Slide in Truck Campers
In my somewhat prejudiced opinion, slide in truck campers represent the best value in the RV world. When ever you are making a purchase of this size there are going to be trade-offs and compromises in your decision. However, at least for my family, and probably yours, the trade-offs lean in the favor of the pick up camper.
Floor Space
The first trade-off with a slide in truck camper is room. The few RVs that have less floor-space than a slide in camper are at the very small end of their class. The smallest of motor homes, the conversion vans, generally have more floor space than the average slide in truck camper, and there are a few tiny travel trailers which are more cramped than a pickup camper. The floor space of the camper can be increased by adding sliders, but these features add weight, complexity, and expense to the package.
This is an acceptable trade off for my family. When we go camping, we want to be outside as much as we can. My daughter scoffs that if you had all that room and comfort you might as well camp in an RV lot and sit inside all day (I hope she keeps that attitude, at least through her teen years). When we get to our camp spot, the first thing my wife and girls do is pull out the folding chairs and find the most comfortable spots to sit while I level the rig. After that, the only time we are in the camper is to get some snacks, change clothes, or sleep. If the weather is bad, we can spend the afternoon sitting around the dinette, eating popcorn and playing cards or watching movies (if it is REALLY bad, we are not too proud to pack up and go home).
Versatility
For me, the biggest advantages of the slide in truck camper are its versatility and its value. As far as versatility goes, it can go almost anywhere I can drive my truck. We have camped in full service campgrounds, but we prefer more hidden spots. We are set up for boon docking, so we can stay in one spot without hookups for several days. Not that we probably would. It is so easy to get going that we would probably enjoy a spot for two or three nights and then move to another.
The slide in truck camper and pickup campers is one of the least costly RVs to purchase new. They hold there value better than other RVs, but there are still some good values in the used market. When looking at used RVs, keep in mind that there are less “moving parts” on a camper, so spotting the one that has been abused or which is a real value is easier than with other RV types.
