Truck camper

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A truck camper
A truck camper

In North America the term truck camper and its derived acronym, TC, are generally used to refer to any recreational vehicle or RV that may be carried in the bed of a pickup truck. In North America, this RV type is sometimes known as a slide-in or cab-over.

In Europe the term demountable or dismountable is more frequently used, and in Australia, the term slide-on is used to describe RVs of this type.

Truck campers are the most versatile form of recreational vehicle. They are capable of going virtually anywhere a pickup truck can go. The truck camper has been around since the early 1950s, and has gone through an evolution in development that places it on par with many larger RV types.

North America's largest truck camper manufacturer is Lance Camper Manufacturing Corporation of Lancaster, California, followed by Arctic Fox of La Grande, Oregon. Truck campers continue to be most popular in the Western United States and Canada, and this is where most manufacturers are headquartered They are slowly making inroads into the eastern part of the continent as the baby boomer generation retire, and are looking for comfort combined with freedom and versatility. The truck camper is also becoming a very popular RV type in Australia, where rugged terrain makes them a practical choice.

Truck campers are a popular choice for fishermen, hunters, and other sportsmen as a boat may be easily towed behind and you may camp off-road in relative comfort.

A good quality truck camper can cost as much as a much larger RV. All the amenities have to be put into a much smaller package, and the RV has to be able to tolerate the abuse of rough roads.

Contents

[edit] Categories

There are different classes of RVs generally labeled as truck campers:

Clamshell
The clamshell construction is utilized by 2 Canadian manufacturers, Bigfoot & Northern Lite and consist of 2 fiberglass shells, joined horizontally, at the center.
Hardside Filon, Wood Framed
This is a camper utilizing wood framing (usually fir), finished in Filon, a thin fiberglass layer on a wood backing.
Hardside Filon, Aluminum Framed
This is a camper utilizing aluminum framing, finished in Filon, a thin fiberglass layer on a wood backing.
Hardside Aluminum 
This is a camper utilizing wood or aluminum framing, finished with aluminum siding.
Pop-Up 
A low profile truck camper designed to cut back on weight and wind resistance. Construction techniques may utilize any of the above methods except Clamshell. The roof may be raised by mechanical means to add height while camping. There are 2 types prevalent in the industry: soft-walled, utilizing a fabric (canvas or Weblon), or the hard-walled, solid frame unit. Examples include Outfitter, Northstar (softwall), Hallmark (softwall), or Alaskan Camper(hardwall).
Campers with Slides 
These are campers with a one or more movable wall sections. These sections known as "slides", and increase the interior living space. Some contain only the dinette, others, called "full wall" slides may contain the dinette, the fridge and other appliances. Examples are Snow River, Arctic Fox, Lance, Okanagan, Adventurer and Host. Companies, currently producing double slides are Lance, Okanagan, Adventurer and Host. A slide is currently only possible in campers with frame construction, not pop-ups or fiberglass clamshell types.

[edit] Shows & Rallies

There are several RV shows each year featuring truck campers. The major Truck Camper Show held bi-annually in the US Mid West features truck campers exclusively. This is usually combined with a national rally.

Many truck camper clubs hold rallies throughout the United States, Canada, Australia, and Europe. See some listings below.

[edit] History of The Truck Camper

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[edit] Features

Modern truck campers contain most of the amenities found in larger RV types, including refrigerators, stoves, furnaces, ovens, microwaves, bathrooms, showers, etc. Many modern Truck campers utilize "slides", which are a movable sections of exterior wall, usually containing the dinette.

Truck campers are loaded and off-loaded to a vehicle utilizing four corner jacks which enable the camper to be raised, and the truck backed-up underneath. The camper is then secured to the vehicle with chains or spring loaded tie-downs.

[edit] Suitable truck types

Larger North American pickup trucks are generally the best for carrying a truck camper, although many manufacturers produce units for lighter duty European and Japanese models. The gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of a truck is the figure used to determine what size camper may be carried. The GVWR, minus the weight of the truck with passengers and fuel is the payload that the truck may legally carry. Stability can be improved by the addition of a sway bar, overload springs and inflatable airbags on the rear suspension. Most campers are rated at their "dry weight" which is the weight of the camper less any fluids like fresh water or sewage, and any possessions or add-ons that may add to the total weight. These need to be taken into account when determining the maximum size camper a truck may carry. Tires & Braking capacity are also two important factors when determining maximum payload. It should be noted that the total axle capacity is always higher than the GVWR. Tires & braking are frequently the rate determining factor, from a safety point of view.

Pickups come in many different varieties; Single Rear Wheels (SRWs), Dual Rear Wheels (DRWs), short bed, long bed, gas, diesel, 1/2 tons, 3/4 tons & 1 tons and up. There are also other factors in the equation such as tire rating. A large enough truck should be used to handle the payload of the camper. A DRW will provide more stability and payload than an SRW, however a DRW is more likely to get stuck in snow or sand, and is not as easy to drive around when the camper is off. A one ton truck will carry more than a 3/4 ton truck, which in turn will carry more than a 1/2 ton truck. There is a significant frame difference between a 1/2 ton truck and a 3/4 truck. The frames on a 3/4 ton and 1 ton truck are essentially identical.

A diesel engine will provide more torque and hill climbing capability and provide better fuel economy, but the initial investment is higher.

A long bed truck is better suited for most campers. It is very important that the center of gravity of a truck camper be located forward of the rear axle. This is far easier to accomplish with a long bed truck. Some manufacturers do produce campers specifically for short bed trucks.

Carrying capacity & safety may be enhanced by replacing the standard 16 inch wheels found on most Pickups with 19.5 inch rims, which will handle higher load rated F & G Class tires, rather than the normal recommended E-Class. These tires have more plys and are stiffer, but are less suited to use on sand or in snow. Two companies produce, 19.5 inch rims for pickups, Vision & Rickson.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

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[edit] Truck Camper Clubs

[edit] Internet Forums

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