Head-to-Head Comparison
The M1 and M1L are not different sizes of the same camper. They're different products with different design philosophies. The M1 prioritizes interior width and livable space. The M1L prioritizes weight savings and value.
| Feature | Tune M1 | Tune M1L |
|---|---|---|
| Price (mid-size) | $12,999 | $8,999 |
| Price (full-size) | $13,999 | $9,999 |
| Base weight (mid-size) | ~400 lbs | ~322 lbs |
| Sleep width | 60" (queen) | 60" (queen, via slide) |
| Sleep orientation | East-west (fixed) | North-south (extender) |
| Sleep length (mid-size) | 72" | ~80" (with extender) |
| Interior width | ~72" (extends beyond bed) | ~60" (stays within bed) |
| Interior volume (mid-size) | 269 ft³ | 200 ft³ |
| Interior volume (full-size) | 323 ft³ | 212 ft³ |
| T-track | 440+ ft | 330+ ft |
| T-track bolt | M6 | |
| Headspace (open) | 6'4"+ / 6'10"+ (mid/full) | 6'4"+ |
| Rivian R1T compatible | Yes | No |
| Camper jacks available | Yes | No |
| Warranty | 3-year limited + lifetime support | |
| Made in | Denver, Colorado | |
Sleeping: The Biggest Difference
Both campers achieve a queen-width sleeping platform, but they do it completely differently:
M1: East-west fixed platform
- You sleep sideways across the truck bed, your head is on one side, feet on the other
- The platform is always in position. Open the pop-top and your bed is ready.
- 60" wide × 72" long (mid-size) or 78" long (full-size)
- The cab-over extension provides the length, it extends over the truck cab, so you don't lose bed space below
- With the optional King Bed Extension: ~80" × 72"
M1L: North-south sliding platform
- You sleep front-to-back (head toward cab, feet toward tailgate)
- The sleeping platform uses a sliding extender that pulls out to create the full queen width
- When the extender is stowed, you have more open floor space in the camper
- 60" wide × ~80" long when extended
- The slide-out mechanism adds a setup step, you pull the extender out at camp
Key distinction: The M1's mattress stays in place when the camper is closed, you open the pop-top and your bed is made. The M1L's extender needs to be deployed each time. For couples who camp frequently, this convenience difference matters more than you'd expect.
Interior Space & Buildout Potential
This is where the $4,000 premium shows up most clearly.
M1: Extends beyond the bed
The M1 extends approximately 4 inches beyond the truck bed on each side. This doesn't sound like much, but it adds ~12" of total interior width, which translates to noticeably more elbow room, more buildout space, and a wider sleeping platform.
- Interior width: ~72" (mid-size)
- Interior volume: 269 ft³ (mid-size) / 323 ft³ (full-size)
- 440+ feet of T-track, more mounting points for shelving, lights, and gear
- More wall space for 80/20 builds, storage systems, and accessories
M1L: Stays within the bed rails
The M1L sits entirely within the truck bed's existing width. This makes it a cleaner, more aerodynamic profile, and means it doesn't require the wider mounting hardware the M1 uses.
- Interior width: ~60" (stays within bed rails)
- Interior volume: 200 ft³ (mid-size) / 212 ft³ (full-size)
- 330+ feet of T-track, still ample for most builds but ~25% less than the M1
- Less room for large buildouts, works well for simpler, lighter setups
If you're planning an extensive 80/20 interior buildout with shelving, a fridge, and a full electrical system, the M1's extra width and volume give you significantly more room to work with. For a minimalist setup (battery, mattress, a few accessories), the M1L is perfectly adequate.
Weight & Payload Impact
The M1L's weight advantage is its single most important feature for payload-tight trucks.
| Scenario | M1 (mid-size) | M1L (mid-size) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base camper | ~400 lbs | ~322 lbs | 78 lbs lighter |
| + 100Ah battery | 425 lbs | 347 lbs | 78 lbs lighter |
| + solar + mattress | 455 lbs | 377 lbs | 78 lbs lighter |
| + 2 adults + water + gear | ~960 lbs | ~882 lbs | 78 lbs lighter |
That 78-lb difference stays constant through every build configuration. On a Tacoma TRD Pro with ~1,000 lbs payload, 78 lbs is the difference between a comfortable margin and a tight squeeze.
Price Breakdown
The base price difference is $4,000. But the total cost of a road-ready setup is closer because both require the same accessories.
| Item | M1 | M1L |
|---|---|---|
| Base camper (mid-size) | $12,999 | $8,999 |
| 100Ah LiFePO4 battery | $293–$950 | $293–$950 |
| Solar (100–200W) | $150–$400 | $150–$400 |
| DC-DC charger | $100–$250 | $100–$250 |
| MaxxAir roof vent | Factory option | Factory option |
| Mattress upgrade | $80–$630 | $80–$630 |
| Total road-ready | $15,000–$19,000 | $11,000–$14,000 |
The M1L saves you roughly $4,000 on a complete setup. Real money. If you're stretching your budget, the M1L gets you camping sooner with money left over for accessories.
Truck Compatibility
Both campers cover the same range of mid-size and full-size trucks, with one notable exception:
| Truck | M1 | M1L |
|---|---|---|
| Toyota Tacoma | ✓ | ✓ |
| Ford Ranger | ✓ | ✓ |
| Chevy Colorado / GMC Canyon | ✓ | ✓ |
| Toyota Tundra | ✓ | ✓ |
| Ford F-150 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Ram 1500 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Chevy Silverado / GMC Sierra | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rivian R1T | ✓ | ✗ |
| Honda Ridgeline | ✓ | ✓ |
Rivian R1T owners: The M1L is not compatible with the R1T. If you have a Rivian, the M1 is your only Tune option.
Choose the M1 If…
- You camp with a partner regularly, the wider interior and fixed east-west platform make couple camping significantly more comfortable
- You want maximum buildout space, the 440+ ft of T-track and wider interior accommodate extensive 80/20 builds, fridge slides, and storage systems
- You have plenty of payload, full-size trucks (Tundra, F-150, Ram) typically have 1,300–1,800+ lbs, making the M1's weight a non-issue
- You value convenience, the fixed sleeping platform means your bed is always ready when you pop the top. No setup step.
- You have a Rivian R1T, the M1L isn't compatible
- You want camper jacks. Jacks are available for the M1, not the M1L. This matters if you plan to remove the camper frequently.
Choose the M1L If…
- You're on a tighter budget. $4,000 saved is $4,000 you can put toward battery, solar, and accessories.
- Your truck has marginal payload. 78 lbs lighter at the base. On a Tacoma TRD Pro or loaded Ranger, this is meaningful.
- You camp solo most of the time, the narrower interior is perfectly adequate for one person, and you save weight and money
- You prefer a lower profile, the M1L stays within the bed rails, giving it a cleaner look and slightly better aerodynamics
- You want to start camping sooner, lower cost means less saving up, and you get the same core Tune quality
- You don't need frequent removal. No jacks available for the M1L means it's less convenient to remove/reinstall regularly
Can't decide? The simplest decision framework: if you camp with a partner more than you camp solo, get the M1. If you camp solo more than with a partner, get the M1L. Both are excellent products from the same manufacturer with the same build quality and warranty.