Best Pop-Up Slide-in Campers for Midsize Trucks

Not too long ago, mid-size pickup owners had relatively few choices when it came to traditional slide-in truck campers. Limited payload, narrower beds, and smaller dimensions meant most fully equipped campers were simply too big or too heavy for trucks like the Toyota Tacoma, Ford Ranger, Chevrolet Colorado, GMC Canyon, and Nissan Frontier. Pop-up campers, however, have changed that equation, giving mid-size-truck owners a growing number of lightweight and surprisingly capable options.

The advantages of a pop-up are particularly well suited to a mid-size truck. With the roof lowered for travel, these campers offer a lower profile, reduced wind resistance, and a lower center of gravity than comparable hard-side campers. Raise the roof at camp and you get considerably more standing room and living space. Depending on the model, today’s midsize pop-ups range from relatively simple, lightweight shells with modular amenities to fully equipped campers with kitchens, furnaces, refrigerators, water systems, and toilets.

Construction methods vary considerably as well. Some manufacturers rely on welded aluminum framing and traditional aluminum siding, while others use composite panels, fiberglass exteriors, or combinations of these materials to reduce weight and improve durability. Capacities vary just as dramatically. Some campers dispense with permanent plumbing and propane systems altogether, while others carry substantial quantities of fresh water and propane for extended stays off-grid. These differences make comparing specifications especially important when choosing a camper for a payload-sensitive mid-size pickup.

The following table compares the current pop-up slide-in truck campers we’ve identified for midsize trucks, arranged roughly from lightest to heaviest. We’ve included the specifications that matter most when making an initial comparison: dry weight, floor length, fresh-, gray-, and black-water holding-tank capacities, propane capacity, and construction method. Remember, however, that camper compatibility and payload capacity are two different things. Before buying any camper, check the payload rating of your specific truck and account for the weight of passengers, water, propane, options, food, gear, and everything else you’ll carry on the road.