2027 Old School Campers Buyers Guide

Old School Truck Campers takes a refreshingly straightforward approach to hardwall truck camper design, focusing on lightweight construction, affordability, and the basic comforts needed to get out and camp. Located in Goshen, Indiana—one of the epicenters of the American RV industry—the company builds and sells its campers factory-direct, eliminating the traditional dealer network and helping keep prices remarkably affordable. Rather than loading its campers with complicated systems and expensive luxury features that add weight and cost, Old School keeps things simple, functional, and affordable. A fully equipped 500 model lists for just $13,900, while the company’s largest 865 model can be purchased for only $17,900—fully equipped with no hidden fees. At a time when many new truck campers cost several times that amount, those prices make Old School one of the more affordable ways to get into a brand-new hardwall truck camper.

That philosophy is especially evident in the way the campers are built. Old School uses traditional wood framing constructed from 2×2-inch studs that are glued, screwed, and stapled together to create the camper’s structural framework. The walls are filled with R-6 insulation and finished on the inside with luan panels, while buyers can choose between either a retro .030-inch break-skin aluminum or a modern “Mt. McKinley” fiberglass exterior. Up top, a 1/4-inch rubber EPDM roof provides a durable, weather-resistant covering. Even the camper jacks reflect the company’s emphasis on simplicity, with manual lift jacks rather than heavier and more expensive electric systems. It’s decidedly conventional construction, but that’s part of the appeal: proven materials and straightforward building techniques help keep these campers affordable, relatively lightweight, and easier to repair.

The Old School lineup consists of five non-slide lightweight models—the 500, 550, 690, 850, and 865—with progressively larger floorplans and amenities as you move up the range. The compact 500 is aimed at midsize trucks, while the 550 and 690 provide additional room for half-ton pickups. Stepping up to the 850 and 865 brings more capability for 3/4-ton and larger trucks. Floor lengths range from compact dimensions in the smaller campers to 96 inches in the 850 and 104 inches in the 865, giving buyers several choices depending on truck size, payload capacity, and desired living space. All five models carry 13 gallons of fresh water and a single 20-lb propane cylinder. The 850 model adds a 9-gallon gray and 5-gallon cassette toilet while the 865 offers a 9-gallon gray and a standard 9-gallon black tank.

While the retro look and approach are appealing, affordability may ultimately be the biggest attraction of the Old School formula. At a time when it’s becoming increasingly common for fully equipped truck campers to cost $40,000, $50,000, or considerably more, Old School proves that buying a brand-new four season camper doesn’t have to require that kind of investment. Factory-direct sales, conventional construction, proven RV components, manual jacks, and relatively simple systems all help control both purchase price and complexity. For first-time truck camper owners, budget-conscious travelers, or experienced campers who would rather spend their money on fuel and adventures than elaborate electrical systems and luxury finishes, Old School offers exactly what its name suggests: a simple, practical, and exceptionally affordable way to enjoy truck camping.