Camper truck & travel trailer

bikendan wrote:

drsteve wrote:

Michealbraunstein wrote:
What are the differences between a truck camper and a travel trailer?

Is this a trick question?

The OP is a new member and appears to own a TT.
Maybe has never seen a truck camper.

This is the Beginner forum after all.

drsteve wrote:

Michealbraunstein wrote:
What are the differences between a truck camper and a travel trailer?

Is this a trick question?

The OP is a new member and appears to own a TT.
Maybe has never seen a truck camper.

Since 100% of the weight of a truck camper is carried by the truck itself, you almost always - except for the very lightest truck campers - need a one ton truck, often a dual wheel.

With a travel trailer, only 10% or so of the trailer's weight is carried by the truck - as tongue weight - and the other 90% is carried by the trailer's axle(s). So you can often use a lighter truck to tow one.

Also, the truck's brakes are the only thing stopping a truck with a truck camper, whereas the travel trailer almost always has it's own brakes which help considerably to slow the entire rig when you step on the brakes.

drsteve wrote:

Michealbraunstein wrote:
What are the differences between a truck camper and a travel trailer?

Is this a trick question?

Nope, this is AreVeeedotnet!

WNYBob wrote:
And lots of steps, to get into the TC and more to get into bed!
To many for us old people!

A TC is also nice and cozy for two young folks, but too crowded for this old claustrophobic.

Michealbraunstein wrote:
What are the differences between a truck camper and a travel trailer?

Is this a trick question?

Having a truck camper allows you to tow something behind. Like a boat, ATVs, a travel trailer, or almost any trailer.

As donn0128 said, the truck camper slides into the bed of a pickup truck. In nearly every state a truck camper doesn't need to be registered since it's cargo and not a vehicle. (There are a couple of exceptions that at least claim to require registration. I don't quite understand how that works since other things you carry in a truck don't need to be registered.)

A travel trailer is a trailer that's towed behind whatever sort of vehicle and nearly always needs to be registered. A few states don't require the registration of small trailers, possibly including a few small travel trailers and a few more other little towable campers such as some popups or teardrop trailers.

As a practical matter, a truck camper is usually quite compact inside and doesn't permit one to carry other stuff in the truck bed, but also doesn't involve towing a trailer. For going on back roads or national forest trails that can be a big advantage. A travel trailer usually has more room, and leaves the truck bed free for stuff if needed and if weight ratings permit, and can be towed by other sorts of vehicles. A travel trailer and truck are usually lower in overall maximum height than many truck campers, sometimes and advantage. Being a trailer, you do of course have some additional mechanical parts to maintain and more tires to buy.

And lots of steps, to get into the TC and more to get into bed!
To many for us old people!