Well now, let’s talk about them pop-up campers for pickup trucks. You know, the kind you stick in the back of your truck and go gallivanting around. I ain’t no expert, mind you, but I’ve seen a thing or two, and I can tell ya what’s what.
First things first, you gotta figure out if your truck can even handle one of them things. Don’t go buyin’ somethin’ your truck can’t carry. It’s like tryin’ to put a saddle on a hog, ain’t gonna work. Go on down to one of them weigh stations and see what your truck can haul. They got these numbers, like GCWR or somethin’, figure that out and then subtract your truck’s weight. That’ll tell ya how much that camper can weigh. And don’t forget, that camper’s gonna be heavier when you got all your stuff in it, they call it “wet weight” or somethin’ fancy like that.
Now, there’s all sorts of these pop-up campers. Some are real simple, like that OPUS Off-Road one. Heard tell it sets up in a minute and a half! Just blows up like a big ol’ balloon, I reckon. Good for folks who like to go off-roadin’, got them big tires and all. Then you got your Palomino SS-1500, fits a half-ton truck, they say. And that Alaskan 6.5 Cabover, looks kinda fancy with its tall roof inside. And there’s that Four Wheel Camper’s Hawk Model, folks seem to like that one too. Oh, and that Lone Peak Camper, heard it costs a pretty penny, though.
Pickin’ a truck for your camper is another thing. You got your RAM 2500, folks say it’s good for everyday drivin’. Then there’s the big ol’ Ford F-450, for them real heavy campers. If you got a smaller camper, maybe that Ford F-150 is for you. And for seein’ what’s behind ya, them GMC Sierra HD and Chevrolet Silverado HD got them fancy cameras. If you’re haulin’ the whole family around, that RAM 1500 might be the ticket.
- Think about what you need: You gotta think about what you’re gonna be doin’ with that camper. Just you and the missus? Or the whole darn family? Gonna be stayin’ in campgrounds with hookups, or out in the boonies? That’ll help you figure out what kind of camper you need.
- Don’t go overboard: Don’t buy more than you need. It’s like buyin’ a ten-gallon hat when you got a peanut head. Just get somethin’ that fits your needs and your budget.
- Check it out good: Before you buy anythin’, take a good look at it. Make sure it’s sturdy and well-built. Kick the tires, so to speak. You don’t want somethin’ that’s gonna fall apart on ya the first time you take it out.
Now, there’s some downsides to these pop-up campers, ya know. They ain’t got much room inside. You gotta pack light, like you’re goin’ on a weekend trip, not movin’ the whole house. And they ain’t insulated too good. It can get mighty cold in the winter and hot in the summer. That pop-up part is just canvas or vinyl, nothin’ fancy.
But, if you don’t mind roughin’ it a bit, a pop-up camper can be a real good way to see the country. You can go anywhere your truck can go. Got a four-wheel-drive truck? Well then, you got a four-wheel-drive camper, see? It’s like havin’ a little house on wheels, only it’s a tent on wheels, I guess. And you don’t have to spend a fortune on them like them big RVs. You can find a decent used one for a fair price, if you look around.
So, there ya have it. That’s about all I know about pop-up campers for pickup trucks. Just remember to do your homework, figure out what you need, and don’t go buyin’ somethin’ you can’t handle. And most importantly, have fun out there! Get out and see the world, while you still can.
Tags: [pop up camper, pickup truck, truck camper, camping, RV, off-road, travel, outdoor]
