Oregon-based Host Industries, maker of luxury slide-in truck campers and expedition rigs, just released a new, double-slide, short-bed truck camper called the Tahoe SB. With its two, full wall slide-outs, large dry-bath, and 8-foot wide main floor, there isn’t another short-bed camper on the market quite like it.
According to the press release, the Tahoe SB is a lighter, better-balanced camper than the company’s other short-bed truck camper, the Rainer SB. “The Tahoe was designed for the guy who already has a short-bed truck, but wanted a nice camper,” explained Randal Pozzi, General Manager of Host Industries. “We eliminated the rear slide-out and moved the refrigerator and propane tanks forward, so it drives a little nicer than the Rainer.”
Weighing only 3,590 pounds dry, the Tahoe’s spacious, 9-foot 6-inch floorplan features an extended cab with a 60×80-inch queen size bed, a rear entry, a massive dry-bath with a full-size shower, a split kitchen with a huge two-way 8-cubic foot refrigerator, a large, four-door pantry, and a 6-foot sofa with an adjustable dining table. The holding tanks in the Tahoe SB are some of the largest in the industry for a short-bed camper, with 65 gallons of fresh, 43 gallons of grey, and 32 gallons black.
Standard features of the Tahoe include “grani-coat” solid surface counter tops, a dual battery compartment, a 25,000 BTU furnace with full ducting throughout the camper, two 30-pound propane tanks, a 6-gallon water heater, and a 1,000 watt inverter with a dedicated AC outlet. The true, four-season camper also comes with freeze-resistant water lines, slide-out awning toppers, a slide-out 6-foot exterior storage tray, and a state-of-the-art systems monitor panel.
Like all Host campers, the Tahoe SB can be ordered with a “host” of options, including a king-size bed, a large driver-side wardrobe in the cabover, a synthetic leather sofa, a 32-inch and a 24-inch TV, a 2.5 kilowatt LP Onan Generator, a 9,000 BTU low profile air conditioner, a 110 volt electric fireplace, and a Nova Kool 9.5-cubic foot compressor refrigerator. Customers have two cabinet finishes to choose from—Pecan and Smokey River (shown below).
For those who like to boondock, Host offers three off-grid packages using fully-integrated power inverters with built-in transfer relays, Expion 120 amp lithium ion batteries, and Zamp 170 watt solar panels. The Basic Off-Grid package comes with a 240 amp hour battery bank, a 340 watt solar power system, and a 2,000 watt inverter. The Extreme Off-Grid package features a 480 amp hour battery bank, a 510 watt solar power system, and a 3,000 inverter, while the Extreme Plus Off-Grid package comes with a 720 amp hour battery bank, a 680 watt solar power system, and a 3,000 watt inverter. These off-grid packages, according to Randall, are very popular with customers, “they’re selling like hotcakes, almost everyone I talk to buys one!”
Like all Host Campers, the Tahoe features quality construction, consisting of an ultralite, 100 percent aluminum superstructure; a complete fiberglass exterior with exterior graphics; vacuum-bonded foam insulated walls, floors, and ceiling; a one-piece TPO roof; and large radius cornered windows with interior fasteners. The framing used in all Host Campers is among the best in the industry with an 8-foot wide floor built above the bed rails of the truck. This, combined with the truss-like design of the frame, gives the camper the structural strength needed to carry big slides yet keep the camper lightweight. And while some truck camper companies have had issues with their slide-out mechanisms, Host hasn’t had any problems at all. This is because Host uses robust Power Gear heavy-duty steel mounting hardware underneath their slide-outs rather than the less reliable Schwintek aluminum hardware, which is mounted on the side.
The MSRP of the Host Tahoe SB is $49,834 for the base model. Unlike the Rainer, the Tahoe SB can be ordered in the short-bed configuration only.
“The main objective with the Tahoe was to get something a little better for the guy who has a lighter-duty, short-bed truck,” Randall explained. “Yet it still has the same concepts as our other Host campers—having access to both sides of the bed, having a big dry-bath, comfortable living space, comfortable seating, plus large, basement storage underneath.”
Can you tow a horse trailer when this camper in on your truck? I have a shortbed Ford F350 with 6.7 .