Scout campers are some of the newest and most versatile truck campers on the market. But what makes them so special? In this article, we’re taking a closer look at what sets the Scout camper brand apart from the rest. We’ll dive into each model and what we think makes them so great! Let’s get into it.
What is a Scout Camper?
Scout Campers are versatile truck campers that are lightweight, durable, and customizable. Scout offers three different models that are modular, sustainable, and minimalist: the Yoho, the Olympic, and the Kenai.
These campers can fit anywhere from mid-sized trucks up to full-sized and one-ton trucks with short or long boxes, making them perfect for almost every truck available. Scout campers are minimal and low-priced.
They’re the perfect truck campers for entry-level shoppers who want a lot of bang for their buck (but not a lot of weight).
Who Makes Scout Campers?
Adventurer Manufacturing makes Scout Campers in their factory in Yakima, Washington. Adventurer Manufacturing is known for making popular truck camper brands such as Adventurer, Eagle Cap, and Overlander.
Founded in 1959 in western Canada, they moved to Yakima in 2008 to expand production and focus on sustainability. Adventurer Manufacturing launched the Scout Camper line in April 2020, making it a fairly new product on the truck camper market.
Scout Campers are made with reinforced aluminum, wood-free composite hard walls, and fortified high-density polyurethane foam for long-lasting and lightweight construction.
What’s So Special About a Scout Camper?
There are a number of features that make the Scout Camper truck campers a worthwhile consideration. With this line, Adverturer Manufacturing intended to build campers with “components that are completely detachable and can be used independently from the unit.”
Rather than deal with often complexly integrated and heavy systems, Scout campers aimed to simplify and expand camping abilities by rethinking how people used truck campers. Their goal centers around customization and options to fit the user’s needs.
These manifest in a couple of obviously different features: an add-on rooftop tent to expand sleeping capacity, furniture and utilities that can be used inside or outside of the camper, propane real flame 4.5K BTU fireplace to warm the camper instead of a furnace, and outdoor prep and cooking station, and portable water jug instead of an RV freshwater tank.
We see many inspirations taken from methods used in van and overland builds for managing water, sewer, sleeping, and more.
The affordable price and versatility of Scout campers also make them truly stand out against all other truck camper brands. There’s a model for almost every truck, and the base price of the most expensive option is under $25,000.
Plus, they’re very lightweight for a hard-sided camper. Each base model weighs below 1,400 pounds, with the smallest model weighing in at just 958 pounds.
Do Scout Campers Have Air Conditioning?
Scout campers currently don’t offer air conditioning, but each unit comes standard with a solar intake and exhaust vent in the galley. You can open windows on both sides for a cross breeze. The skylight and rooftop tent opening near the bunk area also provide airflow pathways.
The camper comes with solar reflector shades to keep those hot UV rays out. These features help keep you feeling cool without the weight or additional cost of an air conditioner, and you can always bring along a USB fan or two.
If air conditioning is a deal-breaker for you, Scout encourages you to reach out to discuss possible retrofits and solutions they could help with.
➡ Is air conditioning a must-have for you? Take a look at these small portable units that won’t take up much space but will still keep you cool.
Do Scout Campers Have Bathrooms?
Most Scout campers do not have bathrooms. Scout Campers recognize that a bathroom area (or toilet) is considered a non-negotiable by some and a luxury or non-necessity for others. This goes for both the toilet and the shower area.
One model, the Kenai Scout camper, has a designated bathroom area with a swivel-out cassette toilet. It also has a specific drainpan for interior body cleansing using the pressurized wand attached to the water storage container, or you can use it outside as an outdoor shower.
The Olympic and Yoho models both have a portable toilet as an optional upgrade. Fortunately, they’ve specifically designed storage in the galley to fit these portable loos. Showering in these models is mostly designed for being performed outside of the camper, but you could theoretically rinse off at the sink indoors.
Scout Camper Models
Each Scout camper model is unique and made to fit a different style or size truck. Let’s take a closer look at the differences between the models.
Yoho
The Yoho Scout camper fits mid-sized trucks and is the smallest, most lightweight option. It was designed to fit narrower beds on both long and short-bed trucks. This truck camper weighs in at 958 pounds and can sleep up to four people.
The Yoho starts at $19,980. This camper comes standard with solar power, a portable power station, LED lights, portable water filtration and storage, a convertible dinette lounge, a Lagun table base, and much more.
Optional upgrades include a Dometic CFX3 45L fridge/freezer, a gas fireplace, a portable toilet, an indoor/outdoor gas cooktop, removable jacks, and more.
Olympic
The Olympic Scout camper can sleep up to six and has a base weight of 1,133 pounds. It fits on 1500 level trucks and above with either short or long beds. This camper starts at $21,750 and will fit full-sized import and domestic trucks.
The Olympic comes standard with a 175W monocrystalline solar panel and a Yeti 1500X power station, a four-person convertible dinette, dual propane tanks, portable water storage and filtration, and more.
Optional upgrades include a Dometic CFX3 75L fridge/freezer, a 4.5BTU gas fireplace, a rooftop tent, a portable toilet, and much more.
Kenai
The Kenai camper requires larger, 2500 sized trucks and one-ton pickups with both short and long beds. This camper weighs in at 1,370 pounds and can sleep four to six people.
The starting price for the Kenai is $24,900. This camper is the biggest and most option-capable Scout camper. However, it’s still minimalist and lightweight, making it an incredibly practical truck camper option.
The Kenai comes standard with solar panels and a power station, a built-in inverter, a mudroom entrance and interior wardrobe, a designated bathroom area, Lagun table base, a moon roof, convertible dinette, and so much more.
Optional upgrades include a RinseKit portable shower, a cassette toilet, a Dometic fridge/freezer, a cooktop, a gas fireplace, and other awesome upgrades.
What Kind of Truck Do You Need?
Scout has a truck camper great for almost any kind of truck from mid-sized and above. The Yoho model can fit mid-sized trucks like the Ford Ranger, Toyota Tacoma, and more. This camper has a base weight of 958 pounds and floor dimensions of 69.75 by 39.5 inches.
The Olympic Scout camper fits full-sized import and domestic trucks with payloads capable of more than 1,133 pounds. The floor size of this model is 74.25 by 47.5 inches. Lastly, the Kenai model works for 2500 level and one-ton pickup trucks with short or long beds. The base weight of this camper is 1,370 pounds. The Kenai is 92.25 by 47.5 inches.
➡ Choosing the right truck for your camper is essential for a safe towing experience. Learn how to find the right truck for your Scout here: What Is the Best Truck for a Truck Camper?
Is a Scout Camper Good for Overlanding?
Scout campers are great options for overlanding. They combine everything you need to live off the grid into a lightweight and hard-sided camper. These all-in-one truck campers are rugged and come pre-equipped with solar panels. There’s also a power station and an optional toilet, cooktop, and refrigerator. You can have everything you need, even in the most remote locations.
Truck campers typically aren’t a great option for overlanding due to their height and top-heaviness. While the Scout campers are higher than pop-top truck campers, their weight makes them desirable for an overland setup.
Is a Scout Camper Worth It?
If you’re in the market for a lightweight yet highly capable truck camper that’s ready to go off the grid, there’s no better choice than a Scout camper.
However, if you want a truck camper with more creature comforts designed for RV parks, this camper might not be the best choice. Scout truck campers are affordable, lightweight, and versatile, making them a top pick for off-road and camping enthusiasts everywhere.
The Kimbo is another modular truck camper with a minimalistic design. But does it stack up to the Scout? Find out here: What’s So Special About a Kimbo Camper?
Become A Mortons On The Move Insider
Join 10,000+ other adventurers to receive educating, entertaining, and inspiring articles about RV Travel Destinations, RV Gear, and Off-Grid Living to jump-start your adventures today!