Pickup trucks come in different classifications, such as half-ton, quarter-ton, or one-ton. The classification determines the maximum weight the pickup truck can carry including the cargo and passengers. Truck campers for each classification have their requirements and specifications.
The payload of a pickup truck includes all the stuff carried by truck. Generally, a half-ton truck has about 1000 lbs. of total payload. To learn more about pickup truck classifications, you can visit this article from Cars.com. Half-ton pickup trucks are mostly light-duty trucks such as the Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Toyota Tundra, and other similar models. These models are some of the best-selling vehicles in the United States. That has meant more camper manufactures are creating camper models that work with light-duty pickup trucks.
The choice of a truck camper becomes difficult when it comes to a half-ton truck because of the limited payload capabilities. However, there are several truck campers designed to work with a half-ton pickup truck. The fundamental characteristics of a truck camper for a half-ton truck are that camper has to be lightweight, the layout has to practical and its frame of the camper has to sturdy enough to use. The choice of the pickup truck is also important. For example, the Ford F-150 has upgraded suspension, tires, and brakes required to haul a heavy load.
Several factors need to be considered when purchasing a truck camper. Each camper is going to have its pros and cons. The first step in deciding which truck camper to get is to understand your requirements and prioritize your preferences. Then you can do detailed research on each camper and find out which one is most suited to your needs. To get you started with the research, here are a few truck campers that work great with a half-ton pickup truck.
Capri Retreat
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Capri is a truck camper manufacturer based out of Texas. The Capri Retreat is their product for light-duty pickup trucks. It comes either as a shell with a bed or a fully decked out version. One of the highlights of the model is a powerful air conditioner by Polar Club. It also features a 30-gallon water tank and a 4-gallon water heater. The dry weight of the Capri Retreat is 1750 pounds with a floor-length of 7 feet. The structure has a one year warranty. It comes with a single battery.
The Capri Retreat comes with a microwave, refrigerator, dinette, sink, faucet, and other standard amenities. Some additional options include getting a furnace, extra-large dinette table, remotely operated jacks, and more. There are options to choose from several different colors for the exterior and interior. The model also offers options for different length of beds, allowing users to fit it according to the requirements of the vehicle. For more information about the Capri Retreat, you can visit its website.
Camplite 6.8
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The Camplite 6.8 is manufactured by Livin Lite, a company with a history of successful truck camper products. Livin Lite is no longer manufacturing campers but the Camplite 6.8 is available in the market through different outlets. Amongst its truck camper product line-up, the Camplite 6.8 is the smallest and lightest product. Floor-length is 6 feet 6 inches and 6 feet and 8 inches of headroom. The freshwater capacity is 19 gallons. It weighs only 2000 lbs when dry. It comes with one battery. The structural warranty is for two years.
The Camplite 6.8 features a decent size wardrobe. a six-gallon water heater and a gray and black water tank of 27 gallons. There are external compartments for additional storage. The overall storage capacity of this camper is far superior to anything in the market for this segment of campers. The exterior of the camper is pleasant looking, with neutral spray painted colors. The frame is made from aluminum which provides it with extra-long life and durability. More detailed information on the Camplite 6.8 can be seen on this website.
Travel Lite 770R
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Travel Lite is not the most famous brand for campers compared to some of the other companies on this list, however, Travel Lite has some excellent products. Their method of manufacturing is simple, they use solid walls and insulated flooring for construction of the truck campers. This method is ideal for the requirements installing it on a half-ton pickup truck. The 770R only weighs about 1385 lbs. The shorter bed allows it to fit most light-duty pickup trucks. The capacity for freshwater is 9 gallons and greywater is 5 gallons. That is on the lower side compared to competitors. For black water, there is a portable toilet.
The structural warranty is one year and the camper comes with one battery. Amongst the standard features, there is a 6-gallon water heater, two-burner stove, a 20 lbs. propane tank, small fridge, and furnace. Additional options include an 80-watt solar panel, indoor shower, gel coat exterior, and more. There have been some reliability issues with previous models of the 770R. In particular, there have been some complaints related to leakage. It appears the newer models come without any leakage issues. It remains an excellent choice for light-duty truck camper because of its lightweight and affordable price. For more information on the Travel Lite 770R, you can visit this website.
Lance 650
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The Lance 650 is designed for half-ton trucks with 5 or 6 feet bed. The 650 is an extremely popular model. It is made from high quality and durable materials. The frame is made from aluminum and the windows are made from thermopane. There is an instant water heater without the need for any tank. The entire roof is one piece made from PVC. The audio system has all the latest features.
There is a queen-sized bed in the Lance 650. It weighs about 1700 lbs with a floor-length of 6 feet and 10 inches. The capacity for freshwater is 22 gallons, greywater is 15 gallons and black water is 16 gallons. The structural warranty is 2 years and the camper comes with a single battery. There is a full-sized wet bath and a large kitchen with an extra-long dinette table. The layout was designed thoughtfully with the fridge being placed in the cabover, creating extra space. The tankless heater also allows for more space.
The price is competitive. With all the features offered, the Lance 650 is a prime candidate for buying a truck camper for half-ton pickups. For more information on the Lance Camper 650, you can visit its website.
Northstar Liberty
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Northstar Liberty is a hard side, short bed truck camper that can fit a half-ton pickup truck. The Northstar Liberty debuted in 2012, and since then has improved with every model. The latest model comes with several standard features alongside a few additional options. The standard model comes with plenty of storage space, a TV stand, a wardrobe, an L-shaped dinette table, a refrigerator, a cassette toilet, and a shower. There are options for heating and extra insulation which can be useful for some users. The frame and walls are constructed from wood giving it great structural strength and sturdiness. T
The Northstar Liberty weight 1775 pounds with a floor-length of 7 ft. It comes with two batteries and a two-year warranty on the structure. The freshwater tank is 20 gallons, the greywater tank is 13 gallons and the blackwater tank 5 gallons in capacity. The layout is well designed and provides plenty of space for the users. Although the layout is narrow, it accommodates all the amenities required in a camper for this size. The narrow body has helped to keep the overall weight down, so it can fit half-ton trucks.
Northstar has designed storage spaces at multiple spots in the camper. There are several different compartments for storage. One drawback to the Northstar Liberty is that there is no sink in the toilet. The sink the kitchen will have to be used as a replacement for a sink I the washroom. That might not be very convenient for some users. However, this might be an acceptable compromise for the extra space offered by the Northstar Liberty.
Conclusion
A half-ton pickup truck doesn’t offer a lot of space or weight for a camper. However, with the popularity of the half-ton pick trucks, manufactures have found innovative designs to accommodate a camper on a light-duty truck. Space is at a premium so the layout of the camper has to be well designed. There are plenty of options in the market, so the list of features and price have to be competitive.
The Lance 650 is one of the best overall campers with no apparent flaws. For those looking for a more budget-friendly option, Travel Lite 770R is significantly cheaper with compared features. It might not be the most luxurious of campers but is good enough to get the job done. Northstar Liberty is a solid contender for a truck camper for half-ton trucks. The build quality is immaculate and the floor plan is spacious and practical. Similarly, Camplite 6.8 is good for a light-duty camper. The aluminum structure makes it very durable.
