Truck Camper Vs. Travel Trailer: Read This Before You Buy 2025

Thank you for reading our post, please rate this article at the end.

Last Updated on September 5, 2024 by Paul Clayton

Truck Camper vs. Travel Trailer: Read This Before You Buy

When exploring the camping world, the debate between truck campers and travel trailers often arises. Both offer distinct advantages and cater to different needs.

Design: Truck campers fit onto pickup truck beds.
Portability: Truck campers are highly portable, and go anywhere.
Space and Comfort: Travel trailers offer more living space.
Cost: Truck campers are generally less expensive due to size.
Maintenance: Truck campers integrate with vehicles, which is more straightforward.
Suitability: Solo or couple travelers, off-road explorers.

Almost everyone loves traveling and camping. That’s precisely why truck campers and travel trailers are trendy these days; the adventure is spot on. And the most amazing part is that you get to recreate your home.

However, you have to make sure you have the right motor vehicle with you. What works for you might not work for someone else. Competition and variety are getting more challenging daily because of the high demand for travel and camping gear.

If you’re into camping, you may get confused while choosing between a travel trailer and a truck camper. Today, I will take you through a detailed guide to help you decide what best suits your needs.

All About Trucks Campers and Travel Trailers

I will start with the most common question people, primarily newbies, ask: what exactly is the difference between truck campers and travel trailers?

People usually can’t differentiate between them as they are pretty similar.

However, there are some technical differences you should know about. I have discussed the features in detail so you can understand the differences and decide what works best for you.

I have also jotted down the pros and cons of truck campers and travel trailers for your convenience.

Truck Campers

As the name suggests, you have a camper loaded on a truck. They are well-known for their compactness and flexibility in sizes.

Did you know truck campers are the smallest available RVs? They are classified as cargo in most states. An average truck camper will cost around $60,000, have four to six sleepers, and be up to 20 feet tall.

Pros:

The slide-outs make truck campers extremely user-friendly. You can use them to get extra space and keep them aside for convenient travel.
Since truck campers are classified as cargo in many states, you don’t have to pay a hefty registration and insurance cost
Truck campers have a good resale value. You can get a good deal if you keep your camper up to the mark.
It feels more home-like because of the motorized mechanisms. You can very easily adjust the temperature inside the camp. Mind you, temperature regulation is necessary during extreme weather conditions.
Driving truck campers is quite similar to driving a truck. It doesn’t feel too bulky, as in the case of a travel trailer.
If you have a luxurious truck camper, you can enjoy a more comfortable environment while being on the road.
They are great for off-road traveling and rough terrains.

Cons:

They have a limited space, which limits the number of travelers.
Some truck campers can be extremely expensive even though they have features similar to those of a travel trailer.
They are pretty tall in general. Hence, access is limited, particularly in forest areas.
Because of motorized mechanisms, the cost of repair increases.
More mechanical parts mean that the maintenance has to be more frequent than other RV’s
Truck campers have a big top, which is tough to handle in high winds.

Travel Trailers

Travel trailers are adventure vehicles attached to a carrier, whether a truck or a car.

Many perceive it as a pop-up camper, which isn’t entirely true. However, travel trailers connect to the carrier vehicle with a ball hitch. They can cost up to $35,000.

Generally, they have a seating capacity of six to eight sleepers. However, some models may accommodate up to 10 or even 12 sleepers.

The average height of a travel trailer is 11 feet. Some of these models are even higher, but they are much pricier, too.

These trailers have the essential features needed for camping.

Pros:

Since there is no motorized mechanism, it saves fuel and risk of mechanical problems while on the road. It is a significant advantage if you’re traveling alone.
As I mentioned, travel trailers are cheaper, so their insurance is more affordable. According to the stats, travel trailer insurance is available for as little as $200.
Travel trailers have a reasonable economy and mileage, which is the perfect package for starters.
Maintenance is deficient because of lesser mechanical parts. Therefore, it adds to the economy of your traveling expenses.
The towing vehicle is entirely independent of the trailer. Hence, you won’t have to worry about compatibility and can upgrade either of the two when needed.
Trailers are flexible in size. Regardless of how large or small your family is, you can find an accommodating vehicle.

Cons:

They are licensed vehicles, so you need a parking space to keep them legally.
Because they are not motorized, they need a carrier all the time.
Travel trailers aren’t great if you want to manage the temperature inside. It is because they are not motorized. Hence, it can be difficult for trailer users, especially in extreme weather conditions.
Hitching and unhitching require a lot of time.

Similarities

No matter which one you buy, some features remain the same. Let’s find out some basic similarities between the two RV’s.

Holding Tanks

Are you planning a long vacation? It would help if you had an RV with a larger holding tank. The longer your journey, the larger the tanks.

Most travel trailers have larger holding tanks than truck campers, so they are safe for a long trip. The duration of your trip will primarily determine this.

Slides

Once again, it depends on how much space you want inside your RV. Although slides will provide you with more space and comfort, they add to their weight, ultimately affecting the mileage.

However, you can choose any if you are okay with the cost and wish to add slides.

Baths

Although truck campers have options for dry and wet baths, there isn’t much difference. Travel trailers feature functional full-sized baths as well.

Truck Camper vs. Travel Trailer

I will now take you through a comparative analysis. The discussion will feature some essential and most sought-after features in both RVs.

Price

Camping is a fun activity, but not everyone can afford it. First, people want to get the feel and see if it’s their cup of tea. So, beginners don’t prefer to invest in something expensive. In this regard, travel trailers have a slight edge because they are comparatively cheaper.

Travel trailers are usually the starting point for RV enthusiasts. Eventually, they upgrade to truck campers at a higher cost. Although truck campers are more expensive, they have the edge over travel trailers in terms of other essential features that we will discuss further.

Access to Camp Space

Truck campers usually feature a slide-in option, which is not the case with travel trailers.

Because of this, you cannot access the back of the trailer from inside the truck.

On the other hand, if you’re in a truck camper, you can hop back and nap while someone else is driving around. It may seem small, but it’s a big plus, especially if you are on a long journey.

Camp Setting and Mounting

Travel trailers are simply trailers, after all. You can’t do much to save space and camp in smaller areas with them. Therefore, you must be mindful of where to park and consider the space requirements accordingly.

On the contrary, truck campers come with several space-saving options. I like pop-up campers because they can quickly retract and expand when needed. Also, travel trailers’ maneuverability is much more complicated because of the ball hitch mounting.

Box Length

Travel trailers are usually more versatile in length, measuring up to 35 feet. It gives you more space to accommodate up to 10 people on board.

With many space adjustments, truck campers can accommodate eight people at once. Therefore, when it comes to space, travel trailers have the edge.

Interior Space

Truck campers are tight on moving space. They usually have at least four beds, which means you have sufficient sleeping space, but moving space is compromised.

As I mentioned, travel trailers offer more moving space but not necessarily the same sleeping space as truck campers.

Economy and Mileage

Typically, camping sites are in remote areas. Therefore, limiting your spending and saving for an emergency is better. You wouldn’t want to get stuck in the middle of the road after spending most of your cash on fuel.

With truck campers, this is one of the drawbacks. They have motorized mechanisms that move the vehicle and control and power it electrically. Also, it harms the vehicle’s mileage.

On the contrary, travel trailers don’t have any motorized parts, so they are not too heavy and are more economical in the long run. Their lesser maintenance cost means you recover most of your purchase price when selling the trailer.

Security

Remember that you’re on the road, and you most likely don’t know what meets you next. Therefore, security is a crucial point to consider when off-road camping.

I often tell people not to carry expensive items, but that’s not always possible. Hence, your RV must be capable of securing your stuff.

Truck campers are much safer in this regard. The sturdy structure provides better security. Travel trailers, on the other hand, are easier to break into.

Towability

You might be off for a boat ride or fishing. A truck camper can tow your boat trailer because the truck acts as the vehicle. This gives camper trucks an added advantage because you can carry two trailers.

On the other hand, the travel trailer gets towed by another vehicle, so you can’t add another trailer behind it. If you own a boat, I suggest you get a truck camper instead of a travel trailer.

Sitting Space

Most camping enthusiasts can’t be on the road all the time. Sometimes, you must leave your RV behind and do other activities like bicycling, dining in your favorite restaurants, or working. Do you know what that means? Your RV needs to rest somewhere.

If you’re using a truck camper, you are lucky because it can quietly sit in your driveway. You can even park it easily while shopping or buying groceries. Since it’s not huge, you won’t have trouble parking it.

You can use your camper as a separate living space in your front yard until you pack for the next camping trip.

On the other hand, a travel trailer requires sufficient parking space, so it may be challenging to find a legal spot. Yes, you can’t just park it anywhere.

You must first check if you can park your travel trailer in a particular area. Travel trailers are best if you don’t plan to stop a lot. Even if you do, knowing the parking rules is better to avoid the hefty fine.

Maneuvering

If your vehicle can’t handle challenging terrain and uneven roads, off-road trips are not fun. But in the end, it depends on where you plan to go. For me, truck campers are better because of their motor-powered system.

Travel trailers cannot travel on their own. While towing, they don’t precisely follow the lead, especially when reversing and parking.

Maintenance Cost

Typically, travel trailers require more maintenance than truck campers. This is because they have more parts, such as wheels, axles, and bearings, which require regular checking and upkeep.

However, the maintenance cost of a truck camper can also be high if you factor in the wear and tear on your truck’s suspension and tires.

Wrapping Up

When considering the design aspects in the Truck Camper vs. Travel Trailer debate, it’s important to note that truck campers are designed to fit seamlessly onto pickup truck beds.

This compact design makes truck campers highly portable and suitable for off-road travel, offering the freedom to go anywhere a regular vehicle can.

However, travel trailers outshine in terms of space and comfort, providing more living areas, a crucial consideration for families or groups. Cost-wise, truck campers generally come out on top due to their smaller size and less intricate design.

This also leads to lower maintenance as truck campers are integrated with vehicles, thus simplifying upkeep.

Regarding suitability, truck campers are an excellent choice for solo or couple travelers and off-road explorers who prioritize mobility. At the same time, travel trailers are more suited for those who value living space and comfort.

Therefore, choosing between a truck camper and a travel trailer concerns individual needs, lifestyles, and travel preferences.

Home page
Back to the top of the page