Not to get too personal, but I made a serious upgrade on the vehicle front earlier this year.
Selling my Subaru Impreza and upgrading to a Tacoma fits my on-the-go lifestyle much better, but it also has me thinking about installing one of the best slide-in campers for small trucks.
While I do love tent camping and appreciate keeping the bed of my truck free for gear and supplies, there are benefits to having a fully-enclosed, weatherproof truck camper on the back of your truck.
That’s especially true if you’re living on the road full-time, but these best slide-in campers for small trucks also have their place for weekend getaways.
So, because I wanted to do the research anyway, I thought I’d compile my findings into this quick review of the best slide-on campers for small trucks.
I hope you enjoy it!
5 Best Slide-In Campers For Small Trucks
In choosing these slide-in truck campers, I looked closely at square footage, interior layout, kitchen setup, the inclusion (or not) of a restroom, ease of installation, and, of course, price.
I’ve also done my best to include a brief selection of the specific small trucks that each camper might be best for.
Four Wheel Campers Swift Slide-In Camper for Small Trucks
- Interior Dimensions: 70” L x 72” W x 76” H
- Exterior Dimensions: 111” L x 75” W x 54” H
- Sleeping Deck Size: 80” L x 60” W
- MSRP: Starts at $12,995
The Swift slide-in truck camper for small trucks is the smallest and most lightweight design that Four Wheel Campers offers. The cool part about all of the models from Four Wheel Campers is that they’re available in either a shell model or a roll-over couch model.
The basic difference between these two slide-in campers for small trucks is that the latter is already completely built out with all of the amenities you’d expect in an RV or travel trailer.
But, for those of you interested in customizing the interior design of your camper, you can also purchase the shell and then set out with your DIY truck camper build.
What I really like about this best slide in camper for small trucks is that it has a low profile design that wouldn’t kill your gas mileage from destination-to-destination.
The roof also raises using gas struts when you arrive wherever you’re camping. The fact that it has a lower profile also means you can still install a kayak roof rack or any other truck rooftop accessory on top of this camper without worrying about your rig getting too tall.
Supported Small Trucks:
- Toyota Tacoma Crew Cab
- Ford Ranger Crew Cab
- Nissan Frontier Crew Cab
- Unfortunately they do not offer a camper for the Crew Cab Short 5.0′ bed Chevy Colorado or GMC Canyon
Four Wheel Campers Fleet Model
- Interior Dimensions: 80” L x 72” W x 76” H
- Exterior Dimensions: 128” L x 75” W x 54” H
- Sleeping Deck Size: 76” L x 72” W
- MSRP: Starts at $13,295
The Fleet Model is the other design for slide in truck campers for small trucks offered by Four Wheel Campers.
One reason I chose this design is that it includes a kitchen area, a living and dining area, and a slide-out sleeping platform. It basically includes all of the essential areas you’ll find in most small RVs (except a bathroom) in a more compact package.
Because the couch folds down into a smaller bed, you’ll actually enjoy a three-person sleeping capacity with this best slide-in truck camper.
This can be great for small families or couples that may sometimes entertain visitors. It also comes with a 20-gallon freshwater tank that allows you to conveniently store extra water for cooking, cleaning, and drinking without purchasing a bunch of plastic containers.
Although it’s a little more on the expensive end of the spectrum, this slide-in truck camper for small trucks provides a nice balance between a minimalist pop-up camper and a full-size RV or travel trailer.
And this slide in camper for small truck’s aluminum frame and low profile help your truck maintain reasonable fuel economy so that you can keep money in your pocket rather than spending it all on gasoline.
Supported Small Trucks:
- Smaller and mid-size trucks with 6’ bed
- Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon trucks may not be covered under warranty with a camper.
Capri Cowboy Slide in Truck Camper
- Interior Dimensions: 72” L x 84”W x 60” H
- Exterior Dimensions: 72” L x 84” W x 60” H
- Sleeping Deck Size: 76” L x 48” W
- MSRP: Starts at $7,995
One of the coolest parts about buying one of these best slide-in truck campers is that you’ll have the ability to customize the exterior color and striping scheme instead of buying a more ‘cookie-cutter’ design.
There are also a number of packages you can choose from depending on your preferred amenities.
Some of the standard features in this slide in camper for small trucks, however, include a dedicated battery system and charging station, interior and exterior LED lighting, a motorized roof-mounted vent fan, and a 30-amp power plug on the back wall.
Dual 110-volt AC outlets on the exterior of this slide-in camper also make it easy to plug-in any of your electric truck camping accessories once you’re parked.
From there, the primary package includes a roof-mounted RV air conditioning unit, manual jacks, and blackout shades.
If you were to opt for the premium package in this best slide in truck camper for small trucks, you’d enjoy all three of those features, but your camper would also come with an AC/DC refrigerator and a hand-pump sink for washing hands or dishes inside.
Supported Small Trucks:
- Models available for full size or midsize trucks, including:
- Those with 5.5, 6, 6.5, and 8-foot truck beds
Northern Lite 8-11EX Wet Bath Limited Edition Slide-in Truck Camper
- Interior Dimensions: 108” L x 60” W x 76” H
- Exterior Dimensions: 195” L x 98” W x 94” H
- Sleeping Deck Size: 80” L x 60” W
- MSRP: Starts at $49,910
This best slide-in truck camper for small trucks is easily the largest (and most expensive) option that I’ve included in this list.
But I wanted to find at least one model with bathroom amenities if any of you are interested in a fully self-sufficient truck camper. And this option is also a great choice for small families because it can sleep up to four people.
In terms of interior design, the Northern Lite 8-11EX Wet Bath Limited Edition is actually reminiscent of a small Class C RV. It features a dinette area, queen-size bed, small kitchen, RV refrigerator, and plenty of interior storage space.
On the outside of this truck camper, you’ll also find similar the same kind of water, sewer, and electrical systems that most larger RVs boast. This makes the Northern Lite slide-in truck camper equipped for stays in fancier RV resorts while also being compact and nimble enough to handle your more remote camping trips.
Supported Small Trucks:
- Short bed trucks with a minimum towing capacity of 3,000 pounds.
Travel Lite Rayzr Slide in Truck Camper for Small Trucks
- Interior Dimensions: 32” L x 45.25” W x 74” H
- Exterior Dimensions: 90” L x 87” W x 80” H
- Sleeping Deck Size: 75” L x 53” W
- MSRP: Starts at $7,550
The Travel Lite Rayzr is the final best slide-in camper for small trucks that I’m including on this list and I chose it because of its ability to fit on many different truck types.
The adjustable stabilizers that extend down from the back of this truck camper also help to keep it more secure and level when you reach your camping destinations.
The roof and front sections of this slide-in camper for small trucks are finished with a one-piece, fiberglass-wrapped panel that eliminates the presence of any seams or seals that sometimes allow water in on other truck campers.
The floors, walls, and roof are all insulated for true three-season comfort and the interior boasts natural wood construction for a cozy feel.
You’ll also be able to cook comfortably inside this camper on the small cooktop located immediately to the right when you enter.
To keep the temperature warmer inside, it’s also equipped with a 12,000-BTU furnace.
There’s also a 20-pound liquid propane gas tank onboard that supplies reliable fuel to both of these essential appliances (provided you keep it full!).
A few of the additional standard features on this slide-in camper for small trucks include a 42-amp converter and charger, a detachable 30-amp power cord, a two-cubic foot refrigerator, and a Shur-flo water pump.
That’s not to mention the fact that it’s also prepped for you to install solar panels should you want additional power reliability for extended off-grid adventures.
Supported Small Trucks:
- Fits long bed and short bed trucks with adjustable stabilizers
Conclusion on Slide-in Camper for Small Trucks
Installing a slide-in camper on a small truck can allow you to enjoy more luxury camping amenities without having to tow a larger travel trailer behind your rig.
And that will also allow you to keep enjoying those more remote camping locations that travel trailers and 5th wheels simply can’t get to.
I hope you’ve enjoyed the slide-in campers for small trucks that I chose to review in this article.
And if you have any specific experience with any of them, we’d love to hear from you!
Please feel free to drop a comment below or shoot us a direct message so that we can share your experience and expertise with our readers. And thanks in advance!
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- What is boondocking? How to find free campsites
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