Truck campers that retain bed functionality with both living and sleeping space

Posted by HOMESTEADJED@reddit | overlanding | View on Reddit | 30 comments

I’m looking for a new truck cap with living space and sleeping functionality. Currently I have a decided system and an ARE cap and we use a trifold mattress when we’re sleeping it the truck.

I’m looking for a camper with more living space functionality with a better sleeping set up. The issue I see with a lot of hard shell style campers is that they’re so committed to a great living space that the truck bed utility goes out the window without removing the camper entirely. I recognize jacks are an option, but I’d prefer a permanent setup.

The moonlander x fits this mold almost perfectly. The only thing it lacks is an OEM table. But I’m curious if there are other brands that fit this niche.

Are there caps that are similar in concept to the moonlander? The pop up caps are very cool but it seems like it’s going to require more DIY for the living space functionality than I want to get into.

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estunum@reddit

I built out my OVRLND minimally so I could still use my bed to haul stuff.

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estunum@reddit

All kinds of stuff. 11 canyoneering packs here.

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PonyThug@reddit

Can we be friends? 11 cases of beer, 11 packs, built out truck… lol

We just were down in Moab for a canyoneering trip last week. Are you a guide??? Btw Cleaning out your truck looks like it would super easy with those laminate floors

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estunum@reddit

Lets! No guide, just a fellow that's been enjoying canyons since 2011. All those drinks were for our wedding, not a normal load out so had to get a pic haha.

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PonyThug@reddit

You got guide level experience then. I’ve only been 5 times but I’ve been enjoying learning how to set anchors and all the different options they have

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LetsGetCloudy@reddit

What kind of cap is that?

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PonyThug@reddit

They said what brand

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responds-with-tealc@reddit

same general idea, I did mine with really slim boxes on both sides, barely close enough together that you can get still get a 4x8 plywood sheet in on top/between them (just covering the wheel arches).

then I've got some l-track bolted through the floor, men's earrings and mount points on the outside of the boxes for strapping things down and what not.

Tri-Fold mattress fits on the ground between them with a little room to spare

DinglerJ@reddit

Just got the Tune M1L installed on a 2025 Ranger XLT. The Tunes are nice because all the structural members are T track so tons of mounting options. I’ll be mounting a battery and inverter on their Mille panel behind the driver side window and a Dirt ox overland fold down table and two Dometic go water jugs on another panel driver side rear in the bed.

This is the inside with the 30” bed extension pushed back. The molle panels aren’t installed yet.

Here’s the rear Mille park installed with the side doors up.

ghouly-rudiani@reddit

Alibaba truck camper is what you want. Lots of youtube reviews on it.

ttn333@reddit

I just ordered a Qian camper (tp06w) a couple of weeks ago. Found it off of youtube. I think they sell it on Alibaba as well. The process so far has been great. Really good communication (ordered direct). Has all the features I wanted. Was deciding between a Tune M1 or Topotopper Rincon. The Qian was right in between the two feature wise, wider than the Rincon and narrower than the M1. Got barn doors (TT doesn't offer), L track and Molles on side doors (tune does not offer). There's some risks but it's also half the price. Will see if I made the right decision. Youtube reviews seem to be good.

CLow48@reddit

Look at Lonepeak, SuperPacific, and GFC V2 max.

Personally i have a lone peak.

Theres also some other random manufacturers of “platform truck campers”

CStreeterdit@reddit

I 2nd Lone Peak.

slayercdr@reddit

Lone peak and Tune are pretty good for this. Spent and hour at OVX talking to the the Tune guys and how it would work on a 3/4 ton and up.

Traditional_Ad_5184@reddit

Tune m1

I havent seen a tune in person yet. I would like to one of these days. A super pacific as well.

Dangerous-Tap-547@reddit

Second the Lone Peak. Great design, and they seem to be working out the kinks of their early models. I recommend insulating whatever you get.

SugarBear559@reddit

I grab my Tune m1 next week. It fits the bill I think. Give them a glance

kanyesrevenge@reddit

Tune M1/M1L. I’ll post photos here once it is installed in May

193686@reddit

It’s always a balance and everything is a compromise. I have a long bed Tacoma with an Ovrlnd camper am very happy with it. I also started with a fiberglass canopy. It’s great platform because you can keep it relatively simple and love it or go nuts with a full build. I painstakingly built mine out because I wanted a camper/mobile office more than being able to haul a lot of stuff. Plus it was a lot of fun. I took inspiration from a Fourwheel camper config and built a dinette with a table that becomes a sleeping area. But I can also fit a bunch of stuff inside still if needed. Def worth a look.

zod_less@reddit

eBay steel topper w/Decked drawer slides acting as storage and a sleeping platform

_poteighto_@reddit

You’re spot-on that truck bed utility goes out the window quickly as you add the more permanent living space functionality. I’ve got a Topo Toppers Badlander that pops up on both sides, and built kitchen/storage drawers that double as seating and a dog bed with a fridge and a sink with running water. The more “livable” I’ve made it, the less useful it is as a truck, and it’s gotten… heavy.

Most of the topper stylevery DIY intensive which you said you’d like to avoid. All the slide-in style campers will remove almost all truck bed utility. If you’re a fan of the Moonlander, maybe just go with that and get a small folding table you can use in there? That’d be more of a permanent camper setup without the permanent loss of the truck bed, and with essentially zero DIY.

Alternatively, have you considered putting a RTT on the ARE cap? That’d be significantly cheaper than the camper setup, and leave the truck bed fully usable.

HOMESTEADJED@reddit (OP)

I have considered adding a rtt but my wife and I (mostly me) would be pushing the weight capacity of the ARE with a RTT. I also wouldn’t get the headroom that I’m looking for. I appreciate all your insights!

tunesm1th@reddit

GFC for sure. I have one and have really appreciated the mix of bed functionality and camping comfort.

RaptureRIddleyWalker@reddit

GoFast would be a good base to start from. You'll have to build out the inside, but it keeps the truck bed totally usable.

ThinkingThingsHurts@reddit

AT Overland Atlas. It has insulated walls.

outdoorgearguy@reddit

Tune M1

thaneliness@reddit

Following for research. I almost bought a truck but I would have converted it instantly and made that space useless. Instead I bought a gx470, sleep inside the cabin, and will use a trailer if/when I ever need to haul anything.

cookerz30@reddit

It all depends on your budget. You can buy a prefabbed seating arrangement with storage and get any of the pop-tops. I personally still think spending $2000+ for drawers you can build yourself is kinda crazy. The first google I could find is Nomad kitchens