{"id":533,"date":"2025-03-24T20:56:06","date_gmt":"2025-03-24T21:56:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sendpool.io\/?p=533"},"modified":"2025-05-29T16:31:24","modified_gmt":"2025-05-29T16:31:24","slug":"rossmonster-baja-trail-adventure-truck-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sendpool.io\/index.php\/2025\/03\/24\/rossmonster-baja-trail-adventure-truck-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Rossmonster Baja Trail Adventure Truck Review"},"content":{"rendered":"

I started van life in 2016 and have since lived in three different Sprinter Vans, logging thousands of days on the road. But after attempting full-time travel with my newborn and two dogs, it quickly became clear that we needed more space to make this lifestyle feel sustainable.<\/p>\n

When searching for the perfect adventure vehicle, I wanted something that would give our family of three more functional living space without sacrificing off-road capability or driveability. I didn\u2019t want something so big\u2014like a trailer or a massive slide-in truck camper\u2014that it would limit where we could camp, but I also knew that another van wouldn\u2019t give us the space we needed.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s what led me to the Rossmonster Baja Trail<\/a>\u2014a fully built-out truck camper designed for off-grid travel. It\u2019s built on a Ford F-350 and features a hard-sided pop-top, giving us extra interior space when parked while keeping the truck\u2019s low profile and maneuverability on the road.<\/p>\n

\"Kristen<\/figure>\n

I was also drawn to the Rossmonster Baja’s pass-through feature. Coming from a van, I didn’t want to lose the ability to move freely between the driver’s seat to the camper. The layout also seemed very functional \u2014 all without feeling cramped \u2014 with its two separate beds, kitchen, and full bathroom.<\/p>\n

I picked up my Rossmonster Baja Trail in December 2024, and since then, it has become our full-time home on the road. With our house in Utah rented out, we\u2019re fully committed to long-term travel, and so far, we\u2019ve taken the Baja Trail through Arizona and all the way down to the bottom of Baja California. I\u2019m excited to share all the little details\u2014the things I love, what surprised me, and a few things I\u2019d tweak.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re considering a Rossmonster Baja Trail, this review will help you decide if it\u2019s the right fit for you. If you have any questions, shoot me an email or message me on Instagram. If you do reach out to Rossmonster, let them know I sent you<\/em>\u2014they\u2019ll take great care of you!<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Dinette
I love how the inside of my Rossmonster Baja turned out!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Ford F-350 Chassis<\/h2>\n

The Rossmonster Baja Trail is built on the Ford F-350 chassis, and I expected it to feel massive and intimidating to drive. I was so wrong\u2014this truck drives like a dream.<\/p>\n

One big appeal of the Ford chassis for me was knowing that we could get it serviced almost anywhere, even in rural areas and small mountain towns across North America. If we ever run into trouble, there\u2019s a good chance we\u2019ll be able to find a mechanic who can work on an F-350. That peace of mind was a huge factor in choosing this platform for long-term travel.<\/p>\n

The Rossmonster Baja can be built on either the 6.7L Power Stroke V8 Turbo Diesel<\/strong> or a gas engine, but I chose the diesel because it’s more powerful and has extra torque which helps carry the weight of the camper. The diesel also gets slightly better fuel economy and has greater towing capacity should we ever decide to tow anything. Finally, diesel engines are built to last longer than gas engines, meaning it will hold its value longer.<\/p>\n

\"Rossmonster<\/figure>\n

Driveability<\/h3>\n

The Rossmonster Baja Trail accelerates quickly, even with the fully built-out camper on the back. I thought it might feel heavy and sluggish, but the turbo diesel engine is very powerful. We never feel like we’re struggling to keep up on highway passes.<\/p>\n

The turning radius is surprisingly good, and despite its size, I can still maneuver in tight parking lots without feeling too<\/em> stressed. The steering is smooth and responsive, making it much easier to handle than I anticipated.<\/p>\n

The Baja comes with two backup cameras\u2014one factory-installed that displays on the dash screen and a Wolf Box camera that replaces the rearview mirror, showing a constant live feed of what’s behind the truck. Having this full-time rear view makes lane changes and merging way safer since I always know what\u2019s around me. <\/p>\n

The truck also comes with a factory camera that shows the front of the truck from the bumper’s point of view when 4×4 is engaged. This makes it much easier to see rocks and ruts in the road when we are exploring dirt trails.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/figure>\n

Off-Road Capability & Suspension<\/h3>\n

One of the biggest priorities when choosing a new rig was off-road capability<\/strong>. After years of pushing our Sprinter Van to its limits (and probably taking it places we had no business going), I wanted a rig that was at least as capable\u2014if not more\u2014when it came to tackling rough terrain and accessing remote trails.<\/p>\n

With beefy tires, a low center of gravity, and a suspension specifically tuned for off-road performance, the Rossmonster Baja feels just as comfortable on the highway as it does on rugged backroads. We\u2019ve tested it on beaches, rocky roads, and rough desert terrain, and it has handled everything impressively well.<\/p>\n

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    \n
  • <\/span>Wheels and tires<\/strong> \u2013 The Baja comes standard with Method Race wheels and 37-inch BF Goodrich all-terrain tires. These provide a smooth ride on the highway, solid traction in bad weather, and impressive grip off-road.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • <\/span>Carli Pintop suspension<\/strong> \u2013 This suspension is specifically tuned for the weight of the camper, making the Baja feel smooth and responsive both on and off-road. Between the upgraded shocks, low profile, and low center of gravity, body roll is minimal, and the truck feels stable in wind at high speeds and on uneven terrain.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
    \"closeup<\/figure>\n
    \"close<\/figure>\n

    Camper Shell Construction <\/h2>\n

    The Rossmonster Baja is built with a fiberglass composite shell and an aluminum frame, designed to be lightweight and durable. The big advantage of fiberglass is that it\u2019s easy to repair if we were ever to get any dings or dents in the camper shell. Just about any body shop in the U.S. should be able to fix it.<\/p>\n

    On top of that, the shell is a single-piece construction, meaning there are no seams to worry about leaking or failing over time. <\/p>\n

    So far, the build quality has exceeded my expectations. The camper feels solid, well-built, and thoughtfully designed, and the interior is holding up incredibly well, even after driving rough roads down in Baja California. The materials and finishes are durable and functional, with no rattling or shifting while driving.<\/p>\n

    \"Kristen<\/figure>\n

    Hard Walled Pop-Top<\/h2>\n

    Before discovering the Rossmonster Baja, I was hesitant about a pop-top camper. Traditional soft-sided pop-ups come with a few big drawbacks\u2014they lack insulation for four-season use, they stay wet if you have to close them in bad weather, and they can\u2019t support overhead cabinets, which I absolutely wanted for storage.<\/p>\n

    At the same time, I didn\u2019t love the idea of a traditional slide-in truck camper either. Most of them are over 13 feet tall, which significantly limits where you can go, especially when it comes to tree clearance and off-road trails. <\/p>\n

    The Baja\u2019s hard-sided pop-top solves all of these problems.<\/p>\n

    \n
      \n
    • <\/span>Lower driving height:<\/strong> The Baja is 9’11” when driving and 11’1″ when fully popped up, making it much more manageable than a traditional truck camper while still offering full standing room at camp<\/span><\/li>\n
    • <\/span>Fully electric operation:<\/strong> To lift the pop top, you just press a button, and in 45 seconds, the roof is up. No manual cranking, no heavy lifting.<\/span><\/li>\n
    • <\/span>Supports overhead storage:<\/strong> Unlike soft-sided pop-ups, the hard walls allow for overhead cabinets offering a lot more storage.<\/span><\/li>\n
    • <\/span>Still functional when closed:<\/strong> With 5 feet of interior height when the roof is down, we can still grab a snack or use the bathroom without having to lift the roof.<\/span><\/li>\n
    • <\/span>Fully insulated:<\/strong> The solid walls provide four-season insulation. This also reduces food smells, which will be great for trips to bear country.<\/span><\/li>\n
    • <\/span>Triple sealed<\/strong>: The pop-top has three different layers of seals that ensure that no dust, bugs, or light enter the top while it is up, down, or while we are driving. <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
      \"Rossmonster
      Here we are parked next to a Four Wheel Camper soft-sided pop-up built on an identical chassis<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

      Interior Layout Overview<\/h2>\n

      The layout of the Baja is one of the biggest reasons I chose this camper, and now that we’ve been living in it full-time, I can confidently say it works incredibly well for our family.<\/p>\n

      The width of the F-350 (about a foot wider than a Sprinter) makes a huge difference in livability\u2014we all have room to move around without constantly bumping into each other. The high ceiling (6\u20195\u201d when popped up) makes the space feel open and even my tallest friends can stand up straight inside.<\/p>\n

      Cabover Bed<\/h3>\n

      When you step inside the side door, our bed sits above the cab. At 59″ wide by 74″ long, it\u2019s about the size of a queen bed, giving my partner and me (plus our two dogs) enough space to sleep comfortably. The mattress it came with is fairly comfortable, but I added a 2-inch latex topper for extra cushion, which made a big difference.<\/p>\n

      The headspace in the bed is 32″, which is just shy of letting me sit up fully. However, there\u2019s a skylight above the bed that adds about 6 extra inches of headroom when you\u2019re positioned underneath it. I do wish there was a bit more vertical space, but since our bed is just for sleeping and watching our iPad at night, it feels plenty adequate for that purpose.<\/p>\n

      \"Kristen<\/figure>\n

      To get up in the bed, you use the ladder that stows flush against the wall when it’s not in use. <\/p>\n

      \"Kristen<\/figure>\n

      Full Bathroom<\/h3>\n

      The Rossmonster Baja Trail LX is the floor model that comes with a\u00a0full bathroom, including a\u00a0shower and toilet\u2014something I didn\u2019t have in my last two vans. I only had 25 gallons of water in my vans, but in the Rossmosnter, I have a 40 gallon water tank. So having a shower in here makes a lot more sense, especially now that I have to worry about\u00a0bathing a toddler on the road. With so much water, we can take showers without stressing about running out of water for drinking, cooking, or dishes.<\/p>\n

      \"Kristen<\/figure>\n

      The bathroom feels surprisingly spacious for a truck camper. I can sit comfortably on the toilet without my legs touching the wall, which isn\u2019t always the case in smaller RV bathrooms. The shower height is 6’2″, so most people can stand up straight without having to hunch over too much. The shower head is detachable and has an on\/off switch, allowing you to direct the spray exactly where needed while conserving water.<\/p>\n

      The shower has a slatted teak floor above the shower basin, which allows dirt and grime to rinse down while keeping your feet out of any standing water. Grey water drains into an 11-gallon tank, which has been enough for us to manage with regular dumping.<\/p>\n

      For\u00a0hot water, the Baja uses a\u00a0hydronic heating system. It takes\u00a0about 5-10 minutes to heat up, but once it\u2019s ready, you have\u00a0unlimited hot water.<\/p>\n

      We went with the Trelino separating toilet, which has a pee canister and a waste bin lined with a bag that can be tossed in the trash. I like the bag system, but the toilet itself has room for improvement. The good news is it’s fully removable, so if I want to try a different toilet, it’s an easy swap. <\/p>\n