--- title: "Don’t make this mistake? Chevy Colorado slide-in camper issue explained" url: "https://pickuptrucktalk.com/2020/10/dont-make-this-mistake-chevy-colorado-slide-in-camper-issue-explained/" publisher: "Pickup Truck + SUV Talk" content_signal: "search=yes, ai-input=yes, ai-train=no" author: "Tim Esterdahl" published: "2020-10-01T18:08:44+00:00" modified: "2025-07-23T15:17:51+00:00" image: "https://pickuptrucktalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Chevy-Colorado-Slide-In-Camper.jpeg" --- # Don’t make this mistake? Chevy Colorado slide-in camper issue explained By Tim Esterdahl Published: 2020-10-01T18:08:44+00:00 Updated: 2025-07-23T15:17:51+00:00 ![Featured image]() The growth of overlanding and the many new stock off-road midsize pickups on the market seems like a perfect match. You have a smaller, more capable pickup to get through the trails and a place to sleep under the stars — unless you own a Chevy Colorado. If you just said, huh, you’re right. Here is why you shouldn’t put a slide-in camper on the midsize Chevy truck (or the GMC Canyon). Recently, we found yet another customer who had bent his frame on the [Chevy Colorado]() ZR2. While we didn’t get permission to use his photos, we have done similar stories on bent frames for the [ZR2]() and [Gladiator]() on our [YouTube channel](). [Embedded video]() What makes his story unique is he had an [Alu-Cab]() Explorer [canopy]() on his truck. This isn’t exactly a camper, but similar to a leer, snugtop or similar topper. However, it still begs the question on a slide-in camper. Alu-Cab has been offering a camper for years and even has photos of a Colorado with the camper on its Instagram page. Rather it’s the fact Chevy specifically states do not use a slide-in camper (any slide-in camper) on the Colorado that is unique. > View this post on Instagram > > > > > > > > > > > > [Ultimate Adventure Checklist: ☑ Canopy Camper ☑ The open road ☑ Epic scenery What more do you need? • • • • 📷: Reposted from @gearsoftravel The Journey is the Destination! #alucab #alucabusa #overlandevolution #overland #overlanding #adventuretravel #outdoors #rockymountains #campinglife #gotoverland #gearsoftravel]() > > > > A post shared by [Alu-Cab]() (@alucab) on May 27, 2020 at 4:26am PDT On page 173 of the Chevy Colorado’s owners manual, it states, quite clearly, “do not install a slide-in camper or similar equipment on the vehicle.” ![Chevy Colorado Slide-In Camper]() In the lower right-hand corner of page 173 of the owner’s manual, you can read it quite clearly states do not use a slide-in camper. This is a very interesting statement considering companies like Alu-Cab offer such equipment specifically for the Chevy Colorado, and they even have installation instructions. ### **Why no Chevy Colorado slide-in camper?** What gives? We asked Chevy about the no slide-in sticker on their Colorado and got a rather interesting answer. “When we began developing the current-generation Colorado’s architecture, there were no midsize boxes like ours on the market,” said Chris Bonelli, Chevy Design, Product and Brand Communications. “So, naturally, no one made a slide-in camper that was designed to fit. Because of this, we didn’t design or test the architecture for that specific accessory condition.” While this statement is certainly debatable, the fact is companies like [OVRLND Campers]() are offering slide-in campers for the Colorado as well as showing off these pickups with their slide-ins on their Instagram pages. > View this post on Instagram > > > > > > > > > > > > [@dj\_mccomas first night in the new rig!]() > > > > A post shared by [OVRLND Camper Company]() (@ovrlndcampers) on Jul 21, 2020 at 12:44pm PDT Further making things interesting is this isn’t the first time Chevy has had an issue with slide-in campers. This post on [GM-Trucks.com]() shows a 2015 GMC Sierra 1500 with a no-slide in sticker in the glove box. ![Chevy Colorado Slide-In Camper]() This no slide-in camper sticker is on a 2015 GMC Sierra 1500. (Photo courtesy GM-Trucks.com post) ### **What about other midsize pickups?** We checked with every other manufacturer of midsize pickups, and most said you could use a slide-in camper with the longer bed option — except for the [Honda Ridgeline]() due to lack of testing plus the fact the trunk has a max weight of 300 pounds per the [owner’s manual](). In fact, Toyota and Ford both sent us pictures proudly showing off their Tacoma and Ranger pickups with slide-in campers and both directed us to [Four Wheel Campers]() to see their product options. ![]() Toyota Tacoma using the Project M slide-in camper from Four Wheel Campers. ### **The bottom line on slide-in campers** With the slide-in camper products available for sale and every other midsize pickup saying a slide-in camper is just fine, this leaves Chevy customers wondering if they should ignore the slide-in camper sticker. However, the danger in doing so is rather risky. For the owner we talked about in the beginning, he is out several thousand dollars replacing the frame on his truck. Since he had the slide-in camper, Chevy denied his warranty claim and the insurance company said no as well since he didn’t follow the manufacturer’s recommendation not to use a slide-in camper. Are you willing to take the risk? **Related posts:** [Embedded video]() > [2021 Chevrolet Colorado brings key changes to popular offering]() > [5 overlooked features on 2020 Honda Ridgeline]() ## Structured page information ~~~json [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Article", "@id": "https://pickuptrucktalk.com/2020/10/dont-make-this-mistake-chevy-colorado-slide-in-camper-issue-explained/#article", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://pickuptrucktalk.com/2020/10/dont-make-this-mistake-chevy-colorado-slide-in-camper-issue-explained/" }, "author": { "name": "Tim Esterdahl", "@id": "https://pickuptrucktalk.com/#/schema/person/82b06f99329f69a069a5ab6caed18593" }, "headline": "Don’t make this mistake? 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