Forum Discussion

Frank_Mehaffey's avatar
Aug 15, 2017

RV Trade community dis of Truck Campers

Truck Camper Magazine has been covering the apparent snubbing of truck campers on any national tv and online ads, and excluding the selection or recommendation of purchasing a truck camper on online rv help websites.

Anyone who is a truck camper owner should be concerned that the RV establishment is trying to squash the truck camper industry, while collecting $ from the RIVA certification. The 2 articles in TCM should be read by anyone who owns a TC. The apparent snobbery of many "luxury" resorts toward any truck camper has its roots in the organizations who are attempting to compel potential TC owners to spend as much $ as they can on what the trade organizations deem acceptable. The RV camping show on the Pure Country network has never shown any truck campers, and has people who agonize over if their camper has outside speakers or giant TV's. The following paragraph was my response to someone commenting on the RV Daily dealer site about TC's being "lower level" in their build quality except for a few brands.

Lower level junk used to be called entry level……I have seen fair and poor build quality covered up with corner and seam mounding on just about every brand, regardless of cost. My family has had truck campers for over 20 years, and for a lot of people, the convenience of driving your dingy, and being able to tow your toys a lot cheaper out weighs the advantages of rope lights and outdoor speakers. The rv associations ignoring truck campers is unfortunate at best and snobbery at the worst. Shame on the trade organizations who minimize and under represent the truck camper industry.
  • Really? Come on, you who doesn't list your home area, truck/camper make, model or year. Just joined and obviously are embarrassed to have a truck camper. You are a total embarrassment to the community.

    What did RIVA say to you that has you so up in arms?
  • jimh425 wrote:
    Frank, did you join just to stir this pot?

    I'm not sure why I should care what RVIA says. If you don't want people to think you own a lower tier RV, don't buy a TC. :) Instead, buy a giant Class A.

    We are a niche group. I'm ok with that.


    Jim....

    Don't we all 'stir the pot' ocassionally? Part of being a TC'er.

    I've never in 20 years or so of 'ditrbagging' been the slightest bit concerned what anyone (except my wife) think and candidly, at my age I don't give 2 shilts.
  • Frank, did you join just to stir this pot?

    I'm not sure why I should care what RVIA says. If you don't want people to think you own a lower tier RV, don't buy a TC. :) Instead, buy a giant Class A.

    We are a niche group. I'm ok with that.
  • I read it this moring, I'm subscribed to TCM and I am an occasional contributor.

    Been referred to as a 'dirtbagger' more than once, dirtbagger is slang for a truck camper. I ignore it.

    Never been impressed with RIVA at all. That little sticker that adorns the backside of your TC (not all manufacturers are members however), does nothing but add 61 bucks to the asking price of the unit. Little else.

    My opinion of RIVA is nothing more than an organization that hosts 'feel good' dinners for executives in the industry and tells them what a great job they are doing, when, in fact, they aren't.

    It's a basic 'do nothing' and get paid for it organization.

    Yes, there are a number of RV parks that discriminate against TC's but then there are a number that discriminate against any RV that is not a motorhome and is older than 5 years. Their choice. As a business and independently owned and operated, they set their own rules and standards. Nothing you or I can do about that except camp elsewhere.

    I read the article this morning and gained nothing from it. RIVA's reply was the basic lip service canned reply. Nothing there and won't be.
  • NGaMountains wrote:
    FWIW, RVIA did eventually respond and TCM published their response today.


    Got a link or quote?