We've only ever travelled in a travel trailer. Recently we sold it and bought a truck camper. We're going on a trip to Gaspe and Newfoundland this summer. Much of it will be boondocking, but we will stay in campgrounds/provincial parks as well.With a travel trailer, it's simple. Unhook, set out the chairs, set up the bbq, tablecloth on the table etc etc. When we go on a day of touring, all of that stuff stays behind, but the site looks occupied because our travel trailer is sitting there as well. We;ve never had an issue anywhere.With a truck camper, it has to go with you on your day of touring. Do you just leave everything else at the campsite? Have you ever had issues with that, i.e. oh, look what these people left behind! They must have forgotten it, there's no vehicle here!Just looking for some opinions/experiences! This is a whole new ballgame for us!Thanks!

Depending on your setup you could just leave the truck camper at the site all hooked up to shore power and locked up.

I figured out that camping chair left on driveway gives enough message.

Yah, if you can't or don't want to unload the camper from the truck then, Leaving stuff out is a good indication the spot is taken, some just leave something on the table to indicate occupied. I do it, and so far so good. I wouldn't "advertise" the good stuff, maybe cover them up or behind something so it's not obvious, but as everyone agrees, if they want it, the'll get it, I just don't want to "hand it" to them. I tend to lock, motorcycle chain, the Honda 2000i generator and also the Yeti cooler (with it's cable lock) if I have to leave them. Usually just wrap around the camper's jack leg.If I need to drive around and are staying for more than a few days, I'll off load the camper, much like unhitching the Trailer. Then put the stuff under the cabover part... out of rain etc.Hope that helps..

This was the main reason I never bought a camper, the fact that you had to load and unload it constantly. Plus I lost all the storage of the truck bed, ie- bicycles, kayaks, firewood ect. I see people unload and set up their campers all the time. seems like a hassle to me. I hope it works out well for you and happy camping.Bill

You should check with the campgrounds you are interested in, but generally, they have a spot to put a reserved slip if you reserve spots at public campgrounds around here. If you are talking about first come/first served, then I'd think about using cones or similar with a sign that says occupied. I don't usually bring a lot of extra stuff, but if you do, then I expect you could leave that in the spot along with your rug/chairs/etc if you do that. I have one of these which I'd probably leave setup if I was worried about it. But, they are also great for bugs and at $63.89 now at Amazon a pretty great price. They really are very simple to setup. http://www.amazon.com/Coleman-Instant-Screenhouse/dp/B00EHKP9QY

Staying in Campgrounds with a Truck Camper | Good Sam Community

27 Replies

mkirsch
Nomad II
May 06, 2016
Take a live and let live approach:

1. Don't leave anything you can't stand to lose.
2. Don't get upsset if someone takes your site. It happens.
Tripalot
Explorer
May 06, 2016
We took a picture of our truck camper, blew it up to 8 x 10 size, had it laminated and just used a couple of thumb tacks to attach it to the picnic table. If the table was aluminum or there was no table, we attached the sign to a small stake we could hammer in the ground in the middle of the site. I think we also put on the picture, off in our t.c.

We never had a problem with loosing our site.
jimh406
Explorer III
May 06, 2016
You should check with the campgrounds you are interested in, but generally, they have a spot to put a reserved slip if you reserve spots at public campgrounds around here.

If you are talking about first come/first served, then I'd think about using cones or similar with a sign that says occupied. I don't usually bring a lot of extra stuff, but if you do, then I expect you could leave that in the spot along with your rug/chairs/etc if you do that.

I have one of these which I'd probably leave setup if I was worried about it. But, they are also great for bugs and at $63.89 now at Amazon a pretty great price. They really are very simple to setup. http://www.amazon.com/Coleman-Instant-Screenhouse/dp/B00EHKP9QY
98coachman
Explorer
May 06, 2016
This was the main reason I never bought a camper, the fact that you had to load and unload it constantly. Plus I lost all the storage of the truck bed, ie- bicycles, kayaks, firewood ect. I see people unload and set up their campers all the time. seems like a hassle to me. I hope it works out well for you and happy camping.
Bill
fpoole
Explorer
May 06, 2016
Yah, if you can't or don't want to unload the camper from the truck then, Leaving stuff out is a good indication the spot is taken, some just leave something on the table to indicate occupied.

I do it, and so far so good. I wouldn't "advertise" the good stuff, maybe cover them up or behind something so it's not obvious, but as everyone agrees, if they want it, the'll get it, I just don't want to "hand it" to them.

I tend to lock, motorcycle chain, the Honda 2000i generator and also the Yeti cooler (with it's cable lock) if I have to leave them. Usually just wrap around the camper's jack leg.

If I need to drive around and are staying for more than a few days, I'll off load the camper, much like unhitching the Trailer. Then put the stuff under the cabover part... out of rain etc.

Hope that helps..
Kayteg1
Explorer II
May 06, 2016
I figured out that camping chair left on driveway gives enough message.
mellow
Explorer
May 06, 2016
Depending on your setup you could just leave the truck camper at the site all hooked up to shore power and locked up.

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Staying in Campgrounds with a Truck Camper

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