truck and camper combos for sale by owner craigslist (2024)

FAQs

Why are truck bed campers so expensive? ›

Expensive materials such as aluminum and fiberglass are used by RV manufacturers to ensure truck campers are lightweight but strong. Additionally, many include stainless steel features and are insulated using top-of-the-line insulations. These pricey materials add up quickly, forcing the retail price up as well.

Always measure and verify that your truck will be fit compatible with your intended camper before purchasing and loading the camper. The important exterior truck dimensions are bed length, bed width, rail height, cab height, and the tailgate opening. Truck bumpers can also cause fit compatibility issues.

While they represent one of the most convenient and popular alternatives to big motorhomes, not everyone in the RV world understands what they are or how they function. However, if you appreciate lightweight traveling, great functionality, and superb maneuverability, then a truck camper is an option worth considering.

Whether any camper can be used with your truck is dependent on your truck configuration (2WD vs. 4WD, standard cab vs. extended cab, etc.)

Make no mistake, all RVs depreciate a lot. The good news is that because truck campers are built better, they tend to hold their values better too.

Unless you already own one or have another requirement that cannot be avoided, we generally do not recommend super short beds for truck campers. To have the most options in a short bed truck, get a standard 6.5-foot standard short bed.

The majority of pickups sold in the U.S. are 1/2-ton models, such as the Ford, F-150, Chevy 1500 or Ram 1500. While these can definitely carry a lighter camper, it's not the best idea. A far better choice is a 3/4 ton pickup, such as a F-250 or 2500 series.

What is the best truck for a truck camper? Well, if you're buying your first truck and you're looking seriously at getting a truck camper, we suggest skipping the half-ton and 3/4-ton and buy a one-ton truck instead like a Ford F-350, a Ram 3500, or a Chevy Silverado 3500HD at a minimum.

In the United States and Canada, truck campers are also known as truck bed campers, slide-in campers, pickup campers, and cabover campers. Europeans call them demountable campers.

Is it safe to sleep in an RV at a truck stop? ›

In general, you can sleep overnight at a truck stop in your RV. Be sure to obtain permission from staff if rules aren't clearly posted. Can you boondock at a truck stop? Traditional camping, including boondocking, is not welcome at truck stops.

Living in a truck camper is perfect for those who want to explore remote locations but don't want to sleep on the ground under a tent, have a decent place to cook meals and comfortable place to use the restroom. Although it is incredibly fun, truck camper full time living is not necessarily a never-ending vacation.

As a result, a mid-size truck like the Ram 1500 is ideal for towing a pop-up camper¹. Just make sure to find out which engine type is ideal for you— there are a variety of innovative powertrain options, with exciting new options coming in the future.

If you remain in the truck, make sure that you subtract your own weight from the total provided. To determine payload capacity, you simply subtract the Curb Weight from the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. The total of 4,212 lbs is the maximum weight that your truck can haul including camper, passengers, and cargo.

The weight range for a Travel Trailer is between 1,250 – 8,500 lbs. If you have a Travel Trailer under 3,500 lbs, you will be fine with a mid-size pickup truck. Most Travel Trailers fall in the 4,000 lbs range, so you need a Full-Size Pickup truck to tow them safely.

Extended sleeper trucks often hold their value better than standard models, which can be beneficial at the time of resale. Extended sleeper trucks' additional features and comforts make them highly desirable, particularly for long-haul drivers. As such, they often command higher prices in the used truck market.

Demand has seen recreational vehicle sales soar to record highs. Combine that demand with supply chain issues and fuel prices dramatically increasing the costs of vehicle components and raw materials. It's not a time when you're likely to score a great deal on a camper van — or fuel and maintain one on the cheap.

RV manufacturers use premium materials that are designed to withstand harsh weather conditions and provide long-lasting durability. These materials are not cheap, which makes them a contributing factor to the high prices of RVs.

Truck campers can go almost anywhere so they're great for those after off-road adventures and camping in remote locations. Overall, they are relatively easy to drive and convenient to use and maintain. Their versatility and affordability are unmatched when it comes to an RV meant to enjoy the outdoors.