If you have been looking for a truck camper that will probably be more affordable than the rest of the campers you’ve seen so far, then you came to the right place. In this article, we will talk about Capri Campers. Since 1969, Capri Camper has already been manufacturing pickup truck campers in Texas. Having two primary lines, Cowboy and Retreat, the firm that specializes in custom-built campers for vehicles of all kinds.
The Capri Campers
Even though the firm’s catalog includes two distinct lines, there are actually many more alternatives. Rather than offering customers particular options, the company prides itself on creating unique units for every customer. They’ve additionally put out a fantastic web-based framework for customisation.
Although some RV companies define customization as the ability to choose between two distinct wood panels or patterns, the company we will talk about offers, not just that. Capri Camper is extremely accommodating when it comes to providing options to customers. External colors, internal wood choices, audio systems, climate control systems, bathrooms (or the lack thereof), windows, and other factors are all considered.
Capri also provides a variety of camper sizes, ranging from those made for 5’5″ pickup beds to all of those intended for 8′ beds and one-ton trucks. However, a pickup camper for a half-ton light-duty full-size pickup or even a mid-size pickup is available. So that’ll be our focus here.
Capri Camper has indeed been established since 1969, but Pete and Tyson D’Acosta bought it in 2014. The D’Acostas are very pleased with what they’ve accomplished. While they encourage people to contact them by phone, the RV market is so crazy these days with everyone scurrying that I was unable to speak with them. But I adore family-owned RV businesses, and this is one of them.
Capri Retreat
Capri Campers is housed in an 8,400 square foot structure in Bluff Dale, Texas. The corporate headquarters is in the front of the building, while the production floor takes up the rest of the space.
With such MSRP of $16,495, this 2022 Capri Retreat is indeed a hard-side, non-slide, shower-only, long bed truck camper.
Camper Retreat is very much ideal for camping and outdoor activities. But it is not only the camper as a whole, it’s also the vehicle. The GMC Sierra 4×4 with the Alison 6-speed transmission and haul/tow kit is a powerhouse. And a very pleasant one nonetheless. The camper is well balanced on the vehicle. It’s larger than that of the bed at 7 feet, but this doesn’t extend past the bumper. The truck’s length is 18.5 feet, making it easy to navigate two tracks and curving roadways. The width of the camper is ideal since it eliminates the need for enlarged side-view mirrors on the car. The camper and vehicle are both around 9 feet 6 inches tall, which is similar to a Sprinter.
Capri Retreat Long Bed
Specifications:
- Dry Weight: 1,170-1,740 pounds
- Wet Weight*: 2,039-2,609 pounds
- Floor Length: 8’5″
- Overall Length: 13’5″
- Width: 7’0″
- Interior Height: 6’4″
- Exterior Height: 82″
- Center of Gravity: 24″
- Truck Type: Long Bed
Capacities:
- Fresh: 30 gallons
- Grey: N/A
- Black: N/A
- Water Heater: 4 gallons
- Propane Tanks: 20 pounds
- Batteries: One Battery
Capri Retreat Short Bed
Specifications:
- Dry Weigh: t1,100-1,650 pounds
- Wet Weight*: 1,969-2,519 pounds
- Floor Length: 7’0″
- Overall Length: 12’0″
- Width: 7’0″
- Interior Height: 6’4″
- Exterior Height: 82″
- Center of Gravity: 25.5″
- Truck Type: Short Bed
Capacities:
- Fresh: 30 gallons
- Grey: N/A
- Black: N/A
- Water Heater: 4 gallons
- Propane Tanks: 20 pounds
- Batteries: One Battery
Capri Retreat Super-Short Bed
Specifications:
- Dry Weight1,050-1,590 pounds
- Wet Weight*: 1,919-2,459 pounds
- Floor Length: 6’0″
- Overall Length: 10’10”
- Width: 7’0″
- Interior Height: 6’4″
- Exterior Height: 82″
- Center of Gravity: 22.5″
- Truck Type: Super-Short Bed
Capacities:
- Fresh: 30 gallons
- Grey: N/A
- Black: N/A
- Water Heater: 4 gallons
- Propane Tanks: 20 pounds
- Batteries: One Battery
Capri Cowboy
With just an MSRP of $10,995, this same 2022 Capri Cowboy is a hard-side, non-slide, long bed truck camper.
Rodeo cowboys and those who travel a lot, tow trailers, and require a basic, low-maintenance place to sleep love the Cowboy, a classic, non-cabover, wood-framed, aluminum-skinned camper. They range in price from empty shells to completely furnished micro-mansions (excluding a bathroom). There are two-bed versions, and the company could probably construct a three-bed configuration if that’s what you require.
All Capri RVs are designed to fit full-size pickup trucks with long and short beds, as well as Tacoma trucks. The Cowboy’s internal height is 5 feet, but if you specifically ask, Capri will construct them higher. The typical exterior width is 84 inches, which allows almost any stock truck mirror to be used. The bare unit’s estimated weight is under 750 pounds, making it ideal for half-ton vehicles.
Capri Cowboy Long Bed
Specifications:
- Dry Weight: 800-1,300 pounds
- Wet Weight*: 1,365-1,865 pounds
- Floor Length: 8’5″
- Overall Length: 8’5″
- Width: 7’0″
- Interior Height: 5’0″
- Exterior Height: 65″
- Center of Gravity: 38″ (Base model)
- Truck Type: Long Bed
Capacities:
- Fresh: Optional 16 gallons
- Grey: N/A
- Black: N/A
- Water Heater: Optional 4 gallons
- Propane Tanks: Optional 20-pound tank
- Batteries: One Battery
Capri Cowboy Short Bed
Specifications:
- Dry Weight 740-1,240 pounds
- Wet Weight*: 1,305-1,805 pounds
- Floor Length: 7’0″
- Overall Length: 7’0″
- Width: 7’0″
- Interior Height: 5’0″
- Exterior Height: 65″
- Center of Gravity: 35″ (Base model)
- Truck Type: Short Bed
Capacities:
- Fresh: Optional 16 gallons
- Grey: N/A
- Black: N/A
- Water Heater: Optional 4 gallons
- Propane Tanks: Optional 20-pound tank
- Batteries: One Battery
Capri Cowboy Super-Short Bed
Specifications:
- Dry Weight: 700 pounds
- Wet Weight*: 1,265 pounds
- Floor Length: 6’0″
- Overall Length: 6’0″
- Width: 7’0″
- Interior Height: 5’0″
- Exterior Height: 65″
- Center of Gravity: 30″ (Base model)
- Truck Type: Super-Short Bed
Capacities:
- Fresh: Optional 16 gallons
- Grey: N/A
- Black: N/A
- Water Heater: Optional 4 gallons
- Propane Tanks: Optional 20-pound tank
- Batteries: One Battery
Capri Cowboy Mini-Trucks
Specifications:
- Dry Weight: 675 pounds
- Wet Weight*: 1,240 pounds
- Floor Length: 6’0″
- Overall Length: 6’0″
- Width: 6’7″
- Interior Height: 5’0″
- Exterior Height: 65″
- Center of Gravity: 30″ (Base model)
- Truck Type: Mini-Trucks
Capacities:
- Fresh: Optional 16 gallons
- Grey: N/A
- Black: N/A
- Water Heater: Optional 4 gallons
- Propane Tanks: Optional 20-pound tank
- Batteries: One Battery
Truck Camper Dry and Wet Weights
The makers have supplied dry weights for the base of truck campers. Keep mindful that each company’s base dry weights incorporate or exclude different standards and choices, and very few truck campers depart the factory without extra features. For your vehicle and camper matching estimates, remember to include the weight of any options.
To compute truck camper wet weights, the Truck Camper Magazine Buyers Guide employs a standardized calculation. The calculation adds the entire fresh water weight, full hot water heater weight, full propane tank weight, battery weight, and 500 pounds for goods to the manufacturer’s base dry weight.
Construction
The Capri campers are made of wood and have an aluminum shell. The campers have a diamond-plate aluminum skin, which gives them a vintage appeal. Depending on your particular style, that’s kind of cool.
Whereas many new pickup campers are just as expensive as, if not even more expensive than, travel trailers, this is not the case here. Capri’s standard “Cowboy” pickup camper costs $9,995. Considering that the pickup cap or camper cover on my own truck cost about $5,000, this sounds like a great deal.
Capri Truck Campers’ Options Available
Before you can get too thrilled about that pricing, keep in mind that it is for a very basic camper. You’ll need a bed, a Fantastic fan, and some basic lighting and wiring to get started. Sure, you can still choose from a variety of exterior colors, internal woods, and other options. The bed is also a 48″ X 80″ surface with a hefty foam mattress, according to the firm.
In case you have a mid-size truck, the organization may also outfit you. The mattress, on the other hand, is four inches smaller. At the very least, you could get a camper. Air conditioning, a 12-volt refrigerator, microwave, sink and faucet, additional beds, and much more are all available in the camper.
The Capri Camper webpage is fantastic, with loads of photos and a program that allows you to design your personal camper. This means you’ll be able to examine the financial impact of your decisions. It’s really not even all that horrible.
For instance, someone outfitted a camper with a stove, refrigerator, air conditioning, toilet, sink, and heater for $5,134. As a result, the camper’s overall cost is around $15,000. Even so, it’s still less than the majority of travel trailers. Plus, the truck can still tow, so if you’ve had a boat or anything else, you can still transport it. However, as usual, be aware of your freight carrying capacities and avoid overloading your vehicle.
Another excellent feature is that the interior can be finished in pine. This resembles a log cabin, or indeed any cabin in the forest for that matter. This is great for those who would like that kind of appearance to set a great ambience for their own comfortability and relaxation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What does Custom Camper mean?
Capri Camper has two truck camper versions, one with a cab-over (Retreat) and one without (Cowboy).
If they say “custom camper,” they imply that can choose whatever upgrade and/or option from their list, as well as your interiors, colors and stripes, and the materials and colors of your cushions and shades. We’ll hand-build the campervan from the ground up, just the way you want it, with the parts they provide.
Their “basic model” camper comes fully assembled and ready to use, it features everything electricity, lights, batteries, 12v electric fan, cabinets, and mattress. Then you basically tell them what you want in and on the camper, and they will construct it according to your specifications. It’s similar to ordering pizza as the Capri Camper said themselves, start with the crust (choose a model), then tell them what elements you want, and they’ll make it according to your specifications.
Yes, they can reorganize floor plans to make pieces fit, as well as add or remove cupboards, storage, and countertops, but they will not change the outside appearance of our campers.
To really be clear, the company is not promising to construct a one-of-a-kind custom truck camper quality planned up to fit your truck or flat-bed. So, if you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind camper, they won’t be able to assist you.
For the 2019 Capri Camper, all of the basic equipment has been replaced.
- A system with its own battery
- A new electrical power center was built.
- 30-amp power outlet on camper’s back wall (used to be a conventional 15/20 amp 3-prong outlet).
- “Escape window” in the passenger wall
- Exceptional Fan (motorized vent fan in the ceiling)
- Logo commemorating the 50th anniversary
Can Capri Camper install solar panels?
Yes, and No, the Capri Camper does not do all the work for solar panel installations but they can assist you in doing so. They can make your new Capri Camper get the “solar ready” quality by wiring an external solar socket straight to the battery compartment, allowing you to quickly attach your solar control box. Solar panels come in a variety of sizes and shapes, and many of our clients prefer portable solar panels to roof-mounted panels. The Capri Camper roof WILL accommodate solar panels, but they like to leave rooftop panel assembly to you. It’s simple to install the external outlet and make the camper “solar ready,” just let them know before the building begins. This way even if the company doesn’t setup the solar panels, they can still be easily installed by the owners.
How can I winterize my Capri Camper?
If your camper does have a water tank and/or a hot water heater, and you’re getting ready for the cold this winter, here are some steps for winterizing it.
Using RV Anti-freeze to Winterize Your Camper:
- Turn on your sink faucet and/or shower to remove water from your water tank. It’s fine if there’s still a trace of water.
- Don’t forget to turn on and drain your hot water heater.
- Using such a funnel and the water tank fill on the side of the camper, add an additional a gallon or more of RV anti-freeze.
- Switch on the water heater for a few seconds, and switch on the hot water faucets in both the sink and the shower until pink antifreeze pours through, then turn off the faucets. Using cold water, repeat the process.
- Make sure that all of the faucets are turned off. Inspect the system for any leakage.
- To avoid water from freezing wherever in your equipment, antifreeze should flow through every one of your water lines, your water heater, pump, and water tank.
Capri Campers experts tend to blow out the water line when winterizing campers for shipment to ensure there is no water in the line to freeze.
Blowing out the water pipes to winterize your camper:
- You’ll need an air compressor and a “blow-out” plug attachment (available at Home Depot for $4-5).
- Switch on the sink and/or shower to empty all of the water from the water tank. Also, drain the hot water heater.
- Turn all of the taps to “on” and connect the blow-out plug to the city water fill on the camper’s exterior (it attaches like a garden hose).
- Turn on the air conditioner and let it blow out any excess liquid in the pipes. It should take roughly a minute, and you’ll know when the lines are clear of any lingering water once you hear it.
Do Campri Campers have toilets?
Built-in toilets and cassette toilets are not available in Capri Campers. A self-contained portable toilet with a 2-gallon fresh water flushing tank and a 5-gallon holding tank is available for $145. This toilet may be easily placed on the shower floor or moved to almost any location.
Conclusion: Are Capri Campers any Good?
The Capri Cowboy is a well-built, incredibly comfortable hard-sided tent option. The Cowboy is not really the perfect rig for individuals who are used to larger units, those who reside in and visit outside, claustrophobes, and even those who wish to try truck camping without making a massive upfront investment. However, for those upgrading from dirt-bagging underneath a pickup chassis or tent camping, for enthusiastic couples and families who primarily want to climb rocks, kayak, or bike, the Cowboy would keep you dry and allow you to carry your kit with the least amount of fuss and care. Of obviously, cowboys who make a living on the rodeo circuit or simply need a place to crash when out fixing the fence will appreciate it.
Next, as a model, the Capri Retreat is a cost-effective camper aimed at half-ton vehicles. That implies it won’t have all of the amenities and storage space are seen in campers with larger prices and weights. This is truly a lightweight camper made specifically for those who need it. The workmanship and general build quality of the Capri Campers and the Capri brand, in particular, can amaze a lot of people. The Capri Retreat could be just what you’re seeking if you want a well-built, old-school truck camper with the option of adding some amazing comfort and convenience options.
