Hallmark is relaunching a front dinette, 8.5 foot, fiberglass pop-up truck camper with an optional hard wall wet bath including a built-in cassette toilet and inside shower. This is a high-end luxury pop-up camper from a company that’s been building just that for decades. Heads up. The Vail has returned.
Four years ago, Hallmark brought back the Victor, a popular front dinette pop-up that had long been discontinued as side dinette models became the rage. Since then, the Hallmark Victor has found a niche in the marketplace proving that you can’t keep a good floor plan down forever.
For 2026, Hallmark is bringing back the Vail, the long bed version of the Victor. What does an extra half-foot of floor length get you? How about the option for a hard-walled wet bath with a built-in cassette and an inside shower? You read that right—a hard walled wet bath! That’s an exceptionally rare feature in a pop-up truck camper.
Beyond the wet bath option, you can get a 7.5 cubic foot refrigerator. That’s 25 percent bigger than the refrigerator in our personal 11-foot hard side non-slide camper. That’s some serious food and beverage storage potential for extended off-grid hang time. Isn’t that what this is all about?
To learn more about the new Hallmark Vail, we talked to Matt Ward, President of Hallmark RV.
The 2026 Hallmark Vail is a pop-up truck camper made for long bed trucks. The interior floor length of the Hallmark Victor is 8’5″ and the interior height is 80-inches.
The Hallmark Vail has a 30-gallon fresh tank, five gallon grey tank capacity, a standard 4-gallon water heater, and a cassette toilet. It has a 206Ah lithium battery, a 215-watt solar panel, Redarc solar controller and a 50-amp DC-DC standard. It can accommodate two 20-pound propane tanks.
Hallmark is reporting the base weight of the 2026 Hallmark Vail to be 1,552-pounds dry depending on options. The base MSRP for the Hallmark Vail is $59,995.
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In 2025, Hallmark RV moved to a new location in Fort Collins, Colorado. How are things going at the new multi-building facility?
Our sewing room is now fully set up and the production shop heaters are now up and running. We’re in full production.
For 2026, Hallmark is announcing the return of the Vail. What made you decide to bring this model back?
We had a customer with a Guanella ask if we could build an 8.5 foot Victor. I said, “Yes, we called that the Vail.” We already had the 8.5 foot fiberglass walls from building the Everest. To make the Vail, we used the front dinette from the Victor and cabinets from both the Everest and the Victor.
Did you go back to the original Vail drawings, or did you start with a blank page?
We had already figured out the Victor in 2022, so bringing back the Vail wasn’t complicated. We went back to the old Vail drawings, made updates for our new fiberglass bodies, and incorporated our current Everest cabinets and Victor kitchen. It was a straightforward process.
Is the new Vail different than the original?
Yes, but that process really started with the new Victor in 2022. For the Victor, we started with the old drawings, then modified the design to fit our fiberglass bodies and current cabinetry.
The first Victor didn’t have symmetrical cabinets. One side was physically bigger than the other. From there, we made adaptations so we could build the Victor easier and with a cleaner interior logic. We started with what we learned from the updated Victor when we developed the new Vail.
The Victor was designed for 6.5 foot short bed trucks. What trucks and truck bed sizes is the Vail designed for?
The Vail is strictly for eight-foot long bed trucks. The Vail’s center of gravity is too far back for short bed trucks.
Does the additional half-foot of floor length in the Vail make that much of a difference?
Yes. Half a foot is a mile in a truck camper. There are features we can offer in the Vail we can’t physically fit into the Victor. We can’t do a full-size shower or a 7.5 cubic foot double-door refrigerator in the Victor, but we can in the Vail.
The Vail can have a full wet bath with a shower, built-in cassette toilet, and privacy walls. We’re one of the few camper companies that offers a full-size molded fiberglass wet bath in a pop-up. The Vail in the photos has a large closet in this area, but a full wet bath is also available.
The full wet bath is truly a standout option. What are the other bathroom options?
We also have three different shower stall sizes; small, medium, and full-size. We offer the small shower in the Guanella and Victor, the medium in the Everest, and the large in the Vail.
If you go for the full-size shower stall in the Vail, you get folding walls for a true wet bath with privacy. The medium and small wet baths get a shower curtain. You can actually get all three shower stall sizes in a Vail; small, medium, or full size. The trade-off is cabinetry.
Large Hallmark shower stall with folding walls and a built-in cassette toilet option
What toilet systems are available for the Vail?
If you opt for the full-size shower stall, you can get a built-in cassette toilet system in the Vail. If you opt for the medium shower stall, you get a porta-potty, Cleanwaste Go Anywhere, Laveo, or Wrappon Green portable non-permanent toilet system. The small shower stall is only available with a portable toilet, and that toilet needs to be removed to use the shower.
Small shower stall option with portable toilet stored in the shower stall
Small shower stall option with portable toilet removed
What else can a Vail customer get other than a rear bathroom?
You can get a huge closet like what you see in the photos. Or you can get a built-in cassette and a mini-closet (no shower). Or you can get one of the three bathroom sizes we talked about.
Hallmark Vail with closet and slide-out dry-flush toilet option
The signature feature of the Victor and the Vail is the front dinette. Why has the front dinette re-emerged as a popular layout?
That’s something my dad and I have talked about a lot. I remember front dinette Hallmarks from when I was a kid. They went away for most of my life as side dinettes dominated.
The criticism of front dinettes was that you needed to crawl over someone if you used the front dinette as a sleeping area. On the flip side, front dinettes give you a huge dinette.
The Vail dinette is seven feet wide—the full width of the camper. It’s like sitting at a restaurant dinette. You also don’t have the wheel wells taking up feet space in a side dinette. It makes a big difference in comfort.
Side dinettes offer better storage. For example, the side-dinette Everest has more storage than the front-dinette Vail. That said, you have more living space in a Vail than in an Everest. It’s amazing how there’s more living space in the Vail even though it’s the same physical space as the Everest. It’s the choice of a larger living space and dinette versus more storage.
That choice echoes throughout truck campers in many ways. You talked about how the Everest and Vail utilize the same fiberglass walls. For those who may be new to Hallmark, remind us how you approach framing, materials, and construction.
Hallmarks are double-framed using a composite fiberglass exoskeleton and an interior wood frame. The combination of a composite fiberglass exoskeleton and the interior wood frame makes our campers extremely strong.
Hallmark wood frame before exoskeleton application
Another unique feature is the air gap between the fiberglass composite exoskeleton and our inner wood frame. The air gap greatly improves the insulation qualities of Hallmark campers. No one does the combination of a composite fiberglass exoskeleton and one-piece fiberglass roof like we do.
Can customers customize their interior finishes on a Vail?
Customers can choose a Made-in-the-USA Cordura 1000 nylon fabric for their camper. They offer fifteen solid colors from Black to Silver-Dust gray to Barn-Red and Coyote-Brown. We selected Cordura 1000 for its waterproof durability and abrasion resistance. North Face uses it for their wind jackets.
The flooring in a Hallmark is black or gray rubber coin flooring. Again, we selected rubber coin flooring for its superior durability over years of use. For cabinetry, we start with our fiberglass overlay and then give our customers the choice of light bamboo, maple, or oak cabinet doors. Personally, I like the bamboo, but the other choices also look good.
What entry step system is standard?
All of our campers come standard with Torklift Glow Steps and the choice of a folding grab bar, Stromberg Carlson Lend-A-Hand, or a normal grab bar.
For the Vail, are you using the same Tern Overland acrylic windows from the Victor?
Yes. We’ve been using Arctic Tern windows exclusively for five years, and they’re excellent. The built-in shade and screens are high quality. Like all acrylic windows, they can scratch, but you can polish them out. They come out fine.
Tell us about the major appliances you selected for the Vail.
It’s nearly identical to what’s available on the Victor. The refrigerator is a 4.5 cubic foot R4500 NovaKool. We continue to prefer Nova Kool’s design, reliability, and efficiency over other available options. For customers who want more refrigerator capacity, they can get a 7.5 cubic foot RFS7501 NovaKool in the Vail.
The kitchen features the customer’s choice of a two-burner Dometic propane cooktop, a RecPro three-burner propane cooktop, or a Fogatti two-burner built-in induction cooktop.
For heat, we offer a Truma VarioHeat standard. We like the propane use efficiency of the Truma unit and the variable speed fan. For hot water, we’re still using a Suburban four-gallon DSI (Direct Spark Ignition) water heater. It’s hard to beat a Suburban for reliability and longevity, and it will work down to -15 degrees Fahrenheit (-26 degrees Celsius). The Truma AquaGo only operates to -10 degrees Fahrenheit.
Why not use the Truma Combi combination water heater and furnace?
It takes up too much space. It’s probably the best tankless system, but I’d rather have a Suburban.
What is the standard Vail electrical, solar watts, and battery Ah system?
Having built custom truck campers for decades, I have a lot of experience with Victron, Renogy, Redarc, and the other major battery and electrical system companies. I’ve settled on the combination of Redarc and Progressive Dynamics.
For all of our campers, I like to put in our Progressive Dynamics 4000 series lithium converter for shore power charging, fuse management, and passthrough 110-volt outlets. The Progressive Dynamics allows customers to plug into 110-volt shore power at home, at a campground, or at a friend’s house. Other units provide 110-volt power by inverting, but not everyone wants an inverter. If customers want an inverter, I use 2000-watt Redarc inverters, but I always make it a choice.
For solar control and DC-DC truck charging (up to 50 amps, 12-volts), I use one of two Redarc products, the Redarc BCDC1250D or Alpha50. The Redarc 1250D is more basic but gets the job done. The Alpha 50 adds Bluetooth monitoring and more advanced battery-to-battery charging. A lot of customers don’t want to use their phone to operate their electrical system or monitor their batteries. For them, the 1250D is simple. They don’t have to program anything, and they don’t have to do anything. It just works.
“A lot of customers don’t want to use their phone to operate their electrical system or monitor their batteries. For them, the 1250D is simple. They don’t have to program anything, and they don’t have to do anything. It just works.”
Customers can upgrade to a 100 amp Redarc system if they want, but a 50 amp system comes standard in all Hallmark campers. Also, 215-watts of solar and 200 Ah of lithium come standard.
For the DC-to-DC connection to the truck, we install 6 gauge wire and use the proper fuses and breaker so you get the full 50 Amp charging potential from your truck alternator. Getting 50 Amps from the truck has been a game-changer.
Progressive Dynamics and Redarc are all you need. The combination just works. They give you all of the benefits of today’s technology, but you don’t have to fiddle with your phone and reprogram things.
You mentioned 215-watts of solar and 200 Ah of lithium are standard. What’s optional?
On the Vail, up to four 215-watt panels (860-watts) of solar and a total of 600 Ah of lithium are optional.
Do you offer a 12-volt air conditioner for the Vail?
Yes. For customers who want to run an air conditioner off-grid for a prolonged period of time, we install the Dometic RTX 2000. The efficiency of that unit is amazing. My only complaint is the plastic mounting hardware. Other than that, it offers solid performance.
For customers who want to plug into 110-volt shore power, the Houghton 9500 soft start air conditioner is our go-to choice.
What size are the propane tanks on the Vail?
That brings up an important difference between the Victor and the Vail. The Victor carries a single 20-pound vertical propane bottle. The Vail comes standard with a single 20-pound bottle, but can hold two 20-pound vertical propane tanks. It’s your choice: storage or more propane.
Why not make the Vail or any Hallmark model all-electric?
I get requests for an all-electric camper, but I haven’t found a heating system that is efficient enough to support that direction. Even with 860-watts of solar and 320 Ah of lithium, you’re pushing your luck to support a 12-volt refrigerator, induction cooktop, electric water heater, and then an electric furnace. I don’t think we’re there yet. You could expand with more batteries, but then you’re cutting into your dinette floor space. I’ve done it, but I don’t recommend it.
What are the tank capacities on the Vail?
For fresh, you get one single 15 gallon tank, or two 15 gallon tanks for 30 gallons. The grey water drains to the ground (bucket or container). If you want a self-contained grey tank, you have to go with our Ute model. There’s no room for the plumbing in a Vail.
For a bucket, we always include a covered and collapsible five-gallon bucket by Zebra. That’s what I use when I go camping.
What is the dry base weight of the 2026 Hallmark Vail?
I don’t have the exact weight of the Vail, but it’s going to be about the same as our Everest, given the identical floor length, width, height, walls, and equipment. The Everest weighs 1,552 pounds dry.
Where is the Vail’s center of gravity located?
I also don’t have an exact center of gravity, but it will be further back than the Everest. When we had it up on the jacks, the center of gravity was far enough back that we would only sell it for a long-bed truck.
What trucks is the Vail designed for?
Three-quarter ton minimum. If you’re buying a Ford, I’d get a one-ton.
The Vail needs a three-quarter ton, minimum. I always encourage folks to go with a one-ton for added capacity and capability.
What options or packages are available for Vail?
That boils down to how much solar and batteries a customer wants and whether they want awnings, an air conditioner, and a north-south or east-west cabover. That’s about it. If someone is interested in the Vail, we’ll go through the different options and how they impact the price, weight, and performance of the camper.
What would a fully loaded Vail weigh?
Based on what previous Everests have weighed, it would be about 2,100 to 2,200 pounds. That’s fully loaded with options, and fully wet with fresh water, batteries, and propane.
What is the base MSRP for the Vail?
It’s $59,995 USD. Well-appointed versions often end up between $65,000 and $70,000 with advanced solar and battery systems and expensive options like 12-volt air conditioners.
How does someone go about optioning and ordering a Hallmark Vail?
We have a Vail PDF with the standard equipment and options. You can also call me and tell me what you want, and I’ll give you the out-the-door price.
“Once I know what truck you have or want, what your bathroom preferences are, and what your off-road visions are, I will make recommendations to the right camper for you.”
What warranty does Hallmark offer on the Vail and other Hallmarks?
Hallmark has a five-year structural warranty and a one-year parts warranty. Then all the parts have their own manufacturer’s warranties.
When will the Vail be available to order?
The Vail is available now. We’re about six months out on deliveries.
Will Hallmark be showcasing at an Overland Expo this year?
Yes. We’ll be at Overland Expo Mountain West in Loveland, Colorado. I have a Milner ready, and a Guanella in the works. I’m hoping to have more units there, but it depends on what’s available in August.
There are some very specific distinguishing factors when choosing a Hallmark. How does someone know which Hallmark truck camper to choose?
They have a conversation with me. I’ll ask questions about what truck you have or want and your truck camping plans. I’ll ask you about bathroom and toilet preferences. If you want to be hardcore off-road, I will steer you in one direction. If you want more comfort and amenities, I’ll steer you to another. Once I know what truck you have or want, what your bathroom preferences are, and what your off-road visions are, I will make recommendations to the right camper for you.
Customers often want the biggest campers and options with the most off-road capabilities. When we start talking about the tradeoffs involved with each decision, they usually wind up in the middle.
Visit hallmarkrv.com for more information about the Hallmark Vail or Hallmark Campers. Request more information about Hallmark Campers.
