Truck fit guide / Midsize truck
Truck Bed Camper for Dodge Dakota
Dakota was discontinued in 2011 — but plenty of well-maintained 3rd Gens are still on the road, and they fit the Kimbo 6.
Recommended Kimbo
Kimbo 6
From $27,990
Compatible generations
3rd
2005–2011
Payload range
1,100–1,700 lb
Door-jamb sticker is the truth.
Tailgate rule
Bed 6 ft+ closes
Bed length determines tailgate behavior.
How it fits
Why a Kimbo works on a Dodge Dakota.
The 3rd Gen Dakota (2005–2011) was Dodge's last midsize truck before the segment exited their lineup, and it remains a workable Kimbo platform for owners of well-maintained examples. The Quad Cab with the 6.5-foot bed is the configuration we'd target — payload rated up to ~1,700 lb on V8 trims, bed length lets the tailgate close, and the frame is genuinely capable.
The honest caveat: the Dakota is now 14+ years out of production. Parts availability for suspension and exhaust components is fine, but bed-rail accessories, tonneau covers, and aftermarket bumpers are increasingly hard to find. If you're starting from scratch and shopping trucks, we'd point you toward a Tacoma 2nd/3rd Gen or a current Ranger — same fit story, much better long-term parts support. If you already own a 3rd Gen Dakota and love it, the Kimbo 6 fits.
By generation
Year-by-year fit notes.
Truck-camper fit isn't one-size-fits-all across model years — frame, cab clearance, and suspension change between generations. Here's where each Dodge Dakota sits.
2005–2011
Dodge Dakota 3rd Gen
The math
Your payload margin, calculated.
Real numbers for a fully-provisioned Kimbo install on a Dodge Dakota at the middle of its payload range. Substitute your own door-jamb sticker for a precise calculation.
- Dodge Dakota payload (mid-range)+ 1,400 lb
- Kimbo 6 (base)− 830 lb
- Fresh water (4 gal)− 32 lb
- Propane (20 lb tank)− 30 lb
- Gear load− 100 lb
- 1 occupant in cab (200 lb)− 200 lb
Remaining margin
+208 lb
Calculated using the midpoint of the Dodge Dakota's published payload range. Your specific truck's door-jamb sticker is what counts. Trim packages, options (sunroofs, larger wheels), and tow packages can swing this number by 200–500 lb in either direction.
The Kimbo team's pick
If we were buying a Dodge Dakota…
We don't recommend buying a Dakota specifically for a Kimbo install in 2026 — newer midsize options have stronger long-term support. But if you already own a 3rd Gen Quad Cab with the 6.5' bed, the install is straightforward. Airbags, E-rated tires, and a frame inspection before mounting.
Recommended platform
From $27,990
Kimbo 6
The nimble original. Built for midsize and half-ton trucks.
- — 830 lb dry
- — R5 insulation, four-season ready
- — Full-size memory foam bed
- — Hand-riveted aluminum monocoque shell
Dodge Dakota questions
Dodge Dakota-specific questions, answered.
Talk through your Dodge Dakota.
Door-jamb sticker, intended use, modifications you're considering — bring it all by. We'll tell you honestly whether the rig will work the way you want it to.