Toyota Tundra Slide In Camper Specs (10 Truck Camper Options)
It is all about weight. Once you learn that those weight capacities do not change, then you will know what type of camper you can put on this vehicle. Any camper style has to be well under the weight limit of the Tundra as you need to add in supplies, food, propane, and other essential items
There will be some slide-in camper options you can turn to. The one you can use will depend on the payload capacity of the vehicle. It will also depend on the year it was made and the trim style. Each model has a different level of weight available.
To learn more about this topic, just continue to read our article. It has the information you want to know about before you make your camper purchase. The thing to remember is that the Tundra, no matter the year or model, does not hold a lot of weight.
If you want to go with a bigger, better, and heavier slide-in camper model, the option you have available is to beef up your springs. Adding new leaves to your leaf springs can boost your truck’s payload capacity by between 500 and 2500 pounds.
The key to this upgrade is to go with those kits that are made for your Tundra’s model years. Or you can go to some helper airbags to boost your weight capacity. These airbags raise that total by some 3200 to 5000 pounds. However, you will lose some off-road ability when you upgrade with this part.
Can You Put a Slide-in Camper on a Tundra?
Yes, you can and many Tundra owners have done just this. It is a nice compact way to go camping and see the great outdoors. While you may not have the same amenities as pulling a trailer, you do not have to worry about trailer problems with a slide-in camper.
The slide-in campers will be smaller and may not come with a bathroom but if they do, it will be small. In looking at what comes inside the camper options we put in the table below, your selection is limited.
They either have no bathroom or toilet or a porta-potty and an outdoor shower. Or you may have one that comes with a cassette toilet and an outdoor shower. The link we placed under the table will take you to the website that shows the floor plan of each model.
That will give you an idea of what to expect when you buy one of these campers for your Toyota Tundra. That way you can make the best decision about these top options. Or you can continue searching for a model of slide-in camper that has a bathroom and will still fit in your Tundra’s bed.
Toyota Tundra Truck Camper Capacity
The following information is going to be in the range category. Each year Toyota made different trim models and gave each one its own individual payload capacity. The following list is taken carindigo.com and runs from the year 2000 to the year 2018
2000: 1,377 to 1,924 lbs
2001: 1,406 to 1,924 lbs
2002-2003: 1,366 to 1,938 lbs
2004: 1,325 to 1,875 lbs
2005-2006: 1,485 to 2,025 lbs
2007: 1,350 to 1,750 lbs
2008: 1,350 to 1,990 lbs
2009: 1,370 to 1,990 lbs
2010: 1,350 to 2,090 lbs
2011-2013: 1,450 to 2,090 lbs
2014 1,340 to 1,915 lbs
2015: 1,500 to 2,110 lbs
2016: 1,430 to 2,060 lbs
2017: 1,440 to 2,080 lbs
2018-2019: 1,440 to 1,730 lbs
The 2020 models ranged between 1530 to 1660 approx. and the 2021 models had a payload capacity of 1520 to 1620. You can see the specifics at this link. The 2022 models will be in the range of 1400 to 1900 pounds approx. depending on which spec sheet you read.
As you can see, you have lots of slide-in camper options that will fit those specs. You just have to take your time and do some research to see which model will fit your camping purpose.
Tundra Truck Camper With Bathroom
There are slide-in campers that have bathrooms installed. The key is to decide between having a wet bath or a dry bath. The difference is that the dry bath will be larger but have less room for you in both the shower and the toilet compartments.
The wet baths can be larger because they are combining two areas into one. Many campers that have dry baths, will place the shower outside. You would need a privacy tent to enjoy a nice shower each morning.
The good news is that these lightweight campers with bathrooms can weigh less than 2000 pounds. That means you may be able to find one to fit your Tundra. The ones we saw weighed between 1600 and 1900 pounds.
The Lance 825 is said to be light enough for a Toyota Tundra. However, there was no weight given for this camper. The Travel Lite Super Lite is said to weigh only 1600 pounds which makes it light enough for many model years and trims Toyota made for the Tundra truck model.
Best Truck Campers For a Toyota Tundra
There are different lists out there that will provide you with this information. They usually do not agree with each other as it depends on which truck model year they are assessing those campers.
Our list in the following table should be used as a starting point and to give you an idea that the Toyota Tundra cannot hold a lot of weight. As you can see, the list goes from the lightest to the heaviest camper.
| Make & model | Weight | Type | Price |
| Four Wheel Pop Up Camper Hawk | 1,100 pounds | Pop-up | $20,995 |
| SCOUT OLYMPIC | 1,133 pounds | Hard-sided | $21,750 |
| Hallmark Milner | 1,212 pounds | Pop-up | $36,995 |
| SCOUT KENAI | 1,370 pounds | Hard-sided | $24,900 |
| Palomino Rogue EA-1 | 1,402 pounds | Pop-up | $15,000 |
| NorthStar TC650 | 1,405 pounds | Pop-up | $24,795 |
| Travel Lite Super Lite 610 RSL | 1,459 pounds | Hard-sided | $23,500 |
| nuCamp Cirrus 620 | 1,500 pounds | Hard-sided | $38,000 |
| Palomino Backpack HS-690 | 1,561 pounds | Hard-sided | $20,000 |
| Palomino Backpack SS-550 | 1,594 pounds | Pop-up | $18,000 |
**Data is taken from this website-- https://rvownerhq.com/best-truck-campers-for-the-toyota-tundra/
As you can see, the weight of the camper will be your guide. It does not matter what amenities you get with the camper, if it is too heavy for your Tundra’s trim and design, nothing will change that fact.
You need to check your owner’s manual to see how much weight your Tundra can handle before you make your purchase. To help you find your Toyota Tundra’s weight limit if you have lost your owner’s manual, simply click here.
This website has the 2002 to 2013 model years listed in table format to give you an idea of the size of camper you can slide in. Unfortunately, some model years are missing from that database.
For general references, that website states that the weight capacity of the camper will range between 1210 to 2335 pounds, depending on the model and the trim.
Other Camper Options
You do not have to go with a slide-in camper like those listed in that table. There are other options available that will not even come close to the payload weight limit. That will leave you lots of room for equipment and other supplies.
#1. Go Fast Campers XL Platform- This model is priced at $7500 and only weighs 300 pounds. For that price, you will get the following items- pop-top camper, opening side panels, choice color, and queen high-density foam mattress with cover.
#2. EarthCruiser MOD 400-weighs a total of 800 pounds and it comes with a choice of kits to customize the interior to fit your preferences. No word on the price but you do get a cabover bed, a corner storage unit, ceiling lights, and 12-volt accessories.
#3. Four Wheel Camper Models- the three versions of this camper for a Tundra range between 1000 and 1100 pounds. The versions are short, standard, and long beds. It also comes with the Four Wheel Camper reputation.
#4. Lance 650 Camper- a bit on the heavy side with its 1700-pound weight. You will have to pack carefully to get all your supplies and the camper under your Tundra’s weight capacity.
If you really want this model, you can use one of the upgrades to add more weight capacity to your vehicle.
Some Final Words
The Toyota Tundra is a nice full-sized truck. However, it is not one of the strongest trucks you can buy. Its payload capacity leaves you with few options when you want to use a slide-in camper instead of a trailer.
The towing capacity is much more attractive and can handle trailers up to about 10,000 pounds. Check these options out to see if any will fit your camping preferences and purpose. They should all be good options to choose from and use.
