For a reasonable price you can probably get a used Chevy Silverado 15, Dodge Ram 15, or Ford F-150, with an 8-foot bed, and put a camper shell on the bed; I’d recommend at least a small V-8 with towing package, which would also allow you to tow a pop-up tent trailer with ease. If a slide-in camper would be more suitable, then a 3/4-ton truck would be best, like a Chevy 2500HD, Dodge 2500HD, or Ford F-250 Super Duty, all of which can be equipped with a diesel engine.
JosephEMeehan, did the VW even have a temp gage? Maybe it was running 300 degrees.