The One and Only China Is Responsible for the Year's Cheapest Compact Truck Camper

Folks, today we'll be diving into a camper design from none other than China, and if you know how they've been rolling in recent years, you can bet your bottom dollar the "Fiberglass Truck Camper (FTC)" from Ecocampor is going to be a bit different than what we find on the market. After all, China's gunning for your cash.

First and foremost, the FTC is, as I mentioned, crafted using fiberglass, but the neat part about it all is that it's all crafted as one piece, almost. If you happen to check out the images in the gallery, you will notice that the FTC has a pop-top roof, which means a massive hole in the middle of your unit. That ripstop better be damn good.

What I found rather neat about the FTC is the fact that it's designed to fit compact trucks, as small as a Nissan Frontier NP300 and the Ford Ranger, and while the rather bulbous rear of the FTC feels like it belongs on a larger truck, the images show it fitting like a glove on the back of that Foton.

Overall, we're looking at a unit that's 3,35 m (11 ft) long, 1,75 m (5.7 ft) wide, and 1,56 m (5.1 ft) tall with the roof down. In all, you'll be adding 650 kg (1,433 lbs) of extra weight to your truck, dry, so there's some room to work with for any goods you may need to bring along.

Now, Ecocampor claims that this camper is only built for couples, and that means a few things for buyers with smaller families. Technically, only the cab-over space is reserved for sleeping, and the bedroom is accessed by sliding out a section of it. But by the looks of things, the dinette is also modular and could easily include a child or two; it's just going to be a rather tight fit.

As tight as this unit may be, Ecocampor still managed to add everything outdoor adventurers would need to explore the great outdoors safely, comfortably, and cleanly. Future owners of an FTC can look forward to a two-burner gas top, a 50 l (13 gals) fridge from Dometic, and even a sink with running water. All that's made possible by a simple and neat galley block tucked into the FTC's corner near the entrance.

Believe it or not, Ecocampor also managed to throw in an indoor shower and a toilet that hides neatly under the dinette seating, and while I would have loved to see the shower setup in action, the images in the gallery showcase nothing. I wonder if an outdoor option exists, as the manufacturer's brochure states very little.

Speaking of, the manufacturer's brochure also mentions 85 l (22.5 gals) of fresh water, a gas bottle rack, and a rather ready electric system. The latter comprises a 50 A Anderson plug, a lithium battery, BMS, and even two solar panels with 100 W of power each. Sounds pretty good if you ask me.

With most of the essentials out of the way, let's picture what an FTC campsite could end up looking like. All that starts with you, your truck, and your significant other - maybe your vehicle IS your significant other. Once you've parked your truck, it's simply time to get out, stretch your legs, and head to the rear of the FTC to prepare it for the next few days.

One downside I could spot is this unit's inability to free your vehicle from its cargo-carrying duties; it doesn't seem to have any stabilizer legs. This always-mounted design allows users to enter the unit because the rear hatch opens vertically, and the first step drops well below the truck bed.

Now, with the FTC sprawled out, awning at its side, throw down a couple of chairs, an outdoor dining table, maybe even add a tent annex, and enjoy the sunset. All the while, the FTC's systems will be keeping it cool or warm and pumped with energy for the next leg of the journey.

But how the heck did we get here? As I mentioned, this story starts with Ecocampor, a Chinese crew from the Guandong region that's been in this business since 2008 and currently holds over 50+ patents for RVs, campers, and other accessories. Quite the background and one reason why this crew is responsible for several camper designs.

The only problem now is finding out how much an FTC is going to run you. Guess what? I saved the best for last. Exploring this unit and all it has to offer, I found that you can get your hands on a 2024 unit for as low as $5,600 (€5,200 at current exchange rates). Yes, just under $6K for what you've just read about, and that may just be the deal of the decade, with those minor drawbacks I mentioned.

The downside now would be getting ahold of Ecocampor and finding out just how much shipping is going to run you, and here's to hoping that you have no issues with customs. Nonetheless, it's still one hell of a deal, even if you end up paying a couple of thousand dollars more just to get your hands on one.