Quite frankly a 1/2T pickup is only suitable for light "popup" type campers. There are many of this type on the market to choose from as there are WAY more 1/2T pickups on the road then 3/4T and 1T trucks.
As others have mentioned many 3/4T trucks CAN work for many of the smaller/medium sized hard side campers however if you live in a area where "payload" and GVWR is important (generally a few regions in Canada) a 3/4T truck has a max GVWR of 10,000LBS and the addition of even a 'medium' hardside camper can easily push the weight of the truck+camper+gear to 11-12K LBS fairly quickly and easily.
The REAL issue with SRW trucks is not the limited "payload" and GVWR but rear tire weight ratings and the load on them that a camper+gear will place. While many upgrade their tires and/or tires+rims to commercial rated items this will make the tires+rims safe but do nothing for "payload" or GVWR if you live in a area where that is important.
While the common thought is "bigger is better" here a "reality check" is recommended and I'd suggest evaluating how much time you'll actually spend in the camper in the first place. Personally unless the weather goes to heck on us we spend MOST of our time camping OUTSIDE and only sleep, cook meals and sometimes eat in the camper.
When it comes to truck campers unless you want to purchase a VERY big (and expensive) truck: smaller and lighter is better. :)
- Mark0.
