Hi Everyone,I've recently had a friend visit and on the back of his truck was a pick-up camper (pop-up style). I had never really looked into them until then and I immediately fell in love with the model!I'm looking for a camper that I can take across the US on an extended road trip. Something that will offer a slightly lower profile than other units and something that doesn't involve a trailer/towing. A truck camper seems to fit this bill nicely. I would use this as my primary residence for the duration of the trip (likely up to 6 months or more).I have a few questions that I hope some folks here can help me with (I apologize if these are elsewhere in the forums or are too basic!)1) Where do I start? - Are there particular brands/models that are better than others, pros/cons of each?2) I own a 2003 Chevy S10, 6' bed. - Is this enough truck for a pop-up camper or would I need a full size?3) Shopping for a used camper(doubt I could afford new). - What are some things to look for? What are some things to avoid? Are there things on a camper that can't be fixed/replaced?4) Reliability/longevity - Are truck campers good for a while? As stated in the previous question, I will need to buy used so I want to make sure whatever I buy will still meet my needs.5) Anything else? Are there things you wish you knew when you started into the truck camper world that you know now? Any experience or suggestions about anything truck camper related would be really helpful and appreciated. I have very little experience with campers in general so I apologize for my ignorance here.Thank you all for the help!

I am researching buying a truck camper myself and from what I can tell Hallmark seems to be the most popular pop up camper. Outfitters, Northstar, Phoenix and Palomino also get good reviews.Check your truck to see what the payload is. If it's under 2000 pounds you will probably have to get a 3/4 ton truck unless you get one of the smaller pop ups.

A 2003 Chevy S10...15 years old. Mileage and payload are? Age and weight limit of tires? Engine and transmission?

The list above is missing Fourwheel Campers. Lightweight, rugged, expensive.Really if you need/want to buy used, I think the better camper (as in: better shape) is the better deal regardless of the brand.Used campers often come with existing (water-)damage, repair is more work than you anticipate.The interwebs tell me the payload of your truck is around 1200-1500 lbs. That ... is not much. Also, I am not sure which campers will physically fit between the rear wheel wells. Never trust the weight stated for any given camper, and calculate realistically what additional weights need to be added.Many popup campers can be safely loaded on many 1/2ton / 1500 series pickup trucks.The 3/4ton idea is not bad. If in doubt, it is better to have more truck than you need.

being the owner of a 2001 Chevy S10, you would really be pushing that truck carrying a pickup camper. I would recommend looking at a full size truck. But before you buy a truck, figure out which camper you want. This part is important, because many buy the truck, than the camper, then realize the truck is too light. a good place to start is 4 hours SE of you at Truck Camper Warehousethey are Saturday and Sundays weekend.

If you've got designs of being completely self-contained, with kitchen, bathroom, shower, etc., I am not aware of any campers for compact trucks that include those features.Most compact truck campers are pretty much just camper-shaped bedrooms, and cramped ones at that. You need to have external facilities for bathing and doing your business.Remember you want to live like this for SIX MONTHS and travel LONG DISTANCES with this setup. Driving an overloaded truck all over the country and living in an almost primitive setting for long stretches isn't for everyone.

Newbie Looking for Advice | Good Sam Community

16 Replies

K_Mac
Explorer
Aug 09, 2017
Check out TCM. Truck Camper Magizine. They have a newbie section with lots of good info. More truck is in your future if you plan on living in it for six months. Good luck.
mkirsch
Nomad II
Aug 09, 2017
If you've got designs of being completely self-contained, with kitchen, bathroom, shower, etc., I am not aware of any campers for compact trucks that include those features.

Most compact truck campers are pretty much just camper-shaped bedrooms, and cramped ones at that. You need to have external facilities for bathing and doing your business.

Remember you want to live like this for SIX MONTHS and travel LONG DISTANCES with this setup. Driving an overloaded truck all over the country and living in an almost primitive setting for long stretches isn't for everyone.
towpro
Explorer
Aug 09, 2017
being the owner of a 2001 Chevy S10, you would really be pushing that truck carrying a pickup camper. I would recommend looking at a full size truck. But before you buy a truck, figure out which camper you want. This part is important, because many buy the truck, than the camper, then realize the truck is too light.

a good place to start is 4 hours SE of you at Truck Camper Warehouse
they are Saturday and Sundays weekend.
joerg68
Nomad III
Aug 09, 2017
The list above is missing Fourwheel Campers. Lightweight, rugged, expensive.
Really if you need/want to buy used, I think the better camper (as in: better shape) is the better deal regardless of the brand.

Used campers often come with existing (water-)damage, repair is more work than you anticipate.

The interwebs tell me the payload of your truck is around 1200-1500 lbs. That ... is not much. Also, I am not sure which campers will physically fit between the rear wheel wells. Never trust the weight stated for any given camper, and calculate realistically what additional weights need to be added.

Many popup campers can be safely loaded on many 1/2ton / 1500 series pickup trucks.
The 3/4ton idea is not bad. If in doubt, it is better to have more truck than you need.
Lwiddis
Explorer II
Aug 09, 2017
A 2003 Chevy S10...15 years old. Mileage and payload are? Age and weight limit of tires? Engine and transmission?
csh_2088
Explorer II
Aug 09, 2017
I am researching buying a truck camper myself and from what I can tell Hallmark seems to be the most popular pop up camper. Outfitters, Northstar, Phoenix and Palomino also get good reviews.

Check your truck to see what the payload is. If it's under 2000 pounds you will probably have to get a 3/4 ton truck unless you get one of the smaller pop ups.

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