The Outpost team has upped their game with domestically sourced composite panels, an all-new shell design, and 150% more onboard power. Introducing the stronger and lighter Outpost 6.5.
When the Outpost 6.5 lit the electrons of Truck Camper Magazine last July, it instantly resonated with customers looking for a forward-looking all-composite hard side at an affordable price point.
Seven months later, Outpost reports over 120 customer deposits, 30 delivered units, and critical factory upgrades and team additions to improve production to meet the surging demand.
Most companies would be beyond thrilled with this level of early success and would likely focus exclusively on satisfying customer demand. While Outpost is certainly determined on meeting customer expectations, they’ve also continued to push their product forward.
The result is the new 2025 Outpost 6.5. From the outside the camper has undertaken an evolution of design with a new front nose and lighter and stronger composite panels. Unlike their previous composite panels, the new panels are sourced domestically from a company with a half-century of composite material experience.
The other major news is a serious upgrade to the Outpost 6.5’s EcoFlow battery system. The new standard battery system is now 150 percent more than the original 6.5. If that doesn’t impress you, consider that the EcoFlow Independence Kit retails for $8,699 all by itself. That’s one heck of a battery and electrical system in a relatively entry-level camper.
To learn more about the new Outpost 6.5—including more changes and new options—we talked to Taylor Ripp, Co-Founder of Outpost Campers.
The 2025 Outpost 6.5 is a hard side, non-slide truck camper made for short bed trucks. The width of the 2025 Outpost 6.5 is 134.25”, interior floor length is 76”, and the interior height is 6’5”. The center of gravity is 23.5”.
The Outpost 6.5 has a 20 gallon portable fresh tank, no grey tank, and a portable 5 gallon cassette toilet. It comes standard with an EcoFlow 5kW Independence battery system and 250-watts of solar.
Outpost Campers is reporting the base weight of the Outpost 6.5 at 1,475 pounds. The base cost of the 2025 Outpost 6.5 starts at $39,995. Click here to request an Outpost Camper brochure.
Before we get to your new 6.5, tell us how things have progressed since launching the original Outpost 6.5 in Truck Camper Magazine last July.
It’s been incredible. Since the launch in Truck Camper Magazine and debuting at Overland Expo Mountain West last summer, we have taken around 120 active deposits on the Outpost 6.5. We’ve already delivered around thirty units. The 6.5 is definitely striking a chord with a lot of people.
Above: The Outpost Camper team, all photos courtesy of Outpost Campers
That’s fantastic! Have you made changes to your factory, production line, or team to accommodate the surge in demand?
Yes. We’ve invested heavily in our supply chain, added to our production team, and refined our processes. We added a supply chain manager to our staff to make sure we have the materials we need. As a result, we hit our goal of two campers a week early. More importantly, our lead time has dramatically improved.
We’re breaking ground at a new facility in the next six to eight weeks. There’s an excavator already there waiting to dig. That’s the next big goal for us. We’re maxed out in our facility right now.
Did you make any improvements to the 6.5 prior to the big change you’re announcing today?
We’re constantly making small tweaks to the Outpost 6.5. Shortly after we talked to you for the launch, we upgraded the standard 200-watt solar panel that you could expand to 400-watts to a standard 250-watt panel that you can expand to 500-watts.
Other than that, there have been a number of small improvements based on customer feedback. For example, we eliminated the hinged floor hatches for simple drop hatch lids. The hinge was allowing dirt to get under the floor and into the underfloor storage areas. This helps prevent dirt from getting in there. We made a lot of small changes like that.
The production team is constantly discovering little tactics and tricks to improve our quality. Every camper we build gets a little better. We will continue to make refinements based on our experience and customer feedback as we build more Outpost campers.
You’re announcing a shift to a new shell design. Why are you making this change?
We have partnered with a composite panel manufacturer in the USA for the new model. As a small US manufacturer, we are very excited about the opportunity to source more of our materials domestically. We also want to be sure that we can establish our own brand identity and design principles through the camper body, and that is much more feasible when we’re able to prototype quickly and source materials in the USA.
We really loved the Total Composites platform we used in the 2024 model, but it presented some challenges for where we wanted to take the business in the future. Bringing in such large items from overseas at our scale creates some very challenging supply chain logistics.
Working with a US supplier gives us the freedom to work on the shape of the camper, manipulate things, and innovate more quickly. The new camper body maintains its high insulation value and thermal transfer-free construction, which means you’ll stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter with virtually no condensation.
The foam core used on the new design is PET (polyethylene terephthalate) made from 100 percent recycled plastic. It’s also a much stronger foam core than we were using before, eliminating the need to add any other materials into the camper body for support. Aside from our bamboo plywood elements and some shelving and bench components in the cabinets, there is absolutely zero wood in the construction of the Outpost 6.5.
With the stronger panels, we were able to change from 2-inch thick panels to 1 5/8” inch panels and have a stronger wall. We’re losing a little of R-value in the process, but we’re removing nearly 150 pounds off the shell weight. We’re estimating the new panels to have an R-value of around 8 or 9, which is still an industry-leading number and performs incredibly well in our testing. The previous panels had an advertised R-value of 12.
Has there been a learning curve with the new composite manufacturer and how their materials are assembled?
Oh yeah. That’s happening now. It’s a good system and we’ve done a lot of homework and built several prototypes. The principal fundamentals are similar to what we were doing before. It’s a thermal transfer-free bonded composite camper system. It uses very similar polyurethane adhesives in a construction method that should last for decades. We believe we’ll be able to bring more efficiency and speed up our production flow with these new materials.
The new model has an advertised dry weight of 1,475 pounds. What is included in that weight?
The dry weight of the 2025 Outpost 6.5 includes everything in the base camper model configuration. It does not include the weight of the four manual Rieco-Titan camper jacks. The jacks are very easily removed when not in use.
Have the new composite panels changed the floor length, height, or width of the new 6.5?
The new 6.5 is nearly an inch lower in exterior height. We also added some curvature to the nose. It has the same bed orientation, but the bump out gives the cabover more head and elbow room and makes the bed area feel surprisingly larger.
The east-west sleeping cabover is now an inch or so wider. Shorter people might now be able to sleep north-south. It feels more spacious.
The interior height is actually the same and maintains the 5-inch deep composite subfloor with two large storage hatches.
Another huge update is the new EcoFlow 5kW Independence Kit. Why are you expanding the base battery from 2kW to 5kW—a 150% increase?
The 2024 Outpost 6.5 came with a 2kW electrical system (approximately 166 Ah) that was expandable to 4kW (approximately 333 Ah). Nearly everyone who purchased a 6.5 upgraded to 4kW right off the bat or shortly after taking ownership.
“The electrical system is the heart of this propane-free camper, and the upgraded 5kW system is now included on every 6.5.”
From that observation, we worked with EcoFlow to be able to offer their 5kW Independence Kit (approximately 416 Ah) as the standard configuration. The electrical system is the heart of this propane-free camper, and the upgraded 5kW system is now included on every 6.5. Now our standard battery and electrical system will surpass the needs of most customers out of the gate. It also helps eliminate a lot of confusion for the customer about how much battery bank to invest in. The most capable system available is now the standard.
Is it still based on the EcoFlow Power Hub?
Yes, the Independence Kit includes the Power Hub core component. The Independence Kit is a complete off-grid electrical system with a built-in inverter, a converter, two solar charge controllers, a DC-to-DC charger, and power distribution for AC and DC. It also has a super elegant touchscreen display and can be monitored/controlled via Bluetooth and WIFI.
The EcoFlow Independence Kit has a retail MSRP of $8,699. How does that make sense in a value-oriented camper?
It’s a huge cost, but we’re trying to push the envelope of what a truck camper can be and where it can take you. We want to be cost competitive at the same time we’re competitive on tech. That’s part of our business model. It also differentiates us from what’s out there at our price point.
Last November I visited EcoFlow in China. It was a great experience. They have an incredible battery production facility. There is really no competitor to what they’re building. They’re truly in a class of their own. We have worked with EcoFlow to offer such a capable system at an incredible value in the Outpost 6.5.
The EcoFlow Independence Kit has also been adopted into Winnebago’s high-end Class B motorhomes. It’s the future. There have even been firmware updates that go out to everyone who has the system.
What are they updating?
Most of the changes have been to improve the user interface on the touchscreen console. It’s a fully integrated system, so they have the ability to give the user more or less control over systems like DC-to-DC and the solar charger based on feedback.
They added a display that’s separate for the 48-volt output. That wasn’t on the original interface. They added it because manufacturers like us are using high-efficiency 48-volt DC air conditioners. They have also added the ability to jumpstart your truck’s starter battery from the house battery, which could really come in handy in a pinch.
We’ve also seen them fix issues—which haven’t been many—with free WIFI updates.
Are you still 100 percent behind the 48-volt camper concept?
Yes. The 48 volt technology allows us to have a very capable system that is highly efficient with a small footprint.
Even though EcoFlow is using 48-volt battery chemistry, their system has a 12-volt and 120-volt output. The only 48-volt output we’re using is for our optional air conditioner. It’s an innovative air conditioner that requires much smaller wires and amperages. Everything else is using 12 or 120 volts. In our testing, we’ve been able to run the AC on eco mode while still charging the batteries in optimal solar conditions. How cool is that!
Are the 3,600 watt inverter, 60 amp DC-DC charger, and dual solar MPPT charge controllers all the same from the previous 6.5 version?
Yes. They’re all the same. Nothing has changed there except the capacity of the battery.
Are you still targeting full-size half-ton standard 6.5’ bed trucks?
Yes; half-ton and up. We see mostly ¾ tons and one ton trucks being used by our customers. There are half-tons that have enough payload, but many don’t.
The base weight of the new 6.5 has been reduced because of the lighter composite shell, but we also added a heavier battery. The new camper is still approximately 90 pounds lighter.
Has the floor plan changed?
No. It’s exactly the same. The interior is essentially unchanged. There’s a massive improvement to the structure and materials, an exterior facelift, and a huge upgrade to the battery system.
“There’s a massive improvement to the structure and materials, an exterior facelift, and a huge upgrade to the battery system.”
Did you have to change your all-aluminum cabinetry to accommodate the new composite shell?
The lower kitchen cabinetry grew about 1-inch in width and the upper kitchen cabinetry grew about 1-inch in height. The upper cabinet on the passenger’s side is 1-inch wider and 1-inch deeper.
We also changed the interior wall from a gloss white to a flat white fiberglass finish. At night the gloss white was reflective which could be a little annoying with the lights on. The flat white also offers a warmer interior feel.
Are there any changes in the kitchen?
The sink is very similar, but we went to a different brand since our previous sink became unavailable. It has the same folding style with a drop-in cutting board.
We also continue to use a portable induction which is a change from the photos in our launch article last July. This opens up the ability to cook in the kitchen, outside on your tailgate, or stow it away for maximum countertop space.
Are you using the same 12-volt Indel B Cruise CR86 refrigerator?
Yes. It has performed extremely well for our customers and is incredibly energy efficient.
Are the windows and door the same?
Yes, the windows and doors are the same. The only change is we’ve upgraded the windows to the newly available flat and tinted version as opposed to the clear bubble style.
They have the same great integrated screens and privacy shades, but provide some privacy and UV filtering. We love the aesthetic improvement of the flat and tinted version of these windows.
Are you using the same Espar diesel heater?
Yes. We love that heater. It performs outstandingly especially in such a well-insulated and condensation-free camper like the 2025 Outpost 6.5. Feedback has been great from customers camping in cold temperatures this winter, and it sips diesel which you can fill at any gas station.
Above: In the photo, the optional front window installed on the previous generation Outpost 6.5
Are there any new options for the 2025 Outpost 6.5?
There’s a new front panel window option ($1,150) that’s installed on the front angled wall. It’s like a skylight. The window is 300mm by 1100mm (11.8 inches x 43.3 inches). It’s a big skinny and wide thermal acrylic window.
Another new option is an indoor shower enclosure ($385). We designed an indoor shower enclosure with a shower basin. You hang a shower curtain on hooks on the ceiling of the camper and can shower inside the unit.
The base price is going up from $34,995 to $39,995. What necessitated the price increase?
Several factors. First, our supplier costs have gone up and we’re anticipating even more cost increases from the tariffs. Second, we’ve more than doubled the standard battery bank size. The new domestic composite panels and increasing labor costs are also factors.
What’s the warranty on the 2025 Outpost 6.5?
We are increasing the warranty to include a three year structural warranty on the shell because of the new domestic composite materials and construction. We are very confident in the performance of this new camper. We believe it will last our customers decades.
When the 6.5 was announced, you mentioned the possibility of a long bed Outpost Camper possibly debuting in 2025. Is that on track?
It’s been pushed back slightly because of the huge demand and order queue for 6.5. I don’t know if it will be this year. A big part of making additional models happen will be moving into our new facility. We don’t even have the room to prototype a new camper in our current facility. We want to do it right when we release it. It will be our next model. It’s a matter of timing.
Is there anything else about Outpost or the 6.5 you’d like to add?
The new 2025 model builds upon our debut model the 2024 Outpost 6.5. It retains the same ethos of being a true four season camper that is incredibly capable while being value-driven. We aren’t lying when we say that we built this camper for ourselves and the kind of camping that we like to do. This camper is meant to get you away from the RV park and truly take you off-grid. We’ve been thrilled to see how customers are using this camper as a tool for their adventures.
Anyone who has seen our new camper has been blown away by aesthetic improvements and a more rugged look. We recently showed the camper at the Quartzsite Truck Camper Rally and had some people on our list come through the unit. They were overjoyed at the improvements.
Another item to share is that we’re now talking with dealers. Groupe Alliance in Quebec has units and Juniper Overland in Denver is also likely coming on board this year. We’re interested in talking with dealers who are excited by our product.
When you see the new Outpost 6.5 camper driving down the road, you’ll know what it is. That’s one more reason why we’re excited about it!
For more information about Outpost Campers, visit their website at outpost-campers.com. For an Outpost Camper brochure, please fill out the form below.
