Ford’s small truck can do big things.
The Ford Maverick, the Blue Oval’s latest truck, is proving to be a very popular model. The 2022 model was delayed by Ford earlier in the year. You’ll have a hard time finding one in your driveway. People who are fortunate enough to have one are going above and beyond to modify them, such as Justin and his 2022 Maverick Second Edition, which has a slide-in camper and a pop-up tent roof.
Justin’s video shows the finished build. It includes many of the same amenities as a slide-in camper. The Maverick’s small bed is not ideal, but there’s still enough space for a fridge and a sink. There’s also room for an 8-foot bed. The camper has 400 watts solar, a 100-amp-hour battery bank, a 14 gallon stainless steel water tank and a 3-gallon stainless metal water heater.
Page 253 in the Maverick’s owner manual suggests that owners don’t install a slide-in camping vehicle, but doesn’t specifically prohibit it. Although the Maverick is a truck, it’s still small and fresh and the aftermarket is still developing. This camper is made of aluminum and it’s custom-made. It is laser-cut and TIG welded together before being powder coated. The pop-up tent provides sleeping space and is positioned on top of the camper.
The entire camper set up without gear weighs 700 lbs (317 kg), which is well below the Maverick’s 1,500-lb (680 kg) payload. Justin also added a 2-inch suspension lift to his pickup, making it an overland vehicle.
Justin says that the Maverick still gets 22 MPG on the highway. This is good for a truck, but slightly lower than the EPA’s 29 MPG. Ford’s EcoBoost engine is featured in the Maverick. All four corners are equipped with BF Goodrich tires. These upgrades, when combined with the camper’s 700-lb weight, will reduce fuel economy but the build seems worth it.