Project M | The Best Lightweight Camper for Adventurers

I should preface this article by saying I did a year of research before purchasing a Project M topper. I've spent many nights of my life sleeping reclined in the driver's seat, pitching tents in the dark, and finding cafes with horrible wifi to work. It was time for an upgrade, but I did not take the investment lightly.

When I started searching, I didn't own a truck and went back and forth between everything from a van to a pull-behind. Last winter, I ultimately decided on the Project M, but had to wait nearly four months to place my order while searching for a truck. Finally, in April of 2022, I put my deposit down for the camper the same day I put the deposit down for a truck.

I feel so lucky because this summer, I got to hit the road with Four Wheel Campers to test out the Project M while waiting for mine. I lived in it for roughly six weeks from California to Michigan. It is an understatement to say it blew all my expectations out of the water. While I now impatiently wait for the installation of my very own topper, here are all the reasons I love the Project M.

What is the Project M?

The Project M is a truck topper shell made by Four Wheel Campers that is lightweight and versatile. Topper shells differ from traditional truck campers because it is bolted or clamped down to the truck, with the truck bed serving as the floor area. They are typically minimalist and are bought as a shell, which allows owners to create a custom build if desired.

One major benefit of the Project M topper shell is that it allows owners to continue using their truck beds as truck beds, with the topper providing an easy solution for camping trips, road trips, and remote work.

The Project M includes a nearly king-size elevated pull-out bed, two shelves on each side, a small window on the driver's side, and four windows on the pop-up sections.

It’s minimalist and practical, and more importantly, it’s affordable. In times when the resurgence of ‘vanlife’ and living on the road dominates the market, it’s harder than ever to find an affordable adventure vehicle. The Project M starts at $10,995 as of October 1st, 2022.

Why the Project M was the best solution for me

In 2016 we lived in a van on the road full-time. I had a pretty good understanding of what it's like to be long-term and the limitations the van had. I wasn't very fond of another van for two reasons,

1. They are expensive. Long gone are the days when vanlife was considered one of the most affordable ways to travel and see the world. Back then, we bought an old van for $1,900 and renovated it for $400. Today, any (nicely) renovated van easily goes for over $50,000, even if it has close to 200,000 miles. It's simply not an affordable option unless you plan to make it your full-time home.

2. Vans are limited in accessibility. I quickly learned in our first van that many of the places we wanted to explore weren't accessible in a 2wd vehicle. I didn't have the budget to buy a van with 4wd capabilities, and I didn't really like the look of them anyway.

Sure, vans look great on Instagram, but the cons far outweighed the pros for what I was looking for.

I also quickly ruled out pop-up tent toppers. This was because it seemed like too much setup without enough protection or room. I think they can be great for weekenders, but I work, take zoom calls, and sleep in Walmart parking lots when needed. Not ideal for my situation.

Ultimately, I am a minimalist traveler who also enjoys having some sort of roof over my head at night where I can relax and work. I actually enjoy and prefer cooking on my camp stove, and the Project M allows me to cook on the tailgate on nice days. I didn't need or want anything with bells and whistles. Give me a bed in an enclosed space, and I will sleep perfectly fine. The Project M was one of the few solutions on the market that had what I was looking for.

The weight of the Project M was also a big factor in my decision. The topper ranges from 380 to 500 pounds depending on truck and bed size. Living in Wyoming, where half the state exists by 4x4 only roads, I wanted something as lightweight as possible. The smaller and more lightweight for overlanding, the better.

Lastly, I loved the interior size. Because it's not a slide-in and sits on the bed rails, you don't lose space on the sides of the truck bed. The first time I stood in the Project M, I was blown away by how much space there was to move around. When popped up completely, my husband, who is 6 foot, has many inches of clearance above his head. I've seen photos of families + pets all enjoying the Project M, with room to spare!

How to Set Up the Project M

When driving, the Project M is collapsed to maximize space and clearance. I travel solo often for work and am 5'2. It takes me roughly 90 seconds to pop up the Project M by myself.

The first step is to undo the six latches that sit on the outside of the shell. After all six latches are released, it's as easy as hopping into the truck, pushing up the front end, locking and snapping it into the bar on the ceiling, followed by a similar motion on the back end. That's it!

I should also mention that opening the back door or tailgate of the truck is essential to popping up the camper. The shift in air pressure when the vehicle is completely closed will make it difficult, if not nearly impossible, to pop up any side of the camper. I made that mistake once shortly after receiving the Project M!

Who The Project M is Perfect For 

If you're tired of pitching tents, not looking to become a member of the RV community, and are outpriced by vans, the Project M is the answer. Coming from someone who has been researching affordable road living for the past 2 years and spent at least a year comparing nearly every solution on the market, I can confidently say waiting for the Project M was entirely worth it.

The minimalist concept is really what sold me. Tailgate coffees were my thing this summer. I would open the back, sit on the tailgate, watch the sunrise with my cats, and think, 'damn, life really doesn't get much better than this.'