13 Best Flatbed Truck Campers

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Our list of the 13 Best Flatbed truck Campers includes some pretty impressive models. We are amazed at some of the fine quality and design of some of these flatbed truck campers. Just scroll down to the bottom of the article to see all 13 of them including pictures and a video too!

Flatbed campers have been increasing in popularity in recent years, with companies both in the U.S. and abroad creating imaginative floor plans on the basic concept – a flatbed pickup truck with a camper body loaded on the back. Their major feature as compared to an RV is that the camper portion can be “demounted,” allowing you to use the truck portion as you normally would.

Truck campers can be separated into two categories based on the kind of truck used as a base – flatbed truck campers and truck campers.

What is a Flatbed Truck Camper?

Flatbed campers are truck campers that mount onto a flatbed truck, instead of sliding into a regular truck bed like truck campers.

Truck campers mounted on pickup trucks are the most popular. A unit referred to as a slide-in, or cab-over is lowered or slid into the bed of the pickup and then secured in place using tie-downs and turnbuckles.

Pickup campers can be mounted on trucks as small as half-ton models, also known as light-duty pickups, such as the Ford F-150, Ram 1500, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, Nissan Titan, and Toyota Tundra. These trucks are rated to carry loads up to 1,000 lbs. making them suitable for small slide-ins. Larger camper units require a three-quarter or one-ton pickup.

Flatbed truck campers are mounted on trucks with a flatbed. And as the name suggests, they are built with no fixed sides, tailgate, or roof. Tie-downs are typically located along the side of the trailer. Some people remove the truck bed from their pickup truck and replace it with a flatbed.

Some flatbed truck and campers can range up to 53 feet long, accommodating a larger, more roomy camper body, although most camper bodies are 6.5 to 11.5 feet in length. The resulting vehicle often looks much like a Class C RV. The difference being that the camper portion can be lifted off, allowing the vehicle underneath to revert to use as a truck.

Why Choose a Flatbed Truck Camper?

1. Off-Road Capabilities

Truck campers in general, both the pickup and flatbed based models, are favorites with owners who plan to take their rigs off-road, do a lot of boondocking, or just enjoy going where more “delicate” motorhomes wouldn’t dare. The four-wheel-drive feature of many trucks lets the truck camper travel through sand, mud, and steep and bumpy conditions that would destroy a typical motorhome, or at least leave it waiting for a tow.

2. Can Tow A Trailer

Truck campers, with their more powerful engines, also are great for towing boats, horse trailers, or utility trailers loaded with motorcycles, ATVs, jet skis, snowmobiles, or other “toys” that today’s adventure seekers want to bring along on vacation.

3. Easy to Drive

Truck campers are generally smaller than big motorhomes or fifth-wheel combinations. They have a tighter turning radius and are easier to park since they usually fit in a regular parking space. Gas mileage is likely to be a bit better as well. And the units are easier to store and maintain.

4. Registration and Insurance Savings

Another, often overlooked, advantage of a truck camper is the savings in insurance, registration, and licensing fees. Many, if not most, states consider the camper body itself to be cargo, instead of a typical RV that has to be registered as a separate vehicle. All owners have to do is maintain the license and registration on the truck itself. The same goes for insurance, although some companies will offer a special rider for the truck camper, usually at a low cost.

5. Tax Advantages

There may be a tax break involved as well. The IRS waives the $25,000 limit on expensing any vehicle “equipped with a cargo area (either open or enclosed by a cap) of at least 6 feet in interior length that is not readily accessible from the passenger compartment.”

6. More Space

Since flatbed truck campers don’t have to fit into a pickup truck bed, they have additional storage space for a water heater, water tanks, extra batteries, and propane as well as more spacious living quarters. Some even have storage boxes mounted at the back of the camper.

They are secured to the truck bed itself, often with pins or bolts, without cutouts around the wheel wells and the sides of the truck bed. This lower center of gravity makes them more stable, as well, allowing heavy items like water, propane, and batteries to sit lower in the overall design.

Some flatbed trucks also have a crew cab so a couple more adults can ride along too.

7. Multiple Uses

You can also remove the camper and use your flatbed truck for work or other activities. Therefore, your flatbed truck can be used in a variety of ways.

Truck campers have some “cons” as well. They aren’t ideal for people that need accessible features, due to the higher clearance, and many find that the interior is cramped compared to a big Class A of the sort preferred by full-timers.

While pickup truck campers have traditionally dominated the truck camper field, flatbed campers have become increasingly popular in recent years. The slide-out design necessarily causes the pickup camper to be narrow on the bottom to fit into the truck bed, then balloon out over the truck sides. This design not only limits storage and living space; it may create a top-heavy rig and affect stability.

What Kind of Truck Is Best for a Flatbed Truck Camper?

Nearly any kind of flatbed truck can be fitted with an aluminum frame factory truck camper or you can build out your own custom wood camper. Various brands of campers are designed to be compatible with certain flatbed lengths and sizes. But a three-quarter-ton or one-ton truck is generally preferred to handle the various options popular on flatbed campers.

The important requirement for assembling a truck/camper combination is that the camper fits correctly on the flatbed and that the total payload can be handled by the truck. New truck campers are rarely sold already mounted on a truck. People who already own a truck can generally find a camper that is suitable for mounting. Those who have a camper top and want to mount it on a truck can find a suitable truck out there.

The important thing in assembling a truck camper is to work closely with the manufacturers of the truck and/or camper to make sure you have a compatible fit. Once assembled, experts recommend weighing the truck camper several times, both empty (“dry”) and full of liquids and gear (“wet”) to make sure the combined vehicle is operating within its safety parameters.

Several truck manufacturers specialize in making flatbed trucks for conversion to flatbed truck campers. AT Overland, Sherptek, and Highway Products make custom flatbeds to match camper manufacturer specifications. The Hillsboro 2000 Series of aluminum flatbeds come in several sizes, including long bed and short bed models.

DIYers can get creative in building their own flatbed truck campers. Popular right now are flatbed truck campers mounted on retired military vehicles, which are definitely ready for rough and tumble conditions.

Do Flatbed Truck Campers Have Bathrooms?

Except for the smallest or oldest models, most truck campers have some kind of restroom or bathroom facilities. Bathrooms in campers are either wet or dry baths, although some manufacturers just have a room with a toilet, a cassette toilet in the main living space, or a cabinet where you can stow a porta-potty.

A dry bath is essentially the kind of bathroom you probably have at home, but smaller. There’s a toilet, a sink, a mirrored vanity and a separate shower (convenient for storage).

Wet baths consist of a single, molded plastic unit that includes a shower stall, toilet, and sink all in one. These take up less space than a dry bath, and conversely are also roomier inside, for large or tall people who need more space. You can also sit on the toilet and take a shower.

Many wet bath designs include a dry compartment to stow your toilet paper and perhaps a mirrored cabinet. After using the shower, the compartment needs to be squeegeed down and dried. Otherwise, the bathroom will be wet if you need to use it for anything other than a shower.

These wet bathrooms are widely used in Europe, in campgrounds as well as in commercial settings. From personal experience, I can say that one of the only drawbacks is that the flush button and the shower button in some can be too easily confused. Be sure you push the right one, or you may find yourself unexpectedly soaked.

Truck Campers Utilize Wet Baths and Cassette Toilets Most Commonly

Most truck campers in the past have had wet baths exclusively, but the advent of slide-outs has changed all that. Just make sure that your dry bath is going to be accessible quickly. Having to deploy your slide-outs before you can get to the toilet gets old fast.

For smaller truck campers (and vans), a cassette toilet may make the most sense. These can be concealed in a cabinet or closet, and are a real space and weight saver. Cassette toilets look much like your toilet at home but drain into a removable black water tank.

The tank, which is spiked with chemicals to control odor, can usually last a week before needing to be emptied. It can then be taken out and dumped into an ordinary toilet, making it great for weekends when you’ll be off the grid, and for winter use when dump stations may be closed.

Flatbed Truck Camper Interior Options

Flatbed truck campers are available in two distinct styles: hard-sided or soft-sided, also called a pop-up. In this article, we’ll mostly talk about hard-sided models, with a fixed roof and solid sidewalls, saving pop-ups for another discussion. Solid side units offer better insulation, more interior storage, and less sound pollution than soft sided models.

Inside the traditional truck camper, you’ll find a cab-over sleeping area, a basic kitchen area with a sink, stove, and refrigerator, a dinette, and a bathroom, often all in one room. But times, they are a-changin’.

Until recent years, hard-side campers were known for their limited living space, but all that changed with the advent of truck camper slide-outs. As in regular RV models, slide-outs have increased the interior living room in flatbed models, as well as allowing for larger dry bathrooms, additional beds, couches, and entertainment centers. Many newer models also include space for “toy” storage.

Available in lengths ranging from 6 feet to 12 feet long, flatbed campers are available with one, two, even three slide-outs. Most flatbed designs have doors on the side, although some, like the Hallmark Nevada, has a rear entry. In some, a rear slide holds a couch or a dining area, even a dry bath. The side entry frees up space on the back of the camper to carry motorcycles, bicycles, spare tires, and luggage racks.

Can You Live Full Time in a Flatbed Truck Camper?

Yes, you can live full time in a flatbed truck camper. In fact, Joe and Kate Russo lived full time in a flatbed truck camper and I have a video of Joe doing a walk through of a flatbed camper down below.

7 Manufactures of Flatbed Truck Campers?

While not as many companies make campers for flatbeds as for pickups, the growing popularity of flatbed truck campers has encouraged a number of manufacturers to enter the field.

Here are a few options:

1. All Terrain Campers

All Terrain Campers produce strong, lightweight, welded aluminum frame slide-in 4×4 campers. These truck campers are built to survive for a long time. They produce some of the lightest weight, lowest profile, and most durable pop-up campers on the market today.

With 30 years in the RV industry, you can trust that the trailers and RVs they produce are high quality. It does not matter if you are a seasoned RV enthusiast, or if you are new to the industry, you will find a truck camper to fit your needs. 

2. BunduTecUSA Truck Campers

BonduTecUSA Truck Campers is based in Raymond, IA, and they use a completely different roof design, and a fresh new interior to make their trucks stand out from the competition. With these trucks, you will be able to quickly set up and take down your pop up truck camper. They also produce great truck campers for camping in the same spot for an extended period of time. 

3. Cache Camper Manufacturing

Cache Camper Manufacturing makes custom campers and canopies that are designed for harsh environments. It is their goal to ensure that every customer leaves satisfied, so they offer friendly service and affordable rates. They also have 49 years of experience in the industry, so they should be able to answer any questions you might have. 

4. EarthCruiser Overland Vehicles

EarthCruiser Overland Vehicles is a company that has been producing vehicles for over 25 years. They are based out of Bend, Oregon, and they export their vehicles all over the world. EarthCruiser has a long passion for the outdoors that is reflected in their products. When you shop from them you know you are purchasing products from a manufacturer that cares about your experience. 

5. Hallmark RV

Hallmark RV manufactures factory direct low profile and lightweight pop up truck campers. When they build a truck camper it is built for off-road, overland, and off the grid travel and adventures. Unfortunately, when you purchase from them, all deposits are not refundable. Parts are set in motion the day your deposit is received. A $5000 deposit is required for all trailer purchases. 

6. Nimbl Vehicles

Nimbl Vehicles was created by and for lifelong explorers. Their mission is to take you on journeys free of limitations. To do this they built agile, sturdy, lightweight, and functional truck campers.

7. Tommy Campers

Tommy Campers is run by a father and son that understand the importance of customer service. Their company started in the family garage back in 2015, and ever since those humble beginnings they have been refining their product. They have added new options and upgrades, and now they proudly say that their product has stood the test of time.

Along the way, they have introduced new manufacturing techniques that have allowed them to offer high quality campers at affordable prices. When you go to their website you can browse through the wide selection of trailers. You can also call and speak to them directly to get any questions you might have answered. 

To see the latest in flatbed truck camper design and other adventure vehicles, plan a trip to the Overland Expo, held twice a year in East and West locations.

Which are the Best Flatbed Truck Campers?

With so many options in the marketplace, it’s tough to say which truck camper is the best. A better question is: which truck camper is right for you?

Numerous factors need to be considered, including:

• Do you want a slide-in model based on a pickup truck or a more spacious flatbed camper?
• Do you want to use a truck you already own or buy a new one?
• Do you want a hard-sided or pop-up camper model?
• What kind of bath do you want?
• Do you want slide-outs?
• Will you be towing something?
• How many people will be going camping with you?
• Will you be off-roading?
• Will you be boondocking?
• Will you be using your camper in the winter?
• And of course… how much do you want to pay?

Truck campers are a great choice for those who would like the option to use their vehicle as either a truck or a camper. They are especially recommended for those who want to get off-road or into the wilderness to boondock where other RVs can’t go.

13 Best Flatbed Truck Campers

1. Overland Explorer Summit Expedition – Cabin Series

The Overland Explorer Summit Expedition is a great option if you are looking for a truck camper for your next trip. There are three models available, the Summit, Summit-X, and the Summit-XL. Each of them comes with a fixed expedition cabin for any 60” – 120” c/a chassis. The summit can be mounted on a one ton commercial chassis with room to spare on the GVW. 

All of their cabins are manufactured using their proprietary composite construction methods. Additionally, their exclusive “dynamic pivoting base structure,” will ensure that the truck camper lasts for a long time. This trailer is also lightweight for its size. 

Main Specs:

• Width: 7’ 0”
• Height: 10’ 1/2”
• Interior height: 6’ 6”
• Floor-length: 10.5’
• Freshwater tank: 35 gallons
• Blackwater tank: 25 gallons
• Dry weight: up to 3560 lbs

2. All Terrain Campers – Cougar/ Puma

The All Terrain Campers – Cougar/ Puma have 8 foot long floors and 144 inch roofs. The Puma is a slightly smaller option, having floors that are closer to 7 feet long. They come with a 14 x 79 inch couch. Additionally, the camper comes with an upper bed with dimensions of 48 x 82 inches. 

Main Specs:

• Width: 7’ 0”
• Height: Not listed
• Interior height: Not listed
• Floor-length: 8’ 0”
• Freshwater tank: 15 gallons
• Blackwater tank: 15 gallons
• Dry weight: Not listed

3. BunduTecUSA Truck Campers

This truck camper from BunduTecUSA Truck Campers is one of the best options on the market. You will enter the trailer from the back and it opens up into your kitchen. In it, you will find a two burner stovetop, two dinettes, a sink, and a fridge. You should have everything you need to prepare a meal. On the right, you will find your bathroom. 

The front end of the truck camper is where you will find your sleeping area. There is a large queen size mattress available for you and your spouse to use. There is also extra storage on both  sides of the bed. So, if you want to bring a few extra things with you, you should not have any problems. 

Main Specs:

• Width: 7’ 0”
• Height: 5′ 0″
• Interior height: 6’ 8”
• Floor-length: 8’ 2”
• Freshwater tank: 30 gallons
• Blackwater tank: 5.1 gallons
• Dry weight: up to 1670 lbs

4. Cache Camper

Cache Camper does not produce different lines of truck campers for you to choose from. Instead, they make custom campers and canopies that are specifically designed for Alaska’s unique environment. As a result, you can customize your trailer to fit your exact specifications. 

Cache Camper has 49 years of experience which allows them to provide nearly any type of customization that you require. You can pick the exact dimensions of your truck camper, the features, and everything else that comes with it. You can go to their website to browse through the many options that they have available to you.

Main Specs:

• Width: Custom
• Height: Custom
• Interior height: Custom
• Floor-length: Custom
• Freshwater tank: Custom
• Blackwater tank: Custom
• Dry weight: Custom

5. Earth Cruiser – EXD

This truck camper from Earth Cruiser is for the traveler with toys who wants a comfortable place to call home while on the road. It comes with a 4×4 American truck chassis. It is also available in a Ram or a Ford, both of which are known for their on-road comfort. Additionally, it is a turn key vehicle.

This trailer is smaller and lighter than most other options you will find. As a result, it has fewer limitations when traveling to the places you want to go. Additionally, this truck falls under a consumer category, so it rides better and is more ergonomic than a commercial class truck. 

Main Specs:

• Width: 6’ 11”
• Height: 5’ 3”
• Interior height: 5’ 2”
• Floor-length: 10’ 0”
• Freshwater tank: 48 gallons
• Blackwater tank: 12 gallons
• Dry weight: up to 2500 lbs

6. Hallmark RV – EXC

This truck camper from Hallmark comes with a molded fiberglass composite exterior frame and a one piece molded fiberglass composite roof. Like with a fiberglass boat, the molded fiberglass exterior provides the structure and superior durability of a Hallmark truck camper. 

Additionally, the trailer comes with standard features including real wood cabinets, manual crank roof lift mechanism, insulated soft wall, hanging closet, LED interior lighting, dual battery mounted location, big double windows, and many more. The truck camper also comes with a five year structural warranty. If you have any questions you can contact Hallmark on their website. 

Main Specs:

• Width: 6’ 11”
• Height: 7’ 0”
• Interior height: 6’ 8”
• Floor-length: 6’ 8”
• Freshwater tank: 24 gallons
• Blackwater tank: 5.3 gallons
• Dry weight: up to 995 lbs

7. Nimbl Vehicles – Evolution

This truck camper from Nimbl Vehicles comes with a 7.3L V8 engine. When the manufacturers made this trailer they wanted to create a marriage of craftsmanship, agility, and independence. In developing the trailer they wanted to create a product that was worthy of being called home by its drivers. 

They also built the camper with a new, best in class Ford F-350 Super Duty 4×4 with a 7.3 liter “Godzilla” gas motor. This motor will help you bring your truck camper to where you need to go without any issues. 

Main Specs:

• Width: 7’ 0”
• Height: 8’ 9”
• Interior height: 7’ 6”
• Floor-length: 8’ 9”
• Freshwater tank: 80 gallons
• Blackwater tank: Not listed
• Dry weight: Not listed

8. Tommy Campers – S8

Trailers from Tommy Campers are built by a father-son duo who understand the importance of customer service. They have only been in business since 2015, but in that time they have built a successful and respected business. 

This trailer is easy to set up and has a spacious interior thanks to the unique vertical lifting roof. This will provide you with a huge bedding area at night. They also build their campers with 3mm thick aluminum bodies.

Their campers are designed to handle rough outback conditions and anything else you throw at them. They are also very customizable as you can pick and choose which features you want to include. Finally, the trailer has a lead time of as little as 4 weeks, and a guaranteed maximum lead time of 2 months. So, it will not be long before you are on your first trip after you order a trailer from Tommy Campers. 

Main Specs:

• Width: 6’ 2”
• Height: Not listed
• Interior height: 6’ 6”
• Floor-length: 7’ 10”
• Freshwater tank: Not available
• Blackwater tank: Not available
• Dry weight: up to 793 lbs

9. Bahn Camperworks

When you purchase a truck camper from Bahn Camperworks, you will be able to customize it to fit your wants and needs. They work closely with each of their customers to offer a complete custom interior layout to match your needs. The window placement, storage, cabinets, and kitchen are customizable. You can choose whether you want a bathroom, and you can decide what type of door you want. It is all up to you. 

This level of customization does mean that prices vary significantly. They have quoted as low as $115,000 and as high as $590,000. The average quote is around $350,000. Additionally, since you are not ordering a truck camper straight out of the shop, it will take a little while before it arrives at your door. Depending on the complexity of the design, it will take between 4 and 10 months for your camper to be delivered. 

Main Specs:

• Width: Custom
• Height: Custom
• Interior height: Custom
• Floor-length: Custom
• Freshwater tank: Custom
• Blackwater tank: Custom
• Dry weight: Custom

10. Phoenix Custom Campers – Flatbed 

Like at Bahn Camperworks, you will have complete freedom in designing your truck camper when you buy from Phoenix Custom Campers. Not only do you get to pick the features that come with your trailer, but the manufacturer customizes it to fit your truck. You do not need to do any calculations yourself. Instead, they will measure your truck and figure out what the ideal dimensions are for you. 

There are several options available to you in terms of features. You can pick the fresh water system that best fits your needs. This includes choosing the size of your tank. You can also choose to have an external or internal shower. Bathroom options are also customizable.

Although these campers are much smaller than your average RV, you can customize your small kitchen area so that you can prepare a few meals for you and your spouse. You can also decide whether to add a furnace or air conditioner depending on the time of year you are traveling. Those are just a few of the features and options available, but there are many more for you to check out. 

Main Specs:

• Width: Custom
• Height: Custom
• Interior height: Custom
• Floor-length: Custom
• Freshwater tank: Custom
• Blackwater tank: Custom
• Dry weight: Custom

11. Four Wheel Campers – Grandby

When you purchase a truck camper from Four Wheel Campers, there will be several benefits that you get to enjoy. This camper in particular has a lightweight aluminum frame and low profile design that greatly reduces vehicle and driver strain. This also helps tremendously with your fuel efficiency.

It also uses hard and soft materials and craftsmanship which translates to decades of use in almost any environment. Your aluminum roof is also waterproof, so you do not need to worry about leaks during storms. Finally, the campers are designed to fit your truck, so the dimensions can be adjusted if they do not fit. 

Main Specs:

• Width: 6’ 9”
• Height: 4′ 11″
• Interior height: 6’ 6”
• Floor-length: 8’ 10”
• Freshwater tank: 20 gallons
• Blackwater tank: Not available
• Dry weight: up to 1600 lbs

12. Alaskan Campers – 10’ Side Dinette Truck Camper

This truck camper from Alaskan Campers features the unique patented solid wall designed top that raises and lowers for driving comfort and safety. The height of the camper is adjustable when it is in use. As a result, you can drive at a low height, but when you are inside you will have plenty of headroom. The trailer is also insulated to ensure that you stay warm even in harsh conditions. 

Additionally, you will find a plethora of luxurious features inside the camper. It includes a stove, a sink, a fridge, and extra propane. You will also have ample cabinets and storage space to ensure that you are all ready for your next trip. Finally, any model camper that you purchase from Alaskan Campers can be made as a Flatbed for an additional $1600. 

Main Specs:

• Width: 7’ 4”
• Height: 4’ 11”
• Interior height: 6’ 4”
• Floor-length: 11’ 7”
• Freshwater tank: 27 gallons
• Blackwater tank: 4 gallons
• Dry weight: up to 1985 lbs

13. Camper Logic

Another good truck camper available to you is from a brand new company in Camper Logic. They offer a variety of products, but the one that catches the eye is their truck camper. It features an angular shape unlike any other truck camper, but despite this, it is strong enough and durable enough to explore off-road. It has an aluminum frame overlaid with laser cut aluminum sidewalls. You will also find that it also has a full walk-on aluminum roof. The walls and ceiling are two inches thick, insulating it from the elements. 

Furthermore, you will find that the camper is equipped with a massive 800 watt solar power system, an Espar D2 diesel heater, an Isotherm Cruiser 4.6 foot compressor fridge, a 40 gallon fresh water tank, and much more. However, most of the features are customizable, so you will need to figure out what is best for you. 

Unfortunately, not all the dimensions are readily available on the Camper Logic website. As a result, you will need to check with the manufacturer to ensure that everything will fit before you make a purchase.

Main Specs:

• Width: 7’ 2”
• Height: 4′ 11″
• Interior height: 6′ 3″
• Floor-length: 12’ 0”
• Freshwater tank: 40 gallons
• Blackwater tank: Not available
• Dry weight: up to 1949 lbs

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Do you have any info to share about flatbed truck campers? Please leave a comment below!

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