Anybody using a pop up camper?

I'm looking at options for pop up truck campers and I'm curious if anyone else is using one in their Tundra and what their experience is like? What model and weight?

 

The problem with campers that sit in the bed is that most weight too much for half ton trucks. Most I have seen weigh 1500-2500lbs, so even dry and unloaded they are above what most half ton trucks can handle. And driving around or towing at weight limits can be a white knuckles experience. Ive done it a few times and found it to be a miserable, sketchy endeavor.

First, check your driver door sticker for your trucks actual payload. Or, even better, weigh the truck. Then you will know what kind of weights you can handle and can start looking at options.

Now a tow behind pop up camper, no problem. Ive got a large pop up, has two queen beds, weighs about 3500lbs and it is easily pulled and handled. Because they are low, they dont impact MPG when towing too bad either compared to a normal camper or slide in bed camper.

google search will get you hits on what campers are available, here is one to get you started https://www.truckcamperadventure.com/8-best-truck-campers-for-half-ton-trucks/

 

and these are always popular. think there is already a thread about them here somewhere Tundras
https://fourwheelcampers.com/all-models/

 

We have a regular camp trailer but I want a small pop up as well just so when my wife and I want to go on a quick trip somewhere. I'm well aware that a full loaded camper can weigh that much but we are talking about a sparsely loaded camper. I've seen them around 1100 lbs which would be fine for our truck and our needs, just trying to see if anyone has any experience with the new Tundra and a pop up camper. When we want all the luxuries, we'd take our regular full size camper.

 

Agree 100%. I hate to say it but this is something many 1/2 ton truck buyers fail to realize. It is especially worse with Toyota owners because Toyota does not offer a truck with high payload numbers or an HD. I think many Toyota buyers are very loyal to the brand and will not buy a truck from the Big 3 so instead they try to shoe horn the Tundra into something that it's not. Can it be done? Yes. Has it been done? Yes. However it needs to be safely and be able to handle the weight effectively so it drives with confidence without being a slug up a mountain pass or sway in a cross wind. Buying a camper without blowing past the 1400lb payload of a Tundra is very difficult. I had to buy a 3/4 ton truck for this very reason and would probably recommend even a 1 ton.

I think this goes to the point @frichco228 was making. Your Tundra has a payload of 1400lbs. Your camper is 1100lbs dry. Add food, water, some gear and two human beings and that's another 500lbs. You're over GVWR. Weight adds up in small yet fast amounts. If you're looking for a camper that you and wife for small quick trips then I recommend something like an AT Overland Summit/Atlas, Super Pacific or Alu-Cab which only weigh 300-400lbs. You'd still have enough payload to bring your trailer with you as well. I don't think the Tundra is equipped to have a 1100lb slide in camper and tow a camp trailer.

If you're in Bend you should talk to the guys at technique vehicle outfitters. They can probably give you more advice on doing an appropriate build and what is needed to safely haul your camper.

 

Great insight, I realize the limitations of having a 1/2 ton brings to the table when looking at a pop up camper. I actually had a 3500 diesel Ram on order prior to getting this truck (it was a shitshow waiting for it, cancelled it after 8 months of waiting an no build date in sight) as we had plans to get a bigger camper but the reality is the truck was overkill for everything except the slide in camper, my compromise is a smaller slide in camper. I wouldn't pull both the camp trailer and have the pop up in the truck, it would be a one or the other. I know they make some small light slide in campers, my buddy has one in his Tacoma that's in the 1000 lbs range so I know it's doable and I have no issue running the truck at it's max GVWR with something like this. I've been to TVO, they have some incredible products but it's truly overkill for what I'm looking for.

 

Not a pop-up but originally built for a Tacoma (Kimbo says they weigh between 900-1080lbs). I've seen one on a Newer Tundra in town but never got a chnce to look at it.
https://www.kimboliving.com/

 

I really like Toyota trucks having owned two FJ Cruisers, two 4Runners, and two Tundras. I was hoping for a more robust 2022 Tundra to carry my OEV pop-up camper (1,340 lbs dry weight), but the payload numbers just aren't what I needed especially considering all the extra weight added with passengers, gear, water, etc.

Earlier this year I went with a 2022 Ram 2500 with a substantial payload of over 3,100 lbs. It carries my pop-up camper just fine and I don't have to worry about additional weight with truck mods like new bumpers, winch or rock sliders.

Sincerely wish that Toyota made a heavy duty truck because I don't think this Ram will give me the trouble-free miles my Tundras did.

 

I drove a 2004 Tundra (4.7L V-8, Auto, Payload; 1525 lbs) with a Hallmark (Colo Mfg) Pop-up Camper (Dry Wt; 1212 lbs) for many years on hi-way and off-road. I added Load Range "E" tires, Firestone air bags, and Torklift front tie-downs (frame mount) to handle the overload. It did well, and I had no problems with mtn passes in Colorado or passing trucks at 75 MPH.

I switched to a towable Camper Trailer (NOT pop-Up, Axle 3900 lbs, Tongue 700 lbs), which it also handled well. I now tow that trailer with the '22 Tundra with EASE. This new Tundra is more powerful and capable the the '04, so i would suspect that it would easily handle a slide-in Pop-up camper in the 1000-1200 lb range, which WILL put you in an OVERLOADED (by Spec) situation (with fuel, passengers & gear) but I suspect that the Tundra Payload Specs are VERY CONSERVATIVE (probably dictated by the Legal Dept), so I think you MAY have some leeway in what you are able to carry.

As I said my '04 carried a Camper in an OVERLOADED condition for many years on some very rough roads, with nary a fault or problem. TOYOTAS ARE TOUGH!