Most truck campers get pitched by square footage. At Overland Expo East, Patrick Botticelli from New Jersey Outdoor Adventures found one brand that works differently. Kingstar builds around cubic inches, squeezing real storage and function out of every gap while still keeping the finish work clean and upscale.
Patrick gives us a tour in the video at the end of this post.
Marcus from Kingstar (based in Northern Michigan and the Western UP) described a build process that’s more like problem-solving than decorating. Kingstar manufactures truck campers and horse trailers, and it also makes a proprietary aluminum trailer frame that can turn the camper into a travel trailer (the K Series).
A few ideas guide the builds:
- Each camper gets pressurized before exterior caulking goes on, and sealing happens from the back side rather than relying on caulk.
- TIG welding and even the upholstery work get done in-house.
- Space gets treated like a limited resource, with storage designed into odd corners on purpose.
Kingstar 6, 8, and 10 Series sizes
Kingstar offers three camper series: 6, 8, and 10.
- 6 Series: for 6.5-foot beds, offered in standard or widebody, with a flatback option that can keep the tailgate usable.
- 8 Series: for 8-foot beds.
- 10 Series: the largest, also for 8-foot beds, with the tailgate dropped so it doesn’t need removal.
The featured camper was the KRUZR 10 Series flatback, with a 10-foot 2-inch floor length, about 18.5 feet overall length, and 8 feet wide.
Exterior
Construction starts with a wood frame and closed-cell spray foam insulation (around R13 to R14). Exterior skin choices include matte black, brushed aluminum, matte white, and matte tan. Thermal pane windows come standard.
The roof system stands out. Roof panels and trim are stainless steel, with rolled edges designed to avoid exposed seams. Marcus pointed out that the build process aims to keep water out by design, not by relying on surface sealant.
Instead of a rooftop air conditioner, this camper uses a side-mount wall unit (10,000 BTU) on the display truck. That helped keep overall height down to about 10 feet 6 inches, and it preserved interior headroom (6 feet 8 inches). Marcus also noted that replacement is simple and relatively inexpensive compared to many RV roof units.
Awnings can be added on the sides and rear, and Kingstar mounts them lower so they actually cast shade where people stand.
This build supports serious water capacity: up to 75 gallons with auxiliary tank options. For heat and hot water, it uses a Truma Combi on LP, with diesel options available (including diesel Truma setups, and diesel cooking options such as induction and an available diesel oven).
On the rear, Kingstar’s rack rail system works like a modular accessory mount. Options shown included:
- A storage bay for hoses and cords, plus a BBQ grill slot
- A stair system
- A bike carrier option
- A Honda 2200 generator position (capable of running the AC and charging batteries)
Flatback vs. Fastback roof style
| Feature | Flatback | Fastback |
| Rear shape | Straight rear wall | Slanted rear wall inspired by a 1960s Mustang fastback |
| Practical changes | Raised roof and door, a four-season gray tank sits under the shower area | Different rear profile and look |
Interior
The KRUZR interiors come with walnut finishes, including a 1.25-inch walnut butcher block counter and walnut veneer laminated onto 13-ply birch. The kitchen includes a stainless sink and backsplash, plus a standard three-burner LP cooktop with oven (or an oven-delete, at no cost, to gain storage). A custom kitty litter drawer option is available for cat owners.
In the 8 and 10 Series, Kingstar offers four layouts in the mid-cabin area, including the Command Center shown in the video. It’s built for work and meals, with an 800-watt inverter dedicated to that station. Storage runs overhead and under seats, with soft-close hardware and marine-grade locking latches.
Standard power is listed as 460Ah of lithium and 660W of solar, with build potential up to 1,380Ah of lithium and more than 300W of solar mentioned in the walkthrough. This unit also included a 3,000-watt inverter, a DC fridge (5.3 cubic feet), and a GX system monitor.
The enclosed wet bath uses a cassette toilet, with other toilet options discussed. It includes a privacy wall with a mirror on the opposite side, storage hooks, and a Maxxair fan (7500 model) designed for use in rain.
Truck fit and payload reality
This camper was shown on a Ford F-550 (84-inch cab-to-axle). The 10 Series was described at about 4,900 pounds in a standard build (with water and propane), and the weight climbs with added batteries, solar, extra water, and gear. Marcus said Kingstar is realistically a dual-rear-wheel F-350 and up experience, especially for buyers who want the full accessory and storage setup.
Kingstar sells factory-direct, not through dealers, because of the number of layouts, finishes, and add-ons. Pricing mentioned in the video description starts at $74,960.
Learn more about Kingstar KRUZR truck campers here.
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RVDT2833
Can’t wait for the video of someone buying one of these for the F-150 or Chevy 1500! Then complaining that they had no idea that their truck frame would break!