Three years ago, GM gave truck campers the fin with the Chevrolet Silverado EV. We called foul and said there was only one company that would ever build a camper for the platform. That day has come.
On January 6th, 2022, we publicly stated that Chevrolet’s nascent EV truck was in total violation of the most basic design requirements required for truck camper fitment.
What was most concerning was the source of this apparent snub. We weren’t looking at a Rivian or Tesla—companies known for freely eschewing pickup traditions. This was coming from General Motors, a stalwart of the pickup concept and marketplace. If GM were willing to toss pickup standards, truck campers as a category, and a marketplace could be in trouble.
That wasn’t the only call we made that day. We also made something of a prediction for the Chevy EV, and who could make a truck camper for it:
There isn’t a single production truck camper made today that can fit the 5.9-foot bed and offending flippers of the forthcoming 2024 Chevy Silverado EV. Nor is there one in the history of truck camper production. Not one. Yes, Phoenix Campers can build a custom camper that will fit this future truck, but all production campers are a no-go.
Less than two months after debuting the CyberPhoenix, Phoenix Campers has announced a Phoenix L2 truck camper custom-built for a GMC Sierra EV Denali Edition. The Phoenix team has embraced, traced, and conformed to the fin and managed to make it look like just another day in the custom truck camper design game.
Not only does this camper conform to the standard-offending fins, but it also fits inside the 5.9 foot bed with the tailgate closed.
If anyone thinks Phoenix Campers can’t build a camper for any truck, they’re just not paying attention. Closing the tailgate on the GMC Denali EV is a drop-the-mic move.
Perhaps more than on any other Phoenix Camper we’ve seen, the Phoenix fiberglass front nose cap seems purpose-made for this truck. The closed front grill and lines on the GMC Sierra EV hood complement the fiberglass nose form. It’s a sharp-lookin’ rig.
Inside, the camper continues to defy expectations given the unconventional bed design and minimal length. On the driver’s side is a wet bath with a shower and a cassette toilet system.
Further in is a combination two-burner cooktop and sink, a 12-volt refrigerator, and storage.
On the passenger’s side is a large window, a two-top, face-to-face dinette, and a Lagun table system. This is a fully featured Phoenix L2 inside of a GMC Denali EV. Once again, Phoenix makes custom campers look easy.
In the more than three years since this truck was announced, the EV had fallen off our radar. After learning about this new Phoenix, we took another look at the Sierra EV and found some impressive specs.
The EPA estimates 390-460 miles of range with the standard Max Range battery pack. Front and rear electric motors for 754 horsepower and 785 pound-feet of torque. It goes from 0-60 miles per hour in just over four seconds. There’s 10,000 pounds of towing capacity with an integrated trailer brake controller. An air suspension raises and lowers the truck and gives it the ability to “crab walk”. It has remote automated parking, automated emergency braking, lane departure warning, and adaptive hands-free cruise control.
We well know—from numerous surveys and comments—that most of our readers want nothing to do with EV trucks. We believe we need to see a full-size, one-ton equivalent, true pickup standard-conforming trucks from the big three before that opinion could change.
Until then, we remain totally impressed with Phoenix’s commitment to building a custom camper for any truck you bring them, and their ability to execute. Well done!
For more information about Phoenix Campers, visit their website at phoenixpopup.com. Click here to request more information about Phoenix Campers.
