Truck camper: Difference between revisions

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 horseback riders, fishermen, hunters, and other sportsmen as a boat or horse trailer 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.

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.

History of The Truck Camper

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (May 2008)

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.

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.

External links

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Truck Camper Clubs

Internet Forums

Other

North American Truck Camper Owners Association
World Listing of Truck Camper Manufacturers
RV Consumer Group rates motor homes, travel trailers, fifth wheels, and campers by highway control, reliability, and value. A nonprofit, independent organization.
Bob Mehrer, President, SnowRiver Truck Campers, Penticton, BC, Canada (out of business September, 2008)
Paul Beddows, Past President, North American Truck Campers Association, Bellingham, Washington, USA
NATCOA(North American Truck Camper Owners Association)
INTCOA(Australian Truck Camper Owners Association)
RV Links (A guide to campers, rv parks and resources)
RVDA (National Recreation Vehicle Dealers Association homepage)
RV Resources (a RV resources directory)
RV Basics ( an RV resources directory)

@@ Line 64: / Line 64: @@
 * [http://www.intcoaustralia.com.au Australian Truck Camper Owners Association]
 * [http://www.bigfootowners.com Bigfoot Owners]
-* [http://groups.msn.com/SOUTHERNCOMFORTtruckcampers/_whatsnew.msnw Southern Comfort Club]
+* [http://http://www.southerncomforttruckcampers.com/ Southern Comfort Club]
 * [http://www.matruckcamperrally.blogspot.com/ Mid Atlantic Club]
 * [http://www.lanceowners.org Lance owners of America]