The market for fiberglass truck campers represents a niche within a niche, but if you’re looking for a lightweight, durable camper, it’s well worth exploring.
EarthCruiser
A leading manufacturer of overland-expedition vehicles, EarthCruiser recently unveiled the MOD, short for My Own Design, a lightweight, customizable pop-up truck camper. “This is a really cool concept where folks can readjust the floorplan to fit their travel needs,” says Brent Baker, EarthCruiser’s director of business development and marketing.
The camper looks sleek on the outside, and inside it features pre-built PAKs (personalized accessory kits) that can be attached to mounting points or T-tracks. Six of 10 PAKs have been designed, and the company is working with mountain-biking and fishing experts to develop kits tailored to those pursuits. PAKs will be available from dealers or shipped directly.
Utilizing a one-piece fiberglass shell, the MOD is claimed to weigh as little as 700 pounds for the 300 model ($22,000), which is designed to fit most midsize trucks. For full-size trucks, the 400 model ($23,500) weighs 800 pounds, not including options, according to EarthCruiser. All MODs come standard with a cabover bed and corner storage unit that houses the 12-volt electrical system wiring and controls.
Bigfoot RV
British Columbia-based Bigfoot RV has been building molded-fiberglass travel trailers and truck campers for more than 30 years. Its 1500 Series of all-season truck campers features three floorplans for shortbed trucks and two for longbeds. All come with spacious beds, comfortable seating and compact wet baths. The 2500 Series ups the ante on amenities and creature comforts. Electric jacks, rear door awnings, microwaves, and living room skylights all come standard. MSRP: $30,185 to $43,260.
Northern Lite
Another longtime British Columbia manufacturer, Northern Lite also builds lightweight, all-weather truck campers. The company produces more than a dozen floorplans in five series, each with different specifications, standard offerings and options. All feature Northern Lite’s Four Season design, which includes thermal-pane windows and skylights, a double-dome Fan-Tastic Vent fan and heated holding tanks. MSRP: $37,075 to $47,280.
Bahn Camper Works
Bahn Camper Works builds elite, 100 percent customizable truck campers in Hood River, Oregon. The company sells shells with completed walls and floors for $45,000 for those wishing to outfit the camper themselves. Custom interior work is priced at time and materials with typical quotes of around $250,000.
That price tag may seem staggering, but the finished projects are astonishingly beautiful with magazine-worthy designs and amenities that will please the most demanding consumers.
A truck camper, yes. A family heirloom, even more so.
