How does a new truck camper camper get started?

tonyclifton 

Well you are tracking towards the perfect RV solution based on your original post. Provided you don’t want to tow anything….

Pros:

Maneuverability. Just like driving a pickup truck with a big ass load of firewood in the back.
Avid outdoorsman. Virtually any TC will be pure luxury if you’re an ole backpacker. 
Space. Even a moderate size TC is luxurious for a single person like you. 

Cons:

Your half ton will need to grow up into a bigger truck unless you want to get a little popup or one of those newer overlanding little  jobbers. (Yes he has a half ton for those who didn’t pick up on it.)

Location:  East coast sucks for finding TCs new or used. Figure out what you want and drive out west and buy it. 
Cost:  As mentioned you could keep your 1/2 ton and tow anything from a canned ham style trailer to a solid med size TT and the camper would apples to apples cost less than a comparable TC and no need to upgrade trucks. That said if you go for a HD gasser, cost to go from 1/2 to 3/4 ton is very little. 3/4 ton gassers don’t sell for more than comparable half tons. 
Good luck. 

You don't say why you want a truck camper.  Some do buy a truck just for truck camper, but keep in mind that a truck/truck camper combination is one of the most expensive RVs for the space you get.

I suggest going to some of the larger RV shows that will show you all of the types of RVs that are out there and demonstrate different floor plans.  If you look at the schedule, there are probably some within a short drive/flight of where you live.

Do you already own a truck? And do you plan to use it to haul a camper?

Are you set on getting a truck camper, or would you consider a class C or class B, or maybe even a travel trailer?

Renting a truck camper will be difficult to impossible on the East coast.

cruise america is a rv rental that is in richmand or manassas.  to me thats the best way to see if you will like a truck camper.  rent one for a week or two and go on a holliday.  truck campers are a little different from trailer or motorhomes in the sence you cant just jump in the truck and run to town, you r taking the camper with you all the time so you have to get it ready for travel before you leave.  But, if your into hiking and such, it is the one that will get you into the most out of the way spots that other trailers just camt make it into.  the right 4x4 truck /camper combanation will go almost anywhere.  

when you do buy, used is always good to save a few bucks, but make sure you take some one who knows about rv's and do a good inspection.. concider even hiring a moble rv repair guy to do the inspection, the few bucks you spend could save you years of repairs..  now buying new is worth it also if you figure out you look it.. you can look to find the exact floor plan you like, not just want for sale in the used market at the time, and if your not worried about total price the options for financing new make the payments realy low.