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

Posted by HOMESTEADJED@reddit | overlanding | View on Reddit | 19 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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troutman76@reddit

I had a gfc on my gladiator. Just pulled the trigger on a Muddy River Outdoors Eddy camper for my new Tacoma.

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ttn333@reddit

Did you switched a gladiator for a tacoma?

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troutman76@reddit

Yes. Gladiator left me stranded and too many issues. Traded in for Tacoma.

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ttn333@reddit

How do you like the swap? I love the Gladiator but have considered making tbe trade to a Tundra mostly for size though. Been pretty lucky with reliability. No real issue thus far. Its a 2021. Our 2024 Sequoia has had a few little warranty stuff already. What year is the taco?

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troutman76@reddit

My Tacoma is a 2025 and I don’t regret switching one bit. I’ve had several Jeeps and Toyotas. The Toyotas may not be quite as capable as a Jeep is off-road, but all of my Toyotas have been the most reliable, and never had issues with any of them. I doubt I’ll ever buy another Jeep again. The Gladiator and all of the issues were the last straw for me.

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ttn333@reddit

It's my first Jeep. Last ride was a 5 gen 4runner. We've been a yota family forever. So I get the reliability. The runner has abou175k miles and still going strong (went to the father in law). I'm just not particularly happy with new toyota qc and the new IForcemax. We're getting 14mpg. Not great. Feel like they should have just kept the v8 for reliability and longevity since we're not getting good mpg either. I guess time will tell. We've had to bring it in for several things, from side mirror issue, headunit problem, camera issue, power seat issue and now stuck lift gate.

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troutman76@reddit

I think that’s the way it is now with pretty much every manufacturer. I still have more confidence in Toyota over anything else.

211logos@reddit

Go to /r/overlanding or expeditionportal.com and look at toppers like the Go Fast or Four Wheel Camper Project Ms, etc. Very popular with offroaders; preserves rear tailgate and room inside with sleeping in a popup. Most prefer far more minimal than that Moonlander looks to be, especially if they still need to haul stuff.

Not sure what you mean about DIY living space. Basically, it's camping, so sleeping up top, portable stove, cook on the tailgate or something. You're going to have compromise between space/removability and luxe built in stuff.

Any of the campers should work as long as you don't build out the interior. Ive been running an alucab contour canopy with rtt for a couple of years. After looking at just about all the options out there, Ive settle on a pop-up style camper that flair out for additional width. The top 4 contenders are Tune M1, ovrlnd chubby, topotopper rincon and fwc project M. With the various options I wanted, they all came out in the $15k range give or take $1k. I ended up with a Qian camper tp06w direct from China. It had all the options I wanted including barn doors, windows, molle, and L tracks on the gullwing doors and barn doors, roof fan and a few other things including jack lifts. They also have full glass door option like Tune and solid side panels (instead of canvas) like Hiatus. There are a few videos on YouTube. Quality seems to be good. But obviously there are some risks.

clauderbaugh@reddit

It might be easier to list items that are not what you're looking for, but here goes.

Four Wheel Campers Project M

AT Overland Atera Topper

AT Overland Summit

AT Overland Atlas

AT Overland Habitat

Go Fast Camper

OVRLND Camper

Alucab (whatever they are calling their latest generation)

SuperPacifc

Loan Peak Overland

Topo Toppers

Also see this: https://www.reddit.com/r/overlanding/comments/12scnkk/alucab_gfc_alternatives/

brainhack3r@reddit

All of these will work, just don't permanently mount things to the inside of the bed.

My plan is to use storage containers and to just throw them into the bed when I'm driving.

When I'm at camp I just put them on the ground.