Best Hard-Side Slide-In Truck Campers for Midsize Trucks

Not too long ago, finding a true hard-side slide-in camper for a mid-size pickup was a challenge. Most traditional hard-side campers were simply too large and too heavy for trucks like the Toyota Tacoma, Ford Ranger, Chevrolet Colorado, GMC Canyon, Jeep Gladiator, and Nissan Frontier. Fortunately, that’s beginning to change.

Today, a growing number of manufacturers are designing hard-side campers specifically with mid-size trucks in mind. And we’re not talking about pop-up campers or truck toppers. These are fully enclosed, hard-wall slide-in truck campers, with offerings ranging from ultra-light, minimalist designs weighing around 500 lbs to more traditional campers equipped with holding tanks, kitchens, toilets, and even a wet bath.

Of course, these campers aren’t created equal. Some achieve their remarkably low weights by eliminating traditional plumbing systems, propane appliances, and holding tanks. Others offer many of the same amenities found in larger truck campers, but with a corresponding increase in weight. Construction methods vary considerably, too, ranging from traditional wood framing and welded aluminum frames to composite panels and aluminum monocoque shells.

The following table compares 10 hard-side slide-in campers currently available for midsize trucks, arranged from lightest to heaviest. We’ve included the specifications that matter most when comparing these campers: dry weight, floor length, fresh-, gray-, and black-water capacities, propane capacity, and construction method.

One important caveat: just because a camper is designed to fit a midsize truck doesn’t mean every Tacoma, Ranger, Colorado, Canyon, Gladiator, or Frontier has sufficient payload to safely haul it. Always check the payload rating on your specific truck and remember to account for passengers, water, propane, camper options, food, and gear when calculating your total load.