It goes without saying that learning about RVs is perhaps not the easiest thing. When it comes to RVs, truck campers are just on the cusp. However, what exactly is a truck camper? What it is is a mini RV that can be laid inside a truck’s bed.
The role of this additional space is to act as a mini home from home as it contains a bed, small kitchen, and a bathroom. Would you believe that truck campers are so tiny that about 40 states do not qualify them as RVs, rather they are seen as cargo.
Good things can sometimes come in small packages and that is evident here as truck campers do come equipped with bathrooms. Depending on the size of the camper you want, it is possible to get either a wet bathroom or a camper with a large bathroom.
When it comes to selecting the right truck camper for you, you have to take in several considerations, particularly if you are looking to avoid any uncomfortable driving.
One great thing about truck campers is that it can help you save money, especially if you only plan to use your RV on a parttime basis.
Truck camper advantages
There are quite a number of benefits and advantages associated with truck campers. For one, a truck camper can be a great way to dip your fit into the RV life pool without spending an arm and a leg.
Truck campers have been developed to not provide additional disruption to the storing, parking, and driving that a regular truck might cause. Additionally, given that you simply need a truck, you have the opportunity to boondock just about anywhere.
Parking
If there is one thing that comes to mind when people think about purchasing RVs, it is how and where to park seeing as an RV is bound to take on additional space. Pretty much anything you attach using a hitch is likely to stick out the back of a truck.
When you move around you will have to search for additional parking space. What this means is that you might have to release your trailer every time you would like to rest, or use up extra parking spaces simply to ensure that your trailer is not obstructing the flow of traffic.
This is a problem that happens with fifth wheels, and travel trailers, but it is not something that happens with truck campers.
With a truck camper, you can park just about anywhere given that your camper fits right in your truck’s bed. It means that you can park just about anywhere you want.
Inexpensive
There really is nothing more inexpensive than a camper, for a whole host of reasons. For one, the space you get is smaller compared to a full-sized RV, so it is bound to cost less. The general rule is that the more space you require, the more you pay.
It is possible to purchase a truck camper for anything between $4,000 to $20,000. That, however, does not mean that there aren’t truck campers that cost a whole lot more.
Seamless storage
Just as with parking, trying to safely store your truck camper is quite easy. You avoid all the struggles that those with full-sized RVs such as Class A motorhomes suffer with. Storing a truck camper is a lot easier to do than the truck carrying it around.
This is true because the truck camper is smaller than the truck and that means it can be seamlessly stored in a garage.
Additionally, if your camper has been weather treated then the camper can be seamlessly stored outside to brave the elements. This is particularly useful when you are in a new environment.
Great Manoeuvrability
A great concern for those looking to get into the RV lifestyle is how they are going to drive those RVs with little to no difficulty.
This concern does not exist for those that select a truck camper, you’re simply driving a truck.
What does make this different is that you will have to deal with the additional height and weight of the truck camper and be cognizant of this fact at all times. However, traveling with your truck camper is seamless.
You don’t have to worry about the additional length that you get from pulling a travel trailer as it is the same length as the truck you have always driven. it means that you do not have to learn a different way of driving simply to accommodate a truck camper.
Truck Camper Disadvantages
You need to have the right truck
Picking a truck camper is only half the equation. You have to select your truck and it has to be one that is capable of handling the load you are putting on it. If not you are likely to damage your truck or the camper.
You would be surprised that this a massive reason that stops people from purchasing truck campers. Think about you might want a particular truck camper only to find out that it is not suited to your vehicle.
If you do not have a truck, then you might be interested in purchasing a vehicle that has its inbuilt engine, if that does not interest you, you can move to purchase a motorhome at the price of a truck camper.
The majority of RVs require that you have a truck, however, not every individual is in love with driving. If this sounds like you, then you shouldn’t look to get a truck camper.
Cannot be used off-road
This is a major disadvantage which is down to the fact that the truck camper provides additional weight making off-roading unsafe.
If you happen to purchase an all-terrain pickup truck and then attach a camper on it, you should never expect that the truck would provide the same level of efficiency with the added weight as it would with no weight.
Going off-road with a truck camper would be uncomfortable as you would be able to feel every bump on the trail.
It is even possible that you could become stuck in the mud or snow due to being in a heavier vehicle. It is best to only use paved roads when you have your trucker camper.
Small Space
This is originally a benefit to having a truck camper. However, after you spend time in one for a bit, you begin to notice that they are quite small and there is barely enough room for you.
This lack of space can affect the bathroom space and sleeping space. If you intend on having a truck camper for just yourself, then you should be fine. However, if you would like to have someone tag along then it might not be as effective as you believe.
If you are searching for better sleep options, you simply have to learn about fifth wheels and Class C motorhome as they have much better and bigger sleeping areas.
Cannot be casually used
There are quite a lot of people that simply have their truck camper continuously hooked on their truck. This added weight can be too much of a burden, especially when it comes to the financial aspect of things.
The fuel economy is bound to be remarkably worse given that you have chosen to lug the additional weight all over the place. Additionally, truck campers can make the overall truck look and feel tall.
This isn’t something that is suited for a casual setting. For example, truck campers tend to be as tall as 11 or 15 feet. This might not seem so bad until you are driving down the highway and get hit with a gust of wind.
When this happens, you begin to feel the wheel react to the wind. While this in itself is not dangerous, you overcorrecting can create a collision.
Truck campers with bathrooms
Given that we have stated that truck campers do come with bathrooms, it makes perfect sense to highlight a few of them and the features they have.
1. Alaskan 7 Cabover
The Alaskan 7 Cabover is quite different from what one would describe as a normal camper. To that end, it is a hybrid camper. A hybrid camper is one that can provide you with benefits of both the hard-side and pop-up camper.
The Alaskan 7 Cabover has a pop-top built with a sturdy wall construction as well as a hydraulic mechanism that raises and lowers the camper’s top using a switch flip.
Its telescopic design is not simply an aesthetic as it transforms into a complete classic interior room when camping.
Additionally, due to its design, you can be sure to get reduced wind resistance as well as better mileage on your travels.
Prominent Features:
- Maple cabinets
- Leather dinette
- Large countertop
- Wood-panelled ceiling
- Wet bath
- Larger Overhead storage
- Full-length door
The 7 Cabover is perfectly suited to fit on short and long bed trucks. And at just $29,900 this is perhaps one of the cheapest truck campers on this list.
2. California Four-Wheel Camper Flatbed Hawk
This Four Wheel Campers from California are known to be unique durable campers. The Flatbed Hawk is no different. It does not matter how extreme road conditions may be, the Flatbed Hawk can withstand it thanks to its narrow girth and rear kickback.
The Flatbed Hawk has quite a number of interesting features, for one it is just 60 inches when the pop up is down. It weighs less than 1,500 pounds and goes up to just over 2,000 pounds when it is fully loaded.
Moreover, the frame is extremely lightweight, thanks to the roof made from a single piece of aluminum. The construction is high quality ensuring that its waterproof and durable designs are sure to last.
Prominent Features:
- East-West bed layout
- Massive dinette
- Isotherm 3-way fridge measuring 1.7 Cubic feet
- Indoor shower
- Dual battery box
- 14 interior material choices
- Small Kitchenette
- Wrappon Green 12 volt portable toilet
- 320-watt solar power option
Perhaps the only negative to this camper is the fact that the fresh water tank is a bit on the small side measuring just 20 gallons.
Nevertheless, it is possible to install an additional water tank if you are interested in increasing your freshwater capacity thanks to the tray size.
The Flatbed Hawk has been specifically designed for full-sized trucks that have a 6 and a half feet bed. The base price of a Flatbed Hawk starts around $27,400.
3. Lance 825
This Lance Camper is a great product that embodies the quality which Lance brings to RV construction.
Lance Campers is a leading manufacturer in the camping industry. The 825 is the result of several years of work at Lance to create the lightest and most durable truck camper.
The 825 in its construction, embodies that desire. It only weighs 1,832 pounds. When the camper is fully loaded it can be a great choice for three quarter ton trucks. The 825 is available with an 8.6 feet floor plan.
Prominent Features:
- Equipped kitchenette
- Small wet bath including shower
- Ful seized dinette
- Large wardrobe
- Atwood water heater with a 6-gallon capacity
- Cherry finished cabinets to provide a classy interior
- 2 burner cooktop made with stainless steel
- Queen sized bed with North-South layout
- Removable carpet
- 100-watt solar power system with a roof rack.
This camper has a freshwater tank capacity of 30 gallons while its black and grey water tanks are 13 and 14 gallons respectively.
The 825 has been designed to be sleek and aerodynamic thanks to its TPO nose cap made from one piece.
A unique feature on this list that isn’t seen on others is the ability to connect a solar panel or generator to the camper for easy battery charging. The Lance 825 base model can be purchased at $23,850.
Conclusion
These are just a few of the truck campers that come with bathrooms. it is important to know that while most of these truck campers have wet baths, you can purchase some truck campers with dry baths.