Is it common to remove your truck camper at your camp spot?

[ewarnerusa]

Hello. I am a long time TT owner but have been brainstorming about what I might like to do in the future. We 100% boondock off grid in dispersed spots and I like the idea of how much more we would have access to if I wasn't towing the camper but carrying it instead. But is it common/practical to take the camper off your truck at the camp spot and use it while on the ground? I think that would be a very attractive way to do it, freeing the truck up for things we would want to use it for without having to bring the camper with. Thanks.

[Grit_dog]

JimK-NY wrote:
A post like this seems to attract those who have removed their campers while camping. In spite of the responses, I would say removing the camper is rare. I spent 2 years camping full time in the National Parks in the western US. I can only remember seeing this happen once.

In any case what others do does not need to change your plans.

May have been the year we were at Yellowstone then, lol. First thing I did was dump the camper so that it wasn’t hanging out back there for days of touring around the park.

[ewarnerusa]

Attracting those that take their campers off was the intent. Getting to read about experiences and practicality of it was what I was hoping for.

If I was at a campground, I would respect their policy. But I'm talking about boondocking at dispersed spots which is how my family camps.

[JimK-NY]

A post like this seems to attract those who have removed their campers while camping. In spite of the responses, I would say removing the camper is rare. I spent 2 years camping full time in the National Parks in the western US. I can only remember seeing this happen once.

In any case what others do does not need to change your plans.

[JIMNLIN]

Is it common to remove your truck camper at your camp spot?

OP asks "your camp spot"??
WE don't have just one spot or one area or a fed or state or private camp ground we like to camp in but the majority of campground we;ve stayed is has signs up "do not remove your truck camper from your truck. Simply depends where you camp.

When I had truck campers and pulling a boat/car hauler full of atv/horse trailers I had front and rear mounted hitches for loading/unloading my boats of various weights/lengths.... and even towing doubles.

It a good idea if you want to just stay in camp ground that allows truck camper removal is to call ahead.

[JRscooby]

Optimistic Paranoid wrote:
You might want to verify with your insurance agent that the camper will be covered if, say, a tree falls on it while it's dismounted in a campground.

You might want to verify with your insurance agent that the camper will be covered if, say, a tree falls on it while it's mounted in a campground.

[Optimistic_Para]

You might want to verify with your insurance agent that the camper will be covered if, say, a tree falls on it while it's dismounted in a campground.

[KD4UPL]

I used to take mine off so I could launch and retrieve the boat without it. It's also nice for hauling the kids and their bikes around the campground or whatever. I could take it off in about 15 or 20 minutes. Putting it back on was maybe 30 minutes. It's no big deal.

[lap527]

I like keeping the TC on the truck. We like having our facilities with us all the time, especially me. Usually we put camper on the truck in November or December and take it off around April. I love it for daycations and short trips.

[ewarnerusa]

Thanks for all the fast responses! Good to hear that taking the camper off the truck and using it on the ground is not uncommon. I guess it must be odd that I don't recall seeing it done.

[notsobigjoe]

The only time we don't take it off is when the wife either brings her car or tows the boat. Otherwise off it comes. OP, I've been doing it so long I could do it in my sleep but it is a bit getting used to. You should have no problems. There have to be hundreds of videos on YouTube about this very subject as well as just as any articles and threads here. Good luck!
Joe

[JimK-NY]

I avoid taking mine off. First the clearance on mine is really tight and reloading can take a while. Second, I use the space in front of the wheel wells between the camper and the truck. It is great for storing extra paper good, a long extension cord, space heater, boots, shoes, dirty laundry, etc. Third, I really enjoy having the conveniences of the camper with me at all times. That includes being able to prepare decent food, a cup of coffee, use the facilities and even take a mid-afternoon nap. There have been a few places were removing the camper would have been great. Goin to the Sun Road was mentioned. I just took the free bus instead.

[Grit_dog]

Yes you can and yea it’s normal. And most TCs can be used, off the truck.

[jimh406]

I don't usually take mine off, but taking it off has more to do with how fast/easy it is for you to take it off. With one exception, there seems to be some private campgrounds that don't allow you to remove the TC.

[ICamel]

I used to take the camper off the truck all the time. Liked the convenience of being near the ground. After having to evacuate due to a forest fire nearby, I decided to leave the camper in the bed of the truck.

[Lwiddis]

It is uncommon both when I had a TC and now IMO. The height of a TC limits access to about the same degree as a short TT. If I'm not sure...I scout ahead after dropping the TT. Takes a while to drop a TC and reload.