You could just add a pop-up truck bed camper to an existing full-size truck such as an F-250, or even a small mid-size truck such as a Toyota Tacoma. There are also truck bed camper units for pickup trucks with a flat bed. These are sometimes referred to as “coupled” camper trucks.
A popular type of truck bed camper is the pop-up truck camper jack. These may be operated with one or two hands, but they are very simple to use, and a skilled driver can get the job done in less than ten seconds. Some models have a button release for the legs, so there is no need to worry about the cord. These truck camper jacks can be mounted on the truck bed behind the driver, or on the ground in a safe position. This is done using an air strut, which allows the camper jacks to lock into place, and stay in position until the driver releases the ground strap.
Both pop-up truck bed camper jacks and slide-in campers have some advantages over other designs. The biggest advantage is the ease of use and maintenance.They do not take up valuable space in the van camper conversions truck bed, and they allow a greater amount of cargo .
Another advantage is the ease of use and the amount of cargo space opened up. All that is needed is to unhook the air strut from the truck campers’ air lines, detach the legs from the strut, and push the rear of the pickup through the holes. Then pull the entire unit off of the truck bed. This is not the case with most pop up truck campers. Many of them are just large enough to store a few camping supplies, a fishing pole, and a small lawn
sprinkler
system.
Most pop-up truck bed campsers have single walls, with one side having completely open floor plans. Some have a small opening for the bed of the truck to enter, while others have doors. Some units even have two small doors, rather than one large door. This allows for small loads that do not compromise the security of the camper. For families, or small groups traveling together, this feature allows easy access to the truck bed without a large amount of luggage.
There are several features of the truck bed that need to be considered, when purchasing a camper. First and foremost is how safe the truck bed is in the event of an accident. The strength of the truck, and the load it is carrying, have to be considered. Security must be enhanced by the strength of the walls, the type of roof, and the number of roof racks. If you have small children in the back, or if you plan to carry tools and other items to and from work, the strength of the truck’s roof will be an important factor in your selection of a camper with adequate roof strength.
A major consideration of campers with lifting capabilities is how safe they are when ascending ladders. Some truck campers have built-in lifting devices, but these are often attached to the truck via winches. Others are wheeled platforms that can be moved along terrain. Regardless of how the truck campers are lifted, safety must be considered. If you intend to store tools and other items while on the trail, you should consider one of the foldable jacks that are available on many models.
Another consideration is whether you want a truck bed mounted or stand-up slide-in camper. Both are attractive options. The slide-in is more easily hauled from place to place; however, it will not be as stable as the stand-up model. The truck bed will still move in a rough environment. If you are looking for an economical way to transport and store equipment, a truck camper with a slide-in will be your best option