Truck bed campers offer convenient and versatile lodging options for when you're on the road, but not all campers are compatible with all trucks. If you're purchasing a new truck that will have a camper installed on its bed, make sure the truck is well matched for the camper you want to use.
Check the Truck Bed's Length
A truck bed camper will only fit if the truck's bed matches in length. The camper will dangerously hang over a bed that's too short, and it won't mount properly on a bed that's too long. The bed has to fall within the parameters of your camper's length allowances. You can find those allowances by contacting the manufacturer or checking the owner's manual of the camper.
Matching a truck bed to a camper generally hasn't been an issue in the past, as most beds were made of similar lengths, and manufacturers design campers for the length. The length of truck beds varies much more today, however, as trucks may have beds ranging from 5 feet 8 inches to 8 feet.
Not only is truck bed length a detail you must check, but it's one that you should check early so you know what size truck you can purchase.
Consider the Truck's Weight Capacity
Truck bed campers can weigh a significant amount, especially if they're larger and have many features. Showers, kitchen appliances, and beds all add weight to a camper. The truck you purchase should be able to handle the weight of your camper.
When calculating the camper's weight, don't just go on the truck bed camper's dry weight. You should also take into account the weight of added gear that you're bringing along.
Basic supplies for a couple on a three-day camping trip can total 100 pounds. This weight only increases if you have more people and are going on longer trips, and it doesn't consider heavier gear such as a generator or grill.
A truck's weight capacity should be significantly more than your camper's weight, so you have plenty of additional weight allowance for gear and unanticipated items. If a single-axle truck's weight capacity isn't high enough, a double-axle truck will have a much higher capacity.
Tally the Cab's Seats
The truck you purchase should be able to carry everyone who vacations with you on a single trip. In other words, the truck's cab should match the number of beds in your truck bed camper. After all, what's the point of having beds if you don't have seats for people to ride in?
All trucks will accommodate at least two people, so this is an arbitrary issue if you have a small couple's camper. If your camper sleeps four or six people, however, you'll likely need a truck that has two rows of seating. You should also make sure that the rear row's seats are comfortable, as people will likely be riding back there for hours.
Truck manufacturers must balance the length of their truck's cabs and beds on standard models. The largest cabs often aren't available with the largest beds. Thus, you may have trouble finding a truck that has two rows of comfortable seats and a bed that accommodates a 6-person camper.
If a standard truck that meets your bed and seat requirements isn't available, manufacturers can build a custom truck to your specifications. Custom trucks can have large cabs and long beds since the manufacturers build them to your requirements.
Should you want a
custom truck built for a truck bed camper, get in touch with the body experts at Diamond Truck Body Manufacturing Inc. They have the expertise to construct a truck that will suit your camper well.
