The Bruin XL: why you’d choose it
The same hard-wall construction and tailgate open-and-close as the Bruin, with significantly more room.
- Starting Price: $12,499
- Starting Weight: Around 450 lbs
- Style: Full pop-up, hybrid hard walls
- Best For: Families, extra sleeping space, longer trips
Why we made the Bruin XL
We built the Bruin XL because we love the Bruin. We just needed more space as families grow.
It started the way a lot of our ideas do: around a campfire, talking about what we wished we had. A couple of us had kids on the way, and then the kids were here, and then the dogs wanted a say too. The Bruin was perfect for two people, maybe a young kid or a dog too. But we kept asking ourselves how we could bring everyone: the whole family, the dogs, and all the extras that somehow comes with a family, without giving up what makes the Bruin great.
So we started with the bed. We wanted an option of a king-size bed, turned east to west, so there’s room to stretch out instead of fighting over the middle. Going wider gave us something we didn’t expect: space underneath. With room below, we could add more beds down there, so the kids can have their own spot, the grandkids can come along, and nobody ends up sleeping in the cab. The dogs found their own corner pretty quickly.
Then there was the extra “essentials” that come with bringing the whole family. Every family trip ends up with more gear than you planned for: coolers, bikes, boots, toys, the extra bag of “just in case.” We wanted a camper with room to live in and room to stash it all, so everything has a place and you don’t spend the trip tripping over it. And we weren’t willing to give up the part people love about the Bruin: you still push the roof up and pull it down, right from the tailgate.
That’s the Bruin XL. It’s the Bruin, with room for the whole crew.
What the Bruin XL is
The Bruin XL is exactly what it sounds like: a larger version of our popular Bruin. It has the same basic hard-wall construction and the same simple opening and closing system, with significantly more interior room. At around 450 pounds, it’s still remarkably light considering the amount of space it provides.
More room without more work
One of our favorite things about the XL is that you don’t sacrifice the ease of setup that makes the Bruin so convenient. It opens and closes right from the tailgate, just like the standard Bruin. You get a much larger living area without turning setup into a chore.
With a king bed sleeping east to west, you can keep the entire bed of a 5-foot Tacoma open for activities, storage and interiors, without needing to move a thing. For people who travel often or spend several weeks on the road, that’s an important consideration.
Why you’d choose the Bruin XL
You’re bringing kids or grandkids
The XL has a substantially larger sleeping area than the standard Bruin, with enough width for an east-west king-size bed. The real advantage for families is the space below. On most trucks with beds five feet or longer, the XL can accommodate additional sleeping platforms on the lower level, creating another twin-size or queen-size sleeping area. The exact arrangement depends on the dimensions of your truck bed.
That means a couple can sleep comfortably in the upper bed while children or other family members sleep below. We think that makes the XL a fantastic choice for taking the kids or grandkids camping.
You want room to live, not just sleep
Even if you usually travel as a couple, having additional room to move around, change clothes and organize your belongings can make a longer trip much more enjoyable.
You’re planning longer trips
For people planning extended road trips, extra interior space adds up day after day. And because it opens and closes from the tailgate, you’re not paying for that space with extra setup time.
You want hard walls
Like the Bruin, the XL combines rigid wall panels with marine-grade fabric for a solid enclosure and a greater sense of protection from the elements.
What to think about
Width on tight trails
At around seven feet wide, the XL is nearly two feet wider than our other campers. That makes a tremendous difference inside, but it also means you’re traveling with a wider load. That’s not always ideal if you spend a lot of time on narrow trails, between closely spaced trees or on overgrown roads. If getting through the tightest trails is a big part of your adventures, the narrower standard Bruin may be a better fit.
On the other hand, if most of your travels involve highways, maintained forest roads, desert camping, national parks and established campsites, the extra space can be well worth it.
Price and weight
At $12,499 and around 450 pounds, it’s our largest and most expensive camper. If you don’t need the extra space, the Bruin gives you the same hard walls and ease of use for less.
Choose the Bruin XL if…
- You’re bringing kids or grandkids, or want a lower-level sleeping area
- You want an east-west king-size bed and more living space
- You’re planning extended road trips
- Most of your travel is highways, forest roads, desert, national parks and established campsites
Consider another camper if…
- Tight trails are a big part of your adventures: the Bruin
- You want to keep weight and cost down: the Tenfold
- You love big windows and mostly camp in warm weather: the Triton
Keep reading: The Tenfold · The Bruin · The Triton · Not sure? Buyer’s guide
Frequently asked questions
Which camper is best for camping with children or grandchildren?
The Bruin XL. On most compatible trucks with beds five feet or longer, the lower level can accommodate an additional twin-size or queen-size sleeping platform, so more people can sleep in the same camper.
Can I still open it from the tailgate?
Yes. The XL opens and closes from the tailgate just like the standard Bruin.
How wide is it?
At around seven feet wide, it’s nearly two feet wider than our other campers. It still fits in your mirrors and is ready for an adventure!
Ready to talk Bruin XL? Give our team a call: (760) 655-1111