So you’re thinking about buying a small truck camper or truck topper to mount on your Ford Ranger mid-size pickup truck. If you already own a Ford Ranger, you chose well. When it comes to quality, features, and the ever-important truck camper yardsticks like towing and payload, nearly everyone agrees that the Ford Ranger offers more value than any other mid-size truck, and that includes the ever popular Toyota Tacoma. Even though Ford offers only one engine—the 2.3L V4—it generates an impressive 270 horsepower at 5,500 rpms, and 310 pound-feet of torque at 3,000 rpms. Standard offerings for the 2023 Ford Ranger include a 3:73 rear axle, 17-inch wheels, an 18-gallon gas tank, a 150 amp alternator, and a standard 126.8-inch wheelbase except for the Ranger supercrew, 6-foot bed model which will feature a longer, undisclosed wheelbase.
Of course, when it comes to hauling a truck camper on any truck, payload is king. Fortunately, the 2023 Ford Ranger delivers in this all-important metric with a GVWR of 6,050 pounds and a class-leading payload of 1,905 pounds for an 2WD Ranger with a 6-foot bed. However, upgraded wheels and tires will be needed to haul a small truck camper, since the Ranger comes standard with passenger-rated (P255/65SR17) tires. Remember, you saw this comprehensive, well-researched list here first, well before Internet copycats with nearly identical lists publish theirs. So without further adieu, here are the 10 best truck campers for the 2023 Ford Ranger mid-size truck.
1. Scout Yoho 6.0
A revolutionary truck camper design by Washington-based Adventurer Manufacturing, the Scout Yoho 6.0 incorporates a number of industry-first add-ons to save on weight. These removable add-ons include a roof-top pop-up tent, that increases the sleeping capacity by two, a Dometic CFX3 75L refrigerator-freezer with WiFi, a 4.9-gallon removable water tank, a removable dining table, a Yeti Goal Zero 1000 lithium battery pack, and a removable Dometic propane cooktop. Standard features include a Renogy 160 watt solar panel, a moon roof with a screen and solar reflective shade, a four-person dinette with sleeper conversion, and dual 5-pound propane bottles. With a dry weight of only 913 pounds and a floor length of 5 feet 8 inches, the Scout Yoho matches well with the Toyota Tacoma with the 6-foot bed. The Yoho supports four-season travel with an optional Newport Real Flame 4,500 BTU propane fireplace and standard robust insulation. The camper will last for generations thanks to the camper’s rugged aluminum, exo-skeleton shell and no-wood composite structural panels that will never rot. Without a doubt, one of the 10 best truck campers for the Ford Ranger. Pricing for Adventure Manufacturing’s new Scout Yoho 6.0 starts at $19,240. Available at top dealerships nationwide.
2. Kimbo 6 Slide-in
Another superb offering and the only aluminum hard-side truck camper on this list, the Kimbo 6 truck camper was built specifically with the Toyota Tacoma in mind. The camper’s construction consists of a patented, single wall, riveted aluminum, insulated with rigid R5 foam lined with suede on the inside. In spite of the camper’s diminutive size, the camper still boasts some pretty impressive numbers like 6 feet of floor space, 6.5 feet of headroom, and over 3 feet of clearance in the cabover. Fully loaded, Kimbo 6 weighs only 1,100 pounds, well within the payload rating of most Ford Ranger pickups. Standard features include a teak entryway/mudroom with an aluminum partition, a 54×75-inch east-west bed, two couches for social seating, removable lift jacks, and three Arctic Turn double pane insulated “Euro” windows. The camper also comes with a three-speed roof vent fan, a Yeti 400 solar generator with 12 volt USB ports, an exterior propane bay for a 30-pound propane tank, and high-efficiency, dimmable LED lighting. Best used on a Ranger with the 6-foot bed. Sold factory direct out of Bellingham, Washington. Pricing starts at around $22,999, a very reasonable starting point for a lightweight camper of this quality.
3. OEV Back Country 5.85 Slide-in
Another outstanding slide-in pop-up by our Canadian friends at Overland Explorer Vehicles (OEV). Released in 2021, the Back Country 5.85 (formerly known as the the Camp-M) features a proprietary composite construction with R8 insulation, and an aluminum extrusion system to help keep the weight down. This approach increases the strength of the camper and nearly eliminates thermal transfer. The 5-foot 6-inch floorplan features a king-size bed, 6 feet 10 inches of headroom, a large kitchen on the driver side and an U-shape dinette on the passenger side. There is no bathroom. Features include a 20 gallon fresh water holding tank, a 20-pound propane tank, a Victron group-27 100 amp hour battery with a battery heater, a portable DC compressor refrigerator, a Remo Removable Dinette Table, a Truma AquaGo water heater, and a Truma Vario Heat furnace. To keep that lithium battery charged, the camper comes with a Redarc Manager 30 along with a Redarc 1240D 50 amp DC to DC Charger. The Back Country 5.85 also comes with an outside shower enclosure bracket kit with universal adapters, four Reico-Titan manual lift jacks, and four Torklift Anchor Guard Derringer tie-downs. Options include a 200 watt solar panel with brackets, a universal awning adaptor kit, a rear Molle rack, and OEV roof rack, and an OEV light bar. Weighs only 1,055 pounds dry. Designed specifically for mid-size trucks with either a 5-foot or 6-foot bed. The Overland Explorer Vehicles Back Country 5.85 lists for $36,363 USD for the base model.
4. BundutecUSA Topi Slide-in
An excellent pop-up by long-time truck camper designer Rory Willet, the BundutecUSA Topi weighs in at 1,380 pounds. The Topi features a solid wood frame overlayed with a smooth .040-inch aluminum exterior that looks great. The standard color of the camper is an attractive gray—not your standard, everyday white—and features contrasting black trim and black accents on the exterior. The Topi’s 6-foot 3-inch floorplan features a kitchen and wet-bath on the driver side, a refrigerator with loads of storage on the front wall, and a full-length dinette on the passenger side. Standard features include a north-south 56×74-inch mattress with lift up under bed storage, a 20-gallon fresh water tank, a NovaKool R3000 compressor refrigerator, a stainless steel sink, and window and door screens fine enough to keep out annoying “no-see-ums” bugs. A plethora of options are offered by Bundutec. Four worth noting are a Zamp 160 watt solar power system, a 2,000 watt inverter, the BunduAwn “batwing” wrap-around awning, and the revolutionary Truma Combi water heater furnace that not only saves on weight and space, but is also whisper quiet when in operation. Fits on most mid-size trucks, including the Toyota Tacoma, Nissan Frontier, and Ford Ranger. Easily one of 10 best truck campers for the 2023 Ford Ranger mid-size trucks and built like a tank, the only real negative is the camper’s relatively high weight. The list price for the BundutecUSA Topi is only $19,963, a real bargain when you consider all that you get for the money.
5. Outfitter Caribou Lite 6.5 Slide-in
At 850 pounds, the Caribou Lite 6.5 is the lightest, lowest profile camper in the Outfitter Manufacturing catalog. The construction of this well-equipped camper consists of vacuum bonded composite walls, a full walk-on roof, and a fully welded, boxed aluminum frame. The Caribou Lite 6.5 is insulated to the hilt with Owen Corning block foam in the hard walls, and Weblon three-layer insulation in the top. One feature that really stands out is the full-size cabover bed that pulls out into a full-size queen. Standard features include a 24-gallon fresh water tank, 5-gallon propane tank, a 1.9-cubic foot three-way refrigerator, a quality Progressive Dynamics 45-amp converter-charger with the three-stage Charge Wizard, a torsion assisted lift system, a 16,000 BTU furnace, a three-burner cooktop, attractive birch interior doors and cabinets, and solar reflective windows. Notable options of the Caribou Lite 6.5 include a 5-gallon cassette toilet, an outside shower, a 3.8-cubic foot Tundra DC compressor fridge, a 95 watt solar power system, a King Dome satellite dish, a Yakima roof rack, and an air conditioner. A fantastic little camper that can be fully used off the truck. Fits on most mid-size trucks including Toyota Tacoma, Ford Ranger, and Chevy Colorado. Comes with a LIFETIME structural warranty, the best warranty in the entire industry. The Caribou Lite 6.5 sells for only $22,995, one of the lowest priced campers in this list.
6. Phoenix Stealthy Mini Slide-in
A strong entry from a major player and force in the industry, Phoenix Campers. Designed by truck camper designer extraordinaire, Rob Rowe, the Stealthy Mini is a relatively new offering from the Colorado-based company. At 900 pounds, the Stealthy Mini is perfect for any and all mid-size trucks including the Ford Ranger. The floor plan has a bench seat on the passenger side, a standard east-west cab over bed, and a small kitchen on the driver side. Surprisingly the cubby underneath the step up to the bed is large enough to store a porta pottie. But the Stealthy Mini offers much more than just the basics. It all starts with a double-welded aluminum cage frame, fiberglass siding, and R5 rated extruded polystryrene wall and ceiling insulation. Inside, you’ll find an electric roof lift, a Fantastic Vent Fan, lift jacks, a 100 amp hour lithium battery, a 175 watt solar power system, and a DC-DC charger. The Stealthy Mini also comes with 20-pound propane tank, an 11 gallon fresh water holding tank, a 10,000 BTU furnace, a 30 amp converter-charger, privacy curtains, 12 volt and 110 volt AC outlets, a recessed platform to store a cooler or DC refrigerator, a sink and stove combo unit, and a 5-inch thick mattress. Of course, the camper also features Phoenix’s aerodynamic cab over and classic front nose cap. Sold factory direct, the total cost for the Phoenix Stealthy Mini is only $29,740.
7. AT Overland Summit Topper
One of the best toppers and the lightest too, the AT Overland Summit delivers on features and adventure in a big way, yet weighs only a paltry 340 pounds. Unlike the traditional slide-in pop-up camper, the Summit truck topper sits on top of the bed rails of the truck and has no bottom. This new and innovative approach makes the camper lighter than a standard slide-in pop-up camper yet still retains a comfortable sleeping platform. The Summit is built from CNC-cut and formed aluminum with a bonded honeycomb composite and features a distinctive wedge-style pop-top that provides up to 8 feet of headroom and a 48×80-inch sleep platform with a 2.5-inch mattress that can support up to 500 pounds. Each topper is built to order. Options include a light-blocking Thinsulate liner with a higher R value, a cab slider window, a roof rack, side slider windows, Seitz “Euro-style” side windows (17×43 inches), side hatch doors (17×43 inches), rear liftgate insert window, a 12 volt power system, interior lighting, awnings, interior cabinetry with pull-out refrigerators and cooktops, forced air heating, and a color match to vehicle. Built for Ranger 5-foot and 6-foot beds. Pricing starts at an affordable $13,200.
8. Four Wheel Camper Project M Topper
Another superb truck topper, which made our exclusive list. The new Four Wheel Camper Project M truck topper was designed for those who want a camper that is ultra-light, yet retains use of the bed for hauling gear, firewood, and material for home construction projects. Like all Four Wheel Camper truck campers, the Project M features an all-aluminum welded frame, aluminum siding, and a one-piece aluminum roof. The 425-pound topper features a fully insulated roof and sides, four large windows with screens and window covers, and an impressive 6 feet 6 inches of interior standing room. The toppers are pre-wired for solar and batteries. Solar and batteries are future retrofittable options to power portable refrigerators, computers, phones, and lights. Other Project M options include top, side, and hitch racks for things like water or gas containers, shovels, Maxtrax, surf boards, kayaks, bikes, snow skis, etc. In the future, Four Wheel Campers will offer retrofittable, modular interior options like drawers and cabinets for organization, and racks for easy and safe transport of equipment and gear. Available in numerous colors in smooth, ribbed, or diamond-plate aluminum. Built for Ford Ranger trucks of all sizes and payload ratings. Pricing in 2023 starts at a reasonable $11,495.
9. OVRLND Campers Topper
This Flagstaff, Arizona-based company revealed its first pop-up truck topper at the 2018 Overland Expo and hasn’t looked back since. Unlike the traditional slide-in truck camper, which easily weighs over 1,000 pounds, the base model of the OVRLND Camper weighs only 300 pounds, making it light enough to be safely hauled on any mid-size or full-size, half-ton truck, including the Ram Power Wagon. The camper features a vertical pop-top with a canvas height of just under 28 inches and comes standard with a pull-out, north-south 60×80-inch queen bed. The vertical walls of the camper maximize usable space and feature an aluminum “T track” on either side that can be used to secure and mount kitchen counters, stoves, and equipment to provide additional functionality, features, and comfort. Moreover, the topper’s internals can be easily be removed should the owner need the truck to haul plywood, firewood, or any other gear. This can’t be done with a regular slide-in camper. OVRLND Campers are custom-built, so owners can pick from a number of options available such as roof rack tracks, solar power, windows, awnings, extra bedding height, cabinets, counters, rear barn doors, lift jacks, etc. The frame is constructed using welded aluminum tubing, making it easy for interior or exterior hard point mounting of Jerry cans, propane cans, or other recreational equipment. The tubing construction also makes it easy to add 1-inch insulation for thermal protection against the elements. Without a doubt, one of the 10 best truck campers for the Ford Ranger mid-size pickup truck. OVRLND Camper pricing starts at $8,400 for small/mid-size trucks and $9,400 for full-size trucks.
10. Four Wheel Camper Fleet Slide-in
The Four Wheel Camper Fleet delivers on adventure and ruggedness in a major way. The camper is equipped with a 20 gallon fresh water tank, a kitchenette with a two-burner stove and sink, an east-west 60×80-inch queen-size bed, a three-way 1.7-cubic foot reefer, and attractive yet durable interior woodwork. When ordering a Fleet, customers can choose from one of four floorplans—a rollover side couch, a side dinette, a front dinette, and a shell model. For those want a more amenities, a porta pottie and an outside shower can both be added as options. Interested in extending your time off-grid? Four Wheel Campers has that covered, too, by offering a 160 watt roof-mounted solar system, a 6 volt dual battery setup, an 65L DC compressor refrigerator, and two 10-pound propane tanks. Four Wheel Campers uses a hidden, proprietary tie-down system that not only presents a clean look on the outside of the camper, but it also works great for driving off-road. Due to its 6-foot floor length, the Fleet works best on a Toyota Tacoma, Ford Ranger, Nissan Frontier, or Chevy Colorado/GMC Canyon with the longer 6-foot bed. Weighs only 1,045 pounds dry. Available in numerous colors in smooth or ribbed aluminum. The Fleet lists for only $25,695, but don’t let the price fool you. This low-profile camper can take you almost anywhere, and with its welded aluminum frame and aluminum exterior, will last for decades.
Final Words About Payload
Before purchasing your truck topper or truck camper, make sure your Ford Ranger can handle the extra weight. When it comes to matching a truck camper with your truck, the payload rating of your truck is the most important number. For the 2023 Ford Ranger, this rating can be as low as 1,430 pounds or as high as 1,905 pounds (this rating can be found on a sticker affixed to the driver side door pillar). This means that your camper, plus passengers and gear, must be below this number. It’s important to stay under the payload rating and GVWR of your truck as this keeps you and everyone sharing the road with you safe. It also prevents excessive wear and tear on the frame and suspension of your Ford Ranger pickup truck. You’ll also need to ensure that the wheels and suspension of your truck are up to the task of hauling a camper. This means you might need to upgrade the passenger-rated tires that originally came with your truck with a good Light Truck (LT) tire with a Load Lange C or D. In addition, we also recommend getting a set of Hellwig air springs or another suspension mod to correct rear sag that may occur from hauling the extra weight.
Be the first to comment