Why You Should Buy A Truck Camper...
So you're thinking of getting a new RV and are unsure of which style to go with - maybe a class B motorhome? or a small tow-behind trailer? You're weighing the pros and cons but can't seem to decide on your best option... Have you thought about a truck camper? It's kind of the best of both worlds.
One thing Camp-Out is well known for is our truck camper inventory, for some reason not man RV dealers have many, if any in stock. We're proud of this reputation as we really do pride ourselves in being the truck camper experts and love meeting customers from far and wide who come in specifically for this one style of camper. So what's so special about them? Let me tell you...
1. Truck Campers are Versatile
Without a doubt, truck campers are the most versatile rig on the market. One really great thing about truck campers is that they can go anywhere, they're the best style of RV to take off-roading or off the beaten path. Unlike travel trailers, truck campers do not require to be towed, so you've only got the chassis of your truck below you and nothing to worry about dragging behind. You also don't need a campsite for a truck camper, so anywhere you would normally drive to and set up a tent, you can just bring your camper instead.
2. They Don't Add Length To Your Rig
Another nice thing about truck campers is that they can go anywhere your car can. When you're stopping for lunch or making a pit-stop for a washroom break, you never have to worry about finding a big parking spot or parking way at the very back of a big parking lot to find a group of 3 or 4 parking spaces for your rig. Truck campers take up no more ground area than your vehicle, so finding parking spots is super easy. As well, if you wanted to stop in and visit friends in-town or do some urban exploring, you can easily park on the street just as you would with a regular vehicle. Truck campers add little to no inconvenience to bring with you unlike travel trailers and motorhomes that require some special considerations when looking for places to stop and park.
3. No Towing (& Fuel Efficiency)
Carrying a truck camper is without a doubt more fuel efficient than a Class B motorhome or tow-behind trailer. Especially for owners who take extra precautions to reduce fuel economy (ie. ensuring all tanks, including fresh water, are empty before travel).
4. You Still Have Room to Tow
Because truck campers are being carried by your vehicle rather than towed, you still have the option to bring your boat, or a cargo trailer with ATV's, dirt-bikes, snowmobiles and other toys. Have you ever tried to launch a boat from a Class B motorhome? We have, and we don't recommend it. You're still able to use your truck without compromising all of its abilities and functions.
5. You Can Leave It Behind
Here's a true story: One day, long ago, a man and his family drove their new motorhome from Stratford, Ontario to Disneyland in Florida. The drive took a couple of days, with two kids in the back (brother and sister) screaming bloody murder at one another for majority of it. Everyone was anxious to arrive and get out of the car. As the family finally arrived to the park, they tiredly found their campsite and began to set up for the week. They unloaded all of their outdoor furniture and set it up under the awning, pegged their ground mat down under the entry steps and hung their awning lights. It was a beautiful scene for about 15 minutes, until they realized they had forgotten the milk. 4 days worth of cereal-breakfasts and no milk. The man and his family then had to repack everything, tear up the ground mat from under the camper, take down the awning lights and retracted the awning. All to drive about 10 minutes to the nearest grocery store for some milk.
With truck campers, you'll never have this problem. The camper is separate from the vehicle and therefore you can drop it and still get full use of your truck. Better yet, unlike fifth wheels, truck campers don't involve hitches that take up the whole bed of your truck, so you can still fill your truck bed and use it normally - whether you're filling up with some wood for the fire or taking the bikes out for the day, you still have access to your truck bed and don't have to pack-up camp every time you forget the milk.
6. They're Easy to Set-Up and Take-Down
Truck campers are often referred to as an alternative option to tents, because they're compact and focus more on practicality rather than luxury. However, truck campers have the added benefit that they require very little set up. Unlike tents, once you arrive at your destination, you're already set to go. Obviously there's more to it depending on the type of experience you're looking for, but if you're just stopping for the night it's much quicker and easier than finding level ground, blowing up an air mattress/sleeping pad, securing a tarp and setting up a tent before being able to crack a drink open and start a fire.
7. Truck Campers Have Everything You'll Need
Especially for the times that we're in now where public washrooms and showers are still widely unavailable, truck campers come fully equipped with everything you'll need. Inside you'll find a fridge, stove, oven, microwave, washroom and shower. This is really nice for those looking to spend a few days off-grid or go into the backcountry. As much fun as it might be to pack-out your waste, truck campers offer the convenience of having appliances and services, as well as black water tanks so you don't have to worry about packing-out after every time you "go". They also have fresh water holding tanks, meaning that you don't have to worry about packing huge barrels of water or water purifying tablets cause you'll have access to gallons of water coming right from your kitchen tap!
8. They Generally Have Less Maintenance Costs
You'll be happy to know that generally, truck campers don't cost nearly as much as a Class B to maintain. It makes sense, as they don't have any moving parts that meet the highway like chassis, tires and bearings. And most important, they don't have engines that can cause a whole new set of problems that are generally expensive.
9. Less Registration Fees
Because truck campers act more as cargo oppose to an RV, there are fewer registration fees. First, truck campers don't require licensing or license plates. As well, there is no ownership registration unlike RV's and motorhomes.
10. Off-Road Capabilities
If you're someone who likes to explore and is in it for the adventure, truck campers are one of the best option out there. The compact-size means you can go places where the typical RV/motorhome can't. Add the go-anywhere capability of a heavy-duty pickup truck with a pop-up or light weight truck camper and you'll be able to go practically anywhere you desire. Travel down remote, narrow roads in Algonquin or climb steep routes up the Rockies, with a truck camper, the world is quite literally at your doorstep.
Truck campers are truly one of our favourites, which is why we continue to keep a good amount in our inventory and have been ever since 1962. We love them for their versatility and for the ease of carrying a trailer rather than towing one. Truck campers last a long time and can be your home-away-from-home for years to come. Just imagine the memories you could make with one of them, travelling across the trans-Canada highway and through National Parks. They are the perfect upgrade for those who love to tent, and a great addition to those with lots of desire to explore the outdoors. Be sure to take a look at our online inventory or, better yet, come on in and take a look around if you want to see more of these campers and all they have to offer.