overshot camper price

Truck campers are great RVs for more versatile travel, since you’re not towing a large vehicle behind you or rumbling down the road in a big, Class A motorhome. But most truck campers are quite small, and can only comfortably fit two adults.

In this article, I have done the legwork to find the best ones to feature. In addition to this list, I’ll also cover key information about whether truck camper slide-outs are worth it, and why your truck camper’s center of gravity is important.

I mentioned that weight might be an issue with slide-outs in your truck camper, and it’s kind of a big deal. At minimum, a single slide-out will weigh about 300 pounds. If you’re driving a short-bed, half-ton truck, your options may be more limited for hauling a truck camper with a heavy slide-out (or two).

Even with a standard three-quarter-ton or one-ton pickup truck, your payload is limited and every single pound counts. As you’ll find in our list of the best truck campers with slide-outs below, most of the campers weigh more than 3,000 pounds, fully-loaded.

Keep in mind as well, that the weight of the slide out can also cause stress on the frame of your camper, could lead to frame failure. Another negative to consider is that slide-outs can leak, so you’ll need to take extra care to maintain the weather seals, especially if you will be traveling in a humid or rainy climate.

If you’re buying a used truck camper, always be sure to check the roof and the floors for soft spots, which can indicate water damage. Slide-outs can also make year-round camping less comfortable, because they allow drafts, even if the rubber seals are in peak condition.

Something that’s relevant to consider is that your truck camper also won’t have a very large propane tank, so the drafts may tax your furnace system beyond its capabilities. At best, you may eat through your propane store more quickly. So, if you’re planning to camp in rugged, sub-zero locations, slide-outs might not be a good choice for your truck camper.

Drawbacks aside, there’s a good reason (or three!) why some people prefer a truck camper with slide-outs. Of course, the strongest perk is the additional living space provided in your camper.

Beyond the additional space to spread out, slide-outs allow more storage areas in the camper. When the dinette is located in the slide, the camper will have even more storage capacity in the dinette seats, the fold-down bunk area, and more.

Since storage is always a premium in tiny RVs like truck campers, one with a slide-out definitely has more to offer and this may be a strong factor and reason to choose a camper with slide-outs.

With a truck camper, the center of gravity is very important. Not only do you need to be conscious of your camper’s Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and Cargo Carrying Capacity (Center of Gravity), you also need to be sure to distribute weight appropriately.

You don’t want your camper to cause the whole vehicle to tip over when you make a sharp turn! One thing to keep in mind is that the center of gravity may not always be in the center of the camper.

I included the manufacturer’s center of gravity for most of the campers on this list, and to find the center of gravity inside your camper, you just need to take this measurement and use it to measure the distance from the front wall of the camper.

I have done the research to find the top truck campers with slide-outs, and below, I’ll list them with important specifications about their weight restrictions, sleeping capacity, size restrictions (for short-bed trucks), and more.

Although the Adventurer 910DB truck camper is only compatible with long-bed trucks, its amenities make it worth it, with a California king-sized bed in the front of the camper, a full wall slide-out for the dinette, and tons of storage.

The Adventurer 910DB truck camper is made with two-inch aluminum framed and laminated sidewalls (three-year structural warranty) with R-13 closed cell block foam insulation and a laminated ceiling with simulated padded interior.

The roof is one-piece thermo polyolefin (TPO), with a 12 year walk-on warranty. The camper has thick framed radius four-season insulated compartment doors to keep it better insulated.

The Arctic Fox 1150 truck camper from Northwood comes with either a wet or dry bath. There’s a foot-pedal toilet, and shower pan with a shower curtain on a curved track to offer more space. The bath is at the rear of the trailer, with the dinette, a wardrobe, and a 2-way, 7 cu.ft fridge in the slide-out.

The camper’s bedroom has a comfortable NW TruRest queen bed, wardrobes and hampers on either side of the bed, and a shelf at the headboard for more storage. There’s plenty of exterior storage as well, below the slide-out.

One of the most versatile truck campers on the market, the Eagle Cap 811 from Eagle Campers is designed for both long- and short-bed trucks, with room for the optional on-board Cummins/Onan 2500 watt generator.

The camper has aircraft-quality welded aluminum frame superstructure, with two-inch TCC® laminated aluminum framed walls with R-13 Insulation (three year structural warranty).

Some of the construction features that make this truck camper special are the channeled side roofing seal system and the all-season, six-step exterior sealing process, which makes your camper comfortable no matter what climate you’re camping in.

Inside the truck camper, the layout is similar to most on this list – after all, there’s only so many options in such a tiny space! The wet bath is in the rear of the camper on the passenger side, and the shower has a spray wand that extends outside for convenient clean-up.

The Mammoth 11’ 6” Truck Camper from Host Campers is one of the largest and most luxurious on this list. There are three slide-outs as well, significantly increasing your interior space when parked in your campsite.

One feature that’s particularly cool about this truck camper is the dual-entry bathroom, with a rolling door from the main living area and a pocket sliding door for accessing the bathroom from the bedroom.

The Mammoth Truck Camper’s kitchen is in the third slide-out on the passenger side of the vehicle, and has a double-bowl stainless steel sink, a large three-burner range with a folding stove top cover, a double-door 8 cu.ft. fridge, and lots of storage.

Host Campers builds the Mammoth Campers for durability and lightweight engineering, with ultralite 100% aluminum framing, a complete fiberglass exterior, a one-piece TPO roof, and vacuum bonded foam insulation throughout.

The sofa/dinette and two-way 8 cu.ft. fridge are located in the passenger side slide-out, with the spacious dry bath tucked into the rear of the camper.

You can also add a microwave or a combo microwave and convection oven to your camper if you choose. Host Camper also offers the option to have a fireplace and entertainment center in the center of the camper, sharing a wall with the bedroom.

As with the Mammoth series, Host Camper’s Tahoe model is made with an ultralite 100% aluminum structure, complete fiberglass exterior, one-piece TPO roof, and vacuum bonded foam insulation in the walls, floor and ceiling to make it a durable four-season camper.

At over 20 feet long, the Lance 1172 Truck Camper is probably the largest on this list. It also has two slide-outs, putting it on par with the more spacious RVs from Host Campers.

This camper also has Azdel interior walls and a laminated and insulated floor, roof (one piece), and cab-over bed. Lance offers the option for two 100-watt solar panels, in addition to a long list of extra features.

The HS-2902 hard-side truck camper from Palomino RV offers a classic floorplan with everything you need to travel and camp comfortably in any season. It has a white fiberglass or gray gel coat exterior, high-density block foam insulation, an Alpha SuperFlex membrane roof, and an aluminum-framed, fully-welded super structure.

You can haul it in a ¾-ton truck with either a 6’6” or 8’ bed, making this camper more versatile for even short-bed trucks. Inside, the HS-2902 has a 40 by 62-inch convertible dinette in the passenger side slide-out, and a wet bath in the rear driver’s side of the vehicle.

The Polar 860 truck camper from Rugged Mountain RV is the shortest camper on this list. At under 16 feet, this camper is creatively laid out to maximize space. It’s constructed with a TPO roof and a high-gloss exterior finish.

The fridge is a 5 cu.ft. refrigerator/freezer combo, across from the residential-style double-bowl sink. With Rugged Mountain RV’s Rugged package, you can get a 20-inch oven and microwave in your camper.

This camper is an excellent base for your rugged camping needs. It’s also pre-wired for extra comforts and features, including electric jacks, air conditioning, kitchen appliances, and DVD/TV/Cable/Satellite.

If you’re in the market for a truck camper with more space, I hope this article has helped you find some great options for 2023 truck campers with slide outs.

When you’re researching truck campers in general, be sure to check out our post on 12 Of The Best Small Truck Campers On The Market Right Now to browse some other great truck campers!

Though they have certainly evolved over the decades to be a camping option that rivals even some of the best small travel trailers and teardrop campers.

There are clearly a lot of factors that go into these wide price fluctuations. This includes things like the type of truck camper you want, as well as the vehicle you are going to pair it with.

It also includes things like the different types of truck campers, material build quality, special features, and amenities, as well as the type of pickup truck they are meant to pair with.

Though the size of the cargo box, as well as the pickup truck’s payload capacity, can all influence the size and type of pickup camper your truck can accommodate.

As the name implies, a “Soft Sided” truck camper has canvas sides. When you are traveling down the road the fold down to make a more compact aerodynamic shell.

Both hard-sided and soft-sided truck campers have different baseline costs, and different optional extras that can influence their initial purchase price, as well as their cost of ownership, and potential long-term resale value.

On the other end of the spectrum there are some fully loaded soft-sided truck camper with tons of optional extras and special features that can cost as much as $27,000 to $30,000 new.

The canvas walls of a soft-sided truck camper save on weight, which is handy if you want to pair one with a pickup truck that has a somewhat limited payload capacity in the cargo box.

The initial purchase price of a soft-sided truck camper tends to be lower, as canvas tends to be less expensive than aluminum, wood, and other rigid structural materials used in the construction of hard-sided truck campers.

If you want to take your truck camper out of the box when you aren’t on vacation, soft-sided truck campers easier, and take less time to remove and install than larger, hard-sided truck campers.

A lot of hard-sided truck campers have more headroom than a soft-sided truck camper of the same size. This makes them preferable for taller individuals.

Hard-sided truck campers are better able to accommodate plumbing and other structural components that make it easier to support wet bath showers, larger RV refrigerators, and cabinets.

They are less prone to wear and tear as well as less likely to suffer annoying water leaks that compromise the truck camper’s interior and exterior materials.

Despite all their benefits, there are a few potential drawbacks to hard-sided truck campers, that might make them less ideal for the way you want to travel and camp.

This makes them more common for three-quarter and one-ton pickup trucks as opposed to half-ton pickup trucks that tend to lack the payload capacity to handle a heavy hard-sided truck camper.

Hard-sided truck campers tend to be tall and even a little bit top-heavy. This can be a potential safety issue if you need to travel at highway speeds during a strong storm or during a high wind warning.

If at all possible, you should strongly consider staying put with a hard-sided truck camper if the national weather service happens to issue a strong wind warning for high-profile vehicles.

Hard-sided truck campers are heavier and bulkier than their soft-sided kin, which makes them more of a challenge to install before a trip, and takes more time to remove once you return home.

Hybrid truck campers are a somewhat new innovation in the world of RVs. They utilize the “Pop Up” convenience of a soft-sided truck camper, except they have solid walls instead of canvas.

Since they don’t use potentially vulnerable canvas a hybrid truck camper tends to experience slower depreciation due to wear and tear compared to a soft-sided truck camper of relatively the same size. This then translates into a better resale value in the long run.

This translates into better fuel efficiency for the pickup truck. They also tend to be less vulnerable to high winds compared to a tall hard-sided truck camper of a similar relative size.

A wet bath that combines the shower and the toilet into one small compartment. This tends to be the standard bathroom in a lot of truck campers and saves on weight as well as price.

When you park up your truck and set up your campsite the truck camper can lurch and bounce as the truck’s suspension system tries to compensate for the shifting weight as you move around inside.

Good airflow can be a challenge in even some of the best truck campers. While some high-end truck campers will come with an air conditioner as part of the standard trim level, this is not the case with all truck campers.

Not all truck campers come with a propane furnace in the standard base model package. A compact propane furnace that produces a toasty 19,000 BTUs will cost between $450 to $650 installed.

The fresh, gray, and black water storage tanks on a truck camper tend to be small, which can put them at risk of freezing in prolonged cold conditions.

If you like to camp in the mountains, or you want to use your truck camper as a base camp during late fall hunting trips, then you might want to consider having the water storage tanks insulated.

Rooftop solar panels and other solar power systems are increasingly popular. Especially if you plan to use your truck camper for days of boondocking off the grid.

While the tech supporting a solar panel can vary the price, you should be able to get a 100 Watt solar panel installed on your new truck camper for around $300 to $400.

The first five or six years of a truck camper’s life is when it sees the most rapid depreciation. Though some of the best models hold their value better in the first few years.

The following reviews give you a better look at the ballpark cost of these new or slightly pre-owned truck campers in their first few years of life. It includes things like some of the key features as well as niche needs they might meet.

Palomino is one of the strongest names in the truck camper niche. The 2020 Palomino Backpack Edition with the SS-1251 floorplan enjoys a modest initial purchase price.

The 2020 AT Overland Equipment Summit is an exceptionally lightweight soft-sided truck camper that fits neatly in the box of most half-ton pickup trucks.

The 2020 Northwood – Arctic Fox Camper 1150 is another highly popular hard-sided truck camper that’s meant for a three-quarter to one-ton pickup truck.

The 2020 Northwood – Arctic Fox Camper 1150 has a few features that cater to families who like to camp in the mountains or during the colder months of the year.

When you also consider the large fresh water and wastewater storage tanks, the dry bath that separates the toilet from the shower, and the available sleeping space the 2020 Northwood – Arctic Fox Camper 1150 might be one of the best cold weather campers for boondocking families. All for under $40,000.

The 2020 NuCamp Cirrus 920 is another popular hard-sided camper with a sleek look and a lot of material build quality infused into its roughly $40,000 price tag.

The dinette converts into ample sleeping space for a small child or a teenager, which makes the 2020 NuCamp Cirrus 920 one of the best truck campers for a small family. All for under $45,000.

After the first five or six years of life a truck camper starts to depreciate to the point where it can lose 30 to 60-perecent of it’s original value.

Though high quality truck campers, like the ones on this list, that are well maintained by a previous owner, can be a great value, while still retaining a lot of the appeal they had when they were new.

When it was brand new the 2013 Palomino – Maverick M-2910 was very popular for boondocking RV travelers who needed a truck camper that could support them during off the grid adventures.

Lance has always had a strong presence in the truck camper marketplace, and the 2015 Lance – TC 995 is one of their models known for holding its value.

The debate between wet and dry baths takes on a little more emphasis on the limited space of a truck camper, and can also influence the price, as well as the class of truck it takes to support it.

This continues for the first five to six years before leveling off. The depreciation curve tends to be a little steeper for soft-sided truck campers that show excessive wear and tear in the canvas material.

This is generally the point where the original owner has eaten the depreciation costs for you, yet the truck camper is still likely to be in good shape.

The truck camper marketplace is rich with a lot of great value options. Finding the best truck camper value for you often starts by filtering down by the overall size, as well as the number of people you need to sleep.

If you have a half-ton pickup truck and you are just looking for a way to enjoy life out in the bush, then the 2020 AT Overland Equipment Summit might be the best truck camper for you.

On the far other end of the spectrum is the 2020 Northwood – Arctic Fox Camper 1150. It has a reputation for being able to handle extreme temperatures with comfort and ease.

Yet it’s also large enough to sleep up to five people comfortably, which might make the 2020 Northwood – Arctic Fox Camper 1150 the best truck camper for a medium-size family that likes to camp even in the colder months of the year.

Regardless of the size of your truck or your budget, chances are good that the best truck camper to meet your needs can be found somewhere on this list.

Northwood Manufacturing will not share your personal information with any third party. Photos and drawings are representative of Northwood Travel Trailers, 5th-Wheels and Campers and may differ slightly from actual production models. Interior colors may vary and may look and or print differently than the actual color depending on your computer monitor and or printer settings and capabilities. We continually upgrade & improve our products and reserve the right to change specifications without notice. Check with your authorized dealer for updated information.

Ready to find a Truck Camper for sale? The truck camper is not a vehicle in itself, but an add-on living quarters designed to slide into the bed of a full size pickup truck. The Truck camper is fastened to the truck frame during transport and slides out onto its own legs at the camp site. The main benefit of truck campers are their ability to store easily, use less fuel and easily maneuver. Find your own new or used Truck Camper for sale here at RVT.

After living in a truck camper full-time, we’ve come to appreciate the finer things in life like elbow room and storage space. In many truck campers being built today, these basics are lacking. Our camper is no different. As a result, we’ve had to be creative to find places to store things in our rig like in the truck bed and in the cab of our truck, but finding living space in our camper remains elusive. There simply isn’t a lot of room inside for basic things like lounging around and watching TV.

That’s why we were intrigued when we recently had the opportunity to take a closer look at a Host Mammoth 11.6 truck camper at a dealership in town, Tom’s Camperland. This long-bed truck camper not only impressed us with its luxury, size, and quality, but also had us seriously thinking about an upgrade. If a $65,000 camper has that kind of allure after a brief, 30 minute tour, you know it has to be good.

First things, first. The Host Mammoth 11.6 is big. The name fits because this camper is massive, even for a long-bed truck camper. Indeed, with a typical dry weight of 4,700 pounds, an overall length of 19 feet 3 inches, and a floor length of 11 feet 6 inches, it’s one of the largest slide-in truck campers in the industry. Part of what makes the Mammoth so big is that it features three slide-outs. Yep, you heard us right—three. These slide-outs create an enormous amount of living space—180 square feet to be exact—the equivalent of what you’ll find in an average size motorhome.

Of course, you’ll need a big truck to haul this camper. Depending on options and how much “stuff” you put in it, the Mammoth will probably weigh between 5,500 and 6,000 pounds, which means you’ll need a minimum of a 3500/F-350 dual rear wheel truck with a 5,500 pound payload to safely haul it. Some Mammoth owners have resorted to getting a 4500/F-450 or 5500/F-550 truck with an even larger payload to haul this elephant-size beast around.

Luxury is the word that comes to mind when you walk inside a Host Mammoth 11.6 truck camper. Inside, you’ll find a “host” of amenities and high-end touches not found in your typical truck camper like a leather sofa, an electric fireplace, a mantel with a 32-inch flat-screen TV, a large dry bath with a porcelain toilet and a large shower, a two-door 8 cubic foot refrigerator, molded counter tops, and a massive, four-door pantry in the kitchen. If that isn’t luxurious enough, options are also available for a king size bed, a 6 foot sofa with an adjustable high-low table, an outdoor entertainment center with a 24-inch flat screen TV, and a washer/dryer combo.

Truth be told, the lavish interior and attention to detail of the Host Mammoth camper resembles a high-end apartment more than a truck camper. The slide-outs, of course, are a large part of what makes the Mammoth so special. We were amazed at all of the elbow room, storage space, and amenities inside the camper. Full-timing in this thing would be a joy compared to the truck camper that we’re living in now.

“We’re the guys that build a camper with a comfortable living space that has more of a living room type of feel,” explained Randall Pozzi, General Manager of Host Campers based out of Bend, Oregon. “You walk in one of our campers you’ve got the two couches in there, its got the fireplace, the mantel with the TV above it, you’ve got the high-low table that goes up and down, side-to-side, and in and out, you can set it up like a coffee table, you can set it up like a dining table. Our campers make you feel like you’re in a living room set-up rather than your typical camper where the only place you have to sit is at the dinette. That’s what sets us apart from everybody else, our comfortable living space,” he added.

The Mammoth 11.6, like all Host Campers, is loaded with an impressive number of standard features. These include a Dometic two-way 8-cubic foot refrigerator, a Suburban 6 gallon DSI water heater, a Suburban 25,000 BTU propane fired furnace, a 1,000 watt inverter, and a Suburban thre-burner propane cook top with a folding cook top cover. The camper also comes standard with a U-shaped dinette, a loveseat, and a queen size bed. All of the cabinets in the Mammoth are high-end with shaker style doors and drawers with pocket screwed face frames.

If you’re into boondocking or dry camping, you’ll really like what the Mammoth has to offer. The camper has the largest holding tanks in the industry—65 gallons fresh, 51 gallons grey, and 31 gallons black. We couldn’t find a larger fresh water or grey water holding tank in a slide-in truck camper being made today, even in the larger Eagle Cap models being made by ALP (Chalet RV used to produce a camper with a 66 gallon fresh water tank capacity, but that camper is no longer being made).

The Mammoth excels in other ways, too, with the camper capable of carrying 15 gallons of propane, a vented battery compartment large enough to house two group-31 batteries, and a 1,000 watt inverter with two dedicated AC outlets. The camper comes solar ready, but if you want Host offers three excellent Zamp solar power options that can be installed at the factory: a 160 watt, a 320 watt, and a 480 watt system. Many Mammoth owners also opt for the Onan 2500 generator to power the convection microwave, the electric fireplace, and the 11,000 BTU air conditioner while off-grid.

When you first lay eyes on the exterior of a Host Mammoth camper, “wow!” is the first word that usually comes to mind. The smooth, fiberglass exterior of the camper, tastefully accented with Host’s traditional graphics package, presents a muscular yet elegant appearance. One feature not readily apparent when you first look at the camper is the Mammoth’s crowned TPO roof. The benefit of having this feature is that it prevents water from pooling on the roof and creating leaks. We also liked the rear folding ladder, the recessed LED automotive style tail lights, and the toppers fitted above each slide-out, which keep moisture and leaves out of the camper when the slide-outs are retracted. But the one feature that really brought a smile to our faces was the basement storage tray. This easy, pull-out tray provides an enormous amount of storage that would be the envy of any RV owner, let alone a truck camper owner.

Like most of the truck camper’s being built today, the Mammoth’s frame is constructed entirely of aluminum. While many manufacturers build their truck camper frames out of aluminum, few do it right. “What really sets us apart in our framing is our walls,” Pozzi says, “we use studs throughout our walls, and every window, every door, every hatch is an actual framed-in opening, so if you took the window out of one of our campers you’d see aluminum there. Where most of the manufacturers if you take a window out of the wall, you’d see nothing there but foam. So over time the foam starts to compress and now you’ve got a compression ring window that’s squeezing nothing so you have a much higher potential for leakers.”

Frame issues have plagued some truck camper makes with multiple slide-outs, but not at Host. Most manufacturers are building campers with 4- and 5-foot wide floors below the bed rails of the truck. This approach employs the standard stair-step pattern or Z-pattern that is difficult to make strong enough to carry big slides because of the wings and the narrower floor. Host uses a better, completely different approach and backs it up with a three-year structural warranty.

The Host Mammoth is a true, four-season camper. Even though the exterior walls are only 1-inch thick, Pozzi explains that the walls are insulated with a 2-pound high density foam with a high R-rating. This higher density foam insulates just as well as the 2-inch thick walls found in other high-end truck campers. In order to keep the camper toasty warm, the Mammoth is heated with a Suburban high-efficiency 25,000 BTU furnace with full ducting throughout the camper. Most campers have only one vent for the furnace, which is a common complaint we hear hear at Truck Camper Adventure. Moreover, the basement, which houses the battery compartment, all of the camper’s holding tanks, the storage tray, and a good portion of the camper’s plumbing, is also heated. Even the exterior doors and hatches are insulated to ensure that the camper stays warm in winter.

A big concern for many consumers shopping for a truck camper with multiple slide-outs is the slide-out reliability. While some truck camper companies have been having problems with these mechanisms, Host hasn’t had any issues at all. The reason is Host uses Power Gear heavy-duty steel mounting hardware underneath their slide-outs rather than the less reliable Schwintek aluminum hardware, which is mounted on the side. Host’s Power Gear slide-out mechanisms have robust rolling assemblies that simply don’t fail. Yes, these assemblies are heavier than those found in other makes of truck campers, but they hold up better over time. When you consider where most of us like to take our truck campers—off-road excursions on rough forest roads and rutted desert trails are the norm—it makes a lot of sense to have a stronger, more robust slide-out assembly. Who wants to have a breakdown on an outing? We sure as heck wouldn’t.

Another concern that many have with such a large camper is how it will handle on and off pavement. With three slide-outs and the floor mounted above the bed rails of the truck, you’d think that there would be issues, but that hasn’t been the case. The Mammoth actually handles exceptionally well on a one-ton dually with the requisite payload.

“If you look at the design, where the axles hit and you look at what’s forward of the axle, our fresh water tank, our grey water tank, our black water tank, our pantry, our refrigerator, everything that’s really heavy that you’re going to load into this camper, your food, your water and all of these kind of things is all forward of the axle where so many campers are designed where you’re loading the back-end and that’s why the Mammoth drives so well for a big camper because it’s designed to be loaded front-end,” Pozzi explained.

The Host Mammoth 11.6 appears to have everything that one would want in a truck camper. Pozzi tells us that the Mammoth is by far the best-selling camper at Host. That’s no surprise, but because of its size the Host Mammoth isn’t for everybody. If you’re looking for an extreme 4×4 truck camper to take off-road, this elephant-size beast isn’t it. But if you’re looking for a camper to travel in or to use as a base camp to use your other toys, then the Mammoth will fill that need rather nicely. At $65,000 for the base model, there are certainly cheaper options, but they aren’t necessarily better. The high quality frame and slide-out mechanisms, not to mention the lavish, high end features of the interior provide ample evidence of that fact. There’s no doubt about it, the Host Mammoth 11.5 is the undisputed king of the mountain when it comes to the multiple slide-out truck camper market. It doesn’t appear likely that the Mammoth will be pushed off its lofty perch anytime soon.

Truck Camper Magazine reviews a 2022 Cirrus 620, a hard side, non-slide short bed truck camper intended for half-ton trucks.  Did nuCamp RV hit the half-ton target with a compelling camper?  Here’s our verdict.

Their first attempt debuted at the 2018 Hershey RV Show and Elkhart Open House as the Cirrus 670 prototype.  The camper was teeming with exciting and innovative design concepts and earned high praise from the attendees.  Unfortunately, it also overshot the half-ton weight mark by hundreds of pounds.

Undeterred, nuCamp returned to their Sugarcreek, Ohio skunkworks, drew a 1,500-pound line in the design sand, and publicly vowed to hold it.  With everything they had learned from the 670 prototypes, 720 prototypes, and vanquished 720 production units, they were going to build a true half-ton possible truck camper.

The moment we saw the Cirrus 620, we knew nuCamp meant business.  For starters, the camper was 2.5-feet shorter than the 720 and eliminated the wet bath for a hide-a-way cassette toilet.  As a result of these design decisions and many others, the Cirrus 620 prototype weighed in at 1,491-pounds.

After the congratulations comes the question that has thrown so many truck camper leadership teams and design teams off the half-ton hunt.  Does a hard-side truck camper that eschews popular features in order to hit a half-ton compatible weight go on to find success in the marketplace?

All suspense aside, the answer is yes.  The 620 was a strong seller in 2021 with orders reaching well into 2022.  That’s impressive, and undoubtedly a relief in Ohio, but now it’s time to put the 620 through yet another grueling challenge; a formal Truck Camper Magazine review.

The question remains the same with a twist; Does a hard side truck camper that eschews popular features in order to hit a half-ton compatible weight result in well made, well-designed, well-executed truck camper?  Let’s find out.

Under the cassette compartment is the grey water dump and valve.  Note the fresh water tank drain is also located in this compartment.  Dump facilities located inside campers make me a bit nervous.  Owners will need to be very careful to secure the dump hose to this connection before pulling the grey knife valve.

The configuration instructions appear like an Arthur Murray dance step diagram.  Thankfully for my two left feet, the four corresponding color-coded handles are easy to follow and light years ahead of the scattered hodge-podge that most other campers and RVs present.  One, two, three… sanitize.  And one, two, three… winterize.  One, two, three… city water.  See, it’s easy!

Internal ratchet straps have been successfully employed on other camper rigs, but we have yet to load a camper with this system.  Like the cassette toilet system, we recommend getting a ratchet tie-down lesson or two at your nuCamp Cirrus dealer before leaving the lot.

Normally I don’t comment on camper door locks but this beefy number could solve a daily situation in Casa Blanca.  If the lock indicator simply had an (admittedly strong) glow-in-the-dark sticker, I would be able to see if it was up (locked) or down (unlocked) from the cabover.

When Angela invariably asks, “Is the door locked?” moments before I fall asleep, I could see it from the bed; “Yes, dear.”  Call it, “Glow Lock” and list it as a feature for 2022.  I bet I’m not the only one who would appreciate the cross-camper visible lock check.

“Hey, Gordon!  Team nuCamp here.  Don’t you know the smartCamp app activates the camper’s built-in smartCamp system allowing you to turn on the interior, exterior, and accent lights as well as the fan from your smartphone?”

For one of the smaller truck campers, the Cirrus 620 has one of the most generous built-in spice racks we’ve ever seen.  Far beyond mere salt and pepper, this could host quite the McCormick collection.  Of course, these cubbies would work well for anything from vitamin bottles to utensils to napkins.  And they look fantastic.

Under the sink are two panels for access to the Alde hydronic heat and hot water system, the water pump, and electrical and plumbing.  If this particular camper hadn’t been sold, I would have retrieved my tools and opened this area for a look.  To see what’s behind doors number one and two, check out the Cirrus 620 announcement.

Opening this seat compartment reveals a built-in 4.75-gallon Thetford C-223S cassette toilet system.  This feature alone sets the 620 apart from many competing half-ton targeting truck camper models and adds a degree of convenience and versatility that many will find irresistible.

We know a lot of cassette toilet owners who wouldn’t even consider a standard RV black tank and the required dump stations.  They’re weekend campers and dump when they return home.  They’re winter campers and camp where dump stations are closed for the season.  They just prefer being able to dump their cassette into any residential toilet.  If your truck camping lifestyle requires that level of convenience and versatility, a cassette toilet is unbeatable.

Inside the cabinets reveal an impressive volume of storage.  Fully utilizing this space could be tricky as the space curves up and out and lacks any provision for shelving.  Solutions like plastic containers and possibly netting come to mind, but I’d be curious to see what other nuCamp owners have done.  nuCamp could even hold a contest for the best storage ideas in a nuCamp truck camper, if they only had a way to announce it.

Cleverness and quality abound.  Note how the cabinet dividers are CNC cut to pull weight out the structure while adding to the modern design.  The inside of the cabinets are finished to the same level as the exterior, and the stainless steel hinges feature springs to hold the doors up.  This is a company that cares about how their campers hold up and present themselves long after the sale.

The neutral cushion color, modern style, and clean stitch patterns are also big improvements from where the company seating began.  One sit and your posterior will confirm it.  If only every truck camper were this comfy.

The Lagun table system has become the premium table system for small spaces; campers, RVs, boats, and beyond.  The reason is its inherent sturdiness, position flexibility and ability to be locked down.

It takes a bit of practice to learn the two Lagun hand locks but, once that becomes familiar, you can quickly unlock, move and re-lock the table almost anywhere you need it.  The leg also mounts to the camper structure itself avoiding a table leg post that consumes valuable floor space.  In a camper like the 620, it’s the best available system.

This might be the best-labeled breaker and fuse box we have ever seen.  This may seem like a small detail to some but will save Cirrus camper owners a huge amount of time when troubleshooting becomes necessary.  Bravo, nuCamp!  I wish our electrical system looked like this.

Remove the passenger side dinette cushions and you’ll discover two white plastic access panels.  These snap off with a little pressure.  These same removable white plastic panels are used in other places in the unit and provide quick and easy access to vital systems.  This kind of access can be make or break when camper systems inevitably need maintenance.

I applaud nuCamp for providing access where ever possible.  Having lived with campers that lack this kind of access, these panels will be worth their weight in gold when the turnbuckles hit the fan.  It happens.

Most campers anywhere near the half-ton hard side category go with an East-West cabover to save weight.  The fact that we’re looking at a North-South cabover in the 620 further sets this design apart in an increasingly crowded field.  Of course, it also adds weight.

The cabover reminds us that this camper was built to a weight point.  First, there are no penguins.  Penguins, for those who don’t obsess over industry jargon, are the cabinets you often see on the forward-most driver’s and passenger’s sides of a cabover.  You also don’t see any upper cabinets, but nuCamp has made ample provisions for long hampers with split lids.  With a little laundry origami, you should be able to fit your shirts, pants, socks, and skivvies in these dueling bedside chutes.

Since day one, Cirrus campers have come standard with a Froli bed system.  As you can see above, the Froli bed system is comprised of interlocking spring “flowers” that create something of a box spring mattress.  By suspending the top mattress, the Froli system allows airflow to warm the mattress and prevent under bed condensation.

We literally bought the exact Froli system and mattress that was in the Cirrus 920 we borrowed and put it into our personal camper.  It’s the most comfortable sleeping situation we’ve ever had in a truck camper.  The Froli system also solved an under bed condensation issue.  Another benefit is that the total height of the Froli system and the Cirrus supplied mattress was about 25-percent less than our previous mattress creating more cabover headroom.

Like all nuCamp and Cirrus products, the Cirrus 620 employs the Alde hydronic heating system for heat and hot water.  The Alde system uses heated glycol and a series of convectors located throughout a unit to heat the camper and provide hot water.  In this photo, you see the system’s glycol reservoir tucked into a cabinet immediately inside the cabover.

In 2019, we reviewed the Alde system during a long-term test in a Cirrus 920.  If you are considering a camper equipped with an Alde system, I highly recommend checking out the Alde review and Alde’s manufacturer response.  It’s an incredible system.

That stated, the Cirrus 920 (and 820) have the aforementioned front penguins cabinets, a small headboard cabinet, and a considerable overhead drivers’ side cabinet.  None of those are present in the 620.  This painstakingly calculated omission is exactly the kind of leadership, design, and marketing decision that results in a truck camper that truly meets a half-ton possible weight category.  So many truck camper manufacturers fail this test and give in to the temptation and pressure to add back what’s been removed.  Well done, nuCamp.  Hold the line.

I once got into quite the kerfuffle with a manufacturer when I publicly called out how silly it is to have cup holders in a camper cabover.  When I first saw the cup holders in the 620, I paused to consider my options; and promptly dug in my admittedly stubborn heels.  I still believe the idea of open liquid containers in a camper cabover is asking for trouble.  Of course, so is driving in an age where humans have been all but enslaved by their rectangular cellphone overloads.  We found that one out the hard way.

Having experienced thermal pane acrylic windows in multiple camper designs, we can confirm their exceptional performance in the temperature extremes.  They really help to hold in the heat in cold weather, and air conditioning in the summer.

The built-in black-out shade feature is very useful for both privacy and low-profile boondocking.  Traditional Venetian blinds never block all of the light, but the blackout shades are almost perfect in this regard.  Dim your nighttime lights to comfortable levels and your camper will be dark outside.

This is all on target with the prevailing trends in the hard-side truck camper marketplace.  From various surveys and personal experience, truck campers simultaneously want more features, more versatility, and more flexibility.  By loading the 620 from the factory and making the included options more removable and portable, nuCamp is on point for this niche.

For both the Cirrus 920 and Cirrus 720 reviews, we have publicly asked nuCamp to share with us how and where they weigh truck campers.  We haven’t seen scales on their camper line, nor have we ever seen a certified scale ticket presented with their camper weights.

In all fairness, their stated camper weights are well within the realm of expectation and they have often reported weights higher than they had wished.  They are also great about responding to our reviews and are open about their successes and various challenges along the way.  Still, we would like to know how they weigh truck campers at nuCamp HQ.

As we encourage the industry to do, the center of gravity is marked on the 620 with a red arrow sticker, but the sticker is located on the lower part of the camper where it can’t be seen once the unit is loaded.  We would like to see Cirrus move this sticker to the sidewall where it will be visible once the camper is loaded.

Unless you are traveling alone and are extremely efficient in your tank use, the 620 tank capacities will probably need to be dumped and replenished about twice a week.  As many of the competing campers in this size and weight category do not have holding tanks or cassette toilet systems, the given capacity is actually fantastic.

The batteries need a special comment.  First, the camper does not come with batteries.  There is a 7.5-inch wide, 12-inch deep, and 23-inch long storage space under the left seating area for two Group 24 batteries, possibly bigger.

Using our standardized Truck Camper Magazine wet weight calculation, let’s run the numbers on the 2021 Cirrus 620.  As noted previously, the base dry weight is loaded but does not include three specific options; an air conditioner, a 7-foot motorized side awning, and a microwave.  The Cirrus 620 we reviewed did not have these options.  If you select all three options, add approximately 120-pounds to the dry weight below.

The great majority of half-ton trucks, new or used, late model or vintage, have 1,500-pounds of payload or less.  Unless you plan on taking a camper out minus water, clothing, food, or any other belongings, the 620 requires a particularly stout version of the half-ton type.

Note that the T-shape of the 620 allows it to be loaded into long or short bed trucks.  Basically, any full-size truck is a potential fit, if not a payload match.  For trucks with 6-foot or longer beds, you can even close the tailgate and then use it as a porch.  Very few truck campers offer this kind of truck fit versatility.

No matter what truck and camper you choose, always follow the truck and camper matching calculations and paths outlined in the article, “How To Match A Truck and Camper”.

Without a doubt, the 620 is the Cirrus model the truck camper marketplace and community needed.  More than any previously presented Cirrus prototype or production model, the 620 succeeds in bringing the winning simplicity, elegance, style, and versatility of nuCamp’s celebrated teardrop trailer line to the truck camper category.

Most importantly, they hit the half-ton weight range.  No, you can’t take your tired 1999 half-ton and payload match it to this camper.  What you can do is design and order a half-ton that will more than handle this camper, even fully wet and optioned to the hilt.  What’s even more impressive is that the 620 has a North-South cabover, decent holding tanks, a cassette toilet system, an Alde heating system, and a long list of standard features.  This is no stripped bare shell.  It’s a full-blooded camper.

And finally, we can’t look past the rather high price; $38,591 USD is a lot for a 6-foot floor-length camper, even if it is peppered with high-end appliances and luxury appointments.  I know everything has gone up in price of late due to the rising cost of materials and parts.  Even so, the Cirrus 620 is a luxury camper with a luxury price.

All of that aside, the 620 is a stunning truck camper.  It’s easy to forget it includes the remarkable Alde hydronic heating system, West Marine Isotherm 12-volt compressor refrigerator, Froli bed system, electric Rieco-Titan jacks, Nautilus water management system, Thetford cassette toilet, 210-watts of solar and essentially every other forward-thinking feature nuCamp truck campers are known for; all standard.

For the person who wants a half-ton truck and demands the built-in features modern truck campers provide, the 620 belongs on your very short list.  If I had to bet, the Cirrus 620 will quickly become their leading truck camper product.

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.  If you are new to truck campers, please start in the Newbie Corner.

Happy Camper RV is an RV Dealership with locations in Boise and Caldwell Idaho, proudly serving the RV needs of recreationalists from near and far since 2003. Happy Camper RV offers a large selection of new tent trailers, A-frames, travel trailers, fifth wheels, toy haulers and motorized RV’s from Forest River, Flagstaff, Primetime Manufacturing, Aliner, Heartland, Dutchmen, Gulfstream, Riverside RV, Braxton Creek, Opus, Crux and others. Happy Camper RV also offers a wide variety of pre-owned RV’s at all three locations. A wide variety of pre-owned RV’s. From lightweight towable to full time residential, Happy Camper RV has an RV that’s right for you and your family. Happy Camper RV has full parts, sales and service department in both Boise and Caldwell, Idaho. Our friendly, knowledgeable and experienced staff is available to help with all your RV needs. Come see us Monday through Saturday throughout the fall RV season or call us at (208)658-8300 in Boise or (208) 466-6250 in Caldwell. Our goal is to do our best to have you leave our business a Happy Camper!

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A truck camper, also known as TC, is not a vehicle on its own, but a camper specifically designed to fit over the cab of your regular or long-bed pickup truck.  It is sometimes referred to as a slide-in or cab-over camper.  These campers are versatile and loved by many for the ability to go anywhere your truck can go.

Truck campers, because there are fewer of them, hold their value.  If looking for new, expect to spend in the range of $5,000 up to a high-end of $60,000.  A used model will range between $2,500 and $30,000 depending on the age, condition, options and manufacturer.

You will also need a rubberized bed matt in the truck to protect the camper from sliding around in the bed of the truck.  Ensure the lights of your truck are hooked up properly and working and you’re ready to hit the road.

The camper slides out on its own legs at the campsite, leaving you the ability to use your truck for exploring, fishing, shopping or whatever you darn well please.

There are approximately 18 manufacturers of truck campers in the United States.  The majority are in the western half of the U.S. and you’ll find more truck campers on the road in that area of the country as well.  However, no matter what part of the U.S. you live in, there are many models to choose from.  Here’s a sampling.

Welded aluminum construction and laminated aluminum exterior makes this camper a study one to boot.  Air conditioning, small electric refrigerator, sink and microwave come standard.  The design is such that you enjoy two sofas by day which convert to twin beds or a double bed at night.  Interior headroom is 64”.

Palomino Backpack Truck Camper HS-6601:  At a list price of $21,000, this camper has a lot to offer.  The exterior provides a high gloss gel coated fiberglass, heated and insulated basement and aluminum frame with foam insulation.  The roof is walkable.

The camper is 16.6’ in length with a dry weight of 2,051 lbs.   The kitchen has a single bowl sink, 2-burner stove, microwave, single door refrigerator w/small freezer and cabinets.  A hot/cold outdoor shower, awning and electric jacks will come in handy.

Lance 1172B:  If you are looking for luxury in a truck camper, you’ll find it in this new Lance model.  Don’t let the sticker price of $60,000 deter you from taking a look.  It’s always good to compare, and this one just might WOW you.

With an interior length of 11’11” and dry weight of 4,174 lbs., Lance packs a punch with its one slide truck camper.  You got that right—there are truck campers with a slide.  The room it provides is awesome.

Search for a camper that will fit your truck, that is if you already have the truck, and one that does not exceed the payload capacity.  That helps narrow your search.  You can then decide what you want in a truck camper and go from there.  A few used TC’s are listed below to provide a condensed idea of what’s on the market.

2006 Arctic Fox 860 Silver Fox Edition w/slide:This “For Sale By Owner” truck camper has a 16’ exterior length and quite a bit to offer at a $10,000 price tag.

The kitchen has considerable room to it, with a large sink, stove/oven, microwave, cabinets and full-sized refrigerator.  The dinette for 4 sits in the trailer’s slide out.  The bathroom has a toilet and sink.  The holding tanks are generous, and this camper comes with A/C as well.

2015 Northstar TC800:  This 8’ floor length truck camper has the ability to fit in a long bed or short bed truck.  When optioned with a full wrap, it will add lockable side storage compartments and built-in tail lights to correctly fit a short bed truck.

2017 nuCamp Cirrus 820:  Attractiveness and quality first come to mind when you set eyes on the Cirrus 820.  nuCamp builds its TC’s with materials such as the Alde hydronic heating system, Infinity flooring and the Froli sleep system, not found in other truck campers.  This used model retails for $25,900 with a dry weight of 2,540 lbs.

The Cirrus’ overall length is 17’4” with a floor length of 8’6”.  The holding tanks are large, A/C unit is 9,200 BTU’s and an outdoor ladder makes it easy to access the truck camper’s seamless aluminum roof.  The dinette is comfortable with a drop-down table to make a youth bunk.

Truck campers are easy to store, easy to carry and efficient when it comes to fuel mileage.  Enjoying time outdoors is what got us all camping in the first place.  With a truck camper, you’ll have plenty of outdoor time but a place to retreat for the evening or a needed chill day.

It’s important to ensure the truck’s payload capacity and size prior to purchasing a camper or when you will haul additional items.  Know the total weight you’ll be towing.

Get an idea of the fair market value for new or used truck campers by checking dealer websites, RV classified sites, or even Craigslist.  With added knowledge, you’ll be prepared to make a deal.

When purchasing from a dealer, you have more assurance that the camper has been inspected and is in good working order.  An honest dealer should be up-front about the camper’s condition and repairs.

There"s an exciting listing that just went live on the southern Idaho (Twin Falls) Craigslist website just in time for the holiday road trip season. A guy named Tim just listed an overshot camper that was left on his property for the very reasonable price of $0.00.

Road trips for the Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years holidays will be taking place across the United States in massive numbers over the next six to seven weeks. For anyone that"s on a tight budget who"s handy with electrical and automotive knowledge, there"s aFREE camperjust waiting to be towed from a property just over the Perrine Bridge from Twin Falls.

The listing went upWednesday morning (November 16), and is probably still available. Just hit the reply link in the upper left corner of the post to contact the owner Tim. The exterior of the camper has some noticeable wear and tear, but structurally the camper appears to be in decent shape. It might require some electrical work to get road ready, but it"s FREE, and it"ll