Introducing HEST Quest! This year, we want to take a deeper dive into what is the ideal set up for sleeping outdoors. Is it a van? A rooftop tent? The back of your truck? A truckbed camper? A tow behind trailer camper? A ground tent?
With so many options out there, HEST has set out to answer the big question: What is the BEST car camping set up?
Whether you are new to camping or a veteran overlander; everyone wants to know what is the BEST setup. What’s the most efficient, cost effective, easy, comfortable set up for sleeping outdoors? HEST Quest will explore all the different setups; sharing the benefits and setbacks of each, plus “how to” tips when it comes to building or shopping for your next mobile basecamp.
We’re here to see what truckbed camper does the best on space, comfort, off-roading, portability, affordability and of course overall swag factor. So, whether you’re looking to add a truckbed camper to your rig or are considering the idea of extended travels and and life on the road in a truckbed camper, we’ll be able to help you make an informed decision when it comes to your camping set up on wheels.
Here is the overall scorecard and grading key when we looked for the best truckbed camper category:
What truckbed camper setup is the best?
We’ve seen unbelievable innovation in the truckbed camper space (also called "canopy campers" or "platform campers") in recent years, ranging from weekend fixes to full-time living situations. Seriously, these campers are that comfy. With your home sitting on top of your favorite off road wheels, it makes it easy to get up and get out there. The added space and livability of these pop-up, truckbed campers makes them a sound investment for adventurers looking to upgrade from their car camping setups. Plus, all the HEST Quest truckbed camper options can comfortably fit any HEST mattress.
In this blog we will explore a few options of truckbed campers so you can make the best choice when choosing your next rig upgrade:
Each truckbed camper has its pros and cons—think price range, amount of space, or amenities. We’ll compare them all side by side so you can get a good feel for which option will be best for you when you decide you want to upgrade your rig.
How many does it comfortably sleep?
Across each truckbed camper type you can comfortably (and we mean comfortably) sleep 2 people. There is some wiggle room for a kid or a furry friend depending on the make and model of your truckbed camper.
Some designs are a bit more suitable for creativity, providing a little extra space for more sleepers. The Super Pacific, for example features a sleep platform but also allows for camping down in the truckbed with enough room to stash gear. Like the GFC however, its wedge camper (sometimes referred to as "canopy camper) can be a little more cramped. Both the Tune Outdoor and the HowerBuilt pop up over the entire truckbed, giving a bit more head space and room in the bed area.
Is a truckbed camper family friendly?
Truckbed campers offer a degree of family friendliness in the sense that they are a single contained unit without exposure to the elements. While not specifically designed for an extended family, they all offer a degree of snuggle room in their upper sleeping areas, and, in certain cases like the Super Pacific, have space for a mattresses on the bed of the truck itself.
All four of the truckbed campers feature ample storage and access to a kitchen and cooking setup, allowing families to stay out on the road longer.
What about the 4wd/off road capability of a truckbed camper?
Across the board the majority of truckbed camper options are at the whims of the rig they are attached to.
In this case, that's great news, as all of these truckbed campers are attached to capable off road vehicles like the Toyota Tacoma or Toyota Tundra. When it comes to 4WD these rigs are absolute beasts, and won't risk getting stuck or scraping bottom. All of these rigs are going to add weight to your vehicle however, decreasing gas mileage and putting some potential wear on your truck.
On the other hand, the Tune Outdoor truckbed camper combined with a 2022 Toyota Tacoma has a bit of everything, providing comfort on top of an absolute workhorse built to get up and down some gnarly roads.
What’s the kitchen/cooking set up like in a truckbed camper? Is it inside or outside?
When it comes to cooking, the paths of these rigs tend to diverge slightly.
The Super Pacific is more of an outdoor cooking setup, utilizing the tailgate or a camp table to grill, In similar DIY fashion, the Tune Outdoor has an indoor kitchen, but it keeps things simple, with a small stove and few bells and whistles. Then there's the GFC, a rig that boasts both inside and outside cooking potential, depending on the season.
The best truckbed camper kitchen option however? HowerBuilt wins with a kitchenette, counter space, storage, and potential for a two-burner stove. Space reigns supreme in this setup, and the breakfasts don't sound too bad either.
How easy is it to set up the truckbed camper, move around, go to town?
All in all, our truckbed camper options say it’s very easy to move around, especially since they're attached to their truck setups. All the accessories for camping seem are contained within the truckbed camper and the truck itself, making these options both compact and mobile at a moment's notice.
While truckbed campers will probably turn heads in a shopping mall parking lot, the biggest advantage is just how quickly these campers can go from road ready to camp comfy. In fact, the GFC boasts a 10-minute pack-up time, But because they are ultimately riding on top of a moving vehicle, all of these setups require a bit of extra thought when it comes to tying down gear or stashing items that might slide about while riding up a mountain pass or crossing a rocky riverbed.
Benefits/Pros: What do we love most about each set up?
Each truckbed camper rig has its own highlights for the BEST thing it offers:
Challenges/Cons: What is the main hurdle/setback of each truckbed set up?
Here are the biggest frustrations when it comes to each truckbed camper:
What are the budget considerations for investing in a truckbed camper?
There is no doubt that truckbed campers are large investments, especially when you add in all the customizations that you can opt for when it comes to comfort and functionality.
The BEST truckbed camper if you’re on a budget: Super Pacific
The Super Pacific camper might not be as cheap as some of the other campers on the open market, but its found a workaround by linking up with an older used truck. A well-maintained vehicle can last for long stretches without adding an additional ding to the bank account, making the biggest upfront cost buying the Super Pacific truckbed camper itself.
The owners said it best: "You can save a lot by getting an older truck and work within a budget by building it out over time, but the basics (a bed and wheels to roam) are plenty to get you out exploring right away."
The BEST investment truckbed camper: HowerBuilt
The upgraded HowerBuilt truckbed camper has the same mobile basecamp appeal, but in a way more modular package. The slide-in feature makes this thing work with a variety of trucks and allows easy transitions for serious and new campers alike. Yes, cost is a consideration here, but if it lasts a lifetime, that price tag becomes a bit more bearable.
What’s the swag level of a truckbed camper?
These things are truly built to be seen (seriously, going incognito is virtually not an option here). Most of our participants have taken that in stride, investing in the prettiest, most durable setups on the market, and removing the headache of car camping one truckbed at a time.
The truckbed camper with the BEST overall look:GFC
For the truckbed camper with the cleanest and most original look, we turn to the GFC. These truckbed campers are sleek, well-desgined, and don’t need a lot of additional parts to do everything you want to do.
In addition to its spacious sleeping quarters, on the inside, the owners added an indoor shower and a sink, bringing the convenience of home right out there on the trail.
Which HEST mattress works best in a truckbed camper?
The HEST Dually or Dually WIde with all the bedding options—fitted sheet, double top sheet, pillows, pillowcases and our down comforter.
What are some tips or hacks that your experience using the set up has taught you?
Each set up is different, so tips and hacks may vary depending on which truckbed camper you get!
What are some upgrades you’ve made or want to make? Are there some key upgrades that you recommend to make your setup even better?
Because truckbed campers ride on the back of, well, a truck, the vehicle is an important part of the whole truckbed camper equation. Thankfully, with these truckbed camper setups, trucks can be swapped in and out over time without having to buy a whole new camper setup. When it comes to inside the camper itself lighting and power outlet considerations were the top upgrade suggestions.
If you had the chance to do it over again, would you choose the same set up?
Across the board, everyone is satisfied with their choices! So trust your gut with which truckbed camper buildout will work for your lifestyle. At the end of the day, you’ll be able to make upgrades and changes to make any option work. That's where the creativity comes in.
What were your main considerations in choosing your setup/why did you choose it?
Each consideration comes down to the lifestyle you live, but the main considerations between each truckbed camper options were:
How’s the sleep quality you get in your setup? Do you wake rested? Are there any pain points in the sleep situation in your adventure setup (e.g. pesky light, temperature issues, etc.)?
Utilizing the combination of HEST mattresses, the right bedding, and organized gear storage to maximize space, all the truckbed camper owners boasted a good night's sleep. If that wasn't enough, Tune Outdoor users can also add the Dually Extend 72 or 78 to their slide-out bed to make the sleeping space even more spacious.
READ MORE ON EACH OF THESE TRUCKBED CAMPER BUILD OUTS:
Follow along @hestoutdoors as we meet the people behind these different setups and build outs.
