Camper truck & travel trailer

[Michealbraunste]

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

[roadrat2]

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.

[bikendan]

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.

[Optimistic_Para]

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.

[Grit_dog]

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!

[bukhrn]

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.

[drsteve]

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

Is this a trick question?

[guidry]

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

[DrewE]

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.

[1492]

Moved from Forum Posting Help and Support

[WNYBob]

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

[donn0128]

A camper sits on the truck. Generally requores a heavy duty truck, it generally requires a 8 foot or long bed truck. And they always cost more per sqft of living space. A TT is towed behind a vehicle.

[theoldwizard1]

Inside space !