s Towing Capacity

Before we take a look at the 10 most popular campers you can pull with the Toyota Tacoma though, it’s important to take a moment to discuss its towing capacity, as  not all Tacomas are the same.

As the Toyota Tacoma’s tow capability has varied since its release in 1995.

Which can be seen in the below table that shows the various towing capacities of the mid-size truck throughout the years.

Toyota Tacoma Towing Capacity By Year

It’s not just the production year that affects the towing capacity of the Toyota Tacoma though.

As many of the years have a max tow range as opposed to a single max tow limit.

Thanks to the various trim levels available on the Toyota Tacoma, which can affect numerous aspects of the truck, including its max tow capacity.

So before towing anything with a Toyota Tacoma, it’s important to know its specific towing capacity, to ensure you don’t exceed its max tow limit.  

Popular Campers for the Toyota Tacoma (Least to Most Expensive)

1. kz rv sportsmen classic 181bh, quick specs.

• Price :  $20,000
• Length :  21 Feet 5 Inches
• Dry Weight :  2,980 Pounds
• Sleeping Capacity :  5
• Bathroom :   2-Piece Dry Bath 

The KZ RV Sportsmen Classic 181BH is one of the most well-equipped travel trailers you can pull with the Toyota Tacoma.

As it offers numerous class-leading features and upgrades.

W hich is ironic because it also happens to be one of the cheapest travel trailers as well, with an average retail price of just $20,000.

Making the Sportsmen Classic 181BH one of the best campers you can buy, if you’re looking for an affordable feature-rich camper.

But just what are those class-leading features.

Well for starters, the Sportsman Classic 181BH is one of the few lightweight campers to offer a slide-out .

Which helps to give this smaller camper a much more open and spacious feel.

KZ RV Sportsmen Classic 181BH Floorplan

In addition, the Sportsmen Classic 181BH is one of the lightest travel trailers you can buy with a bunkhouse , w hich gives this lightweight camper a five-person sleeping capacity.

And finally, the Sportsmen Classic 181BH is one of the few small travel trailers to offer a dry bath with a separate shower and toilet .

As most small lightweight campers typically feature a wet bath, which has a combined shower, toilet, and sometimes bathroom sink in a single wet space.

To see other small lightweight campers with a dry bath, check out our article “ 10 Smallest Travel Trailers with a Dry Bath “.

For more information on the KZ RV Sportsmen Classic 181BH, be sure to check out KZ RV’s website by clicking here .

2. Forest River R-Pod RP-171

• Price :  $22,000
• Length :  19 Feet
• Dry Weight :  2,714 Pounds
• Sleeping Capacity :  4
• Bathroom :   3-Piece Wet Bath 

Another budget-friendly travel trailer that you can pull with the Toyota Tacoma is the Forest River R-Pod RP-171, which has an average retail price of $23,000.

Making the R-Pod RP-171 another great choice for those looking for a more affordable and budget-friendly camper.

First released in 2008 the R-Pod was designed to be a small lightweight camper that could be pulled by a wide variety of vehicles.

Now available in 11 different models and floorplans, t he RP-171 is the lightest and one of the smallest R-Pods available, with a dry weight of just 2,714 pounds, and an overall length of 19 feet .

Forest River R-Pod RP-171 Floorplan

Despite its more affordable price and lighter weight though the Forest River R-Pod RP-171 is still a very well-equipped and capable travel trailer.

Offering numerous comfort features and amenities, including a four-person sleeping capacity, a large rear queen bed, a three-piece wet bath, and a convertible dinette booth.

As well as a complete kitchen that offers a two-burner propane cooktop, round stainless steel sink with high-rise faucet, convection microwave, and a nice size fridge.

For more information on the Forest River R-Pod RP-171 and to see a 3D tour of the trailer, check out Forest River’s website by clicking here . 

3. KZ RV Escape E14 Hatch

• Length :  18 Feet 10 Inches
• Dry Weight :  2,770 Pounds
• Sleeping Capacity :  2

One of the more unique campers on this list is the KZ RV Escape E14 Hatch.

As it features a large flip-up rear door and storage area, which allows this small lightweight camper to function as a toy hauler .  

Allowing you to easily bring all sorts of sporting and outdoor gear with you while camping, i ncluding longer and bulkier items, such as bikes, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards.

KZ RV Escape  E14 Hatch Floorplan

Beyond its toy hauler capability though, the Escape E14 Hatch is also a very well-equipped lightweight travel trailer.

As it features a rear convertible dinette booth, a full-featured kitchen, good size holding tanks, a 10-foot awning, and a dry bath, with a separate shower and toilet.

If there was one drawback of the Escape E14 Hatch though, it would have to be its limited sleeping capacity.

As the KZ RV Escape E14 Hatch is only able to sleep two campers at a time, which is definitely one of the lowest sleeping capacities for a camper of this size.

For more information on the KZ RV Escape E14 Hatch, be sure to check out KZ RV’s website by clicking here . 

To see other small lightweight toy haulers, check out our article “ The 10 Cheapest Toy Haulers You Can Buy “.

4. Forest River Rockwood Geo Pro G15TB

• Price :  $24,000
• Length :  16 Feet 4 Inches
• Dry Weight :  2,667 Pounds

The Forest River Rockwood Geo Pro G15TB is another great option for those looking for a more affordable lightweight camper that the Toyota Tacoma can pull .

As the Rockwood Geo Pro G15TB has an average price of $24,000 and a dry weight of 2,667 pounds.

Available in 13 different models that offer various floorplans, lengths, and weights, the Geo Pro is able to accommodate a wide variety of RVer’s needs.

But one of the most popular lightweight options is the Geo Pro G15TB, as it’s one of the smallest and lightest versions of the camper .

Forest River Rockwood Geo Pro G15TB Floorplan

Including a large convertible dinette booth, a three-piece wet bath, and a well-equipped kitchen that offers a two-burner propane cooktop, a large deep sink with a high-rise faucet, a 12V fridge, and a microwave oven.

And like all new Forest River Geo Pros, the G15TB also comes standard with a 190-watt roof-mounted solar panel as well as a 1,000-watt inverter.

Which provides plenty of off-grid power for boondocking and dry camping.  

For more info on the Forest River Rockwood Geo Pro G15TB and to see a 3D tour of the trailer, check out Forest River’s website by clicking here . 

To find out how much other Forest River Rockwood Geo Pros cost, check out our article “ How Much Does a Geo Pro Cost? “.

5. Bean Meaner Bean

• Price :  $25,590
• Length :  15 Feet 2 Inches
• Dry Weight :  2,000 Pounds
• Sleeping Capacity :  2 (4 with Optional Roof Mount Tent)
• Bathroom :   N/A

For those that like to take their Toyota Tacoma off the beaten path, the Meaner Bean premium off-road teardrop camper is a great choice.

As the Meaner Bean is one of the most off-road capable teardrop campers you can buy .

Thanks to its 17 inches of ground clearance, powder-coated steel tube frame chassis, Timbren 3500 HD axle less suspension, fully articulating max coupler hitch, and all-terrain tires.

But it’s not just its off-road capability that makes this lightweight teardrop camper so popular, as the Meaner Bean also offers lots of creature comforts and conveniences as well.

Meaner Bean Interior

Including such features as a spacious convertible interior cabin, lots of storage cabinets and cubbies, a Maxx Air vent fan, operational side windows, LED interior and exterior lighting, USB charging ports, and a Thule roof rack system.

As well as a full rear exterior kitchen with lots of storage and counter space, an 18-gallon freshwater tank, stainless steel sink with foldaway faucet, rack-out Partner steel stove, and a rack-out 45-quart cooler/fridge.

Making the Meaner Bean the perfect base camp for boondocking and off-grid camping .  

If you’re looking for even more comfort and off-grid capability though, you can also option the Meaner Bean, with air conditioning, heat, instant hot water, as well as solar and a lithium-ion battery.

For more information on the Bean Meaner Bean and to see other Bean teardrop campers, check out Bean’s website by clicking here . 

If you want to know more about teardrop campers, such as their average price, and what their pros and cons are, check out our article “ Teardrop Campers: Everything You Need to Know “.

6. Aliner Expedition

• Price :  $28,000
• Length :  18 Feet
• Dry Weight :  1,850 Pounds
• Bathroom :   Cassette Toilet + Outdoor Shower

When most people think of pop-up campers they often picture the classic tent-style pop-up with opposing fold-out bunks.

However, there is actually another really popular type of pop-up camper available today called the hard-sided pop-up camper, w hich offers the benefits of both a pop-up camper and a travel trailer . 

As a hard-sided pop-up camper maintains a low profile while in tow-mode, making it easier to tow.

While at the same time offering rigid fiberglass walls like a travel trailer, which provide superior insulation and sound deadening capabilities.

And one of the best examples of a hard-sided pop-up camper is the Aliner Expedition, which is Aliners flagship pop-up .

Aliner Expedition Sofa Bed Floorplan

As the Expedition offers numerous best-in-class features, including an 11-gallon freshwater tank, two propane tanks, a powerful propane furnace, a Command AC with heat pump, a well-equipped kitchenette, four stabilizers jacks, an outdoor shower, and a cassette toilet.

And if you’re looking for even more comfort and capability the Aliner Expedition can also be optioned with soft or hard front and rear dormers to give you even more interior space and headroom.

As well as an extreme off-road package, which allows the Aliner Expedition to go even further off the beaten path.

For more information on the Aliner Expedition, be sure to check out Aliner’s website by clicking here .  

7. nuCamp TAB 400

• Price :  $38,000
• Length :  18 Feet 3 Inches
• Dry Weight :  2,840 Pounds
• Sleeping Capacity :  3
• Bathroom :   3-Piece Wet Bath

Another popular camper for the Toyota Tacoma is the well-equipped nuCamp TAB 400, which is one of the largest and most feature-rich teardrop campers you can buy .

As the TAB 400 has a fully walkable interior and offers all the features and amenities that you’d find in a full-size travel trailer, just in a more compact lightweight teardrop package.

To see other lightweight teardrop campers that have a walkable interior, check out our article “ 10 Must See Teardrop Trailers You Can Stand Up In “.

As the nuCamp TAB 400 offers a spacious three-piece wet bath, a rear RV queen bed, a convertible front dinette booth, and a well-equipped kitchen that offers a decent amount of counter space, a large single bowl sink, a propane cooktop, and either a two-way 2.3 cubic foot fridge or a three-way 2.7 cubic foot fridge.

nuCamp TAB 400 Floorplan

But the features and amenities don’t stop there, as the nuCamp TAB 400 is also loaded with upgrades and extras.

Including a built-in solar package, a stargazing window, and a Nautilus water management system.

As well as custom Amish cabinetry, acrylic dual-pane windows, central heat and AC, and an Alde FLOW instant hot water system.

In addition, the nuCamp TAB 400 can also be equipped with nuCamp’s Boondock Package.

Which gives the TAB 400 even more off-road and off-grid capability, thanks to features like aggressive off-road tires, 15-inch sport rims, a pitched axle, and an aluminum utility platform.

For more information on the nuCamp TAB 400, make sure to check out nuCamp’s website by clicking here . 

8. Airstream Basecamp 16X

• Price :  $48,000
• Length :  16 Feet 2 Inches
• Dry Weight :  2,650 Pounds

One of the best campers to pull with the Toyota Tacoma is the Airstream Basecamp 16 , which is why we featured it in the photo at the beginning of this article.

As the Airstream Basecamp makes a perfect match for the Toyota Tacoma, thanks to its lightweight compact design, and excellent off-road and boondocking capability.

You might have noticed, however, that we’ve highlighted the Basecamp 16X as opposed to the standard Basecamp 16.

And that’s because the Basecamp 16X offers several key upgrades over the Basecamp 16 for just a few thousand dollars more.

Airstream Basecamp 16X Floorplan

Including larger wheels and tires, a lift kit, stainless steel stone guards, and front window protection shields, which greatly improve the off-road capability of the Basecamp.

Regardless of whether you choose the Basecamp 16 or the Basecamp 16X though, both versions of the camper offer some of the best boondocking capability available in its class.

Thanks to off-grid features, such as a 14,300 BTU Truma Combi™ eco plus heating system, 12V tank heaters, a heated underbelly, two 20-pound propane tanks, a 21-gallon freshwater tank, a 12V fridge, and an optional 180W rooftop solar panel.

For more information on the Airstream Basecamp 16X, be sure to check out Airstream’s website by clicking here . 

9. Lance 1475S

• Length :  19 Feet 8 Inches
• Dry Weight :  2,600 Pounds
• Bathroom :   3-Piece Dry Bath

The Lance 1475S offers several notable and unique upgrades compared to other small lightweight travel trailers, which is probably why it’s so popular.

As the Lance 1475S is one of the few lightweight campers to offer a three-piece dry bath with a separate shower, toilet, and bathroom sink.

As well as one of only a handful of trailers to offer full four-season capability, when equipped with Lance’s All-Weather Package .

Lance 1475S Floorplan

Beyond its three-piece dry bath and four-season capability though, the Lance 1475S also offers several other key upgrades.

Including such extras as a small slide-out, a large east-to-west front bed, and one of the best-equipped kitchens available in a small camper.

As the Lance 1475S kitchen offers Euro overhead cabinetry with accent lighting, plenty of counter space, a flush mount three-burner propane stove, a three-way five cubic foot fridge, and an available convection microwave oven.

For more information on the Lance 1475S, make sure to check out Lance’s website by clicking here .

10. Airstream Bambi 16RB

• Price :  $55,000
• Length :  16 Feet 1 Inch
• Dry Weight :  3,000 Pounds
• Bathroom :   2-Piece Wet Bath

One of the most expensive campers you can pull with the Toyota Tacoma is the Airstream Bambi 16RB, which has an average retail price of $55,000.

For that $55,000 though, you get one of the most well-designed and finished small lightweight campers on the market today .

Starting with its iconic all-aluminum pop-riveted exterior, which makes it instantly recognizable as an Airstream.

Airstream Bambi 16RB Floorplan

But the high-end design doesn’t stop there though, as it continues on into the interior of the camper.

Thanks to its rounded aluminum interior walls, custom cabinetry, high-end interior finishes, and premium appliances.  

It’s not all about premium design and finishes though on this Airstream camper, as the Bambi 16RB is also a very well-equipped and capable lightweight camper as well.

Offering features such as a four-person sleeping capacity, two-piece wet bath, a convertible dinette booth, exterior shower, and a full-featured kitchen that makes meal prep and cooking a breeze.

For more information on the Airstream Bambi 16RB, be sure to check out Airstream’s website by clicking here .

To see how much other Airstream Bambi’s cost, check out our article “ How Much is an Airstream Bambi? Cost Breakdown “.

Jason is an avid lover of RVs and the RV lifestyle. He is both a writer and editor for RV Owner HQ and has been RVing and camping for over 20 years.

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Travel Lite Truck Camper 3rd Gen Long Bed

Discussion in ' 3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023) ' started by grayman , Jun 10, 2020 .

#1 grayman [OP] New Member

Hi Everyone, I've googled many times and ended up here on Tacoma World for the answer so I finally decided to join today. Was wondering if anyone has had any advice or experience with the Travel Lite truck campers? Do I have to mod the suspension in order to carry most of them? I have a 2020 Tacoma TRD Sport long bed. I'm open to other campers but I just keep coming back to the Travel Lites because of style and weight. I'm not as interested in pop-ups.  

#2 Hunter gatherer Well-Known Member

I have had campers on 3/4 tons and such . On my Tacoma I would never put a camper on it. Most if not all are too heavy for these light duty trucks. What does the camper your looking at weigh? If it's more than 600 lbs it's too much.  

#3 disconnected LOST

There was a company I saw awhile back that made really nice ones for Tacoma’s. My wife and I looked at them online. I can’t remember the name, but I’ll search them out and post back up.  

#4 disconnected LOST

Didn’t take long, sorry I’m off your topic title, but these are worth a look too! https://www.kimboliving.com/  

#5 Boltripper Well-Known Member

Looks like the Rayzar is 885lbs dry, so a set of Firestone Airbags will help handle the extra weight in the back. With a well thought out suspension they can carry more than that comfortably and safely. I'm 1,100 dry with the Khaya but my suspension is dialed in. The truck handles as it should. Remember that your 885 will easily turn into 1000+ with water and gear, so I'd look at doing some suspension work. Rin @rino at OK4WD is a great resource for what level of suspension you would need for your intended use.. Good luck and welcome. John  

#6 grayman [OP] New Member

disconnected said: ↑ Didn’t take long, sorry I’m off your topic title, but these are worth a look too! https://www.kimboliving.com/ Click to expand...

#7 disconnected LOST

grayman [OP] said: ↑ I have looked at the KIMBO and love them. They "start" at 20K but probably closer to 30K finished. The Travel Lite Super Lites are 15-20K and offer a lot of the same and they are roughly the same dry weight (around 1100lbs) Click to expand...

#8 AltaTacoma Well-Known Member

Scout Campers (part of Adventurer) is announcing a 900lb model today that is designed to work with the Tacoma. https://www.scoutcampers.com/ And these... https://fourwheelcampers.com/model/fleet-model-pop-up-truck-camper-leader-mid-size-trucks/  

#9 grayman [OP] New Member

@AltaTacoma NICE!! I will def look into the Scout I love those too thank you for the word!  

#10 slomaro Well-Known Member

Those kimbo campers are sick looking, I've been dreaming of a fourwheelcamper since I had my first truck I'm just not sure I would utilize it enough.  

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The 7 Best Toyota Tacoma Camper Truck Setups in 2023

• Last updated on June 9, 2023

The Toyota Tacoma truck is well-known for its off-road capability, longevity, and reliability.

They’re one of the best overland vehicles  you can buy. It’s no wonder there are tons of manufacturers that build Tacoma campers!

But, which Toyota Tacoma campers are best?

In this article, we’ll go over the 7 best Toyota Tacoma campers, so you can start truck camping  today!

Let’s dive in!

What Exactly is a Toyota Tacoma Camper?

To put it simply, Tacoma campers are pop up campers that fit in the space above the cab and over the truck bed in order to create a shelter.

These truck campers are able to sleep up to four people, have a decent amount of storage space , and some even come with awesome additions like a moon roof, two burner stove, dual pane windows, and more!

Most Tacoma campers have soft shells that are made from regular tent canvas. Some feature a hard top that folds down onto itself (sort of like a camper shell). They’re an essential Tacoma mod to improve the look and utility of your truck!

What Type of Campers Can Go on a Tacoma Truck?

There are various campers that are able to go onto a Tacoma (ranging from soft and hard-top ones that latch above a truck topper). All you really have to do is find one that’s designed for a Tacoma!

As long as you do your homework and figure out what your truck bed dimensions are (as well as its weight capabilities), you’ll be able to find plenty of campers for the Toyota Tacoma , such as the following 7 Tacoma campers on our list today.

While a truck bed camper is probably the most comfortable option, you could also make a great shelter out of a Tacoma truck bed cap , or a rooftop tent.

Related Reading: The Best Truck Bed Tents to Camp Off The Ground

7 Badass Toyota Tacoma Truck Bed Campers

Without further ado, let’s dive right into the best truck campers on the market today!

• Price – Base price is $22,999
• Get it Here – Kimbo Living

If you’re looking for one of the best truck campers on this list, allow us to introduce you to the Kimbo 6!

The Kimbo 6 is a very versatile truck camper that features an optional Goal Zero inverter for all of your power needs (as well as a propane fireplace, a beautiful kitchen area, and plenty of storage space).

Related: Jackery Explorer 300 Solar Power Station Review

This Tacoma camper was built by people who truly understand what it means to live outdoors. Not only will this truck camper fit perfectly on your Toyota Tacoma truck, you’re able to get solar panels on it and  a four-season camping entry that will drain water and dirt from the top of your truck topper.

The founder of the Kimbo, Mark King, built it as a trial for something he could live out of. He took inspiration from a nuclear submarine, the USS Alabama, in this build. Being an inventor and engineer, as well as a student of feng shui, the Kimbo is a beautiful small home.

Pros of the Kimbo 6:

• The inner walls are a dense brushed fabric, which adds another layer of insulation value for warmth
• The Kimbo camper is set up for solar, which allows off-grid camping comfort
• The Kimbo camper has plenty of standing room (and a sleeping capacity of two people)

Cons of the Kimbo 6:

• Lack of holding tanks for wastewater
• Most of the storage is hanging open-wire bins

All in all, the Kimbo 6 is a great truck camper that should be on all Tacoma trucks! I may be ordering one for my Toyota Tacoma overland build , as it seems like the best choice for creating a mobile work and living space to travel full-time.

Related Reading: The 7 Best Rooftop Tents for a Toyota Tacoma

2. Scout Yoho 6.0

• Price – Base price starts at $21,980
• Get it Here – YOHO Scout Campers

The YOHO 6.0 has everything you need in a truck camper to venture off the beaten path. Think of the YOHO as a backpack for your truck camper. Inside, it has everything you need for overlanding adventures  as well as the portability to take these features outside, too!

The YOHO 6 comes with off-grid essentials including (but not limited to) solar power , a portable power station, LED lights, and so much more!

You can also choose from optional add-ons to enhance your off-grid experience too, such as a 260 degree awning, a portable fridge/freezer, and even an optional rooftop tent for guests.

Plus, the Scout is one of the only campers for the Toyota Tacoma that comes with Full Composite Substrate Construction—meaning it’s all one piece and is less prone to leaks like typical camper materials.

Pros of the YOHO 6:

• Thanks to its small size and low base weight, you’re able to access more terrain
• The YOHO 6 is highly durable, safe, and constructed for 4-season travel
• This is one of the only truck campers that sleep 4 people comfortably

Cons of the YOHO 6:

• Compared to other truck campers, this is a more expensive model
• There isn’t much space for a wet bath in this truck camper

3. Overland Explorer Vehicles Camp-M

• Price – Base price starts at $39,682
• Get it Here – Overland X Camp-M

While pop-up campers are pretty rare in the overlanding world, this Canada-based overland company has made one of the best truck campers on the market today.

The Camp-M comes with a chest-style fridge tray, an aluminum propane cabinet with a 10lb bottle, a 20 gallon freshwater tank, and more!

Check out the video below to compare the Camp-X and the Camp-M models:

Pros of the Camp-M:

• Sleeps up to 3 people
• Spec’d for factory style mid-size trucks
• You’re able to add more to the build if you want

Cons of the Camp-M:

• Very expensive for what it is
• Cooktop not included

4. AT Overland Summit

• Price – Base price starts at $12,000
• Get it Here – AT Overland

We’re sure you’ve heard of AT Overland in the past—this company is well-known in the overlanding world simply because they make some of the best truck campers on the market.

The AT Overland Summit is no different—it’s a great truck camper that fits perfectly in your truck bed. The Summit truck topper features a spacious cargo area and has a moonroof over the bed so you can fall asleep watching the stars.

You’re also able to place bikes, kayaks, and more toys onto the built-in rails on the top of this camper, so you don’t have to install your own roof rack on your Tacoma .

Pros of the AT Overland Summit:

• Built-in wiring raceways for a clean 12V set up
• Incredibly easy to both deploy and stow
• It’s a premium truck camper and the quality craftsmanship is evident

Cons of the AT Overland Summit:

• Reduced gas mileage due to increased drag
• Some people have noticed that there’s a fair amount of flex in the cab-over portion on their short bed Tacoma (which caused the topper to lift slightly in the back while wheeling)

5. Four Wheel Camper Project M Topper

• Price – Base price starts at $10,995
• Get it Here – Project M Camper Topper

We’re not sure how Four Wheel Campers did it, but they created one of the best truck campers on the market today.

Weighing 375-475 pounds, the Project M custom camper fits on nearly every Toyota Tacoma with ease. Take a look at the video below to understand how this truck camper fits on your truck:

The Four Wheel Campers Project M model is empty inside, but it comes with insulated side walls, a solid front window, and so much more. It’s one of the most customizable campers for the Toyota Tacoma! With all the interior headroom you have, you’re able to put a four person dinette inside or add a wet bath (if you choose to do so).

Pros to the Project M Topper:

• These Four Wheel pop up campers can fit various trucks, including the Toyota Tacoma, Ford Ranger, Chevy Colorado, and more
• Uses the same tough welded aluminum frame construction as the rest of the company’s slide-in truck campers
• 4 interior LED lights installed, and pre-wiring for roof vent fans, rear flood lights & solar reflective shade on the roof

Cons to the Project M Topper:

• Depending on what you add, this truck camper can get pretty expensive and, because this truck camper is empty when you purchase it, you really can’t avoid spending extra money on the internal details

6. Phoenix Mini-Max

• Price – Base price starts at $37,000
• Get it Here – Phoenix Pop Up

If you’re looking for a truck camper that has an elegant design (as well as tons of features), look no further than the Phoenix Mini-Max! Thanks to its compact size and aerodynamic cabover, this is the stealthiest pop-up truck camper on the market today!

This is one of the only truck campers that comes equipped with a built-in wet bath. There’s a gray water tank located under the subfloor, and the bathroom is just as comfortable as one that you’d find in a larger camper!

This truck camper is truly one of the best on the market today. From its high-quality components to the 100-watt solar panel, you’re sure to love this all season truck camper!

Pros of the Phoenix Mini-Max:

• Can be ordered to fit a customer’s truck bed size and payload requirements
• All electric, push button roof lift mechanism standard
• Lift-up under bed storage is huge

Cons of the Phoenix Mini-Max:

• Extensive standard feature set and high-end materials add considerable weight
• 12-volt, USB and 110-volt outlets are limited throughout unit
• Low entry door may take time to get used to

7. Alu-Cab Canopy Camper

• Price – Base price starts at $10,299
• Get it Here – Alu-Cab Canopy Camper

This Toyota Tacoma truck camper is versatile, is able to maximize living space, and was made for off-roaders, by off-roaders.

Thanks to its rugged aluminum construction, you’re able to go anywhere you want with style and strength. This truck camper has a dual-layer canvas tent that’s able to keep you dry against all of mother nature’s elements. It also comes with roof rails that you’re able to mount all kinds of external gear you may need, from storage boxes  to extra fuel cans .

This camper is fairly similar to the Go Fast Campers with its clamshell design, but each has its own unique features. The GFC is another great option to check out if you like this style.

Pros of the Alu-Cab Canopy Camper:

• Proprietary extrusions are used throughout the construction for a drill-free fitment
• Tried and tested dual-layer canvas tent
• Side-access canopy doors

Cons of the Alu-Cab Canopy Camper:

• The ladder comes at a fixed length and feels cheaply put together
• Some have complained about how the tent mounts onto your truck camper (and go as far to say it has an overall “lazy and dated” feeling)

Pre-Built Toyota Tacoma Camper Trucks

Looking for something already-built rather than something to add to your current setup? There are two really awesome (albeit really expensive) options:

The Toyota Tacozilla is a concept vehicle that was unveiled at the SEMA show in Las Vegas in 2021. However, Toyota has no plans to make it available to the public… yet.

The Tacozilla is a Toyota Tacoma camper that was built in tribute to the Toyota Hilux Chinook camper, which was a rig popular in the late 70s.

The Tacozilla combines both modern and vintage vibes, and it’s able to sit on a Tacoma TRD off-road platform with a manual transmission.

The closest thing to a Tacozilla that’s currently for sale is the BCT TruckHouse , which is built with marine, aerospace, and top of the line off-road components to become the ultimate adventure rig.

This vehicle starts at $350,000, which makes it the most expensive truck camper on our list today by a long shot. Take a look at the interior of the TruckHouse:

The TruckHouse chassis has been heavily upgraded to support the heavy payload over the Toyota Tacoma. The fabricated 9-inch rear axle is designed for the rig’s application, while the leaf pack and shocks are custom tuned.

Every BCT TruckHouse also comes standard with a boxed and gusseted frame, 13″ 4-piston drilled and slotted rear disc brakes, and the axles are re-geared to either 4.88 or 5.29 (depending on tire size).

Trust me—if I had the money, I would own one of these things. They are so sick! And they look great using the Toyota Tacoma.

Frequently Asked Questions

Have some questions about Toyota Tacoma camper trucks that weren’t answered above? We’ve got you covered.

There are tons of truck campers that include toilets. Some models on our list include a built-in wet bath (as well as dry bathrooms). Other Toyota Tacoma truck campers have stow-away toilets instead.

Every camper (whether it’s for a Toyota Tacoma truck or not) has a center of gravity where its total weight is centered.

On most campers, this center of gravity is marked with a visible sticker. Make sure the center of gravity is in front of your truck’s rear axle or your truck’s steering (and handling) may be impaired!

You can find the payload rating on the driver’s side door pillar placard as well as in the glovebox on a payload certification form.

You’re also able to determine the payload by subtracting the curb weight of the truck from the GVWR.

There are some truck campers that can be hauled by half-ton trucks. However, most half-ton trucks have a payload of around 1,600 pounds.

You’ll most likely be limited to what you’re able to get because of this, however most trucks are able to be fitted with custom improvements to help them carry heavier loads.

We hope this article helped you pick out the best truck camper for your Toyota Tacoma! Leave us a comment down below with your favorite from our list.

Looking for more Toyota Tacoma articles? We’ve got you covered:

• Toyota Tacoma TRD Off Road vs TRD Pro: Which is Best?
• Towing Capacity of the Toyota Tacoma (From 1995 to 2022)
• The Best Truck Camping Setup Options & How to Get Started
• The 9 Best Hard Shell Rooftop Tents in 2022
• Best 270 Degree Awnings for Overlanding & Camping

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TCA Exclusive: Travel Lite Revamps Truck Camper Lineup With New Brands

As your trusted truck camper industry news source, Truck Camper Adventure reached out to Indiana-based Travel Lite RV (TLRV). We’re glad we did. In a Truck Camper Adventure exclusive, Travel Lite has just revealed that its overhauling its truck camper lineup, which will include two new brands called the Atom and Up Country. To learn more about these new brands and other changes, Keith Lessner, Travel Lite National Sales Manager, was kind enough to answer a few questions.

Thank you for talking with us, Keith. Travel Lite operations were in a state of flux a few years ago. What is the current status of the company?

Keith Lessner: Travel Lite is currently up and running. A couple years ago our suspension of operations was to make the necessary changes to get Travel Lite pointed in the right direction again. Since then, we have completely revamped our product line including truck campers, the new models of which are just launching now.

Where are your campers made and what products are you producing today?

Keith Lessner: All of our campers are made onsite at our Syracuse, Indiana plant. We currently offer ultra light weight travel trailers, toy haulers and our full lineup of truck campers. From here on out, every camper we make will have a laminated structure with aluminum framing instead of the more traditional wood build. We have also recently made big strides on our EV truck camper lineup that is coming very soon. There are a lot of exciting things happening at Travel Lite right now.

How many units have you been producing per year? How many dealerships are selling Travel Lite campers?

Keith Lessner: TLRV produces approximately 1,500 units per year which we are looking to increase and currently serve 85 dealers and counting. There has been a recent spike in new dealer interest and we anticipate being well over 100 dealers by the end of the year.

With regard to the new Travel Lite truck camper brands, will you be retaining the Extended Stay and Super Lite brands you produced before?

Keith Lessner: The Extended Stay and Super Lite truck campers were great for us, but that moniker has been retired. When we moved away from wood construction to our new laminated construction, we wanted to let everyone know how different the structure is and felt it was an appropriate time to make a name change. Our mid-size truck camper line is called the Atom and our full-size truck camper line is now called Up Country. The first Atom’s should be arriving at dealer lots now and the Up Country not far behind. Also, by moving from wood construction to lamination, not only have we increased strength, but we have also made our campers lighter.

What trends and feedback in the marketplace drove these changes?

Keith Lessner: Like most things, there are trends in truck campers and it is always changing. In the truck camper world especially, there are only so many ways you can arrange items in a small space so there tends to be some common layouts. We have taken a hard look at what customers are buying and they seem to gravitate towards a few, more popular layouts and that is where we are starting our focus on our new lines of truck campers. Our initial plans are calling for six floorplans but we want to be flexible and keep with trends when necessary.

How many models and floorplans will be in your initial launch?

Keith Lessner: Three. The Up Country 650 and 775, and the Atom 400.

How will your new campers be constructed? Will you be offering different interior finishes in your campers?

Keith Lessner: Our previous generations of truck campers were built from wood and served us well for many years. Our new laminated construction features our Hydro-Lite sidewalls that have aluminum framing with foam laminated between Azdel and fiberglass. The only pieces of the structure of the camper that aren’t laminated are the roof, which has aluminum trusses, and the cap, which has laminated interior panels. This gives us increased strength and rigidity while helping decrease weight. In an effort to simplify our ordering process and keep our pricing down, we have a single interior color.

Can you tell us more about the single interior color you just mentioned?

Keith Lessner: The name of our interior color is Somlyn, it is a lighter wood grain for cabinetry and trim with off-white walls and a multicolor countertop that looks like coarse beach sand and each (Atom and Up Country) has curtains that coordinate with the exterior graphic (Green for Up Country and Blue for Atom).

What colors will you be using on the exterior of your campers?

Keith Lessner: The exterior of the Atom is gray and the exterior of the Up Country is white, while both of them have a darker earthy gray front cap and wire/wind channel.

The windows and roof are key components in any truck camper build? Can you explain how the new Travel Lite brands will be approaching and constructing each?

Keith Lessner: Our roof is aluminum trussed with a TPO membrane. The aluminum trusses give us a ton of strength being that they are welded and the TPO membrane is long lasting and has just the right amount of flexibility for going down the road. In regards to windows, we use the Lippert 8800 series windows, in part, because of how well they perform against water intrusion but the tinted glass and sleek design are nice additional benefits. When selecting any component we consider efficiency, ease of use, and utility, among other characteristics, to try and select the best components for our campers.

Will any of the Atom and Up Country floorplans feature a wet-bath?

Keith Lessner: On launch, the Up Country 775 will have a wet-bath and also two future units will get the wet-bath, a sibling to the Atom and a larger Up Country, both still in development.

What will your new Atom and Up Country truck campers retail for?

Keith Lessner: Our MSRP’s for the truck campers range from the mid $20,000’s to the mid to upper $30,000’s, and trailers range from the mid $20,000’s while the toy haulers can have an MSRP starting under $50,000. Of course, it can vary by options and model.

Lithium batteries, inverters, and solar power are three very popular options right now in the truck camper marketplace. Will you be offering all three?

Keith Lessner: Funny you should ask. We are developing a lineup of EV models that will be coming soon. While we have solar panels standard on all of our truck camper and trailer models, our new EV lineup with utilize lithium batteries , inverters, and more solar charging capability and eliminate the need for propane. The cool thing about the way we took on EV, is that all of our truck camper models can be an EV, we didn’t pick and choose like some manufacturers. If you like one of our floorplans, but want an EV, you’re in luck.

Low amperage, low profile air conditioners are another popular option. Will you be offering one?

Keith Lessner: We have done some digging into the low amperage, low profile air conditioners and haven’t found a solution we are satisfied with yet, but we are still looking.

The Ford F150 is America’s most popular vehicle and pickup truck. Which Travel Lite campers will be light enough and will fit on this and other half-ton trucks?

Keith Lessner: The Ford F-150 has a huge advantage over most other half-tons in its class because of the F-150’s aluminum alloy body. The weight that is saves in body panels, is added to the payload. Our first three models of our new laminated truck camper line (Atom 400, Up Country 650 and Up Country 775) are all made to fit in half-ton trucks (the Atom 400 is made for mid-size trucks , but can be carried by full-size trucks due to the quick disconnect power jacks and attached mounting point that is wider to accommodate full size trucks). Always check with your pickup manufacturer for the specific payload capacity of your truck as well as any other potential risks.

So the Atom is made fit mid-size trucks like the Toyota Tacoma and Ford Ranger?

Keith Lessner: Yes, that is correct. The Atom is made specifically for mid-size trucks such as the Tacoma Tacoma , Ford Ranger, Chevy Colorado, Jeep Gladiator and others. Always check with your pickup manufacturer for the specific payload capacity of your truck as well as any other potential risks.

What floorplans/models will you be offering with your new Atom and Up Country brands?

Keith Lessner: There are plans for a second Atom with a bathroom and a larger Up Country model we took from our old Extended Stay line, with a few tweaks, of course. From there, we’ll look to our dealers to see what feedback they are getting and work from there. Like I mentioned before, we are always working on improving the product whether that be content or layout. In smaller spaces like truck campers, a small adjustment can make a big difference.

Will there be any features or options that will distinguish Travel Lite truck campers from the competition?

Keith Lessner: Our quick disconnect jack brackets are different than what is being used by other manufacturers right now and ours are standard power jacks with the quick disconnect, which no one else is doing. We are also utilizing Jet Boil Genesis camp stoves in some floorplans to help manage counter space and cooking flexibility. Let’s not forget about our new EV lineup, which eliminates propane while being completely self-contained.

Can you tell us more about the new EV lineup? Will these be stand-alone lithium campers or will they be compatible with the new Ford Lightning and Tesla Cybertruck getting their power only from the electric trucks?

Keith Lessner: Our EV models will be completely stand alone. While you will still have the ability to plug them into shore power, the multiple large solar panels, high capacity inverter and lithium batteries make it so the camper can power itself and it’s electric components such as electric heater and water heater.

When will your website be updated to reflect all of these changes?

Keith Lessner: We have been working with our web team on updating the entire site updated and adding the information for new campers. Pending any unforeseen delays or technical issues, I would expect to have the updates and new information to be up and running within the next few weeks.

Nice! Thanks again for talking with us, Trevor. Are there any plans to release anything new in the future?

Keith Lessner: Thank you for having me, Mike. It has been a pleasure getting to share our exciting new products with you. With regard to future plans, we are always looking to improve our product and include new, innovative ideas and components in our campers. Our next project is a more rugged, essentials only truck camper, but you’ll have to keep an eye on Travel Lite for all of our updates and new products.

Share this:

• Electric Vehicles (EV)
• Ford F150 Lightning
• Hard-Side Truck Camper
• Tesla Cybertruck
• Travel Lite Atom 400
• Travel Lite Campers
• Travel Lite Up Country 650
• Travel Lite Up Country 775

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Thanks for the article on Travel Lite! I’m on my 2nd TL truck camper, a rx960 on a Ram 2500 long bed and love it. I asked another another online truck camper magazine why they no longer report on Travel Lite and was told that they ” no longer pay them “. Keep up the good work!

This aluminum frame construction is great news, especially for a light weight hard side affordable truck camper. I may have to sell my existing wood frame Travel Lite 770 and upgrade to the new aluminum frame unit. I’m really excited not to have to worry about wood rot anymore. I’ve always liked Travel Lite’s simple design with no overhang at the rear. This allows the tailgate to be used as a porch. Thanks Travel Lite.

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Rustic to luxury. New Japanese-built WA campground sets new standards for outdoor living

A Japanese style first-of-its-kind campground that aims to connect people with nature has opened on Washington’s coast, and it’s about to set new standards for camping.

Japanese outdoor gear maker Snow Peak held the grand opening of its Campfield in Long Beach over the weekend. The $20 million rehab of a former RV campground is now 25 acres of tent sites, luxury micro cabins, a sauna, store, lounge and Japanese-style bathrooms. Plus trees, meadows, ponds and roaming deer.

It’s Snow Peak’s first U.S. campground, said senior brand manager, Mike Anderson. The company has 14 in Japan.

Forest bathing

In Japan, the number one outdoor experience isn’t hunting or fishing but what’s called forest bathing. There’s no water involved, said Noah Reis, Snow Peak’s vice president of U.S. operations, just a lot of communing with the natural world.

“It’s just relaxing and being in nature,” he said.

A walk around Campfield on Friday revealed buildings covered in charred wood paneling and honey-stained trim. Earth toned Snow Peak tents dotted the meadows. There were no cars in sight — they’re not allowed beyond the parking lot. Campers use carts to transport belongings.

“There’s tons of people in this country who haven’t had an opportunity to experience nature firsthand,” Anderson said. “We really think camping is a wonderful opportunity to do that.”

But it’s all done with a Japanese aesthetic. That means no RVs, no generators running into the night and no beep-beep of car alarms.

Snow Peak, Reis said, aims to merge people with nature rather than keep it at bay or exploit it.

Snow Peak was founded in 1958 by Yukio Yamai in Japan’s Niigata Prefecture. Yamai wasn’t happy with the quality of post World War II outdoor gear and began working with Samurai sword makers, according to Anderson.

“He showed them how to make crampons and pick axes and all sorts of stuff,” Anderson said as he showed a reporter around the campground.

Three decades later, Yamai’s son and current CEO Toru Yamai , turned the brand toward camping equipment. Around 2009, the company opened its first campground in Japan incorporating the company’s high standards with a back-to-nature ethos.

Why Long Beach?

Long Beach is the company’s first of what it hopes to be several U.S. campgrounds. Snowpeak’s U.S. division is headquartered in Portland, Oregon, and the company liked both Long Beach’s location on the coast as well as its easy drive from both Puget Sound and Portland.

“Long Beach has been kind of up-and-coming for a little while in terms of the other firms investing in it, building up the hospitality industry here,” Reis said.

Using what was a former rundown campground with basketball and tennis courts, the company built a new facility from the ground up. A pond and wetlands make up more than a quarter of the property. Snow Peak is rehabilitating the aquatic areas, Anderson said.

“It continues to be more and more expensive as we’ve gotten along,” he said. “But it’s expensive to create and design an experience on top of a wetland in one of the most remote parts of the West Coast.”

On Friday, Swainson’s thrushes were trilling in the forested understory while a deer grazed near tents, unfazed by campers gathered around fires.

Campfield will be open year round but prices, as they usually do, rise during the high season.

Tent camping

Campfield offers do-it-yourself camping or they’ll-do-it-for-you style.

Tent sites in either the campground’s meadows or forest start at $40. They can fit two average-sized tents.

If you’re tired of packing and setting up gear, a tent suite comes with most of what you’ll need but requires a two-night minimum stay. The nightly rate of $120 includes a four-person tent, gas-fueled grill table, dining table, chairs and a campfire setup. Campers supply their own sleeping bags or cots.

Purchased new, the equipment retails between $5,000 and $6,000, Anderson said.

Whether you’re in a tent or the site’s micro cabins, campers get access to Campfield’s ofuro, or spa.

You can smell the ofuro building before you reach it. The structure’s sauna is lined in coveted and highly aromatic Hinoki cypress .

In the same open-air structure is a hot pool and smaller cold-plunge pool. Both look out on to the grounds’ wetlands. Shower and bathroom facilities complete the building.

On Friday, construction workers were finishing up the final touches on the building, slated to open this week.

At the high end of the camping experience are 14 jyubakos. Variously called micro cabins or tiny houses. These minimalist houses are like a Tokyo apartment dropped into the wilderness. Each has a queen-sized bed and its own bathroom.

A sign at the door asks visitors to remove their shoes.

Designed by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma , who designed the Japan National Stadium for the Tokyo Olympics, the jyubakos also come with a micro kitchen, complete with tea kettle.

Rates start at $130.

Lounge and camp store

Wine bottles line the shelves in Campfield’s lounge. It’s not obvious at first but all of the tables, chairs and sectional seating is Snow Peak’s outdoor furniture.

Separated by an espresso counter, Campfield’s store offers drinks and snacks produced either within 100 miles or 5,000 miles away in Japan. Fried-egg-flavored potato chips share space with osenbei, or traditional Japanese snacks. Nearby are six packs from local breweries and chocolate from Oregon candy makers.

Snow Peak’s light weight titanium cook ware, leather gloves, gas grills, utility vests, tables, chairs and more are for sale at the store.

Depending on the season, the Campfield will employ 10-20 workers, Reis said.

What: Snow Peak Campfield Long Beach.

Where: 5411 Sandridge Road, Long Beach, Washington.

When: Open year round.

Reservations: snowpeakcampfield.com/ 833-662-7624