My First Step Towards Owning a Truck Camper

[Coly Hope]

Yesterday I went down to the Denver area and visited three companies that make pop up truck campers. The first one I visited was Hallmark in Fort Lupton. Bill Ward took me back to where they put together the campers and it was interesting to see the different stages of build each camper was at.

I then went to Outfitter in Longmont which isn’t that far from Hallmark and looked at some of there campers. A guy named Bob took me in the back and showed me some of the campers they were working on. The work area at Outfitter is not as big and didn’t seem as busy.

My last stop was at Juniper Overland in Arvada which sells Four Wheel Campers but don’t make them there. I got to go to the back and they had two FWC there and Matt answered a lot of questions I had. Matt did say that the Ford made the ideal truck for their campers.

I didn’t have time to visit Phoenix Pop Up Campers but will try to get down there when I get a chance.

My top 3 choices from what I saw are:

1. Hallmark Nepal – This camper is top quality. It is small but Hallmark manages to get a lot of amenities in it. The only problem I see is that it is much more expensive than the other campers I look at. I will add that on the Hallmark lot for sale was a 2014 Toyota Tundra with a Hallmark Milner which are very similar to Nepal. It did peak my interest but was $68000 which is out of my price range.

2. Outfitter Caribou 6.5 – This is a little like the Nepal however there is no gray tank. The standard is considerably lighter than the standard Nepal although the weight will go up with added options. It may have been me but Outfitter pop ups seem a little wider than Hallmarks pop ups.

3. FWC Hawk – There is no gray tank, cassette toilet is optional and limited space inside yet I loved this little camper. The interior seemed so cozy inside. It is about the same price standard as the Caribou Lite 6.5 and weight wise a little heavier than the Caribou Lite 6.5.

My goal is to have a pop up truck camper by early next year but I still have things I need to do before I go ahead with a purchase. Will keep people updated.

[ardvark]

Having owned a number of RVs over the years, I can honestly say the search for the “next last camper” is, for me, one of the best parts of ownership. I sounds like you will have some head scratching to do trying to choose between your current possibilities.

Steve and Andra
2012 F350 6.2 gasser SRW LB
Fab Fours front and rear in case we run into a rhino
2019 Northstar Laredo SC

[Anonymous]

Hallmark and Outfitters are owned by the same brothers. Bob Ward went and opened Outfitters. Hallmark is a high-end popup camper. I was going to get one, but also not paying that much for a pop up. I would rather spend 45k for a Northern Lite and I’ll be just as happy and have more storage.

Mike

[ardvark]

I think with Hallmarks part of what you are buying is the name. Even used they are crazy expensive (I am saying this as a Hallmark owner so this is not a shot at Hallmark owners).

Steve and Andra
2012 F350 6.2 gasser SRW LB
Fab Fours front and rear in case we run into a rhino
2019 Northstar Laredo SC

[Anonymous]

If money was no object, I would get the new flatbed Hallmark they just started building. I’m not spending 65k for it, but if I won the lottery, then yes.

[Coly Hope]

I was surprised how close Hallmark and Outfitter were to one another. I heard there was some bad blood between the two companies and not sure what the root of the bad blood is but being two similar companies that close to one another has to bring out the competitiveness in one another.

I loved the Hallmark campers but even the used ones are expensive. The EXC is an option but if I put everything I want in it I will probably cost as much money as just getting a standard Hallmark truck camper. There was also the Toyota Tundra and Milner combo they had for sale but they will have to come down on their price before I consider it.

Right now I am leaning toward the FWC Hawk but will probably visit Phoenix Pop Up Campers before I make a final decision.

[kbunning]

I am in the same situation … just started researching the truck pop-up camper options. Pretty sure this is the direction we want to go. Don’t own a truck currently, so the big decision for me right now is do I need to buy a 3/4 ton pickup or can I get away with a 1/2 ton. Diesel or regular fuel? Any knowledge out there on gas mileage differences b/t 3/4 tons and 1/2 tons? We would like to get a pop-up with cassette toilet and indoor shower (which most likely puts us in the 3/4 ton PU market).

TIA!
Kim

[Mello Mike]

Kim,
If you want a toilet and shower then you’ll want to get a 3/4-ton, you’ll have more camper options. The only 1/2-ton pop-up that I know of with a toilet and shower is the Bundutec Wild. You’ll need to get a HD Ford F-150 with the the 3,000-pound payload to haul it comfortably.

[Anonymous]

If you have a chance travel to Holiday RV in Poncha Springs, CO. I met them at the Denver show, they specialize in all sorts of pick up campers. Folks travel from across the US to shop with them. Very knowledgable and they carry pick up camper inventory unlike most RV dealers.

[GaryB1208]

I bought my first camper in March. Most reviewers suggest to find the camper you desire then pick the best truck for the camper. However, as with most things, I proceeded along the opposite path. As much as I enjoyed my 2005 Ran 1500, I knew I needed a more substantial truck. I lucked across a very nice 2016 short bed, single rear wheel F350. Unfortunately, there are few dealers in the Atlanta area so I set out in search of a used camper. After I missed out on a couple of good local ussd deals that required a long bed truck, I found a gently used 2004 Lance 845 in North Carolina. Everything works and the light weight leaves enough capacity for the 6.7L diesel to tow my boats.

My point is, look at all you want to do with your rig then decide on the best combo. Don’t get more camper than your truck can safely handle. A good camper is a substantial investmemt and the cost of new trucks is un-nerving so proceed with a open mind.

2016 Ford F350 SRW
2004 Lance 845

[kbunning]

So I think we’ve decided on a truck and found a good used camper. But the current owner of the camper doesn’t know the weight. It’s a 2006 Lite Craft pop up camper.

We really like the Ram 2500 diesel trucks. Looking at 2011 model (payload 2580 according to RAM website).

Anyone know if a Lite Craft pop up camper would be too much payload for this truck? Seems, generally, like we would be fine. Or, is there a way for me to find the weight of the camper?

Here are some camper details:
Requires 8′ truck bed
Queen bed,3 way frig inside and outside showers, thereford cassette toilet, 35 gallon water tank,hot water heater, furnace

Thanks again!
Kim

[ardvark]

Remember that payload is without people so it is not huge. General rule of thumb is to add 800-1,000 pounds to the camper dry weight to get a better approximation of what you will be putting on the truck.

I went with a gasser to avoid the added weight of the diesel engine. Folks go both ways on gas versus diesel. You also really need to see the door sticker on the truck to know the payload. The weights you find online are before options on the truck and in some cases you will be shocked how much you lose there. On my F350 it was several hundred pounds from the online spec sheet to my door sticker.

Steve and Andra
2012 F350 6.2 gasser SRW LB
Fab Fours front and rear in case we run into a rhino
2019 Northstar Laredo SC

[kbunning]

Thanks so much for all of the advice! Super helpful!

Just another question about tie downs … I saw in another post where GaryB mentioned using CR-Brophy-Machine-Works-HSSF heavy duty tie downs. I’m guessing these will work for a pop up camper (around 1800 lbs)? I bought the camper off Craig’s list and the seller gave me tie downs that go into the pockets on the truck bed railing (not the clamp-on type). I’d prefer not to drill the holes in my truck bed rail if I don’t have to.

Thanks again!
Kim

[Grant Furness]

Frame mounted tie downs are a lot better. They cost more, but do a better job. Torklift makes drill free mounts that use existing holes & bolts in the frame. Installation is really easy.

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