Options for a Hardside Truck Camper w/in GVWR?

Howdy- It's my first post to this site.

I have a 6-Passenger 2020 Tundra Crewmax SR5 TSS and I'm considering hardsided cabover truck campers, but there doesn't seem to be too many great options available to choose from which stay close to the CM's 1385lbs GVWR.

One I've seen that comes close is the Travel Lite 690FD that's been produced in recent years, and its weight is just under 1100lbs, so this could work if its me and not much else on board. The Scout Yoho is another option at 913lbs, the Scout Olympic is 1133lbs.

I know that there are a ton of cool popup campers, but many of those still seem to come in a bit overweight for my truck's GVWR.

Totacomposites.com seems like another potential option (I'm sure for $ they can build one to fit a crewmax), but I don't see any reviews on it, and I'm a little skeptical that a glued-together camper is going to hold up- not saying it wouldn't.

Any one have experience with these or other recommendations? I thought there would be more manufacturers producing a cabover lightweight shell that you could build upon depending on what you need.

Thanks for any help or suggestions.
trj

 

Unless you, your family and all your gear weigh less than 285 lbs, you're still going to be over weight with one of those...

 

Thanks for the feedback. You're right, if it's just 1 ~170lb person and not much else gear-wise then it's under the GVWR, though it would not be by much, do you know of other alternatives? Thanks for your help.

 

Those are some very cool alternatives that I may consider if I'm looking for another route. That video is a riot- thank you for the very cool links!

 

I do plan on keeping the camper on the truck for very long periods. I've been doing a lot of away from home contract work over the past few years and can be away for months at a time, so if I can find something that works well camper-wise I would be fine with leaving it on for long periods.

 

That Northstar 650 is nice (surprised at the weight at just over 1400lbs). I'm looking at the possibilities of what may be available for a slide in and what may have worked for some with the Crewmax's limitations. I do like some of the trailers and I agree it would open up a lot space and possibilities (the Escape 5th wheel is very nice), and I will keep it in mind, but I do want to explore what is possible with a light weight slide in.

 

Kimbo campers are sweet and tge price is a reflection of it.

 

Great idea, I do like the Kimbo. I haven't been inside one yet and just from the pictures I'm not sure if the angled inside walls will make it feel closed in, and the back roof slants in towards the door so I wonder how rain will shed towards the inside of the cabin during a strong storms, the other thing I noticed about the dimensions is that the tailgate will not be able to close as the Kimbo will stick out ~6 inches past the end of the bed. You are right though, as the weight is very good at 990lbs to 1000lbs it can be a strong contender, they have packed a lot into that very small camper.

 

These are light and I’ve seen them on a tundra, but can’t image having more than 1 person in it.

https://capricamper.com/

Or these, but they are ridiculously expensive.

https://scoutcampers.com/

 

Understood, the 3/4 ton capacity of the Dodge vs the 1/2 ton Tundra is a big difference. Was the Dodge's GVWR posted numbers around 2000lbs?

 

Wow- those are some heavy duty numbers for a 3/4 ton- very cool.

 

Thank you much- I agree, those two are potentially fine solutions. I think the Capri Retreat is about 1100lbs (that is a nice looking camper, I'll get a quote) and the Scout Yoho is 913lbs. Agreed that the cost is a bit high.

 

Is there no one making small lightweight campers like this for a crewmax (~900lbs dry)? If not, then why not?

https://reno.craigslist.org/rvs/d/truckee-renovated-1984-six-pac-cabover/7479264123.html

 

Could always join the wedge camper movement about 500lbs

https://vagabondoutdoors.com/

 

I appreciate that and if I don't find what I'm looking for, then I may go that way, in the meantime, I'm still eyeballing the Camplite 5.7 to see if I can find one;

https://www.truckcampermagazine.com/news/the-rise-and-fall-of-camplite-and-ford-truck-campers/

 

Hardside campers suck, even on a truck built for it... which yours is not even remotely close to. Way too heavy overall, and too top heavy to handle like anything other than dog crap. Clearance is horrendous.

Those new tiny light weight hard sides are trash built for midgets. The best option is a Four Wheel Camper. Takes 3 minutes to put the top up. Low center of gravity, you'll barely notice it back there compared to a hard side.

 

I understand your points and I understand what you are saying. I agree that many of the pop-up campers are very cool and you are right the less weight and lower center of gravity, the better the truck would handle.

If I can find a hard-side camper less than 950lbs, and since they made them that could fit on the truck, then the math works so that the truck+camper are under the GVWR then it will work, I just have to find a hard-side camper that works. The one I mentioned above, will work, I just have to find one. Thanks for your feedback.

 

I’m waiting for my “hard side” camper to be built. Check out ORU Designs USA @orudesignsusa on Instagram. They got rave reviews at Overland Expo especially in 50+ mph winds while there. They even build some bad ass truck bed kitchens

 

Thanks much! That is very sweet! Price looks pretty good to, as far as these go. I will contact them to see if there are any build options.

So here's the option that I want, I would like them to build the hard shell over the cab to as an option (instead of pop-up). I do like the look of this as is, I just wish instead of the pop-up tent, it was a hard-sided shell all around (why is no one building these?). That way you can pull into a place and if the weather sucks, just climb through the window, and crash instead of having to pop-up. This is very cool, thanks!

 

I am loving my Oru Designs Camper! I got an early version this spring. They have since updated them. I had a small issue and they were “Johnny on the spot” to fix it no questions asked.

 

Oh that is sweet! Congrats! Please do share some inside pics when you get it where you want. So cool.

 

Does anyone know if you can secure a 4WC Hawk in a Tundra DblCab via external tie-downs such as Torqlift? I am looking at ordering a side dinette model for my 2018 but before I do so I want to see if any members here have done so. For me, I am averse to drilling holes in my truck but I like the camper and I can get A/C which is a must in AZ. I was also wondering if the internal tie-down can use the factory bed corner loops vice I-bolts. Thanks in advance for any responses. P.S., I have built a 42K camper thus far, yikes! I want this thing to work lol

 

I have a 2021 Tundra TRD Sport and plan to carry a Fourwheel Hawk popup camper rated at 1100 lbs. Should i be installing airbags? Any recommendations?

 

I'd recommend checking if you'll be within the payload capacity of your truck. Airbags won't actually change the capability of your truck, it might just make it look less saggy to your eye.