No longer do you have to set up an outdoor shelter out on the highway or sleep in the truck bed on your bivvy sack anymore. Simply hop in, take a nice hot shower, eat a nice warm meal in the galley and fall asleep on a soft bed all night long. Sounds good, doesn’t it?
So, how can you convert your pickup truck camper into an easily convertible mini-RV? Easy as pie. I’ll give you three easy steps to follow that will turn your van into the ultimate kitchenette. Here they are:
Install an in-dash or hook and loop gas kit. Plug in a 12v electric adapter and set the gas tank level so it’s centered with the hitch ball. Hook the gas door closed, but leave a little wiggle room for a couple of feet. Hook up the tailgate, and connect the positive cable to the negative cable on the battery. Hook up the negative cable to the negative outlet on the battery, and use the same screwdriver to disconnect the battery.
Hook up the rear hatch to your truck bed camper. Install a rear defroster. Remove the soft pop-up from its hook under the tarp. On some flat-bed trucks, this is under the bed rail. Use your screwdriver to unbolt the rear defroster to the frame rail.
Thermostat cables are usually buried under carpet, making access to them a challenge, at least for regular truck bed campers. This doesn’t have to stop you. A soft-close thermostat is a simple twist of a wrench. The best truck bed campers will provide a water-tight seal between the truck bed camper and the radiator. Thermostats are available in several styles to match truck beds.
Dry-erase board insulation is another option to protect your truck bed. There are several brands, including the premier brand, California-based Thermal foil. The foil insulation works great in northern lites and on wood. Another popular brand is drywall thermal tape, which provides similar protection. The tape comes in rolls similar to fiberglass insulation, and its smaller size allows it to fit into tight places that would be challenging to install other types of insulation.
Ventilation is another key element in your truck camper’s comfort. It’s very common for northern lites to experience condensation, especially when driving for long periods of time. Northern lites are designed to be very aerodynamic, so they naturally draw air into the camper with their warm, moist air. To reduce condensation, check the temperature of the inside of the camper. The best truck bed campers require at least an eight-inch-thick door for proper ventilation. Also, make sure the outside of the camper has adequate vents to release moisture.
The best truck bed camper truck bed campers require more than just a good set of sleeping bags. You’ll need a nice cosy sleeping area, too. Truck camper sleepers come in various sizes and styles, including the popular single-piece design that provides an easy, flat surface for comfortable sleeping. The best campers require at least a twin-size bed, although double-piece designs are also available for those who like to travel with two people.
There are plenty of advantages to owning a truck camper if you want an off-road, versatile vehicle. Although most truck bed campers still tow fairly well, there is some subjectivity involved in finding the right camper for your needs. If you are looking for a basic truck camper that will pull relatively little, then a simple single-piece design should work well. Otherwise, a twin-seater or double-seater will give you better space control.
In your search for the best truck camper for your needs, there are some factors to consider that will be different depending on your needs. For example, how much storage space do you need? Do you need a galley model, with a larger bed in the center? How about a folding bed? Consider all the possibilities, and then look for what will work best for you.
As far as amenities go, there are many RV accessories that would be considered luxuries on any truck camper. These amenities include a large shower, a nice large toilet, an electric bidet, multiple side mirrors, a microwave, and perhaps the most important amenity, a foldable dining table. These things are necessary in order to cook meals. If you can’t cook, you can always eat out at restaurants, but eating out is a luxury most truck bed campers don’t find appealing. Whatever your needs are, make sure to take these into consideration when shopping for your new camper