What’s a Pickup Camper?

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A pickup camper is a compact camping unit that fits in and over the bed of a pickup truck. It is less bulky than a full-sized RV and requires minimal effort to slide into place. It provides a comfortable and safe place to sleep and costs less than other types of motorhomes. It is possible to purchase an RV with additional functionality such as a pop-out side or pop-up roof. The RV is designed for easy installation and removal and can be detached and stored when not in use. Basic maintenance is required to extend the life of the device.

Sometimes known as a truck camper, the pickup camper is a simple, compact camping unit that fits in and over the bed of a pickup truck. Considerably less bulky than a full-sized RV, RVs come in sizes ranging from a basic shell that encloses the bed to RV shells that hang over the sides of the bed and lap up the top of the cab section of the truck. A pickup camper requires only minimal effort to slide into place on the truck bed and can be removed and stowed away when not in use.

The basic pickup camper is a simple shell that fits over the bed of the truck and is attached to the sides of the bed with bolts or a set of spring clamps. The body of this simple RV is usually composed of light metal and has small Plexiglas windows on each side of the RV body. The height of the basic pickup truck is normally close to the same height as the roof of the truck cab.

For many camping enthusiasts, a pickup camper is a great alternative to a full-sized RV or even a camping trailer. Providing a comfortable and safe place to sleep, motorhomes cost significantly less than other types of motorhomes. Also, the pickup camper creates significantly less drag on the road than towing a trailer, which means your gas mileage is usually higher.

While the basic RV shell provides a simple metal cover over the truck bed, it is possible to purchase an RV with additional functionality. A popular option is the RV with a pop-out side. Sometimes constructed from heavy duty canvas or fiberglass, this extension can be installed once the camper reaches its destination and will add extra storage to the interior. A pop-up roof can also improve motorhome comfort by creating additional headroom. The roof is raised when the campsite is set up and then lowered back to its original position when it comes time to return to the open road.

Because the RV is designed for easy installation and removal, you can detach and store the RV shell in a garage or other storage area when it’s not in use. This option is attractive to many campers who cannot afford a truck especially for camping and rely on one vehicle for all their transportation needs.

When taken care of with basic maintenance, an RV is able to last for a number of years. The RV shell body should be periodically inspected for scratches or other damage to the paintwork, as this may cause rust to form. Taking the time to wash and wax the exterior of your RV will also help keep it looking fresh even after years of use. Storing the RV on blocks rather than letting the body rest on concrete or bare ground will also help extend the life of the device.
While smaller than many RVs, the RV offers more comfort and space than the typical camping tent. Additionally, setting up your RV for use normally takes only moments, making the setup time shorter than even that of a basic canvas tent.




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