If you already own a GMC Sierra 2500HD pickup, good on you. You chose well. It’s a great truck. If you’re looking to buy a quality 3/4-ton pickup truck, then the Sierra is a terrific choice. The performance, payload, and good looks are hard to beat. The latest GMC Sierra 2500HD is also a great choice when it comes to hauling truck camper with a maximum payload rating of 4,013 pounds for a 4WD long-bed single cab pickup and 3,808 for a 4WD 6-foot 8-inch short-box crew cab pickup. Fortunately, a wide variety of truck campers can be safely hauled on the GMC Sierra 2500HD. These include both hard-side and pop-up campers with and without a dry bath. With so many quality campers to choose from, the time and effort it takes to buy the one that meets your requirements can be daunting. Fortunately, Truck Camper Adventure has the done the homework for you by presenting the newest and best truck campers for your very own truck camper adventures. So without further adieu, let’s take a look at the 10 best truck campers for the GMC Sierra 2500HD pickup truck:
1. Scout Kenai
A revolutionary design by Washington-based Adventurer Manufacturing, the Scout Kenai incorporates a number of portables to save on weight. These portables include a removable Dometic CFX3 75L refrigerator-freezer with WiFi, a 4.9-gallon removable water tank, a removable dining table, a Yeti Goal Zero 1500x lithium battery pack, and a removable propane cooktop. Standard features include a 175 watt flexible 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. The best options include a Thetford Cassette Toilet, a Newport Real Flame 4,500 BTU propane fireplace, and a Rhino Rack Batwing Awning. Particularly noteworthy, is that the Scout Kenai can sleep up to six people when you include the optional roof-top tent, an unheard of number for a truck camper let alone a camper of this size. With a dry weight of only 1,265 pounds and a floor length of 7 feet 6 inches the Scout Kenai works well with any long-bed, 3/4-ton truck like the GMC Sierra 2500HD. Interested in a short-bed model? The company has one of those too with the Scout Olympic, which features a floor length of 6.2 feet, a dry weight of 1,081 pounds, and most of the features listed for the Kenai. The starting price for the Scout Kenai base model is an affordable $26,990.
2. Outfitter Apex 8
The best popup for 3/4-ton trucks, the Outfitter Apex 8 is a superb truck camper loaded with an impressive number of standard features. The construction of the Apex 8 consists of an insulated, one-piece composite fiberglass body and features an electric roof lift with a manual over-ride. One feature of the Apex 8 that we really like is the spacious, 80-inch cabover with a pull-out drawer. This drawer can be used either for storage or as a bed for the kiddies. Another thing we like is the camper’s fully enclosed, heated basement—a rarity for a pop-up truck camper. This basement houses a massive 44-gallon fresh water tank, a 16-gallon gray water tank, and a 16-gallon black water tank. The bathroom is fairly large for a pop-up, too, and features a marine-grade porcelain toilet, a full-size shower, and a small sink. The battery box in the Apex 8 is large enough for only one group-27 battery, but in the ones we’ve seen another battery box can be added quite easily. Popular options include an Onan 2500 Generator, a 7.5 cubic foot Nova Kool Compressor Refrigerator, and a Yakima Roof Rack with Ladder. Weighs 2,130-pounds dry. Made specifically for the short-bed GMC Sierra 2500HD pickup truck, the Apex 8 is also a very popular choice with off-road enthusiasts due to its low-profile, superb layout, and large tank capacities. The base price is $44,995.
3. Lance 825
A superb camper and steady seller at Lance Campers, the Lance 825 provides the essentials needed to camp comfortably without the burden of scale-tipping slide-outs. The dry weight of this aluminum-framed, short-bed truck camper is a svelte 1,832 pounds, making it ideal for most 3/4-ton trucks, even when fully loaded. The 8-foot 6-inch floor plan of the Lance 825 features a gorgeous interior with cherry-stained cabinets, a north-south queen size bed, a full-size dinette, a well-equipped kitchenette, a large wardrobe, and a small wet-bath with a shower. Standard features include a Dometic three-way 3-cubic foot refrigerator with stainless steel refrigerator panels, a two-burner stainless steel cook-top, an Atwood 18,000 BTU propane fired furnace, a 5-gallon propane tank, and an Atwood 6-gallon water heater. The tank capacities of the Lance 825 are fairly large with 30 gallons fresh, a 13 gallons grey, a 14 gallon black. The best options include a 100 watt roof top solar power system, rear and side awnings, a removable carpet kit, and Lance’s own roof rack system. 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 Easy Charge exterior charging center that allows owners to hook up a portable solar panel or a generator for quick battery charging. The camper comes with only one group-27 battery box, but the compartment can easily be modified to fit two larger group-31 batteries if desired. The MSRP for the base model is only $50,460. Available at top dealerships nationwide.
4. Four Wheel Camper Grandby
With a floor length of 8 feet and a dry weight of only 1,200 pounds, the Four Wheel Camper Grandby is a terrific match for today’s 3/4-ton, long-bed pickup. The Grandby features a 20 gallon fresh water tank, a fully equipped kitchenette, an east-west queen bed, a three-way 1.7-cubic foot reefer, and attractive yet durable interior woodwork. Customers can choose from one of three floorplans when ordering a Grandby—a rollover side couch, side dinette, or a front dinette. For those who want more amenities, a cassette toilet and an inside shower can both be added as options, but only with the front dinette floorplan. Interested in extending your time off-grid? Four Wheel Campers has that covered, too, by offering a 160 watt roof-mounted solar system, a dual battery setup, an 85-liter DC compressor refrigerator, and two 10-pound propane tanks. Four Wheel Campers uses a proprietary tie-down system consisting of four, zinc-coated eye bolts reinforced with steel backing plates that are mounted to the bed of the pickup. The advantage of having a hidden system like this is that it not only presents a clean look on the outside of the camper, but with nothing to snag on it also works great for driving off-road. Without a doubt, one of the 10 best truck campers for the GMC Sierra 2500HD pickup truck. The Grandby lists for only $26,625, but don’t let the price fool you. This rugged, well-made camper can take you almost anywhere you want, and with its welded aluminum frame and aluminum exterior, will last for decades.
5. 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 most 3/4-ton trucks, but not half-ton trucks which the company erroneously claims. 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. Need something larger? Northwood Manufacturing makes a longer Wolf Creek 890 model with even more features and elbowroom. MSRP the Wolf Creek 850 is $33,975. Sold at top dealerships nationwide.
6. Alaskan 7 Cabover
Can’t decide between a hard-side or a pop-up? Well, look no further. The good folks at Alaskan make a hybrid camper that’s a little of both. Unlike the traditional pop-up truck camper, which has canvas sides, the patented pop-top on an Alaskan camper features a “solid wall” design with a hydraulic mechanism that raises and lowers the entire top of the camper with a simple flip of the switch. The benefits of this telescoping design are obvious. Not only does it provide full standing room in the interior when camping, but also less wind resistance and better gas mileage. It also makes the camper more capable off-road. Inside this rugged, well-insulated camper, you’ll find a gorgeous leather dinette, a wood-paneled ceiling, and attractive maple cabinets throughout. You’ll also find a generous amount of overhead storage and counter top space inside—more than many hard-side models. Standard features in this 1,560-pound camper include a NovaKool 2600 refrigerator, a full-length door (no stooping or bending is needed to enter or exit the camper), a 5-gallon propane tank, and a 27-gallon fresh water tank. One Group-34 AGM battery comes standard, but as many as two can be added as an option. Popular options include a Thetford C-200 swivel cassette toilet, a Zamp 170 watt solar power system, a 4-gallon water heater, a Suburban 20,000 BTU furnace, and LED lighting. Easily one of the 10 best truck campers for the GMC Sierra 2500HD with numerous benefits. Fits on both short-bed and long-bed trucks. The Alaskan 7 Cabover model goes for $38,190 in late 2023.
7. nuCamp Cirrus 620
nuCamp’s first attempt at building a true half-ton capable truck camper in 2019 failed with the company releasing the now defunct Cirrus 720. But where the Cirrus 720 failed, the brand-new Cirrus 620 succeeds. The Cirrus 620 weighs only 1,491 pounds dry making it an excellent payload match for most 3/4-ton pickups. The floorplan features a refrigerator and a hideaway Thetford swivel cassette toilet on the driver side, a small kitchenette on the passenger side, and a small dinette and north-south queen size bed up front. The interior height is a shade over 6 feet 4 inches. Unfortunately, nuCamp designers were unable to shoe-horn a wetbath into the camper’s diminutive 5-foot 9-inch floorplan though you can still take a shower outside using the company’s excellent Nautilus Water Management System. Standards include a 2.3 cubic foot DC compressor refrigerator, a 19-gallon fresh water holding tank, a 15-gallon grey water holding tank, the all-in-one Alde hydronic water heater and furnace, the Froli Modular Sleep System, one 5 gallon propane tank, a 210 watt solar power system, and a vented battery compartment large enough to hold two group-24 batteries. The general shape of the camper is very reminiscent of the popular and much larger Cirrus 820 model, though you won’t find anything like the 820’s rear bumper and entry steps on this model. The nuCamp Cirrus 620 truck camper lists for a $44,014. Available at top dealerships nationwide.
8. OEV Back Country 6.85
The Back Country 6.85 is one of Canadian-based Overland Explorer Vehicles (OEV) best selling models. This rugged, well-built, 1,350-pound camper features a proprietary composite construction with R8 insulation, and an aluminum extrusion system to help keep the weight down, while at the same time increasing the strength of the camper and nearly eliminating thermal transfer. The 6-foot 2-inch floorplan features a king-size bed, 6 feet 10 inches of headroom, a large kitchen on the driver side and an L-shape dinette on the passenger side. Features include a 20 gallon fresh water holding tank, a 20-pound propane tank, a Victron group-27 100 amp hour battery, a Dometic CFX DC compressor refrigerator, a Remo Removable Dinette Table, Redarc Manager 30 with display, a Truma AquaGo water heater, and a Truma Vario Heat furnace. The camper 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 180 watt solar panel, a 125 amp hour lithium ion battery, and OEV light bar, OEV roof rack, and OEV king-bed extension kit with refrigerator. The Back Country 6.85 is designed specifically for short-bed 3/4-ton trucks like the Chevy Silverado 2500HD and GMC Sierra 2500HD. The Overland Explorer Vehicles Back Country 6.85 lists for $44,888 USD for the base model.
9. Travel Lite Up Country 775
Travel Lite RV recently revamped its entire lineup by offering two new truck camper brands: the Up Country for full-size trucks and the Atom for mid-size trucks. Travel Lite also upped the game by eliminating wood and staples and going with a composite structure and aluminum trussed roof. The Travel Lite Up Country 775 is probably the best-equipped model with a floor length of 7 feet 4 inches and a dry weight of only 1,722 pounds. The 775 floor plan features a front dinette with a kitchen on the driver side and a wet-bath and refrigerator on the driver side. Standard features include a 13 gallon fresh water holding tank, one group-27 battery, a 200 watt solar power system, one 20 pound propane tanks, a stainless steel sink, a free standing table, a Shur-Flo water pump, a 40 amp converter, and a DC compressor refrigerator. Additional standards include a two-burner stainless steel stove, a stainless steel microwave, a 20,000 BTU furnace, an outdoor spray port, and detachable electric jacks. Only one option is offered, a 13.5k BTU air conditioner, but, hey, for a small camper as well equipped as this one, you don’t need much more. Easily one of the 10 best truck campers for the GMC Sierra 2500HD pickup, the MSRP for the Travel Lite Up Country 775 is $34,993. Available at top dealerships nationwide.
10. Hallmark Guanella Overland
Based out of Lupton, Colorado, Hallmark RV offers a complete line of high-quality pop-up truck campers. The Guanella Overland is Hallmark’s best-selling model. Constructed of a surprisingly strong composite fiberglass with a balsa wood core, the Guanella Overland weighs only 1,262 pounds dry and boasts a width of only 6 feet 9 inches. The 8-foot floorplan features a 60×80-inch east-west queen-size bed with underbed storage, a large kitchen on the driver’s side, and a U-shaped dinette and toilet on the passenger side. Standard features of this low-profile pop-up include a 30-gallon fresh water holding tank, a Progressive Dynamics 45 amp “Mighty Mini” Power Center, molded one-piece counter tops, big view double windows, a 4-gallon DSI water heater, a dual battery compartment, a Lagun swing-away table, and amber bamboo or maple cabinetry. Unfortunately, the camper doesn’t have a complete wet-bath—though the Overland option includes either a mini-shower enclosure or a cassette toilet in rear passenger side corner. Hallmark’s best options include a 200 watt solar power system, a north-south cabover, a 12 gallon grey water holding tank, a Thetford cassette toilet, side storage boxes, and several choices in cabinet finishes. Easily one of the 10 best truck campers for the GMC Sierra 2500HD 3/4-ton truck. Fits on both long-bed and short-bed full-size trucks and comes with a five-year structural warranty, one of the best in the industry. A great looking camper, one of the best. The base price is $53,995.
Read This Before You Buy
Before purchasing your camper, make sure your GMC Sierra 2500HD pickup can handle the extra weight. When it comes to hauling a truck camper, the payload rating trumps all other performance numbers including horsepower, fuel-mileage, and torque. For a GMC Sierra 2500HD, this rating can be a low as 3,798 pounds or as high as 4,013 pounds. This means the camper you buy, plus passengers and gear, must be below this number. Determining the payload rating of your GMC Sierra 2500HD is easy. It can be found either on the driver side door jamb sticker (pictured here) or can be determined by taking the truck to the scales and subtracting the weight of the truck from the truck’s GVWR.
Be the first to comment