Truck campers: Looking for lightweight options that won't break the bank

adamcu280 said:
We've both spent our time on the blue foamies but we're getting softer in our old age.
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You're still kids. In my senior citizenship, I have enough shoulder and hip issues that I have matriculated to thermarest or other brand inflatables. I sleep as good as with the giant bed at home.

I think Wayne's idea is a good one. A van with some camping modifications can really get 'er done.
 
We’ve got a Sunlite Eagle by Sun Valley Campers on our f-150. The company went out of business several years ago but it’s very similar to a Northstar. We really like it. The obvious benefits of a pop up are the weight and lower profile than a hard sided camper, which I believe makes a big difference in mpg. The downside is that there’s a small amount of setup/take down but I think that’s negligible unless you’re trying to be stealthy in an urban setting. It’s also not going to be as insulated if you’re hoping to use it for ski trips. In the summer, the ability to open up all the panels for 360 degree windows is pretty incredible though.

I get the appeal of the van, it’s always ready to go, but I think the camper is more versatile. People seem to love the Four Wheel Campers, Kimbo makes a light weight hard side, and Northstars are very nice. I’ve heard mixed reviews on Palominos. I would keep an eye on the used market and pull the trigger when something pops up that checks your boxes.
 
I fell in love by accident. Found this Roamin' Chariot out of Spokane (now out of business). My full size 8' only ways 800#. They have a 6" designed for mid sized trucks. You can find them for sale. They used to sell for $1,000 max, now they are in the $3,000-$6,000 range now. Love mine. I plan on finishing my rebuild i had just started when I had my stroke. I don't even know mine, full loaded, that it's truck.

I found mine for $300.00 before the small camper world took off.

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Salmo_g said:
You're still kids. In my senior citizenship, I have enough shoulder and hip issues that I have matriculated to thermarest or other brand inflatables. I sleep as good as with the giant bed at home.

I think Wayne's idea is a good one. A van with some camping modifications can really get 'er done.
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We've got the minivans and they're great for lighter duty but I'd rather have the truck + light camper in Baja.
 
I have a Kimbo. LOVE IT. Built like a tank. Only 1000 lbs. Mine is loaded ...200 watt solar, excellent Bluetti Lithium battery; Dickinson Marine propane heater, 30 lb propane tank, Fridge, etc. But, you can just get the shell if you want to do a custom build out yourself. Made in Bellingham in a small shop. You can visit the shop and take a tour. I recommend you watch the many You tube videos from various owners. I have the Kimbo loaded on my Gen 4 6ft bed Toyota Tacoma; not towing a boat ...yet, but plan to. Perfect for trekking into the deep woods to hit remote streams, or camping at the ski resort parking lots to catch the morning fresh powder. They are also in the process of making an 8 ft model for larger trucks.
 

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JackJester said:
I have a Kimbo. LOVE IT. Built like a tank. Only 1000 lbs. Mine is loaded ...200 watt solar, excellent Bluetti Lithium battery; Dickinson Marine propane heater, 30 lb propane tank, Fridge, etc. But, you can just get the shell if you want to do a custom build out yourself. Made in Bellingham in a small shop. You can visit the shop and take a tour. I recommend you watch the many You tube videos from various owners. I have the Kimbo loaded on my Gen 4 6ft bed Toyota Tacoma; not towing a boat ...yet, but plan to. Perfect for trekking into the deep woods to hit remote streams, or camping at the ski resort parking lots to catch the morning fresh powder. They are also in the process of making an 8 ft model for larger trucks.
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Hows the fuel mileage with that?
 
Jerry Daschofsky said:
I fell in love by accident. Found this Roamin' Chariot out of Spokane (now out of business). My full size 8' only ways 800#. They have a 6" designed for mid sized trucks. You can find them for sale. They used to sell for $1,000 max, now they are in the $3,000-$6,000 range now. Love mine. I plan on finishing my rebuild i had just started when I had my stroke. I don't even know mine, full loaded, that it's truck.

I found mine for $300.00 before the small camper world took off.

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I really like that awning, Jerry. It looks like it’s integrated into the camper or is it aftermarket?
 
Brian in OR. said:
Hows the fuel mileage with that?
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I have a 2024 TRD Offroad Tacoma Gen 4. I drive under 70 on the hwy and am averaging 14 mpg. You do need to make some upgrades to a Taco to handle the weight. The upgrades I have made are E-rated tires (Toyo Open Country M/T) and replaced the suspension bump stops with Timbren SES Suspension Enhancement System. Note - the newer Gen 4 Tacos do not have leaf springs, but if I had an older Taco I would have beefed those up too. The Truck has no noticeable sag with the Timbrens. Also, you will need a platform to get the Kimbo above the shark fin antenna. Many owners make their own with foam insulation and 2x4s. But I wanted storage so I went with the one that Kimbo sells, which is the smaller (5.5”) subfloor diamond metal drawer system. It is easy to load and unload the Kimbo and has simple ratchet straps to tie it to the truck bed. I used to have a larger Lance camper on a Ram 2500 and it was a pain to offload. I like the fact that the Kimbo doesn't have integrated plumbing or a gray/black tank. So nothing to winterize. I carry a small cassette toilet. There is a sink with an electric pump faucet that draws from a portable water tank. And, the queen sized bed is very comfortable; I'm 5'9"and can lay without touching the edges.
 
For a single person on a short weekend type trip did you know the dodge ram megacab rear seat folds flat to nearly the size of a twin bed and you still have a 6ft bed 8 with the tailgate down and the rambox option for storage. I can't live with the ramboxes or a rear seat that reclines or folds flat.
 
Man, I just keep finding better and better campers, really liking this one for $3600
All baer bones and insulated!

Freedom Truck Bed Camper: Roam Free with Your Pickup or Trailer - Redneck Blinds https://share.google/HgG9bOyKpt7d7c5Mc
 
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I do like that Moonlander X, really nice.

I have the Project M on my '24 Tundra and am still happy with it. It costs about twice as much, but it has solar panels and a charging station, a full king sized bed (slideout), a remote control fan with multiple speeds that can be set to suck air in or blow it out. And touch control LED lights. It's so light (under 400lbs) that I didn't really need the bump stops and air shocks I installed, and I still have the bed free for normal use (if I want to throw my inflated raft or kayak in the back). Just enough of a camper for me without the 1000lb load.
 
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