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Last Updated on August 24, 2024 by Paul Clayton
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Pop-Up Camper vs Truck Camper: What You Need To Know
Choosing between a popup camper and a truck camper can be challenging for outdoor enthusiasts. Both campers offer unique features and advantages suited to different camping styles and needs. The choice between them ultimately depends on personal preference, budget, and the intended use of the camper.
- Portability & Convenience.
- Living Space & Comfort.
- The Camper Cost.
- The Camper Durability.
When most people hear RVs, they think about the massive Class A motorhome. However, that isn’t the only type of RV available.
All that additional space might be unnecessary depending on a couple of factors, such as your preference and camping style. Added to the fact that a class A RV can cost quite a bit, it makes sense to look elsewhere.
For couples, individuals, and small families, truck campers and popup cameras are the seemingly better options for RVing. This begs the question: how do you pick between these two campers?
To answer this dilemma, this comparison article was created to help offer a bit of perspective so that you can select the one that best suits your needs.
Popup Campers
A popup camper can be described as the smallest and most basic end of a travel trailer. There are numerous popup campers, with some models sleeping one and others sleeping 3 or 4 individuals, depending on the floorplan configuration.
A unique feature is their ability to expand in size, making them perfect for smaller families. That being said, they are not the best at insulating due to their soft wall designs.
1. Price
Regarding price, popup campers are very inexpensive compared to other RVs. It is no surprise why those looking to test the waters of the RV lifestyle purchase popup campers first.
Even a fully loaded popup camper comes at a fraction of the cost compared to truck campers. Given that they have oversized axles and floorplans, it is strange that they are still mostly cheaper than a similarly rated truck camper.
2. Extra Room
Most popup campers tend to be built with bigger floor plans compared to truck campers. These campers can feature hidden beds that increase the amount of liveable space.
Having a more prominent room means that you can have more features. Features such as a dry bathroom, dinette, and full kitchen are just some of the standard features of a popup camper.
3. Towability
Popup campers must be towed; there are no two ways. However, they can be quickly hitched, and their low profile and weight make them effortless to pull compared to larger trailers.
Hooking up a popup camper to a tow vehicle can be done in minutes. It can be pretty easy to unhitch the camper at a campground, ensuring you are not inhibited from using your car as you please.
4. Unique Camping Experience
Thanks to their size, these campers can be taken just about anywhere. There are quite a lot of state and national campgrounds that were created half a century ago to cater to much smaller RVs.
The gigantic toy haulers and motorhomes cannot access numerous national campgrounds. With a popup camper, you can be closer to nature without actually being in it. A regular travel trailer would have you locked away, but a popup camper brings the outside to you.
5. Storability
By design, popup campers can collapse into flat trailers, making them relatively easy to store. You need to create space for them wherever.
With a travel trailer, you will either have to rent RV storage to park it when it is not in use, or you could hope that your driveway is long and wide enough to accommodate your RVs.
Truck Campers
Truck campers are named so because they are mounted in a truck’s bed and typically have a platform called a cover that goes beyond the truck’s cab.
A truck camper is essentially an RV designed to be portable and hauled around in your truck’s bed.
It is perhaps the minor type of RV available, and in most states in the country, it is not legally referred to as an RV. What it is is cargo. This goes to show how convenient and small a truck camper is.
Leaving the truck camper behind is not as easy as leaving a popup camper behind. There are a few benefits to selecting a truck camper over a popup camper. They are:
1. Driveability
A significant benefit of getting a truck camper is its easy operation. The additional length can complicate reversing and cornering when you have a popup camper or any other travel trailer.
With a truck camper, the height of the truck increases by a couple of feet. However, given that your truck camper is still not as tall as a travel trailer should be, you need not worry about height.
The increase in weight, however, will be noticeable in braking and the amount of power you have available. Nevertheless, this does not mean driving with a truck camper would be dangerous.
2. Comfort Factor
Truck campers can be pretty cozy thanks to their unique floor plan design that places everything you need in a single area. You get everything from lounging to sleeping and cooking, all in a tiny bit of space.
For this reason, a truck camper can be an optimal romantic choice for couples or the perfect RV for a one-person camping trip.
When you think of the truck camper, you should think of it as cozy as a tent, with a comfortable bed, increased insulation, and much better protection from nature’s wrath.
3. Amenities and Features
Regarding the features and amenities available, truck campers take the win with numerous floor plans and styles. Some models come with slide-out compartments that provide additional room for a toilet or a dinette.
Other truck campers have a complete kitchen with a refrigerator and a cooktop. You can also get an air conditioner and a furnace in your truck camper, making it the ideal choice for a winter camping trip.
4. Dry Camping Friendly
Dry camping or boondocking is an activity many RVers do, and a truck camper can be the perfect RV. This is because a truck camper can go just about anywhere and is small enough not to be cumbersome.
Campsites can be a great place with massive travel trailers and fifth wheels full of the latest and most luxurious amenities.
However, a truck camper is the best choice if you are searching for an RV that enables you to enjoy the best nature offers.
Traveling without a truck camper is a very satisfying trip if you’re the type of individual who loves adventure and off-roading. Camping in a truck camper cannot be compared to any other RV.
5. Maintaining a Truck Camper is not Only Easier But also Less Expensive
If there is one thing that all RVs need, it is a sufficient amount of care and maintenance. The larger the vehicle, the more maintenance is required.
This is especially true when you have an older RV or a preowned one; you must ensure you are current on routine maintenance.
Popup Camper Vs. Truck Camper: Setup Process
Popup Camper Setup Process
Setting up a popup camper involves steps that typically start with leveling and stabilizing the camper on the campsite.
Once the camper is level, the next step is to unlock and raise the roof, often accomplished using a crank system. Following this, the end bunks are pulled out and secured. The supporting poles or braces for these bunks are then put into place.
Interior setup includes arranging the sleeping and dining areas, extending slide-outs if the model has them, and connecting utilities like electricity and water. The process, while straightforward, can take some time, especially for beginners.
Truck Camper Setup Process
A truck camper’s setup process is more straightforward than a popup camper’s.
Primarily, it involves correctly mounting the camper onto the truck. It requires aligning the camper with the truck bed and securing it firmly using tie-downs and turnbuckles to ensure it’s safely attached.
Once the camper is mounted, the setup process at a campsite is minimal. Users may need to extend and stabilize slide-outs, level the truck if necessary, and set up external utilities like electricity and water connections.
The interior is often ready to use once parked, making it a convenient option for quick setup.
Wrapping Up
In comparing popup campers vs truck campers, several factors come into play. The first is portability and convenience. Popup campers are known for their lightness and easy-to-tow nature, making them a favorite among occasional campers.
Truck Campers, on the other hand, are more convenient for frequent travelers as they can be permanently attached to the truck, eliminating the need for constant setup and tear-down.
Living space and comfort are other areas of comparison. While truck campers offer more interior space and comfort, popup campers are not far behind with their innovative designs that maximize space usage.
Some models even feature slide-outs to provide additional living space.
When it comes to cost, popup campers win hands down. They are significantly cheaper than truck campers and offer good value for money, especially for those who only camp occasionally.
However, truck campers may prove more cost-effective in the long run for those who frequently travel and camp.
The last factor to consider is durability. Both popup campers and truck campers are built to withstand outdoor conditions, but the latter is usually more robust and can handle rough terrains better due to its solid construction.
In conclusion, both types of campers have pros and cons, and the choice between popup camper and truck camper ultimately depends on individual needs and preferences.
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