So you’re interested in buying a truck camper to haul on a Ford F-350 SRW one-ton pickup truck. If you already have the truck, you chose wisely. Today’s Ford F-350 has everything you need to comfortably haul a hard-side truck camper including your choice of powerful diesel and gasoline engines, exhaust braking, and three rear axles. The 2023 F-350’s payload ratings are excellent, too, with a payload of 4,460 pounds when going with 4WD F350 crew cab with a 6.75-foot bed, while a 4WD crew cab with an 8-foot bed can maxes-out with a 4,790-pound payload rating. These high ratings are a very good thing because safety is the key when hauling a truck camper. Exceeding the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) and the corresponding payload rating of your truck should be avoided. Doing so puts you and others who share the road with you at risk. So without further adieu, let’s take a look at the 10 best hard-side non-slide-out truck campers for the Ford F-350 Super Duty one-ton pickup truck.
1. Kingstar Camino 88 (Adventure Series)
A real standout and the best of the best, the exterior lines and innovative interior of the Kingstar Camino 88 make it obvious that this innovative, four season camper isn’t just another cookie-cutter camper. Some of these innovations include underfloor storage, a wall-mounted air conditioner, a stainless steel roof, R12 spray foam insulation, and a spacious wet-bath. Kingstar offers five distinct interior layouts, all of which include either an east-west or a north-south cabover bed. Camino 88 floorplans offer a generous floor length of 9 feet 2 inches, a center of gravity between 34-36 inches, and can be hauled on either a long-bed truck. The dry weight of the Camino 88 is only 3,330 pounds for a standard Camino 88 build. Standard features for this well-equipped camper include a 32 gallon fresh water holding tank, a porta pottie, a 6-gallon water heater, two 20-pound propane tanks, three AGM batteries, a Suburban furnace, a Vitrifrigo 3.2 cubic foot DC compressor refrigerator, and pullout tables. The best options include two 15-gallon side saddle (three season) fresh water holding tanks, a 20 gallon grey water holding tank, a 600 watt solar power system, Battle Born lithium batteries, a 2,000 watt inverter with transfer relay, and an Airhead composting toilet. Starting at $39,960 for the Open Range model, the Kingstar Camino 88 is sold factory direct from Houghton, Michigan with about a four-month lead time.
2. Northern Lite 10-2 EX WET
Based out of Kelowna, British Columbia, Northern Lite suffered a terrible fire in 2014, but has come back better than ever by building one of the best, most luxurious truck campers in the entire industry. One reason for this high quality is Northern Lite’s fiberglass, “clam-shell” exterior. The molded fiberglass design produces not only a superior, aerodynamic structure, but also one that is stronger and doesn’t leak like typical campers. The Northern Lite 10-2 EX WET is the company’s largest model. The 10-foot 9-inch floorplan features a north-south queen-size bed, a roomy wet-bath, a face-to-face dinette, loads of storage, and a large kitchenette. Standard features include all-wood cabinets with beautiful sapele veneer paneling; a mirrored, three-way 6.3-cubic foot refrigerator; a 6-gallon DSI water heater; a dual battery compartment, Seitz windows, and a three-burner propane cooktop. The 3,265-pound camper also features an 20,000 BTU furnace, two 20-pound propane tanks, a 9,200 btu air conditioner, two 185-watt solar panels, a 45-amp Progressive Dynamics converter/charger with three-stage Charge Wizard, LED lighting, and side and rear awnings. The tank sizes in the camper are excellent, too, with 36 gallons fresh, 40 gallons grey, and 18 gallons black. The camper can also be ordered with a dry-bath and a U-shape dinette. The Ozite “furry” headliner and the dated, turquoise color exterior graphics are the only negatives in what is otherwise an outstanding, four-season camper. The MSRP of the Northern Lite 10-2 EX WET is a bit on the steep side with a price of $43,201.
3. Adventurer 901SB
Adventurer Manufacturing released the Adventurer 901SB as a 50th Anniversary Special Edition in 2018 and was received so well that the company decided to keep the camper in its extensive catalog. With its all-new 9-foot 1-inch floorplan, the Adventurer 901SB features a number of firsts for ALP, including frameless windows; a one-piece, oversize wetbath; Northern European-style cabinetry, an undermount stainless steel sink; an adult-size power bunk rated for 800 pounds; and a power tower in the kitchen featuring three 110 volt and two USB power outlets. Additional features for this 3,280-pound camper include Adventurer Manufacturing’s exclusive bumper with a non-slip powder coat, a leather dinette, a Master Command LCD touch screen control panel, a channeled LED ceiling light, a Furrion stainless steel range, a massive, two-way Dometic 7-cubic foot stainless steel refrigerator, and a 100 watt solar power system. Like all Adventurer campers, the 901SB’s construction features what the company calls a “Tru-Composite Contruction” using a hybrid wood-aluminum frame, then backs up that construction with a better-than-average three-year structural warranty. The camper also features a big basement with larger than average holding tanks of 42 gallons fresh, 28 gallons grey, and 28 gallons black, a dual battery compartment, and two 20-pound LP propane tanks. Can be ordered in either grey or white and fits on both short-bed and long-bed trucks. The MSRP for the Adventurer 901SB is competitively priced at $41,986.
4. Bigfoot 25C9.4SB
The truck camper industry was shocked when Bigfoot RV went out of business in 2008, a victim of the Great Recession. Fortunately, the company reopened its doors in August 2010 after it was purchased by Grant Bilodeau, a former employee. A superb fiberglass, clam-shell design, the Bigfoot 25C9.4SB weighs 2,980 pounds dry, and features 1.5-inch thick heavily insulated walls. The camper’s stylish interior features a north-south queen-size bed; a large U-shaped dinette; a well-equipped kitchenette with loads of storage; a massive, two-way 6-cubic foot refrigerator, 6 feet 5 inches of headroom, and a floor length of 9 feet 6 inches. Highlights include a porcelain toilet, an 11,000 btu air conditioner, a powerful 30,000 BTU propane-fired furnace, two 20-pound propane tanks with auto change over, a rear awning, and a three-burner propane cooktop. The camper also comes with a number of upgrades, including a battery disconnect switch, an integrated stereo system with interior and exterior speakers, a black tank rinse, accordion-style day-night shades, and tinted thermal pane windows. The tank sizes in the Bigfoot 25C9.4SB are also excellent with a 38-gallon fresh water holding tank, a 32-gallon grey water holding tank, and a 22-gallon black water holding tank. Popular options for this superb, four-season camper include the Onan 2500 generator, the wireless rear camera, and the 250 watt solar power system. Without a doubt, one of the 10 best short-bed truck campers for one-ton Ford F350 Ram Chevy GMC 3500 trucks. The MSRP of the Bigfoot 25C9.4SB is $52,390.
5. Lance 960
Lance Camper’s first new design in nearly six years, the Lance 960 was heavily influenced by truck camper owner feedback from across the country. It includes the latest advancements in seating with comfortable recliner seats and the latest tech, including the Truma Combi Eco Plus water heater-furnace, something we’ve been pushing with Lance for years. The ultra-quiet Truma Combi not only saves on weight but also space, resulting in more storage. Designed for single rear wheel (SRW) long-bed trucks, the Lance 960 weighs only 2,970 pounds dry, putting the camper at an acceptable 4,000 pounds fully loaded. The Lance 960’s 9-foot 11-inch floorplan features a gorgeous interior with medium gray wood-stained cabinets, a large wet bath with a bathroom sink, a small kitchen with a three-way 5-cubic foot refrigerator, and a north-south queen-size bed. Standards include Lance’s excellent one-piece TPO nose cap, which gives it a sleek and aerodynamic look, the Plastoform thermoplastic windows (first introduced in the excellent Lance 650), and the modern, radiused overhead cabinets in the interior. Popular options include a 100 watt solar power system, side and rear awnings, Battle Born lithium batteries, keyless entry with key FOB, and Lance’s excellent roof rack system. Tank capacities are excellent for this long-bed camper with 45 gallons fresh, 30 gallons grey, and 28 gallons black. The MSRP for the Lance 960 is a very affordable $44,460 for the base model and about $49,000 fully optioned-out. Available at top dealerships nationwide.
6. nuCamp Cirrus 820:
Ohio-based nuCamp took the truck camper industry by storm in 2015 by introducing what immediately became one of the best looking, most innovative truck campers in the marketplace—the Cirrus 820. Noteworthy innovations found in this cutting-edge camper include the Alde hydronic heating system, a whisper-quiet water heater furnace combination unit that saves on both weight and space, the Froli modular sleep system, heated floors, and a space-saving folding bathroom sink. But this 2,540-pound camper provides more than just good looks and innovation, it also features a terrific 8-foot 6-inch floorplan with a large wet-bath, a spacious cabover with a north-south queen-size bed, a face-to-face dinette, a massive wardrobe, a large kitchenette with a three-way, 5-cubic foot refrigerator, and copious amounts of storage. Framed entirely of aluminum, highlights include a custom diamond-plated rear bumper with hose storage, a dual battery compartment, two 20-pound propane tanks, an 8-foot side awning, dual thermopane windows, a 38-gallon fresh water tank, a massive 32-gallon grey water holding tank, and an 18-gallon black water holding tank. Easily one of the 10 best short-bed truck campers for one-ton Ford F350 Ram Chevy GMC 3500 trucks. Customers have numerous color options when ordering a nuCamp Cirrus camper, including a silver or white exterior with 10 different color accents to match the color of your truck. The MSRP of the Cirrus 820 is $55,065. Available at top dealerships nationwide.
7. Arctic Fox 865
Oregon-based Northwood Manufacturing debuted the Arctic Fox 865 in 2008, but removed it from the company’s catalog in 2012 after declining sales. The company, however, decided to bring it back in 2017 after repeated requests for the camper. Being the only Arctic Fox truck camper without a slide-out, it was the right decision by the company. Unfortunately, even without any slide-outs, the Arctic Fox 865 is still a heavy camper. Including the company’s mandatory Fox Package, which weighs 595 pounds, the dry weight of the Arctic Fox 865 is still 3,236 pounds, easily putting it at 4,200 pounds fully loaded and probably more. The Arctic Fox 865 is a big camper too. Not only is the camper’s floor length generous, at 9 feet 4 inches long, but it also has some of the largest holding tanks in this weight class with 34 gallons fresh, 32 gallons grey, and 31 gallons black. Even the cabover height is large at nearly 4 feet. This well-built, four-season camper features a strong, cathedral arched ceiling, 2-inch thick heavily insulated walls, a 20,000 BTU propane fired furnace, two huge 30-pound propane tanks, a 6-gallon DSI water heater, a 45-amp Progressive Dynamics converter/charger with a three-stage Charge Wizard, and a huge, two-way 7 cubic foot refrigerator. The best options include Torklift’s excellent Fox Landing Step, thermal pane windows, and a 100 watt solar power system. Easily one of the 10 best long-bed truck campers for one-ton F350-3500 trucks. Fits on both short-bed and long-bed trucks. The MSRP of the Arctic Fox 865 is $40,646.
8. BundutecUSA Roadrunner
Easily one of the 10 best short-bed truck campers for one-ton Ford F350 Ram Chevy GMC 3500 trucks. Truck camper guru, Rory Willett, the owner of the BundutecUSA, likes his campers to stand out in a crowd and the Roadrunner does in a major way. Like all Bundutec campers, the Roadrunner is constructed of wood overlayed with either a smooth grey aluminum or a grey fiberglass exterior siding. The Roadrunner’s 8-foot 7-inch floorplan features a north-south 80×60-inch bed with a large kitchen and a wardrobe on the driver’s side and a huge 30×36-inch wetbath and a 66-inch long U-shaped dinette on the passenger side. Standard features include a 35-gallon fresh water tank, a 20-gallon grey water holding tank, a Thetford cassette toilet, the revolutionary Truma Combi water heater furnace, an exterior shower, Seitz windows, a Dometic CR1110 3.7 cubic foot compressor refrigerator, and window and door screens fine enough to keep out annoying “no-see-ums.” Bundutec offers a plethora of options too, including a Zamp 340 watt solar power system, lithium ion batteries, a True Induction Cooktop, and a 3,000 watt Xantrex inverter with a built-in transfer relay. Unlike many other truck campers in this weight class, the Roadrunner is loaded with storage due to not only the space-saving Truma Combi, but also by using every available nook and cranny. With a dry weight of 2,450 pounds, the Roadrunner should only be hauled on a one-ton truck. A great-looking camper inside and out, the list price for the BundutecUSA Roadrunner only $33,706.
9. Lance 865
The REV Group acquired California-based Lance Campers in January 2018, but that hasn’t slowed the company’s production down one bit. The company continues to sell more slide-in truck campers than any other company in the industry. Over the years, Lance designers have worked hard to make their campers lighter and more durable and their efforts have paid off in a big way. The Lance 865 weighs only 2,012 pounds dry, which puts the camper around 3,000 pounds fully loaded, well within the reach of all one-ton trucks (and many 3/4-tons). The Lance 865’s 8-foot 7-inch floorplan features a gorgeous interior with dark, cherry stained cabinets, a large wet bath with a bathroom sink, a small kitchen with a three-way 3-cubic foot refrigerator, a north-south queen-size bed, and a cozy U-shaped leather dinette. The tank capacities of the Lance 865 are pretty decent, too, with 36 gallons fresh (including the 6-gallon DSI water heater), 14 gallons gray, and 13 gallons black. We’re big fans of Lance’s new exterior one-piece TPO nose cap, which gives the camper a sleek and aerodynamic look, and Lance’s new exterior charging center that allows owners to hook up a portable solar panel or a generator for quick battery charging. The only real negative with the Lance 865 is its small battery compartment—it’s large enough to hold only one Group-27 battery. The MSRP for the Lance 865 is a very affordable $50,584. Sold at top dealerships nationwide.
10. Wolf Creek 850 by Northwood Mfg.
In response to complaints about its Arctic Fox campers being too heavy, Northwood Manufacturing expanded its catalog in 2011 by offering a lightweight line of campers called the Wolf Creek. The Wolf Creek 850 is the company’s most popular model. The dry weight is only 2,008 pounds, a figure that puts it well within the payload ratings of all one-ton trucks, even those equipped with diesels. The 8-foot 8-inch floorplan features a north-south queen bed, a dinette long enough (78 inches) to sleep an adult; an excellent one-piece, molded wet-bath with a sink; a large kitchen with a 5-cubic foot refrigerator; and a sizable wardrobe. Noteworthy options for the Wolf Creek 850 include a 2,500-watt Onan generator (the only camper in this list to offer one), Hehr thermal pane windows, a curbside wardrobe in the cabover, and the excellent Fox Landing folding step made by our friends at Torklift. The camper also features a dual battery compartment and a basement, which houses fairly large holding tanks—27 gallons of fresh water, 19 gallons of grey, and 20 gallons of black. The camper also features two 5-gallon propane cylinders. Available for both short-bed and long-bed trucks. If this floorplan, doesn’t appeal, Northwood Manufacturing makes a longer Wolf Creek 890 model with even more features and more elbow room. MSRP the Wolf Creek 850 is $33,975. Sold at top dealerships nationwide.
Can you please update the northern lite: our 2024 has 600 watts of solar and leather interior in black and silver!!