For those who do not want to or not able to afford an RV, getting a small truck camper might be the solution. A small truck camper can provide a camping experience at a much more affordable price. The key to enjoying your camping experience is to choose the right camper for your truck.
A truck camper is essentially a small RV that rests on the bed of the truck. Depending on the size of the camper, it can contain enough space for a bed, bathroom, and kitchen. The small truck camper has less pace and fewer features compared to an RV, but it can offer better mobility, parking, and fuel efficiency.
Most RVs have restrictions on where they can stay for the night. With a small truck camper, you have more freedom to park for the night. The off-road abilities will depend on the type of truck. Before taking it off-road, check the specifications of your truck to see if it can handle the extra weight of the camper. Here are the 5 best small truck campers in the market.
Arctic Fox 865
The Arctic Fox 865 is manufactured by Northwood, a reputed brand name in truck campers. The 865 model is the long bed version and considered to be their best small truck camper model. When people think about RV travel, they want the flexibility of a motor home with as much comfort as possible. With a small truck camper, space is at a premium. That makes the floor plan as one of the most important elements of the camper. That is exactly where Arctic Fox 865 excels.
With a floor-length of over 9 feet, an interior height of almost 7 feet, the 865 has managed to squeeze in a lot of useful features including a five-window rear panoramic view and a fiberglass wet bath. The kitchen and cabover are separated by the hallway. That allows for a more spacious feel to the camper. The 865 was the first Northwood camper to have Cathedral arched ceilings.
The Arctic Fox 865 features the Coleman Mach air conditioner, which is a medium profile air conditioner. It does take up more space is quieter and more powerful in operation. There is a 20-watt solar panel on mounted on top of the air conditioner as a supplementary energy source. There are plenty of storage options. The only drawback of the floor plan is the sink is too large and takes up valuable space. Overall, the Arctic Fox 865 is a solid small truck camper. For detailed information about the Arctic Fox 865 camper, you visit its website.
Northern Lite 8-11
The Northern Lite 8-11 is one the contenders for the best small truck campers in the market. The design of the 8-11 model has been appreciated by customers for many years, therefore, the design for new models has not required much change. The newer models do offer dry bath features. The EX version offers a wet bath, whereas the SE version has a dry bath.
The build quality of the camper and materials used are excellent. The interior layout is spacious. The dining area has extra headroom compared to other competitors in the small truck camper category. The dry bath is a useful feature on paper, but for practical purposes, it doesn’t seem to keep the floor and sink dry at all times.
The Northern Lite 8-11 is designed for 4-seasons with air conditioning and heating options for optimum comfort for cold or hot regions. There is plenty of storage in the camper. There is also a 100-watt solar panel. The price point is lower for similar-sized campers. That means it provides excellent value for the money. The floor-length is 8 feet. There are different options and features available for different models of the 8-11. For more information on the Northern Lite 8-11, you can visit its website.
Camper Hawk – Four Wheeler
©SmartRvGuide.com
The Camper Hawk – Four Wheel is one of the most durable small truck campers. Its simple design and lighter weight make it a great choice for most trucks. Most trucks require some extra support on the rear suspension to accommodate a camper but with the Camper Hawk, it is the lightest camper in its category and might not require any extra suspension support.
©fourwheelcampers.com
The interior layout is not the best in the category but has enough space to accommodate four adults. The floor-length is less than 7 feet. This camper is ideal for those looking for a long-lasting product with great reliability. The storage capacity can be a concern for those who need more space. Some basic storage features are missing such as overhead cabinets. The price of the Camper Hawk is on the higher side but its build quality makes up for it.
The workmanship is solid and customers have appreciated the extra headroom in the camper. The design of the dinette and bed has also received positive reviews. The solid fit of lightweight aluminum frame handles is great for off-road terrain. It will minimize any rattling of the camper. For those individuals looking for travel to rugged train, the Camper Hawk might beat the competition. Here is the website for Camper Hawk for more information.
Cirrus 920 Truck Camper
© Truck Camper Adventure
The Cirrus 920 is the most luxurious of the small truck campers on the market. It is manufactured by the camp company. It’s not about more features with this camper, but more about better quality of features. The queen-sized bed is super comfortable, the kitchen stove is impressive, the cabinet is high-quality, and more. The view from the Cirrus 920 is amazing. It is an ideal camper to park at a picturesque landscape and enjoy the view. There is ample storage space, including extra counter space. Overall, the Cirrus 920 is not the largest camper but there is plenty of interior space for comfortable accommodation.
©Truck Camper Magazine
Cirrus 920 is designed as a four-season camper equipped with air conditioner and heater. There is a lot of attention to detail to everything. The water pipes are designed not to freeze in cold weather. The build quality and material are top-notch. It is also one of the best-looking campers on the market. The only complaint with this camper is the electrical system could have been better. Some users might need an optional generator with this camper. It all depends on the requirements of different users. To learn more about the luxurious Cirrus 920, you can visit its website.
Lance 650
The Lance 650 camper is one of the most spacious campers in its category. It is carpeted with an evenly made base. The Lance brand has been a symbol of excellence for truck campers. They have used innovative manufacturing technologies to find ways to reduce the weight of the campers and made them more durable. With all the features offered by Lance 650, it is priced very competitively. There is plenty of room for storage. The cabinets and shelves are designed to maximize space.
©Outback Country RV
The washroom and the kitchen are well designed. The build quality of the Lance 650 is solid and the materials look and feel good. There is a lot of quality plywood and Azdel composite materials used. The bed has a comfortable memory foam mattress with plenty of room. The only drawback the Lance 650 is the holding tanks are exposed and the weight distribution needs to be managed. Overall, the Lance 650 is a great all-around camper. It has all the features a small truck camper should have. The price is affordable.
Lance has continued to recalibrate the layout from previous best-selling models to reach an excellent floor plan for the new model of the 650. They have managed to fit in a large dinette and put in large refrigeration in the cabover. The dinette is a U-shaped design that can easily accommodate 4-5 adults. Between the cabover and the wet bath is the kitchen with a large sink, two-burner propane stoves, drawers, cabinets, and a window. With all the features on offer and excellent materials, the Lance 650 is a great choice for a small truck camper. For more information on the Lance 650, you can visit its website.
Conclusion
Choosing the right camper for your truck can be an overwhelming experience. Each camper is going to have its pros and cons. The first step in choosing a camper is evaluating your preferences and requirements. If you value durability and plan on taking trips to regions with rugged terrain, the Camper Hawk – Four Wheeler is a great option. If you have a bit extra to spend and want to indulge in luxury, the Cirrus 920 Truck Camper can be a great option. If you are risk-averse and don’t want to take any chances, the Lance 650 is a great all-round product that covers all features. The Arctic Fox is a great all-weather camper that has all the features in the market. Similarly, the Northern Line 8-11 has gained a reputation as one the best in the market. Do you your research on each camper and try to go check it in person to make your final decision.
