M1 vs. Scout at a Glance
Scout Campers (made by Adventurer Manufacturing in Yakima, WA) offers seven models split between hardwall and pop-up configurations. The closest to the M1 in truck class is the Tuktut, their compact/mid-size model. The Yoho is the mid-size step-up with full amenities. Both are honest comparisons to an M1 buyer researching the market.
| Factor | Tune M1 (mid) | Scout Tuktut | Scout Yoho | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base Price | $12,999 | $17,990 | $24,990 | M1 — Much Less |
| Dry Weight | ~400 lbs | 577 lbs | 929 lbs | M1 — Significantly Lighter |
| Sleep width | 60" (E/W) | 47.5" | 50" | M1 — Widest |
| Sleeping capacity | 2 | 2 | 4 | Scout Yoho — Sleeps 4 |
| Interior height | 6'4"+ (popped) | 6'0" (fixed) | 6'3" (fixed) | M1 — More Headroom |
| Solar/battery included | No (add-on) | No (add-on) | Yes (190W + 132Ah) | Scout Yoho — Included |
| Water system included | No (add-on) | No (add-on) | Yes (LifeSaver + sink) | Scout Yoho — Included |
| Buildout flexibility | 440+ ft T-track | Limited | Limited | M1 — T-Track System |
| Type | Pop-up hardside | Hardwall slide-in | Hardwall slide-in | Different Products |
| Lead time | 75–90 days | ~3.5 months | ~3.5 months | Similar |
| Made in USA | Denver, CO | Yakima, WA | Both USA | |
Price
The M1 has a straightforward price advantage across every Scout comparison. The Scout Tuktut starts at $17,990, nearly $5,000 more than the M1's $12,999 base price. The Scout Yoho is $24,990. Larger Scout models run from $26,990 (Olympic) to $34,990 (Kenai Pop-Up).
Part of that premium reflects what's included. The Scout Yoho ships with a 190W solar panel, a 132Ah lithium battery, a water jerry can and gravity sink, and a convertible dinette. The M1 ships without any of those; you add them to your build. So the all-in cost comparison depends on how you equip each camper.
A real comparison: an M1 build with battery ($500–$1,500), basic solar ($300–$600), and a water setup ($200–$400) closes the gap but still comes in well under the Scout Yoho. For buyers who want those features and are willing to pay for a done-for-you solution, Scout's pricing reflects that value. For buyers who want to choose their own gear and aren't paying for a pre-configured kit, the M1's lower base price is a genuine win.
Weight & Payload Impact
Weight is the M1's clearest advantage, and it compounds with every other thing you put in the truck.
The Scout Tuktut weighs 577 lbs dry, 177 lbs more than the M1's ~400 lbs. That 177 lbs lands directly against your truck's payload capacity before you add a single piece of gear. On a mid-size truck with a 1,200 lb payload rating, those 177 extra pounds of camper mean 177 fewer pounds of everything else.
The Scout Yoho is in a different weight class entirely. At 929 lbs dry, the Yoho is more than double the M1's weight. That's before you add solar batteries (~25–35 lbs already in the Yoho), water (8+ lbs per gallon), passengers, and gear. On most Tacoma and Ranger trim levels, a Yoho build is at or beyond the payload limit before you've loaded anything personal.
Scout's larger models (Olympic at 1,072 lbs, Kenai at 1,232 lbs) are effectively full-size and heavy-duty truck territory only. They're not in the M1's target market.
Use the payload calculator to model any Scout model against your specific truck's door sticker. Enter 577 lbs for the Tuktut or 929 lbs for the Yoho. The results are often clarifying.
Sleeping & Space
The M1 wins on sleeping width and headspace. The Scout Yoho wins on sleeping capacity.
The Tune M1 uses an east-west sleeping orientation: you sleep sideways across the truck bed. The platform is 60" wide, a standard queen width. Two adults sleep side-by-side without feeling cramped. When the pop-top is closed, the sleeping platform stays installed and ready; opening it takes seconds and your bed is there.
The Scout Tuktut's bed measures 47.5" wide × 69.6" long. That's noticeably narrower than the M1's 60", closer to a narrow full than a queen. The Tuktut is comfortable for a solo sleeper and workable for a couple, but the width difference is real at 12.5 inches. The Scout Yoho's main bed is 50" × 72", better but still 10" narrower than the M1.
Where Scout pulls ahead is capacity. The Yoho and larger models include a convertible dinette lounge that creates a secondary sleeping area, making them 4-person campers. The M1 sleeps 2. If you're camping as a family with kids, Scout's models are designed for that; the M1 is not.
On headspace: the M1's pop-top gives 6'4"+ of standing room when raised. The Scout Tuktut has a fixed roof at 72.25" interior height (6'0"); the Yoho at 75" (6'3"). All three have usable standing room, but the M1 has the most headspace in its mid-size configuration.
Truck Compatibility
Both campers target similar trucks for their respective size classes.
The Scout Tuktut is explicitly designed for compact and mid-size trucks: Ford Maverick, Jeep Gladiator, Ford Ranger 5' bed, Toyota Tacoma 5' bed, and comparable trucks. This overlaps almost entirely with the M1's mid-size truck compatibility list.
The Scout Yoho fits mid-size trucks with 5' and 6' beds (Tacoma, Ranger) but weighs 929 lbs dry. At that weight, you need to verify your specific truck's payload rating carefully. A loaded Yoho build (with water, gear, and passengers) can exceed the payload limits of most mid-size trucks, especially those with smaller engine options or higher trim packages with heavy features.
The Tune M1 fits the same mid-size trucks plus the Rivian R1T, Honda Ridgeline, and Ford Maverick. At ~400 lbs, it leaves more margin for gear, water, and passengers on every compatible truck.
For full-size trucks, both the M1 full (~500 lbs) and Scout Tuktut (577 lbs) fit comfortably. The M1 full-size has more payload margin on any given truck. Scout's Yoho on a full-size truck (F-150, Tundra, Silverado) will work but leaves less room than the M1.
Features & Buildout
This is where the comparison splits cleanly by buyer type.
Scout Campers follows a "camp simple, out of the box" philosophy. The Yoho and larger models ship with solar, battery, water system, sink, lighting, and a convertible dinette table. You can order it, mount it to your truck, and camp the first weekend. No buildout phase required. Scout's Unbound Power Tower system manages three-way charging (vehicle alternator, shore power, solar) with minimal setup.
The Tune M1 follows the opposite philosophy. 440+ feet of T-track throughout the interior, exterior, and roof creates a modular buildout system. The M1 community has built shelving, kitchen setups, gear rails, electronics mounts, and lighting systems without drilling a single hole. The 80/20 aluminum extrusion ecosystem that works with the M1's T-track gives owners access to a huge library of compatible parts and accessories. See the M1 interior buildout guide and accessories page for the scope of what owners build.
Neither approach is wrong. If you want a complete solution without a buildout project, Scout's all-in models (Yoho and above) deliver it. If you want to choose your own battery, solar, and kitchen setup and have a platform designed for that customization, the M1 is the stronger base.
The Scout Tuktut, Scout's most affordable model, is actually closer to the M1 in this dimension: the Tuktut ships without solar or battery and is positioned as the "build it yourself" Scout option. But it costs $5,000 more than the M1 and weighs 177 lbs more.
Lead Time & Ordering
Both companies operate on a custom-order basis with similar timelines.
Tune Outdoor quotes 75–90 days from signed Purchase Order. The camper ships to you or a certified dealer for installation. Tune has install locations at their Denver HQ and through a certified dealer network.
Scout Campers quotes approximately 3.5 months for direct factory orders from their Yakima, WA facility. Scout also has a dealer network across the US and Canada. A $500 deposit holds your slot.
Lead times at both companies can fluctuate with demand. Verify directly with each manufacturer before treating the timeline as a fixed decision factor.
Who Each Is For
Choose the Tune M1 if: Payload margin matters and you want to stay well within your truck's limits. You camp regularly with a partner and want a 60" wide east-west sleeping platform. You're planning a custom buildout and want 440+ feet of T-track to work with. Budget is a consideration. You own a Rivian R1T, Honda Ridgeline, or Ford Maverick and want a pop-up platform camper.
Choose a Scout Camper if: You want solar, battery, water, and a kitchen sink ready to go without a buildout phase. You camp as a family of 4 (Yoho and larger). You have a full-size or heavy-duty truck with plenty of payload headroom. You prefer a fixed hardwall profile over a pop-up for simplicity or lower closed height. You're willing to pay a premium for a more complete out-of-the-box experience.
If you're cross-shopping the M1 and Scout, the weight difference is usually the deciding factor. Scout's Tuktut is 177 lbs heavier than the M1 for $5,000 more, with fewer buildout options. Scout's Yoho is more than double the M1's weight. On a mid-size truck with a 1,000–1,400 lb payload rating, those numbers close off a lot of options before you've loaded your first bag. The M1 leaves room. Scout's larger models do more out of the box. If you want a 4-person capable camper with everything included and you're running a capable full-size truck, Scout is worth a close look. But most people cross-shopping the M1 end up staying there for the weight and price, not in spite of them.
M1 Builder is independent and has no financial relationship with Tune Outdoor or Scout Campers. This is an honest comparison based on published specs and community research.